File No. 33-51061
811-7123
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [__]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [__]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [__]
Amendment No. 27 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
DREYFUS GROWTH AND VALUE 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)
X immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
on (date) 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)
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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 International
Value Fund
Investing for long-term capital growth
PROSPECTUS January 1, 2000
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>
Contents
THE FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------
2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
7 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
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8 Account Policies
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Services for Fund Investors
14 Instructions for Regular Accounts
16 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION ON THE FUND'S RECENT STRATEGIES
AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE CURRENT ANNUAL/ SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK
COVER).
What every investor should know about the fund
Information for managing your fund account
Where to learn more about this and other Dreyfus funds
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus International Value Fund
- -------------------------------
Ticker Symbol: DIVLX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks long-term capital growth. To pursue this goal, the fund
ordinarily invests most of its assets in equity securities of foreign issuers
which Dreyfus considers to be "value" companies. To a limited extent, the fund
may invest in debt securities of foreign issuers. Though not specifically
limited, the fund ordinarily invests in companies in at least three foreign
countries, and limits its investments in any single company to no more than 5%
of its assets at the time of purchase.
The fund's investment approach is value oriented, research driven, and risk
averse. In selecting stocks, the fund manager identifies potential investments
through extensive quantitative and fundamental research. Emphasizing individual
stock selection rather than economic and industry trends, the fund focuses on
three key factors:
(pound) VALUE, or how a stock is valued relative to its
intrinsic worth based on traditional value measures
(pound) BUSINESS HEALTH, or overall efficiency and
profitability as measured by return on assets and return on equity
(pound) BUSINESS MOMENTUM, or the presence of a catalyst
(such as corporate restructuring, change in management or spin-off) that
potentially will trigger a price increase near term to midterm
The fund typically sells a stock when it is no longer considered a value
company, appears less likely to benefit from the current market and economic
environment, shows deteriorating fundamentals or declining momentum, or falls
short of the fund manager's expectations.
Concepts to understand
VALUE COMPANIES: companies that appear underpriced according to certain
financial measurements of their intrinsic worth or business prospects (such as
price-to-earnings or price-to-book ratios). For international investing, "value"
is determined relative to a company's home market. Because a stock can remain
undervalued for years, value investors often look for factors that could trigger
a rise in price.
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
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 investments in companies in foreign
countries. Special risks include exposure to currency fluctuations, less
liquidity, less developed or efficient trading markets, a lack of comprehensive
company information, political instability and differing auditing and legal
standards. Each of those risks could result in more volatility for the fund.
The fund's investments in value stocks are subject to the risk that their
intrinsic values may never be realized by the market, or their prices may go
down. Further, while the fund's investment in value stocks may limit the overall
downside risk of the fund over time, the fund may produce more modest gains than
riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk.
The fund may invest in companies of any size. Investments in small companies
carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their
share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more
established companies.
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 to avoid losses, it could have the effect of reducing the benefit
from any upswing in the market. During such periods, the fund may not achieve
its investment objective.
Other potential risks
The fund, at times, may invest some assets in derivative securities, such as
options and futures, and in foreign currencies. When employed, 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, which could produce higher
brokerage costs and taxable distributions.
The Fund
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The second
table compares the fund's performance over time to that of the Morgan Stanley
Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE((reg.tm)))
Index, an unmanaged index of foreign stock performance. Both tables assume
reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Of course, past performance is no
guarantee of future results.
-------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
10.35 9.04 9.94
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +15.72%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -15.94%
THE FUND'S YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN AS OF 9/30/99 WAS 15.32%.
-------------------------------------------------------
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Since
inception
1 Year (9/29/95)
-------------------------------------------------------
FUND 9.94% 9.79%
MSCI EAFE((reg.tm)) 20.00% 9.61%*
* FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, THE VALUE OF THE INDEX ON 9/30/95 IS USED AS THE
BEGINNING VALUE ON 9/29/95.
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 4>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Shareholder transaction fees are paid
from your account. Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets,
so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has no sales charge
(load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
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Fee table
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES
% OF TRANSACTION AMOUNT
Maximum redemption fee 1.00%
CHARGED ONLY WHEN SELLING SHARES YOU
HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 15 DAYS
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ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 1.00%
Shareholder services fee 0.25%
Other expenses 0.15%
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TOTAL 1.40%
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Expense example
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$143 $443 $766 $1,680
</TABLE>
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. The figures shown would be the same whether
you sold your shares at the end of a period or kept
them. 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 the fund's operations.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for shareholder
account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund
<PAGE 5>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon
Financial Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately
$2.5 trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $450 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
The fund's primary portfolio manager is Sandor Cseh. He has managed the fund
since its inception. Mr. Cseh has been a portfolio manager for The Boston
Company Asset Management, an affiliate of Dreyfus, since 1994. In May 1996, he
became a dual employee of Dreyfus and The Boston Company.
Dreyfus has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which restricts
the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary purpose is to
ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus employees does not disadvantage any
Dreyfus-managed fund. Dreyfus portfolio managers and other investment personnel
who comply with the Policy's preclearance and disclosure procedures may be
permitted to purchase, sell or hold certain types of securities which also may
be or are held in the fund(s) they advise.
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 has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in its
systems and to monitor the readiness of other service providers. 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 6>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance 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 AUGUST 31,
1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 14.50 15.05 13.23 12.50
Investment operations:
Investment income (loss) -- net .16(2) .13 .07 .15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments 3.76 (.20) 1.98 .65
Total from investment operations 3.92 (.07) 2.05 .80
Distributions:
Dividends from investment income -- net (.15) (.08) (.10) (.04)
Dividends from net realized gain
on investments (.75) (.40) (.13) (.03)
Total distributions (.90) (.48) (.23) (.07)
Net asset value, end of period 17.52 14.50 15.05 13.23
Total return (%) 28.19 (.62) 15.72 6.43(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.40 1.44 1.49 1.39(3)
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets (%) 1.00 1.17 1.09 1.78(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to actions by Dreyfus (%) -- -- .03 .51(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 30.68 34.46 25.35 19.14(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 260,667 162,707 96,896 25,638
(1) FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO AUGUST 31, 1996.
(2) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 7>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. The fund's investments are generally 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.
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Minimum investments
Initial Additional
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REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $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.
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
<PAGE 8>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. 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.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that:
(pound) 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
(pound) if you are selling or exchanging shares you have owned for less than
15 days, the fund may deduct a 1% redemption fee (not charged on
shares sold through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan or Dreyfus
Auto-Exchange Privilege, or on shares acquired through dividend
reinvestment
--------------------------------------------------------
Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
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CHECK NO MINIMUM $250,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
(pound) amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
(pound) 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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 9>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
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:
(pound) 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)
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of
1% of the fund's total assets
(pound) change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or
temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market conditions
(pound) change its minimum investment amounts
(pound) 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.
<PAGE 10>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS DIVIDENDS from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year. 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 federally taxable as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------
Taxability of distributions
Type of Tax rate for Tax rate for
distribution 15% bracket 28% bracket or above
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INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-advantaged 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 at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 11>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
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 1-800-645-6561.
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For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.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.
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For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and provide
you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The Financial
Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the Financial Center
nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
<PAGE 12>
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE from one Dreyfus fund into another
(no minimum for retirement accounts). You can request your exchange in writing
or by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you
are exchanging. Any new account established through an exchange will 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 one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
(pound) for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-656
(pound) for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment
<PAGE 13>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
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: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 105,
Newark, NJ 07101-0105
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279605
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application.
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279605
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate
on your application which automatic service(s) you want. Return your application
with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check the Dreyfus Step Program option on your
application. Return your application, then complete the additional materials
when they are sent to you.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the forms along with
any other required materials.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 14>
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 "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI
02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call
us to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us 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 reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 15>
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
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 (see "To Open an Account" at left).
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279605
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be held in the same shareholder name).
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us
to request a Dreyfus Step Program form. Complete and return the form along with
your application.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add an 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.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 16>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number
* the 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.
Mail in your request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 17>
For More Information
Dreyfus International Value Fund
A series of Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
----------------------------
SEC file number: 811-7123
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 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
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.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation 254P0100
<PAGE>
Dreyfus
Aggressive
Value Fund
Investing in value stocks for capital appreciation
PROSPECTUS January 1, 2000
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>
Contents
THE FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------
2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
7 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Account Policies
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Services for Fund Investors
14 Instructions for Regular Accounts
16 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back Cover
What every investor should know about the fund
Information for managing your fund account
Where to learn more about this and other Dreyfus funds
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund
--------------------------------
Ticker Symbol: DAGVX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks capital appreciation. To pursue this goal, it invests at least
65% of its total assets in the stocks of value companies of any size. The fund's
stock investments may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible
securities of both U.S. and foreign issuers. The fund may overweight or
underweight certain economic sectors relative to the Russell 1000 Value Index.
The manager uses Dreyfus' s own research and computer models to select a core
portfolio and a strategic portfolio. The core portfolio consists primarily of
mid- and large-capitalization value stocks with price-to-earnings ratios below
the market average and projected growth rates that are competitive with the
market average. The strategic portfolio, which represents approximately 20% of
the fund' s assets, emphasizes short-selling, hedging techniques, overweighted
industry and security positions, and investments in small companies, high-yield
debt securities and private placements.
The fund typically sells a stock when it is no longer considered a value
company, appears less likely to benefit from the current market and economic
environment, shows deteriorating fundamentals or falls short of the manager's
expectations.
INFORMATION ON THE FUND' S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE
CURRENT ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK COVER).
Concepts to understand
VALUE COMPANIES: companies that appear underpriced according to certain
financial measurements of their instrinsic worth or business prospects (such as
price-to-earnings or price-to-book ratios). Because a stock can remain
undervalued for years, value investors often look for factors that could trigger
a rise in price.
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors,
they do fluctuate in price. Because the fund is an aggressive stock fund, the
value of your investment will go up and down, sometimes dramatically, which
means that you could lose money.
The fund' s investments in value stocks are subject to the risk that their
intrinsic values may never be realized by the market, or their prices may go
down. Further, while the fund' s investments in value stocks may limit the
overall downside risk of the fund over time, the fund may produce more modest
gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk.
While the fund's emphasis on value stocks could potentially lessen the impact of
volatility, the fund's strategic portfolio involves riskier investments, such as
high-yield bonds and small-capitalization companies, that could increase the
fund's volatility.
Small-cap securities, and to a lesser degree mid-cap securities, can be riskier
investments for the fund because they tend to be less liquid, their prices tend
to be more volatile and their earnings tend to be less predictable than the
securities of larger, more established companies. "High-yield," or "junk," bonds
are subject to greater interest rate risk and credit risk than investment-grade
securities.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. Although the fund would do this to avoid losses, it
could have the effect of reducing the benefit from any upswing in the market.
During such periods, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Other potential risks
The fund, at times, may invest in derivative securities, such as options and
futures, and in foreign currencies. It may also sell short. When employed, 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, which could produce higher
brokerage costs and taxable distributions.
The fund may overweight certain sectors, which, if there is a market downturn in
the sector, could result in a disproportionate impact on the fund.
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The second
table compares the fund' s performance over time to that of the Russell 1000
Value Index and the S& P 500((reg.tm)) Index, which are unmanaged indexes of
stock performance. Both tables assume reinvestment of dividends and
distributions. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
--------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
38.91 21.55 9.98
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +16.26%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -12.58%
THE FUND'S YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN AS OF 9/30/99 WAS -4.49%.
--------------------------------------------------------
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Since
inception
1 Year (9/29/95)
--------------------------------------------------------
FUND 9.98% 31.21%
RUSSELL 1000 VALUE INDEX 15.63% 24.30%*
S&P 500 INDEX 28.60% 28.08%*
* FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, THE VALUE OF EACH INDEX ON 9/30/95 IS USED AS THE
BEGINNING VALUE ON 9/29/95.
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 4>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Shareholder transaction fees are paid
from your account. Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets,
so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has no sales charge
(load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
--------------------------------------------------------
Fee table
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES
% OF TRANSACTION AMOUNT
Maximum redemption fee 1.00%
CHARGED ONLY WHEN SELLING SHARES YOU
HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 15 DAYS
--------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 0.75%
Shareholder services fee 0.25%
Other expenses 0.30%
-------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 1.30%
--------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Expense example
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
$132 $412 $713 $1,568
</TABLE>
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. The figures
shown would be the same whether you sold your shares at the end of a period or
kept them. 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 the fund's operations.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for shareholder
account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund
<PAGE 5>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon
Financial Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately
$2.5 trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $450 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Timothy M. Ghriskey, CFA, senior portfolio manager and head of value equities at
Dreyfus, has managed the fund since September 1995. He joined Dreyfus in July
1995 after ten years as an analyst and money manager for Loomis Sayles & Co.,
and today manages several other funds at Dreyfus.
Dreyfus has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which restricts
the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary purpose is to
ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus employees does not disadvantage any
Dreyfus-managed fund. Dreyfus portfolio managers and other investment personnel
who comply with the Policy' s preclearance and disclosure procedures may be
permitted to purchase, sell or hold certain types of securities which also may
be or are held in the fund(s) they advise.
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 has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in its
systems and to monitor the readiness of other service providers. 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 6>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance 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 AUGUST 31,
1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 20.45 26.40 20.08 12.50
Investment operations:
Investment income -- net .05(2) .05 .02 .09
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments 5.11 (4.27) 8.22 7.53
Total from investment operations 5.16 (4.22) 8.24 7.62
Distributions:
Dividends from investment income -- net (.04) (.03) (.05) (.04)
Dividends from net realized gain (loss)
on investments (1.05) (1.70) (1.87) --
Total distributions (1.09) (1.73) (1.92) (.04)
Net asset value, end of period 24.52 20.45 26.40 20.08
Total return (%) 25.41 (17.02) 43.57 61.00(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.29 1.27 1.24 1.17(3)
Ratio of interest expense
to average net assets (%) .01 .01 -- --
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) .22 .16 .18 .55(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to actions by Dreyfus (%) -- -- .14 .63(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 225.12 170.46 120.71 260.98(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 72,244 91,909 159,529 9,711
(1) FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO AUGUST 31, 1996.
(2) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 7>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. The fund's investments are generally 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.
--------------------------------------------------------
Minimum investments
Initial Additional
--------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $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.
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
<PAGE 8>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. 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.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that:
(pound) 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
(pound) if you are selling or exchanging shares you have owned for less
than 15 days, the fund may deduct a 1% redemption fee (not
charged on shares sold through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan or
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege, or on shares acquired through dividend
reinvestment
--------------------------------------------------------
Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
--------------------------------------------------------
CHECK NO MINIMUM $150,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
(pound) amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
(pound) 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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 9>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
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:
(pound) 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)
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of
1% of the fund's total assets
(pound) change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or
temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market conditions
(pound) change its minimum investment amounts
(pound) 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.
