DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
Dear Shareholder:
It is a pleasure to provide you with this semi-annual report on the
Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund. For the six months ended
August 31, 1996, your Fund produced an annualized yield of 5.08%. After
calculating the effect of compound interest, this equals an annualized
effective yield of 5.19%.*
ECONOMIC REVIEW
The robust pace of the U.S. economy in the first half of 1996 was broken
only temporarily by July's sluggishness. Somewhat faster growth is again
evident. However, above-trend economic expansion this year has raised fears
of higher future inflation, even while reported inflation remains tame. These
inflation fears pushed bond yields higher and built expectations for a
Federal Reserve Board ("the Fed") tightening.
This year's economic strength is due to strong domestic demand that has
kept inventories lean. Real Gross Domestic Product grew 3.4% in the first
half, driven largely by consumer spending and housing investment, although
homebuilding saw slower activity. Industrial output likewise surged, although
producers bent on meeting demand have been unable to also rebuild inventory.
Support for sustained consumer spending growth is coming from new jobs, wage
increases, low summer utility bills and a fall hike in the minimum wage. In
addition, new orders for exports and capital goods-both sluggish sectors this
summer-have recently reaccelerated. Corporate profits, however, are not
sharing this year's prosperity as profit growth is now decelerating.
Core consumer price inflation remains moderate although rising food and
energy prices have begun to pull the overall inflation rate higher and wage
increases have accelerated in this year's tight labor market. As a result,
reports of a faster economic pace have boosted fears of accelerated
inflation, and bond yields have risen substantially; short-term market rates
have also surged on expectations of a Federal Reserve tightening in coming
months. So far, long-term rates have risen more than short-term rates,
forcing the yield curve to steepen. A steep yield curve is usually supportive
of sustained growth in the real economy.
THE MONEY MARKET AND THE PORTFOLIO
In the past six months, money market interest rates have edged upward,
though not on a dramatic scale. The background for this was a strengthening
economy, as described in the previous section of this letter. The main
impetus for the rise in interest rates, however, was the effort of market
participants to stay ahead of any boost in interest rates that might be
initiated by the Federal Reserve.
On several occasions during the spring and summer, strong employment
numbers, and decreases in the unemployment rates, spooked the fixed-income
markets. Efforts to outguess the Fed had the effect of pumping up short-term
rates. This was the case even though the Fed's Open Market Committee, after
its last cut in rates in January 1996, held seven meetings and each time
decided to take no overt action to increase rates. In effect, the market was
doing the job for them.
As summer turned into fall, the economy continued strong, but with some
soft spots that helped to keep consumer and industrial prices within bounds.
Hence, the money market reflected the underlying strength in the economy, but
did not generate interest rates that might inhibit continued growth.
You may be assured that we watch these fluctuations in the money market
intently. We have kept average maturities somewhat longer than the industry
average. Thus, we have not shifted to a truly defensive posture. In our view,
this strategy has been rewarding to our investors. If there should be an
unexpected downdraft in the market, we are in position to become defensive,
should the situation require it.
Sincerely,
[Patricia A. Larkin signature logo]
Patricia A. Larkin
Senior Portfolio Manager
September 12, 1996
New York, N.Y.
* Annualized effective yield is based upon dividends declared daily and
reinvested monthly.
