File No. 33-44254
811-6490
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 21 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 922-6000
Mark N. Jacobs, Esq.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
X on March 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
----
on (DATE) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
----
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
----
on (DATE) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
----
If appropriate, check the following box:
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date
----- for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund
Investing in stocks, bonds and money market instruments for total return
PROSPECTUS March 1, 1999
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund
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Ticker Symbols: NOT YET AVAILABLE
Contents
The Fund
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Goal/Approach INSIDE COVER
Main Risks 1
Past Performance 1
Expenses 2
Management 3
Financial Highlights 4
Your Investment
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Account Policies 6
Distributions and Taxes 8
Services for Fund Investors 9
Instructions for Regular Accounts 10
Instructions for IRAs 11
For More Information
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SEE BACK COVER.
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks long-term total return. To pursue this goal, the portfolio
manager actively allocates the fund's assets among stocks, bonds and money
market instruments of both U.S. and foreign issuers. The fund also uses futures
contracts to gain international stock exposure because they tend to minimize
transaction costs and allow the fund to mitigate unfavorable tax treatment in
foreign countries. The fund may use currency forwards to hedge or to gain
foreign currency exposure. For diversification, the portfolio manager generally
maintains investments in at least three countries at all times, but typically in
at least a dozen countries.
In structuring the fund, the portfolio manager regularly measures expected
returns and expected risk in global stock, bond and cash markets. The portfolio
manager analyzes the attractiveness of stocks versus bonds and cash within each
market from a local investor's perspective. Next, the manager looks at the
attractiveness of all asset classes and currencies relative to one another in
terms of risk and return. The fund seeks to exceed the returns of a hypothetical
benchmark comprised of 60% Morgan Stanley Capital International World Equity
Index, 30% Salomon Smith Barney World Government Bond Index and 10% cash.
Concepts to understand
ASSET ALLOCATION: a strategy of dividing assets among several categories of
investments -- stocks, bonds and money market securities -- to take advantage of
changing market conditions.
<PAGE>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors,
they do fluctuate in price. Prices of bonds tend to move inversely with changes
in interest rates. While a rise in rates may allow the fund to invest for higher
yields, the most immediate effect is usually a drop in bond prices, and
therefore in the fund's share price as well. As a result, the value of your
investment in the fund will go up and down, meaning you could lose money.
Although the portfolio manager strives to allocate the fund's assets to optimize
its performance in changing market conditions, there is the risk that
overweighting or underweighting one asset class relative to another could
increase the fund's risk or reduce its returns.
Foreign securities include special risks, such as exposure to currency
fluctuations, changing political climate and potentially less liquidity.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. Although the fund would do so only in seeking to
avoid losses, it could reduce the benefit from any upswing in the market.
Other potential risks
The fund may invest some of its assets in derivative securities, such as options
and futures, and in foreign currencies. These practices are used primarily to
hedge the fund's portfolio, but may be used to increase returns; however, such
practices may lower returns or increase volatility. Derivatives can be illiquid,
and a small investment in certain derivatives could have a potentially large
impact on the fund's performance.
At times, the fund may engage in short-term trading. This could increase the
fund's transaction costs and taxable distributions, lowering its after-tax
performance accordingly.
In addition, the fund can buy securities with borrowed money (a form of
leverage), which could have the effect of magnifying the fund's gains or losses.
PAST PERFORMANCE
Since the fund has less than one calendar year of performance, past performance
information is not included. For performance as of the end of the fiscal year,
please refer to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
What this fund is -- and isn't
This fund is a mutual fund: a pooled investment that is professionally managed
and gives you the opportunity to participate in financial markets. It strives to
reach its stated goal, although as with all mutual funds, it cannot offer
guaranteed results.
An investment in this fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or
guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is not a complete
investment program. You could lose money in this fund, but you also have the
potential to make money.
<PAGE>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the tables below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fee table
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES (FEES PAID
FROM YOUR ACCOUNT)
Maximum front end sales charge on purchases
AS A % OF OFFERING PRICE 5.75 NONE NONE NONE
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge
(CDSC) AS A % OF PURCHASE OR SALE PRICE,
WHICHEVER IS LESS NONE* 4.00 1.00 NONE
Maximum account fee
CHARGED ONLY TO REGULAR ACCOUNTS WITH BALANCES
BELOW $2,000
(SEE "YOUR INVESTMENT--ACCOUNT POLICIES") $12 $12 $12 $12
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ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES PAID
FROM FUND ASSETS)
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
12b-1 fees NONE .75 .75 NONE
Shareholder services fee .25 .25 .25 NONE
Other expenses** .75 .75 .75 .75
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TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 2.00 2.75 2.75 1.75
* SHARES BOUGHT WITHOUT AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE AS PART OF AN INVESTMENT OF $1
MILLION OR MORE MAY BE CHARGED A CDSC OF 1.00% IF REDEEMED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
** "OTHER EXPENSES" ARE BASED ON ESTIMATED AMOUNTS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THE AMOUNTS INDICATED ABOVE.
</TABLE>
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years
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CLASS A $766 $1,166
CLASS B
WITH REDEMPTION $678 $1,153
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $278 $853
CLASS C
WITH REDEMPTION $378 $853
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $278 $853
CLASS R $178 $551
This example shows what you could pay in expenses over time. It uses the same
hypothetical conditions other funds use in their prospectuses: $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in expenses. Because actual
return and expenses will be different, the example is for comparison only.
Concepts to understand
MANAGEMENT FEE: the fee paid to Dreyfus for managing the fund's portfolio and
assisting in all aspects of its operation.
12B-1 FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for distributing Class B and
Class C shares. Because this fee is paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing
basis, over time it will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you
more than paying other types of sales charges.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: a fee paid to the fund's distributor for providing
shareholder services.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages one of the nation's
leading mutual fund complexes, with more than $117 billion in more than 160
mutual fund portfolios. Dreyfus is the mutual fund business of Mellon Bank
Corporation, a broad-based financial services company with a bank at its core.
With more than $350 billion of assets under management and $1.7 trillion of
assets under administration and custody, Mellon provides a full range of
banking, investment and trust products and services to individuals, businesses
and institutions. Its mutual fund companies place Mellon as the leading bank
manager of mutual funds. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Management philosophy
The Dreyfus asset management philosophy is based on the belief that discipline
and consistency are important to investment success. For each fund, the firm
seeks to establish clear guidelines for portfolio management and to be
systematic in making decisions. This approach is designed to provide each fund
with a distinct, stable identity.
Portfolio manager
The fund's primary portfolio manager is Lex C. Huberts. He has managed the fund
since its inception and has been employed by Dreyfus as a portfolio manager
since June 1998. Since August 1992, Mr. Huberts has also been a Senior Vice
President and Director of Asset Allocation Strategies for Mellon Capital
Management Corporation, an affiliate of The Dreyfus Corporation.
Concepts to understand
YEAR 2000 ISSUES: the fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
used by Dreyfus and the fund's other service providers do not properly process
and calculate date-related information from and after January 1, 2000.
Dreyfus is working to avoid year 2000-related problems in its systems and to
obtain assurances from other service providers that they are taking similar
steps. In addition, issuers of securities in which the fund invests may be
adversely affected by year 2000-related problems. This could have an impact on
the value of the fund's investments and its share price.
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables describe the performance of each share class for the fiscal
period indicated. "Total return" shows how much your investment in the fund
would have increased (or decreased) during the period, assuming you had
reinvested all dividends and distributions. These figures have been
independently audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report, along with the fund's
financial statements, is included in the annual report.
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS A 1998(1)
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PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .09
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (.52)
Total from investment operations (.43)
Net asset value, end of period 12.07
Total return (%)(2) (3.44)(3)
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RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .59(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) .75(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to
actions by Dreyfus (%) .11(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 12.26(3)
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Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 6,758
(1) FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 29, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER
31, 1998.
(2) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS B 1998(1)
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PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .06
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments (.52)
Total from investment operations (.46)
Net asset value, end of period 12.04
Total return (%)(2) (3.68)(3)
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RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .84(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) .50(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to actions
by Dreyfus (%) .11(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 12.26(3)
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Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 6,740
(1) FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 29, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER
31, 1998.
(2) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
<PAGE>
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS C 1998(1)
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PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .06
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments (.52)
Total from investment operations (.46)
Net asset value, end of period 12.04
Total return (%)(2) (3.68)(3)
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RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .84(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets (%) .50(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to
actions by Dreyfus (%) .11(3
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 12.26(3)
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Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 1,926
(1) FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 29, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER
31, 1998.
(2) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS R 1998(1)
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PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .10
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments (.52)
Total from investment operations (.42)
Net asset value, end of period 12.08
Total return (%) (3.36)(2)
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RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .50(2)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) .84(2)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to
actions by Dreyfus (%) .11(2)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 12.26(2)
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Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 3,864
(1) FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 29, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER
31, 1998.
(2) NOT ANNUALIZED.
<PAGE>
YOUR INVESTMENT
ACCOUNT POLICIES
THE DREYFUS PREMIER FUNDS are designed primarily for people who are investing
through a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or financial adviser, or in
a 401(k) or other retirement plan. Third parties with whom you open a fund
account may impose policies, limitations and fees which are different from those
described here.
YOU WILL NEED TO CHOOSE A SHARE CLASS before making your initial investment. In
making your choice, you should weigh the impact of all potential costs over the
length of your investment, including sales charges and annual fees. For example,
in some cases, it can be more economical to pay an initial sales charge than to
choose a class with no initial sales charge but higher annual fees and a CDSC.
o CLASS A shares may be appropriate for investors who prefer to pay the
fund's sales charge up front rather than upon the sale of their shares,
want to take advantage of the reduced sales charges available on larger
investments and/or have a longer-term investment horizon.
o CLASS B shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work
immediately and/or have a longer-term investment horizon.
o CLASS C shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work
immediately and/or have a shorter-term investment horizon.
o CLASS R shares are designed for eligible institutions on behalf of their
clients. Individuals may not purchase these shares directly.
Your financial representative can help you choose the share class that is
appropriate for you.
Reduced Class A sales charge
LETTER OF INTENT: lets you purchase Class A shares over a 13-month period and
receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION: lets you add the value of any Class A, B or C shares in
this fund or any other Dreyfus Premier fund sold with a sales load that you
already own to the amount of your next Class A investment for purposes of
calculating the sales charge.
CONSULT THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) OR YOUR FINANCIAL
REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS.
Share class charges
EACH SHARE CLASS has its own fee structure. In some cases, you may not have to
pay a sales charge to buy or sell shares. Consult your financial representative
or the SAI to see if this may apply to you.
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Sales charges
CLASS A -- CHARGED WHEN YOU BUY SHARES
Sales charge Sales charge as
deducted as a % a % of your
Your investment of offering price net investment
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Up to $49,999 5.75% 6.10%
$50,000 -- $99,999 4.50% 4.70%
$100,000 -- $249,999 3.50% 3.60%
$250,000 -- $499,999 2.50% 2.60%
$500,000 -- $999,999 2.00% 2.00%
$1 million or more* 0.00% 0.00%
* A 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge may be charged on any shares sold
within one year of purchase (except shares bought through reinvestment).
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CLASS B -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
Contingent deferred sales charge
Time since you bought as a % of your initial investment or
the shares you are selling your redemption (whichever is less)
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Up to 2 years 4.00%
2 -- 4 years 3.00%
4 -- 5 years 2.00%
5 -- 6 years 1.00%
More than 6 years Shares will automatically
convert to Class A
Class B shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.75% of the class's
average daily net assets.
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CLASS C -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
A 1.00% CDSC is imposed on redemptions made within the first year of purchase.
Class C shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.75% of the class's
average daily net assets.
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CLASS R -- NO SALES LOAD OR RULE 12B-1 FEES
<PAGE>
Buying shares
THE NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) of each class is generally calculated as of the close
of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the NAV next
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
entity authorized to accept orders on behalf of the fund. The fund's investments
are valued based on market value or, where market quotations are not readily
available, based on fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's board.
ORDERS TO BUY AND SELL SHARES RECEIVED BY DEALERS by the close of trading on the
NYSE and transmitted to the distributor or its designee by the close of its
business day (normally 5:15 p.m. Eastern time) will be based on the NAV
determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day.
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Minimum investments Initial Additional
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REGULAR ACCOUNTS $1,000 $100; $500 FOR
TELETRANSFER INVESTMENTS
TRADITIONAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
SPOUSAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
ROTH IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
EDUCATION IRAS $500 NO MINIMUM
AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC $100 $100
INVESTMENT PLANS
All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party checks cannot be accepted.
You may be charged a fee for any check that does not clear. Maximum TeleTransfer
purchase is $150,000 per day.
Concepts to understand
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV): the market value of one share, computed by dividing the
total net assets of a fund or class by its shares outstanding. The fund's Class
A shares are offered to the public at NAV plus a sales charge. Classes B, C and
R are offered at NAV, but Classes B and C are subject to higher annual
distribution fees and a sales charge upon redemption.
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL SHARES AT ANY TIME through your financial representative, or you
can contact the fund directly. Your shares will be sold at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
entity authorized to accept orders on behalf of the fund. Any certificates
representing fund shares being sold must be returned with your redemption
request. Your order will be processed promptly and you will generally receive
the proceeds within a week.
TO KEEP YOUR CDSC AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, each time you request to sell shares we
will first sell shares that are not subject to a CDSC, and then those subject to
the lowest charge. The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost
or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on
shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. There are certain instances
when you may qualify to have the CDSC waived. Consult the Statement of
Additional Information for details.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that if the fund has not
yet collected payment for the shares you are selling, it may delay sending the
proceeds for up to eight business days or until it has collected payment.
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
o amounts of $1,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed within
the last 30 days
o requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address
Written sell orders of $100,000 or more must also be signature guaranteed.
A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most
banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. For joint accounts,
each signature must be guaranteed. Please call us to ensure that your signature
guarantee will be processed correctly.
<PAGE>
General policies
UNLESS YOU DECLINE TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES on your application, you may be
responsible for any fraudulent telephone order as long as Dreyfus takes
reasonable measures to verify the order.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO:
o refuse any purchase or exchange request that could adversely affect the
fund or its operations, including those from any individual or group who,
in the fund's view, is likely to engage in excessive trading (usually
defined as more than four exchanges out of the fund within a calendar year)
o refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of 1% of the fund's total
assets
o change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend this
privilege during unusual market conditions
o change its minimum investment amounts
o delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally
applies only in cases of very large redemptions, excessive trading or
during unusual market conditions)
The fund also reserves the right to make a "redemption in kind" -- payment in
portfolio securities rather than cash -- if the amount you are redeeming is
large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it represents more than
1% of the fund's assets).
Small account policies
To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller accounts, the fund
charges regular accounts with balances below $2,000 an annual fee of $12. The
fee will be imposed during the fourth quarter of each calendar year.
The fee will be waived for: any investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund
investments total at least $25,000; IRA accounts; accounts participating in
automatic investment programs; accounts opened through a financial institution.
If your account falls below $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance.
If it is still below $500 after 45 days, the fund may close your account and
send you the proceeds.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND GENERALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS dividends from its net investment
income, and distributes any net capital gains that it has realized once a year.
Each share class will generate a different dividend because each has different
expenses. Your distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct
the fund otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.
FUND DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ARE TAXABLE to most investors (unless your
investment is in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). The tax status of any
distribution is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and
whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. In general,
distributions are taxable as follows:
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Taxability of distributions
Type of Tax rate for Tax rate for
distribution 15% bracket 28% bracket or above
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except between tax-deferred accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares may
generate a tax liability. Of course, withdrawals or distributions from
tax-deferred accounts are taxable when received.
The table above can provide a guide for potential tax liability when selling or
exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to fund shares sold
up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term capital gains" applies to shares
sold after 12 months.
<PAGE>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
THE THIRD PARTY THROUGH WHOM YOU PURCHASED fund shares may impose different
restrictions on these services and privileges offered by the fund, or may not
make them available at all. Consult your financial representative for more
information on the availability of these services and privileges.
Automatic services
BUYING OR SELLING SHARES AUTOMATICALLY is easy with the services described
below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain
restrictions. You can set up most of these services with your application, or by
calling your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611.
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For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments ASSET BUILDER(R) from a
designated bank account.
DREYFUS PAYROLL For making automatic investments SAVINGS PLAN through a payroll
deduction.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT For making automatic investments
DIRECT DEPOSIT from your federal employment,
PRIVILEGE Social Security or other regular
federal government check.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND For automatically reinvesting the
SWEEP dividends and distributions from
one Dreyfus fund into another
(not available for IRAs).
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For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE from one Dreyfus
fund into another.
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For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds. There will be
no CDSC on Class B shares, as long as the
amounts withdrawn do not exceed 12% annually of
the account value at the time the shareholder
elects to participate in the plan.
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE (no minimum for retirement accounts)
from one class of the fund into the same class of another Dreyfus Premier fund.
You can request your exchange by contacting your financial representative. Be
sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging
before investing. Any new account established through an exchange will generally
have the same privileges as your original account (as long as they are
available). There is currently no fee for exchanges, although you may be charged
a sales load when exchanging into any fund that has a higher one.
Teletransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer on your
account by providing bank account information and following the instructions on
your application, or contact your financial representative.
Reinvestment privilege
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, YOU CAN REINVEST up to the number of Class A or B shares
you redeemed within 45 days of selling them at the current share price without
any sales charge. If you paid a CDSC, it will be credited back to your account.
This privilege may be used only once.
Account statements
EVERY FUND INVESTOR automatically receives regular account statements. You'll
also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any
dividends and distributions you have received.
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
Name of Fund
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900337540
* the fund name
* the share class
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application with the account
number on the application.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate on your application which automatic
service(s) you want. Return your application with your investment.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Mail the slip and the check to:
Name of Fund
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900337540
* the fund name
* the share class
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but before your account number insert "1111"
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any automatic investing service (see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any other required materials.
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name(s) and signature(s)
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see page 7).
Mail your request to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. Be
sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Proceeds will be wired
to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Call us or your financial representative to request your
transaction. Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file.
Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic check.
CHECK Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. A
check will be sent to the address of record.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us or your financial representative to request a
form to add the plan. Complete the form, specifying the amount and frequency of
withdrawals you would like.
Be sure to maintain an account balance of $5,000 or more.
To open an account, make subsequent investments or to sell shares, please
contact your financial representative or call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR IRAS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete an IRA application, making sure to specify the fund name and to
indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail in the slip and the check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900337540
* the fund name
* the share class * your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but before your account number insert "1111"
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any automatic investing service (see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any other required materials. All contributions
will count as current year.
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number and fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
* whether the distribution is qualified or premature
* whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see page 7).
Mail in your request to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish the
plan.
For information and assistance, contact your financial representative or call
toll free in the U.S. 1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS TRUST
COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
<PAGE>
[Application p 1 here]
<PAGE>
[Application p 2 here]
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
DREYFUS PREMIER GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND
A SERIES OF DREYFUS PREMIER
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-6490
More information on this fund is
available free upon request, including
the following:
Statement of Additional Information
(SAI)
Provides more details about the fund and
its policies. A current SAI is on file
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and is incorporated by
reference (is legally considered part of
this prospectus).
To obtain information:
BY TELEPHONE
Call your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611
BY MAIL Write to:
The Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds
144 Glenn Curtiss
Boulevard Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from: http://www.sec.gov
You can also obtain copies by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC (phone 1-800-SEC-0330) or by sending your request and a
duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC
20549-6009.
<PAGE>
DREYFUS PREMIER GREATER CHINA FUND
Investing in the Greater China region for long-term capital appreciation
PROSPECTUS March 1, 1999
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund
- ----------------------------------
Ticker Symbols: NOT YET AVAILABLE
CONTENTS
The Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goal/Approach INSIDE COVER
Main Risks 1
Past Performance 1
Expenses 2
Management 3
Financial Highlights 4
Your Investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Policies 6
Distributions and Taxes 8
Services for Fund Investors 9
Instructions for Regular Accounts 10
Instructions for IRAs 11
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE BACK COVER.
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. To pursue this goal, the fund
invests primarily in stocks of companies traded in "Greater China," a region
that encompasses China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The fund also may invest in
securities of companies that are not traded in those markets but do much or all
of their business in Greater China.
To determine where the fund will invest, the portfolio managers analyze several
factors, including:
o economic and political trends in the countries of Greater China.
o the current financial condition and future prospects of individual
companies and sectors in the region.
o the valuation of one market or company relative to that of another.
The portfolio managers seek companies that they believe are growing rapidly and
whose share price appears to be reasonably valued based on that growth
potential. They focus on countries in which the economic and business
environments appear to support the long-term growth of individual companies and
the economy as a whole.
Many of the securities in which the fund invests are denominated in foreign
currencies. To protect the fund against potential depreciation of the region's
currencies versus the U.S. dollar, the portfolio managers may engage in currency
hedging.
Concepts to understand
CURRENCY HEDGING: the value of foreign currencies can fluctuate significantly
relative to the U.S. dollar and potentially result in losses for investors. To
help offset such declines, the portfolio manager may employ certain techniques
designed to reduce the fund's foreign currency exposure. Generally, this
involves buying options, futures, or forward contracts for the foreign currency.
<PAGE>
MAIN RISKS
The stock and bond markets of the Greater China region, like those of other
developing economies, have experienced significant volatility. The value of your
investment in the fund will go up and down, sometimes dramatically, meaning you
could lose money.
The fund's performance will be influenced by political, social and economic
factors affecting companies in the Greater China region. These risks include
expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, exchange control
regulations (including currency blockage), a lack of adequate company
information, differing auditing and legal standards, political instability and
less diverse and mature economic structures. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in
inflation and interest rates have had, and may continue to have, negative
effects on the economies and securities markets of Greater China. In addition,
investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic
relationship with China.
In addition to being geographically concentrated, the fund is non-diversified
and may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular company
compared with other funds. Typically, the fund will invest in 50 or fewer
individual companies. Accordingly, the fund's portfolio may be more sensitive to
changes in the market value of a single company or industry.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund may invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. Although the fund would only do this in seeking to
avoid losses, it could reduce the benefit of any upswing in the market.
Other potential risks
The fund may invest some of its assets in derivative securities, such as options
and futures, and in foreign currencies. These practices are used primarily to
hedge the fund's portfolio, but may be used to increase returns; however, such
practices may lower returns or increase volatility. Derivatives can be illiquid,
and a small investment in certain derivatives could have a potentially large
impact on the fund's performance.
In addition, the fund can buy securities with borrowed money (a form of
leverage), which could magnify the fund's gains or losses.
PAST PERFORMANCE
Since the fund has less than one calendar year of performance, past performance
information is not included. For performance as of the end of the fiscal year,
please refer to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
What this fund is -- and isn't
This fund is a mutual fund: a pooled investment that is professionally managed
and gives you the opportunity to participate in financial markets. It strives to
reach its stated goal, although as with all mutual funds, it cannot offer
guaranteed results.
An investment in this fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or
guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is not a complete
investment program. You could lose money in this fund, but you also have the
potential to make money.
<PAGE>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the tables below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fee table
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES (FEES PAID FROM YOUR ACCOUNT)
Maximum front end sales charge on purchases AS A % OF OFFERING PRICE 5.75 NONE NONE NONE
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)
AS A % OF PURCHASE OR SALE PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS NONE* 4.00 1.00 NONE
Maximum account fee
CHARGED ONLY TO REGULAR ACCOUNTS WITH BALANCES BELOW $2,000
(SEE "YOUR INVESTMENT--ACCOUNT POLICIES") $12 $12 $12 $12
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25
12b-1 fee NONE .75 .75 NONE
Shareholder services fee .25 .25 .25 NONE
Other expenses** .75 .75 .75 .75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 2.25 3.00 3.00 2.00
* SHARES BOUGHT WITHOUT AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE AS PART OF AN INVESTMENT OF $1
MILLION OR MORE MAY BE CHARGED A CDSC OF 1.00% IF REDEEMED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
** "OTHER EXPENSES" ARE BASED ON ESTIMATED AMOUNTS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THE
AMOUNTS INDICATED ABOVE.
</TABLE>
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A $790 $1,238
CLASS B
WITH REDEMPTION $703 $1,227
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $303 $927
CLASS C
WITH REDEMPTION $403 $927
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $303 $927
CLASS R $203 $627
This example shows what you could pay in expenses over time. It uses the same
hypothetical conditions other funds use in their prospectuses: $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in expenses. Because actual
return and expenses will be different, the example is for comparison only.
Concepts to understand
MANAGEMENT FEE: the fee paid to Dreyfus for managing the fund's portfolio and
assisting in all aspects of its operation.