<PAGE 10>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS DIVIDENDS from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year. 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 federally 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%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-advantaged 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 at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 11>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
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 1-800-645-6561.
--------------------------------------------------------
For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.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.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and provide
you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The Financial
Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the Financial Center
nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
<PAGE 12>
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE from one Dreyfus fund into another
(no minimum for retirement accounts). You can request your exchange in writing
or by phone. 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 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 one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
(pound) for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-656
(pound) for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment
<PAGE 13>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
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: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 105,
Newark, NJ 07101-0105
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279648
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application.
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279648
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate
on your application which automatic service(s) you want. Return your application
with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check the Dreyfus Step Program option on your
application. Return your application, then complete the additional materials
when they are sent to you.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the forms along with
any other required materials.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 14>
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 "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI
02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call
us to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us 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 reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 15>
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
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 (see "To Open an Account" at left).
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279648
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be held in the same shareholder name).
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us
to request a Dreyfus Step Program form. Complete and return the form along with
your application.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add an 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.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 16>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number
* the 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.
Mail in your request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 17>
For More Information
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund A series of Dreyfus Growth
and Value Funds, Inc.
----------------------------
SEC file number: 811-7123
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 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
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.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation 257P0100
<PAGE >
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund
Investing in technology companies for capital appreciation
PROSPECTUS January 1, 2000
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 Technology Growth Fund
---------------------------------
Ticker Symbols CLASS A: DTGRX
CLASS B: DTGBX
CLASS C: DTGCX
CLASS R: N/A
CLASS T: N/A
Contents
The Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goal/Approach INSIDE COVER
Main Risks 1
Past Performance 2
Expenses 3
Management 4
Financial Highlights 5
Your Investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Policies 6
Distributions and Taxes 9
Services for Fund Investors 9
Instructions for Regular Accounts 11
Instructions for IRAs 12
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 appreciation. To pursue this goal, the fund invests
primarily in the stocks of growth companies of any size that Dreyfus believes to
be leading producers or beneficiaries of technological innovation. Up to 25% of
the fund' s assets may be invested in foreign securities. The fund's stock
investments may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible
securities.
In choosing stocks, the fund looks for sectors in technology that are expected
to outperform on a relative scale. The more attractive sectors are overweighted;
those sectors with less appealing prospects are underweighted. Among the sectors
evaluated are those that develop, produce or distribute products or services in
the computer, semi- conductor, electronics, communications, healthcare,
biotechnology, computer software and hardware, electronic components and
systems, network and cable broadcasting, telecommunications, defense and
aerospace, and environmental sectors.
Although the fund looks for companies with the potential for strong earnings
growth rates, some of the fund' s investments may currently be experiencing
losses. Further, the fund may invest in small-, mid- and large-cap securities in
all available trading markets, including initial public offerings and the
after-market.
Concepts to understand
SMALL AND MIDSIZE COMPANIES: new and often entrepreneurial companies. These
companies, especially those with smaller capitalizations, tend to grow faster
than large-cap companies and typically use profits for expansion rather than for
paying dividends. They are more volatile than larger companies and fail more
often.
GROWTH COMPANIES: companies of any capitalization whose earnings are expected to
grow faster than the overall market. Often, growth stocks pay little or no
dividends and have relatively high price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios.
For these reasons they tend to be more volatile than value stocks.
<PAGE>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors,
they do fluctuate in price. In fact, the technology sector has been among the
most volatile sectors of the stock market. The value of your investment will go
up and down, sometimes dramatically, which means that you could lose money.
Technology companies, especially small-cap technology companies, involve greater
risk because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices tend
to be more volatile, and their securities tend to be less liquid than companies
in other sectors. Some of the fund's investments in technology companies will
rise and fall based on investor perception rather than economics. Other fund
investments are made in anticipation of future products and services which, if
delayed or cancelled, could cause the stock price to drop dramatically.
Growth companies are expected to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If
these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately,
even if earnings show an absolute increase. In addition, growth stocks typically
lack the dividend yield that can cushion stock prices in market downturns.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. Although the fund would do this to avoid losses, it
could reduce the benefit from any upswing in the market. During such periods,
the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Other potential risks
The fund, at times, may invest in certain derivatives, 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. When employed, these practices are used primarily to
hedge the fund's portfolio but also to increase returns; however, such practices
may lower returns or increase volatility. 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.
At times, the fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher
brokerage costs and taxable distributions.
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.
The Fund
<PAGE 1>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the fund's Class A performance for its first full calendar year of
operations. The performance figures do not reflect sales loads, and would be
lower if they did. The second table compares the fund's performance over time to
that of the S&P 500((reg.tm) )Index, an unmanaged index of stock performance.
These returns include applicable sales loads. Both tables assume reinvestment of
dividends. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Since
Class B, C, R and T shares are new, past performance information for a full
calendar year is not available for those classes as of the date of this
prospectus. Performance for each share class will vary from the performance of
the fund' s other share classes due to differences in expenses.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
98.38
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
CLASS A SHARES
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +44.37%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -3.28%
THE YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN FOR THE FUND'S CLASS A SHARES AS OF 9/30/99 WAS
60.96%.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Since inception
1 Year (10/13/97)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A 86.97% 44.90%
S&P 500 28.60% 30.86%*
* FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, THE VALUE OF THE INDEX ON 9/30/97 IS USED AS THE
BEGINNING VALUE ON 10/13/97.
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 2>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below.
Fee table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS R CLASS T
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES (FEES PAID FROM YOUR ACCOUNT)
Maximum front-end sales charge on purchases
<S> <C> <C> <C> C> <C>
AS A % OF OFFERING PRICE 5.75 NONE NONE NONE 4.50
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)
AS A % OF PURCHASE OR SALE PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS NONE* 4.00 1.00 NONE NONE*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75
Rule 12b-1 fee NONE 0.75 0.75 NONE 0.25
Shareholder services fee 0.25 0.25 0.25 NONE 0.25
Other expenses 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 1.22 1.97 1.97 0.97 1.47
</TABLE>
* 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.
Expense example
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CLASS A $692 $940 $1,207 $1,967
CLASS B
WITH REDEMPTION $600 $918 $1,262 $1,924**
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $200 $618 $1,062 $1,924**
CLASS C
WITH REDEMPTION $300 $618 $1,062 $2,296
WITHOUT REDEMPTION $200 $618 $1,062 $2,296
CLASS R $99 $309 $536 $1,190
CLASS T $593 $894 $1,217 $2,128
</TABLE>
** 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. For the fiscal year ended August 31,
1999, Dreyfus waived a portion of its fee, reducing total expenses of Class A
from 1.22% to 1.20%. This waiver was voluntary and is no longer in effect.
RULE 12B-1 FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor to finance the sale and
distribution of Class B, C and T 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: the 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; these expenses for Class B,
C, R and T shares are based on other expenses for Class A for the past fiscal
year.
The Fund
<PAGE 3>
MANAGEMENT
The fund' s investment adviser is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue, New
York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120 billion in
over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund paid Dreyfus
a management fee at the annual rate of 0.73% of the fund's average daily net
assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon Financial
Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately $2.5
trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $450 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
The Dreyfus asset management philosophy is based on the belief that discipline
and consistency are important to investment success. For each fund, Dreyfus
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 and stable identity.
The fund's primary portfolio manager is Mark Herskovitz. Mr. Herskovitz has been
a primary portfolio manager of the fund since its inception and has been
employed by Dreyfus since 1996. From 1992 to 1996, he served as a trust
investment officer at National City Bank.
Dreyfus has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which restricts
the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary purpose is to
ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus employees does not disadvantage any
Dreyfus-managed fund. Dreyfus portfolio managers and other investment personnel
who comply with the Policy' s preclearance and disclosure procedures may be
permitted to purchase, sell or hold certain types of securities which also may
be or are held in the fund(s) they advise.
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 process and
calculate date-related information properly from and after January 1, 2000.
Dreyfus has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in its
systems and to monitor the readiness of other service providers. 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 4>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the
fiscal periods indicated. Certain information reflects financial results for a
single fund share. "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, which is available upon
request.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
CLASS A 1999 1998(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 12.11 12.50
Investment operations: Investment (loss)(2) (.18) (.10)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 20.36 (.29)
Total from investment operations 20.18 (.39)
Distributions: Dividends from net realized gain (loss) on investments (.08) --
Net asset value, end of period 32.21 12.11
Total return (%)(3) 167.23 (3.12)(4,5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.20 1.12(4)
Ratio of interest expense to average net assets (%) -- .01(4)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%) (.64) (.77)(4
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios due to actions by Dreyfus (%) .02 .81(4)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 78.93 291.12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 459,457 12,370
</TABLE>
(1) FROM OCTOBER 13, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO AUGUST 31, 1998.
(2) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(3) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES CHARGE.
(4) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(5) CALCULATED BASED ON NET ASSET VALUE ON THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER 14,
1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF INITIAL OFFERING) TO AUGUST 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1999
CLASS B(1) CLASS C(1) CLASS R(1) CLASS T(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period 28.25 28.25 28.25 32.21
Investment operations: Investment (loss)(3) (.16) (.16) (.07) --
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments 4.04 4.01 4.04 --
Total from investment operations 3.88 3.85 3.97 --
Net asset value, end of period 32.13 32.10 32.22 32.21
Total return (%) 13.73(4,5) 13.63(4,5) 14.05(4) --(5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) .81(4) .82(4) .44(4) --
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%) (.61)(4) (.62)(4) (.24)(4) --
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 78.93 78.93 78.93 78.93
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 73,588 30,207 1,257 1
(1) FROM APRIL 15, 1999 (COMMENCEMENT OF INITIAL OFFERING) TO AUGUST 31, 1999.
(2) COMMENCED OFFERING ON AUGUST 31, 1999.
(3) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(4) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(5) EXCLUSIVE OF SALES CHARGE.
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 5>
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
contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
(pound) 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
(pound) 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
(pound) 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
(pound) CLASS R shares are designed for eligible institutions on behalf of
their clients (individuals may not purchase these shares directly)
(pound) CLASS T 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 have a shorter-term investment horizon
Your financial representative can help you choose the share class that is
appropriate for you.
Reduced Class A and Class T sales charge
LETTER OF INTENT: lets you purchase Class A and Class T 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 shares you own in this
fund, any other Dreyfus Premier fund, or any other fund that is advised by
Founders Asset Management LLC ("Founders"), an affiliate of Dreyfus, sold with a
sales load, to the amount of your next Class A or Class T investment for
purposes of calculating the sales charge.
CONSULT THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) OR YOUR FINANCIAL
REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS.
<PAGE 6>
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 beneficially owning
Class A shares on April 15, 1999, may purchase Class A shares without a sales
load. Because Class A has lower expenses than Class T, if you invest $1 million
or more in the fund you should consider buying Class A shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales charges
CLASS A AND CLASS T -- CHARGED WHEN YOU BUY SHARES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales charge Sales charge
deducted as a % as a % of your
Your investment of offering price net investment
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Class Class Class Class
A T A T
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Up to $49,999 5.75% 4.50% 6.10% 4.70%
$50,000 -- $99,999 4.50% 4.00% 4.70% 4.20%
$100,000 -- $249,999 3.50% 3.00% 3.60% 3.10%
$250,000 -- $499,999 2.50% 2.00% 2.60% 2.00%
$500,000 -- $999,999 2.00% 1.50% 2.00% 1.50%
$1 million or more* 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
* A 1.00% CDSC may be charged on any shares sold within one year of purchase
(except shares bought through dividend reinvestment).
</TABLE>
Class T shares also carry an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of 0.25% of the class's
average daily net assets.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B -- CHARGED WHEN YOU SELL SHARES
CDSC as a % of your initial
Time since you bought investment or your redemption
the shares you are selling (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
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 next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. 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 and Class T 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 generally are subject
to higher annual operating expenses and a CDSC.
Your Investment
<PAGE 7>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) 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
authorized entity. 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 SAI 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.
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:
(pound) 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)
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of 1% of the fund's
total assets
(pound) change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend
this privilege during unusual market conditions
(pound) change its minimum investment amounts
(pound) 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).
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
(pound) amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
(pound) 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.
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.
<PAGE 8>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS dividends from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains 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 federally 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.
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 it 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((reg.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
the fund into another Dreyfus fund
or certain Founders-advised funds
(not available for IRAs).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE from the fund into another
Dreyfus fund or certain
Founders-advised funds.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-advantaged 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 also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability when
selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to fund
shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term capital
gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 9>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS (CONTINUED)
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
or Founders-advised fund. You can also exchange Class T shares into Class A
shares of certain Dreyfus Premier fixed-income funds. 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 contacting your financial representative.
Reinvestment privilege
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, YOU CAN REINVEST up to the number of Class A, B or T
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 10>
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
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
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900336722
* 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.
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900336722
* the fund name
* the share class
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
* dealer number if applicable
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate
on your application which automatic service(s) you want. Return your application
with your investment.
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 8).
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 to 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 it may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks are usually available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
Your Investment
<PAGE 11>
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 the slip and the check to: The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian P.O. Box
6427, Providence, RI 02940-6427 Attn: Institutional Processing
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900336722
* 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 insert "1111" before your account number.
Automatically
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 8).
Mail 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 12>
NOTES
<PAGE>
NOTES
<PAGE>
NOTES
<PAGE>
For More Information
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund
A series of Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
- -------------------------------------
SEC file number: 811-7123
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.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation
255P0100
Dreyfus Aggressive
Growth Fund
Investing in growth companies for capital appreciation
PROSPECTUS January 1, 2000
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>
Contents
THE FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------
2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
9 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Account Policies
13 Distributions and Taxes
14 Services for Fund Investors
16 Instructions for Regular Accounts
18 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back Cover
What every investor should know about the fund
Information for managing your fund account
Where to learn more about this and other Dreyfus funds
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund
--------------------------------
Ticker Symbol: DGVAX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks capital growth. To pursue this goal, it invests at least 65% of
total assets in the stocks of growth companies of any size, including small-,
mid- and large-capitalization companies. The fund's stock investments may
include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities.
In choosing stocks, the fund uses a "bottom-up" approach that emphasizes
individual stock selection over economic and industry trends. In particular, the
fund looks for companies with strong management, innovative products and
services, strong industry positions and the potential for strong earnings growth
rates. When companies that meet those criteria have been identified, the manager
analyzes their financial condition and evaluates the sustainability of their
growth rates.
While the fund looks for companies with the potential for strong earnings growth
rates, some of the fund's investments may currently be experiencing losses.
