0000914775-11-000195.txt : 20110928 0000914775-11-000195.hdr.sgml : 20110928 20110928141534 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000914775-11-000195 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 485BPOS PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 15 FILED AS OF DATE: 20110928 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110928 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20111001 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DREYFUS LAUREL FUNDS TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000053808 IRS NUMBER: 042694144 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485BPOS SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-43846 FILM NUMBER: 111111576 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: THE DREYFUS CORPORATION STREET 2: 200 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10166 BUSINESS PHONE: 2129226787 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: DREYFUS CORPORATION STREET 2: 200 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10166 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: LAUREL FUNDS TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BOSTON COMPANY FUND DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: JOHNSTON MUTUAL FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19810517 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DREYFUS LAUREL FUNDS TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000053808 IRS NUMBER: 042694144 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485BPOS SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-00524 FILM NUMBER: 111111577 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: THE DREYFUS CORPORATION STREET 2: 200 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10166 BUSINESS PHONE: 2129226787 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: DREYFUS CORPORATION STREET 2: 200 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10166 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: LAUREL FUNDS TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BOSTON COMPANY FUND DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: JOHNSTON MUTUAL FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19810517 0000053808 S000012565 Dreyfus Equity Income Fund C000034167 Class A DQIAX C000034168 Class C DQICX C000034169 Class I DQIRX 0000053808 S000022908 Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund C000066431 Class A DDBAX C000066432 Class C DDBCX C000066433 Class I DDBIX 485BPOS 1 lp1dlft.htm POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 165 lp1dlft.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

 

File No. 33-43846

811-524

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                          [X]

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.                                                                                                [  ]

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 165                                                                [X]

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940    [X]

 

Amendment No. 165                                                                                                   [X]

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust

(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

 

Michael A. Rosenberg, Esq.

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

---        immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) 

 

-X--      on October 1, 2011 pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

---        60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 

---        on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 

---        75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

 

---        on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

             

 


 

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

---        this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

The following post-effective amendment to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A relates to Dreyfus Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund and does not affect the Registration Statement of the series below:

 

DREYFUS CORE VALUE FUND

DREYFUS HIGH YIELD FUND

DREYFUS INTERNATIONAL BOND FUND

DREYFUS GLOBAL EQUITY INCOME FUND

 

 


 

Dreyfus Equity Income Fund

       
     

 

Prospectus

October 1, 2011

 

Class  Ticker

A  DQIAX

C  DQICX

I  DQIRX

   

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.

 

 

 

Contents

Fund Summary
   

Fund Summary

1

Fund Details
   

Goal and Approach

5

Investment Risks

5

Management

7

Shareholder Guide
   

Choosing a Share Class

9

Buying and Selling Shares

12

General Policies

14

Distributions and Taxes

15

Services for Fund Investors

16

Financial Highlights

17

For More Information

See back cover.

 

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The fund seeks total return (consisting of capital appreciation and income).

Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section on page 8 of the Prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section on page B-40 of the fund's Statement of Additional Information. Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year.

                 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases

(as a percentage of offering price)

5.75

none

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load)

(as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

none

1.00

none

       

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Management fees

.75

.75

.75

Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees

none

.75

none

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

4.65

4.69

4.50

Total annual fund operating expenses

5.40

6.19

5.25

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement*

(3.90)

(3.94)

(4.00)

Total annual fund operating expenses

(after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

1.50

2.25

1.25

*The Dreyfus Corporation has contractually agreed, until October 1, 2012, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund so that the expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed 1.25%. After October 1, 2012, The Dreyfus Corporation may terminate the expense limitation at any time.

Example

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The one-year example and the first year of the three-, five- and ten-years examples are based on net operating expenses, which reflect the expense waiver/reimbursement by The Dreyfus Corporation. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

         
 

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A

$719

$1,768

$2,809

$5,375

Class C

$328

$1,485

$2,712

$5,655

Class I

$127

$1,214

$2,295

$4,975

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

1

 

 

         
 

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A

$719

$1,768

$2,809

$5,375

Class C

$228

$1,485

$2,712

$5,655

Class I

$127

$1,214

$2,295

$4,975

Portfolio Turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 121.84% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategy

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in equity securities. The fund seeks to focus on dividend-paying stocks and other investments and investment techniques that provide income. The investment adviser chooses stocks through a disciplined investment process that combines computer modeling techniques, fundamental analysis and risk management. In selecting securities, the fund’s portfolio managers use a proprietary computer model to identify and rank stocks within an industry or sector, based on several characteristics, including:

·  value, or how a stock is priced relative to its perceived intrinsic worth

·  growth, in this case the sustainability or growth of earnings

·  financial profile, which measures the financial health of the company

Based on fundamental analysis, the portfolio managers generally select the most attractive of the higher ranked securities and manage risk by diversifying across companies and industries. The fund may invest in stocks with either value or growth characteristics.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

· Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general weakness in the stock market or because of factors that affect the company or its particular industry.

· Growth and value stock risk. By investing in a mix of growth and value companies, the fund assumes the risks of both. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks typically lack the dividend yield that can cushion stock prices in market downturns. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the stock's intrinsic worth, or the expected value was misgauged. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown. More recent performance information may be available at www.dreyfus.com.

2

 

 

   
 

Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%)

Class A

Best Quarter
Q2, 2009: 12.89%

Worst Quarter
Q4, 2008: -19.17%

The year-to-date total return of the fund's Class A shares as of 6/30/11 was 8.32%.

After-tax performance is shown only for Class A shares. After-tax performance of the fund’s other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

       

Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/10)

Class (Inception Date)

   

1 Year

Since Inception

Class A (7/05/06) returns before taxes

 

6.09%

-0.17%

Class A returns after taxes on distributions

 

5.85%

-0.46%

Class A returns after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares

 

4.24%

-0.15%

Class C (7/05/06) returns before taxes

 

10.67%

0.39%

Class I (7/05/06) returns before taxes

 

12.91%

1.43%

S&P 500 Index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes*

 

15.08%

1.95%

* For comparative purposes, the value of the S&P 500 Index on 6/30/06 is used as the beginning value on 7/5/06.

Portfolio Management

The fund’s investment adviser is The Dreyfus Corporation. Investment decisions for the fund are made by the Active Equity Team of Mellon Capital Management Corporation (Mellon Capital), an affiliate of The Dreyfus Corporation. The team members are Jocelin A. Reed, CFA, C. Wesley Boggs, Warren Chiang, CFA, Ronald Gala, CFA, Langton Garvin, CFA, and Patrick Slattery, CFA, each of whom serves as a portfolio manager of the fund. The team has managed the fund since May 2011. Ms. Reed has been a primary portfolio manager of the fund since the fund’s inception. Ms. Reed is a director and senior portfolio manager at Mellon Capital. Mr. Boggs is a vice president and senior portfolio manager at Mellon Capital. Mr. Chiang is a managing director of active equity strategies at Mellon Capital. Mr. Gala is a director and senior portfolio manager at Mellon Capital. Mr. Garvin is a director at Mellon Capital. Mr. Slattery is a vice president and a portfolio manager at Mellon Capital. Each member of the team is also an employee of the Dreyfus Corporation. There are no limitations on the role of a team member with respect to making investment decisions for the fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

In general, the fund's minimum initial investment is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $100. You may sell your shares on any business day by calling 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) or by visiting www.dreyfus.com. You may also mail your request to sell shares to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 55268, Boston, MA, 02205-5268.

Tax Information

The fund’s distributions are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

3

 

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

4

 

 

Fund Details

Goal and Approach

The fund seeks total return (consisting of capital appreciation and income). This objective may be changed by the fund’s board, upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities. The fund seeks to focus on dividend paying stocks and other investments and investment techniques that provide income. The investment adviser chooses stocks through a disciplined investment process that combines computer modeling techniques, fundamental analysis and risk management.

The fund may invest in stocks with either value or growth characteristics. The fund’s investment process is designed to provide investors with broad exposure to the investment characteristics and different sectors of the Standard & Poor’s 500® Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500 Index) with an emphasis on higher dividend paying stocks within each market segment. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks chosen to reflect the industries of the U.S. economy. The fund’s equity investments may include common stocks, preferred stocks, real estate investment trust securities, convertible securities and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), including those purchased in initial public offerings (IPOs). Preferred stock is a class of capital stock that typically pays dividends at a specified rate. Convertible securities are securities that have characteristics similar to both fixed-income and equity securities. The fund considers convertible securities in which it invests to be equity securities. Convertible securities may be converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of the issuer’s common stock. The fund also may invest in fixed-income securities and money market instruments.

In selecting securities, the fund’s portfolio managers use a proprietary computer model to identify and rank stocks within an industry or sector, based on several characteristics, including:

· value, or how a stock is priced relative to its perceived intrinsic worth

· growth, in this case the sustainability or growth of earnings

· financial profile, which measures the financial health of the company

Next, based on fundamental analysis, the portfolio managers generally select the most attractive of the higher ranked securities, drawing on a variety of sources, including internal as well as Wall Street research and company management.

Finally, the portfolio managers manage risk by diversifying across companies and industries, seeking to limit the potential adverse impact from any one stock or industry. The fund may at times overweight certain sectors in attempting to achieve higher yields.

The fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities and indexes), as a substitute for investing directly in an underlying asset, to increase returns or income, or as part of a hedging strategy.

Investment Risks

An investment in the 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. The value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

· Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general market conditions that are not related to the particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally. A security's market value also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry, or factors that affect a particular company, such as management performance, financial leverage, and reduced demand for the company's products or services.

5

 

 

· Growth and value stock risk. By investing in a mix of growth and value companies, the fund assumes the risks of both. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks typically lack the dividend yield that can cushion stock prices in market downturns. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the stock's intrinsic worth, or the expected value was misgauged. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued.

In addition to the principal risks described above, the fund is subject to the following additional risks.

· Market sector risk. The fund may significantly overweight or underweight certain companies, industries or market sectors, which may cause the fund's performance to be more or less sensitive to developments affecting those companies, industries or sectors.

· Preferred stock risk. Preferred stock is a class of a capital stock that typically pays dividends at a specified rate. Preferred stock is generally senior to common stock, but subordinate to debt securities, with respect to the payment of dividends and on liquidation of the issuer. The market value of preferred stock generally decreases when interest rates rise and is also affected by the issuer’s ability to make payments on the preferred stock.