12B-1 FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for distributing Class B and
Class C shares. Because this fee is paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing
basis, over time it will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you
more than paying other types of sales charges.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: a fee paid to the fund's distributor for providing
shareholder services.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages one of the nation's
leading mutual fund complexes, with more than $117 billion in more than 160
mutual fund portfolios. Dreyfus is the mutual fund business of Mellon Bank
Corporation, a broad-based financial services company with a bank at its core.
With more than $350 billion of assets under management and $1.7 trillion of
assets under administration and custody, Mellon provides a full range of
banking, investment and trust products and services to individuals, businesses
and institutions. Its mutual fund companies place Mellon as the leading bank
manager of mutual funds. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dreyfus has engaged Hamon U.S. Investment Advisors Limited, located at 2903-5
Alexandra House, 16-20 Chater Road, Hong Kong, to serve as the fund's
sub-investment adviser. Hamon is a registered investment adviser incorporated in
Hong Kong. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hamon Investment Group Pte
Limited. Hamon, subject to Dreyfus' supervision and approval, provides
investment advisory assistance and research and the day-to-day management of the
fund's investments. Hamon provides investment management services and offers
discretionary and advisory services for institutions, corporations and pension
funds, as well as various mutual funds. As of December 31, 1998, Hamon had
approximately $315 million under management.
MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
The Dreyfus asset management philosophy is based on the belief that discipline
and consistency are important to investment success. For each fund, the firm
seeks to establish clear guidelines for portfolio management and to be
systematic in making decisions. This approach is designed to provide each fund
with a distinct, stable identity.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
The fund's primary portfolio manager is Mandy Tong. She has managed the fund
since its inception. Ms. Tong has had over 10 years' experience as an analyst
and fund manager covering the Asian equity markets. Prior to joining Hamon in
1995, Ms. Tong worked for a Swiss private bank and Merrill Lynch.
Concepts to understand
YEAR 2000 ISSUES: the fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
used by Dreyfus and the fund's other service providers do not properly process
and calculate date-related information from and after January 1, 2000.
Dreyfus is working to avoid year 2000-related problems in its systems and to
obtain assurances from other service providers that they are taking similar
steps. In addition, issuers of securities in which the fund invests may be
adversely affected by year 2000-related problems. This could have an impact on
the value of the fund's investments and its share price.
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables describe the performance of each share class for the fiscal
period indicated. "Total return" shows how much your investment in the fund
would have increased (or decreased) during the period, assuming you had
reinvested all dividends and distributions. These figures have been
independently audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report, along with the fund's
financial statements, is included in the annual report.
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS A 1998(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .13
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments .15
Total from investment operations .28
Net asset value, end of period 12.78
Total return (%)(2) 2.24(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.08(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) 1.04(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due
to actions by Dreyfus (%) 2.75(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 10.65(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 1,442
(1) FROM MAY 12, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER 31, 1998.
(2) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS B 1998(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .08
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments .15
Total from investment operations .23
Net asset value, end of period 12.73
Total return (%)(2) 1.84(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.44(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) .69(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to
actions by Dreyfus (%) 2.75(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 10.65(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 227
(1) FROM MAY 12, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER 31, 1998.
(2) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
<PAGE>
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS C 1998(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .08
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments .15
Total from investment operations .23
Net asset value, end of period 12.73
Total return (%)(2) 1.84(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.43(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) .68(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to
actions by Dreyfus (%) 2.75(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 10.65(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 204
(1) FROM MAY 12, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER 31, 1998.
(2) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
CLASS R 1998(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.50
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .14
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments .15
Total from investment operations .29
Net asset value, end of period 12.79
Total return (%) 2.32(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .96(2)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) 1.16(2)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to
actions by Dreyfus (%) 2.75(2)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 10.65(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 205
(1) FROM MAY 12, 1998 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO OCTOBER 31, 1998.
(2) NOT ANNUALIZED.
<PAGE>
YOUR INVESTMENT
ACCOUNT POLICIES
THE DREYFUS PREMIER FUNDS are designed primarily for people who are investing
through a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or financial adviser, or in
a 401(k) or other retirement plan. Third parties with whom you open a fund
account may impose policies, limitations and fees which are different from those
described here.
YOU WILL NEED TO CHOOSE A SHARE CLASS before making your initial investment. In
making your choice, you should weigh the impact of all potential costs over the
length of your investment, including sales charges and annual fees. For example,
in some cases, it can be more economical to pay an initial sales charge than to
choose a class with no initial sales charge but higher annual fees and a CDSC.
o CLASS A shares may be appropriate for investors who prefer to pay the
fund's sales charge up front rather than upon the sale of their shares,
want to take advantage of the reduced sales charges available on larger
investments and/or have a longer-term investment horizon
o CLASS B shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work
immediately and/or have a longer-term investment horizon
o CLASS C shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work
immediately and/or have a shorter-term investment horizon
o CLASS R shares are designed for eligible institutions on behalf of their
clients. Individuals may not purchase these shares directly.
Your financial representative can help you choose the share class that is
appropriate for you.
Reduced Class A sales charge
LETTER OF INTENT: lets you purchase Class A shares over a 13-month period and
receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION: lets you add the value of any Class A, B or C shares in
this fund or any other Dreyfus Premier fund sold with a sales load that you
already own to the amount of your next Class A investment for purposes of
calculating the sales charge.
CONSULT THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) OR YOUR FINANCIAL
REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS.
SHARE CLASS CHARGES
EACH SHARE CLASS has its own fee structure. In some cases, you may not have to
pay a sales charge to buy or sell shares. Consult your financial representative
or the SAI to see if this may apply to you.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales charges
CLASS A -- CHARGED WHEN YOU BUY SHARES
Sales charge Sales charge as
deducted as a % a % of your
Your investment of offering price net investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to $49,999 5.75% 6.10%
$50,000 -- $99,999 4.50% 4.70%
$100,000 -- $249,999 3.50% 3.60%
$250,000 -- $499,999 2.50% 2.60%
$500,000 -- $999,999 2.00% 2.00%
$1 million or more* 0.00% 0.00%
* A 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge may be charged on any shares sold
within one year of purchase (except shares bought through reinvestment).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
Contingent deferred sales charge
Time since you bought as a % of your initial investment or
the shares you are selling your redemption (whichever is less)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 2 years 4.00%
2 -- 4 years 3.00%
4 -- 5 years 2.00%
5 -- 6 years 1.00%
More than 6 years Shares will automatically
convert to Class A
Class B shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.75% of the class's
average daily net assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
A 1.00% CDSC is imposed on redemptions made within the first year of purchase.
Class C shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.75% of the class's
average daily net assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R -- NO SALES LOAD OR RULE 12B-1 FEES
<PAGE>
BUYING SHARES
THE NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) of each class is generally calculated as of the close
of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the NAV next
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
entity authorized to accept orders on behalf of the fund. The fund's investments
are valued based on market value or, where market quotations are not readily
available, based on fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's board.
ORDERS TO BUY AND SELL SHARES RECEIVED BY DEALERS by the close of trading on the
NYSE and transmitted to the distributor or its designee by the close of its
business day (normally 5:15 p.m. Eastern time) will be based on the NAV
determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum investments
Initial Additional
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR ACCOUNTS $1,000 $100; $500 FOR
TELETRANSFER INVESTMENTS
TRADITIONAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
SPOUSAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
ROTH IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
EDUCATION IRAS $500 NO MINIMUM
AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC $100 $100
INVESTMENT PLANS
All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party checks cannot be accepted.
You may be charged a fee for any check that does not clear. Maximum TeleTransfer
purchase is $150,000 per day.
Concepts to understand
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV): the market value of one share, computed by dividing the
total net assets of a fund or class by its shares outstanding. The fund's Class
A shares are offered to the public at NAV plus a sales charge. Classes B, C and
R are offered at NAV, but Classes B and C are subject to higher annual
distribution fees and a sales charge upon redemption.
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL SHARES AT ANY TIME through your financial representative, or you
can contact the fund directly. Your shares will be sold at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
entity authorized to accept orders on behalf of the fund. Any certificates
representing fund shares being sold must be returned with your redemption
request. Your order will be processed promptly and you will generally receive
the proceeds within a week.
TO KEEP YOUR CDSC AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, each time you request to sell shares we
will first sell shares that are not subject to a CDSC, and then those subject to
the lowest charge. The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost
or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on
shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. There are certain instances
when you may qualify to have the CDSC waived. Consult the Statement of
Additional Information for details.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that if the fund has not
yet collected payment for the shares you are selling, it may delay sending the
proceeds for up to eight business days or until it has collected payment.
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
o amounts of $1,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed within
the last 30 days
o requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address
Written sell orders of $100,000 or more must also be signature guaranteed.
A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most
banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. For joint accounts,
each signature must be guaranteed. Please call us to ensure that your signature
guarantee will be processed correctly.
<PAGE>
GENERAL POLICIES
UNLESS YOU DECLINE TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES on your application, you may be
responsible for any fraudulent telephone order as long as Dreyfus takes
reasonable measures to verify the order.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO:
o refuse any purchase or exchange request that could adversely affect the
fund or its operations, including those from any individual or group who,
in the fund's view, is likely to engage in excessive trading (usually
defined as more than four exchanges out of the fund within a calendar year)
o refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of 1% of the fund's total
assets
o change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend this
privilege during unusual market conditions
o change its minimum investment amounts
o delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally
applies only in cases of very large redemptions, excessive trading or
during unusual market conditions)
The fund also reserves the right to make a "redemption in kind" -- payment in
portfolio securities rather than cash -- if the amount you are redeeming is
large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it represents more than
1% of the fund's assets).
SMALL ACCOUNT POLICIES
To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller accounts, the fund
charges regular accounts with balances below $2,000 an annual fee of $12. The
fee will be imposed during the fourth quarter of each calendar year.
The fee will be waived for: any investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund
investments total at least $25,000; IRA accounts; accounts participating in
automatic investment programs; accounts opened through a financial institution.
If your account falls below $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance.
If it is still below $500 after 45 days, the fund may close your account and
send you the proceeds.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND GENERALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS dividends from its net investment
income, and distributes any net capital gains that it has realized once a year.
Each share class will generate a different dividend because each has different
expenses. Your distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct
the fund otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.
FUND DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ARE TAXABLE to most investors (unless your
investment is in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). The tax status of any
distribution is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and
whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. In general,
distributions are taxable as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxability of distributions
Type of Tax rate for Tax rate for
distribution 15% bracket 28% bracket or above
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS
Except between tax-deferred accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares may
generate a tax liability. Of course, withdrawals or distributions from
tax-deferred accounts are taxable when received.
The table above can provide a guide for potential tax liability when selling or
exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to fund shares sold
up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term capital gains" applies to shares
sold after 12 months.
<PAGE>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
THE THIRD PARTY THROUGH WHOM YOU PURCHASED fund shares may impose different
restrictions on these services and privileges offered by the fund, or may not
make them available at all. Consult your financial representative for more
information on the availability of these services and privileges.
AUTOMATIC SERVICES
BUYING OR SELLING SHARES AUTOMATICALLY is easy with the services described
below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain
restrictions. You can set up most of these services with your application, or by
calling your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments ASSET BUILDER(R) from a
designated bank account.
DREYFUS PAYROLL For making automatic investments SAVINGS PLAN through a payroll
deduction.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT For making automatic investments
DIRECT DEPOSIT from your federal employment,
PRIVILEGE Social Security or other regular
federal government check.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND For automatically reinvesting the
SWEEP dividends and distributions from
one Dreyfus fund into another
(not available for IRAs).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE from one Dreyfus fund into
another.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds. There will be
no CDSC on Class B shares, as long as the
amounts withdrawn do not exceed 12% annually of
the account value at the time the shareholder
elects to participate in the plan.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE (no minimum for retirement accounts)
from one class of the fund into the same class of another Dreyfus Premier fund.
You can request your exchange by contacting your financial representative. Be
sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging
before investing. Any new account established through an exchange will generally
have the same privileges as your original account (as long as they are
available). There is currently no fee for exchanges, although you may be charged
a sales load when exchanging into any fund that has a higher one.
TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer on your
account by providing bank account information and following the instructions on
your application, or contact your financial representative.
REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, YOU CAN REINVEST up to the number of Class A or B shares
you redeemed within 45 days of selling them at the current share price without
any sales charge. If you paid a CDSC, it will be credited back to your account.
This privilege may be used only once.
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
EVERY FUND INVESTOR automatically receives regular account statements. You'll
also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any
dividends and distributions you have received.
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
Name of Fund
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900337222
* the fund name
* the share class
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application with the account
number on the application.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate on your application which automatic
service(s) you want. Return your application with your investment.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Mail the slip and the check to:
Name of Fund
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900337222
* the fund name
* the share class
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but before your account number insert "1111"
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any automatic investing service (see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any other required materials.
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name(s) and signature(s)
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see page 7).
Mail your request to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. Be
sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Proceeds will be wired
to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Call us or your financial representative to request your
transaction. Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file.
Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic check.
CHECK Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. A
check will be sent to the address of record.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us or your financial representative to request a
form to add the plan. Complete the form, specifying the amount and frequency of
withdrawals you would like.
Be sure to maintain an account balance of $5,000 or more.
To open an account, make subsequent investments or to sell shares, please
contact your financial representative or call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR IRAS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete an IRA application, making sure to specify the fund name and to
indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail in the slip and the check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900337222
* the fund name
* the share class * your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but before your account number insert "1111"
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any automatic investing service (see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any other required materials. All contributions
will count as current year.
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number and fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
* whether the distribution is qualified or premature
* whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see page 7).
Mail in your request to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish the
plan.
For information and assistance, contact your financial representative or call
toll free in the U.S. 1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS TRUST
COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
<PAGE>
[Application p 1 here]
<PAGE>
[Application p 2 here]
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
DREYFUS PREMIER GREATER CHINA FUND
A SERIES OF DREYFUS PREMIER
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-6490
More information on this fund is
available free upon request, including
the following:
Statement of Additional Information
(SAI)
Provides more details about the fund and
its policies. A current SAI is on file
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and is incorporated by
reference (is legally considered part of
this prospectus).
To obtain information:
BY TELEPHONE Call your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss
Boulevard Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from: http://www.sec.gov
You can also obtain copies by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC (phone 1-800-SEC-0330) or by sending your request and a
duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC
20549-6009.
<PAGE>
Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund
Investing in stocks of foreign companies
for capital growth
PROSPECTUS March 1, 1999
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
The Fund
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
- -----------------------------------------
TICKER SYMBOLS CLASS A: DRGLX
CLASS B: DGLBX
CLASS C: DIGCX
CLASS R: DIGRX
Contents
The Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goal/Approach INSIDE COVER
Main Risks 1
Past Performance 1
Expenses 2
Management 3
Financial Highlights 4
Your Investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Policies 6
Distributions and Taxes 8
Services for Fund Investors 9
Instructions for Regular Accounts 10
Instructions for IRAs 11
For More Information
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION ON THE FUND'S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE
CURRENT ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT. SEE BACK COVER.
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks capital growth. To pursue this goal, it invests primarily in the
stocks of foreign companies. Typically, the fund invests in 15 to 25 markets
around the world, including emerging markets. The fund's stock investments may
include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The fund
actively manages currency exposure through the use of foreign currency
transactions, including futures.
In choosing the markets in which to invest, the portfolio manager evaluates
growth, valuation, interest rates, liquidity, technical factors and currency
rates. In choosing stocks, the manager is particularly alert to companies that
have higher earnings growth rates than the market in which they trade, or which
have made a change in management, strategy or business structure that may
favorably impact future growth rates. The portfolio manager also looks for
companies that are attractively valued relative to their own history and that of
the local market.
The fund typically sells a stock when its growth forecast is reduced, its
valuation target is reached, or the portfolio manager decides to reduce the
weighting in its market.
Concepts to understand
FOREIGN COMPANY: a company organized under the laws of a foreign country or for
which the principal trading market is in a foreign country; or a company
organized in the U.S. with a majority of its assets or business outside the U.S.
<PAGE>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a choice of long-term investors, they do
fluctuate in price. The value of your investment in the fund will go up and
down, which means that you could lose money.
The fund's performance will be influenced by political, social and economic
factors affecting foreign companies. These risks include changes in currency
exchange rates, a lack of adequate company information, political instability
and differing auditing and legal standards.
The fund expects to invest primarily in the stocks of companies located in
developed countries. However, the fund may invest in the stocks of companies
located in emerging markets. These countries generally have economic structures
that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable,
than those of developed countries. Emerging markets may be more volatile than
the markets of more mature economies and the securities of companies located in
emerging markets are often subject to rapid and large changes in price; however,
these markets also may provide higher long-term rates of return.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in the securities of U.S. issuers or money market securities. Although the fund
would do this only in seeking to avoid losses, it could reduce the benefit from
any upswing in the market.
Other potential risks
The fund may, at times, invest in derivative securities, such as options and
futures, and in foreign currencies. It may also sell short, which involves
selling a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market
price of the security. These practices, when employed, are used primarily to
hedge the fund's portfolio but may be used to increase returns; however, such
practices sometimes may reduce returns or increase volatility. In addition,
derivatives can be illiquid and highly sensitive to changes in their underlying
instrument. A small investment in certain derivatives could have a potentially
large impact on the fund's performance.
The fund can buy securities with borrowed money (a form of leverage), which
could have the effect of magnifying the fund's gains or losses.
PAST PERFORMANCE
The first table shows how the performance of the fund's Class A shares has
varied from year to year. Sales loads are not reflected in that table; if they
were, returns would be less than those shown. The second compares the
performance of each share class over time to that of the Morgan Stanley Capital
International Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE (reg.tm)) Index, a widely
recognized unmanaged index of foreign stock performance. The returns reflect any
applicable sales loads. Both tables assume the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions. As with all mutual funds, the past is not a prediction of the
future.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
23.90 -5.49 12.38 11.87 11.16 0.94
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +15.40%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -22.03%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Inception date 1 Year 5 Years Since inception
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A (1/31/92) -4.86% 4.67% 8.04%
CLASS B (1/15/93) -3.78% 4.85% 7.84%
CLASS C (9/5/95) -0.85% -- 7.36%
CLASS R (9/5/95) 1.02% -- 8.40%
MSCI EAFE(R) 20.00% 9.19% 9.27%*
* FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, THE VALUE OF THE INDEX ON 1/31/92 IS USED AS THE
BEGINNING VALUE.
What this fund is -- and isn't
This fund is a mutual fund: a pooled investment that is professionally managed
and gives you the opportunity to participate in financial markets. It strives to
reach its stated goal, although as with all mutual funds, it cannot offer
guaranteed results.
An investment in this fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or
guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is not a complete
investment program. You could lose money in this fund, but you also have the
potential to make money.
<PAGE>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the tables below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fee table
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES (FEES PAID FROM YOUR ACCOUNT)
Maximum sales charge on purchases
AS A % OF OFFERING PRICE 5.75 NONE NONE NONE
Maximum deferred sales charge (CDSC)
AS A % OF PURCHASE OR SALE PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS NONE* 4.00 1.00 NONE
Maximum account fee
CHARGED ONLY TO REGULAR ACCOUNTS WITH BALANCES BELOW $2,000
(SEE "YOUR INVESTMENT--ACCOUNT POLICIES") $12 $12 $12 $12
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees .75 .75 .75 .75
12b-1 fee NONE .75 .75 NONE
Shareholder services fee .25 .25 .25 NONE
Other expenses .35 .37 .37 .41
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 1.35 2.12 2.12 1.16
* SHARES BOUGHT WITHOUT AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE AS PART OF AN INVESTMENT OF $1
MILLION OR MORE MAY BE CHARGED A CDSC OF 1.00% IF REDEEMED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
</TABLE>
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A $705 $978 $1,272 $2,105
CLASS B
WITH REDEMPTION $615 $964 $1,339 $2,075**
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $215 $664 $1,339 $2,075**
CLASS C
WITH REDEMPTION $315 $664 $1,139 $2,452
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $215 $664 $1,139 $2,452
CLASS R $118 $368 $638 $1,409
** ASSUMES CONVERSION OF CLASS B TO CLASS A AT END OF THE SIXTH YEAR FOLLOWING
THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
This example shows what you could pay in expenses over time. It uses the same
hypothetical conditions other funds use in their prospectuses: $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in expenses. Because actual
return and expenses will be different, the example is for comparison only.
Concepts to understand
MANAGEMENT FEE: the fee paid to Dreyfus for managing the fund's portfolio and
assisting in all aspects of its operation.
12B-1 FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for distributing Class B and
Class C shares. Because this fee is paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing
basis, over time it will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you
more than paying other types of sales charges.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: a fee paid to the fund's distributor for providing
shareholder services.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages one of the nation's
leading mutual fund complexes, with more than $117 billion in more than 160
mutual fund portfolios. Dreyfus is the mutual fund business of Mellon Bank
Corporation, a broad-based financial services company with a bank at its core.
With more than $350 billion of assets under management and $1.7 trillion of
assets under administration and custody, Mellon provides a full range of
banking, investment and trust products and services to individuals, businesses
and institutions. Its mutual fund companies place Mellon as the leading bank
manager of mutual funds. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Management philosophy
The Dreyfus asset management philosophy is based on the belief that discipline
and consistency are important to investment success. For each fund, the firm
seeks to establish clear guidelines for portfolio management and to be
systematic in making decisions. This approach is designed to provide each fund
with a distinct, stable identity.
Portfolio manager
The fund's primary portfolio manager is Ronald Chapman. Mr. Chapman has managed
the fund since March 1996, and has been employed by Dreyfus since January 1996.
For ten years prior to that, Mr. Chapman served as Vice President of the Global
Strategy & Management Group for Northern Trust Company.
Concepts to understand
YEAR 2000 ISSUES: the fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
used by Dreyfus and the fund's other service providers do not properly process
and calculate date-related information from and after January 1, 2000.
Dreyfus is working to avoid year 2000-related problems in its systems and to
obtain assurances from other service providers that they are taking similar
steps. In addition, issuers of securities in which the fund invests may be
adversely affected by year 2000-related problems. This could have an impact on
the value of the fund's investments and its share price.
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables describe the performance of each share class for the fiscal
periods indicated. "Total return" shows how much your investment in the fund
would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had
reinvested all dividends and distributions. These figures have been
independently audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report, along with the fund's
financial statements, is included in the annual report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
CLASS A 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 16.45 16.59 16.10 15.78 15.58
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .26 .00(1) .14 .24 .15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments (.86) 2.24 1.44 .47 .71
Total from investment operations (.60) 2.24 1.58 .71 .86
Distributions: Dividends from investment income -- net -- (.17) (.25) (.15) (.08)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments (2.52) (2.21) (.84) (.24) (.58)
Total distributions (2.52) (2.38) (1.09) (.39) (.66)
Net asset value, end of period 13.33 16.45 16.59 16.10 15.78
Total return (%)(2) (4.50) 15.00 10.21 4.72 5.62
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets (%) 1.27 1.30 1.31 1.31 1.38
Ratio of interest expense to average net assets (%) .08 -- -- .01 .01
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) .55 .00(3) .76 1.38 .95
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 193.76 161.62 176.17 229.90 156.98
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 41,637 59,030 66,907 68,584 79,017
(1) AMOUNT REPRESENTS LESS THAN $.01 PER SHARE.
(2) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(3) AMOUNT REPRESENTS LESS THAN .01%.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
CLASS B 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 16.22 16.37 15.90 15.59 15.49
Investment operations: Investment income (loss) -- net (.03)(1) (.14) (.00)(2) .10 .06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments (.67) 2.24 1.44 .49 .67
Total from investment operations (.70) 2.10 1.44 .59 .73
Distributions: Dividends from investment income -- net -- (.04) (.13) (.04) (.05)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments (2.52) (2.21) (.84) (.24) (.58)
Total distributions (2.52) (2.25) (.97) (.28) (.63)
Net asset value, end of period 13.00 16.22 16.37 15.90 15.59
Total return (%)(3) (5.22) 14.14 9.36 3.96 4.82
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets (%) 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.06 2.15
Ratio of interest expense to average net assets (%) .08 -- -- .01 --
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%) (.20) (.76) .01 .62 .23
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 193.76 161.62 176.17 229.90 156.98
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 51,873 66,781 71,983 72,215 76,897
(1) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(2) AMOUNT REPRESENTS LESS THAN $.01 PER SHARE.