Further, the fund may invest in securities in all available trading markets,
including initial public offerings and the after-market.
The fund typically sells securities when there is an expected or actual change
in long-term growth prospects, valuation levels have become extreme or there are
superior alternative investments.
INFORMATION ON THE FUND'S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE
CURRENT ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK COVER).
Concepts to understand
GROWTH COMPANIES: companies of any capitalization whose earnings are expected to
grow faster than the overall market. Often, growth stocks have relatively high
price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, and tend to be more volatile than
value stocks.
SMALL AND MIDSIZE COMPANIES: companies with market capitalizations under $5
billion. These companies, especially those with smaller capitalizations, tend to
grow faster than large companies and typically use profits for expansion rather
than to pay dividends. They are more volatile than larger companies and fail
more often.
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors,
they do fluctuate in price. Because the fund is an aggressive stock fund, the
value of your investment will go up and down, sometimes dramatically, which
means that you could lose money.
Small and midcap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to
be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less
liquid than those of larger, more established companies. Some of the fund's
investments will rise and fall based on investor perception rather than
economics. Other investments are made in anticipation of future products,
services or events. If these products, services or events are delayed or
cancelled, the company's stock price could drop dramatically.
Because the stock prices of growth companies are based in part on future
expectations, these stocks may fall sharply if investors believe the prospects
for a stock, industry or the economy in general are weak. In addition, growth
stocks typically lack the dividend yield that could cushion stock prices in
market downturns.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. Although the fund would do this to avoid losses, it
could have the effect of reducing the benefit from any upswing in the market.
During such periods, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Other potential risks
The fund, at times, may invest in derivative securities, such as options and
futures, and in foreign currencies. It may also sell short. When employed, 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, which could produce higher
brokerage costs and taxable distributions.
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.
The Fund
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The second
table compares the fund's performance over time to that of the S&P 500((reg.tm))
, an unmanaged index of stock performance. Both tables assume reinvestment of
dividends and distributions. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of
future results.
-------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
20.64 -15.84 -36.67
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
BEST QUARTER: Q1 '96 +40.97%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -33.89%
THE FUND'S YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN AS OF 9/30/99 WAS 2.86%.
-------------------------------------------------------
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Since
inception
1 Year (9/29/95)
-------------------------------------------------------
FUND -36.67% -5.21%
S&P 500 28.60% 28.08%*
* FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, THE VALUE OF THE INDEX ON 9/30/95 IS USED AS THE
BEGINNING VALUE ON 9/29/95.
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 4>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Shareholder transaction fees are paid
from your account. Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets,
so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has no sales charge
(load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
--------------------------------------------------------
Fee table
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES
% OF TRANSACTION AMOUNT
Maximum redemption fee
1.00%
CHARGED ONLY WHEN SELLING SHARES YOU
HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 15 DAYS
--------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 0.75%
Shareholder services fee 0.25%
Other expenses 0.71%
------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 1.71%
-------------------------------------------------
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$174 $539 $928 $2,019
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. The figures shown would be the same whether
you sold your shares at the end of a period or kept
them. 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 the fund's operations.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, Dreyfus waived a portion of its fee
so that the effective management fee paid by the fund was 0.17%, reducing total
expenses from 1.71% to 1.13%. This waiver was voluntary.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for shareholder
account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund
<PAGE 5>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.17% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon
Financial Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately
$2.5 trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $450 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Kevin Sonnett, CFA, has managed the fund since December 1999. Mr. Sonnett has
been employed by Founders Asset Management, LLC, an affiliate of Dreyfus, since
February 1997 as an equity analyst for the small- and midcap investment team,
and was promoted to senior equity analyst in 1999. In December 1999 he also
became an employee of Dreyfus. From 1995 to February 1997, Mr. Sonnett was an
equity analyst with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association.
Dreyfus has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which restricts
the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary purpose is to
ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus employees does not disadvantage any
Dreyfus-managed fund. Dreyfus portfolio 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 has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in its
systems and to monitor the readiness of other service providers. 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 6>
managers and other investment personnel who comply with the Policy's
preclearance and disclosure procedures may be permitted to purchase, sell or
hold certain types of securities which also may be or are held in the fund(s)
they advise.
The fund is currently a defendant in two litigations. One action is pending in
New York State Supreme Court, County of New York, and was instituted on August
25, 1998 by David M. Schoenfeld, on behalf of himself and others who were
shareholders in the fund between August 1, 1995 and June 8, 1998. He brings the
action against the fund, The Dreyfus Corporation, Michael L. Schonberg and the
fund's board members. Plaintiff alleges that Michael L. Schonberg, the fund's
primary portfolio manager prior to April 1998, invested fund assets in
securities which did not meet the fund's purported criteria for "growth stocks,"
and that Mr. Schonberg engaged in a mutually beneficial scheme with a
broker/dealer which resulted in artificial gains for certain securities in which
the fund invested. Finally, the plaintiff claims that the fund improperly
invested in securities that Mr. Schonberg had previously invested in. Plaintiff
seeks compensatory damages, and costs and expenses for pursuing this litigation.
On October 30, 1998, defendants filed a motion to dismiss. The motion to dismiss
was granted in part, dismissing the plaintiffs' breach of fiduciary duty claim.
The other action is pending in the United States District Court, Southern
District of New York. The action was consolidated on November 12, 1998 from a
number of complaints brought by persons and entities, on behalf of themselves
and others who were shareholders of the fund and Dreyfus Premier Aggressive
Growth Fund (collectively, the "funds") between November 1, 1995 and June 8,
1998. Plaintiffs have also named as defendants the Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds,
Inc., Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc., The Dreyfus Corporation and Michael
L. Schonberg. Plaintiffs The Fund
<PAGE 7>
MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)
allege Mr. Schonberg used his position as primary portfolio manager of the funds
to purchase stocks for the funds that he and his acquaintances had previously
purchased for themselves; the funds violated their own purported investment
policy by failing to invest in "growth" and "capital appreciation" stocks; and
the defendants disseminated false and misleading information regarding the
nature of the stocks that would be purchased for the funds' portfolios, as well
as The Dreyfus Corporation's research capabilities and general oversight of the
funds' investments. The plaintiffs seek, among other relief, rescissory or
compensatory damages. This action is at an early stage and the defendants have
moved to dismiss the complaint. That motion has been fully briefed and is
pending before the court.
<PAGE 8>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance 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.
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 8.57 20.07 22.71 12.50
Investment operations:
Investment (loss) (.07)(2) (.16)(2) (.26) (.10)
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments 2.34 (11.34) (2.38) 10.31
Total from investment operations 2.27 (11.50) (2.64) 10.21
Net asset value, end of period 10.84 8.57 20.07 22.71
Total return (%) 26.64 (57.30) (11.63) 81.68(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.13 1.27 1.34 1.16(3)
Ratio of interest expense and loan
commitment fees to average net assets (%) -- .00(4) .39 .24(3)
Ratio of investment (loss)
to average net assets (%) (.71) (.95) (1.62) (1.04)(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to actions by Dreyfus (%) .58 .29 .09 .17(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 168.00 86.53 76.45 125.17(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 30,445 30,968 131,604 119,341
(1) FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO AUGUST 31, 1996.
(2) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(4) AMOUNT REPRESENTS LESS THAN .01%.
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 9>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. The fund's investments are generally 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.
--------------------------------------------------------
Minimum investments
Initial Additional
--------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $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.
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
<PAGE 10>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. 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.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that:
(pound) 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
(pound) if you are selling or exchanging shares you have owned for less than 15
days, the fund may deduct a 1% redemption fee (not charged on shares
sold through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan or Dreyfus Auto-Exchange
Privilege, or on shares acquired through dividend reinvestment
--------------------------------------------------------
Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
--------------------------------------------------------
CHECK NO MINIMUM $250,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
(pound) amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
(pound) 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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 11>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
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:
(pound) 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)
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of
1% of the fund's total assets
(pound) change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or
temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market conditions
(pound) change its minimum investment amounts
(pound) 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.
<PAGE 12>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS DIVIDENDS from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year. 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 federally 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%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-advantaged 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 at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 13>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
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 1-800-645-6561.
--------------------------------------------------------
For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.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.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and provide
you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The Financial
Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the Financial Center
nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
<PAGE 14>
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE from one Dreyfus fund into another
(no minimum for retirement accounts). You can request your exchange in writing
or by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you
are exchanging. Any new account established through an exchange will 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 one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
(pound) for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-656
(pound) for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment
<PAGE 15>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
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: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 105,
Newark, NJ 07101-0105
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279621
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application.
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279621
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate
on your application which automatic service(s) you want. Return your application
with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check the Dreyfus Step Program option on your
application. Return your application, then complete the additional materials
when they are sent to you.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the forms along with
any other required materials.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 16>
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 "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI
02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call
us to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us 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 reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 7>
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
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 (see "To Open an Account" at left).
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279621
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be held in the same shareholder name).
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us
to request a Dreyfus Step Program form. Complete and return the form along with
your application.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add an 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.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 18>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number
* the 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.
Mail in your request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 19>
NOTES
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
For More Information
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund
A series of Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
----------------------------
SEC file number: 811-7123
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 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
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.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation 256P0100
<PAGE>
Dreyfus
Emerging Leaders Fund
Investing in small companies for capital growth
PROSPECTUS January 1, 2000
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>
Contents
THE FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------
2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
7 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Account Policies
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Services for Fund Investors
14 Instructions for Regular Accounts
16 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION ON THE FUND'S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN
BE FOUND IN THE CURRENT ANNUAL/ SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK
COVER).
What every investor should know about the fund
Information for managing your fund account
Where to learn more about this and other Dreyfus funds
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund
-------------------------------
Ticker Symbol: DRELX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks capital growth. To pursue this goal, it invests in companies
Dreyfus believes to be emerging leaders: small companies characterized by new or
innovative products, services or processes having the potential to enhance
earnings growth. The fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in companies
with total market values of less than $1.5 billion at time of purchase. The
fund' s investments may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible
securities.
In choosing stocks, the fund uses a blended approach, investing in a combination
of growth and value stocks. Using fundamental research and direct management
contact, the portfolio managers seek stocks with dominant positions in major
product lines, sustained achievement records and strong financial condition.
They also seek special situations, such as corporate restructurings or
management changes, that could increase the stock price.
The fund managers use a sector management approach, supervising a team of sector
managers who each make buy and sell decisions within their respective areas of
expertise. The fund' s sector weightings typically approximate those of the
Russell 2000 Index.
The fund typically sells a stock when the reasons for buying it no longer apply
or when the company begins to show deteriorating fundamentals or poor relative
performance, or when a stock is fully valued by the market.
Concepts to understand
SMALL COMPANIES: new, often entrepreneurial companies. Small companies tend to
grow faster than large-cap companies, but frequently are more volatile, more
vulnerable to major setbacks, and have a higher failure rate than larger
companies.
GROWTH COMPANIES: companies whose earnings are expected to grow faster than the
overall market. Often, growth stocks have relatively high price-to-earnings and
price-to-book ratios, and tend to be more volatile than value stocks.
VALUE COMPANIES: companies that appear underpriced according to certain
financial measurements of their intrinsic worth or business prospects (such as
price-to-earnings or price-to-book ratios). Because a stock can remain
undervalued for years, value investors often look for factors that could trigger
a rise in price.
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors,
they do fluctuate in price. The value of your investment in the fund will go up
and down, sometimes dramatically, which means that you could lose money.
Small companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less
predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid
than larger, more established companies. Some of the fund's investments will
rise and fall based on investor perceptions rather than economics. Some fund
investments are made in anticipation of future products, services or events
that, if delayed or cancelled, could cause the company's stock price to drop.
Growth companies may lack the dividend yield that can cushion stock prices in
market downdrafts. These companies are expected to increase their earnings at a
certain rate. If expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks
inordinately, even if earnings do increase.
Value stocks have the risk that their intrinsic values may never be realized by
the market, or their prices may go down. In addition, the fund may produce more
modest gains than riskier small-company stock funds.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. This could reduce the benefit from any market
upswing. During such periods, the fund may not achieve its investment objective
Other potential risks
The fund, at times, may invest in derivative securities, such as options and
futures, and in foreign currencies. It may also sell short. When employed, 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, which could produce higher
brokerage costs and taxable distributions.
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.
The Fund
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The second
table compares the fund' s performance over time to that of the Russell 2000
Index, an unmanaged index of small company stock performance. Both tables assume
reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Of course, past performance is no
guarantee of future results.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
37.40 33.91 8.56
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +24.00%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -17.84%
THE FUND'S YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN AS OF 9/30/99 WAS 13.00%.
--------------------------------------------------------
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Since
inception
1 Year (9/29/95)
--------------------------------------------------------
FUND 8.56% 32.33%
RUSSELL 2000 INDEX -2.55% 11.38%*
* FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, THE VALUE OF THE INDEX ON 9/30/95 IS USED AS THE
BEGINNING VALUE ON 9/29/95.
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 4>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Shareholder transaction fees are paid
from your account. Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets,
so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has no sales charge
(load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Fee table
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES
% OF TRANSACTION AMOUNT
Maximum redemption fee 1.00%
CHARGED ONLY WHEN SELLING SHARES YOU
HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 15 DAYS
--------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 0.90%
Shareholder services fee 0.25%
Other expenses 0.23%
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 1.38%
--------------------------------------------------------
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$140 $437 $755 $1,657
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. The figures
shown would be the same whether you sold your shares at the end of a period or
kept them. 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 the fund's operations.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for shareholder
account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund
<PAGE 5>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.90% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon
Financial Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately
$2.5 trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $450 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Paul Kandel and Hilary Woods have been the fund's primary portfolio managers
since October 1996. Mr. Kandel joined Dreyfus in 1994 as Senior Sector Manager
for the technology and telecommunications industries. Ms. Woods joined Dreyfus
in 1987 as Senior Sector Manager for the capital goods industry.
Dreyfus has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which restricts
the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary purpose is to
ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus employees does not disadvantage any
Dreyfus-managed fund. Dreyfus portfolio managers and other investment personnel
who comply with the Policy' s preclearance and disclosure procedures may be
permitted to purchase, sell or hold certain types of securities which also may
be or are held in the fund(s) they advise.
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 has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in its
systems and to monitor the readiness of other service providers. 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 6>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance 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.
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 20.20 25.17 18.67 12.50
Investment operations:
Investment income (loss) -- net (.13)(2) (.16)(2) (.11) .03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments 10.33 (2.14) 8.02 6.17
Total from investment operations 10.20 (2.30) 7.91 6.20
Distributions:
Dividends from investment income -- net -- -- -- (.03)
Dividends from net realized gain
on investments (.05) (2.67) (1.41) --
Total distributions (.05) (2.67) (1.41) (.03)
Net asset value, end of period 30.35 20.20 25.17 18.67
Total return (%) 50.54 (10.82) 44.45 46.09(3,4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.38 1.39 1.39 1.16(4)
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets (%) (.49) (.63) (.62) .09(4)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to actions by Dreyfus (%) -- -- .09 .36(4)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 100.40 199.08 197.99 203.66(4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 358,624 105,550 104,481 37,206
(1) FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO AUGUST 31, 1996.