· Convertible securities risk. Convertible securities may be converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of common stock. Convertible securities generally are subordinated to other similar but non-convertible securities of the same issuer. Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase. 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. Although convertible securities provide for a stable stream of income, they are subject to the risk that their issuers may default on their obligations. Convertible securities also offer the potential for capital appreciation through the conversion feature, although there can be no assurance of capital appreciation 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.

· Derivatives risk. A small investment in derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund's performance. The use of derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying assets. Derivatives can be highly volatile, illiquid and difficult to value, and there is the risk that changes in the value of a derivative held by the fund will not correlate with the underlying instruments or the fund's other investments. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the derivative instruments to make required payments or otherwise comply with the derivative instruments' terms. Certain types of derivatives involve greater risks than the underlying obligations because, in addition to general market risks, they are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and pricing risk. Additionally, some derivatives involve economic leverage, which could increase the volatility of these investments as they may fluctuate in value more than the underlying instrument.

· Other potential risks. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. In connection with such loans, the fund will receive collateral from the borrower equal to at least 100% of the value of loaned securities. If the borrower of the securities fails financially, there could be delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising rights to the collateral.

Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets in U.S. Treasury securities and money market securities. Although the fund would do this for temporary defensive purposes, it could reduce the benefit from any upswing in the market. During such periods, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.

The fund may invest in ADRs, which represent indirect ownership of securities issued by foreign companies. The securities of foreign issuers carry additional risks, such as less liquidity, changes in currency exchange rates, a lack of comprehensive company information, differing auditing and legal standards and political and economic instability.

Any investment in fixed-income securities will be subject primarily to interest rate and credit risks. Prices of bonds tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in rates will adversely affect bond prices and, to the extent the fund invests in bonds, the fund’s share price. The longer the effective maturity and duration of these investments, the more likely the fund’s share price will react to interest rates. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of the security will fail to make timely interest or principal payments, and includes the possibility that any of the fund’s fixed-income investments will have its credit rating downgraded.

The fund may purchase securities of companies in IPOs. The prices of securities purchased in IPOs can be very volatile. The effect of IPOs on the fund’s performance depends on a variety of factors, including the number of IPOs the fund invests in relative to the size of the fund and whether and to what extent a security purchased in an IPO appreciates or depreciates in value. As a fund’s asset base increases, IPOs often have a diminished effect on such fund’s performance.

6

 

 

Management

The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus), 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages approximately $272 billion in 192 mutual fund portfolios. The fund has agreed to pay Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the fund’s average daily net assets. For the past fiscal year, Dreyfus waived receipt of its management fee pursuant to an undertaking in effect. A discussion regarding the basis for the board’s approving the fund’s management agreement with Dreyfus is available in the fund’s annual report for the period ended May 31, 2011. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon), a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, offering investment management and investment services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $26.3 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.3 trillion in assets under management, services $11.8 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.7 trillion per day. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. BNY Mellon Asset Management is the umbrella organization for BNY Mellon’s affiliated investment management firms and global distribution companies. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.

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, stable identity.

Investment decisions for the fund are made by the Active Equity Team of Mellon Capital Management Corporation (Mellon Capital), an affiliate of Dreyfus. The team members are Jocelin A. Reed, CFA, C. Wesley Boggs, Warren Chiang, CFA, Ronald Gala, CFA, Langton Garvin, CFA, and Patrick Slattery, CFA, each of whom serves as a portfolio manager of the fund. The team has managed the fund since May 2011. Ms. Reed has been a primary portfolio manager of the fund since the fund’s inception. Ms. Reed is a director and senior portfolio manager at Mellon Capital and has been employed by other current or predecessor BNY Mellon entities since 1994. She has also been employed by Dreyfus since November 1997. Mr. Boggs is a vice president and senior portfolio manager at Mellon Capital, where he has been employed since January 1993. He has also been employed by Dreyfus since September 2007. Mr. Chiang is a managing director of active equity strategies at Mellon Capital, where he has been employed since 1997. He has also been employed by Dreyfus since September 2007. Mr. Gala is a director and senior portfolio manager at Mellon Capital and has been employed by other current or predecessor BNY Mellon entities since 1993. He has also been employed by Dreyfus since May 1998. Mr. Garvin is a director at Mellon Capital, and has been employed by other current or predecessor BNY Mellon entities since 2004. He has also been employed by Dreyfus since July 2005. Mr. Slattery is a vice president and a portfolio manager at Mellon Capital, and has been employed by other current or predecessor BNY Mellon entities since 2005. He has also been employed by Dreyfus since July 2005. There are no limitations on the role of a team member with respect to making investment decisions for the fund.

The fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional portfolio manager information, including compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of fund shares.

MBSC Securities Corporation (MBSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves as distributor of the fund and of the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Rule 12b-1 fees and shareholder services fees are paid to MBSC for financing the sale and distribution of fund shares and for providing shareholder account service and maintenance, respectively. Dreyfus or MBSC may provide cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds or provide other services. Such payments are separate from any sales charges, 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder services fees or other expenses that may be paid by a fund to those intermediaries. Because those payments are not made by fund shareholders or the fund, the fund's total expense ratio will not be affected by any such payments. These payments may be made to intermediaries, including affiliates, that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the financial intermediary. Cash compensation also may be paid from Dreyfus' or MBSC's own resources to intermediaries for inclusion of a fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are referred to as "revenue sharing." From time to time, Dreyfus or MBSC also may provide cash or non-cash compensation to financial intermediaries or their representatives in the form of occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorships; support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations. In some cases, these payments or compensation may create an incentive for a financial intermediary or its employees to recommend or sell shares of the fund to you. Please contact your financial representative for details about any payments they or their firm may receive in connection with the sale of fund shares or the provision of services to the fund.

7

 

 

The fund, Dreyfus and MBSC have each adopted a code of ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such code, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund. Each code of ethics restricts the personal securities transactions of employees, and requires portfolio managers and other investment personnel to comply with the code's preclearance and disclosure procedures. The primary purpose of the respective codes is to ensure that personal trading by employees does not disadvantage any fund managed by Dreyfus or its affiliates.

8

 

 

Shareholder Guide

Choosing a Share Class

The fund is 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 that are different from those described in this prospectus. Consult a representative of your financial institution for further information.

This prospectus offers Class A, C and I shares of the fund.

Your financial representative may receive different compensation for selling one class of shares than for selling another class. It is important to remember that any contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) or Rule 12b-1 fees have the same purpose as the front-end sales charge: to compensate the distributor for concessions and expenses it pays to dealers and financial institutions in connection with the sale of fund shares. A CDSC is not charged on fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of fund dividends. Because the Rule 12b-1 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.

The different classes of fund shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and will likely have different share prices. When choosing a class, you should consider your investment amount, anticipated holding period, the potential costs over your holding period and whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of the sales charge.

A complete description of these classes follows. You should review these arrangements with your financial representative before determining which class to invest in.

Class A Shares

When you invest in Class A shares,  you pay the public offering price, which is the share price, or net asset value (NAV), plus the initial sales charge that may apply to your purchase. The amount of the initial sales charge is based on the size of your investment, as the following table shows. We also describe below how you may reduce or eliminate the initial sales charge (see "Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers"). Class A shares are subject to an annual shareholder services fee of .25%.

Since some of your investment  goes to pay an up-front sales charge when you purchase Class A shares, you purchase fewer shares than you would with the same investment in Class C shares. Nevertheless, you are usually better off purchasing Class A shares, rather than Class C shares, and paying an up-front sales charge if you:

· plan to own the shares for an extended period of time, since the ongoing Rule 12b-1 fees on Class C shares may eventually exceed the cost of the up-front sales charge; and

· qualify for a reduced or waived sales charge

If you invest $1 million or more  (and are not eligible to purchase Class I shares), Class A shares will always be the most advantageous choice. Shareholders who received Class A shares in exchange for Class T shares of the fund may be eligible for lower sales charges. See the SAI for further details.

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Total Sales Load -- Class A Shares

Amount of Transaction

As a % of Offering
Price per Share

As a % of Net Asset

Value per Share

Less than $50,000

5.75

6.10

$50,000 to less than $100,000

4.50

4.71

$100,000 to less than $250,000

3.50

3.63

$250,000 to less than $500,000

2.50

2.56

$500,000 to less than $1,000,000

2.00

2.04

$1,000,000 or more

-0-

-0-

No sales charge applies on investments of $1 million or more, but a CDSC of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions of such shares within one year of the date of purchase.

Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

To receive a reduction or waiver of your initial sales charge, you must let your financial intermediary or the fund know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction or waiver. If you do not let your financial intermediary or the fund know that you are eligible for a reduction or waiver, you may not receive the reduction or waiver to which you are otherwise entitled. In order to receive a reduction or waiver, you may be required to provide your financial intermediary or the fund with evidence of your qualification for the reduction or waiver, such as records regarding shares of certain Dreyfus Funds held in accounts with that financial intermediary and other financial intermediaries. Additional information regarding reductions and waivers of sales loads is available, free of charge, at www.dreyfus.com and in the SAI.

You can reduce your initial sales charge in the following ways:

· Rights of accumulation. You can count toward the amount of your investment your total account value in all share classes of the fund and certain other Dreyfus Funds that are subject to a sales charge. For example, if you have $1 million invested in shares of certain other Dreyfus Funds that are subject to a sales charge, you can invest in Class A shares of any fund without an initial sales charge. We may terminate or change this privilege at any time on written notice.

· Letter of intent. You can sign a letter of intent, in which you agree to invest a certain amount (your goal) in the fund and certain other Dreyfus Funds over a 13-month period, and your initial sales charge will be based on your goal. A 90-day back-dated period can also be used to count previous purchases toward your goal. Your goal must be at least $50,000, and your initial investment must be at least $5,000. The sales charge will be adjusted if you do not meet your goal.

· Combine with family members. You can also count toward the amount of your investment all investments in certain other Dreyfus Funds, in any class of shares that is subject to a sales charge, by your spouse and your children under age 21 (family members), including their rights of accumulation and goals under a letter of intent. Certain other groups may also be permitted to combine purchases for purposes of reducing or eliminating sales charges (see "How to Buy Shares" in the SAI).