(3) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
CLASS C 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 15.87 16.20 15.90 15.85
Investment operations: Investment income (loss) -- net (.03)(2) (.12)(2) .28 (.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (.66) 2.18(2) 1.14 .06
Total from investment operations (.69) 2.06 1.42 .05
Distributions: Dividends from investment income -- net -- (.18) (.28) --
Dividends from net realized gain on investments (2.52) (2.21) (.84) --
Total distributions (2.52) (2.39) (1.12) --
Net asset value, end of period 12.66 15.87 16.20 15.90
Total return (%)(3) (5.34) 14.17 9.36 .32(4)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 2.04 2.10 1.90 .35(4)
Ratio of interest expense to average net assets (%) .08 .01 -- --
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%) (.19) (.73) (.19) (.09)(4)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 193.76 161.62 176.17 229.90
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 397 291 53 1
(1) FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF INITIAL OFFERING) TO OCTOBER 31,
1995.
(2) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING.
(3) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES LOAD.
(4) NOT ANNUALIZED.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
CLASS R 1998 1997 1996 1995(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 16.43 16.59 16.11 16.04
Investment operations: Investment income -- net .33 .17 .26 .01
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (.92) 2.10 1.35 .06
Total from investment operations (.59) 2.27 1.61 .07
Distributions: Dividends from investment income -- net -- (.22) (.29) --
Dividends from net realized gain on investments (2.52) (2.21) (.84) --
Total distributions (2.52) (2.43) (1.13) --
Net asset value, end of period 13.32 16.43 16.59 16.11
Total return (%) (4.44) 15.21 10.45 .44(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.08 1.09 .87 .18(2)
Ratio of interest expense to average net assets (%) .08 .01 -- --
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) .70 .21 .94 .08(2)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 193.76 161.62 176.17 229.90
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 45 80 4 1
(1) FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF INITIAL OFFERING) TO OCTOBER 31,
1995.
(2) NOT ANNUALIZED.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
ACCOUNT POLICIES
THE DREYFUS PREMIER FUNDS are designed primarily for people who are investing
through a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or financial adviser, or in
a 401(k) or other retirement plan. Third parties with whom you open a fund
account may impose policies, limitations and fees which are different from those
described here.
YOU WILL NEED TO CHOOSE A SHARE CLASS before making your initial investment. In
making your choice, you should weigh the impact of all potential costs over the
length of your investment, including sales charges and annual fees. For example,
in some cases, it can be more economical to pay an initial sales charge than to
choose a class with no initial sales charge but higher annual fees and a CDSC.
o Class A shares may be appropriate for investors who prefer to pay the
fund's sales charge up front rather than upon the sale of their shares,
want to take advantage of the reduced sales charges available on larger
investments and/or have a longer-term investment horizon
o Class B shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work
immediately and/or have a longer-term investment horizon
o Class C shares may be appropriate for investors who wish to avoid a
front-end sales charge, put 100% of their investment dollars to work
immediately and/or have a shorter-term investment horizon
o Class R shares are designed for eligible institutions on behalf of their
clients. Individuals may not purchase these shares directly.
Your financial representative can help you choose the share class that is
appropriate for you.
Reduced Class A sales charge
LETTER OF INTENT: lets you purchase Class A shares over a 13-month period and
receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION: lets you add the value of any Class A, B or C shares in
the fund or any other Dreyfus Premier fund sold with a sales load that you
already own to the amount of your next Class A investment for purposes of
calculating the sales charge.
CONSULT THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) OR YOUR FINANCIAL
REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS.
Share class charges
EACH SHARE CLASS has its own fee structure. In some cases, you may not have to
pay a sales charge to buy or sell shares. Consult your financial representative
or the SAI to see if this may apply to you. Shareholders owning shares on or
prior to November 30, 1996, may be eligible for lower sales loads.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales charges
CLASS A -- CHARGED WHEN YOU BUY SHARES
Sales charge Sales charge as
deducted as a % a % of your
Your investment of offering price net investment
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to $49,999 5.75% 6.10%
$50,000 -- $99,999 4.50% 4.70%
$100,000 -- $249,999 3.50% 3.60%
$250,000 -- $499,999 2.50% 2.60%
$500,000 -- $999,999 2.00% 2.00%
$1 million or more* 0.00% 0.00%
* A 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge may be charged on any shares sold
within one year of purchase (except shares bought through reinvestment).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
Contingent deferred sales charge
Time since you bought as a % of your initial investment or
the shares you are selling your redemption (whichever is less)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 2 years 4.00%
2 -- 4 years 3.00%
4 -- 5 years 2.00%
5 -- 6 years 1.00%
More than 6 years Shares will automatically
convert to Class A
Class B shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.75% of the class's
average daily net assets.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
A 1.00% CDSC is imposed on redemptions made within the first year of purchase.
Class C shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.75% of the class's
average daily net assets.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R -- NO SALES LOAD OR RULE 12B-1 FEES
<PAGE>
Buying shares
THE NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) of each class is generally calculated as of the close
of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the NAV next
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or any
other entity authorized to accept orders on behalf of the fund. The fund's
investments are valued based on market value or, where market quotations are not
readily available, based on fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's
board.
ORDERS TO BUY AND SELL SHARES RECEIVED BY DEALERS by the close of trading on the
NYSE and transmitted to the distributor or its designee by the close of its
business day (normally 5:15 p.m. Eastern time) will be based on the NAV
determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum investments
Initial Additional
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR ACCOUNTS $1,000 $100; $500 FOR
TELETRANSFER INVESTMENTS
TRADITIONAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
SPOUSAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
ROTH IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
EDUCATION IRAS $500 NO MINIMUM
AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC $100 $100
INVESTMENT PLANS
All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party checks cannot be accepted.
You may be charged a fee for any check that does not clear. Maximum TeleTransfer
purchase is $150,000 per day.
Concepts to understand
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV): the market value of one share, computed by dividing the
total net assets of a fund or class by its shares outstanding. The fund's Class
A shares are offered to the public at NAV plus a sales charge. Classes B, C and
R are offered at NAV, but Classes B and C are subject to higher annual
distribution fees and a sales charge upon redemption.
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL SHARES AT ANY TIME through your financial representative, or you
can contact the fund directly. Your shares will be sold at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or any
other entity authorized to accept orders on behalf of the fund. Any certificates
representing fund shares being sold must be returned with your redemption
request. Your order will be processed promptly and you will generally receive
the proceeds within a week.
TO KEEP YOUR CDSC AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, each time you request to sell shares we
will first sell shares that are not subject to a CDSC, and then those subject to
the lowest charge. The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost
or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on
shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. There are certain instances
when you may qualify to have the CDSC waived. Consult the Statement of
Additional Information for details.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that if the fund has not
yet collected payment for the shares you are selling, it may delay sending the
proceeds for up to eight business days or until it has collected payment.
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
o amounts of $1,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed within
the last 30 days
o requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address
Written sell orders of $100,000 or more must also be signature guaranteed.
A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most
banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. For joint accounts,
each signature must be guaranteed. Please call us to ensure that your signature
guarantee will be processed correctly.
<PAGE>
General policies
UNLESS YOU DECLINE TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES on your application, you may be
responsible for any fraudulent telephone order as long as Dreyfus takes
reasonable measures to verify the order.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO:
o refuse any purchase or exchange request that could adversely affect the
fund or its operations, including those from any individual or group who,
in the fund's view, is likely to engage in excessive trading (usually
defined as more than four exchanges out of the fund within a calendar year)
o refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of 1% of the fund's total
assets
o change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend this
privilege during unusual market conditions
o change its minimum investment amounts
o delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally
applies only in cases of very large redemptions, excessive trading or
during unusual market conditions)
The fund also reserves the right to make a "redemption in kind" -- payment in
portfolio securities rather than cash -- if the amount you are redeeming is
large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it represents more than
1% of the fund's assets).
Small account policies
To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller accounts, the fund
charges regular accounts with balances below $2,000 an annual fee of $12. The
fee will be imposed during the fourth quarter of each calendar year.
The fee will be waived for: any investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund
investments total at least $25,000; IRA accounts; accounts participating in
automatic investment programs and accounts opened through a financial
institution.
If your account falls below $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance.
If it is still below $500 after 45 days, the fund may close your account and
send you the proceeds.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND GENERALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS quarterly dividends from its net
investment income, and distributes any net capital gains that it has realized
once a year. Each share class will generate a different dividend because each
has different expenses. Your distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless
you instruct the fund otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on
reinvestments.
FUND DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ARE TAXABLE to most investors (unless your
investment is in an IRA or other tax-advantaged account). The tax status of any
distribution is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and
whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. In general,
distributions are taxable as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxability of distributions
Type of Tax rate for Tax rate for
distribution 15% bracket 28% bracket or above
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except between tax-deferred accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares may
generate a tax liability. Of course, withdrawals or distributions from
tax-deferred accounts are taxable when received.
The table above can provide a guide for potential tax liability when selling or
exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to fund shares sold
up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term capital gains" applies to shares
sold after 12 months.
<PAGE>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
THE THIRD PARTY THROUGH WHOM YOU PURCHASED fund shares may impose different
restrictions on these services and privileges offered by the fund, or may not
make them available at all. Consult your financial representative for more
information on the availability of these services and privileges.
Automatic services
BUYING OR SELLING SHARES AUTOMATICALLY is easy with the services described
below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain
restrictions. You can set up most of these services with your application, or by
calling your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments ASSET BUILDER(TM) from a
designated bank account.
DREYFUS PAYROLL For making automatic investments SAVINGS PLAN through a payroll
deduction.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT For making automatic investments
DIRECT DEPOSIT from your federal employment,
PRIVILEGE Social Security or other regular
federal government check.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND For automatically reinvesting the
SWEEP dividends and distributions from
one Dreyfus fund into another
(not available for IRAs).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE from one Dreyfus fund into
another.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds. There will be
no CDSC on Class B shares, as long as the
amounts withdrawn do not exceed 12% annually of
the account value at the time the shareholder
elects to participate in the plan.
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE (no minimum for retirement accounts)
from one class of the fund into the same class of another Dreyfus Premier fund.
You can request your exchange by contacting your financial representative. Be
sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging
before investing. Any new account established through an exchange will generally
have the same privileges as your original account (as long as they are
available). There is currently no fee for exchanges, although you may be charged
a sales load when exchanging into any fund that has a higher one.
TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer on your
account by providing bank account information and following the instructions on
your application, or contact your financial representative.
Reinvestment privilege
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, YOU CAN REINVEST up to the number of Class A or B shares
you redeemed within 45 days of selling them at the current share price without
any sales charge. If you paid a CDSC, it will be credited back to your account.
This privilege may be used only once.
Account statements
EVERY FUND INVESTOR automatically receives regular account statements. You'll
also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any
dividends and distributions you have received.
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
Name of Fund
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900202955
* the fund name
* the share class
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application with the account
number on the application.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate on your application which automatic
service(s) you want. Return your application with your investment.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Mail the slip and the check to:
Name of Fund P.O.
Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900202955
* the fund name
* the share class
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but before your account number insert "1111"
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any automatic investing service (see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any other required materials.
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name(s) and signature(s)
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see page 7).
Mail your request to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 6587,
Providence, RI 02940-6587
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. Be
sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Proceeds will be wired
to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Call us or your financial representative to request your
transaction. Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file.
Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic check.
CHECK Call us or your financial representative to request your transaction. A
check will be sent to the address of record.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us or your financial representative to request a
form to add the plan. Complete the form, specifying the amount and frequency of
withdrawals you would like.
Be sure to maintain an account balance of $5,000 or more.
To open an account, make subsequent investments or to sell shares, please
contact your financial representative or call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR IRAS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete an IRA application, making sure to specify the fund name and to
indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail in the slip and the check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900202955
* the fund name
* the share class * your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
* dealer number if applicable
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but before your account number insert "1111"
ALL SERVICES Call us or your financial representative to request a form to add
any automatic investing service (see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any other required materials. All contributions
will count as current year.
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number and fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
* whether the distribution is qualified or premature
* whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see page 7).
Mail in your request to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company
P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, RI 02940-6427
Attn: Institutional Processing
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish the
plan.
For information and assistance, contact your financial representative or call
toll free in the U.S. 1-800-554-4611. Make checks payable to: THE DREYFUS TRUST
COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
<PAGE>
[Application p 1 here]
<PAGE>
[Application p 2 here]
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dreyfus Premier International Growth
Fund A Series of Dreyfus Premier
International Funds, Inc. SEC file
number: 811-6490
More information on this fund is
available free upon request, including
the following:
Annual/Semiannual Report
Describes the fund's performance, lists
portfolio holdings and contains a letter
from the fund's manager discussing
recent market conditions, economic
trends and fund strategies that
significantly affected the fund's
performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information
(SAI)
Provides more details about the fund and
its policies. A current SAI is on file
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and is incorporated by
reference (is legally considered part of
this prospectus).
To obtain information:
BY TELEPHONE Call your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss
Boulevard Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from: http://www.sec.gov
You can also obtain copies by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC (phone 1-800-SEC-0330) or by sending your request and a
duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC
20549-6009.
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
DREYFUS PREMIER EUROPEAN EQUITY FUND
DREYFUS PREMIER GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND
DREYFUS PREMIER GREATER CHINA FUND
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS R SHARES
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MARCH 1,1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund,
Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund and Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund,
dated March 1, 1999 (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") of Dreyfus
Premier International Funds, Inc. (the "Company"), as each may be revised from
time to time. To obtain a copy of the relevant Fund's Prospectus, please write
to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144.
The most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders
for Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation
Fund and Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund are separate documents supplied with
this Statement of Additional Information, and the financial statements,
accompanying notes and report of independent auditors appearing in the Annual
Report are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional
Information. The Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund has not completed its
first fiscal year.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Description of the Company and Funds..................................... B-2
Management of the Company................................................ B-20
Management Arrangements.................................................. B-28
How to Buy Shares........................................................ B-34
Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan.......................... B-40
How to Redeem Shares..................................................... B-43
Shareholder Services..................................................... B-47
Determination of Net Asset Value......................................... B-52
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes....................................... B-53
Portfolio Transactions................................................... B-56
Performance Information.................................................. B-57
Information About the Company and the Funds.............................. B-59
Counsel and Independent Auditors......................................... B-61
Appendix................................................................. B-62
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY AND FUNDS
The Company is a Maryland corporation formed on November 21, 1991.
Each Fund is a separate portfolio of the Company, an open-end management
investment company, known as a mutual fund. Each of Dreyfus Premier Global
Allocation Fund and Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund are diversified funds,
which means that, with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will
not invest more than 5% of its assets in the securities of any single issuer.
Each of Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund and Dreyfus Premier International
Growth Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means that the proportion of the
Fund's assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer is not
limited by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
The Dreyfus Corporation (the "Manager") serves as each Fund's
investment adviser. The Manager has engaged Hamon U.S. Investment Advisors
Limited ("Hamon") to serve as Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund's
sub-investment adviser and has engaged Newton Capital Management Limited
("Newton") to serve as Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund's sub-investment
adviser. Hamon and Newton provide day-to-day management of the respective Fund's
investments, subject to the supervision of the Manager.
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") is the
distributor of each Fund's shares.
CERTAIN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with each Fund's Prospectus, except as noted.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. (All Funds) A Fund may invest in the securities
of foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts and American
Depositary Shares (collectively, "ADRs") and Global Depositary Receipts and
Global Depositary Shares (collectively, "GDRs") and other forms of depositary
receipts. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same
currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts
typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence
ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. GDRs are
receipts issued outside the United States typically by non-United States banks
and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic
securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in the
United States securities markets and GDRs in bearer form are designed for use
outside the United States.
These securities may be purchased through "sponsored" or "unsponsored"
facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the
underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an
unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited
security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the
costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility
frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications
received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting
rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS; SECURITIES OF SUPRANATIONAL ENTITIES.
(All Funds) A Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more
foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or
instrumentalities that are determined by the Manager (or, if applicable, the
Fund's sub-investment adviser) to be of comparable quality to the other
obligations in which the Fund may invest. Such securities also include debt
obligations of supranational entities. Supranational entities include
international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to
promote economic reconstruction or development and international banking
institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the European Coal and
Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development
Bank.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. (All Funds) Convertible securities are
fixed-income securities that may be converted at either a stated price or stated
rate into underlying shares of common stock. Convertible securities have
characteristics similar to both fixed-income and equity securities. Convertible
securities generally are subordinated to other similar but non-convertible
securities of the same issuer, although convertible bonds, as corporate debt
obligations, enjoy seniority in right of payment to all equity securities, and
convertible preferred stock is senior to common stock, of the same issuer.
Because of the subordination feature, however, convertible securities typically
have lower ratings than similar non-convertible securities.
Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities
generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as
interest rates rise and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates
decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of
convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of
the underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible securities is that
as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible
securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not
experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common
stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the
prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value
of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without
risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than
investments in common stock of the same issuer.
Convertible securities are investments that provide for a stable
stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks. There can be
no assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible securities
may default on their obligations. A convertible security, in addition to
providing fixed income, offers the potential for capital appreciation through
the conversion feature, which enables the holder to benefit from increases in
the market price of the underlying common stock. There can be no assurance of
capital appreciation, however, because securities prices fluctuate. Convertible
securities, however, generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality because of the potential for
capital appreciation.
WARRANTS. (All Funds) A warrant is an instrument issued by a
corporation which gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specified amount
of the corporation's capital stock at a set price for a specified period of
time. Each Fund may invest up to 5% (2% with respect to Dreyfus Premier
International Growth Fund) of its net assets in warrants, except that this
limitation does not apply to warrants purchased by the Fund that are sold in
units with, or attached to, other securities.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. (All Funds) A Fund may invest up to 15% of the
value of its net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does
not exist, provided such investments are consistent with the Fund's investment
objective. These securities may include securities that are not readily
marketable, such as certain securities that are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale, repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more
than seven days after notice, and certain privately negotiated, non-exchange
traded options and securities used to cover such options. As to these
securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire to sell
them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems
representative of their value, the value of the Fund's net assets could be
adversely affected.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (All Funds) A Fund may invest in securities
issued by investment companies. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund's investment in
such securities, subject to certain exceptions, currently is limited to (i) 3%
of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund's
total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the
Fund's total assets in the aggregate. Investments in the securities of other
investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other
expenses.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. (All Funds) When the Manager (or, if
applicable, the Fund's sub-investment adviser) determines that adverse market
conditions exist, a Fund may adopt a temporary defensive position and invest
some or all of its assets in money market instruments, including U.S. Government
securities, repurchase agreements, bank obligations and commercial paper.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. (Dreyfus Premier International Growth
Fund only) Mortgage-related securities are a form of derivative security
collateralized by pools of mortgages. The mortgage-related securities which may
be purchased include those with fixed, floating or variable interest rates,
those with interest rates that change based on multiples of changes in interest
rates and those with interest rates that change inversely to changes in interest
rates, as well as stripped mortgage-backe securities. Stripped mortgage-backed
securities usually are structured with two classes that receive different
proportions of interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage-backed
securities or whole loans. A common type of stripped mortgage-backed security
will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal
from the mortgage collateral, while the other class will receive most of the
interest and the remainder of the principal. Although certain mortgage-related
securities are guaranteed by a third party or otherwise similarly secured, the
market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not so secured. If a
mortgage-related security is purchased at a premium, all or part of the premium
may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security, whether
resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments in the underlying
mortgage collateral.
As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain of
these securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. However,
although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest
rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in periods of declining
interest rates the mortgages underlying the security are more likely to be
prepaid. For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related security's stated
maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages
and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security's return
to the Fund. Moreover, with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, if
the underlying mortgage securities experience greater than anticipated
prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial
investment in these securities even if the securities are rated in the highest
rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
During periods of rapidly rising interest rates, prepayments of
mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than expected rates. Slower
prepayments effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related security's expected
maturity which generally would cause the value of such security to fluctuate
more widely in response to changes in interest rates. Were the prepayments on
the Fund's mortgage-related securities to decrease broadly, the Fund's effective
duration, and thus sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, would increase.
The U.S. Government securities that the Fund may purchase include
mortgage-related securities, such as those issued by the Government National
Mortgage Association, the Federal Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation. The Fund also may invest in collateralized mortgage
obligations structured on pools of mortgage pass-through certificates or
mortgage loans. The Fund intends to invest less than 5% of its assets in
mortgage-related securities.
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS. (Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund
only) Municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by states, territories
and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their
political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, or multistate agencies
or authorities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued
to obtain funds for various public purposes as well as certain industrial
development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities. Municipal
obligations are classified as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and notes.
General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit
and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are
payable from the revenue derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other
specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Industrial
development bonds, in most cases, are revenue bonds and generally do not carry
the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality, but generally are
guaranteed by the corporate entity on whose behalf they are issued. Notes are
short-term instruments which are obligations of the issuing municipalities or
agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or
receipt of other revenues. Municipal obligations include municipal
lease/purchase agreements which are similar to installment purchase contracts
for property or equipment issued by municipalities. Municipal obligations bear
fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. Certain municipal obligations are
subject to redemption at a date earlier than their stated maturity pursuant to
call options, which may be separated from the related municipal obligations and
purchased and sold separately. The Fund also may acquire call options on
specific municipal obligations. The Fund generally would purchase these call
options to protect the Fund from the issuer of the related municipal obligation
redeeming, or other holder of the call option from calling away, the municipal
obligation before maturity.
While, in general, municipal obligations are tax exempt securities
having relatively low yields as compared to taxable, non-municipal obligations
of similar quality, certain issues of municipal obligations, both taxable and
non-taxable, offer yields comparable and in some cases greater than the yields
available on other permissible Fund investments. Dividends received by
shareholders on Fund shares which are attributable to interest income received
by the Fund from municipal obligations generally will be subject to Federal
income tax. The Fund will invest in municipal obligations, the ratings of which
correspond with the ratings of other permissible Fund investments. The Fund may
invest up to 25% of its assets in municipal obligations; however, it currently
intends to limit such investments to 5% of its assets. These percentages may be
varied from time to time without shareholder approval.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. (Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund and
Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund) Each of these Funds may invest in zero
coupon U.S. Treasury securities, which are Treasury Notes and Bonds that have
been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves and
receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt
obligations and coupons. Each of these Funds also may invest in zero coupon
securities issued by corporations and financial institutions which constitute a
proportionate ownership of the issuer's pool of underlying U.S. Treasury
securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its
life and is sold at a discount to its face value at maturity. The amount of the
discount fluctuates with the market price of the security. The market prices of
zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of
securities that pay interest periodically and are likely to respond to a greater
degree to changes in interest rates than non-zero coupon securities having
similar maturities and credit qualities. Each Fund currently intends to invest
less than 5% of its assets in zero coupon securities.
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with each Fund's Prospectus, except as noted.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. (All Funds) Foreign currency
transactions may be entered into for a variety of purposes, including: to fix in
U.S. dollars, between trade and settlement date, the value of a security the
Fund has agreed to buy or sell; to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities the
Fund already owns, particularly if it expects a decrease in the value of the
currency in which the foreign security is denominated; or to gain exposure to
the foreign currency in an attempt to realize gains.
Foreign currency transactions may involve, for example, a Fund's
purchase of foreign currencies for U.S. dollars or the maintenance of short
positions in foreign currencies, which would involve the Fund agreeing to
exchange an amount of a currency it did not currently own for another currency
at a future date in anticipation of a decline in the value of the currency sold
relative to the currency the Fund contracted to receive in the exchange. Cross
currency hedging against price movements caused by exchange rate fluctuations by
entering into forward foreign currency contracts between currencies other than
the U.S. dollar is permitted. A Fund's success in these transactions will depend
principally on the ability of the Manager (or, if applicable, the Fund's
sub-investment adviser) to predict accurately the future exchange rates between
foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.
Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods
of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the
foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different
countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates and other complex
factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also
can be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or
central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political
developments in the United States or abroad.
LEVERAGE. (All Funds) Leveraging (that is, buying securities using
borrowed money) exaggerates the effect on net asset value of any increase or
decrease in the market value of a Fund's portfolio. These borrowings will be
subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of
the securities purchased; in certain cases, interest costs may exceed the return
received on the securities purchased. For borrowings for investment purposes,
the 1940 Act requires a Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is,
total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of
300% of the amount borrowed. If the required coverage should decline as a result
of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some
of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the amount of its
borrowings and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be
disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.
The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection
with such borrowing or pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of
credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over
the stated interest rate.
A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with banks,
brokers or dealers. This form of borrowing involves the transfer by the Fund of
an underlying debt instrument in return for cash proceeds based on a percentage
of the value of the security. The Fund retains the right to receive interest and
principal payments on the security. At an agreed upon future date, the Fund
repurchases the security at principal plus accrued interest. Except for these
transactions, a Fund's borrowings generally will be unsecured.
SHORT-SELLING. (All Funds) In these transactions, a Fund sells a
security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the
security. To complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make
delivery to the buyer. The Fund is obligated to replace the security borrowed by
purchasing it subsequently at the market price at the time of replacement. The
price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was
sold by the Fund, which would result in a loss or gain, respectively.