(2) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(3)CALCULATED BASED ON NET ASSET VALUE ON THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON SEPTEMBER
29, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF INITIAL OFFERING) TO AUGUST 31, 1996.
(4) NOT ANNUALIZED.
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 7>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. The fund's investments are generally 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.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Minimum investments
Initial Additional
--------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $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.
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
<PAGE 8>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. 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.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that:
(pound) 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
(pound) if you are selling or exchanging shares you have owned for less than 15
days, the fund may deduct a 1% redemption fee (not charged on shares
sold through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan or Dreyfus Auto-Exchange
Privilege, or on shares acquired through dividend reinvestment
--------------------------------------------------------
Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
--------------------------------------------------------
CHECK NO MINIMUM $150,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $500,000 FOR JOINT ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $500,000 FOR JOINT ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
(pound) amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
(pound) 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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 9>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
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:
(pound) 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)
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of
1% of the fund's total assets
(pound) change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or
temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market conditions
(pound) change its minimum investment amounts
(pound) 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.
<PAGE 10>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS DIVIDENDS from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year. 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 federally 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%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-advantaged 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 at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 11>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
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 1-800-645-6561. --------------------------------------------------------
For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.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.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and provide
you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The Financial
Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the Financial Center
nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
<PAGE 12>
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE from one Dreyfus fund into another
(no minimum for retirement accounts). You can request your exchange in writing
or by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you
are exchanging. Any new account established through an exchange will 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 one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
(pound) for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-656
(pound) for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment
<PAGE 13>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
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: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 105,
Newark, NJ 07101-0105
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279664
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application.
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279664
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate on your application which automatic
service(s) you want. Return your application with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check the Dreyfus Step Program option on
your application. Return your application, then complete the additional
materials when they are sent to you.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the forms along with
any other required materials.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 14>
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 "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI
02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us
to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us 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 reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 15>
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
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 (see "To Open an Account" at left).
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279664
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be held in the same shareholder name).
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us to request a Dreyfus Step Program
form. Complete and return the form along with your application.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add an 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.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 16>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number
* the 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.
Mail in your request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE>
For More Information
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund
A series of Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
----------------------------
SEC file number: 811-7123
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 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
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.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation 259P0100
Dreyfus
Midcap
Value Fund
Investing in value stocks for capital appreciation
PROSPECTUS January 1, 2000
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>
Contents
THE FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------
2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
7 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Account Policies
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Services for Fund Investors
14 Instructions for Regular Accounts
16 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back Cover
What every investor should know about the fund
Information for managing your fund account
Where to learn more about this and other Dreyfus funds
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund
--------------------------------
Ticker Symbol: DMCVX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks to surpass the performance of the Russell Midcap Value Index. To
pursue this goal, it invests at least 65% of total assets in midcap value
companies (those whose total market value is between $400 million and $4 billion
at the time of purchase) . The fund' s stock investments may include common
stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities of both U.S. and foreign
issuers.
The portfolio manager identifies potential investments through extensive
quantitative and fundamental research. The fund will focus on individual stock
selection (a "bottom-up" approach), emphasizing three key factors:
(pound) VALUE, or how a stock is valued relative to its
intrinsic worth based on traditional value measures
(pound) BUSINESS HEALTH, or overall efficiency and
profitability as measured by return on assets and return on equity
(pound) BUSINESS MOMENTUM, or the presence of a catalyst
(such as a corporate restructuring, change in management or spin-off)
that will trigger a price increase near term to midterm
The fund typically sells a stock when it is no longer considered a value
company, appears less likely to benefit from the current market and economic
environment, shows deteriorating fundamentals or declining momentum, or falls
short of the manager' s expectations.
INFORMATION ON THE FUND' S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE
CURRENT ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK COVER).
Concepts to understand
MIDCAP COMPANIES: established companies that may not be well known. Midcap
companies may lack the resources to weather economic shifts, though they can be
faster to innovate than large companies.
VALUE COMPANIES: companies that appear underpriced according to certain
financial measurements of their intrinsic worth or business prospects (such as
price-to-earnings or price-to-book ratios). Because a stock can remain
undervalued for years, value investors often look for factors that could trigger
a rise in price.
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
While stocks have historically been a leading 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.
Midsize companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less
predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid
than larger, more established companies. Some of the fund's investments are made
in anticipation of future products and services that, if delayed, could cause
the company's stock price to drop.
The fund' s investments in value stocks are subject to the risk that their
intrinsic values may never be realized by the market, or their prices may go
down. Further, while the fund' s investments in value stocks may limit the
overall downside risk of the fund over time, the fund may produce more modest
gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk.
Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets
in money market securities. Although the fund would do this to avoid losses, it
could have the effect of reducing the benefit from any upswing in the market.
During such periods, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Other potential risks
The fund, at times, may invest in derivative securities, such as options and
futures, and in foreign currencies. It can also sell short. When employed, these
practices are used primarily to hedge the fund's portfolio, and also 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, which could produce higher
brokerage costs and taxable distributions.
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.
The Fund
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The second
table compares the fund's performance over time to that of the Russell Midcap
Value Index and the Russell Midcap Index, which are unmanaged indexes of stock
performance. Both tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Of
course, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
37.33 28.00 -4.21
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +22.55%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -27.65%
THE FUND'S YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN AS OF 9/30/99 WAS 16.80%.
--------------------------------------------------------
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Since
inception
1 Year (9/29/95)
--------------------------------------------------------
FUND -4.21% 20.39%
RUSSELL MIDCAP
VALUE INDEX 5.09% 19.31%*
RUSSELL MIDCAP INDEX 10.09% 18.68%*
* FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES, THE VALUE OF EACH INDEX ON 9/30/95 IS USED AS THE
BEGINNING VALUE ON 9/29/95.
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 4>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Shareholder transaction fees are paid
from your account. Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets,
so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has no sales charge
(load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Fee table
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES
% OF TRANSACTION AMOUNT
Maximum redemption fee 1.00%
CHARGED ONLY WHEN SELLING SHARES YOU
HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 15 DAYS
--------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 0.75%
Shareholder services fee 0.25%
Other expenses 0.40%
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 1.40%
--------------------------------------------------------
Expense example
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$143 $443 $766 $1,680
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. The figures
shown would be the same whether you sold your shares at the end of a period or
kept them. 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 the fund's operations.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: the fee paid to the fund's distributor for shareholder
account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund
<PAGE 5>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon
Financial Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately
$2.5 trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $450 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Peter I. Higgins, CFA, has managed the fund since September 1995. Mr. Higgins
has been a portfolio manager for The Boston Company Asset Management, an
affiliate of Dreyfus, since 1991. In May 1996, he became a dual employee of
Dreyfus and The Boston Company.
Dreyfus has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which restricts
the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary purpose is to
ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus employees does not disadvantage any
Dreyfus-managed fund. Dreyfus portfolio managers and other investment personnel
who comply with the Policy' s preclearance and disclosure procedures may be
permitted to purchase, sell or hold certain types of securities which also may
be or are held in the fund(s) they advise.
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 has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in its
systems and to monitor the readiness of other service providers. 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 6>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance 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.
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
1999 1998 1997 1996(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 15.39 22.23 15.80 12.50
Investment operations:
Investment income (loss) -- net (.17)(2) (.06)(2) (.01) .08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments 8.26 (5.73) 8.23 3.28
Total from investment operations 8.09 (5.79) 8.22 3.36
Distributions:
Dividends from investment income -- net -- -- (.04) (.04)
Dividends from net realized gain
on investments (1.78) (1.05) (1.75) (.02)
Total distributions (1.78) (1.05) (1.79) (.06)
Net asset value, end of period 21.70 15.39 22.23 15.80
Total return (%) 55.71 (27.32) 55.45 26.88(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) 1.34 1.29 1.25 1.18(3)
Ratio of interest expense and loan
commitment fees to average net assets (%) .06 .01 .01 .01(3)
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets (%) (.89) (.25) (.14) .56(3)
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to actions by Dreyfus (%) -- -- .26 1.13(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 257.23 168.72 154.92 266.80(3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 98,168 80,300 81,494 3,591
(1) FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO AUGUST 31, 1996.
(2) BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
(3) NOT ANNUALIZED.
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 7>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. The fund's investments are generally 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.
- --------------------------------------------------------
Minimum investments
Initial Additional
--------------------------------------------------------
REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $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.
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
<PAGE 8>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. 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.
BEFORE SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES, please note that:
(pound) 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
(pound) if you are selling or exchanging shares you have owned for less than 15
days, the fund may deduct a 1% redemption fee (not charged on shares
sold through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan or Dreyfus Auto-Exchange
Privilege, or on shares acquired through dividend reinvestment
--------------------------------------------------------
Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
--------------------------------------------------------
CHECK NO MINIMUM $150,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $500,000 FOR JOINT ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $500,000 FOR JOINT ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
(pound) amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
(pound) 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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 9>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
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:
(pound) 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)
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of
1% of the fund's total assets
(pound) change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or
temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market conditions
(pound) change its minimum investment amounts
(pound) 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.
<PAGE 10>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS DIVIDENDS from its net investment income,
and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year. 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 federally 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%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-advantaged 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 at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 11>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
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 1-800-645-6561. --------------------------------------------------------
For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.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.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and provide
you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The Financial
Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the Financial Center
nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
<PAGE 12>
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE from one Dreyfus fund into another
(no minimum for retirement accounts). You can request your exchange in writing
or by phone. 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 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 one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
(pound) for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-656
(pound) for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment
<PAGE 13>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
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: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 105,
Newark, NJ 07101-0105
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279656
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application.
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279656
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate on your application which automatic
service(s) you want. Return your application with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check the Dreyfus Step Program option on
your application. Return your application, then complete the additional
materials when they are sent to you.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the forms along with
any other required materials.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 14>
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 "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI
02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us
to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us 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 reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 15>
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
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 (see "To Open an Account" at left).
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900279656
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be held in the same shareholder name).
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us to request a Dreyfus Step Program
form. Complete and return the form along with your application.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add an 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.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
<PAGE 16>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number
* the 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.
Mail in your request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
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.
Your Investment
<PAGE 17>
For More Information
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund
A series of Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
----------------------------
SEC file number: 811-7123
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 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of fund documents can be viewed online or
downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
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.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation 258P0100
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DREYFUS GROWTH AND VALUE FUNDS, INC.
DREYFUS AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
DREYFUS LARGE COMPANY VALUE FUND
DREYFUS AGGRESSIVE VALUE FUND
DREYFUS MIDCAP VALUE FUND
DREYFUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND
DREYFUS INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
DREYFUS EMERGING LEADERS FUND
DREYFUS PREMIER TECHNOLOGY GROWTH FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JANUARY 1, 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current relevant
Prospectus of Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund, Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund,
Dreyfus International Value Fund, Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund, Dreyfus Emerging
Leaders Fund, and Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund, each dated January 1,
2000, and Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund and Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund,
each dated March 1, 1999, (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") of
Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc. (the "Company"), as each may be revised
from time to time. To obtain a copy of a Prospectus for a Fund other than
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund, please write to the Company at 144 Glenn
Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or call one of the following
numbers:
Call Toll Free 1-800-645-6561
In New York City -- Call 1-718-895-1206
Outside the U.S. -- Call 516-794-5452
To obtain a copy of the Prospectus for Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth
Fund, please call 1-800-554-4611.
Each Fund's most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to
Shareholders 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.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Description of the Company and Funds....................................B- 3
Management of the Company...............................................B-16
Management Arrangements.................................................B-22
How to Buy Shares.......................................................B-27
Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan.........................B-37
How to Redeem Shares....................................................B-39
Shareholder Services....................................................B-44
Determination of Net Asset Value........................................B-50
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes......................................B-51
Portfolio Transactions..................................................B-54
Performance Information.................................................B-56
Information About the Company and Funds.................................B-58
Counsel and Independent Auditors........................................B-60
Appendix................................................................B-61
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY AND FUNDS
The Company is a Maryland corporation formed on November 16, 1993. Each
Fund is a separate series of the Company, an open-end management investment
company, known as a mutual fund. Each Fund is diversified, which means that,
with respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund will not invest more than 5%
of its assets in the securities of any single issuer.
The Dreyfus Corporation (the "Manager") serves as each Fund's investment
adviser.
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") is the distributor
of each Fund's shares.
Certain Portfolio Securities
The following information supplements (except as noted) and should be read
in conjunction with the relevant Fund's Prospectus.
Convertible Securities. (All Funds) Convertible securities 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, the
market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates
increase 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 provide for a stable stream of income with
generally higher yields than common stocks, but 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 generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality because of the potential for
capital appreciation.
Depositary Receipts. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in the securities of
foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts and American
Depositary Shares ("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. 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.
Warrants. (All Funds) A warrant gives the holder the right to subscribe
to a specified amount of the issuing corporation's capital stock at a set price
for a specified period of time. Each Fund may invest up to 5% 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.
Investment Companies. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in securities
issued by registered and unregistered investment companies. Under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), a 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.
Illiquid Securities. (All Funds) Each 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 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, a 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
Money Market Instruments. (All Funds) When the Manager determines that
adverse market conditions exist, a Fund may adopt a temporary defensive position
and invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments, including U.S.
Government securities, repurchase agreements, bank obligations and commercial
paper. A Fund also may purchase money market instruments when it has cash
reserves or in anticipation of taking a market position.
Investment Techniques
The following information supplements (except as noted) and should be read
in conjunction with the relevant Fund's Prospectus.
Foreign Currency Transactions. (All Funds) A Fund may enter into foreign
currency transactions 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. A short position 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. A Fund's success in
these transactions will depend principally on the Manager's ability 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, or failure to intervene, by U.S.
or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political
developments in the United States or abroad.
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 a Fund's net assets. A Fund may not make a short sale which
results in the Fund having sold short in the aggregate more than 5% of the
outstanding securities of any class of an issuer.
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 the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed
security, the Fund will: (a) segregate permissible liquid assets in an amount
that, together with 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.
Borrowing Money. (All Funds) Each Fund is permitted to borrow to the
extent permitted under the 1940 Act, which permits an investment company to
borrow in an amount up to 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets. Each of
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund, Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund, Dreyfus
International Value Fund and Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund, however, currently
intends to borrow money only for temporary or emergency (not leveraging)
purposes, in an amount up to 15% of the value of its total assets (including the
amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not
including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. While such
borrowings exceed 5% of a Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any
additional investments.