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<CAPTION>
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS AUGUST 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
ANNUALIZED
YIELD ON
DATE OF PRINCIPAL
U.S. TREASURY BILLS-4.9% PURCHASE AMOUNT VALUE
__________ __________ _________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
5/29/97.................................................... 5.81% $ 50,000,000 $47,937,500
7/24/97.................................................... 5.70 25,000,000 23,777,500
_____________
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY BILLS (cost $71,715,000)................... $71,715,000
==============
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES-91.1%
Federal Farm Credit Banks, Floating Rate Notes
9/16/96.................................................... 5.32%(a) $ 10,000,000 $ 10,000,339
9/30/96.................................................... 5.55 (a) 5,000,000 5,000,000
11/22/96................................................... 5.33 (a) 25,000,000 24,994,597
12/30/96................................................... 5.33 (a) 50,000,000 49,978,074
5/23/97.................................................... 5.40 (a) 24,000,000 24,057,058
6/13/97.................................................... 5.39 (a) 19,500,000 19,490,090
7/25/97.................................................... 5.33 (a) 50,000,000 49,982,879
8/14/97.................................................... 5.35 (a) 75,000,000 74,988,874
9/15/97.................................................... 5.38 (a) 20,000,000 19,990,284
1/30/98.................................................... 5.34 (a) 50,000,000 49,960,051
6/8/98 .................................................... 5.50 (a) 50,000,000 50,000,000
Federal Home Loan Banks, Discount Notes
9/3/96 .................................................... 5.18 50,000,000 49,985,611
2/14/97.................................................... 5.45 20,000,000 19,516,756
3/14/97.................................................... 5.65 13,900,000 13,498,506
Federal Home Loan Banks, Floating Rate Notes
12/19/96................................................... 5.75 (a) 16,000,000 16,000,000
1/31/97.................................................... 5.67 (a) 23,000,000 23,012,480
2/3/97 .................................................... 5.35 (a) 10,000,000 10,015,854
Federal Home Loan Banks, Notes
11/7/96.................................................... 5.46 25,000,000 24,999,104
1/24/97.................................................... 5.38 50,000,000 49,987,719
3/6/97 .................................................... 5.22 25,000,000 24,996,972
4/2/97 .................................................... 5.52 10,000,000 9,997,724
4/25/97.................................................... 5.70 25,000,000 24,997,576
8/19/97.................................................... 5.93 25,000,000 25,000,000
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Floating Rate Notes
6/30/98.................................................... 5.78 (a) 10,000,000 9,970,140
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Notes
6/6/97 .................................................... 5.89 50,000,000 49,896,862
Federal National Mortgage Association, Discount Notes
12/13/96................................................... 5.36 1,400,000 1,379,331
6/9/97..................................................... 5.89 50,000,000 47,826,153
6/13/97.................................................... 5.90 23,945,000 22,889,125
7/22/97.................................................... 5.95 15,000,000 14,241,300
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AUGUST 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
ANNUALIZED
YIELD ON
DATE OF PRINCIPAL
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (CONTINUED) PURCHASE AMOUNT VALUE
__________ __________ _________
Federal National Mortgage Association , Floating Rate Notes
2/14/97.................................................... 5.72%(a) $ 10,000,000 $10,000,000
2/18/97.................................................... 5.74 (a) 31,000,000 31,006,788
3/27/97.................................................... 5.30 (a) 5,000,000 5,000,000
4/11/97.................................................... 5.30 (a) 20,000,000 19,994,170
6/20/97.................................................... 5.43 (a) 70,000,000 70,006,525
7/24/97.................................................... 5.36 (a) 25,000,000 25,000,000
6/19/98.................................................... 5.45 (a) 100,000,000 99,967,080
6/29/98.................................................... 5.47 (a) 100,000,000 99,966,973
Student Loan Marketing Association, Floating Rate Notes
11/1/96.................................................... 5.28 (a) 14,600,000 14,604,573
12/20/96................................................... 5.33 (a) 25,000,000 25,000,000
1/23/97.................................................... 5.28 (a) 23,905,000 23,922,606
1/27/98.................................................... 5.82 (a) 20,000,000 19,901,250
Student Loan Marketing Association, Notes
8/15/97.................................................... 6.03 72,700,000 72,700,000
_____________
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (cost $1,333,723,424)........... $1,333,723,424
==============
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS-2.7%
Daiwa Securities America Inc.
dated 8/31/96, due 9/3/96 in the amount of $10,005,811
(fully collateralized by $9,792,000 U.S. Treasury
Notes 6.63% due 3/31/97, value $10,123,321)................ 5.23% $10,000,000 $10,000,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
dated 8/31/96, due 9/3/96 in the amount of $28,016,364
(fully collateralized by $27,840,000 U.S. Treasury Notes
6.5% to 6.75% due 9/30/96 to 5/31/97, value $28,563,811)... 5.26 28,000,000 28,000,000
SBC Capital Markets
dated 8/31/96, due 9/3/96 in the amount of $2,003,146
(fully collateralized by $2,065,000 U.S. Treasury
Bills due 11/14/96, value $2,044,230)...................... 5.15 2,002,000 2,002,000
_____________
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (cost $40,002,000)................. $ 40,002,000
==============
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $1,445,440,424)............... 98.7% $1,445,440,424
======= ==============
CASH AND RECEIVABLES (NET)............................ 1.3% $ 19,151,858
======= ==============
NET ASSETS............................................ 100.0% $1,464,592,282
======= ==============
NOTE TO STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS;
(a) Variable interest-rate subject to periodic change.