Class A shares may be purchased at NAV without payment of a sales charge by the following individuals and entities:

· full-time or part-time employees, and their family members, of Dreyfus or any of its affiliates

· board members of Dreyfus and board members of the Dreyfus Family of Funds

· full-time employees, and their family members, of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the fund's distributor

· "wrap" accounts for the benefit of clients of financial institutions, provided they have entered into an agreement with the fund's distributor specifying operating policies and standards

· qualified separate accounts maintained by an insurance company; any state, county or city or instrumentality thereof; and charitable organizations investing $50,000 or more in fund shares and charitable remainder trusts, provided that such Class A shares are purchased directly through the fund's distributor

· qualified investors who (i) purchase Class A shares directly through the fund's distributor, and (ii) have, or whose spouse or minor children have, beneficially owned shares of a Dreyfus Fund and continuously maintained an open account with the distributor in that fund since on or before February 28, 2006

· by investors with the cash proceeds from the investor's exercise of stock options and/or disposition of stock related to employment-based stock plans, whether invested in the fund directly or indirectly through an exchange from a Dreyfus money market fund, provided that the proceeds are processed through an entity that has entered into an

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agreement with the fund's distributor specifically relating to administering employment-based stock plans. Upon establishing the account in the fund or the Dreyfus money market fund, the investor and the investor's spouse and minor children become eligible to purchase Class A share of the fund at net asset value, whether or not the investor uses the proceeds related to the employment-based stock plan to establish the account

· members of qualified affinity groups who purchase Class A shares directly through the fund's distributor, provided that the qualified affinity group has entered into an affinity agreement with the distributor

· employees participating in qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans

· shareholders in Dreyfus-sponsored IRA rollover accounts funded with the distribution proceeds from qualified and non-qualified retirement plans or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided that, in the case of a qualified or non-qualified retirement plan, the rollover is processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the fund's distributor specifically relating to processing rollovers. Upon establishing the Dreyfus-sponsored IRA rollover account in the fund, the shareholder becomes eligible to make subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the fund at NAV in such account

Class C Shares

Since you pay no initial sales charge, an investment of less than $1 million in Class C shares buys more shares than the same investment would in Class A shares. However, Class C shares are subject to an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of .75% and an annual shareholder services fee of .25%. Over time, the Rule 12b-1 fees may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge on Class A shares. Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC.

Because Class A shares will always be a more favorable investment than Class C shares for investments of $1 million or more, the fund will generally not accept a purchase order for Class C shares in the amount of $1 million or more. While the fund will take reasonable steps to prevent investments of $1 million or more in Class C shares, it may not be able to identify such investments made through certain financial intermediaries or omnibus accounts.

Class I Shares

Since you pay no initial sales charge, an investment of less than $1 million in Class I shares buys more shares than the same investment would in a class that charges an initial sales charge. There is also no CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class I shares, and you do not pay any ongoing service or distribution fees.

Class I shares may be purchased by:

· bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the fund's distributor to offer Class I shares to their clients

· institutional investors acting in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension, profit-sharing and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities, trade or labor unions, or state and local governments, and IRAs set up under Simplified Employee Pension Plans that have entered into agreements with the fund's distributor to offer Class I shares to such plans

· law firms or attorneys acting as trustees or executors/administrators

· foundations and endowments that make an initial investment in the fund of at least $1 million

· sponsors of college savings plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, that maintain an omnibus account with the fund and do not require shareholder tax reporting or 529 account support responsibilities from the fund's distributor

· advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available

· certain institutional clients of a BNY Mellon investment advisory subsidiary, provided that such clients are approved by Dreyfus

· unaffiliated investment companies approved by the fund's distributor

CDSC Waivers

The fund's CDSC on Class A and C shares may be waived in the following cases:

· permitted exchanges of shares, except if shares acquired by exchange are then redeemed within the period during which a CDSC would apply to the initial shares purchased

· redemptions made within one year of death or disability of the shareholder

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· redemptions due to receiving required minimum distributions from retirement accounts upon reaching age 70½

· redemptions made through the fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan, if such redemptions do not exceed 12% of the value of the account annually

· redemptions from qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans

Buying and Selling Shares

Dreyfus generally calculates fund NAVs as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on days the NYSE is open for regular business. Your order will be priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form by the fund's transfer agent or other authorized entity. When calculating NAVs, Dreyfus values equity investments on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Dreyfus generally values fixed income investments based on values supplied by an independent pricing service approved by the fund's board. The pricing service's procedures are reviewed under the general supervision of the board. If market quotations or prices from a pricing service are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect accurately fair value, the fund may value those investments at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the fund's board. Fair value of investments may be determined by the fund's board, its pricing committee or its valuation committee in good faith using such information as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Under certain circumstances, the fair value of foreign equity securities will be provided by an independent pricing service. Using fair value to price investments may result in a value that is different from a security's most recent closing price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values. Foreign securities held by a fund may trade on days when the fund does not calculate its NAV and thus may affect the fund's NAV on days when investors have no access to the fund.

Investments in certain types of thinly traded securities may provide short-term traders arbitrage opportunities with respect to the fund's shares. For example, arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security or securities is halted and does not resume, or the market on which such securities are traded closes before the fund calculates its NAV. If short-term investors of the fund were able to take advantage of these arbitrage opportunities, they could dilute the NAV of fund shares held by long-term investors. Portfolio valuation policies can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that such valuation policies will prevent dilution of the fund's NAV by short-term traders. While the fund has a policy regarding frequent trading, it too may not be completely effective to prevent short-term NAV arbitrage trading, particularly in regard to omnibus accounts. Please see "Shareholder Guide — General Policies" for further information about the fund's frequent trading policy.

Orders to buy and sell shares received by an authorized entity (such as a bank, broker-dealer or financial adviser, or 401(k) or other retirement plan that has entered into an agreement with the fund's distributor) by the close of trading on the NYSE and transmitted to the distributor or its designee by the close of its business day (usually 5:15 p.m. Eastern time) will be based on the NAV determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day.

How to Buy Shares

By Mail – Regular Accounts. To open a regular account, complete an application and mail it, together with a check payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds

P.O. Box 55268

Boston, MA 02205-5268

To purchase additional shares in a regular account, mail a check payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds (with your account number on your check), together with an investment slip, to the above address.

By Mail – IRA Accounts. To open an IRA account or make additional investments in an IRA account, be sure to specify the fund name and the year for which the contribution is being made. When opening a new account include a completed IRA application, and when making additional investments include an investment slip. Make checks payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, and mail to:

The Bank of New York Mellon, Custodian

P.O. Box 55552

Boston, MA 02205-5552

Electronic Check or Wire. To purchase shares in a regular or IRA account by wire or electronic check, please call 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) for more information.

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Dreyfus TeleTransfer. To purchase additional shares in a regular or IRA account by Dreyfus TeleTransfer, which will transfer money from a pre-designated bank account, request the account service on your application. Call 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) or visit www.dreyfus.com to request your transaction.

Automatically. You may purchase additional shares in a regular or IRA account by selecting one of Dreyfus' automatic investment services made available to the fund on your account application or service application. See "Services for Fund Investors."

In Person. Visit a Dreyfus Financial Center. Please call us for locations.

The minimum initial and subsequent investment for regular accounts is $1,000 and $100, respectively. The minimum initial investment for IRAs is $750, with no minimum subsequent investment. The minimum initial investment for educational savings accounts is $500, with no minimum subsequent investment. Investments made through Dreyfus TeleTransfer are subject to a $100 minimum and a $150,000 maximum. All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party checks, cash, travelers’ checks or money orders will not be accepted. You may be charged a fee for any check that does not clear.

How to Sell Shares

You may sell (redeem) shares at any time. Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form 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 fund shares you acquired by reinvesting your fund dividends. As described above in this prospectus, there are certain instances when you may qualify to have the CDSC waived. Consult your financial representative or refer to the SAI for additional details.

Before selling shares recently purchased by check, Dreyfus TeleTransfer or Automatic Asset Builder, please note that:

· if you send a written request to sell such shares, the fund may delay sending the proceeds for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares

· the fund will not process wire, telephone, online or Dreyfus TeleTransfer redemption requests for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares

By Mail – Regular Accounts. To redeem shares in a regular account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes your name, your account number, the name of the fund, the share class, the dollar amount to be redeemed and how and where to send the proceeds. Mail your request to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds

P.O. Box 55268

Boston, MA 02205-5268

By Mail – IRA Accounts. To redeem shares in an IRA account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes all of the same information for regular accounts and indicate whether the distribution is qualified or premature and whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld. Mail your request to:

The Bank of New York Mellon, Custodian

P.O. Box 55552

Boston, MA 02205-5552

A signature guarantee is required for some written sell orders. These include:

· amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed within the last 30 days

· requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address

· amounts of $100,000 or more

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 to ensure that your signature guarantee will be processed correctly.

Telephone or Online. To redeem shares call Dreyfus at 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) or, for regular accounts, visit www.dreyfus.com to request your transaction.

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A check will be mailed to your address of record or you may request a wire or electronic check (Dreyfus TeleTransfer). For wires or Dreyfus TeleTransfer, be sure that the fund has your bank account information on file. Proceeds will be wired or sent by electronic check to your bank account.

You may request that redemption proceeds be paid by check and mailed to your address of record (maximum $250,000 per day). You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to your bank by wire (minimum $1,000/maximum $20,000 per day) or by Dreyfus TeleTransfer (minimum $500/maximum $20,000 per day). Holders of jointly registered fund or bank accounts may redeem by wire or through Dreyfus TeleTransfer up to $500,000 within any 30-day period.

Automatically. You may sell shares in a regular account by calling 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) for instructions on how to establish the Dreyfus Automatic Withdrawal Plan. You may sell shares in an IRA account by calling the above number for instructions on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

In Person. Visit a Dreyfus Financial Center. Please call us for locations.

General Polices

Unless you decline teleservice privileges on your application, the fund's transfer agent is authorized to act on telephone or online instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you and reasonably believed by the transfer agent to be genuine. You may be responsible for any fraudulent telephone or online order as long as the fund's transfer agent takes reasonable measures to confirm that instructions are genuine.

The fund is designed for long-term investors. Frequent purchases, redemptions and exchanges may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm fund performance by diluting the value of fund shares and increasing brokerage and administrative costs. As a result, Dreyfus and the fund's board have adopted a policy of discouraging excessive trading, short-term market timing and other abusive trading practices (frequent trading) that could adversely affect the fund or its operations. Dreyfus and the fund will not enter into arrangements with any person or group to permit frequent trading.