Leverage. (Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund, Dreyfus Large Company Value
Fund, Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund and Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth
Fund) Leveraging (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 (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,
broker/dealers or other financial institutions. 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. As a result of these transactions, the Fund is exposed to
greater potential fluctuations in the value of its assets and its net asset
value per share. To the extent a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase
agreement, the Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal to
the aggregate amount of its reverse repurchase obligations, plus accrued
interest, in certain cases, in accordance with releases promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission views
reverse repurchase transactions as collateralized borrowings by a Fund. Except
for these transactions, the Fund's borrowings generally will be unsecured.
Derivatives. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in, or enter into,
derivatives, such as options and futures, for a variety of reasons, including to
hedge certain market risks, to provide a substitute for purchasing or selling
particular securities or to increase potential income gain. Derivatives may
provide a cheaper, quicker or more specifically focused way for a Fund to invest
than "traditional" securities would.
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. However, 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 the 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. The 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 none of the Funds 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. Each Fund may
invest in futures contracts and options on futures contacts for hedging purposes
without limit. However, a Fund may not 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.
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 variation margin system 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. In 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 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 or, if applicable, on exchanges located
outside the United States. 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 a Fund might realize in
trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the currency exchange rate, or
the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes. Transactions on
foreign exchanges may include commodities which are traded on domestic exchanges
or 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 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 securities 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 to cover its obligations relating to its transactions in 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. In addition, the segregation of such
assets will have the effect of limiting the Fund's ability otherwise to invest
those assets.
Specific Futures Transactions (All Funds) 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.
A 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 invest up to 5% of its assets,
represented by the premium paid, in the purchase of call and put options. Each
Fund may write (i.e. sell) covered call and put option contracts to the extent
of 20% of the value of its net assets at the time such option contracts are
written. 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 permissible liquid assets. A put option written by a Fund is
covered when, among other things, the Fund segregates permissible liquid assets
having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option 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, the 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 (All Funds) 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-settled options on equity index swaps in pursuit
of its investment objective. Equity index swaps involve the exchange by the 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 Manager's
ability to predict correctly movements in the prices of individual stocks, the
stock market generally or foreign currencies. To the extent such predictions are
incorrect, the Fund may incur losses.
Future Developments. 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.
Lending Portfolio Securities. (All Funds) Each Fund may lend securities
from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing
to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. However, Dreyfus Large
Company Value Fund, Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund and Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund are the only Funds which currently intend to lend
portfolio securities. In connection with such loans, the Fund continues to be
entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest, dividends or other
distributions payable on the loaned securities, which affords the Fund an
opportunity to earn interest on the amount of the loan and 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. These 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, a 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.
Forward Commitments. (All Funds) Each 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 segregate permissible
liquid assets at least equal at all times to the amount of the Fund's purchase
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 the 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 the 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.
Investment Considerations and Risks
Equity Securities. (All Funds) Equity securities, including common
stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and warrants, fluctuate in value,
often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities,
and such fluctuations can be pronounced. Changes in the value of the Fund's
investments will result in changes in the value of its shares and thus the
Fund's total return to investors.
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund, Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund, Dreyfus
Small Company Value Fund, Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund and Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund each may purchase securities of small capitalization
companies (and Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund may purchase mid-capitalization
companies), the prices of which may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market
movements than larger, more established companies, because these securities
typically are traded in lower volume and the issuers typically are more subject
to changes in earnings and prospects. These Funds may purchase securities of
companies in initial public offerings or shortly thereafter. The prices of these
companies' securities may be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly based,
among other reasons, solely on investor perceptions rather than economic
reasons. The Fund may purchase securities of companies which have no earnings or
have experienced losses. The Fund generally will make these investments based on
a belief that actual anticipated products or services will produce future
earnings. If the anticipated event is delayed or does not occur, or if investor
perception about the company change, the company's stock price may decline
sharply and its securities may become less liquid. The Fund, together with other
investment companies advised by the Manager and its affiliates, may own
significant positions in portfolio companies which, depending on market
conditions, may affect adversely the Fund's ability to dispose of some or all of
its positions should it desire to do so.
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund invests in, and the other Funds may
invest in, securities issued by companies in the technology sector, which has
been among the most volatile sectors of the stock market.
Fixed-Income Securities. (Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund and Dreyfus
Large Company Value Fund only) Each of these Funds may invest in corporate debt
obligations and other fixed-income securities when management believes that such
securities offer opportunities for capital growth. Even though interest-bearing
securities are investments which promise a stable stream of income, the prices
of such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates and,
therefore, are subject to the risk of market price fluctuations. The values of
fixed-income securities also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or
financial condition of the issuer. Certain securities purchased by a Fund, such
as those rated Baa or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and
BBB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") in the case of Dreyfus
Aggressive Value Fund, or those rated Baa by Moody's and BBB by S&P, Fitch IBCA,
Inc. and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. in the case of Dreyfus Large Company
Value Fund, may be subject to such risks with respect to the issuing entity and
to greater market fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher rated
fixed-income securities. Once the rating of a portfolio security has been
changed, the Fund will consider all circumstances deemed relevant in determining
whether to continue to hold the security. See "Lower Rated Securities" below
with respect to Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund only and the "Appendix."
Lower Rated Securities. (Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund only) The Fund may
invest up to 35% of its net assets in higher yielding (and, therefore, higher
risk) debt securities such as those rated Ba by Moody's or BB by S&P or as low
as Caa by Moody's or CCC by S&P (commonly known as junk bonds). They may be
subject to greater risks and market fluctuations than certain lower yielding,
higher rated fixed-income securities. See the "Appendix" for a general
description of the ratings of Moody's and S&P for fixed-income securities. The
retail secondary market for these securities may be less liquid than that of
higher rated securities; adverse conditions could make it difficult at times for
the Fund to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those
used in calculating the Fund's net asset value. 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. The Fund will rely on the
Manager'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 Moody's and S&P 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 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, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold 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 the 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 the
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, the Manager's judgment
may play a greater role in valuation.
These securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. It
is likely that an economic recession would disrupt severely the market for such
securities and may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities, and
could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay
principal and pay interest thereon which would increase the incidence of default
for such securities.
The Fund may acquire these securities during an initial offering. Such
securities may involve special risks because they are new issues. The Fund has
no arrangement with any person concerning the acquisition of such securities,
and the Manager will review carefully the credit and other characteristics
pertinent to such new issues.
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 of evidence of ownership of such securities usually are held
outside the United States, the Fund 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 the 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 Fund 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 thee 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.
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 such Fund's outstanding voting shares. In addition, each Fund has
adopted investment restrictions numbered 1 through 10 as fundamental policies.
Investment restrictions numbered 11 through 16 are not fundamental policies and
may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Company's Board members at any
time. No Fund may:
1. Invest more than 5% of its assets in the obligations of any single
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
limitation.
2. Hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single
issuer. This Investment Restriction applies only with respect to 75% of the
Fund's total assets.
3. 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. For purposes of this Investment Restriction with
respect to Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund, the technology sector in
general is not considered an industry.
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, 13 and 14 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. Purchase securities of any company having less than three years'
continuous operations (including operations of any predecessor) 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. This Investment Restriction has not been
adopted with respect to Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund.
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 in its
portfolio as a shareholder in accordance with its views. This Investment
Restriction has not been adopted with respect to Dreyfus Premier Technology
Growth Fund.
13. 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.
14. Purchase, sell or write puts, calls or combinations thereof, except as
described in the relevant Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information.
15. 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.
16. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the
extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
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
the Funds. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Company, on
behalf of the Funds, and those companies that furnish services to the Funds.
These companies are as follows:
The Dreyfus Corporation.........................Investment Adviser
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc...............Distributor
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc...........................Transfer Agent
Mellon Bank, N.A................................Custodian for all Funds
except Dreyfus International
Value Fund
The Bank of New York............................Custodian for Dreyfus
International Value Fund
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.
<PAGE>
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 is also a
director of 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, Career Blazers Inc. (formerly, Staffing Resources, Inc.), a
temporary placement agency, and Century Business Services, Inc. (formerly,
International Alliance Services Inc.), a provider of various outsourcing
functions for small and medium sized companies. 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 Financial
Corporation. He is 56 years old and his address is 200 Park Avenue, New
York, New York 10166.
DAVID P. FELDMAN, Board Member. 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 at 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 60 years old and his address is
466 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
JOHN M. FRASER, JR., Board Member. Retired President of Fraser Associates, a
service company. From September 1975 to June 1978, he was Executive Vice
President of Flagship Cruises, Ltd. Prior thereto, he was Senior Vice
President and Resident Director of the Swedish-American Line for the United
States and Canada. He is 78 years old and his address is 133 East 64th
Street, New York, New York 10021.
EHUD HOUMINER, Board Member. Professor and Executive-in-Residence at the
Columbia Business School, Columbia University. Since January 1996,
Principal of Lear, Yavitz and Associates, a management consulting firm. He
also is a Director of Avnet Inc. and Super-Sol Limited. He is 59 years old
and his address is c/o Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Uris
Hall, Room 526, New York, New York 10027.
GLORIA MESSINGER, Board Member. From 1981 to 1993, Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and
Publishers). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Yale Law
School Fund and Theater for a New Audience, Inc., and was secretary of the
ASCAP Foundation and served as a Trustee of the Copyright Society of the
United States. She is also a member of numerous professional and civic
organizations. She is 70 years old and her address is 747 Third Avenue,
11th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
JOHN SZARKOWSKI, Board Member. Director Emeritus of Photography at The Museum of
Modern Art. Consultant in Photography. He is 74 years old and his address
is Bristol Road, Box 221, East Chatham, New York 12060.
ANNE WEXLER, Board Member. Chairman of the Wexler Group, consultants
specializing in government relations and public affairs. She is also a
director of Wilshire Mutual Funds, Comcast Corporation, The New England
Electric System, and a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and the
National Park Foundation. She is 69 years old and her address is c/o The
Wexler Group, 1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20004.
The Company has a standing nominating committee comprised of its Board
members who are not "interested persons" of the Company, as defined in the 1940
Act. The function of the nominating committee is to select and nominate all
candidates who are not "interested persons" of the Company for election to the
Company's Board.
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, if any,
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 August 31, 1999,
and by all 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)* during the year ended December 31, 1998, was as
follows:
Total Compensation
From Company and
Aggregate Fund Complex
Name of Board Compensation Paid to Board
Member From the Company** Member
Joseph S. DiMartino $9,375 $619,660 (187)
David P. Feldman $7,500 $106,750 (56)
John M. Fraser, Jr. $7,500 $ 75,750 (42)
Ehud Houminer $7,500 $ 62,250 (21)
Gloria Messinger $7,500 $ 26,750 (14)
Jack R. Meyer*** $6,000 $ 22,250 (14)
John Szarkowski $6,500 $ 20,250 (14)
Anne Wexler $7,500 $ 60,250 (28)
- -----------------------------
* Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment
companies in the Fund complex, including the Funds, for which the Board
members serve.
** Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings,
which amounted to $7,665 for all Board members as a group.
*** Resigned as a Board member effective March 31, 1999.
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 has been employed by Funds Distributor,
Inc. for more than the past five years. She is 42 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 40 years old.
*FREDERICK C. DEY, Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary.
Vice President, New Business Development of Funds Distributor, Inc. since
September 1994, and an officer of other investment companies advised or
administered by the Manager. He is 37 years old.
STEPHANIE D. PIERCE, Vice President, Assistant Secretary 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 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 31 years old.
*JOHN P. COVINO, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Vice President and
Treasury Group Manager of Treasury Servicing and Administration of Funds
Distributor, Inc. since December 1998, and an officer of other investment
companies advised or administered by the Manager. From December 1995 to
November 1998, he was employed by Fidelity Investments where he held
multiple positions in their Institutional Brokerage Group. Prior to joining
Fidelity, he was employed by SunGard Brokerage Systems where he was
responsible for the technology and development of the accounting product
group. He is 35 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. She is 35 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. He is 44 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. He is 37 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 30 years old.
*KAREN JACOPPO-WOOD, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice President and
Senior Counsel of Funds Distributor, Inc. since February 1997, and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From June 1994 to January 1996, she was Manager of SEC
Registration at Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. She is 32 years old.
CHRISTOPHER J. KELLEY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice President
and Senior Associate General Counsel of 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. He is 35 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 27 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 38 years old.
The address of each officer of the Company is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166, except those officers indicated by an (*), whose address is 60
State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
The Company's Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than 1%
of each Fund's voting securities outstanding on September 30, 1999.
The following persons are known by the Company to own of record or
beneficially 5% or more of a Fund's outstanding voting securities as of
September 30, 1999. A shareholder who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
more than 25% of a Fund's voting securities may be deemed a "control person" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co TTEE................................13.7340%
As Agent-Omnibus Account
1 Cabot Road
Medford, MA 02155-5141
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc...........................................11.5119%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund
Citibank, NA Trustee...............................................20.1364%
Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Inc.
Master Trust
111 Wall Street
New York, New York 10005-3509
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc...........................................14.1059%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co TTEE................................ 7.41610%
As Agent-Omnibus Account
1 Cabot Road
Medford, MA 02155-5141
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund (Class A)
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc...........................................26.2929%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94101-4122
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc........................................... 6.6006%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
101 Montgomery Street`
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc...........................................10.7151%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco. CA 94104-4122
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc...........................................13.9280%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
Northern Trust Co. TTEE............................................ 5.6835%
FBO US Local 467
P.O. Box 92956
Chicago, IL 60675
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc...........................................18.1855%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept.
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co. TTEE...............................15.5042%
As Agent - Omnibus Account
1 Cabot Road
Medford, MA 02155-5141
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Investment Adviser. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon
Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Financial 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.
Management Agreement. The Manager provides management services pursuant to
a Management Agreement (the "Agreement") between the Manager, and the Company.
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. 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 and a director;
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; Diane P. Durnin, Vice President-Product Development; 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.
The Manager manages each Fund's investments in accordance with the stated
policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Company's Board. The
Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides the Funds with
portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board to execute purchases and
sales of securities.
The Funds' portfolio managers are as follows:
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund Paul A. LaRocco
Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund Timothy M. Ghriskey
Douglas Ramos
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund Timothy M. Ghriskey
Douglas Ramos
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund Peter I. Higgins
Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund Peter I. Higgins
Dreyfus International Value Fund Sandor Cseh
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund Paul Kandel
Hilary Woods
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund Paul Kandel
Mark Herskovitz
Barry Mills
The Manager also maintains a research department with a professional staff
of portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services for
the Funds and for other funds advised by the Manager.