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AUGUST 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value-Note 1(a,b)......................... $1,445,440,424
Cash.................................................................... 8,406,986
Interest receivable..................................................... 11,300,614
Prepaid expenses........................................................ 101,619
_____________
1,465,249,643
LIABILITIES:
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates........................... $537,437
Accrued expenses and other liabilities.................................. 119,924 657,361
____________ _____________
NET ASSETS ................................................................ $1,464,592,282
==============
REPRESENTED BY:
Paid-in capital......................................................... $1,464,859,090
Accumulated undistributed investment income-net......................... 203,770
Accumulated net realized (loss) on investments.......................... (470,578)
_____________
NET ASSETS at value applicable to 1,464,859,090 shares outstanding
(unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest authorized) $1,464,592,282
==============
NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per share
($1,464,592,282 / 1,464,859,090 shares)................................. $1.00
=========
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME......................................................... $38,155,712
EXPENSES:
Management fee-Note 2(a).............................................. $3,447,469
Shareholder servicing costs-Note 2(b)................................. 906,956
Registration fees..................................................... 74,189
Custodian fees........................................................ 53,482
Professional fees..................................................... 23,763
Prospectus and shareholders' reports.................................. 15,837
Trustees' fees and expenses-Note 2(c)................................. 10,740
Miscellaneous......................................................... 23,013
___________
TOTAL EXPENSES.................................................... 4,555,449
Less-reduction in management fee due to undertaking-Note 2(a)......... 1,449,579
___________
NET EXPENSES...................................................... 3,105,870
__________
INVESTMENT INCOME-NET....................................................... 35,049,842
NET REALIZED (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS-Note 1(b)................................ (470,368)
__________
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS........................ $34,579,474
=============
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
FEBRUARY 29, AUGUST 31, 1996
1996 (UNAUDITED)
______________ _____________
OPERATIONS:
Investment income-net............................................. $ 72,622,855 $35,049,842
Net realized gain (loss) on investments........................... 100,431 (470,368)
________________ _______________
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS............ 72,723,286 34,579,474
________________ _______________
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM;
Investment income-net............................................. (72,622,855) (34,846,072)
________________ _______________
BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS ($1.00 per share):
Net proceeds from shares sold..................................... 1,786,037,880 836,358,782
Dividends reinvested.............................................. 68,115,281 32,971,102
Cost of shares redeemed........................................... (1,529,919,393) (770,527,258)
________________ _______________
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS.... 324,233,768 98,802,626
________________ _______________
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS................................ 324,334,199 98,536,028
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period............................................... 1,041,722,055 1,366,056,254
________________ _______________
End of period (including undistributed investment income-net;
$203,770 on August 31, 1996).................................... $ 1,366,056,254 $ 1,464,592,282
================ =================
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share of
Beneficial Interest outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average
net assets and other supplemental data for each period indicated. This
information has been derived from the Fund's financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY, AUGUST 31, 1996
____________________________________________________
PER SHARE DATA: 1993(1) 1994 1995 1996 (UNAUDITED)
______ _______ _______ ______ ________________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period.......... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
______ _______ _______ ______ _______
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS;
Investment income-net......................... .031 .032 .046 .058 .025
______ _______ _______ ______ _______
DISTRIBUTIONS;
Dividends from investment income-net.......... (.031) (.032) (.046) (.058) (.025)
______ _______ _______ ______ _______
Net asset value, end of period................ $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN................... 3.69%(2) 3.30% 4.67% 5.94% 5.10%(2)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to average net assets..... -- .02% .17% .31% .45%(2)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 3.58%(2) 3.24% 5.05% 5.79% 5.11%(2)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to
undertakings by the Manager................. .75%(2) .64% .44% .36% .21%(2)
Net Assets, end of period (000's Omitted)..... $116,696 $265,691 $1,041,722 $1,366,056 $1,464,592
(1) From April 24, 1992 (commencement of operations) to Feburary 28, 1993.
(2) Annualized.
</TABLE>
See independent accountants' review report and notes to financial statements.
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1-SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the "Fund") is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Act") as a diversified
open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to
provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent
with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity. The Dreyfus
Corporation ("Manager") serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Manager
is a direct subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A. Premier Mutual Fund Services,
Inc. acts as the distributor of the Fund's shares, which are sold to the
public without a sales charge.
It is the Fund's policy to maintain a continuous net asset value per
share of $1.00; the Fund has adopted certain investment, portfolio valuation
and dividend and distribution policies to enable it to do so. There is no
assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to maintain a stable net asset
value per share of $1.00.
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles which may require the use of management
estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(A) PORTFOLIO VALUATION: Investments are valued at amortized cost, which
has been determined by the Fund's Board of Trustees to represent the fair
value of the Fund's investments.