The fund also reserves the right to:

· change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend the privilege during unusual market conditions

· change its minimum or maximum investment amounts

· delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally applies only during unusual market conditions or in cases of very large redemptions or excessive trading)

· "redeem in kind," or make payments in securities rather than cash, if the amount redeemed is large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it exceeds 1% of the fund's assets)

· refuse any purchase or exchange request, including those from any individual or group who, in Dreyfus' view, is likely to engage in frequent trading

More than four roundtrips within a rolling 12-month period generally is considered to be frequent trading. A roundtrip consists of an investment that is substantially liquidated within 60 days. Based on the facts and circumstances of the trades, the fund may also view as frequent trading a pattern of investments that are partially liquidated within 60 days.

Transactions made through Automatic Investment Plans, Automatic Withdrawal Plans, Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privileges, automatic non-discretionary rebalancing programs, and minimum required retirement distributions generally are not considered to be frequent trading. For employer-sponsored benefit plans, generally only participant-initiated exchange transactions are subject to the roundtrip limit.

Dreyfus monitors selected transactions to identify frequent trading. When its surveillance systems identify multiple roundtrips, Dreyfus evaluates trading activity in the account for evidence of frequent trading. Dreyfus considers the investor's trading history in other accounts under common ownership or control, in other Dreyfus Funds and BNY Mellon Funds, and if known, in non-affiliated mutual funds and accounts under common control. These evaluations involve judgments that are inherently subjective, and while Dreyfus seeks to apply the policy and procedures uniformly, it is possible that similar transactions may be treated differently. In all instances, Dreyfus seeks to make these judgments to the best of its abilities in a manner that it believes is consistent with shareholder interests. If Dreyfus concludes the account is likely to engage in frequent trading, Dreyfus may cancel or revoke the purchase or exchange on the following business day. Dreyfus may also temporarily or permanently bar such investor's future purchases into the fund in lieu of, or in addition to, canceling or revoking the trade. At its discretion, Dreyfus may apply these restrictions across all accounts under common ownership, control or perceived affiliation.

Fund shares often are held through omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries, such as brokers and retirement plan administrators, where the holdings of multiple shareholders, such as all the clients of a particular broker,

14

 

 

are aggregated. Dreyfus' ability to monitor the trading activity of investors whose shares are held in omnibus accounts is limited. However, the agreements between the distributor and financial intermediaries include obligations to comply with the terms of this prospectus and to provide Dreyfus, upon request, with information concerning the trading activity of investors whose shares are held in omnibus accounts. If Dreyfus determines that any such investor has engaged in frequent trading of fund shares, Dreyfus may require the intermediary to restrict or prohibit future purchases or exchanges of fund shares by that investor.

Certain retirement plans and intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the fund may have developed policies designed to control frequent trading that may differ from the fund's policy. At its sole discretion, the fund may permit such intermediaries to apply their own frequent trading policy. If you are investing in fund shares through an intermediary (or in the case of a retirement plan, your plan sponsor), please contact the intermediary for information on the frequent trading policies applicable to your account.

To the extent the fund significantly invests in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the fund calculates its NAV, events that influence the value of these foreign securities may occur after the close of these foreign markets and before the fund calculates its NAV. As a result, certain investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these foreign securities at the time the fund calculates its NAV (referred to as price arbitrage). This type of frequent trading may dilute the value of fund shares held by other shareholders. Dreyfus has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign equity securities under certain circumstances to reflect what it believes to be their fair value.

To the extent the fund significantly invests in thinly traded securities, certain investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities (referred to as price arbitrage). Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the fund's portfolio to a greater degree than funds that invest in highly liquid securities, in part because the fund may have difficulty selling these portfolio securities at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent redemption requests. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of fund shares held by other shareholders.

Although the fund's frequent trading and fair valuation policies and procedures are designed to discourage market timing and excessive trading, none of these tools alone, nor all of them together, completely eliminates the potential for frequent trading.

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; Education Savings 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 30 days, the fund may close your account and send you the proceeds.

Distributions and Taxes

The fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to shareholders as capital gain distributions. The fund normally pays dividends monthly and capital gain distributions annually. Fund dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct the fund otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.

Distributions paid by the fund are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes (unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account). For federal tax purposes, in general, certain fund distributions, including distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income. Other fund distributions, including dividends from U.S. companies and certain foreign companies and distributions of long-term capital gains, generally are taxable to you as qualified dividends and capital gains, respectively.

High portfolio turnover  and more volatile markets can result in significant taxable distributions to shareholders, regardless of whether their shares have increased in value. The tax status of any distribution generally is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash.

If you buy shares of a fund  when the fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion back in the form of a taxable distribution.

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Your sale of shares, including exchanges into other funds, may result in a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment in the fund generally is the difference between the cost of your shares and the amount you receive when you sell them.

The tax status of your distributions will be detailed in your annual tax statement from the fund. Because everyone's tax situation is unique, please consult your tax adviser before investing.

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. If you purchase shares through a third party, the third party may impose different restrictions on these services and privileges, or may not make them available at all. For information, call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only).

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 Payroll Savings Plan permits you to purchase fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically through a payroll deduction.

Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit permits you to purchase fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $50,000 per transaction) automatically from your federal employment, Social Security or other regular federal government check.

Dreyfus Dividend Sweep permits you to automatically reinvest dividends and distributions from the fund into another Dreyfus Fund (not available for IRAs).

Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits you to exchange at regular intervals your fund shares for shares of other Dreyfus Funds.

Dreyfus Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you to make withdrawals (minimum of $50) on a monthly or quarterly basis, provided your account balance is at least $5,000. Any CDSC will be waived, as long as the amount of any withdrawal does not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the greater of the account value at the time of the first withdrawal under the plan, or at the time of the subsequent withdrawal.

Exchange Privilege

Generally, you can exchange shares worth $500 or more (no minimum for retirement accounts) into other Dreyfus 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 generally 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. See the SAI for more information regarding exchanges.

Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege

To move money between your bank account and your Dreyfus Fund account with a phone call (for regular or IRA accounts) or online (for regular accounts only), use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up Dreyfus TeleTransfer on your account by providing bank account information and following the instructions on your application, or contacting your financial representative. Shares held in an Education Savings Account may not be redeemed through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege.

Account Statements

Every Dreyfus Fund investor automatically receives regular account statements. You will also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any dividends and distributions you have received.

Reinvestment Privilege

Upon written request, you can reinvest up to the number of Class A 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.

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Financial Highlights

These financial highlights describe the performance of the fund's shares 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 financial highlights have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the annual report, which is available upon request.

           
   

Year Ended May 31,

Class A Shares

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007a

Per Share Data ($):

  

 

  

  

  

Net asset value, beginning of period

10.52

9.24

13.17

15.00

12.50

Investment Operations:

         

Investment income--netb

.23

.16

.19

.19

.16

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

2.66

1.27

(3.93)

(1.63)

2.56

Total from Investment Operations

2.89

1.43

(3.74)

(1.44)

2.72

Distributions:

         

Dividends from investment income--net

(.18)

(.15)

(.19)

(.18)

(.15)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

-

-

-

(.21)

(.07)

Total Distributions

(.18)

(.15)

(.19)

(.39)

(.22)

Net asset value, end of period

13.23

10.52

9.24

13.17

15.00

Total Return (%)c

27.70

15.55

(28.60)

(9.59)

21.89d

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

         

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

5.40

9.40

11.74

8.79

10.66d

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.36d

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

1.85

1.49

1.95

1.38

1.18d

Portfolio Turnover Rate

121.84

76.05

29.06

14.52

28.54d

Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)

2,312

1,236

957

1,307

1,304

aFrom July 5, 2006 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2007.

bBased on average shares outstanding at each month end.

cExclusive of sales charge.

dNot annualized.

 

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Financial Highlights (cont’d)
           

   

 

Year Ended May 31,

Class C Shares

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007a

Per Share Data ($):

  

 

  

  

  

Net asset value, beginning of period

10.43

9.18

13.12

14.96

12.50

Investment Operations:

         

Investment income--netb

.13

.09

.11

.09

.06

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

2.65

1.26

(3.92)

(1.62)

2.56

Total from Investment Operations

2.78

1.35

(3.81)

(1.53)

2.62

Distributions:

         

Dividends from investment income--net

(.11)

(.10)

(.13)

(.10)

(.09)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

-

-

-

(.21)

(.07)

Total Distributions

(.11)

(.10)

(.13)

(.31)

(.16)

Net asset value, end of period

13.10

10.43

9.18

13.12

14.96

Total Return (%)c

26.79

14.57

(29.07)

(10.28)

21.06d

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

         

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

6.19

12.13

13.47

9.82

11.39d

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.04d

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

1.09

.78

1.21

.66

.47d

Portfolio Turnover Rate

121.84

76.05

29.06

14.52

28.54d

Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)

913

286

129

127

121

aFrom July 5, 2006 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2007.

bBased on average shares outstanding at each month end.

cExclusive of sales charge.

dNot annualized.

           

   

 

Year Ended May 31,

Class I Shares

2011

2010

2009

2008a

2007b

Per Share Data ($):

  

 

  

  

  

Net asset value, beginning of period

10.54

9.25

13.19

15.01

12.50

Investment Operations:

         

Investment income--netb

.25

.18

.22

.22

.19

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

2.67

1.28

(3.95)

(1.62)

2.56

Total from Investment Operations

2.92

1.46

(3.73)

(1.40)

2.75

Distributions:

         

Dividends from investment income--net

(.20)

(.17)

(.21)

(.21)

(.17)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

-

-

-

(.21)

(.07)

Total Distributions

(.20)

(.17)

(.21)

(.42)

(.24)

Net asset value, end of period

13.26

10.54

9.25

13.19

15.01

Total Return (%)c

28.04

15.73

(28.35)

(9.40)

22.17d

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

         

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

5.25

9.28

11.55

8.78

10.63d

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.13d

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

2.07

1.72

2.19

1.63

1.44d

Portfolio Turnover Rate

121.84

76.05

29.06

14.52

28.54d

Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)

72

81

53

75

82

a Effective June 1, 2007, Class R shares were redesignated as Class I shares.

bFrom October 18, 2007 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2007.

cBased on average shares outstanding at each month end.

dNot annualized.