Mellon Bank, N.A., the Manager's parent, and its affiliates may have
deposit, loan and commercial banking or other relationships with the issuers of
securities purchased by a Fund. The Manager has informed the Company that in
making its investment decisions it does not obtain or use material inside
information that Mellon Bank, N.A. or its affiliates may possess with respect to
such issuers.
The Manager has a personal securities trading policy (the "Policy") which
restricts the personal securities transactions of its employees. Its primary
purpose is to ensure that personal trading by the Manager's employees does not
disadvantage any fund managed by the Manager. Under the Policy, the Manager's
employees must preclear personal transactions in securities not exempt under the
Policy. In addition, the Manager's employees must report their personal
securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the
Policy. In that regard, the Manager's portfolio managers and other investment
personnel also are subject to the oversight of Mellon's Investment Ethics
Committee. Portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Manager who
comply with the Policy's preclearance and disclosure procedures and the
requirements of the Committee may be permitted to purchase, sell or hold
securities which also may be or are held in fund(s) they manage or for which
they otherwise provide investment advice.
The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Funds, and
furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data
processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required
services to the Funds. 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.
Expenses. All expenses incurred in the operation of the Company are borne
by the Company, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The
expenses borne by the Company include: organizational costs, taxes, interest,
loan commitment fees, interest and distributions 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 its affiliates, 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
meetings, and any extraordinary expenses. Also, Dreyfus Premier Technology
Growth Fund's Class B, Class C and Class T shares are subject to an annual
distribution fee, and Class A, Class B, Class C and Class T 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.
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
1.00% of the value of Dreyfus International Value Fund's average daily net
assets, .90% of the value of Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund's average daily net
assets and .75% of the value of each other Fund's average daily net assets.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the management
fees payable by each indicated Fund, the amounts waived by the Manager and the
net fee paid by the Fund were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Reduction
Name of Fund Fee Payable In Fee Net Fee Paid
1996 1997 1998 1996 1997 1998 1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
- ---------------------
Dreyfus Large $134,679 $745,927 $1,196,867 $56,640 $54,892 $0 $78,039 $691,035 $1,196,867
Company Value Fund
- ---------------------
- ---------------------
Dreyfus Small $70,529 $860,360 $3,078,535 $38,175 $51,774 $0 $32,354 $808,586 $3,087,535
Company Value Fund
</TABLE>
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the management
fees payable by each indicated Fund, the amounts waived by the Manager and the
net fee paid by the Fund were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Name of Fund Management Fee Payable Reduction In Fee Net Fee Paid
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Dreyfus $852,091 $636,709 $241,817 $106,990 $247,049 $186,565 $745,101 $389,660 $55,252
Aggressive
Growth Fund
Dreyfus $550,479 $1,127,829 $703,532 $99,235 $0 $0 $451,244 $1,127,829 $703,532
Aggressive Value
Fund
Dreyfus Int'l $567,130 $1,359,639 $1,992,970 $18,565 $0 $0 $548,565 $1,359,639 $1,992,970
Value Fund
Dreyfus Emerging $665,291 $1,225,265 $1,784,765 $64,125 $0 $0 $601,166 $1,225,265 $1,784,765
Leaders Fund
Dreyfus Midcap $188,561 $941,508 $689,558 $66,302 $0 $0 $122,259 $941,508 $689,558
Value Fund
Dreyfus Premier N/A $61,098* $1,686,120 N/A $61,098* $47,855 N/A $0* $1,638,265
Technology
Growth Fund
- ---------------------------
* For the period October 13, 1997 (commencement of operations) through August
31, 1998.
</TABLE>
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 Technology Growth Fund, for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1999, the Distributor retained $115,900 from sales loads
on Class A shares, $4,908 from the contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") on
Class B shares and $46,094 from the CDSC on Class C shares. Class T shares had
not been offered during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999 and, accordingly,
no Class T sales loads were retained during that period.
The Distributor may pay dealers a fee based on 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"). Generally, the fee paid
to dealers will not exceed 1% of the amount invested through such dealers. The
Distributor, however, may pay dealers a higher fee and 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 the 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.
Pursuant to an agreement between Dreyfus Service Corporation and the
Distributor, Dreyfus Service Corporation assumed the Distributor's
responsibility for paying commissions to Service Agents for selling Dreyfus
Premier Technology Growth Fund shares. The proceeds of the CDSC and the
Distribution Plan fees, in part, are paid to Dreyfus Service Corporation to
defray these expenses.
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.
Mellon Bank, N.A., the Manager's parent, One Mellon Bank Center,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258, acts as custodian for the investments of each
Fund, except Dreyfus International Value Fund. The Bank of New York, 100 Church
Street, New York, New York 10286, acts as custodian for the investments of
Dreyfus International Value Fund. Neither custodian has any part in determining
the investment policies of the Fund or which securities are to be purchased or
sold by the Fund. Under a custody agreement with the Funds, the relevant
custodian holds the 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 respective Fund's assets held in custody and receives
certain securities transaction charges.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
ALL FUNDS, EXCEPT DREYFUS PREMIER TECHNOLOGY GROWTH FUND--General. Shares
are sold without a sales charge. You may be charged a fee if you effect
transactions in Fund shares through a securities dealer, bank or other financial
institution (collectively, "Service Agents"). Stock certificates are issued only
upon your written request. No certificates are issued for fractional shares. The
Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a client of
a Service Agent which maintains an omnibus account in the Fund and has made an
aggregate minimum initial purchase for its customers of $2,500. 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, IRAs set up under a Simplified
Employee Pension Plan ("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. For 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, the minimum initial
investment is $1,000. For full-time or part-time employees of the Manager or any
of its affiliates or subsidiaries who elect to have a portion of their pay
directly deposited into their Fund accounts, the minimum initial investment is
$50. The Fund 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
Fund. The Fund reserves the right to vary further the initial and subsequent
investment minimum requirements at any time.
Fund shares also are offered without regard to the minimum initial
investment requirements through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(R), Dreyfus
Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan pursuant to
the Dreyfus Step Program 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.
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 Agents in this regard.
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value per
share next determined after an order in proper form is received by the Transfer
Agent or other entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund. 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 is computed by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets
(i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by the total number of Fund
shares outstanding. 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 Company's Board. Certain securities may be
valued by an independent pricing service approved by the Company's Board and are
valued at fair value as determined by the pricing service. For further
information regarding the methods employed in valuing each Fund's investments,
see "Determination of Net Asset Value."
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 cancelled and the institution could
be held liable for resulting fees and/or losses.
DREYFUS PREMIER TECHNOLOGY GROWTH FUND ONLY--General. Class A shares,
Class B shares, Class C shares and Class T shares may be purchased only by
clients of Service Agents, except that 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 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, 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 Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth 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 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 souse, 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 the
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 or 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 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. 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 Company's
Board. For further information regarding the methods employed in valuing the
Fund's 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 closing of trading on the floor or 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 o 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 Technology Growth Fund on April 15, 1999) a
sales load as shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total Sales Load Class A Shares
As a % of As a % of Dealers' Reallowance
offering price net asset value as a % of
Amount of Transactions per share per share offering price
Less than $50,000......................... 5.75 6.10 5.00
$50,000 to less than $100,000............. 4.50 4.70 3.75
$100,000 to less than $250,000............ 3.50 3.60 2.75
$250,000 to less than $500,000............ 2.50 2.60 2.25
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000.......... 2.00 2.00 1.75
$1,000,000 or more.......................... -0- -0- -0-
</TABLE>
For shareholders of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund who
beneficially owned Class A shares of the Fund on April 15, 1999, the public
offering price for Class A shares of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund is
the net asset value per share of that Class.
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. This provision does not
apply to a shareholder of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund who owned Class
A shares of the Fund on April 15, 1999. Pursuant to an agreement with the
Distributor, Dreyfus Service Corporation 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 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 Technology Growth Fund's Class A shares. The example
assumes a purchase of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000,
subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above at a price based upon
the net asset value of the Fund's Class A shares on August 31, 1999:
eyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund
Class A
Net Asset Value Per Share $32.32
Per Share Sales Charge
Class A - 5.75% of offering price $1.96
(6.10% of net asset value per share)
Per Share Offering Price to the Public $34.17
======
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
that 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 that,
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, the Dreyfus Family of Funds, certain funds
advised by Founders Asset Management LLC ("Founders"), 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, certain funds in
the Dreyfus Family of Funds, certain funds advised by Founders 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 the Fund must be made within 60
days of such redemption and the shares redeemed must have been subject to an
initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge.
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 Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund's Prospectus and in this
Statement of Additional Information under "How to Redeem Shares--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares."
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 "How to Redeem Shares - Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge - Class C Shares."
Class B and Class C Shares. Pursuant to an agreement with the Distributor,
Dreyfus Service Corporation compensates certain Service Agents for selling Class
B and Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own assets. The proceeds
of the CDSC and the Distribution Plan fee, in part, are used to defray these
expenses.
Class R Shares. The public offering price for Class R shares is the net asset
value per share of that Class.
Class T Shares. The public offering price for Class T shares is the net asset
value per share of that Class plus a sales load as shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total Sales Load Class T Shares
As a % of As a % of Dealers' Reallowance
offering price net asset value as a % of
Amount of Transactions per share per share offering price
Less than $50,000......................... 4.50 4.70 4.00
$50,000 to less than $100,000............. 4.00 4.20 3.50
$100,000 to less than $250,000............ 3.00 3.10 2.50
$250,000 to less than $500,000............ 2.00 2.00 1.75
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000.......... 1.50 1.50 1.25
$1,000,000 or more........................ -0- -0- -0-
</TABLE>
A CDSC of 1% will be assessed at the time of redemption of Class T 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. Pursuant to an agreement
with the Distributor, Dreyfus Service Corporation may pay Service Agents an
amount up to 1% of the net asset value of Class T shares purchased by their
clients that are subject to a CDSC. Because the expenses associated with Class A
shares will be lower than those associated with Class T shares, purchasers
investing $1,000,000 or more in the Fund generally will find it beneficial to
purchase Class A shares rather than Class T shares.
The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class T shares made by
any "purchaser," as defined above under Class A Shares.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering
price of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund's Class T shares. The example
assumes a purchase of Class T shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000,
subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above at a price based upon
the net asset value of the Fund's Class T shares on August 31, 1999:
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund
Class T
Net Asset Value Per Share $32.32
Per Share Sales Charge
Class T - 4.50% of offering price $1.51
(4.70% of net asset value per share)
Per Share Offering Price to the Public $33.72
======
Class T shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to
employees participating in Eligible Benefit Plans. Class T 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, certain funds advised by Founders or certain
other products made available by the Distributor to such plans, or (b) invested
all of its assets in funds in the Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds, certain funds
in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, certain funds advised by Founders or certain
other products made available by the Distributor to such plans.
Dealer Reallowance - Class A and Class T Shares. The dealer reallowance provided
with respect to Class A and Class T shares may be changed from time to time but
will remain the same for all dealers. The Distributor, at its own expense, may
provide additional promotional incentives to dealers that sell shares of funds
advised by the Manager which are sold with a sales load, such as Class A and
Class T shares. In some instances, these incentives may be offered only to
certain dealers who have sold or may sell significant amounts of such shares.
Right of Accumulation - Class A and Class T Shares. Reduced sales loads apply to
any purchase of Class A and Class T shares, shares of other funds in the Dreyfus
Premier Family of Funds, which are sold with a sales load, shares of certain
other funds advised by Dreyfus or Founders, 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 below, where
the aggregate investment including such purchase, is $50,000 or more. If, for
example, you previously purchased and still hold Class A or Class T shares of
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund, or shares of any other Eligible Fund, or
combination thereof, with an aggregate current market value of $40,000 and
subsequently purchase Class A or Class T shares of such Fund having a current
value of $20,000, the sales load applicable to the subsequent purchase would be
reduced to 4.50% of the offering price in the case of Class A shares or 4.00% of
the offering price in the case of Class T shares. 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.
To qualify 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.
APPLICABLE TO ALL FUNDS
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. (All Funds) 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 ("ACH") 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 day 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 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 the 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. (All Funds) 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, Class C and Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth
Fund are subject to a Distribution Plan, and Class A, Class B, Class C and Class
T shares of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund and the shares of each other
Fund are subject to a Shareholder Services Plan.
Distribution Plan. (Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund only) 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 Class B, Class C and Class T shares of
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund pursuant to which the Fund pays the
Distributor for distributing its Class B, Class C and Class T shares at an
annual rate of .75% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class B and
Class C shares and .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class T
shares. The Company's Board believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that
the Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and the holders of its Class B,
Class C and Class T 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 Class B, C or T
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 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. 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. As to the relevant Class of shares of the 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 Technology Growth Fund, for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1999, the Fund was charged $78,929 and $32,288 with
respect to Class B shares and Class C shares, respectively, pursuant to the
Distribution Plan.
The Distribution Plan was not in effect with respect to Class T shares
during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, and accordingly, no fees were paid
pursuant to the Distribution Plan with respect to Class T shares during that
period.
Shareholder Services Plan. (All Funds) The Company has adopted a
Shareholder Services Plan as to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class T shares of
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund, and as to the shares of each other Fund.
Under the Plan, the Company pays the Distributor for the provision of certain
services to the holders of such shares a fee at the annual rate of .25% of the
value of the average daily net assets of the shares. 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 certain 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 members
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Shareholder
Services Plan. The Shareholder Services Plan is terminable with respect to each
Fund 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.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the amount charged to each
indicated Fund pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan was as follows:
Name of Fund Amount Charged
Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund $398,956
Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund $1,026,178
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, the amount charged to each
indicated Fund pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan was as follows:
Name of Fund Amount Charged
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund $ 80,606
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund $234,511
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund $495,768
Dreyfus International Value Fund $498,243
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund $229,853
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund
Class A $ 524,394
Class B* $ 26,309
Class C* $ 10,796
- ---------------------------------
*For the period April 15, 1999 through August 31, 1999.
The Shareholder Services Plan was not in effect with respect to Class T
shares during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, and accordingly, no fees
were paid pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class T
shares during that period.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Redemption Fee. (All Funds, except Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund)
The Fund will deduct a redemption fee equal to 1% of the net asset value of Fund
shares redeemed (including redemptions through the use of the Fund Exchanges
service) less than 15 days following the issuance of such shares. The redemption
fee will be deducted from the redemption proceeds and retained by the Fund and
used primarily to offset the transaction costs that short-term trading imposes
on the Fund and its shareholders. For purposes of calculating the 15-day holding
period, the Fund will employ the "first-in, first-out" method, which assumes
that the shares you are redeeming or exchanging are the ones you have held the
longest.