Securities will not be sold short if, after effect is given to any
such short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would
exceed 25% of the value of the relevant Fund's net assets.
A Fund also may make short sales "against the box," in which the Fund
enters into a short sale of a security it owns. At no time will more than 15% of
the value of a Fund's net assets be in deposits on short sales against the box.
Until a Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed
security, the Fund will: (a) maintain a segregated account, containing
permissible liquid assets, at such a level that the amount deposited in the
account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral always equals
the current value of the security sold short; or (b) otherwise cover its short
position.
DERIVATIVES. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in, or enter into,
derivatives, such as options and futures and, with respect to Dreyfus Premier
International Growth Fund, mortgage-related securities.
Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of
risk, depending upon the characteristics of the particular derivative and the
portfolio as a whole. Derivatives permit a Fund to increase or decrease the
level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is
exposed in much the same way as the Fund can increase or decrease the level of
risk, or change the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making
investments in specific securities.
Derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than
their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in derivatives could
have a large potential impact on a Fund's performance.
If a Fund invests in derivatives at inopportune times or judges market
conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund's return or result
in a loss. A Fund also could experience losses if its derivatives were poorly
correlated with its other investments, or if the Fund were unable to liquidate
its position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for many
derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may
result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for
derivatives.
Although neither the Company nor any Fund will be a commodity pool,
certain derivatives subject the Funds to the rules of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission which limit the extent to which a Fund can invest in such
derivatives. A Fund may invest in futures contracts and options with respect
thereto for hedging purposes without limit. However, no Fund may invest in such
contracts and options for other purposes if the sum of the amount of initial
margin deposits and premiums paid for unexpired options with respect to such
contracts, other than for bona fide hedging purposes, exceeds 5% of the
liquidation value of the Fund's assets, after taking into account unrealized
profits and unrealized losses on such contracts and options; provided, however,
that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the
in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5% limitation.
A Fund may purchase call and put options and write (i.e., sell)
covered call and put option contracts. When required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund will set aside permissible liquid assets in a
segregated account to cover its obligations relating to its purchase of
derivatives. To maintain this required cover, the Fund may have to sell
portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices or times since it may not be
possible to liquidate a derivative position at a reasonable price.
Derivatives may be purchased on established exchanges or through
privately negotiated transactions referred to as over-the-counter derivatives.
Exchange-traded derivatives generally are guaranteed by the clearing agency
which is the issuer or counterparty to such derivatives. This guarantee usually
is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., variation margin requirements)
operated by the clearing agency in order to reduce overall credit risk. As a
result, unless the clearing agency defaults, there is relatively little
counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives purchased on an exchange.
By contrast, no clearing agency guarantees over-the-counter derivatives.
Therefore, each party to an over-the-counter derivative bears the risk that the
counterparty will default. Accordingly, the Manager (or, if applicable, the
Fund's sub-investment adviser) will consider the creditworthiness of
counterparties to over-the-counter derivatives in the same manner as it would
review the credit quality of a security to be purchased by a Fund.
Over-the-counter derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives
since the other party to the transaction may be the only investor with
sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested in bidding for it.
FUTURES TRANSACTIONS--IN GENERAL. (All Funds) A Fund may enter into futures
contracts in U.S. domestic markets, such as the Chicago Board of Trade and the
International Monetary Market of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, or on
exchanges located outside the United States, such as the London International
Financial Futures Exchange, the Deutsche Termine Borse, and the Sydney Futures
Exchange Limited. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading
opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States.
Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets.
For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common
clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for
performance of the contract. In addition, any profits that a Fund might realize
in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the
Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes. Transactions on foreign
exchanges may include both commodities which are traded on domestic exchanges
and those which are not. Unlike trading on domestic commodity exchanges, trading
on foreign commodity exchanges is not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to a Fund which
could adversely affect the value of the Fund's net assets. Although each Fund
intends to purchase or sell futures contracts only if there is an active market
for such contracts, no assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist
for any particular contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and
boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract
prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a
particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit
or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day.
Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading
days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures
positions and potentially subjecting the Fund to substantial losses.
Successful use of futures by a Fund also is subject to the ability of
the Manager (or, if applicable, the Fund's sub-investment adviser) to predict
correctly movements in the direction of the relevant market, and, to the extent
the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to ascertain the
appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price
movements of the futures contract. For example, if a Fund uses futures to hedge
against the possibility of a decline in the market value of securities held in
its portfolio and the prices of such securities instead increase, the Fund will
lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of securities which it
has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions.
Furthermore, if in such circumstances the Fund has insufficient cash, it may
have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements. A Fund may
have to sell such securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Pursuant to regulations and/or published positions of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, a Fund may be required to segregate permissible liquid
assets in connection with its commodities transactions in an amount generally
equal to the value of the underlying commodity. The segregation of such assets
will have the effect of limiting the Fund's ability otherwise to invest those
assets.
SPECIFIC FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. A Fund may purchase and sell stock index futures
contracts. A stock index future obligates a Fund to pay or receive an amount of
cash equal to a fixed dollar amount specified in the futures contract multiplied
by the difference between the settlement price of the contract on the contract's
last trading day and the value of the index based on the stock prices of the
securities that comprise it at the opening of trading in such securities on the
next business day.
A Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts. An
interest rate future obligates the Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a
specific debt security at a future date at a specific price.
Each Fund may purchase and sell currency futures. A foreign currency
future obligates the Fund to purchase or sell an amount of a specific currency
at a future date at a specific price.
OPTIONS--IN GENERAL. (All Funds) A Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) call
or put options with respect to specific securities. A call option gives the
purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the
underlying security or securities at the exercise price at any time during the
option period, or at a specific date. Conversely, a put option gives the
purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the
underlying security or securities at the exercise price at any time during the
option period, or at a specific date.
A covered call option written by a Fund is a call option with respect
to which the Fund owns the underlying security or otherwise covers the
transaction by segregating cash or other securities. A put option written by a
Fund is covered when, among other things, cash or liquid securities having a
value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option are placed in a
segregated account to fulfill the obligation undertaken. The principal reason
for writing covered call and put options is to realize, through the receipt of
premiums, a greater return than would be realized on the underlying securities
alone. A Fund receives a premium from writing covered call or put options which
it retains whether or not the option is exercised.
There is no assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a
liquid secondary market on a securities exchange will exist for any particular
option or at any particular time, and for some options no such secondary market
may exist. A liquid secondary market in an option may cease to exist for a
variety of reasons. In the past, for example, higher than anticipated trading
activity or order flow, or other unforeseen events, at times have rendered
certain of the clearing facilities inadequate and resulted in the institution of
special procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of
orders or trading halts or suspensions in one or more options. There can be no
assurance that similar events, or events that may otherwise interfere with the
timely execution of customers' orders, will not recur. In such event, it might
not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options. If, as a
covered call option writer, a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying
security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon
exercise or it otherwise covers its position.
SPECIFIC OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS. A Fund may purchase and sell call and put options
in respect of specific securities (or groups or "baskets" of specific
securities) or stock indices listed on national securities exchanges or traded
in the over-the-counter market. An option on a stock index is similar to an
option in respect of specific securities, except that settlement does not occur
by delivery of the securities comprising the index. Instead, the option holder
receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which
the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the
case of a put, the exercise price of the option. Thus, the effectiveness of
purchasing or writing stock index options will depend upon price movements in
the level of the index rather than the price of a particular stock.
A Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on foreign currency.
These options convey the right to buy or sell the underlying currency at a price
which is expected to be lower or higher than the spot price of the currency at
the time the option is exercised or expires.
A Fund may purchase cash-settlement options on interest rate swaps,
interest rate swaps denominated in foreign currency and equity index swaps in
pursuit of its investment objective. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by
a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive
interest (for example, an exchange of floating-rate payments for fixed-rate
payments) denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currency. Equity index swaps
involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of cash flows based upon the
performance of an index or a portion of an index of securities which usually
includes dividends. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the
right, but not the obligation, in return for the premium paid, to receive an
amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise
date. These options typically are purchased in privately negotiated transactions
from financial institutions, including securities brokerage firms.
Successful use by a Fund of options will be subject to the ability of
the Manager (or, if applicable, the Fund's sub-investment adviser) to predict
correctly movements in the prices of individual stocks, the stock market
generally, foreign currencies or interest rates. To the extent such predictions
are incorrect, a Fund may incur losses.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. (All Funds) A Fund may take advantage of
opportunities in the area of options and futures contracts and options on
futures contracts and any other Derivatives which are not presently contemplated
for use by the Fund or which are not currently available but which may be
developed, to the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Fund's
investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Before entering into
such transactions or making any such investment, the Fund will provide
appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS. (All Funds) A Fund may purchase securities on a
forward commitment or when-issued basis, which means that delivery and payment
take place a number of days after the date of the commitment to purchase. The
payment obligation and the interest rate receivable on a forward commitment or
when-issued security are fixed when the Fund enters into the commitment, but the
Fund does not make payment until it receives delivery from the counterparty. The
Fund will commit to purchase such securities only with the intention of actually
acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the
settlement date if it is deemed advisable. The Fund will set aside in a
segregated account permissible liquid assets at least equal at all times to the
amount of the Fund's commitments.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis are
subject to changes in value (generally changing in the same way, i.e.,
appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates
rise) based upon the public's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer
and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities
purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis may expose a Fund to
risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual
delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued basis can involve the
additional risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes
place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself.
Purchasing securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis when a Fund
is fully or almost fully invested may result in greater potential fluctuation in
the value of the Fund's net assets and its net asset value per share.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. (All Funds, except Dreyfus Premier
Greater China Fund) Each of these Funds may lend securities from its portfolio
to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow
securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, the
Fund continues to be entitled to payments in amounts equal to the dividends,
interest or other distributions payable on the loaned securities which affords
the Fund an opportunity to earn interest on the amount of the loan and at the
same time to earn income on the loaned securities' collateral. Loans of
portfolio securities may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total
assets, and the Fund will receive collateral consisting of cash, U.S. Government
securities or irrevocable letters of credit which will be maintained at all
times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the
loaned securities. Such loans are terminable by the Fund at any time upon
specified notice. The Fund might experience risk of loss if the institution with
which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with
the Fund. In connection with its securities lending transactions, the Fund may
return to the borrower or a third party which is unaffiliated with the Fund, and
which is acting as a "placing broker," a part of the interest earned from the
investment of collateral received for securities loaned.
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
FOREIGN SECURITIES. (All Funds) Foreign securities markets generally
are not as developed or efficient as those in the United States. Securities of
some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of
comparable U.S. issuers. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign
securities markets are less than in the United States and, at times, volatility
of price can be greater than in the United States.
Because evidences of ownership of foreign securities usually are held
outside the United States, a Fund investing in such securities will be subject
to additional risks which include possible adverse political and economic
developments, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits and adoption of
governmental restrictions which might adversely affect or restrict the payment
of principal and interest on the foreign securities to investors located outside
the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or otherwise.
Moreover, foreign securities held by a Fund may trade on days when the Fund does
not calculate its net asset value and thus affect the Fund's net asset value on
days when investors have no access to the Fund.
Developing countries have economic structures that are generally less
diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of
developed countries. The markets of developing countries may be more volatile
than the markets of more mature economies; however, such markets may provide
higher rates of return to investors. Many developing countries providing
investment opportunities for the Funds have experienced substantial, and in some
periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid
fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have adverse
effects on the economies and securities markets of certain of these countries.
Since foreign securities often are purchased with and payable in
currencies of foreign countries, the value of these assets as measured in U.S.
dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates
and exchange control regulations.
LOWER RATED SECURITIES. (Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund and
Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund) Each of these Funds may invest in higher
yielding (and, therefore, higher risk) debt securities, such as those rated
below Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and below BBB by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"), Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") and Duff &
Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff," and with the other rating agencies, the
"Rating Agencies") and, with respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth
Fund, as low as Caa by Moody's or CCC by S&P, Fitch or Duff, and, with respect
to Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund, as low as the lowest rating assigned by
the Rating Agencies (commonly known as junk bonds). They may be subject to
certain risks and to greater market fluctuations than lower yielding investment
grade securities. See "Appendix" for a general description of the Rating
Agencies' ratings. Although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of
interest and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of
these securities. These Funds will rely on the Manager's (or, if applicable, the
Fund's sub-investment adviser's) judgment, analysis and experience in evaluating
the creditworthiness of an issuer.
You should be aware that the market values of many of these securities
tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher rated
securities and will fluctuate over time. These securities generally are
considered by the Rating Agencies to be, on balance, predominantly speculative
with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligation and generally will involve more credit risk than
securities in the higher rating categories.
Companies that issue certain of these securities often are highly
leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of
financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such
issuers generally is greater than is the case with the higher rated securities.
For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising
interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of these securities may not have
sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer's
ability to service its debt obligations also may be affected adversely by
specific corporate developments, forecasts, or the unavailability of additional
financing. The risk of loss because of default by the issuer is significantly
greater for the holders of these securities because such securities generally
are unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.
Because there is no established retail secondary market for many of
these securities, a Fund may be able to sell such securities only to a limited
number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading
market for these securities does exist, it generally is not as liquid as the
secondary market for higher rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary
market may have an adverse impact on market price and yield and a Fund's ability
to dispose of particular issues when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity
needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the
creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid secondary market for
certain securities also may make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain accurate
market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio and calculating
its net asset value. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not
based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of these
securities. In such cases, judgment may play a greater role in valuation because
less reliable, objective data may be available.
These securities may be particularly susceptible to economic
downturns. It is likely that an economic recession could disrupt severely the
market for such securities and may have an adverse impact on the value of such
securities. In addition, it is likely that any such economic downturn could
adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay
principal and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for
such securities.
A Fund may acquire these securities during an initial offering. Such
securities may involve special risks because they are new issues. No Fund has
any arrangement with any persons concerning the acquisition of such securities,
and the Manager (or, if applicable, the Fund's sub-investment adviser) will
review carefully the credit and other characteristics pertinent to such new
issues.
The credit risk factors pertaining to lower rated securities also
apply to lower rated zero coupon securities in which Dreyfus Premier
International Growth Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets. Zero coupon
securities carry an additional risk in that, unlike securities which pay
interest throughout the period to maturity, the Fund will realize no cash until
the cash payment date unless a portion of such securities are sold and, if the
issuer defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
SIMULTANEOUS INVESTMENTS. (All Funds) Investment decisions for each
Fund are made independently from those of the other investment companies advised
by the Manager. If, however, such other investment companies desire to invest
in, or dispose of, the same securities as a Fund, available investments or
opportunities for sales will be allocated equitably to each investment company.
In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position
obtained for or disposed of by the Fund or the price paid or received by the
Fund.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Each Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy, which cannot
be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Funds have
adopted certain investment restrictions as fundamental policies and certain
other investment restrictions as non-fundamental policies, as described below.
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND ONLY. The Fund has adopted
investment restrictions numbered 1 through 12 as fundamental policies, which
cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. Investment restriction
number 13 is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by vote of a majority
of the Company's Board members at any time. Dreyfus Premier International Growth
Fund may not:
1. Purchase securities of any company having less than three years'
continuous operations (including operations of any predecessors) if such
purchase would cause the value of the Fund's investments in all such companies
to exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.
2. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may invest in futures
contracts and options on futures contracts as described in the Fund's Prospectus
and this Statement of Additional Information.
3. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, real estate investment trust
securities, real estate limited partnership interests, or oil, gas or other
mineral leases or exploration or development programs, but the Fund may purchase
and sell securities that are secured by real estate and may purchase and sell
securities issued by companies that invest or deal in real estate.
4. Borrow money, except as described in the Fund's Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information. For purposes of this investment
restriction, the entry into options, futures contracts, including those relating
to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute
borrowing.
5. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent
necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the
deposit of assets in escrow in connection with writing covered put and call
options and the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect
to options, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options
on futures contracts or indices.
6. Lend any funds or other assets except through the purchase of a
portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other debt
securities, or the purchase of bankers' acceptances and commercial paper of
corporations. However, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount
not to exceed 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets. Any loans of portfolio
securities will be made according to guidelines established by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the Company's Board.
7. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers.
8. Purchase, sell or write puts, calls or combinations thereof, except
as described in the Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information.
9. Purchase warrants in excess of 2% of its net assets. For purposes
of this restriction, such warrants shall be valued at the lower of cost or
market, except that warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to
securities shall not be included within this 2% restriction.
10. Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section
18(f) of the 1940 Act), except as permitted in Investment Restriction Nos. 2, 4,
5 and 8.
11. Invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of issuers in
any particular industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the
purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
12. Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of
exercising management or control.
13. Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more
than seven days after notice or purchase securities which are illiquid, if, in
the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be so
invested.
* * *
DREYFUS PREMIER GREATER CHINA FUND ONLY. The Fund has adopted
investment restrictions numbered 1 through 8 as fundamental policies, which
cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. Investment restrictions
numbered 9 and 10 are not fundamental policies and may be changed by vote of a
majority of the Company's Board members at any time. Dreyfus Premier Greater
China Fund may not:
1.Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the
securities of issuers in any single industry, provided that there shall be no
limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
2. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and sell
options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
3. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or other mineral
leases or exploration or development programs, but the Fund may purchase and
sell securities that are secured by real estate or issued by companies that
invest or deal in real estate or real estate investment trusts.
4. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act
(which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the
Fund's total assets). For purposes of this Investment Restriction, the entry
into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute
borrowing.
5. Make loans to others, except through the purchase of debt
obligations and the entry into repurchase agreements. However, the Fund may lend
its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33-1/3% of the value of its
total assets. Any loans of portfolio securities will be made according to
guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Company's Board.
6. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the
extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.
7. Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section 18(f)
of the 1940 Act), except to the extent the activities permitted in Investment
Restriction Nos. 2, 4, 8 and 9 may be deemed to give rise to a senior security.
8. Purchase securities on margin, but the Fund may make margin
deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures
contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts
or indices.
9. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent
necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the
purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and the
deposit of assets in escrow in connection with writing covered put and call
options and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect
to options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those related to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
10. Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more
than seven days after notice or purchase securities which are illiquid, if, in
the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be so
invested.
* * *
DREYFUS PREMIER GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND AND DREYFUS PREMIER EUROPEAN
EQUITY FUND. Each of these Funds has adopted investment restrictions numbered 1
through 10 as fundamental policies, which cannot be changed, as to a Fund,
without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the Fund's outstanding voting shares. Investment restrictions numbered 11
through 13 are not fundamental policies and may be changed by vote of a majority
of the Company's Board members at any time. Neither of these Funds may:
1. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the
securities of issuers in any single industry, provided that there shall be no
limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
2. Invest more than 5% of its assets in the obligations of any one
issuer, except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be
invested, and securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities may be purchased, without regard to any such
limitations.
3. Purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase would cause
the Fund to hold more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer. This
restriction applies only with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets.
4. Invest in commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and sell
options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
5. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or other mineral
leases or exploration or development programs, but the Fund may purchase and
sell securities that are secured by real estate or issued by companies that
invest or deal in real estate or real estate investment trusts.
6. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act
(which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the
Fund's total assets). For purposes of this Investment Restriction, the entry
into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute
borrowing.
7. Make loans to others, except through the purchase of debt
obligations and the entry into repurchase agreements. However, the Fund may lend
its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33-1/3% of the value of its
total assets. Any loans of portfolio securities will be made according to
guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Company's Board.
8. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the
extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.
9. Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section 18(f)
of the 1940 Act), except to the extent the activities permitted in Investment
Restriction Nos. 4, 6, 10 and 11 may be deemed to give rise to a senior
security.
10. Purchase securities on margin, but the Fund may make margin
deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures
contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts
or indices.
11. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent
necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the
purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and the
deposit of assets in escrow in connection with writing covered put and call
options and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect
to options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
12. Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of
exercising management or control, but the Fund will vote the securities it owns
as a shareholder in accordance with its views.
13. Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more
than seven days after notice or purchase securities which are illiquid, if, in
the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be so
invested.
* * *
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not
constitute a violation of such restriction.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company's Board is responsible for the management and supervision
of each Fund. The Board approves all significant agreements with those companies
that furnish services to the Fund. These companies are as follows:
The Dreyfus Corporation Investment Adviser
Hamon U.S. Investment Advisors Limited Sub-Investment Adviser to Dreyfus
Premier Greater China Fund
Newton Capital Management Limited Sub-Investment Adviser to Dreyfus
Premier European Equity Fund
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. Distributor
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Transfer Agent
The Bank of New York Custodian
Board members and officers of the Company, together with information
as to their principal business occupations during at least the last five years,
are shown below. Each Board member who is deemed to be an "interested person" of
the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) is indicated by an asterisk.
BOARD MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY
JOSEPH S. DiMARTINO, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. Since January 1995, Chairman of
the Board of various funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. He also is
a director of The Noel Group, Inc., a venture capital company (for
which, from February 1995 until November 1997, he was Chairman of the
Board), The Muscular Dystrophy Association, HealthPlan Services
Corporation, a provider of marketing, administrative and risk
management services to health and other benefit programs, Carlyle
Industries, Inc. (formerly, Belding Heminway Company, Inc.), a button
packager and distributor, Century Business Services, Inc., a provider
of various outsourcing functions for small and medium sized companies,
and Career Blazers, Inc. (formerly, Staffing Resources, Inc.), a
temporary placement agency. For more than five years prior to January
1995, he was President, a director and, until August 1994, Chief
Operating Officer of the Manager and Executive Vice President and a
director of Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Manager and, until August 24, 1994, the Company's distributor.
From August 1994 until December 31, 1994, he was a director of Mellon
Bank Corporation. He is 55 years old and his address is 200 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
GORDON J. DAVIS, BOARD MEMBER. Since October 1994, senior partner with the
law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae. From 1983 to September
1994, Mr. Davis was a senior partner with the law firm of Lord Day &
Lord, Barrett Smith. From 1978 to 1983, he was Commissioner of Parks
and Recreation for the City of New York. He also is a Director of
Consolidated Edison, a utility company, and Phoenix Home Life
Insurance Company and a member of various other corporate and
not-for-profit boards. He is 56 years old and his address is 241
Central Park West, New York, New York 10024.
DAVID P. FELDMAN, BOARD MEMBER. Trustee of Corporate Property Investors, a
real estate investment company, and a director of several mutual funds
in the 59 Wall Street Mutual Funds Group, and of the Jeffrey Company,
a private investment company. He was employed by AT&T from July 1961
to his retirement in April 1997, most recently serving as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Investment Management Corporation. He
is 59 years old and his address is c/o AT&T, One Oak Way, Berkeley
Heights, New Jersey 07922.
LYNN MARTIN, BOARD MEMBER. Professor, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of
Management, Northwestern University. During the Spring Semester 1993,
she was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Politics, Kennedy School
of Government, Harvard University. She also is an advisor to the
international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP and chair of
its Council for the Advancement of Women. From January 1991 through
January 1993, Ms. Martin served as Secretary of the United States
Department of Labor. From 1981 to 1991, she served in the United
States House of Representatives as a Congresswoman from the State of
Illinois. She also is a Director of Harcourt General, Inc., Ameritech,
Ryder System, Inc., The Proctor & Gamble Co., a consumer company, and
TRW, Inc., an aerospace and automotive equipment company. She is 57
years old and her address is c/o Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Two
Prudential Plaza, 180 N. Stetson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
DANIEL ROSE, BOARD MEMBER. President and Chief Executive Officer of Rose
Associates, Inc., a New York based real estate development and
management firm. In July 1994, Mr. Rose received a Presidential
appointment to serve as a Director of the Baltic-American Enterprise
Fund, which will make equity investments and loans, and provide
technical business assistance to new business concerns in the Baltic
states. He also is Chairman of the Housing Committee of the Real
Estate Board of New York, Inc., and a trustee of Corporate Property
Investors, a real estate company. He is 67 years old and his address
is c/o Rose Associates, Inc., 200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
10016.
*PHILIP L. TOIA, BOARD MEMBER. Retired. Mr. Toia was employed by the Manager
from August 1986 through January 1997, most recently serving as Vice
Chairman, Administration and Operations. He is 64 years old and his
address is 9022 Michael Circle, Apt. 1, Naples, Florida 34113.
SANDER VANOCUR, BOARD MEMBER. Since January 1992, President of Old Owl
Communications, a full-service communications firm. From May 1995 to
June 1996, Mr. Vanocur was a Professional in Residence at the Freedom
Forum in Arlington, VA, from January 1994 to May 1995, he served as
Visiting Professional Scholar at the Freedom Forum Amendment Center at
Vanderbilt University, and from November 1989 to November 1995, he was
a director of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Research Fund.