18

 

 

NOTES

19

 

 

For More Information

Dreyfus Equity Income Fund

A series of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust
SEC file number: 811-00524

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. The fund's most recent annual and semiannual reports are available at www.dreyfus.com.

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

Provides more details about the fund and its policies. A current SAI is available at www.dreyfus.com and is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI is incorporated by reference (is legally considered part of this prospectus).

Portfolio Holdings

Dreyfus funds generally disclose their complete schedule of portfolio holdings monthly with a 30-day lag at www.dreyfus.com under Products and Performance. Complete holdings as of the end of the calendar quarter are disclosed 15 days after the end of such quarter. Dreyfus money market funds generally disclose their complete schedule of holdings daily. The schedule of holdings for a fund will remain on the website until the fund files its Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the dates of the posted holdings.

A complete description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund's portfolio securities is available in the fund's SAI.

To Obtain Information

By telephone. Call 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only)

By mail.
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

By E-mail. Send your request to info@dreyfus.com

On the Internet. Certain fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from:

SEC: http://www.sec.gov

Dreyfus: http://www.dreyfus.com

You can also obtain copies, after paying a duplicating fee, by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information, call 1-202-551-8090) or by E-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

   

© 2011 MBSC Securities Corporation
6144P1011

 

Dreyfus Emerging Markets
Debt Local Currency Fund

       

 

Prospectus

October 1, 2011

 

Class  Ticker

   

A

DDBAX

C

DDBCX

I

DDBIX

   

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.

 

 

Contents

Fund Summary
   

Fund Summary

1

Fund Details
   

Goal and Approach

5

Investment Risks

5

Management

8

Shareholder Guide
   

Choosing a Share Class

10

Buying and Selling Shares

13

General Policies

16

Distributions and Taxes

17

Services for Fund Investors

18

Financial Highlights

19

For More Information

See back cover.

 

 

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The fund seeks to maximize total return.

Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section on page 10 of the Prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section on page B-45 of the fund's Statement of Additional Information. Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1% if redeemed within one year.

       

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

4.50

none

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

none

1.00

none

Maximum redemption fee (as a percentage of transaction amount, charged only when selling shares you have owned for less than 60 days)

2.00

2.00

2.00

       

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Management fees

.75

.75

.75

Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees

none

.75

none

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

.52

.49

.22

Total annual fund operating expenses

1.27

1.99

.97

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement*

-

-

-

Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

1.27

1.99

.97

*The Dreyfus Corporation has contractually agreed, until October 1, 2012, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund so that the expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed 1.10%. After October 1, 2012, The Dreyfus Corporation may terminate the expense limitation at any time.

Example

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

         
 

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A

$574

$835

$1,116

$1,915

Class C

$302

$624

$1,073

$2,317

Class I

$99

$309

$536

$1,190

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

1

 

 

         
 

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A

$574

$835

$1,116

$1,915

Class C

$202

$624

$1,073

$2,317

Class I

$99

$309

$536

$1,190

Portfolio Turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 97.99% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategy

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in emerging market bonds and other debt instruments denominated in the local currency of issue, and in derivative instruments that provide investment exposure to such securities. These instruments consist primarily of emerging market government bonds and currency forward exchange contracts. The fund’s portfolio managers employ an investment process that uses in depth fundamental country and currency analysis disciplined by proprietary quantitative valuation models. A “top down” analysis of macroeconomic, financial and political variables guides country and currency allocation. The portfolio managers also consider other market technicals and the global risk environment. The portfolio managers seek to identify shifts in country fundamentals and consider the risk adjusted attractiveness of currency and duration returns for each emerging market country. The fund is not restricted as to credit quality when making investments in debt securities.

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

· Foreign government obligations and securities of supranational entities risk. Investing in foreign government obligations and the sovereign debt of emerging market countries creates exposure to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the securities or in which the issuers are located. Factors which may influence the ability or willingness of a foreign government or country to service debt include a country's cash flow situation, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of its debt service burden to the economy as a whole and its government's policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other international agencies, the obligor's balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A governmental obligor may default on its obligations. These risks are heightened with respect to emerging market countries.

· Foreign investment risk. Investments in foreign securities carry additional risks, including exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards. To the extent the fund's investment are concentrated in a limited number of foreign countries, the fund's performance could be more volatile than that of more geographically diversified funds.

· Emerging market risk. The securities of issuers located in emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than securities of issuers located in more mature economies, and emerging markets generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. The securities of issuers located or doing substantial business in emerging markets are often subject to rapid and large changes in price.

· Credit risk. The instruments in which the fund invests may have ratings that are below investment grade ("high yield" or "junk" bonds). High yield bonds involve greater credit risk, including the risk of default, than investment grade bonds, and are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's ability to make principal and interest payments. The prices of high yield bonds can fall dramatically in response to bad news about the issuer or its industry, or the economy in general.

· Foreign currency risk. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, which will reduce the value of investments denominated in those currencies held by the fund.

2

 

 

· Liquidity risk. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, it can become more difficult to sell the securities at or near their perceived value. In such a market, the value of such securities and the fund's share price may fall dramatically. Investments in foreign securities may have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities. Liquidity risk also exists when a particular derivative instrument is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.

· Derivatives risk. A small investment in derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund's performance. The use of derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying assets. Derivatives can be highly volatile, illiquid and difficult to value.

· Non-diversification risk. The fund is non-diversified, which means that the fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Therefore, the fund's performance may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown. More recent performance information may be available at www.dreyfus.com.

   

Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%)

Class A

Best Quarter
Q2, 2009: 14.82%

Worst Quarter
Q1, 2009: -4.57%

The year-to-date total return of the fund's Class A shares as of 6/30/11 was 1.39%.

After-tax performance is shown only for Class A shares. After-tax performance of the fund's other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

3

 

 

       

Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/10)

Class (Inception Date)

   

1 Year

Since Inception

Class A (9/12/08) returns before taxes

 

6.55%

7.43%

Class A returns after taxes on distributions

 

5.61%

6.37%

Class A returns after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares

 

4.27%

5.71%

Class C (9/12/08) returns before taxes

 

9.74%

8.77%

Class I (9/12/08) returns before taxes

 

11.96%

9.89%

JP Morgan Government Bond Index –
Emerging Markets Diversified
reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes*

 

13.32%

9.28%

* For comparative purposes, the value of JP Morgan Government Bond Index – Emerging Markets Diversified on 8/31/08 is used as the beginning value on 9/12/08.

Portfolio Management

The fund's investment adviser is The Dreyfus Corporation. Alexander Kozhemiakin and Javier Murcio have served as the fund's co-primary portfolio managers since September 12, 2008, the fund's inception. Mr. Kozhemiakin and Mr. Murcio are employees of The Dreyfus Corporation and Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish), an affiliate of The Dreyfus Corporation. Mr. Kozhemiakin is the managing director of emerging market strategies at Standish and Mr. Murcio is a senior sovereign analyst for emerging markets at Standish.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

In general, the fund's minimum initial investment is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $100. You may sell your shares on any business day by calling 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) or by visiting www.dreyfus.com. You may also mail your request to sell shares to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 55268, Boston, MA 02205-5268.

Tax Information

The fund’s distributions are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

4

 

 

Fund Details

Goal and Approach

The fund seeks to maximize total return. This objective may be changed by the fund's board, upon 60 days' prior notice to shareholders. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in emerging market bonds and other debt instruments denominated in the local currency of issue, and in derivative instruments that provide investment exposure to such securities. The fund's emerging market bond investments may include bonds and other debt issued by governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, or by central banks, corporate debt securities and other fixed-income securities or instruments that provide investment exposure to emerging market debt. The fund may enter into forward contracts, futures and options contracts and swap agreements with respect to emerging market currencies to provide economic exposure similar to investments in sovereign and corporate emerging market debt.

Emerging market countries generally are those countries defined as having an emerging or developing economy by the World Bank or its related organizations, or the United Nations or its authorities, as well as any other country the portfolio managers believe has an emerging economy or market. The emerging market countries in which the fund may invest currently include, but are not limited to, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and Uruguay. The fund's benchmark is the JPMorgan Government Bond Index–Emerging Markets Diversified (GBI-EM Diversified), an unmanaged index that tracks local currency bonds issued by emerging market governments. The GBI-EM Diversified index consists of regularly traded, liquid fixed-rate, local currency government bonds and includes only those countries that give access to their capital markets to foreign investors.

In choosing investments, the fund's portfolio managers employ an investment process that uses in depth fundamental country and currency analysis disciplined by proprietary quantitative valuation models. A "top down" analysis of macroeconomic, financial and political variables guides country and currency allocation. The portfolio managers also consider other market technicals and the global risk environment. The portfolio managers seek to identify shifts in country fundamentals and consider the risk adjusted attractiveness of currency and duration returns for each emerging market country.

The fund is not restricted as to credit quality when making investments in debt securities. Emerging market countries in which the fund invests may have sovereign ratings that are below investment grade or are unrated. Moreover, the corporate or other privately issued debt securities in which the fund may invest may be rated below investment grade ("high yield" or "junk" bonds) or the unrated equivalent as determined by The Dreyfus Corporation. There are no restrictions on the average maturity of the fund's portfolio or on the maturities of the individual debt securities the fund may purchase. Debt securities in which the fund may invest may have all types of interest rate payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features.

The fund may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities, foreign currencies, indexes and interest rates), forward contracts, swaps (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on swaps, and other credit derivatives, as a substitute for investing directly in debt securities and currencies, to increase returns, to manage credit or interest rate risk, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the fund's portfolio, as part of a hedging strategy, or for other purposes related to the management of the fund. Swap agreements can be used to transfer the credit risk of a security without actually transferring ownership of the security or to customize exposure to particular corporate credit. The fund also may make forward commitments in which the fund agrees to buy or sell a security in the future at a price agreed upon today.