(B) SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME: Securities
transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gain and loss from
securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest
income is recognized on the accrual basis. Cost of investments represents
amortized cost.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial
institutions, deemed to be creditworthy by the Fund's Manager, subject to the
seller's agreement to repurchase and the Fund's agreement to resell such
securities at a mutually agreed upon price. Securities purchased subject to
repurchase agreements are deposited with the Fund's custodian and, pursuant
to the terms of the repurchase agreement, must have an aggregate market value
greater than or equal to the repurchase price plus accrued interest at all
times. If the value of the underlying securities falls below the value of the
repurchase price plus accrued interest, the Fund will require the seller to
deposit additional collateral by the next business day. If the request for
additional collateral is not met, or the seller defaults on its repurchase
obligation, the Fund maintains the right to sell the underlying securities at
market value and may claim any resulting loss against the seller.
(C) DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS: It is the policy of the Fund to declare
dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly.
Dividends from net realized capital gain are normally declared and paid
annually, but the Fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to
comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. To
the extent that net realized capital gain can be offset by capital loss
carryovers, it is the policy of the Fund not to distribute such gain.
On September 3, 1996, the Fund declared a cash dividend of approximately
$.0001 per share from undistributed investment income-net which includes
investment income-net for Saturday, August 31, 1996.
(D) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to
qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the
best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of taxable
income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all Federal income and
excise taxes.
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
The Fund has an unused capital loss carryover of $210 available for
Federal income tax purposes to be applied against future
net securities profits, if any, realized subsequent to February 29, 1996. If
not applied, the carryover expires in fiscal 2003.
At August 31, 1996, the cost of investments for Federal income tax
purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting
purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
NOTE 2-MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES:
(A) Pursuant to a management agreement ("Agreement") with the Manager,
the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .50 of 1% of the value
of the Fund's average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Agreement
provides that if in any full fiscal year the aggregate expenses of the Fund,
exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings and extraordinary
expenses, exceed the expense limitation of any state having jurisdiction over
the Fund, the Fund may deduct from payments to be made to the Manager, or the
Manager will bear the amount of such excess to the extent required by state
law. The most stringent state expense limitation applicable to the Fund
presently requires reimbursement of expenses in any full fiscal year that
such expenses (exclusive of certain expenses as described above) exceed 2 1/2%
of the first $30 million, 2% of the next $70 million and 1 1/2% of the excess
over $100 million of the average value of the Fund's net assets in accordance
with California "blue sky" regulations. The Manager has undertaken, until
such time as it gives shareholders at least 90 days' notice to the contrary,
to reduce the management fee paid by the Fund, to the extent that the Fund's
aggregate annual expenses (exclusive of certain expenses as described above)
exceed an annual rate of .45 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily
net assets. The reduction in management fee, pursuant to the undertaking,
amounted to $1,449,579 during the six months ended August 31, 1996.
The undertaking may be extended, modified or terminated by the Manager,
provided that the resulting expense reimbursement would not be less than the
amount required pursuant to the Agreement.
(B) Pursuant to the Fund's Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund reimburses
Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, an
amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the value of the Fund's
average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses of providing personal
services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts. 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 shareholder accounts.
During the six months ended August 31, 1996, the Fund was charged an
aggregate of $784,118 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
The Fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Manager, under a transfer agency agreement for providing personnel and
facilities to perform transfer agency services for the Fund. Such
compensation amounted to $58,616 during the six months ended August 31, 1996.
(C) Each trustee who is not an "affiliated person" as defined in the Act
receives from the Fund an annual fee of $1,500 and an attendance fee of $250
per meeting. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional 25% of such
compensation.
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
REVIEW REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
We have reviewed the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of
Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Inc., including the
statement of investments, as of August 31, 1996, and the related statements
of operations and changes in net assets and financial highlights for the six
month period ended August 31, 1996. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management.
We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures
to financial data, and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial
and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, which
will be performed for the full year with the objective of expressing an
opinion regarding the financial statements and financial highlights taken as
a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the interim financial statements and financial highlights
referred to above for them to be in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, the statement of changes in net assets for the year ended
February 29, 1996 and financial highlights for each of the four years in the
period ended February 29, 1996 and in our report dated March 29, 1996, we
expressed an unqualified opinion on such statement of changes in net assets
and financial highlights.
[Ernst & Young LLP signature logo]
New York, New York
October 3, 1996
[Dreyfus lion "d" logo]
DREYFUS BASIC U.S. GOVERNMENT
MONEY MARKET FUND
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
MANAGER
The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, NY 10286
TRANSFER AGENT &
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, RI 02940
Printed in U.S.A. 124SA968
[Dreyfus logo]
BASIC
U.S. Government
Money Market Fund
Semi-Annual
Report
August 31, 1996