From June 1977 to December 1991, he was a Senior Correspondent of ABC
News and, from October 1986 to December 1991, he was Anchor of the ABC
News program "Business World," a weekly business program on the ABC
television network. He is 69 years old and his address is 2928 P
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20007.
ANNE WEXLER, BOARD MEMBER. Chairman of the Wexler Group, consultants
specializing in government relations and public affairs. She also is a
director of Alumax, Comcast Corporation, The New England Electric
System, NOVA Corporation and a member of the board of the Carter
Center of Emory University, the Council of Foreign Relations, the
National Park Foundation, Visiting Committee of the John F. Kennedy
School of Government at Harvard University and is a Board member of
the Economic Club of Washington. She is 67 years old and her address
is c/o The Wexler Group, 1317 F Street, Suite 600, N.W., Washington,
DC 20004.
REX WILDER, BOARD MEMBER. Financial Consultant. He is 77 years old and his
address is 290 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10025.
For so long as the Company's plans described in the section captioned
"Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan" remain in effect, the Board
members who are not "interested persons" of the Company, as defined in the 1940
Act, will be selected and nominated by the Board members who are not "interested
persons" of the Company.
The Company typically pays its Board members an annual retainer and a
per meeting fee and reimburses them for their expenses. The Chairman of the
Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation. Emeritus Board members
are entitled to receive an annual retainer and a per meeting fee of one-half the
amount paid to them as Board members. The aggregate amount of compensation paid
to each Board member by the Company for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998,
and by all other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person is a
Board member (the number of which is set forth in parenthesis next to each Board
member's total compensation) for the year ended December 31, 1998 was as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION COMPANY AND FUND COMPLEX
NAME OF BOARD MEMBER FROM COMPANY* PAID TO BOARD MEMBER
- -------------------- ---------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gordon J. Davis $2,250 $83,500 (23)
Joseph S. DiMartino $2,813 $597,124 (99)
David P. Feldman $2,000 $129,375 (25)
Lynn Martin $2,250 $41,666 (11)
Daniel Rose $2,250 $84,593 (22)
Philip L. Toia $2,250 $30,444(11)
Sander Vanocur $2,250 $77,093 (22)
Anne Wexler $2,000 $62,034 (15)
Rex Wilder $2,250 $42,666 (11)
- ---------------------------
* Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings,
which amounted to $1,649 for all Board members as a group.
</TABLE>
OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, PRESIDENT AND TREASURER. President, Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and a director of the Distributor
and Funds Distributor, Inc., the ultimate parent of which is Boston
Institutional Group, Inc., and an officer of other investment
companies advised or administered by the Manager. She is 41 years old.
MARGARET W. CHAMBERS, VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY. Senior Vice President and
General Counsel of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
August 1996 to March 1998, she was Vice President and Assistant
General Counsel for Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. From January 1986
to July 1996, she was an associate with the law firm of Ropes & Gray.
She is 38 years old.
MICHAEL S. PETRUCELLI, VICE PRESIDENT, ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT
TREASURER. Senior Vice President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From December 1989 through November 1996, he was employed by
GE Investments where he held various financial, business development
and compliance positions. He also served as Treasurer of the GE Funds
and as a Director of GE Investment Services. He is 37 years old.
STEPHANIE D. PIERCE, VICE PRESIDENT, ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT
TREASURER. Vice President and Client Development Manager of Funds
Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other investment companies
advised or administered by the Manager. From April 1997 to March 1998,
she was employed as a Relationship Manager with Citibank, N.A. From
August 1995 to April 1997, she was an Assistant Vice President with
Hudson Valley Bank, and from September 1990 to August 1995, she was
Second Vice President with Chase Manhattan Bank. She is 30 years old.
MARY A. NELSON, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT TREASURER. Vice President of
the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
September 1989 to July 1994, she was an Assistant Vice President and
Client Manager for The Boston Company, Inc. She is 34 years old.
GEORGE A. RIO, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT TREASURER. Executive Vice
President and Client Service Director of Funds Distributor, Inc., and
an officer of other investment companies advised or administered by
the Manager. From June 1995 to March 1998, he was Senior Vice
President and Senior Key Account Manager for Putnam Mutual Funds. From
May 1994 to June 1995, he was Director of Business Development for
First Data Corporation. From September 1983 to May 1994, he was Senior
Vice President and Manager of Client Services and Director of Internal
Audit at The Boston Company, Inc. He is 43 years old.
JOSEPH F. TOWER, III, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT TREASURER. Senior Vice
President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the
Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From July
1988 to August 1994, he was employed by The Boston Company, Inc. where
he held various management positions in the Corporate Finance and
Treasury areas. He is 36 years old.
DOUGLAS C. CONROY, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY. Assistant Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
April 1993 to January 1995, he was a Senior Fund Accountant for
Investors Bank & Trust Company. He is 29 years old.
CHRISTOPHER J. KELLEY, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY. Vice President
and Senior Associate General Counsel of the Distributor and Funds
Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other investment companies
advised or administered by the Manager. From April 1994 to July 1996,
he was Assistant Counsel at Forum Financial Group. From October 1992
to March 1994, he was employed by Putnam Investments in legal and
compliance capacities. He is 33 years old.
KATHLEEN K. MORRISEY, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY. Manager of
Treasury Services Administration of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From July 1994 to November 1995, she was a Fund Accountant
for Investors Bank & Trust Company. She is 26 years old.
ELBA VASQUEZ, VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY. Assistant Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
March 1990 to May 1996, she was employed by U.S. Trust Company of New
York, where she held various sales and marketing positions. She is 37
years old.
The address of each officer of the Company is 200 Park Avenue, New
York, New York 10166.
The Company's Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than
1% of each Fund's voting securities outstanding on November 30, 1998.
The following shareholders owned of record 5% or more of the indicated
Fund's shares outstanding on November 30, 1998:
DREYFUS PREMIER GREATER CHINA FUND
CLASS A
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 99.13%
CLASS B
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 89.63%
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette
Securities Corporation Inc.
PO Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303-9998 9.23%
CLASS C
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 66.91%
Painewebber for the Benefits of
Hersey Hawkins
Jennifer Hawkins JTWROS
PO Box 43973
Detroit, MI 48243-0973 33.09%
CLASS R
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 100.00%
DREYFUS PREMIER GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND
CLASS A
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 99.98%
CLASS B
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 100.00%
CLASS C
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 100.00%
CLASS R
MBC Investments Corporation
C/O Mellon Bank
Attn: Michael Botsford
919 N Market St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3023 100.00%
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
CLASS A
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co TTEE
As Agent-Omnibus Account
1 Cabot Rd
Medford, MA 02155-5141 27.23%
CLASS C
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette
Securities Corporation Inc.
PO Box 2062
Jersey City, NJ 07303-9998 16.60%
Lewco Securities Corp.
FBO A/C # H10-679776-4-01
34 Exchange Place 4th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311 16.20%
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith
For the Sole Benefit of its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
A/C 97HT5
4800 Deer Lake Dr E Fl 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 14.85%
Lewco Securities Corp FBO A/C # H10-679775-6-01
34 Exchange Place 4th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311 6.94%
Painewebber for the Benefits of
Michael Eberhard &/or Ken
Avery &/or Stephanie Aguilar
Michael Eberhard DTD 8-1-91
25550 Hawthorne Blvd #316
Torrance, CA 9050-6831 6.67%
Donald Lufkin Jenrette
Securities Corporation Inc.
PO Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303-9998 6.51%
CLASS R
Atlantic Metal Products Inc.
401 (k) Plan
21 Fadem Rd
Springfield, NJ 07081-3115 56.37%
US Clearing Corp
FBO 102-67370-13
26 Broadway
New York, NY 10004-1798 29.07%
Dreyfus Trust Co Custodian
FBO Lorie Ann Kisiolek
Under IRA Rollover Plan
435 Fieldstone Ct
Kiel, WI 53042-1664 5.32%
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
INVESTMENT ADVISER. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon
Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation
("Mellon"). Mellon is a publicly owned multibank holding company incorporated
under Pennsylvania law in 1971 and registered under the Federal Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended. Mellon provides a comprehensive range of
financial products and services in domestic and selected international markets.
Mellon is among the twenty-five largest bank holding companies in the United
States based on total assets.
The Manager provides management services pursuant to the Management
Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Company dated August 24, 1994, as amended
January 12, 1998. As to each Fund, the Agreement is subject to annual approval
by (i) the Company's Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund, provided that in either
event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board members who
are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company or the
Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval. With respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, the
Agreement was approved by the Fund's shareholders on August 3, 1994, and was
last approved by the Company's Board, including a majority of the Board members
who are not "interested persons" of any party to the Agreement, at a meeting
held on July 14, 1997. With respect to Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund,
Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund and Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund,
the Agreement was approved by the respective Fund's initial shareholder on May
8, 1998, June 26, 1998 and October 20, 1998, respectively, and by the Company's
Board, including a majority of the Board members who are not "interested
persons" of any party to the Agreement, at a meeting held on January 12, 1998,
June 29, 1998 and October 20, 1998, respectively. As to each Fund, the Agreement
is terminable without penalty, on 60 days' notice, by the Company's Board or by
vote of the holders of a majority of such Fund's shares, or, on not less than 90
days' notice, by the Manager. The Agreement will terminate automatically, as to
the relevant Fund, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager:
Christopher M. Condron, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer;
Stephen E. Canter, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Investment Officer
and a director; Thomas F. Eggers, Vice Chairman-Institutional; Lawrence S. Kash,
Vice Chairman and a director; Ronald P. O'Hanley III, Vice Chairman; J. David
Officer, Vice Chairman and a director; William T. Sandalls, Jr., Executive Vice
President; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary;
Patrice M. Kozlowski, Vice President--Corporate Communications; Mary Beth
Leibig, Vice President--Human Resources; Andrew S. Wasser, Vice
President--Information Systems; Theodore A. Schachar, Vice President; Wendy
Strutt, Vice President; Richard Terres, Vice President; William H. Maresca,
Controller; James Bitetto, Assistant Secretary; Steven F. Newman, Assistant
Secretary; and Mandell L. Berman, Burton C. Borgelt, Steven G. Elliott, Martin
C. McGuinn, Richard W. Sabo and Richard F. Syron, directors.
SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS. With respect to Dreyfus Premier
Greater China Fund, the Manager has entered into a Sub-Investment Advisory
Agreement (the "Hamon Sub-Advisory Agreement") with Hamon dated January 12,
1998. As to such Fund, the Hamon Sub-Advisory Agreement is subject to annual
approval by (i) the Company's Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, provided that in
either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board members
who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or
Hamon, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval. The Hamon Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty,
(i) by the Hamon on 60 days' notice, (ii) by the Company's Board or by vote of
the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities on 60
days' notice, or (iii) upon not less than 90 days' notice, by Hamon. The Hamon
Sub- Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The following persons are officers and/or directors of Hamon: Hugh A.
Simon, James R. F. Donald and Alfredo P. Lobo.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund, the Manager has
entered into a Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Newton Sub-Advisory
Agreement") with Newton dated October 20, 1998. As to such Fund, the Newton
Sub-Advisory Agreement is subject to annual approval by (i) the Company's Board
or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance
also is approved by a majority of the Board members who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or Newton, by vote cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Newton Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty, (i) by the Manager
on 60 days' notice, (ii) by the Company's Board or by vote of the holders of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities on 60 days' notice, or
(iii) upon not less than 90 days' notice, by Newton. The Newton Sub-Advisory
Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the 1940 Act).
The following persons are officers and/or directors of Newton: Roger
Butler, Colin Harris, Jonathan Powell, Shreekant Panday, Richard Harris, Susan
Duffy and Paul Butler.
The Manager manages each Fund's investments in accordance with the
stated policies of such Fund, subject to the approval of the Company's Board.
Hamon, with respect to Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund, and Newton, with
respect to Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund, provides day-to-day management
of the Fund's investments, subject to the supervision of the Manager and the
Company's Board. Each Fund's adviser is responsible for investment decisions,
and provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board to
execute purchases and sales of securities. Dreyfus Premier International Growth
Fund's portfolio manager is Ronald Chapman, Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund's
portfolio manager is Mandy Tong, Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund's
portfolio manager is Charlie Jacklin, and Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund's
portfolio managers are Joanna Bowen and Keiran Gallagher.
The Manager, Hamon and Newton maintain research departments with
professional portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research
services for the Funds and for other funds advised by the Manager, Hamon or
Newton.
All expenses incurred in the operation of the Company are borne by the
Company, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager (or, if
applicable, the Fund's sub-investment adviser). The expenses borne by the
Company include: organizational costs, taxes, interest, loan commitment fees,
distributions and interest paid on securities sold short, brokerage fees and
commissions, if any, fees of Board members who are not officers, directors,
employees or holders of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the
Manager or any sub-investment adviser or any affiliates thereof, Securities and
Exchange Commission fees, state Blue Sky qualification fees, advisory fees,
charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents' fees, certain
insurance premiums, industry association fees, outside auditing and legal
expenses, costs of maintaining the Company's existence, costs of independent
pricing services, costs attributable to investor services (including, without
limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), costs of preparing and printing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes
and for distribution to existing shareholders, costs of shareholders' reports
and corporate meetings, and any extraordinary expenses. In addition, each Fund's
Class B and Class C shares are subject to an annual distribution fee and Class
A, Class B and Class C shares are subject to an annual service fee. See
"Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan." Expenses attributable to a
particular Fund are charged against the assets of that Fund; other expenses of
the Company are allocated among the Funds on the basis determined by the Board,
including, but not limited to, proportionately in relation to the net assets of
each Fund.
The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Company, and
furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, data processing,
bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required services to the
Company. The Manager may pay the Distributor for shareholder services from the
Manager's own assets, including past profits but not including the management
fees paid by the Funds. The Distributor may use part or all of such payments to
pay Service Agents (as defined below) in respect of these services. The Manager
also may make such advertising and promotional expenditures, using its own
resources, as it from time to time deems appropriate.
As compensation for the Manager's services to the Company, the Company
has agreed to pay the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of .75
of 1% of the value of Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund's average daily
net assets, 1.00% of the value of Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund's
average daily net assets, 1.25% of the value of Dreyfus Premier Greater China
Fund's average daily net assets, and .90 of 1% of the value of Dreyfus Premier
European Equity Fund's average daily net assets. All fees and expenses are
accrued daily and deducted before declaration of distributions to shareholders.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, the management fees
paid for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 amounted to
$1,093,156, $1,035,613 and $914,927, respectively. With respect to Dreyfus
Premier Global Allocation Fund, the management fee paid for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1998 amounted to $65,756. With respect to Dreyfus Premier
Greater China Fund, the management fee paid for the fiscal year ended October
31, 1998 amounted to $11,677.
As compensation for Hamon's services, the Manager has agreed to pay
Hamon a monthly sub-advisory fee at the annual rate of .625 of 1% of the value
of Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund's average daily net assets.
As compensation for Newton's services, the Manager has agreed to pay
Newton a monthly sub-advisory fee at the annual rate set forth below as a
percentage of Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund's average daily net assets:
<PAGE>
ANNUAL FEE AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS THE FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
- ------------------------ -----------------------------------
0 to $100 million .35 of 1%
$100 million to $1 billion .30 of 1%
$1 billion to $1.5 billion .26 of 1%
$1.5 billion or more .20 of 1%
Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund has not completed its first
fiscal year.
As to each Fund, the Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the
aggregate expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on
borrowings and (with the prior written consent of the necessary state securities
commissions) extraordinary expenses, but including the management fee, exceed
the expense limitation of any state having jurisdiction over the Fund, the Fund
may deduct from the payment to be made to the Manager under the Agreement, or
the Manager will bear, such excess expense to the extent required by state law.
Such deduction or payment, if any, will be estimated daily, and reconciled and
effected or paid, as the case may be, on a monthly basis.
The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to
reduction as the value of a Fund's net assets increases.
DISTRIBUTOR. The Distributor, located at 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, serves as each Fund's distributor on a best efforts basis
pursuant to an agreement with the Company which is renewable annually.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, for the
fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Distributor retained
$2,169, $3,150 and $2,293, respectively, from sales loads on Class A shares
of such Fund. For the same periods, the Distributor retained $145,620, $216,611
and $142,298, respectively, from contingent deferred sale charges ("CDSC") on
Class B shares and $0, $30 and $780 from the CDSC on Class C shares of Dreyfus
Premier International Growth Fund.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund, for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998, the Distributor retained: $0 from sales loads on
Class A shares of such Fund; $0 from contingent deferred sale charges ("CDSC")
on Class B shares; and $0 from the CDSC on Class C shares of Dreyfus Premier
Greater China Fund.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund, for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998, the Distributor retained: $ from sales loads on
Class A shares of such Fund; $0 from contingent deferred sale charges ("CDSC")
on Class B shares; and $0 from the CDSC on Class C shares of Dreyfus Premier
Global Allocation Fund.
Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund has not completed its first fiscal
year.
The Distributor may pay dealers a fee of up to .5% of the amount
invested through such dealers in Fund shares by employees participating in
qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans or other programs where (i)
the employers or affiliated employers maintaining such plans or programs have a
minimum of 250 employees eligible for participation in such plans or programs or
(ii) such plan's or program's aggregate investment in the Dreyfus Family of
Funds or certain other products made available by the Distributor to such plans
or programs exceeds $1,000,000 ("Eligible Benefit Plans"). Shares of funds in
the Dreyfus Family of Funds then held by Eligible Benefit Plans will be
aggregated to determine the fee payable. The Distributor reserves the right to
cease paying these fees at any time. The Distributor will pay such fees from its
own funds, other than amounts received from a Fund, including past profits or
any other source available to it.
The Distributor, at its expense, may provide promotional incentives to
dealers that sell shares of funds advised by the Manager which are sold with a
sales load. In some instances, those incentives may be offered only to certain
dealers who have sold or may sell significant amounts of shares.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN. Dreyfus
Transfer, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager,
P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, is the Company's transfer
and dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement with the
Company, the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of shareholder account
records for each Fund, the handling of certain communications between
shareholders and the Fund and the payment of dividends and distributions payable
by the Fund. For these services, the Transfer Agent receives a monthly fee
computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it maintains for
each Fund during the month, and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket
expenses.
The Bank of New York (the "Custodian"), 90 Washington Street, New
York, New York 10286, acts as custodian of each Fund's investments. The
Custodian has no part in determining the investment policies of the Funds or
which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Funds. Under a custody
agreement with the Company, the Custodian holds each Fund's securities and keeps
all necessary accounts and records. For its custody services, the Custodian
receives a monthly fee based on the market value of each Fund's assets held in
custody and receives certain securities transactions charges. For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998, each Fund paid to the Transfer Agent the following:
NAME OF FUND AMOUNT PAID TO TRANSFER AGENT
- ------------ -----------------------------
Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund $46,465
Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund 85
Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund 85
<PAGE>
HOW TO BUY SHARES
GENERAL. Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares may be
purchased only by clients of certain financial institutions (which may include
banks), securities dealers ("Selected Dealers") and other industry professionals
(collectively, "Service Agents"), except that full-time or part-time employees
the Manager or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, directors of the Manager,
Board members of a fund advised by the Manager, including members of the
Company's Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of the foregoing may
purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor. Subsequent purchases
may be sent directly to the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent.
Class R shares are offered only to institutional investors acting for
themselves or in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity
for qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension,
profit-sharing, IRAs set up under a Simplified Employee Pension Plan
("SEP-IRAs") and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by
corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities or state and local governments
("Retirement Plans"). The term "Retirement Plans" does not include IRAs or IRA
"Rollover Accounts." Class R shares may be purchased for a Retirement Plan only
by a custodian, trustee, investment manager or other entity authorized to act on
behalf of such Retirement Plan. Institutions effecting transactions in Class R
shares for the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in
connection with such transactions.
When purchasing Fund shares, you must specify which Class is being
purchased. Stock certificates are issued only upon your written request. No
certificates are issued for fractional shares. The Company reserves the right to
reject any purchase order.
Service Agents may receive different levels of compensation for
selling different Classes of shares. Management understands that some Service
Agents may impose certain conditions on their clients which are different from
those described in the relevant Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory
authority, may charge their clients direct fees. You should consult your Service
Agent in this regard.
The minimum initial investment is $1,000. Subsequent investments must
be at least $100. However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for
Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a
non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans
with only one participant and $500 for Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs, with no
minimum for subsequent purchases. The initial investment must be accompanied by
the Account Application. The Company reserves the right to offer Fund shares
without regard to minimum purchase requirements to employees participating in
certain qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans or other programs
where contributions or account information can be transmitted in a manner and
form acceptable to the Company. The Company reserves the right to vary further
the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), imposes
various limitations on the amount that may be contributed to certain Retirement
Plans. These limitations apply with respect to participants at the plan level
and, therefore, do not directly affect the amount that may be invested in a Fund
by a Retirement Plan. Participants and plan sponsors should consult their tax
advisers for details.
Fund shares also may be purchased through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset
Builder(R), Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege and Dreyfus Payroll
Savings Plan described under "Shareholder Services." These services enable you
to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide you with a convenient
way to invest for long-term financial goals. You should be aware, however, that
periodic investment plans do not guarantee a profit and will not protect an
investor against loss in a declining market.
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis. Net asset value per share
is determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time), on each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open for business. For purposes of determining net asset value,
options and futures contracts will be valued 15 minutes after the close of
trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Net asset value per share
of each Class is computed by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets
represented by such Class (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by
the total number of shares of such Class outstanding. Each Fund's investments
are valued based on market value or, where market quotations are not readily
available, based on fair value as determined in good faith by the Company's
Board. For further information regarding the methods employed in valuing the
Funds' investments, see "Determination of Net Asset Value."
If an order is received in proper form by the Transfer Agent or other
entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund by the close of
trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New
York time) on a business day, Fund shares will be purchased at the public
offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New
York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, Fund shares will be purchased at the
public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the
New York Stock Exchange on the next business day, except where shares are
purchased through a dealer as provided below.
Orders for the purchase of Fund shares received by dealers by the
close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any business day
and transmitted to the Distributor or its designee by the close of its business
day (normally 5:15 p.m., New York time) will be based on the public offering
price per share determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New
York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the orders will be based on the next
determined public offering price. It is the dealer's responsibility to transmit
orders so that they will be received by the Distributor or its designee before
the close of its business day. For certain institutions that have entered into
agreements with the Distributor, payment for the purchase of Fund shares may be
transmitted, and must be received by the Transfer Agent, within three business
days after the order is placed. If such payment is not received within three
business days after the order is placed, the order may be canceled and the
institution could be held liable for resulting fees and/or losses.
CLASS A SHARES. The public offering price for Class A shares is the
net asset value per share of that Class plus, except for shareholders
beneficially owning Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund
on November 30, 1996, a sales load as shown below:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL SALES LOAD
-----------------------------------------------------------
AS A % OF OFFERING AS A % OF NET ASSET
AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION PRICE PER SHARE VALUE PER SHARE
- --------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75 6.10
$50,000 to less than $100,000 4.50 4.70
$100,000 to less than $250,000 3.50 3.60
$250,000 to less than $500,000 2.50 2.60
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.00
$1,000,000 or more -0- -0-
</TABLE>
For shareholders who beneficially owned Class A shares of Dreyfus
Premier International Growth Fund on November 30, 1996, the public offering
price for Class A shares of such Fund is the net asset value per share of that
Class plus a sales load as shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL SALES LOAD
-----------------------------------------------------------
AS A % OF OFFERING AS A % OF NET ASSET
AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION PRICE PER SHARE VALUE PER SHARE
- --------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 4.50 4.70
$50,000 to less than $100,000 4.00 4.20
$100,000 to less than $250,000 3.00 3.10
$250,000 to less than $500,000 2.50 2.60
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000 2.00 2.00
$1,000,000 or more -0- -0-
</TABLE>
A CDSC of 1% will be assessed at the time of redemption of Class A
shares purchased without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of at
least $1,000,000 and redeemed within one year of purchase. The Distributor may
pay Service Agents an amount up to 1% of the net asset value of Class A shares
purchased by their clients that are subject to a CDSC.