Investment Risks

An investment in the 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. The value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

· Foreign government obligations and securities of supranational entities risk. Investing in foreign government obligations and the sovereign debt of emerging market countries creates exposure to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social

5

 

 

or economic changes in the countries that issue the securities or in which the issuers are located. The ability and willingness of sovereign obligors in emerging market countries or the governmental authorities that control repayment of their debt to pay principal and interest on such debt when due may depend on general economic and political conditions within the relevant country. Certain countries in which the fund may invest have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates and extreme poverty and unemployment. Some of these countries are also characterized by political uncertainty or instability. Additional factors which may influence the ability or willingness of a foreign government or country to service debt include a country's cash flow situation, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of its debt service burden to the economy as a whole and its government's policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other international agencies. The ability of a foreign sovereign obligor to make timely payments on its external debt obligations also will be strongly influenced by the obligor's balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A governmental obligor may default on its obligations. Some sovereign obligors in emerging market countries have been among the world's largest debtors to commercial banks, other governments, international financial organizations and other financial institutions. These obligors, in the past, have experienced substantial difficulties in servicing their external debt obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring of certain indebtedness.

· Foreign investment risk. Special risks associated with investments in foreign companies include exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards. To the extent the fund's investment are concentrated in a limited number of foreign countries, the fund's performance could be more volatile than that of more geographically diversified funds.

· Emerging market risk. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. The securities of issuers located or doing substantial business in emerging markets are often subject to rapid and large changes in price. In particular, emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, present the risk of sudden adverse government or regulatory action and even nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership on prohibitions of repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of emerging market countries may be based predominantly on only a few industries and may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme debt burdens or volatile inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of substantial holdings difficult. Transaction settlement and dividend collection procedures also may be less reliable in emerging markets than in developed markets.

· Foreign currency risk. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedged positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. A decline in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will reduce the value of securities held by the fund and denominated in those currencies. Foreign currencies are also subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government controls.

· Credit risk. Failure of an issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, or a decline or perception of a decline in the credit quality of a bond, can cause a bond's price to fall, potentially lowering the fund's share price. The lower a bond's credit rating, the greater the chance – in the rating agency's opinion – that the bond issuer will default or fail to meet its payment obligations. Emerging market countries in which the fund invests may have sovereign ratings that are below investment grade (''high yield'' or ''junk'' bonds) or are unrated. High yield (''junk'') bonds involved greater credit risk, including the risk of default, than investment grade bonds, and are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's ability to make principal and interest payments. The prices of high yield bonds can fall dramatically in response to bad news about the issuer or its industry, or the economy in general.

· Liquidity risk. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, it can become more difficult to sell the securities at or near their perceived value. In such a market, the value of such securities and the fund's share price may fall dramatically. Investments in foreign securities may have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities. Liquidity risk also exists when a particular derivative instrument is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many privately negotiated derivatives, including swap agreements), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.

· Derivatives risk. A small investment in derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund's performance. The use of derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly

6

 

 

in the underlying assets. Derivatives can be highly volatile, illiquid and difficult to value, and there is the risk that changes in the value of a derivative held by the fund will not correlate with the underlying instruments or the fund's other investments. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the failure of the counterparty to the derivative instruments to make required payments or otherwise comply with the derivative instruments' terms. Certain types of derivatives involve greater risks than the underlying obligations because, in addition to general market risks, they are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and pricing risk. Additionally, some derivatives involve economic leverage, which could increase the volatility of these investments as they may fluctuate in value more than the underlying instrument. The fund may set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the fund's daily marked-to-market net obligation (i.e., the fund's daily net liability) under futures contracts or forward contracts that are contractually required to cash settle. For futures contracts or forward contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, the fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts' full notional value (generally, the total numerical value of the asset underlying a future or forward contract at the time of valuation) while the positions are open. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures and forward contracts, the fund may employ leverage to a greater extent than if the fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.

· Non-diversification risk. The fund is non-diversified, which means that the fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Therefore, the fund's performance may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund.

In addition to the principal risks described above, the fund is subject to the following additional risks.

· Interest rate risk. Prices of bonds tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in rates will adversely affect bond prices and, accordingly, the fund's share price. The longer the effective maturity and duration of the fund's portfolio, the more the fund's share price is likely to react to interest rates. Unlike investment grade bonds, however, the prices of high yield bonds may fluctuate unpredictably and not necessarily inversely with changes in interest rates.

· Market risk. The market value of a security may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. A security's market value also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.

· Tax risk. As a regulated investment company (RIC), the fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from sources treated as "qualifying income" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The fund may gain exposure to local currency markets through forward currency contracts. Although foreign currency gains currently constitute qualifying income, the U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations excluding from the definition of "qualifying income" a RIC's foreign currency gains not "directly related" to its "principal business" of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect thereto). Such regulations might treat gains from some of the fund's foreign currency-denominated positions as not qualifying income.

· Leverage risk. The use of leverage, such as engaging in reverse repurchase agreements, lending portfolio securities, entering into futures contracts or forward currency contracts and engaging in forward commitment transactions, may magnify the fund's gains or losses.

· Other potential risks. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. In connection with such loans, the fund will receive collateral from the borrower equal to at least 100% of the value of loaned securities. If the borrower of the securities fails financially, there could be delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising rights to the collateral.

Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets in the securities of U.S. issuers, U.S. Treasury securities and money market securities. Although the fund would do this for temporary defensive purposes, it could reduce the benefit from any upswing in the market. During such periods, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.

At times, the fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher transaction costs and taxable distributions and lower the fund's after-tax performance.

7

 

 

Management

The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus), 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages approximately $272 billion in 192 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.70% of the fund's average daily net assets. A discussion regarding the basis for the board's approving the fund's management agreement with Dreyfus is available in the fund’s annual report for the period ended May 31, 2011. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon), a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, offering investment management and investment services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $26.3 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.3 trillion in assets under management, services $11.8 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.7 trillion per day. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. BNY Mellon Asset Management is the umbrella organization for BNY Mellon's affiliated investment management firms and global distribution companies. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.

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, stable identity.

Alexander Kozhemiakin and Javier Murcio are the fund's co-primary portfolio managers, positions they have held since, the fund's inception in September 2008. Mr. Kozhemiakin is the managing director of emerging market strategies at Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish), an affiliate of Dreyfus, which he joined in February 2007. For more than five years prior thereto, Mr. Kozhemiakin was a senior vice-president and portfolio manager for emerging market debt at Putnam Investments. Mr. Murcio is a senior sovereign analyst for emerging markets at Standish, which he joined in August 2007. Prior thereto, Mr. Murcio was a private consultant from 2005 to August 2007. Messrs. Kozhemiakin and Murcio have also been employees of Dreyfus since August 2008.

The fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional portfolio manager information, including compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of fund shares.

MBSC Securities Corporation (MBSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves as distributor of the fund and of the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Rule 12b-1 fees are paid to MBSC for financing the sale and distribution of fund shares and for providing shareholder account service and maintenance. Dreyfus or MBSC may provide cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds or provide other services. Such payments are separate from any sales charges, 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder services fees or other expenses that may be paid by a fund to those intermediaries. Because those payments are not made by fund shareholders or the fund, the fund's total expense ratio will not be affected by any such payments. These payments may be made to intermediaries, including affiliates, that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the financial intermediary. Cash compensation also may be paid from Dreyfus' or MBSC's own resources to intermediaries for inclusion of a fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are referred to as "revenue sharing." From time to time, Dreyfus or MBSC also may provide cash or non-cash compensation to financial intermediaries or their representatives in the form of occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorships; support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations. In some cases, these payments or compensation may create an incentive for a financial intermediary or its employees to recommend or sell shares of the fund to you. Please contact your financial representative for details about any payments they or their firm may receive in connection with the sale of fund shares or the provision of services to the fund.

The fund, Dreyfus and MBSC have each adopted a code of ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such code, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund. Each code of ethics restricts the personal securities transactions of employees, and requires portfolio managers and other investment personnel to comply with the code's preclearance and disclosure procedures. The primary purpose of the respective codes is to ensure that personal trading by employees does not disadvantage any fund managed by Dreyfus or its affiliates.

Performance Information for Related Accounts

The fund's portfolio managers follow substantially the same investment policies and strategies managing the fund's assets as they do managing certain discretionary investment management accounts managed by Standish (collectively, the "Related Accounts"). The tables below show the returns for the Related Accounts and for the GBI-EM Diversified.

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The Index information is provided to represent the investment environment existing at the time periods shown. The Index is unmanaged and an investor may not invest directly in the Index. Investors should not consider this performance data as an indication of the future performance of the fund or the Related Accounts.

The performance figures for the Related Accounts reflect the deduction of a management fee of 0.75%, which is the highest management fee charged to any investor in the Related Accounts during the periods shown. Actual fees charged to investors in the Related Accounts vary and are available upon request from Standish. The performance of the Related Accounts could have been adversely affected by the imposition of certain regulatory requirements, restrictions and limitations, if such accounts had been regulated as investment companies under the U.S. federal securities and tax laws. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the fund and the Related Accounts may hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and in cash flow resulting from purchases and redemptions of fund shares may result in different security selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or differences in the price paid for particular fund holdings. The performance information does not reflect the deduction of any applicable sales loads which, if reflected, would reduce the performance quoted. In addition, the fund's total operating expenses are expected to be higher than those of the Related Accounts; if the fund's expenses were reflected, the performance shown would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not indicative of future returns, and that the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Historical performance information for the Related Accounts and the GBI-EM Diversified is shown below. The performance figures for the Related Accounts are time-weighted rates of return, which include the deduction of transaction costs and investment management fees. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. All returns are calculated in U.S. dollars and reflect the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions.

Additional information regarding Standish's policies and procedures for calculating and reporting performance returns, and a listing and description of all of its composites, are available upon request for financial advisors by calling 1-800-334-6899 and for individual shareholders by calling 1-800-DREYFUS.

       

Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Related Accounts

Year Ended December 31

Related Account Total Return*

GBI-EM Diversified Total Return

Related Accounts Total Assets (millions)

2010

15.24%

13.32%

$3,924.91

2009

23.13%

20.44%

$1,563.97

2008

-8.36%

-4.65%

$686.91

2007

20.48%

17.72%

$725.43

*The year-to-date total return of the Related Accounts as of 6/30/2011 was 6.50%.

       

Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Related Accounts
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/10

 

1 Year

3 Years

Since Inception (6/1/06)

Related Accounts

15.24%

9.15%

13.48%

GBI-EM Diversified**

13.32%

9.18%

12.54%

 

**Sources of foreign exchange rates may be different between the Related Accounts and the Index.

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Shareholder Guide

Choosing a Share Class

The fund is 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 that are different from those described in this prospectus. Consult a representative of your financial institution for further information.

This prospectus offers Class A, C and I shares of the fund.