No redemption fee will be charged on the redemption or exchange of shares
(1) through the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan or Dreyfus Auto-Exchange
Privilege, (2) through accounts reflected on the records of the Transfer Agent
as omnibus accounts approved by Dreyfus Service Corporation, (3) through
accounts established by Service Agents approved by Dreyfus Service Corporation
that utilize the National Securities Clearing Corporation's networking system,
or (4) acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The redemption fee may be waived, modified or terminated at any
time.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, the amount of redemption fees
retained by each indicated Fund was as follows:
Name of Fund Amount Retained
Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund $4,087
Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund $ 0
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, the amount of redemption fees
retained by each indicated Fund was as follows:
Name of Fund Amount Retained
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund $0
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund $0
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund $0
Dreyfus International Value Fund $0
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund $0
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund* $0
- ---------------------------------
* Prior to April 15, 1999, Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund charged a 1%
redemption fee on shares (which were reclassified as Class A shares effective
April 15, 1999) held for six months or less.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B Shares. (Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund only) A CDSC is paid to Dreyfus Service Corporation 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 from 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. Pursuant to an agreement with the
Distributor, Dreyfus Service Corporation receives the proceeds from the CDSC
imposed on the redemption of Class B shares.
The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC for Class B shares:
Year Since CDSC as a % of Amount
Purchase Payment Invested or Redemption
Was Made 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 amounts 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 represented 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. (Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund only) A CDSC of 1% is paid to Dreyfus Service Corporation
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. Pursuant to an agreement with the Distributor, Dreyfus
Service Corporation receives the proceeds from the CDSC imposed on the
redemption of Class C shares.
Waiver of CDSC. (Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund only) 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. (Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth
Fund only) 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 if 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. (Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund only) Upon
written request, you may reinvest up to the number of Class A, Class B or Class
T 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
or exercising Fund Exchanges. Upon reinstatement, with respect to Class B
shares, or Class A or Class T 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 shares reinvested. The Reinvestment Privilege may be exercised
only once.
Wire Redemption Privilege. (All Funds) 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 for Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund)
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 specified by you 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 the investor. 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 should also inform the operator of the Transfer Agent's answer back
sign.
To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive wire
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. (All Funds) 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 ACH 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 $500,000 within any 30-day period. 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 ACH system unless more prompt transmittal specifically
is requested. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in your account at an ACH
member bank ordinarily two business days after receipt of the redemption
request. See "How to Buy Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Stock Certificates; Signatures. (All Funds) 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. For more information with respect to
signature-guarantees, please call one of the telephone numbers listed on the
cover.
Redemption Commitment. (All Funds) 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 the 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. 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
portfolio is valued. If the recipient sold such securities, brokerage charges
would be incurred.
Suspension of Redemptions. (All Funds) 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 Fund,
shares of certain other funds managed or administered by the Manager, to the
extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. A 1%
redemption fee will be charged upon an exchange of Fund shares (except for
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund), where the exchange occurs less than 15
days following the issuance of such shares. With regard to Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund, in exchange for shares of the Fund, you may purchase
shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds,
shares of the same Class of certain funds advised by Founders, or shares of
certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, and, with respect to Class T
shares of the Fund, Class A shares of certain Dreyfus Premier fixed-income
funds, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of
residence. Shares of other 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 offered without a sales load will
be made without a sales load in shares of other funds offered
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"), but 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 CDSC 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, you or, with respect to
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund, your Service Agent acting on your behalf
must notify the Transfer Agent of your prior ownership of Fund shares and your
account number.
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund shares subject to a CDSC also may
be exchanged 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 Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege, Dreyfus Dividend
Sweep and the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
To request an exchange, you or, with respect to Dreyfus Premier Technology
Growth Fund, 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 refuse 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.
Exchanges of Class R shares of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund 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 the fund into which the exchange is being made.
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits
you to purchase, in exchange for shares of a Fund, shares of another fund in the
Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are a shareholder. With regard to Dreyfus
Premier Technology Growth Fund, in exchange for shares of the Fund, you may
purchase shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Premier Family
of Funds, shares of the same Class of certain funds advised by Founders, or
shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, and, with respect
to Class T shares of the Fund, Class A shares of certain Dreyfus Premier
fixed-income funds, of which you are a shareholder. This Privilege is available
only for existing accounts. 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 you. 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 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.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. The Company reserves the right to reject any
exchange request in whole or in part. Shares may be exchanged only between
accounts having identical names and other identifying designations. The Fund
Exchanges service or 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 purchase 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 Dreyfus
Payroll Savings Plan account, you must file an authorization form with your
employer's payroll department. It is the sole responsibility of your employer to
arrange for transactions under the Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan.
Dreyfus Step Program. (All Funds, except Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth
Fund) Dreyfus Step Program enables you to purchase Fund shares without regard to
the Fund's minimum initial investment requirements through Dreyfus-Automatic
Asset Builder(R), Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll
Savings Plan. To establish a Dreyfus Step Program account, you must supply the
necessary information on the Account Application and file the required
authorization form(s) with the Transfer Agent. For more information concerning
this Program, or to request the necessary authorization form(s), please call
toll free 1-800-782-6620. You may terminate your participation in this Program
at any time by discontinuing participation in Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder,
Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan, as
the case may be, as provided under the terms of such Privilege(s). The Fund may
modify or terminate this Program at any time. If you wish to purchase Fund
shares through the Dreyfus Step Program in conjunction with a Dreyfus-sponsored
retirement plan, you may do so only for IRAs, SEP-IRAs and rollover IRAs.
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 another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds or
shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds,
shares of the same Class of certain funds advised by Founders, or shares of
certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, and with respect to Class T
shares of the Fund, Class A shares of certain Dreyfus Premier fixed-income
funds, of which you are a shareholder. Shares 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
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 that charges a sales
load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a sales
load (referred to herein as "Offered Shares"), but 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
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 ACH 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. The Automatic
Withdrawal Plan 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.
With respect to Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund, 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 1% 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 and Class T 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 and Class T shares where the sales load is imposed
concurrently with withdrawals of Class A and Class T shares generally are
undesirable.
Letter of Intent - Class A and Class T Shares. (Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund only) 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
13month 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 or Class T 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 or Class T
shares, you must indicate your intention to do so under a Letter of Intent.
Purchases pursuant to a Letter or 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 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),
401(k) Salary Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services also
are available.
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.
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 should consult a tax adviser.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Valuation of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund's 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 that open short
positions are valued at the asked price. 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 or,
if no such rate is quoted on such date, such other quoted market exchange rate
as may be determined to be appropriate by the Manager. Forward currency
contracts will be valued at the current cost of offsetting the contract. If a
Fund has to obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges
throughout the world, the calculation of net asset value may not take place
contemporaneously with the determination of prices of certain of the Fund's
securities. Short-term investments may be carried at amortized cost, which
approximates value. Expenses and fees, including the management fee and fees
pursuant to the Distribution Plan, if applicable, and the Shareholder Services
Plan, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining
the net asset value of a Fund's shares.
Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which
recent 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. 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 of the Company believes that each Fund has qualified for its
most recent fiscal year as a "regulated investment company" under the Code. Each
Fund intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the best
interests of its shareholders. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will
pay no Federal income tax on net investment income and net realized securities
gains to the extent 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.
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 your purchase may have the
effect of reducing the aggregate net asset value of your shares below the cost
of your investment. Such a dividend or distribution would be a return of
investment in an economic sense, although taxable as stated in the Fund's
Prospectus. In addition, 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
long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain distribution received.
Depending upon the composition of a Fund's income, all or a portion of the
dividends paid by the Fund from net investment income may qualify for the
dividends received deduction allowable to qualifying U.S. corporate shareholders
("dividends received deduction"). In general, dividend income from a Fund
distributed to qualifying corporate shareholders will be eligible for the
dividends received deduction only to the extent such Fund's income consists of
dividends paid by U.S. corporations. However, Section 246(c) of the Code
provides that if a qualifying corporate shareholder has disposed of Fund shares
held for less than 46 days, which 46 days generally must be during the 90-day
period commencing 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and has received
a dividend from net investment income with respect to such shares, the portion
designated by the Fund as qualifying for the dividends received deduction will
not be eligible for such shareholder's dividends received deduction. In
addition, the Code provides other limitations with respect to the ability of a
qualifying corporate shareholder to claim the dividends received deduction in
connection with holding Fund shares.
A Fund may qualify for and may make an election under Section 853 of the
Code to permit shareholders 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 incurred or paid
by the Fund to foreign countries. These taxes relate primarily to investment
income. A 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 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 gains 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 exercise or lapse of such contract and option 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 its then fair
market value, resulting in additional gain or loss to such Fund.
Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain financial 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 1256 and 988 of the
Code. As such, all or a portion of any short or long-term capital gain from
certain "straddle" transactions may be recharacterized to ordinary income.
If a Fund were treated as entering into "straddles" by reason of its
engaging in financial futures, forward contracts or options transactions, such
"straddles" would be characterized as "mixed straddles" if the futures, forward
contracts or options transactions comprising a part of such "straddles" were
governed by Section 1256 of the Code. A 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" and conversion transaction rules apply to positions established by
the Fund, losses realized by the Fund will be deferred to the extent of
unrealized gain in the offsetting position. 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 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 held beyond the end of the Fund's
taxable year 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.
Federal regulations require that you provide a certified taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") upon opening or reopening an account. See the
Account Application for further information concerning this requirement. Failure
to furnish a certified TIN to the Company could subject you to a $50 penalty
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Manager assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of
the Company for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. Allocation of
brokerage transactions, including their frequency, is made in the best judgment
of the Manager 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 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 the Manager's fees are not reduced as a consequence of the receipt
of such supplemental information. Such information may be useful to the Manager
in serving both the Company and other funds it advises and, conversely,
supplemental information obtained by the placement of business of other clients
may be useful to the Manager in carrying out its obligations to the Company.
Sales by a broker of shares of a Fund or other funds managed, advised or
administered 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 may, in certain
cases, 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 the Funds' 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. When transactions are executed
in the over-the-counter market, each Fund will deal with the primary market
makers unless a more favorable price or execution otherwise is obtainable.
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.
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. In
periods in which extraordinary market conditions prevail, the Manager will not
be deterred from changing a Fund's investment strategy as rapidly as needed, in
which case higher turnover rates can be anticipated which would result in
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. Higher portfolio turnover rates usually
generate additional brokerage commissions and transaction costs and any
short-term gains realized from these transactions are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the amounts
paid by the indicated Funds for brokerage commissions, gross spreads and
concessions on principal transactions, none of which was paid to the
Distributor, were as follows:
Name of Fund Brokerage Commissions Paid
- ------------ -------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ----
Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund $358,011 $ 584,746 $ 912,073
Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund $223,341 $1,304,668 $1,870,438
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999, the amounts
paid by the indicated Funds for brokerage commissions, gross spreads and
concessions on principal transactions none of which was paid to the Distributor,
were as follows:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Name of Fund Brokerage Commissions Paid
- ------------ -------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ----
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund $ 945,195 $ 536,245 $ 182,657
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund $ 763,570 $ 962,236 $ 659,462
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund $2,104,861 $2,289,601 $1,059,174
Dreyfus International Value Fund $ 275,265 $ 340,173 $ 0
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund $ 408,251 $ 726,775 $ 987,536
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund $ 0 $ 206,639(1) $ 303,340
- --------------------------
(1) For the period October 13, 1997 (commencement of operations) through August
31, 1998.
</TABLE>
The aggregate amount of transactions during the last fiscal year in
securities effected on an agency basis through a broker for, among other things,
research services, and the commissions and concessions related to such
transactions were as follows:
Transaction Amount Commissions and
Concessions
Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund $58,857,362 $ 67,075
Dreyfus MidCap Value Fund $ 0 $ 0
Dreyfus Small Cap Value Fund $75,665,006 $202,739
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund $ 0 $ 0
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund $37,781,161 $ 49,932
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund $13,984,163 $ 37,388
Dreyfus International Value Fund $ 0 $ 0
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund $18,909,862 $ 15,400
The Company contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the
most favorable net price, brokerage transactions may be conducted through the
Manager or its affiliates, including Dreyfus Investment Services Corporation
("DISC") and Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. ("DBS"). The Company's Board has
adopted procedures in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure
that all brokerage commissions paid to the Manager or its affiliates are
reasonable and fair.
During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997 and 1998, Dreyfus Aggressive
Value Fund paid to DISC, and during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999,
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund paid to DBS, brokerage commissions of $39,084, $0
and $24,111, respectively. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999, this amounted to approximately 9%, 0% and 4%, respectively, of the
aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for transactions involving
approximately 20%, 0% and 7%, respectively, of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions for which the Fund paid brokerage commissions.
During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997 and 1998, Dreyfus Emerging
Leaders Fund paid to DISC, and during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999,
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders paid to DBS, brokerage commissions of $0, $0 and
$2,825, respectively. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997, 1998 and
1999, this amounted to approximately 0%, 0% and 0.5%, respectively, of the
aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for transactions involving
approximately 0%, 0% and 0.9%, respectively, of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions for which the Fund paid brokerage commissions.
During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1997 and 1998, Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund paid to DISC, and during the fiscal year ended August 31,
1999, Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund paid to DBS, brokerage commissions
of $0, $0 and $28,475, respectively. During the fiscal years ended August 31,
1997, 1998 and 1999, this amounted to approximately 0%, 0% and 14%,
respectively, of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for
transactions involving approximately 0%, 0% and 16%, respectively, of the
aggregate dollar amount of transactions for which the Fund paid brokerage
commissions.
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, Dreyfus
Large Company Value Fund paid brokerage commissions of $17,828, $47,101 and
$456, respectively, to DISC. During the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996,
1997 and 1998, this amounted to approximately 16%, 10% and 0.08%, respectively,
of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for transactions
involving approximately 28%, 23% and 0.19%, respectively, of the aggregate
dollar amount of transactions for which the fund paid brokerage commissions.
With respect to Dreyfus Small Company Growth Fund, Dreyfus Aggressive
Growth Fund, Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund and Dreyfus International Equity Fund,
there were no brokerage commissions paid to the Manager or its affiliates for
their most current fiscal years.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
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's average annual total return figures
calculated in accordance with such formula assume that in the case of Class A or
Class T, 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.
Aggregate total return is calculated by subtracting the amount of the
Fund's net asset value (maximum offering price in the case of Class A or Class
T) per share at the beginning of a stated period from the net asset value
(maximum offering price in the case of Class A or Class T) 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 or
Class T) per share at the beginning of the period. Aggregate 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 or Class T 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 or Class T shares or any applicable CDSC with respect to Class B or
Class C shares, which, if reflected, would reduce the performance quoted.