The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class A shares made
by any "purchaser," which term includes an individual and/or spouse purchasing
securities for his, her or their own account or for the account of any minor
children, or a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single
trust estate or a single fiduciary account (including a pension, profit-sharing
or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a plan qualified under
Section 401 of the Code) although more than one beneficiary is involved; or a
group of accounts established by or on behalf of the employees of an employer or
affiliated employers pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other program
(including accounts established pursuant to Sections 403(b), 408(k), and 457 of
the Code); or an organized group which has been in existence for more than six
months, provided that it is not organized for the purpose of buying redeemable
securities of a registered investment company and provided that the purchases
are made through a central administration or a single dealer, or by other means
which result in economy of sales effort or expense.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering
price of Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund's Class A shares. The example
assumes a purchase of Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier International Growth
Fund aggregating less than $50,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges set
forth in the Fund's Prospectus at a price based upon the net asset value of the
Fund's Class A shares on October 31, 1998:
NET ASSET VALUE per Share $13.33
------
Per Share Sales Charge - 5.75%*
of offering price (6.10% of
net asset value per share) $0.81
-----
Per Share Offering Price to
the Public $14.14
------
- -------------------
*Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund purchased by
shareholders beneficially owning Class A shares of such Fund on November 30,
1996 are subject to a different sales load schedule as described above.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering
price of Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund's Class A shares. The example
assumes a purchase of Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund
aggregating less than $50,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth
in the Fund's Prospectus at a price based upon the net asset value of the Fund's
Class A shares on October 31, 1998:
NET ASSET VALUE per Share $12.07
------
Per Share Sales Charge - 5.75%*
of offering price (6.10% of
net asset value per share) $0.74
-----
Per Share Offering Price to
the Public $12.81
------
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering
price of Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund's Class A shares. The example
assumes a purchase of Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund
aggregating less than $50,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth
in the Fund's Prospectus at a price based upon the net asset value of the Fund's
Class A shares on October 31, 1998:
NET ASSET VALUE per Share $12.78
------
Per Share Sales Charge - 5.75%*
of offering price (6.10% of
net asset value per share) $0.78
-----
Per Share Offering Price to
the Public $13.56
------
Full-time employees of NASD member firms and full-time employees of
other financial institutions which have entered into an agreement with the
Distributor pertaining to the sale of Fund shares (or which otherwise have a
brokerage related or clearing arrangement with an NASD member firm or financial
institution with respect to the sale of such shares) may purchase Class A shares
for themselves directly or pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other
program, or for their spouses or minor children, at net asset value, provided
they have furnished the Distributor with such information as it may request from
time to time in order to verify eligibility for this privilege. This privilege
also applies to full-time employees of financial institutions affiliated with
NASD member firms whose full-time employees are eligible to purchase Class A
shares at net asset value. In addition, Class A shares are offered at net asset
value to full-time or part-time employees of the Manager or any of its
affiliates or subsidiaries, directors of the Manager, Board members of a fund
advised by the Manager, including members of the Company's Board, or the spouse
or minor child of any of the foregoing.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to
employees participating in Eligible Benefit Plans. Class A shares also may be
purchased (including by exchange) at net asset value without a sales load for
Dreyfus-sponsored IRA "Rollover Accounts" with the distribution proceeds from a
qualified retirement plan or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided, at
the time of such distribution, such qualified retirement plan or
Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan (a) met the requirements of an Eligible Benefit
Plan and all or a portion of such plan's assets were invested in funds in the
Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds or the Dreyfus Family of Funds or certain other
products made available by the Distributor to such plans, or (b) invested all of
its assets in certain funds in the Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds or the
Dreyfus Family of Funds or certain other products made available by the
Distributor to such plans.
Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value through certain
broker-dealers and other financial institutions which have entered into an
agreement with the Distributor, which includes a requirement that such shares be
sold for the benefit of clients participating in a "wrap account" or a similar
program under which such clients pay a fee to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution.
Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value, subject to
appropriate documentation, through a broker-dealer or other financial
institution with the proceeds from the redemption of shares of a registered
open-end management investment company not managed by the Manager or its
affiliates. The purchase of Class A shares of a Fund must be made within 60 days
of such redemption and the shareholder must have either (i) paid an initial
sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge or (ii) been obligated to pay
at any time during the holding period, but did not actually pay on redemption, a
deferred sales charge with respect to such redeemed shares.
Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value, subject to
appropriate documentation, by (i) qualified separate accounts maintained by an
insurance company pursuant to the laws of any State or territory of the United
States, (ii) a State, county or city or instrumentality thereof, (iii) a
charitable organization (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code) investing
$50,000 or more in Fund shares, and (iv) a charitable remainder trust (as
defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code).
CLASS B SHARES. The public offering price for Class B shares is the
net asset value per share of that Class. No initial sales charge is imposed at
the time of purchase. A CDSC is imposed, however, on certain redemptions of
Class B shares as described in the relevant Fund's Prospectus and in this
Statement of Additional Information under "How to Redeem Shares--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares." The Distributor compensates certain
Service Agents for selling Class B shares at the time of purchase from the
Distributor's own assets. The proceeds of the CDSC and the distribution fee, in
part, are used to defray these expenses.
Approximately six years after the date of purchase, Class B shares
automatically will convert to Class A shares, based on the relative net asset
values for shares of each such Class. Class B shares that have been acquired
through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be converted on a
pro rata basis together with other Class B shares, in the proportion that a
shareholder's Class B shares converting to Class A shares bears to the total
Class B shares not acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions.
CLASS C SHARES. The public offering price for Class C shares is the
net asset value per share of that Class. No initial sales charge is imposed at
the time of purchase. A CDSC is imposed, however, on redemptions of Class C
shares made within the first year of purchase. See "Class B Shares" above and
"How to Redeem Shares."
CLASS R SHARES. The public offering for Class R shares is the net
asset value per share of that Class.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION -- CLASS A SHAREs. Reduced sales loads apply to
any purchase of Class A shares, shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Premier
Family of Funds, shares of certain other funds advised by the Manager which are
sold with a sales load and shares acquired by a previous exchange of such shares
(hereinafter referred to as "Eligible Funds"), by you and any related
"purchaser" as defined above, where the aggregate investment, including such
purchase, is $50,000 or more. If, for example, you previously purchased and
still hold Class A shares, or shares of any other Eligible Fund or combination
thereof, with an aggregate current market value of $40,000 and subsequently
purchase Class A shares or shares of an Eligible Fund having a current value of
$20,000, the sales load applicable to the subsequent purchase would be reduced
to 4.5% of the offering price. All present holdings of Eligible Funds may be
combined to determine the current offering price of the aggregate investment in
ascertaining the sales load applicable to each subsequent purchase. Class A
shares purchased by shareholders beneficially owning Class A shares of Dreyfus
Premier International Growth Fund on November 30, 1996 are subject to a
different sales load schedule, as described above under "Class A Shares."
To qualify for reduced sales loads, at the time of purchase you or
your Service Agent must notify the Distributor if orders are made by wire, or
the Transfer Agent if orders are made by mail. The reduced sales load is subject
to confirmation of your holdings through a check of appropriate records.
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE. You may purchase shares by telephone
if you have checked the appropriate box and supplied the necessary information
on the Account Application or have filed a Shareholder Services Form with the
Transfer Agent. The proceeds will be transferred between the bank account
designated in one of these documents and your Fund account. Only a bank account
maintained in a domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing
House member may be so designated.
Dreyfus TELETRANSFER purchase orders may be made at any time. Purchase
orders received by 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any business day that the
Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for business will be
credited to the shareholder's Fund account on the next bank business day
following such purchase order. Purchase orders made after 4:00 p.m., New York
time, on any business day the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are
open for business, or orders made on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g.,
when the New York Stock Exchange is not open for business), will be credited to
the shareholder's Fund account on the second bank business day following such
purchase order. To qualify to use Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, the initial
payment for purchase of shares must be drawn on, and redemption proceeds paid
to, the same bank and account as are designated on the Account Application or
Shareholder Services Form on file. If the proceeds of a particular redemption
are to be wired to an account at any other bank, the request must be in writing
and signature-guaranteed. See "How to Redeem Shares--Dreyfus TELETRANSFER
Privilege."
REOPENING AN ACCOUNT. You may reopen an account with a minimum
investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the calendar
year the account is closed or during the following calendar year, provided the
information on the old Account Application is still applicable.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
Class B and Class C shares of each Fund are subject to a Distribution
Plan and Class A, Class B and Class C shares are subject to a Shareholder
Services Plan.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN. Rule 12b-1 (the "Rule") adopted by the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act provides, among other things, that an
investment company may bear expenses of distributing its shares only pursuant to
a plan adopted in accordance with the Rule. The Company's Board has adopted such
a plan (the "Distribution Plan") with respect to each Fund's Class B and Class C
shares, pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for distributing each
such Class of shares a fee at the annual rate of .75% of the value of the
average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares. The Company's Board
believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Distribution Plan will
benefit each Fund and holders of its Class B and Class C shares.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Distribution
Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made
to the Board for its review. In addition, the Distribution Plan provides that it
may not be amended to increase materially the costs which holders of a Fund's
Class B or Class C shares may bear pursuant to the Distribution Plan without the
approval of the holders of such shares and that other material amendments of the
Distribution Plan must be approved by the Company's Board, and by the Board
members who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the
Distribution Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering such amendments. As to each Fund, the Distribution Plan is subject
to annual approval by such vote of the Board cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Plan. The Distribution Plan was
last so approved by the Board at a meeting held on October 20, 1998. As to the
relevant Class of shares of a Fund, the Distribution Plan may be terminated at
any time by vote of a majority of the Board members who are not "interested
persons" and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the
Distribution Plan or by vote of the holders of a majority of such Class of
shares.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund was charged $491,973 and $2,315,
with respect to Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively, pursuant to the
Distribution Plan.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund, for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund was charged $745 and $690, with respect to
Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively, pursuant to the Distribution
Plan.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund, for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund was charged $17,246 and $4,928, with
respect to Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively, pursuant to the
Distribution Plan.
Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund has not completed its first
fiscal year.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN. The Company has adopted a Shareholder
Services Plan with respect to each Fund, pursuant to which the Fund pays the
Distributor for the provision of certain services to the holders of the Fund's
Class A, Class B and Class C shares a fee at the annual rate of .25% of the
value of the average daily net assets of each such Class. The services provided
may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as
answering shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund and providing reports and
other information, and services related to the maintenance of such shareholder
accounts. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Distributor may make payments
to Service Agents in respect of these services.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Shareholder
Services Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must
be made to the Board for its review. In addition, the Shareholder Services Plan
provides that material amendments must be approved by the Company's Board, and
by the Board members who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in
connection with the Shareholder Services Plan, by vote cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. As to each Fund,
the Shareholder Services Plan is subject to annual approval by such vote of the
Board cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Shareholder Services Plan. The Shareholder Services Plan was last so approved by
the Board at a meeting held on October 20, 1998. As to the relevant Class of
shares of a Fund, the Shareholder Services Plan is terminable at any time by
vote of a majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons" and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the
Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with
the Shareholder Services Plan.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund was charged $140,022, $163,991 and
$772, with respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares,
respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund, for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund was charged $1,626, $249 and $230, with
respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively,
pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund, for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998, the Fund was charged $5,757, $5,749 and $1,642,
with respect to Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively,
pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund has not completed its first
fiscal year.
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE--CLASS B SHARES. A CDSC payable to
the Distributor is imposed on any redemption of Class B shares which reduces the
current net asset value of your Class B shares to an amount which is lower than
the dollar amount of all payments by you for the purchase of Class B shares of
the Fund held by you at the time of redemption. No CDSC will be imposed to the
extent that the net asset value of the Class B shares redeemed does not exceed
(i) the current net asset value of Class B shares acquired through reinvestment
of dividends or capital gain distributions, plus (ii) increases in the net asset
value of your Class B shares above the dollar amount of all your payments for
the purchase of Class B shares held by you at the time of redemption.
If the aggregate value of Class B shares redeemed has declined below
their original cost as a result of the Fund's performance, a CDSC may be applied
to the then-current net asset value rather than the purchase price.
In circumstances where the CDSC is imposed, the amount of the charge
will depend on the number of years for the time you purchased the Class B shares
until the time of redemption of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining
the number of years from the time of any payment for the purchase of Class B
shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been
made on the first day of the month.
The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC for Class B
shares:
YEAR SINCE CDSC AS A % OF
PURCHASE PAYMENT AMOUNT INVESTED OR
WAS MADE REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
---------------- -------------------
First 4.00
Second 4.00
Third 3.00
Fourth 3.00
Fifth 2.00
Sixth 1.00
In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the
calculation will be made in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate.
It will be assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing
shares acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions;
then of amounts representing the increase in net asset value of Class B shares
above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B shares made
during the preceding six years; then of amounts representing the cost of shares
purchased six years prior to the redemption; and finally, of amounts
representing the cost of shares held for the longest period of time within the
applicable six-year period.
For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share
for a cost of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired five additional
shares through dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase
the investor decided to redeem $500 of the investment. Assuming at the time of
the redemption the net asset value had appreciated to $12 per share, the value
of the investor's shares would be $1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC
would not be applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares and the
amount which represents appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500
redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260) would be charged at a rate of 4% (the
applicable rate in the second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE--CLASS C SHARES. A CDSC of 1% payable
to the Distributor is imposed on any redemption of Class C shares within one
year of the date of purchase. The basis for calculating the payment of any such
CDSC will be the method used in calculating the CDSC for Class B shares. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge-- Class B Shares" above.
WAIVER OF CDSC. The CDSC applicable to Class B and Class C shares may
be waived in connection with (a) redemptions made within one year after the
death or disability, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code, of the
shareholder, (b) redemptions by employees participating in Eligible Benefit
Plans, (c) redemptions as a result of a combination of any investment company
with the Fund by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise, (d) a distribution
following retirement under a tax-deferred retirement plan or upon attaining age
70 1/2 in the case of an IRA or Keogh plan or custodial account pursuant to
Section 403(b) of the Code, and (e) redemptions pursuant to the Automatic
Withdrawal Plan, as described below. If the Company's Board determines to
discontinue the waiver of the CDSC, the disclosure herein will be revised
appropriately. Any Fund shares subject to a CDSC which were purchased prior to
the termination of such waiver will have the CDSC waived as provided in the
Fund's Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information at the time of the
purchase of such shares.
To qualify for a waiver of the CDSC, at the time of redemption you
must notify the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent must notify the
Distributor. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of your
entitlement.
REDEMPTION THROUGH A SELECTED DEALER. If you are a customer of a
Selected Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If
the Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by
the Transfer Agent prior to the close of trading on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time), the redemption request will
be effective on that day. If a redemption request is received by the Transfer
Agent after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange,
the redemption request will be effective on the next business day. It is the
responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit a request so that it is
received in a timely manner. The proceeds of the redemption are credited to your
account with the Selected Dealer. See "How to Buy Shares" for a discussion of
additional conditions or fees that may be imposed upon redemption.
In addition, the Distributor or its designee will accept orders from
Selected Dealers with which the Distributor has sales agreements for the
repurchase of shares held by shareholders. Repurchase orders received by dealers
by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any
business day and transmitted to the Distributor or its designee prior to the
close of its business day (normally 5:15 p.m., New York time) are effected at
the price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the shares will be redeemed at the next
determined net asset value. It is the responsibility of the Selected Dealer to
transmit orders on a timely basis. The Selected Dealer may charge the
shareholder a fee for executing the order. This repurchase arrangement is
discretionary and may be withdrawn at any time.
REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE. Upon written request, you may reinvest up to
the number of Class A or Class B shares you have redeemed, within 45 days of
redemption, at the then-prevailing net asset value without a sales load, or
reinstate your account for the purpose of exercising Fund Exchanges. Upon
reinstatement, with respect to Class B shares, or Class A shares if such shares
were subject to a CDSC, your account will be credited with an amount equal to
the CDSC previously paid upon redemption of the Class A or Class B shares
reinvested. The Reinvestment Privilege may be exercised only once.
WIRE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE. By using this Privilege, you authorize the
Transfer Agent to act on wire, telephone or letter redemption instructions from
any person representing himself or herself to be you, or a representative of
your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine.
Ordinarily, the Company will initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to
this Privilege on the next business day after receipt by the Transfer Agent of
the redemption request in proper form. Redemption proceeds ($1,000 minimum) will
be transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the commercial bank account you
have specified on the Account Application or Shareholder Services Form, or to a
correspondent bank if your bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.
Fees ordinarily are imposed by such bank and borne by you. Immediate
notification by the correspondent bank to your bank is necessary to avoid a
delay in crediting the funds to your bank account.
If you have access to telegraphic equipment you may wire redemption
requests to the Transfer Agent by employing the following transmittal code which
may be used for domestic or overseas transmissions:
TRANSFER AGENT'S
TRANSMITTAL CODE ANSWER BACK SIGN
---------------- ----------------
144295 144295 TSSG PREP
If you do not have direct access to telegraphic equipment you may have
the wire transmitted by contacting a TRT Cables operator at 1-800-654-7171, toll
free. You should advise the operator that the above transmittal code must be
used and you should also inform the operator of the Transfer Agent's answer back
sign.
To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive
redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. This
request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature guaranteed as
described below under "Stock Certificates; Signatures."
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE. You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds be transferred between your Fund account and your bank
account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution
which is an Automated Clearing House member may be designated. Holders of
jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may redeem through the Dreyfus
TELETRANSFER Privilege for transfer to their bank account not more than $250,000
within any 30-day period. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in the your
account at an ACH member bank ordinarily two business days after receipt of the
redemption request. You should be aware that if you have selected the Dreyfus
TELETRANSFER Privilege, any request for a wire redemption will be effected as a
Dreyfus TELETRANSFER transaction through the Automated Clearing House ("ACH")
system unless more prompt transmittal specifically is requested. See "How to Buy
Shares--Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege."
STOCK CERTIFICATES; SIGNATURES. Any certificates representing Fund
shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. Written
redemption requests must be signed by each shareholder, including each holder of
a joint account, and each signature must be guaranteed. Signatures on endorsed
certificates submitted for redemption also must be guaranteed. The Transfer
Agent has adopted standards and procedures pursuant to which
signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be accepted from domestic
banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges,
registered securities associations, clearing agencies, and savings associations,
as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature
Program, the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") and the
Stock Exchanges Medallion Program. Guarantees must be signed by an authorized
signatory of the guarantor and "Signature-Guaranteed" must appear with the
signature. The Transfer Agent may request additional documentation from
corporations, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians, and may accept
other suitable verification arrangements from foreign investors, such as
consular verification.
REDEMPTION COMMITMENT. The Company has committed itself to pay in cash
all redemption requests by any shareholder of record of a Fund, limited in
amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of such value of
such Fund's net assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is
irrevocable without the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is a fundamental policy of the Company which may not be changed without
shareholder approval. In the case of requests for redemption in excess of such
amount, the Board reserves the right to make payments in whole or in part in
securities or other assets in case of an emergency or any time a cash
distribution would impair the liquidity of the Fund to the detriment of the
existing shareholders. In such event, the securities would be valued in the same
manner as the Fund's securities are valued. If the recipient sold such
securities, brokerage charges would be incurred.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. The right of redemption may be suspended or
the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when
trading in the markets the relevant Fund ordinarily utilizes is restricted, or
when an emergency exists as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission
so that disposal of the Fund's investments or determination of its net asset
value is not reasonably practicable, or (c) for such other periods as the
Securities and Exchange Commission by order may permit to protect the Fund's
shareholders.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
FUND EXCHANGES. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of a Class of
a Fund, shares of the same Class of another Fund or of certain other funds
managed or administered by the Manager, to the extent such shares are offered
for sale in your state of residence. Shares of the same Class of such funds
purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value
per share as follows:
A. Exchanges for shares of funds that are offered without a sales
load will be made without a sales load.
B. Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be exchanged
for shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and the
applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged
without a sales load for shares of other funds sold without a
sales load.
D. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds
acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a
sales load and additional shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends or distributions of any such funds (collectively
referred to herein as "Purchased Shares") may be exchanged for
shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein
as "Offered Shares"), provided that, if the sales load applicable
to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales load that could
have been imposed in connection with the Purchased Shares (at the
time the Purchased Shares were acquired), without giving effect
to any reduced loads, the difference will be deducted.
E. Shares of funds subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC") that are exchanged for shares of another fund will be
subject to the higher applicable CDSC of the two funds, and for
purposes of calculating CDSC rates and conversion periods, if
any, will be deemed to have been held since the date the shares
being exchanged were initially purchased.
To accomplish an exchange under item D above, your Service Agent
acting on your behalf must notify the Transfer Agent of your prior ownership of
fund shares and your account number.
You also may exchange your Fund shares that are subject to a CDSC for
shares of Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc. The shares so
purchased will be held in a special account created solely for this purpose
("Exchange Account"). Exchanges of shares from an Exchange Account only can be
made into certain other funds managed or administered by the Manager. No CDSC is
charged when an investor exchanges into an Exchange Account; however, the
applicable CDSC will be imposed when shares are redeemed from an Exchange
Account or other applicable Fund account. Upon redemption, the applicable CDSC
will be calculated without regard to the time such shares were held in an
Exchange Account. See "How to Redeem Shares." Redemption proceeds for Exchange
Account shares are paid by Federal wire or check only. Exchange Account shares
also are eligible for the Auto-Exchange Privilege, Dividend Sweep and the
Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
To request an exchange, your Service Agent acting on your behalf must
give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. The
ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone is given to all Fund
shareholders automatically, unless you check the applicable "No" box on the
Account Application, indicating that you specifically refuses this Privilege. By
using the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act
on telephonic instructions (including over The Dreyfus Touch(R) automated
telephone system) from any person representing himself or herself to be you, or
a representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer
Agent to be genuine. Telephone exchanges may be subject to limitations as to the
amount involved or the number of telephone exchanges permitted. Shares issued in
certificate form are not eligible for telephone exchange. No fees currently are
charged shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Company
reserves the right, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, to charge
shareholders a nominal administrative fee in accordance with rules promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
To establish a personal retirement plan by exchange, shares of the
fund being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial
investment required for the fund into which the exchange is being made.
Exchanges of Class R shares held by a Retirement Plan may be made only
between the investor's Retirement Plan account in one fund and such investor's
Retirement Plan account in another fund.
To establish a personal retirement plan by exchange, shares of the
fund being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial
investment required for shares of the fund into which the exchange is being
made.
<PAGE>
DREYFUS AUTO-EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege
permits you to purchase, in exchange for shares of a Fund, shares of the same
Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds or certain funds in
the Dreyfus Family of Funds. This Privilege is available only for existing
accounts. With respect to Class R shares held by a Retirement Plan, exchanges
may be made only between the investor's Retirement Plan account in one fund and
such investor's Retirement Plan account in another fund. Shares will be
exchanged on the basis of relative net asset value as described above under
"Fund Exchanges." Enrollment in or modification or cancellation of this
Privilege is effective three business days following notification by the
investor. You will be notified if your account falls below the amount designated
to be exchanged under this Privilege. In this case, your account will fall to
zero unless additional investments are made in excess of the designated amount
prior to the next Dreyfus Auto-Exchange transaction. Shares held under IRA and
other retirement plans are eligible for this Privilege. Exchanges of IRA shares
may be made between IRA accounts and from regular accounts to IRA accounts, but
not from IRA accounts to regular accounts. With respect to all other retirement
accounts, exchanges may be made only among those accounts.
Fund Exchanges and Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege are available to
shareholders resident in any state in which shares of the fund being acquired
may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between accounts having
identical names and other identifying designations.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-554-4611. The Company reserves the right to reject any
exchange request in whole or in part. The Fund Exchanges service or the Dreyfus
Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon notice to
shareholders.
DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER(R). DreyfuS-AUTOMATic Asset Builder
permits you to purchases Fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $150,000
per transaction) at regular intervals selected by you. Fund shares are purchased
by transferring funds from the bank account designated by you.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT DIRECT DEPOSIT PRIVILEGE. Dreyfus Government Direct
Deposit Privilege enables you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and
maximum of $50,000 per transaction) by having Federal salary, Social Security,
or certain veterans', military or other payments from the U.S. Government
automatically deposited into your fund account. You may deposit as much of such
payments as you elect.
DREYFUS PAYROLL SAVINGS PLAN. Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan permits you
to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically on a
regular basis. Depending upon your employer's direct deposit program, you may
have part or all of your paycheck transferred to your existing Dreyfus account
electronically through the ACH system at each pay period. To establish a Payroll
Savings Plan account, you must file an authorization form with your employer's
payroll department. It is the sole responsibility of your employer, not the
Distributor, the Manager, the Company, the Transfer Agent or any other person,
to arrange for transactions under the Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND OPTIONS. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows you to invest
automatically your dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if
any, from a Fund in shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus
Premier Family of Funds or certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of which
you are a shareholder. Shares of the same Class of other funds purchased
pursuant to this privilege will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset
value per share as follows:
(a) Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested
without imposition of a sales load in shares of other funds that
are offered without a sales load.
(b) Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which does not charge
a sales load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a
sales load, and the applicable sales load will be deducted.
(c) Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which charges a sales
load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a sales
load (referred to herein as "Offered Shares"), provided that, if
the sales load applicable to the Offered Shares exceeds the
maximum sales load charged by the fund from which dividends or
distributions are being swept, without giving effect to any
reduced loads, the difference will be deducted.