Your financial representative may receive different compensation for selling one class of shares than for selling another class. It is important to remember that any contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) or Rule 12b-1 fees have the same purpose as the front-end sales charge: to compensate the distributor for concessions and expenses it pays to dealers and financial institutions in connection with the sale of fund shares. A CDSC is not charged on fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of fund dividends. Because the Rule 12b-1 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.

The different classes of fund shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and will likely have different share prices. When choosing a class, you should consider your investment amount, anticipated holding period, the potential costs over your holding period and whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of the sales charge.

A complete description of these classes follows. You should review these arrangements with your financial representative before determining which class to invest in.

Class A Shares

When you invest in Class A shares,  you pay the public offering price, which is the share price, or net asset value (NAV), plus the initial sales charge that may apply to your purchase. The amount of the initial sales charge is based on the size of your investment, as the following table shows. We also describe below how you may reduce or eliminate the initial sales charge (see "Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers"). Class A shares are subject to an annual shareholder services fee of .25%.

Since some of your investment  goes to pay an up-front sales charge when you purchase Class A shares, you purchase fewer shares than you would with the same investment in Class C shares. Nevertheless, you are usually better off purchasing Class A shares, rather than Class C shares, and paying an up-front sales charge if you:

· plan to own the shares for an extended period of time, since the ongoing Rule 12b-1 fees on Class C shares may eventually exceed the cost of the up-front sales charge; and

· qualify for a reduced or waived sales charge

If you invest $1 million or more  (and are not eligible to purchase Class I shares), Class A shares will always be the most advantageous choice.

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Total Sales Load -- Class A Shares

Amount of Transaction

As a % of Offering
Price per Share

As a % of

Net Asset Value per Share

     

Less than $50,000

4.50

4.71

$50,000 to less than $100,000

4.00

4.17

$100,000 to less than $250,000

3.00

3.09

$250,000 to less than $500,000

2.50

2.56

$500,000 to less than $1,000,000

2.00

2.04

$1,000,000 or more

-0-

-0-

 

No sales charge applies on investments of $1 million or more, but a CDSC of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions of such shares within one year of the date of purchase.

Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

To receive a reduction or waiver of your initial sales charge, you must let your financial intermediary or the fund know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction or waiver. If you do not let your financial intermediary or the fund know that you are eligible for a reduction or waiver, you may not receive the reduction or waiver to which you are otherwise entitled. In order to receive a reduction or waiver, you may be required to provide your financial intermediary or the fund with evidence of your qualification for the reduction or waiver, such as records regarding shares of certain Dreyfus Funds held in accounts with that financial intermediary and other financial intermediaries. Additional information regarding reductions and waivers of sales loads is available, free of charge, at www.dreyfus.com and in the SAI.

You can reduce your initial sales charge in the following ways:

· Rights of accumulation. You can count toward the amount of your investment your total account value in all share classes of the fund and certain other Dreyfus Funds that are subject to a sales charge. For example, if you have $1 million invested in shares of certain other Dreyfus Funds that are subject to a sales charge, you can invest in Class A shares of any fund without an initial sales charge. We may terminate or change this privilege at any time on written notice.

· Letter of intent. You can sign a letter of intent, in which you agree to invest a certain amount (your goal) in the fund and certain other Dreyfus Funds over a 13-month period, and your initial sales charge will be based on your goal. A 90-day back-dated period can also be used to count previous purchases toward your goal. Your goal must be at least $50,000, and your initial investment must be at least $5,000. The sales charge will be adjusted if you do not meet your goal.

· Combine with family members. You can also count toward the amount of your investment all investments in certain other Dreyfus Funds, in any class of shares that is subject to a sales charge, by your spouse and your children under age 21 (family members), including their rights of accumulation and goals under a letter of intent. Certain other groups may also be permitted to combine purchases for purposes of reducing or eliminating sales charges (see "How to Buy Shares" in the SAI).

Class A shares may be purchased at NAV without payment of a sales charge by the following individuals and entities:

· full-time or part-time employees, and their family members, of Dreyfus or any of its affiliates

· board members of Dreyfus and board members of the Dreyfus Family of Funds

· full-time employees, and their family members, of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the fund's distributor

· "wrap" accounts for the benefit of clients of financial institutions, provided they have entered into an agreement with the fund's distributor specifying operating policies and standards

· qualified separate accounts maintained by an insurance company; any state, county or city or instrumentality thereof; and charitable organizations investing $50,000 or more in fund shares and charitable remainder trusts, provided that such Class A shares are purchased directly through the fund's distributor

· qualified investors who (i) purchase Class A shares directly through the fund's distributor, and (ii) have, or whose spouse or minor children have, beneficially owned shares of a Dreyfus Fund and continuously maintained an open account with the distributor in that fund since on or before February 28, 2006

· by investors with the cash proceeds from the investor's exercise of stock options and/or disposition of stock related to employment-based stock plans, whether invested in the fund directly or indirectly through an exchange from a

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Dreyfus money market fund, provided that the proceeds are processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the fund's distributor specifically relating to administering employment-based stock plans. Upon establishing the account in the fund or the Dreyfus money market fund, the investor and the investor's spouse and minor children become eligible to purchase Class A share of the fund at net asset value, whether or not the investor uses the proceeds related to the employment-based stock plan to establish the account

· members of qualified affinity groups who purchase Class A shares directly through the fund's distributor, provided that the qualified affinity group has entered into an affinity agreement with the distributor

· employees participating in qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans

· shareholders in Dreyfus-sponsored IRA rollover accounts funded with the distribution proceeds from qualified and non-qualified retirement plans or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided that, in the case of a qualified or non-qualified retirement plan, the rollover is processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the fund's distributor specifically relating to processing rollovers. Upon establishing the Dreyfus-sponsored IRA rollover account in the fund, the shareholder becomes eligible to make subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the fund at NAV in such account

Class C Shares

Since you pay no initial sales charge, an investment of less than $1 million in Class C shares buys more shares than the same investment would in Class A shares. However, Class C shares are subject to an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of .75% and an annual shareholder services fee of .25%. Over time, the Rule 12b-1 fees may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge on Class A shares. Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC.

Because Class A shares will always be a more favorable investment than Class C shares for investments of $1 million or more, the fund will generally not accept a purchase order for Class C shares in the amount of $1 million or more. While the fund will take reasonable steps to prevent investments of $1 million or more in Class C shares, it may not be able to identify such investments made through certain financial intermediaries or omnibus accounts.

Class I Shares

Since you pay no initial sales charge, an investment of less than $1 million in Class I shares buys more shares than the same investment would in a class that charges an initial sales charge. There is also no CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class I shares, and you do not pay any ongoing service or distribution fees.

Class I shares may be purchased by:

· bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the fund's distributor to offer Class I shares to their clients

· institutional investors acting in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension, profit-sharing and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities, trade or labor unions, or state and local governments, and IRAs set up under Simplified Employee Pension Plans that have entered into agreements with the fund's distributor to offer Class I shares to such plans

· law firms or attorneys acting as trustees or executors/administrators

· foundations and endowments that make an initial investment in the fund of at least $1 million

· sponsors of college savings plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, that maintain an omnibus account with the fund and do not require shareholder tax reporting or 529 account support responsibilities from the fund's distributor

· advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available

· Certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, series of BNY Mellon Funds Trust and

· certain institutional clients of a BNY Mellon investment advisory subsidiary, provided that such clients are approved by Dreyfus

· unaffiliated investment companies approved by the fund's distributor

CDSC Waivers

The fund's CDSC on Class A and C shares may be waived in the following cases:

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· permitted exchanges of shares, except if shares acquired by exchange are then redeemed within the period during which a CDSC would apply to the initial shares purchased

· redemptions made within one year of death or disability of the shareholder

· redemptions due to receiving required minimum distributions from retirement accounts upon reaching age 70½

· redemptions made through the fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan, if such redemptions do not exceed 12% of the value of the account annually

· redemptions from qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans

Buying and Selling Shares

Dreyfus generally calculates fund NAVs as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on days the NYSE is open for regular business. Your order will be priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form by the fund's transfer agent or other authorized entity. When calculating NAVs, Dreyfus values equity investments on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Dreyfus generally values fixed income investments based on values supplied by an independent pricing service approved by the fund's board. The pricing service's procedures are reviewed under the general supervision of the board. If market quotations or prices from a pricing service are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect accurately fair value, the fund may value those investments at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the fund's board. Fair value of investments may be determined by the fund's board, its pricing committee or its valuation committee in good faith using such information as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Under certain circumstances, the fair value of foreign equity securities will be provided by an independent pricing service. Using fair value to price investments may result in a value that is different from a security's most recent closing price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values. Foreign securities held by a fund may trade on days when the fund does not calculate its NAV and thus may affect the fund's NAV on days when investors have no access to the fund.

Investments in certain types of thinly traded securities may provide short-term traders arbitrage opportunities with respect to the fund's shares. For example, arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security or securities is halted and does not resume, or the market on which such securities are traded closes before the fund calculates its NAV. If short-term investors of the fund were able to take advantage of these arbitrage opportunities, they could dilute the NAV of fund shares held by long-term investors. Portfolio valuation policies can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that such valuation policies will prevent dilution of the fund's NAV by short-term traders. While the fund has a policy regarding frequent trading, it too may not be completely effective to prevent short-term NAV arbitrage trading, particularly in regard to omnibus accounts. Please see "Shareholder Guide — General Policies" for further information about the fund's frequent trading policy.

Orders to buy and sell shares received by an authorized entity (such as a bank, broker-dealer or financial adviser, or 401(k) or other retirement plan that has entered into an agreement with the fund's distributor) by the close of trading on the NYSE and transmitted to the distributor or its designee by the close of its business day (usually 5:15 p.m. Eastern time) will be based on the NAV determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day.

How to Buy Shares

By Mail – Regular Accounts. To open a regular account, complete an application and mail it, together with a check payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds

P.O. Box 55268

Boston, MA 02205-5268

To purchase additional shares in a regular account, mail a check payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds (with your account number on your check), together with an investment slip, to the above address.

By Mail – IRA Accounts. To open an IRA account or make additional investments in an IRA account, be sure to specify the fund name and the year for which the contribution is being made. When opening a new account include a completed IRA application, and when making additional investments include an investment slip. Make checks payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, and mail to:

The Bank of New York Mellon, Custodian

P.O. Box 55552

Boston, MA 02205-5552

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Electronic Check or Wire. To purchase shares in a regular or IRA account by wire or electronic check, please call 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) for more information.