For the indicated period ended August 31, 1999 (October 31, 1998 with
respect to Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund and Dreyfus Small Company Value
Fund), the returns for each Fund were as follows:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate Aggregate
Total Return Annual Total
Since Return Since
Inception Inception Based
Based on Net on Maximum Average Average
Name of Fund Asset Value Offering Price Annual Annual
(without (with deduction Total Total
deduction of of maximum Return One Return
maximum sales sales load or Year Since
load or CDSC) CDSC) Inception
Dreyfus Large Company Value Fund(1) 124.19% N/A 4.83% 18.15%
Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund(1) 82.10% N/A -20.83% 13.18%
Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund(2) -13.28% N/A 26.64% -3.57%
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund(2) 140.53% N/A 25.41% 25.09%
Dreyfus Midcap Value Fund(2) 123.21% N/A 55.71% 22.73%
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund(2) 183.33% N/A 50.54% 30.43%
Dreyfus International Value Fund(2) 56.90% N/A 28.19% 12.18%
Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund
Class A(3) 158.89% 144.05% 151.84% 60.73%
Class B(4) 13.73% 9.73%
Class C(4) 13.63% 12.63%
Class R(4) 14.05% N/A
- ---------------------------------------
(1) From December 29, 1993 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1998.
(2) September 29, 1995 (commencement of operations through August 31, 1999.
(3) October 13, 1997 (commencement of operations through August 31, 1999.
(4) April 15, 1999 (date of initial public offering through August 31, 1999.
</TABLE>
Class T shares of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund were not being
offered as of August 31, 1999, so performance information is not provided for
such Class.
From time to time, the Company may compare a Fund's 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.
Comparative performance information may be used form time to time in
advertising or marketing the Funds' shares, including data from Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Micropal, Morningstar, Inc., Standard & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index, Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index, the Dow Jones
Industrial Average, Russell Mid Cap Index, Money Magazine, Wilshire 5000 Index
and other industry publications. From time to time, advertising materials for
each Fund may include biographical information relating to its portfolio
manager, and may refer to or include commentary by the Fund's portfolio manager
relating to investment strategy, (including "growth" and "value" investing)
asset growth, current or past business, political, economic or financial
conditions and other matters of general interest to investors. Also, from time
to time, advertising materials for each Fund may include information concerning
retirement and investing for retirement, may refer to the approximate number of
then-current Fund shareholders and may refer to Lipper or Morningstar ratings
and related analysis supporting the ratings. In addition, from time to time,
advertising materials may refer to studies performed by the Manager or its
affiliates, such as "The Dreyfus Tax Informed Investing Study" or "The Dreyfus
Gender Investment Comparison Study" or other such studies. Advertisements for
Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund, Dreyfus Small Company Value Fund and Dreyfus
Premier Technology Growth Fund also may discuss the potential benefits and risks
of small cap investing.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND 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
are of one class, except in the case of Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund,
and have equal rights as to dividends and in liquidation. 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 Company 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 shareholder 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 eight series of shares.
All consideration received by the Company for shares of a Fund, and all assets
in which such consideration is invested, will belong to that Fund (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, a
Fund will be treated separately from those of the other Funds. 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. The Rule exempts the selection of independent
accountants and the election of Board members from the separate voting
requirements of the Rule.
Each Fund will send annual and semi-annual financial statements to all its
shareholders.
Each Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not
designed to provide investors with a means of speculation 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 engaged 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 or who makes exchanges that appear to coincide with an active
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 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 anticipated
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 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 Dreyfus 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.
Before September 29, 1995, the Company's name was Dreyfus Focus Funds,
Inc. Effective April 15, 1999, Dreyfus Technology Growth Fund changed its name
to Dreyfus Premier Technology Growth Fund.
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 S&P, Moody's, Fitch and 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
Bonds rated BB have less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative grade debt. However, they face major ongoing uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead
to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.
B
Bonds rated B have a greater vulnerability to default but presently have
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.
<PAGE>
CCC
Bonds rated CCC have a current identifiable vulnerability to default and
are dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet
timely payments of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial or economic conditions, they are 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 a
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
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood
of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
Issues assigned an A rating are regarded as having the greatest capacity for
timely payment. Issues in this category are delineated with the numbers 1, 2 and
3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.
A-1
This designation 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 (+)
designation.
A-2
Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong.
However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated
A-1.
A-3
Issues carrying this designation have a satisfactory capacity for timely
payment. They are, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
Moody's
Bond Ratings
Aaa
Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and generally are 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a
strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This
ordinarily will be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a
lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate,
may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is
maintained.
Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 (P-3) have an
acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The
effect of industry characteristics and market composition may be more
pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in
the level of debt protection measurements and the requirements for relatively
high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
Fitch
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 GROWTH AND VALUE 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) of Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December
22, 1993, and Exhibit (1)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 27,
1995.
(b) Registrant's By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 27, 1995.
(d) Revised Management Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit
(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A, filed on October 29, 1999.
(e) Revised Distribution Agreement is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 29, 1999.
(g) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 27, 1995.
(h) Revised Shareholder Services Plan is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 29, 1999.
(i) Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 22, 1993.
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A, filed on October 29, 1999.
(n) Rule 18f-3 Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A, filed on October 29, 1999.
<PAGE>
Item 23. Exhibits. - List (continued)
- ------- -----------------------------------------------------
Other Exhibits
--------------
(a) Powers of Attorney of the Board members and officers are
incorporated by reference to Other Exhibits (a) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 27, 1998.
(b) Certificate of Secretary is incorporated by reference to
Other Exhibits (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
February 27, 1998.
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 25 of Part C of Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 17, 1998.
Reference is also made to the Distribution Agreement attached as
Exhibit (6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 27, 1995.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
- ------- ----------------------------------------------------
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
Name and Position
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher M. Condron Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC* Director 1/97 - Present
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 10/97 - Present
President 10/97 - 6/98
Chairman 10/97 - 6/98
The Boston Company Director 1/98 - Present
Asset Management, LLC* Chairman 1/98 - 6/98
President 1/98 - 6/98
The Boston Company President 9/95 - 1/98
Asset Management, Inc.* Chairman 4/95 - 1/98
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 1/97 - Present
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.** Director 6/95 -Present
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
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Director 1/99 - Present
Chief Operating Officer 3/98 - Present
President 3/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 3/98
Mellon Financial Corporation+ Chief Operating Officer 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 1/99
Christopher M. Condron The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/94 - Present
Chairman and Chief Executive Director 5/93 - Present
Officer
(Continued) Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Exec. Committee 1/98 - 8/98
Member
Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 10/93 - 1/98
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 5/93 -Present
Company*
The Boston Company Financial President 6/89 - Present
Strategies, Inc. * Director 6/89 - Present
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 Financial Corporation+ Director 6/91 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Director 6/91 - Present
Dentsply International, Inc. Director 2/81 - Present
570 West College Avenue
York, PA
Quill Corporation Director 3/93 - Present
Lincolnshire, IL
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
Newton Management Limited Director 2/99 - Present
London, England
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member
Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC* Director 2/99 - Present
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 2/99 - Present
The Boston Company Asset Director 2/99 - Present
Management, LLC*
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 2/99 - Present
Mellon Capital Management Director 1/99 - Present
Corporation***
Stephen E. Canter Founders Asset Management, LLC**** Member, Board of 12/97 - Present
President, Chief Operating Managers
Officer, Chief Investment Acting Chief Executive 7/98 - 12/98
Officer, and Director Officer
(Continued)
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 6/95 - Present
Chairman 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 1/99 - Present
Thomas F. Eggers Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Executive Vice President 4/96 - Present
Vice Chairman - Institutional Director 9/96 - Present
and Director
Founders Asset Management, LLC**** Member, Board of Managers 2/99 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization++ Director 3/99 - Present
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 3/99 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc. +++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Director 11/97 - 6/98
401 North Maple Avenue
Beverly Hills, CA.
Steven G. Elliott Mellon Financial 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 - 2/99
500 Grant Street Director 9/88 - 2/99
Pittsburgh, PA 15258 Vice President 9/88 - 2/99
Treasurer 9/88 - 2/99
Steven G. Elliott Mellon Financial Company+ Principal Exec. Officer 1/88 - Present
Director (Continued) Chief Financial Officer 8/87 - Present
Mellon Overseas Investments Director 8/87 - Present
Corporation+ President 8/87 - Present
Director 4/88 - Present
Chairman 7/89 - 11/97
Mellon International Investment President 4/88 - 11/97
Corporation+ Chief Executive Officer 4/88 - 11/97
Director 9/89 - 8/97
Mellon Financial Services Treasurer 12/87 - Present
Corporation +
Mellon Financial Markets, Inc.+ Director 1/99 - Present
Mellon Financial Services Director 1/99 - Present
Corporation #17
Fort Lee, NJ
Mellon Mortgage Company Director 1/99 - Present
Houston, TX
Mellon Ventures, Inc. + Director 1/99 - Present
Lawrence S. Kash Dreyfus Investment Director 4/97 - Present
Vice Chairman Advisors, Inc.++
And Director
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 11/97 - 2/99
401 North Maple Ave. Chief Executive Officer 11/97 - 2/98
Beverly Hills, CA
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Director 1/95 - 2/99
President 9/96 - 3/99
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.+++ Director 3/96 - 12/98
President 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Director 12/94 - 3/99
Organization, Inc.++ President 1/97 - 3/99
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++ Director 1/97 - 4/99
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Chairman 5/97 - 3/99
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ President 5/97 - 3/99
Director 5/97 - 3/99
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chairman 1/97 - 1/99
President 2/97 - 1/99
Chief Executive Officer 2/97 - 1/99
Director 12/94 - Present
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Chairman 5/97 - 6/99
Corporation++ President 5/97 - 6/99
Director 12/94 - 6/99
Founders Asset Management, LLC**** Member, Board of Managers 12/97 - Present
Lawrence S. Kash The Boston Company Advisors, Chairman 12/95 - Present
Vice Chairman Inc. Chief Executive Officer 12/95 - Present
And Director (Continued) Wilmington, DE President 12/95 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Executive Vice President
6/92 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Chairman 1/98 - 8/98
Executive Committee 1/98 - 8/98
Member
Chief Executive Officer 1/98 - 8/98
President 1/98 - 8/98
Laurel Capital Advisors, Inc. + Trustee 12/91 - 1/98
Chairman 9/93 - 1/98
President and CEO 12/91 - 1/98
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Martin G. McGuinn Mellon Financial 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 - 3/98
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 Director 3/99 - Present
And Director
Dreyfus Service Organization++ Director 3/99 - Present
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 3/99 - Present
401 North Maple Avenue
Beverly Hills, CA
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.++ Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Residential Funding Corp. + Director 4/97 - Present
J. David Officer Mellon Trust of Florida, N.A. Director 8/97 - Present
Vice Chairman and 2875 Northeast 191st Street
Director (Continued) 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 7/96 - Present
Company* President 7/96 - 1/99
Mellon Trust of New York Director 6/96 - Present
1301 Avenue of the Americas
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 Chief Executive Officer 12/98 - Present
Prudential Securities
New York, NY Senior Vice President 07/91 - 11/98
Regional Director 07/91 - 11/98
Richard F. Syron Thermo Electron President 6/99 - Present
Director 81 Wyman Street Chief Executive Officer 6/99 - Present
Waltham, MA 02454-9046
American Stock Exchange Chairman 4/94 -6/99
86 Trinity Place Chief Executive Officer 4/94 - 6/99
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
Ronald P. O'Hanley The Boston Company Asset Chairman 6/98 - Present
Vice Chairman Management, LLC* Director 1/98 - 6/98
(Continued)
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
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
Dreyfus Service Director 3/97 - 3/99
Organization, Inc.++
William H. Maresca The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chief Financial Officer 3/99 - Present
Controller Treasurer 9/98 - Present
Director 3/97 - Present
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
William H. Maresca Trotwood Hunters Site A Corp. ++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Controller (Continued)
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Chief Financial Officer 5/98 - Present
One American Express Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Dreyfus Service Treasurer 3/99 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ Assistant Treasurer 3/93 - 3/99
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ Assistant Treasurer 5/98 - Present
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
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
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
The Dreyfus Trust Company +++ Director 1/96 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization, Treasurer 10/96- 3/99
Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/97 - 3/99
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ Treasurer 5/97- 3/99
Executive Vice President 5/97 - 3/99
Diane P. Durnin Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Senior Vice President - 5/95 - 3/99
Vice President - Product Marketing and
Development Advertising Division
Patrice M. Kozlowski None
Vice President - Corporate
Communications
Mary Beth Leibig None
Vice President -
Human Resources
Theodore A. Schachar Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Vice President -Tax 10/96 - Present
Vice President - Tax
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Chairman 6/99 - Present
Corporation ++ President 6/99 - Present
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
Andrew S. Wasser Mellon Financial Corporation+ Vice President 1/95 - Present
Vice-President -
Information Systems
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 2930 East Third Avenue,Denver,
Colorado 80206.
+ 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
**** The address of the business so indicated is 2930 East Third Avenue,Denver,
Colorado 80206.
</TABLE>
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 Equity Funds
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
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
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
Stephanie D. Pierce++ Vice President Vice President,
Assistant Secretary
and Assistant
Treasurer
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.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
_______ ________________________________
1. Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
2. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
3. 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 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
15th day of December, 1999.
DREYFUS GROWTH AND VALUE FUNDS, INC.
-------------------------------------
BY: /s/MARIE E. CONNOLLY*
-----------------------------
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, PRESIDENT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, 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 12/15/99
______________________________ (Principal Executive Officer)
Marie E. Connolly
/s/Joseph F. Tower, III* Vice President and Assistant 12/15/99
______________________________ Treasurer (Principal Financial
Joseph F. Tower, III and Accounting Officer)
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino* Chairman of the Board 12/15/99
- ------------------------------
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/David P. Feldman* Board Member 12/15/99
- ------------------------------
David P. Feldman
/s/John M. Fraser, Jr.* Board Member 12/15/99
- ------------------------------
John M. Fraser, Jr.
/s/Ehud Houminer * Board Member 12/15/99
- ------------------------------
Ehud Houminer
/s/Gloria Messinger* Board Member 12/15/99
- ------------------------------
Gloria Messinger
/s/John Szarkowski* Board Member 12/15/99
- ------------------------------
John Szarkowski
/s/Anne Wexler* Board Member 12/15/99
- ------------------------------
Anne Wexler
*BY: /s/Stephanie D. Pierce
-------------------------
Stephanie D. Pierce
Attorney-in-Facts
EXHIBIT INDEX
(J) Consent of Independent auditors
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 October 5, 1999 for Dreyfus Aggressive Growth Fund,
Dreyfus Aggressive Value Fund, Dreyfus Emerging Leaders Fund, Dreyfus
International Value Fund, Dreyfus MidCap Value Fund and Dreyfus Premier
Technology Growth Fund, which are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement (Form N-1A No. 33-51061) of Dreyfus Growth and
Value Funds, Inc.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
December 14, 1999