(d) Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested in the
shares of other funds that impose a CDSC and the applicable CDSC,
if any, will be imposed upon redemption of such shares. Dreyfus
Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically dividends or
dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from a Fund to
a designated bank account. Only an account maintained at a
domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing
House member may be so designated. Banks may charge a fee for
this service.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you
to request withdrawal of a specified dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a
monthly or quarterly basis if you have a $5,000 minimum account. Withdrawal
payments are the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, not the yield on the
shares. If withdrawal payments exceed reinvested dividends and distributions,
your shares will be reduced and eventually may be depleted. Automatic Withdrawal
may be terminated at any time by you, the Company or the Transfer Agent. Shares
for which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed through the
Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Certain Retirement Plans, including Dreyfus-sponsored retirement
plans, may permit certain participants to establish an automatic withdrawal plan
from such Retirement Plans. Participants should consult their Retirement Plan
sponsor and tax adviser for details. Such a withdrawal plan is different than
the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
No CDSC with respect to Class B shares will be imposed on withdrawals
made under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, provided that the amounts withdrawn
under the plan do not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the account value at the
time the shareholder elects to participate in the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Withdrawals with respect to Class B shares under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan
that exceed on an annual basis 12% of the value of the shareholders account will
be subject to a CDSC on the amounts exceeding 12% of the initial account value.
Withdrawals of Class A shares subject to a CDSC and Class C shares under the
Automatic Withdrawal Plan will be subject to any applicable CDSC. Purchases of
additional Class A shares where the sales load is imposed concurrently with
withdrawals of Class A shares generally are undesirable.
LETTER OF INTENT--CLASS A SHARES. By signing a Letter of Intent form,
which can be obtained by calling 1-800-554-4611, you become eligible for the
reduced sales load applicable to the total number of Eligible Fund shares
purchased in a 13-month period pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in
the Letter of Intent. A minimum initial purchase of $5,000 is required. To
compute the applicable sales load, the offering price of shares you hold (on the
date of submission of the Letter of Intent) in any Eligible Fund that may be
used toward "Right of Accumulation" benefits described above may be used as a
credit toward completion of the Letter of Intent. However, the reduced sales
load will be applied only to new purchases.
The Transfer Agent will hold in escrow 5% of the amount indicated in
the Letter of Intent for payment of a higher sales load if you do not purchase
the full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent. The escrow will be released
when you fulfill the terms of the Letter of Intent by purchasing the specified
amount. If your purchases qualify for a further sales load reduction, the sales
load will be adjusted to reflect your total purchase at the end of 13 months. If
total purchases are less than the amount specified, you will be requested to
remit an amount equal to the difference between the sales load actually paid and
the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases actually made. If such
remittance is not received within 20 days, the Transfer Agent, as
attorney-in-fact pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, will redeem an
appropriate number of Class A shares of the Fund held in escrow to realize the
difference. Signing a Letter of Intent does not bind you to purchase, or the
Fund to sell, the full amount indicated at the sales load in effect at the time
of signing, but you must complete the intended purchase to obtain the reduced
sales load. At the time you purchase Class A shares, you must indicate your
intention to do so under a Letter of Intent. Purchases pursuant to a Letter of
Intent will be made at the then-current net asset value plus the applicable
sales load in effect at the time such Letter of Intent was executed.
CORPORATE PENSION/PROFIT-SHARING AND PERSONAL RETIREMENT PLANS. The
Company makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and
profit-sharing plans including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the
Company makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs
for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, Rollover IRAs and Education IRAs)
and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services also are available. You can obtain
details on the various plans by calling the following numbers toll free: for
Keogh Plans, please call 1-800-358-5566; for IRAs (except SEP-IRAs), please call
1-800-554-4611; or for SEP-IRAs, 401(k) Salary Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7)
Plans, please call 1-800-322-7880.
If you wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh Plan,
a 403(b)(7) Plan or an IRA, including a SEP-IRA, you may request from the
Distributor forms for adoption of such plans.
The entity acting as custodian for Keogh Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans or
IRAs may charge a fee, payment of which could require the liquidation of shares.
All fees charged are described in the appropriate form.
SHARES MAY BE PURCHASED IN CONNECTION WITH THESE PLANS ONLY BY DIRECT
REMITTANCE TO THE ENTITY ACTING AS CUSTODIAN. PURCHASES FOR THESE PLANS MAY NOT
BE MADE IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF FUNDS.
The minimum initial investment for corporate plans, Salary Reduction
Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans and SEP-IRAs with more than one participant, is $1,000
with no minimum for subsequent purchases. The minimum initial investment is $750
for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs
for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7)
Plans with only one participant and $500 for Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs,
with no minimum for subsequent purchases.
You should read the prototype retirement plan and the appropriate form
of custodial agreement for further details on eligibility, service fees and tax
implications, and you should consult a tax adviser.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Portfolio securities, including
covered call options written by a Fund, are valued at the last sale price on the
securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities
primarily are traded. Securities not listed on an exchange or national
securities market, or securities in which there were no transactions, are valued
at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices, except in the case of
open short positions where the asked price is used for valuation purposes. Bid
price is used when no asked price is available. Any assets or liabilities
initially expressed in terms of foreign currency will be translated into U.S.
dollars at the midpoint of the New York interbank market spot exchange rate as
quoted on the day of such translation by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or
if no such rate is quoted on such date, at the exchange rate previously quoted
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or at such other quoted market exchange
rate as may be determined to be appropriate by the Manager (or, if applicable,
the Fund's sub-investment adviser). Forward currency contracts will be valued at
the current cost of offsetting the contract. Because of the need to obtain
prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the
calculation of net asset value does not take place contemporaneously with the
determination of prices of a majority of each Fund's portfolio securities.
Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost, which approximates value.
Expenses and fees, including the management fee and fees pursuant to the
Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan, are accrued daily and taken
into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of the relevant
Class's shares. Because of the difference in operating expenses incurred by each
Class, the per share net asset value of each Class will differ.
Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which
market quotations are not readily available, or are not valued by a pricing
service approved by the Board, are valued at fair value as determined in good
faith by the Board members. The Board will review the method of valuation on a
current basis. In making their good faith valuation of restricted securities,
the Board members generally will take the following factors into consideration:
restricted securities which are, or are convertible into, securities of the same
class of securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued at
market value less the same percentage discount at which purchased. This discount
will be revised periodically by the Board if the Board members believe that it
no longer reflects the value of the restricted securities. Restricted securities
not of the same class as securities for which a public market exists usually
will be valued initially at cost. Any subsequent adjustment from cost will be
based upon considerations deemed relevant by the Board.
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSINGS. The holidays (as observed) on which
the New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Management believes that Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund has
qualified as a "regulated investment company" under the Code for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1998. It is expected that each of Dreyfus Premier Greater
China Fund, Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund and Dreyfus Premier European
Equity Fund will qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. Each
Fund intends to continue to so qualify as long as such qualification is in the
best interests of its shareholders. As a regulated investment company, each Fund
will pay no Federal income tax on net investment income and net realized
securities gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to
shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. To qualify as
a regulated investment company, the Fund must distribute at least 90% of its net
income (consisting of net investment income and net short-term capital gain) to
its shareholders, and meet certain asset diversification and other requirements.
If a Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company, it would be treated
for tax purposes as an ordinary corporation subject to Federal income tax. The
term "regulated investment company" does not imply the supervision of management
or investment practices or policies by any government agency.
<PAGE>
If you elect to receive dividends and distributions in cash, and your
dividend or distribution check is returned to the Fund as undeliverable or
remains uncashed for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest such
dividends or distributions and all future dividends and distributions payable to
you in additional Fund shares at net asset value. No interest will accrue on
amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor's purchase
may have the effect of reducing the aggregate net asset value of the shares
below the cost of the investment. Such a dividend or distribution would be a
return on investment in an economic sense, although taxable as stated in the
Fund's Prospectus. In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds
shares of a Fund for six months or less and has received a capital gain
distribution with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such
shares will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital
gain distribution received.
A Fund may qualify for and may make an election permitted under
Section 853 of the Code so that shareholders may be eligible to claim a credit
or deduction on their Federal income tax returns for, and will be required to
treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of
qualified taxes paid or incurred by the Fund to foreign countries (which taxes
relate primarily to investment income). The Fund may make an election under
Section 853 of the Code, provided that more than 50% of the value of the Fund's
total assets at the close of the taxable year consists of securities in foreign
corporations, and the Fund satisfies the applicable distribution provisions of
the Code. The foreign tax credit available to shareholders is subject to certain
limitations imposed by the Code.
Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions will
be treated as capital gains and losses. However, a portion of the gain or loss
realized from the disposition of foreign currencies (including foreign currency
denominated bank deposits) and non-U.S. dollar denominated securities (including
debt instruments, and certain financial futures or forward contracts and
options) may be treated as ordinary income or loss under Section 988 of the
Code. In addition, all or a portion of any gain realized from the sale or other
disposition of certain market discount bonds will be treated as ordinary income
under Section 1276 of the Code. Finally, all or a portion of the gain realized
from engaging in "conversion transactions" may be treated as ordinary income
under Section 1258 of the Code. "Conversion transactions" are defined to include
certain forward, futures, option and straddle transactions, transactions
marketed or sold to produce capital gains, or transactions described in Treasury
regulations to be issued in the future.
Under Section 1256 of the Code, any gain or loss realized by a Fund
from certain financial futures or forward contracts and options transactions
(other than those taxed under Section 988 of the Code) will be treated as 60%
long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or
loss will arise upon the exercise or lapse of such contracts and options as well
as from closing transactions. In addition, any such contract or option remaining
unexercised at the end of the Fund's taxable year will be treated as sold for
their then fair market value, resulting in additional gain or loss to the Fund
characterized in the manner described above.
Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain futures or
forward contracts or options transactions may be considered, for tax purposes,
to constitute "straddles." Straddles are defined to include "offsetting
positions" in actively traded personal property. The tax treatment of straddles
is governed by Sections 1092 and 1258 of the Code, which, in certain
circumstances, override or modify the provisions of Sections 988 and 1256 of the
Code. As such, all or a portion of any short- or lon term capital gain from
certain straddle transactions may be recharacterized as ordinary income.
If a Fund were treated as entering into straddles by reason of its
engaging in certain financial futures or forward contracts or options
transactions, such straddles could be characterized as "mixed straddles" if the
futures or forward contracts or options transactions comprising such straddles
were governed by Section 1256 of the Code. The Fund may make one or more
elections with respect to "mixed straddles." Depending upon which election is
made, if any, the results to the Fund may differ. If no election is made, to the
extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by the Fund, losses
realized by the Fund will be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in any
offsetting positions. Moreover, as a result of the straddle and conversion
transaction rules, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be
recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gain on
straddle positions may be treated as short-term capital gain or ordinary income.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 included constructive sale provisions
that generally apply if the Fund either (1) holds an appreciated financial
position with respect to stock, certain debt obligations, or partnership
interests ("appreciated financial position") and then enters into a short sale,
futures or forward contract or offsetting notional principal contract
(collectively, a "Contract") with respect to the same or substantially identical
property or (2) holds an appreciated financial position that is a Contract and
then acquires property that is the same as, or substantially identical to, the
underlying property. In each instance, with certain exceptions, the Fund
generally will be taxed as if the appreciated financial position were sold at
its fair market value on the date the Fund enters into the financial position or
acquires the property, respectively. Transactions that are identified as hedging
or straddle transactions under other provisions of the Code can be subject to
the constructive sale provisions.
If a Fund invests in an entity that is classified as a "passive foreign
investment company" ("PFIC") for Federal income tax purposes, the operation of
certain provisions of the Code applying to PFICs could result in the imposition
of certain Federal income taxes on the Fund. In addition, gain realized from the
sale or other disposition of PFIC securities may be treated as ordinary income
under Section 1291 of the Code and, with respect to PFIC securities that are
marked-to-market, under Section 1296 of the Code.
Investment by a Fund in securities issued or acquired at a discount,
or providing for deferred interest or for payment of interest in the form of
additional obligations could under special tax rules, affect the amount, timing
and character of distributions to shareholders by causing the Fund to recognize
income prior to the receipt of cash payments. For example, the Fund could be
required to accrue a portion of the discount (or deemed discount) at which the
securities were issued each year and to distribute such income in order to
maintain its qualifi-cation as a regulated investment company. In such case, the
Fund may have to dispose of securities which it might otherwise have continued
to hold in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Manager supervises the placement of orders on behalf of each Fund
for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. Allocation of brokerage
transactions, including their frequency, is made in the best judgment of the
Manager (or, if applicable, the Fund's sub-investment adviser) and in a manner
deemed fair and reasonable to shareholders. The primary consideration is prompt
execution of orders at the most favorable net price. Subject to this
consideration, the brokers selected will include those that supplement the
Manager's (and, if applicable, the Fund's sub-investment adviser's) research
facilities with statistical data, investment information, economic facts and
opinions. Information so received is in addition to and not in lieu of services
required to be performed by the Manager (and, if applicable, the Fund's
sub-investment adviser). Such information may be useful to the Manager in
serving both the Funds and other clients which it advises and, conversely,
supplemental information obtained by the placement of business of other clients
may be useful to the Manager (and, if applicable, the Fund's sub-investment
adviser) in carrying out its obligations to the Funds.
Sales by a broker of shares of a Fund or other funds advised by the
Manager or its affiliates may be taken into consideration, and brokers also will
be selected because of their ability to handle special executions such as are
involved in large block trades or broad distributions, provided the primary
consideration is met. Large block trades, in certain cases, may result from two
or more funds advised or administered by the Manager being engaged
simultaneously in the purchase or sale of the same security. Certain of a Fund's
transactions in securities of foreign issuers may not benefit from the
negotiated commission rates available to the Funds for transactions in
securities of domestic issuers. Foreign exchange transactions are made with
banks or institutions in the interbank market at prices reflecting a mark-up or
mark-down and/or commission. When transactions are executed in the
over-the-counter market, a Fund will deal with the primary market makers unless
a more favorable price or execution otherwise is obtainable.
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within the
year. Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund's portfolio turnover rate for
the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 was 176.17%, 161.62% and
193.76%, respectively. Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund's portfolio
turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 was 12.26% (not
annualized). Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund's portfolio turnover rate for
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 was 10.65% (not annualized). Portfolio
turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover
rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses. The
overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by the Manager
based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of
commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, Dreyfus
Premier International Growth Fund paid total brokerage commissions of
$1,399,545, $1,180,114 and $1,328,910, respectively, none of which was paid to
the Distributor. The above figures for brokerage commissions do not include
gross spreads and concessions on principal transactions, which, where
determinable, amounted to $302,022, $196,734 and $494,288, respectively, none of
which was paid to the Distributor.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Dreyfus Premier Greater
China Fund paid total brokerage commissions of $4,087, none of which was paid to
the Distributor. The above figure for brokerage commissions does not include
gross spreads and concessions on principal transactions, which, where
determinable, amounted to $1,435, none of which was paid to the Distributor.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Dreyfus Premier Global
Allocation Fund paid total brokerage commissions of $6,501, none of which was
paid to the Distributor. The above figure for brokerage commissions does not
include gross spreads and concessions on principal transactions, which, where
determinable, amounted to $22,174, none of which was paid to the Distributor.
Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund has not completed its first
fiscal year.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Dreyfus Premier European Equity Fund has not completed its first
fiscal year and, therefore, no performance data have been provided for such
Funds.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, the average
annual total return for Class A for the 1 and 5 year periods ended October 31,
1998 was (9.98%) and 4.76%, respectively. The average annual total return for
Class B for the 1 and 5 year periods ended October 31, 1998 was (8.42)% and
4.94%, respectively. The average annual total return for Class C for the 1 year
period ended October 31, 1998 was (6.14%). The average annual total return for
Class R for the 1 year period ended October 31, 1998 was (4.44%). Average annual
total return is calculated by determining the ending redeemable value of an
investment purchased at net asset value (maximum offering price in the case of
Class A) per share with a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of
the period (assuming the reinvestment of dividends and distributions), dividing
by the amount of the initial investment, taking the "n"th root of the quotient
(where "n" is the number of years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the
result. A Class' average annual total return figures calculated in accordance
with such formula assume that in the case of Class A the maximum sales load has
been deducted from the hypothetical initial investment at the time of purchase
or, in the case of Class B or Class C, the maximum applicable CDSC has been paid
upon redemption at the end of the period.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund, the average annual
total return for Class A for the period May 12, 1998 (commencement of
operations) through October 31, 1998 was (7.55%). The average annual total
return for Class B for the period May 12, 1998 (commencement of operations)
through October 31, 1998 was (4.54%). The average annual total return for Class
C for the period May 12, 1998 (commencement of operations) through October 31,
1998 was 1.80%. The average annual total return for Class R for the period May
12, 1998 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1998 was 5.00%.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation Fund, the average
annual total return for Class A for the period June 29, 1998 (commencement of
operations) through October 31, 1998 was (24.15%). The average annual total
return for Class B for the period June 29, 1998 (commencement of operations)
through October 31, 1998 was (20.57%). The average annual total return for Class
C for the period June 29, 1998 (commencement of operations) through October 31,
1998 was (13.04%). The average annual total return for Class R for the period
June 29, 1998 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1998 was (9.56%).
Average annual total return is calculated by determining the ending
redeemable value of an investment purchased at net asset value (maximum offering
price in the case of Class A) per share with a hypothetical $1,000 payment made
at the beginning of the period (assuming the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions), dividing by the amount of the initial investment, taking the
"n"th root of the quotient (where "n" is the number of years in the period) and
subtracting 1 from the result. A Class' average annual total return figures
calculated in accordance with such formula assume that in the case of Class A
the maximum sales load has been deducted from the hypothetical initial
investment at the time of purchase or, in the case of Class B or Class C, the
maximum applicable CDSC has been paid upon redemption at the end of the period.
Total return is calculated by subtracting the amount of the Fund's net
asset value (maximum offering price in the case of Class A) per share at the
beginning of a stated period from the net asset value (maximum offering price in
the case of Class A) per share at the end of the period (after giving effect to
the reinvestment of dividends and distributions during the period and any
applicable CDSC), and dividing the result by the net asset value (maximum
offering price in the case of Class A) per share at the beginning of the period.
Total return also may be calculated based on the net asset value per share at
the beginning of the period instead of the maximum offering price per share at
the beginning of the period for Class A shares or without giving effect to any
applicable CDSC at the end of the period for Class B or Class C shares. In such
cases, the calculation would not reflect the deduction of the sales load with
respect to Class A shares or any applicable CDSC with respect to Class B or
Class C shares, which, if reflected, would reduce the performance quoted. With
respect to Dreyfus Premier International Growth Fund, the total return for Class
A for the period January 31, 1992 (commencement of operations) through October
31, 1998, based on maximum offering price per share, was 59.75%. Based on net
asset value per share, the total return for Class A was 69.46% for this period.
The total return for Class B of such Fund for the period January 15, 1993
(commencement of initial offering of Class B shares) through October 31, 1998,
without giving effect to the maximum applicable CDSC per share, was 47.82%. The
total return for Class B, after giving effect to the maximum applicable CDSC,
was 46.86% for this period. The total return for Class C of such Fund for the
period September 5, 1995 (commencement of initial offering of Class C shares)
through October 31, 1998 was 18.55%. The total return for Class R of such Fund
for the period September 5, 1995 (commencement of initial offering Class R
shares) through October 31, 1998 was 22.13%.
Comparative performance may be used from time to time in advertising a
Fund's shares, including data from Hang Seng Index, Hong Kong All Ordinaries
Index, China Affiliated Corporate Index, Taiwan Weighted Index, Shanghai and
Shenzhen B Share Indices, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe
Index, MSCI Pacific Index, MSCI World Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Index, Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index,
the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Money Magazine, Morningstar ratings and
related analyses supporting the ratings and other industry publications. From
time to time, a Fund may compare its performance against inflation with the
performance of other instruments against inflation, such as short-term Treasury
Bills (which are direct obligations of the U.S. Government) and FDIC-insured
bank money market accounts. In addition, advertising for a Fund may indicate
that investors may consider diversifying their investment portfolios in order to
seek protection of the value of their assets against inflation. From time to
time, advertising materials for a Fund may refer to or discuss then-current or
past economic or financial conditions, developments and/or events. A Fund's
advertising materials also may refer to the integration of the world's
securities markets, discuss the investment opportunities available worldwide and
mention the increasing importance of an investment strategy including foreign
investments. From time to time, advertising material for a Fund may include
biographical information relating to its portfolio manager and may refer to, or
include commentary by, the portfolio manager relating to investment strategy,
asset growth, current or past business, political, economic or financial
conditions and other matters of general interest to investors.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE FUNDS -
Each Fund share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in
accordance with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and non-assessable.
Fund shares have no preemptive or subscription rights and are freely
transferable.
Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be
necessary for the Fund to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result,
shareholders may not consider each year the election of Board members or the
appointment of auditors. However, the holders of at least 10% of the shares
outstanding and entitled to vote may require the Company to hold a special
meeting of shareholders for purposes of removing a Board member from office.
Shareholders may remove a Board member by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the Company's outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Board will call a
meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Board members if, at any
time, less than a majority of the Board members then holding office have been
elected by shareholders.
The Company is a "series fund," which is a mutual fund divided into
separate portfolios, each of which is treated as a separate entity for certain
matters under the 1940 Act and for other purposes. A shareholders of one
portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. For certain
matters shareholders vote together as a group; as to others they vote separately
by portfolio.
To date, the Board has authorized the creation of four series of
shares. All consideration received by the Company for shares of one of the
series and all assets in which such consideration is invested will belong to
that series (subject only to the rights of creditors of the Company) and will be
subject to the liabilities related thereto. The income attributable to, and the
expenses of, one series are treated separately from those of the other series.
The Company has the ability to create, from time to time, new series without
shareholder approval.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be
submitted under the provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law or
otherwise to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment
company, such as the Company, will not be deemed to have been effectively acted
upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
each series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a series
shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests
of each series in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect
any interest of such series. However, the Rule exempts the selection of
independent accountants and the election of Board members from the separate
voting requirements of the Rule.
Each Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not
designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term market
movements. A pattern of frequent purchases and exchanges can be disruptive to
efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be detrimental to the
Fund's performance and its shareholders. Accordingly, if the Company's
management determines that an investor is following a market-timing strategy or
is otherwise engaging in excessive trading, the Company, with or without prior
notice, may temporarily or permanently terminate the availability of Fund
Exchanges, or reject in whole or part any purchase or exchange request, with
respect to such investor's account. Such investors also may be barred from
purchasing other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Generally, an investor
who makes more than four exchanges out of a Fund during any calendar year (for
calendar year 1998, beginning on January 15th) or who makes exchanges that
appear to coincide with a market-timing strategy may be deemed to be engaged in
excessive trading. Accounts under common ownership or control will be considered
as one account for purposes of determining a pattern of excessive trading. In
addition, the Company may refuse or restrict purchase or exchange requests for
Fund shares by any person or group if, in the judgment of the Company's
management, the Fund would be unable to invest the money effectively in
accordance with its investment objective and policies or could otherwise be
adversely affected or if the Fund receives or anticipates receiving simultaneous
orders that may significantly affect the Fund (e.g., amounts equal to 1% or more
of the Fund's total assets). If an exchange request is refused, the Company will
take no other action with respect to the Fund shares until it receives further
instructions from the investor. A Fund may delay forwarding redemption proceeds
for up to seven days if the investor redeeming shares is engaged in excessive
trading or if the amount of the redemption request otherwise would be disruptive
to efficient portfolio management or would adversely affect the Fund. The
Company's policy on excessive trading applies to investors who invest in a Fund
directly or through financial intermediaries, but does not apply to the
Auto-Exchange Privilege, to any automatic investment or withdrawal privilege
described herein, or to participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the Company may
suspend Fund Exchanges temporarily without notice and treat exchange requests
based on their separate components -- redemption orders with a simultaneous
request to purchase the other fund's shares. In such a case, the redemption
request would be processed at the Fund's next determined net asset value but the
purchase order would be effective only at the net asset value next determined
after the fund being purchased receives the proceeds of the redemption, which
may result in the purchase being delayed.
Each Fund will send annual and semi-annual financial statements to all
its shareholders. - - COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS - - Stroock & Stroock &
Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038-4982, as counsel for the
Company, has rendered its opinion as to certain legal matters regarding the due
authorization and valid issuance of the shares being sold pursuant to each
Fund's Prospectus.
Ernst & Young LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,
independent auditors, have been selected as independent auditors of the Company.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
Description of certain ratings assigned by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group ("S&P"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch IBCA, Inc.
("Fitch") and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff"):
S&P
BOND RATINGS
AAA
Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA
Bonds rated AA have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
A
Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher
rated categories.
BBB
Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
bonds in this category than for bonds in higher rated categories.
BB
Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative grade debt. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead
to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payment.
B
Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but presently has
the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse
business, financial or economic conditions would likely impair capacity or
willingness to pay interest and repay principal.
CCC
Debt rated CCC has a current identifiable vulnerability to default,
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to
meet timely payments of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial
or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest
and repay principal.
S&P's letter ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or
minus (-) sign designation, which is used to show relative standing within the
major rating categories, except in the AAA (Prime Grade) category.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING
The designation A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues
determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a
plus sign (+) designation.
Moody's
BOND RATINGS
Aaa
Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa
Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what generally are known as
high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A
Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be
present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa
Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba
Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements;
their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of
interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and therefore not well
safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of
position characterizes bonds in this class.
B
Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be
small.
Caa
Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Moody's applies the numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to show relative
standing within the major rating categories, except in the Aaa category and in
the categories below B. The modifier 1 indicates a ranking for the security in
the higher end of a rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range
ranking, and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of a rating
category.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING
The rating Prime-1 (P-1) is the highest commercial paper rating
assigned by Moody's. Issuers of P-1 paper must have a superior capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations, and ordinarily will be evidenced
by leading market positions in well established industries, high rates of return
on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance
on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well established access
to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
BOND RATINGS
The ratings represent Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to
meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt. The ratings take
into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other
obligations of the issuer, the current financial condition and operative
performance of the issuer and of any guarantor, as well as the political and
economic environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength
and credit quality.
AAA
Bonds rated AAA are considered to be investment grade and of the
highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay
interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably
foreseeable events.
AA
Bonds rated AA are considered to be investment grade and of very high
credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds
rated in the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to
foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally
rated F-1+.
A
Bonds rated A are considered to be investment grade and of high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered
to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic
conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB
Bonds rated BBB are considered to be investment grade and of
satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay
principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances, however, are more likely to have an adverse impact on these
bonds and, therefore, impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of
these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with
higher ratings.
BB
Bonds rated BB are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to
pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic
changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which
could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B
Bonds rated B are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this
class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of
continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's
limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic
activity throughout the life of the issue.
CCC
Bonds rated CCC have certain identifiable characteristics, which, if
not remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an
advantageous business and economic environment.
Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate
the relative position of a credit within the rating category.
SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable
on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.
Although the credit analysis is similar to Fitch's bond rating
analysis, the short-term rating places greater emphasis than bond ratings on the
existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely
manner.
F-1+
EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG CREDIT QUALITY. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1
VERY STRONG CREDIT QUALITY. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.
Duff
BOND RATINGS
AAA
Bonds rated AAA are considered highest credit quality. The risk
factors are negligible, being only slightly more than for risk-free U.S.
Treasury debt.
AA
Bonds rated AA are considered high credit quality. Protection factors
are strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time because of
economic conditions.
A
Bonds rated A have protection factors which are average but adequate.
However, risk factors are more variable and greater in periods of economic
stress.
BBB
Bonds rated BBB are considered to have below average protection
factors but still considered sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable
variability in risk exists during economic cycles.
BB
Bonds rated BB are below investment grade but are deemed by Duff as
likely to meet obligations when due. Present or prospective financial protection
factors fluctuate according to industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall
quality may move up or down frequently within the category.
B
Bonds rated B are below investment grade and possess the risk that
obligations will not be met when due. Financial protection factors will
fluctuate widely according to economic cycles, industry conditions and/or
company fortunes. Potential exists for frequent changes in quality rating within
this category or into a higher or lower quality rating grade.
CCC
Bonds rated CCC are well below investment grade securities. Such bonds
may be in default or have considerable uncertainty as to timely payment of
interest, preferred dividends and/or principal. Protection factors are narrow
and risk can be substantial with unfavorable economic or industry conditions
and/or with unfavorable company developments.
Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are used with a rating symbol (except
AAA) to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING
The rating Duff-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by
Duff. Paper rated Duff-1 is regarded as having very high certainty of timely
payment with excellent liquidity factors which are supported by ample asset
protection. Risk factors are minor.
<PAGE>
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
-------------------------
Item 23. Exhibits
- ------- ----------
(a) Registrant's Articles of Incorporation and Articles of Amendment
are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1)(a) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A, filed on December 28, 1994.
(b) Registrant's By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 28, 1994.
(d) Management Agreement, as amended, and Sub-Investment Advisory
Agreements are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(a) and
4(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 7, 1998 and Exhibit
5(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 filed on May 5, 1998.
(e) Distribution Agreement, as revised, is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (5)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 7, 1998.
Forms of Shareholder Services Agreement and Distribution Plan
Agreement are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(b) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A, filed on December 28, 1994.
(g) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 28,
1994.
(h) Shareholder Services Plan, as revised, is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 7,
1998.
(i) Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 28,
1994.
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan, as revised, is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 7, 1998.
(n) Financial Data Schedule.
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan, as revised, is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 15 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 7, 1998.
Other Exhibits
--------------
(a) Power of Attorney of the Chairman of the
Board is incorporated by reference to Other
Exhibits (a) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on February 29, 1996.
(b) Certificate of Secretary is incorporated by
reference to Other Exhibits (b) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
February 26, 1997.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
- ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
Item 25. Indemnification
- ------- ---------------
The Statement as to the general effect of any contract,
arrangements or statute under which a director, officer,
underwriter or affiliated person of the Registrant is insured
or indemnified in any manner against any liability which may
be incurred in such capacity, other than insurance provided by
any director, officer, affiliated person or underwriter for
their own protection, is incorporated by reference to Item 27
of Part C of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on May 5, 1998.
Reference is also made to the Distribution Agreement attached
as Exhibit (5)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 7, 1998.
The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") and subsidiary companies
comprise a financial service organization whose business
consists primarily of providing investment management services
as the investment adviser and manager for sponsored investment
companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
and as an investment adviser to institutional and individual
accounts. Dreyfus also serves as sub-investment adviser to
and/or administrator of other investment companies. Dreyfus
Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus,
serves primarily as a registered broker-dealer. Dreyfus
Investment Advisors, Inc., another wholly-owned subsidiary,
provides investment management services to various pension
plans, institutions and individuals.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued)
Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Name and Position
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
Christopher M. Condron Mellon Preferred Director 3/96 - 11/96
Chairman of the Board and Capital Corporation*
Chief Executive Officer
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* President 10/97 - 6/98
Chairman 10/97 - 6/98
The Boston Company Chairman 1/98 - 6/98
Asset Management, LLC* President 1/98 - 6/98
The Boston Company President 9/95 - 1/98
Asset Management, Inc.* Chairman 4/95 - 1/98
Chief Executive Officer 4/95 - 4/97
Pareto Partners Partner Representative 11/95 - 5/97
271 Regent Street
London, England W1R 8PP
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 1/97 - Present
Franklin Portfolio
Associates Trust* Trustee 9/95 - 1/97
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.**
Director 6/95 - Present
The Boston Company of Director 6/95 - 4/96
Southern California Chief Executive Officer 6/95 - 4/96
Los Angeles, CA
Mellon Capital Management Director 5/95 - Present
Corporation***
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 - Present
Member
Mellon Bond Associates+ Trustee 5/95 -1/98
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 - Present
Member
Mellon Equity Associates+ Trustee 5/95 - 1/98
Boston Safe Advisors, Inc.* Director 5/95 - Present
President 5/95 - Present
Access Capital Strategies Corp. Director 5/95 - 1/97
124 Mount Auburn Street
Suite 200 North
Cambridge, MA 02138
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Chief Operating Officer 3/98 - Present
President 3/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - Present
Mellon Bank Corporation+ Chief Operating Officer 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 1/99
The Boston Company Financial Director 4/94- 8/96
Services, Inc.* President 4/94 - 8/96
The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/94 - Present
Director 5/93 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Exec. Committee 1/98 - Present
Member
Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 10/93 - 1/98
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Chairman 3/93 - 2/96
Company of CA Chief Executive Officer 6/93 - 2/96
Los Angeles, CA Director 6/89 - 2/96
MY, Inc.* President 9/91 - 3/96
Director 9/91 - 3/96
Reco, Inc.* President 8/91 - 11/96
Director 8/91 - 11/96
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 6/89 - 2/96
Company of NY
New York, NY
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust President 9/89 - 6/96
Company* Director 5/93 -Present
The Boston Company Financial President 6/89 - Present
Strategies, Inc. * Director 6/89 - Present
The Boston Company Financial President 6/89 - 1/97
Strategies Group, Inc. * Director 6/89- 1/97
Mandell L. Berman Self-Employed Real Estate Consultant, 11/74 - Present
Director 29100 Northwestern Highway Residential Builder and
Suite 370 Private Investor
Southfield, MI 48034
Burton C. Borgelt DeVlieg Bullard, Inc. Director 1/93 - Present
Director 1 Gorham Island
Westport, CT 06880
Mellon Bank Corporation+ Director 6/91 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Director 6/91 - Present
Dentsply International, Inc. Director 2/81 - Present
570 West College Avenue Chief Executive Officer 2/81 - 12/96
York, PA Chairman 3/89 - 1/96
Stephen E. Canter Dreyfus Investment Chairman of the Board 1/97 - Present
President, Chief Operating Advisors, Inc.++ Director 5/95 - Present
Officer, Chief Investment President 5/95 - Present
Officer, and Director
Founders Asset Management, LLC Acting Chief Executive 7/98 - 12/98
2930 East Third Ave. Officer
Denver, CO 80206
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 6/95 - Present
Thomas F. Eggers Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Executive Vice President 4/96 - Present
Vice Chairman - Institutional Director 9/96 - Present
and Director
Steven G. Elliott Mellon Bank Corporation+ Senior Vice Chairman 1/99 - Present
Director Chief Financial Officer 1/90 - Present
Vice Chairman 6/92 - 1/99
Treasurer 1/90 - 5/98
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Senior Vice Chairman 3/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 6/92 - 3/98
Chief Financial Officer 1/90 - Present
Mellon EFT Services Corporation Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Bank Center, 8th Floor
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Mellon Financial Services Director 1/96 - Present
Corporation #1 Vice President 1/96 - Present
Mellon Bank Center, 8th Floor
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Vice President 5/93 - Present
APT Holdings Corporation Treasurer 12/87 - Present
Pike Creek Operations Center
4500 New Linden Hill Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
Allomon Corporation Director 12/87 - Present
Two Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15259
Collection Services Corporation Controller 10/90 - Present
500 Grant Street Director 9/88 - Present
Pittsburgh, PA 15258 Vice President 9/88 - Present
Treasurer 9/88 - Present
Mellon Financial Company+ Principal Exec. Officer 1/88 - Present
Chief Financial Officer 8/87 - Present
Director 8/87 - Present
President 8/87 - Present
Mellon Overseas Investments Director 4/88 - Present
Corporation+ Chairman 7/89 - 11/97
President 4/88 - 11/97
Chief Executive Officer 4/88 - 11/97
Mellon International Investment Director 9/89 - 8/97
Corporation+
Mellon Financial Services Treasurer 12/87 - Present
Corporation # 5+
Lawrence S. Kash Dreyfus Investment Director 4/97 - Present
Vice Chairman Advisors, Inc.++
And Director
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 11/97 - Present
401 North Maple Ave. Chief Executive Officer 11/97 - Present
Beverly Hills, CA
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Director 1/95 - Present
President 9/96 - Present
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.++ + Director 3/96 - 12/98
President 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Director 12/94 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ President 1/97 - Present
Executive Vice President 12/94 - 1/97
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++ Director 1/97 - Present
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Chairman 5/97 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ President 5/97 - Present
Director 5/97 - Present
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chairman 1/97 - Present
President 2/97 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 2/97 - Present
Director 12/94 - Present
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Chairman 5/97 - Present
Corporation++ President 5/97 - Present
Director 12/94 - Present
The Boston Company Advisors* Chairman 8/93 - 11/95
The Boston Company Advisors, Chairman 12/95 - Present
Inc. Chief Executive Officer 12/95 - Present
Wilmington, DE President 12/95 - Present
Cornice Acquisition Board of Managers 12/97 - Present
Company, LLC
Denver, CO
The Boston Company, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Executive Vice President 2/92 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ President 12/91 - Present
Executive Committee 12/91 - Present
Member
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Martin G. McGuinn Mellon Bank Corporation+ Chairman 1/99 - Present
Director Chief Executive Officer 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 1/90 - 1/99
Mellon Bank, N. A. + Chairman 3/98 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 3/98 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 1/90 - 1/99
Mellon Leasing Corporation+ Vice Chairman 12/96 - Present
Mellon Bank (DE) National Director 4/89 - 12/98
Association
Wilmington, DE
Mellon Bank (MD) National Director 1/96 - 4/98
Association
Rockville, Maryland
Mellon Financial Vice President 9/86 - 10/97
Corporation (MD)
Rockville, Maryland
J. David Officer Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Executive Vice President 5/98 - Present
Vice Chairman
And Director Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.++ Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Residential Funding Corp. + Director 4/97 - Present
Mellon Trust of Florida, N.A. Director 8/97 - Present
2875 Northeast 191st Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33180
Mellon Bank, NA+ Executive Vice President 7/96 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/97 - Present
Director 7/96 - Present
Mellon Preferred Capital Director 11/96 - Present
Corporation*
RECO, Inc.* President 11/96 - Present
Director 11/96 - Present
The Boston Company Financial President 8/96 - Present
Services, Inc.* Director 8/96 - Present
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director
Company* President 7/96 - Present
Executive Vice President 7/96 - 1/99
1/91 - 7/96
Mellon Trust of New York Director
1301 Avenue of the Americas 6/96 - Present
New York, NY 10019
Mellon Trust of California Director 6/96 - Present
400 South Hope Street
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Executive Vice President 2/94 - Present
Mellon United National Bank Director 3/98 - Present
1399 SW 1st Ave., Suite 400
Miami, Florida
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 12/97 - Present
Dreyfus Financial Services Corp. + Director 9/96 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Services Director 4/96 - Present
Corporation+
Richard W. Sabo Founders Asset Management LLC President 12/98 - Present
Director 2930 East Third Avenue Chief Executive Officer 12/98 - Present
Denver, CO. 80206
Prudential Securities Senior Vice President 07/91 - 11/98
New York, NY Regional Director 07/91 - 11/98
Richard F. Syron American Stock Exchange Chairman 4/94 - Present
Director 86 Trinity Place Chief Executive Officer 4/94 - Present
New York, NY 10006
Ronald P. O'Hanley Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 3/97 - Present
Vice Chairman
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Chairman 6/98 - Present
Director 10/97 - Present
The Boston Company Asset Chairman 6/98 - Present
Management, LLC* Director 1/98 - 6/98
The Boston Company Asset Director 2/97 - 12/97
Management, Inc. *
Boston Safe Advisors, Inc. * Chairman 6/97 - Present
Director 2/97 - Present
Pareto Partners Partner Representative 5/97 - Present
271 Regent Street
London, England W1R 8PP
Mellon Capital Management Director 5/97 -Present
Corporation***
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.** Director 2/97 - Present
Mellon Bond Associates+ Trustee 2/97 - Present
Chairman 2/97 - Present
Mellon Equity Associates+ Trustee 2/97 - Present
Chairman 2/97 - Present
Mellon-France Corporation+ Director 3/97 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 3/97 - Present
McKinsey & Company, Inc. Partner 8/86 - 2/97
Boston, MA
Mark N. Jacobs Dreyfus Investment Director 4/97 -Present
General Counsel, Advisors, Inc.++ Secretary 10/77 - 7/98
Vice President, and
Secretary The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 3/96 - Present
The TruePenny Corporation++ President 10/98 - Present
Director 3/96 - Present
Lion Management, Inc.++ Director 1/88 - 10/96
Vice President 1/88 - 10/96
Secretary 1/88 - 10/96
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Secretary 4/83 - 3/96
Corporation++
Dreyfus Service Director 3/97 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ Assistant Secretary 4/83 -3/96
Major Trading Corporation++ Assistant Secretary 5/81 - 8/96
William H. Maresca The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 3/97 - Present
Controller
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Chief Financial Officer 12/98 - Present
Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corp.++ Treasurer 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Treasurer 10/98 - Present
Advisors, Inc. ++
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc. Vice President 10/98 - Present
4500 New Linden Hill Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
The TruePenny Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.+++ Treasurer 10/98 - 12/98
The Trotwood Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Trotwood Hunters Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Trotwood Hunters Site A Corp. ++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Chief Financial Officer 5/98 - Present
One American Express Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Dreyfus Service Assistant Treasurer 3/93 - Present
Organization, Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Assistant Treasurer 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
William T. Sandalls, Jr. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Chairman 2/97 - Present
Executive Vice President One American Express Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Director 1/96 - Present
Treasurer 1/96 - 2/97
Executive Vice President 2/97 - Present
Chief Financial Officer 2/97 - 12/98
Dreyfus Investment Director 1/96 - Present
Advisors, Inc.++ Treasurer 1/96 - 10/98
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc. Director 12/96 - Present
4500 New Linden Hill Road President 1/97 - Present
Wilmington, DE 19808
Dreyfus Acquisition Corporation++ Director VP and CFO 1/96 - 8/96
Vice President 1/96 - 8/96
Chief Financial Officer 1/96 - 8/96
Lion Management, Inc.++ Director 1/96 - 10/96
President 1/96 - 10/96
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.++ Director 1/96 - 10/98
Treasurer 10/96 - 10/98
The Dreyfus Consumer Director 1/96 - Present
Credit Corp.++ Vice President 1/96 - Present
Treasurer 1/97 - 10/98
Dreyfus Partnership President 1/97 - 6/97
Management, Inc.++ Director 1/96 - 6/97
Dreyfus Service Organization, Director 1/96 - 6/97
Inc.++ Executive Vice President 1/96 - 6/97
Treasurer 10/96 - Present
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/97 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ Treasurer 5/97 - Present
Executive Vice President 5/97 - Present
Major Trading Corporation++ Director 1/96 - 8/96
Treasurer 1/96 - 8/96
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 1/96 - 4/97
Treasurer 1/96 - 4/97
Chief Financial Officer 1/96 - 4/97
Dreyfus Personal Director 1/96 - 4/97
Management, Inc.++ Treasurer 1/96 - 4/97
Patrice M. Kozlowski None
Vice President - Corporate
Communications
Mary Beth Leibig None
Vice President -
Human Resources
Andrew S. Wasser Mellon Bank Corporation+ Vice President 1/95 - Present
Vice President -
Information Systems
Theodore A. Schachar Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Vice President -Tax 10/96 - Present
Vice President - Tax
Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Inc.++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc. +++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Wendy Strutt None
Vice President
Richard Terres None
Vice President
James Bitetto The TruePenny Corporation++ Secretary 9/98 - Present
Assistant Secretary
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Assistant Secretary 8/98 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Assistant Secretary 7/98 - Present
Advisors, Inc.++
Dreyfus Service Assistant Secretary 7/98 - Present
Organization, Inc.++
Steven F. Newman Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Vice President 2/97 - Present
Assistant Secretary One American Express Plaza Director 2/97 - Present
Providence, RI 02903 Secretary 2/97 - Present
Dreyfus Service Secretary 7/98 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ Assistant Secretary 5/98 - 7/98
- -------------------------------
* The address of the business so indicated is One Boston Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108.
** The address of the business so indicated is One Bush Street, Suite 450, San Francisco, California 94104.
*** The address of the business so indicated is 595 Market Street, Suite 3000, San Francisco, California 94105.
+ The address of the business so indicated is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258.
++ The address of the business so indicated is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
+++ The address of the business so indicated is 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144.
++++The address of the business so indicated is 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
- -------- ----------------------
(a) Other investment companies for which Registrant's principal
underwriter (exclusive distributor) acts as principal underwriter or exclusive
distributor:
1) Comstock Partners Funds, Inc.
2) Dreyfus A Bonds Plus, Inc.
3) Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.
4) Dreyfus Asset Allocation Fund, Inc.
5) Dreyfus Balanced Fund, Inc.
6) Dreyfus BASIC GNMA Fund
7) Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc.
8) Dreyfus BASIC Municipal Fund, Inc.
9) Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund
10) Dreyfus California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
11) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
12) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
13) Dreyfus Cash Management
14) Dreyfus Cash Management Plus, Inc.
15) Dreyfus Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
16) Dreyfus Connecticut Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
17) Dreyfus Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
18) Dreyfus Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
19) The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated
20) Dreyfus Global Bond Fund, Inc.
21) Dreyfus Global Growth Fund
22) Dreyfus GNMA Fund, Inc.
23) Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds
24) Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
25) Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
26) Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
27) Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds
28) Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc.
29) Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
30) Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Fund
31) Dreyfus Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund
32) Dreyfus Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
33) Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
34) Dreyfus International Funds, Inc.
35) Dreyfus Investment Grade Bond Funds, Inc.
36) Dreyfus Investment Portfolios
37) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc.
38) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust
39) The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds
40) Dreyfus LifeTime Portfolios, Inc.
41) Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc.
42) Dreyfus Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
43) Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund
44) Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund
45) Dreyfus MidCap Index Fund
46) Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc.
47) Dreyfus Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
48) Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus
49) Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
50) Dreyfus New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
51) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
52) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
53) Dreyfus New Leaders Fund, Inc.
54) Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond Fund
55) Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management
56) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
57) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund
58) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
59) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
60) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
61) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
62) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
63) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
64) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
65) Dreyfus Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
66) Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds, Inc.
67) Dreyfus Premier International Funds, Inc.
68) Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund
69) Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc.
70) Dreyfus Premier Municipal Bond Fund
71) Dreyfus Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
72) Dreyfus Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
73) Dreyfus Premier Value Fund
74) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
75) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
76) The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
77) Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.
78) Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management
79) The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.
80) Dreyfus Treasury Cash Management
81) Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
82) Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
83) Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
84) Founders Funds, Inc.
85) General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
86) General California Municipal Money Market Fund
87) General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
88) General Money Market Fund, Inc.
89) General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
90) General Municipal Money Market Funds, Inc.
91) General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
92) General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
<PAGE>
(b)
Positions and
Name and principal Positions and offices with offices with
business address the Distributor Registrant
- ------------------ --------------------------- -------------
Marie E. Connolly+ Director, President, Chief President and
Executive Officer and Chief Treasurer
Compliance Officer
Joseph F. Tower, III+ Director, Senior Vice President, Vice President
Treasurer and Chief Financial and Assistant
Officer Treasurer
Mary A. Nelson+ Vice President Vice President
and Assistant
Treasurer
Jean M. O'Leary+ Assistant Vice President, None
Assistant Secretary and
Assistant Clerk
William J. Nutt+ Chairman of the Board None
Michael S. Petrucelli++ Senior Vice President Vice President,
Assistant
Treasurer and
Assistant
Secretary
Patrick W. McKeon+ Vice President None
Joseph A. Vignone+ Vice President None
- --------------------------------
+ Principal business address is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
++ Principal business address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
<PAGE>
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
- ------- --------------------------------
1. First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.,
a subsidiary of First Data Corporation
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
2. The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
3. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
4. The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Item 29. Management Services
- ------- -------------------
Not Applicable
Item 30. Undertakings
- ------- ------------
None
SIGNATURES
----------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly
caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and
State of New York on the 24th day of February, 1999
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
(Registrant)
BY: /s/Marie E. Connolly*
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, PRESIDENT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to
the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
Signatures Title Date
- -------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------
/s/ Marie E. Connolly* President and Treasurer 2/24/99
- ------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
Marie E. Connolly
/s/ Joseph F. Tower, III* Vice President and Assistant 2/24/99
- -------------------------- Treasurer (Principal Financial
Joseph F. Tower, III and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Joseph S. DiMartino* Chairman of the Board 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/ Gordon J. Davis* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Gordon J. Davis
/s/ David P. Feldman* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
David P. Feldman
/s/ Lynn Martin* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Lynn Martin
/s/ Daniel Rose* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Daniel Rose
/s/ Philip L. Toia* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Philip L. Toia
/s/ Sander Vanocur* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Sander Vanocur
/s/ Anne Wexler* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Anne Wexler
/s/ Rex Wilder* Board Member 2/24/99
- --------------------------
Rex Wilder
*BY: /s/ Michael S. Petrucelli
---------------------
Michael S. Petrucelli
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
DREYFUS PREMIER INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A under
the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940
--------------------------------------
EXHIBITS
--------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
PAGE
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors.....................................
(n) Financial Data Schedule.............................................
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights" and "Counsel and Independent Auditors" and to the use of our reports
dated December 8, 1998, which are incorporated by reference, in this
Registration Statement (Form N-1A 33-44254) of Dreyfus Premier International
Funds, Inc. (comprising, respectively, of Dreyfus Premier Global Allocation
Fund, Dreyfus Premier Greater China Fund and Dreyfus Premier International
Growth Fund).
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 1999
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