Dreyfus TeleTransfer. To purchase additional shares in a regular or IRA account by Dreyfus TeleTransfer, which will transfer money from a pre-designated bank account, request the account service on your application. Call 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) or visit www.dreyfus.com to request your transaction.

Automatically. You may purchase additional shares in a regular or IRA account by selecting one of Dreyfus' automatic investment services made available to the fund on your account application or service application. See "Services for Fund Investors."

In Person. Visit a Dreyfus Financial Center. Please call us for locations.

The minimum initial and subsequent investment for regular accounts is $1,000 and $100, respectively. The minimum initial investment for IRAs is $750, with no minimum subsequent investment. The minimum initial investment for educational savings accounts is $500, with no minimum subsequent investment. Investments made through Dreyfus TeleTransfer are subject to a $100 minimum and a $150,000 maximum. All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party checks, cash, travelers’ checks or money orders will not be accepted. You may be charged a fee for any check that does not clear.

How to Sell Shares

You may sell (redeem) shares at any time. Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form 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 fund shares you acquired by reinvesting your fund dividends. As described above in this prospectus, there are certain instances when you may qualify to have the CDSC waived. Consult your financial representative or refer to the SAI for additional details.

Before selling shares recently purchased by check, Dreyfus TeleTransfer or Automatic Asset Builder, please note that:

· if you send a written request to sell such shares, the fund may delay sending the proceeds for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares

· the fund will not process wire, telephone, online or Dreyfus TeleTransfer redemption requests for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares

By Mail – Regular Accounts. To redeem shares in a regular account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes your name, your account number, the name of the fund, the share class, the dollar amount to be redeemed and how and where to send the proceeds. Mail your request to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds

P.O. Box 55268

Boston, MA 02205-5268

By Mail – IRA Accounts. To redeem shares in an IRA account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes all of the same information for regular accounts and indicate whether the distribution is qualified or premature and whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld. Mail your request to:

The Bank of New York Mellon, Custodian

P.O. Box 55552

Boston, MA 02205-5552

A signature guarantee is required for some written sell orders. These include:

· amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed within the last 30 days

· requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address

· amounts of $100,000 or more

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 to ensure that your signature guarantee will be processed correctly.

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Telephone or Online. To redeem shares call Dreyfus at 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) or, for regular accounts, visit www.dreyfus.com to request your transaction.

A check will be mailed to your address of record or you may request a wire or electronic check (Dreyfus TeleTransfer). For wires or Dreyfus TeleTransfer, be sure that the fund has your bank account information on file. Proceeds will be wired or sent by electronic check to your bank account.

You may request that redemption proceeds be paid by check and mailed to your address (maximum $250,000 per day). You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to your bank by wire (minimum $1,000/maximum $20,000 per day) or by Dreyfus TeleTransfer (minimum $500/maximum $20,000 per day). Holders of jointly registered fund or bank accounts may redeem by wire or through Dreyfus TeleTransfer up to $500,000 within any 30-day period.

Automatically. You may sell shares in a regular account by calling 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only) for instructions on how to establish the Dreyfus Automatic Withdrawal Plan. You may sell shares in an IRA account by calling the above number for instructions on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

In Person. Visit a Dreyfus Financial Center. Please call us for locations.

Redemption Fee

Frequent trading can disrupt the fund's investment program and create additional costs for long term shareholders. For these reasons, the fund assesses a 2% fee on redemptions (including exchanges) of fund shares held for less than 60 days. The redemption fee is paid directly to the fund and is designed to offset brokerage commissions, market impact, and other costs associated with frequent trading.

Subject to the exceptions described below, you will be subject to the fee, whether you are holding shares directly in your name or indirectly through an intermediary, such as a broker, bank, investment adviser, record keeper for retirement plan participants, or any other third party. If you hold your shares through an intermediary's omnibus account, the intermediary is responsible for imposing the fee and remitting the fee to the fund.

The fund will use the "first-in, first-out" method to determine the holding period for the shares sold. Under this method, shares held the longest will be redeemed or exchanged first. The holding period commences on the day after your purchase order is effective.

The fund will not assess a redemption fee on fund shares (1) redeemed through automatic withdrawal plans or automatic exchange plans; (2) redeemed through certain comprehensive fee programs, such as wrap fee accounts and automated rebalancing or asset allocation programs offered by financial intermediaries (including those sponsored by Dreyfus or its affiliates); (3) acquired by the reinvestment of fund dividends or capital gain distributions; (4) redeemed by the fund (e.g., for failure to meet account minimums or to cover various fees); (5) purchased or redeemed by rollover, transfers and changes of account registration, provided that the investment remains in the fund; (6) purchased by other mutual funds, if approved by the fund; (7) held in accounts in which there are legal or contractual restrictions on the imposition of a redemption fee as determined by the fund in its sole discretion; (8) redeemed as a result of death, disability or a Qualified Domestic Relations Order; (9) redeemed from Coverdell Education Savings Accounts to pay qualified education expenses; (10) redeemed from 529 Plans; and (11) converted from one share class to another in the fund.

In addition, the fund will not impose redemption fees on certain types of retirement plan transactions processed through a participant recordkeeping system supported by Dreyfus or through third party record keepers. These transactions include: (1) redemptions of shares purchased with new contributions to the plan, such as payroll contributions, excess contributions, and loan repayments; (2) shares redeemed for withdrawals and distributions, such as minimum required distributions, systematic withdrawal programs, and lump sum distributions; (3) redemptions by plan participants of investments made on their behalf into Qualified Default Investment Alternatives ("QDIAs"); (4) shares redeemed by participation in automated account rebalancing programs or other systematic participant investment advice programs approved by the plan sponsor; (5) shares purchased or redeemed as a result of plan sponsor decisions, such as changes in investment options and plan termination or merger; (6) shares redeemed for loans, or following a hardship specified in the retirement plan documents; and (7) forfeitures or redemptions in connection with a participant's termination of employment.

The fund may waive redemption fees for certain retirement plans that have implemented automated processes or other procedures to prevent frequent trading. Such waivers require the written approval of the fund.

The fund reserves the right to withdraw waivers in its sole discretion without notice if the fund determines that an account is engaging in frequent trading or other activities detrimental to the fund.

If you hold your shares through a financial intermediary that does not process your share transactions in an omnibus account, the intermediary is responsible for providing Dreyfus with the information necessary to enable you to receive any redemption fee waivers to which you may be entitled.

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While the fund seeks to apply its redemption fee policy to all accounts, the fund cannot assure that all intermediaries will properly assess the fees in omnibus accounts. In addition, due to operational limitations or restrictions, retirement plans and intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the fund may calculate redemption fees differently than the fund. If you are investing in fund shares through an intermediary (or in the case of a retirement plan, your plan sponsor), please contact the intermediary for more information on any differences in how the redemption fee may be applied to your investment in the fund.

General Policies

Unless you decline teleservice privileges on your application, the fund's transfer agent is authorized to act on telephone or online instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you and reasonably believed by the transfer agent to be genuine. You may be responsible for any fraudulent telephone or online order as long as the fund's transfer agent takes reasonable measures to confirm that instructions are genuine.

The fund is designed for long-term investors. Frequent purchases, redemptions and exchanges may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm fund performance by diluting the value of fund shares and increasing brokerage and administrative costs. As a result, Dreyfus and the fund's board have adopted a policy of discouraging excessive trading, short-term market timing and other abusive trading practices (frequent trading) that could adversely affect the fund or its operations. Dreyfus and the fund will not enter into arrangements with any person or group to permit frequent trading.

The fund also reserves the right to:

· change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend the privilege during unusual market conditions

· change its minimum or maximum investment amounts

· delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally applies only during unusual market conditions or in cases of very large redemptions or excessive trading)

· "redeem in kind," or make payments in securities rather than cash, if the amount redeemed is large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it exceeds 1% of the fund's assets)

· refuse any purchase or exchange request, including those from any individual or group who, in Dreyfus' view, is likely to engage in frequent trading

More than four roundtrips within a rolling 12-month period generally is considered to be frequent trading. A roundtrip consists of an investment that is substantially liquidated within 60 days. Based on the facts and circumstances of the trades, the fund may also view as frequent trading a pattern of investments that are partially liquidated within 60 days.

Transactions made through Automatic Investment Plans, Automatic Withdrawal Plans, Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privileges, automatic non-discretionary rebalancing programs, and minimum required retirement distributions generally are not considered to be frequent trading. For employer-sponsored benefit plans, generally only participant-initiated exchange transactions are subject to the roundtrip limit.

Dreyfus monitors selected transactions to identify frequent trading. When its surveillance systems identify multiple roundtrips, Dreyfus evaluates trading activity in the account for evidence of frequent trading. Dreyfus considers the investor's trading history in other accounts under common ownership or control, in other Dreyfus Funds and BNY Mellon Funds, and if known, in non-affiliated mutual funds and accounts under common control. These evaluations involve judgments that are inherently subjective, and while Dreyfus seeks to apply the policy and procedures uniformly, it is possible that similar transactions may be treated differently. In all instances, Dreyfus seeks to make these judgments to the best of its abilities in a manner that it believes is consistent with shareholder interests. If Dreyfus concludes the account is likely to engage in frequent trading, Dreyfus may cancel or revoke the purchase or exchange on the following business day. Dreyfus may also temporarily or permanently bar such investor's future purchases into the fund in lieu of, or in addition to, canceling or revoking the trade. At its discretion, Dreyfus may apply these restrictions across all accounts under common ownership, control or perceived affiliation.

Fund shares often are held through omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries, such as brokers and retirement plan administrators, where the holdings of multiple shareholders, such as all the clients of a particular broker, are aggregated. Dreyfus' ability to monitor the trading activity of investors whose shares are held in omnibus accounts is limited. However, the agreements between the distributor and financial intermediaries include obligations to comply with the terms of this prospectus and to provide Dreyfus, upon request, with information concerning the trading activity of investors whose shares are held in omnibus accounts. If Dreyfus determines that any such investor has engaged in frequent trading of fund shares, Dreyfus may require the intermediary to restrict or prohibit future purchases or exchanges of fund shares by that investor.

16

 

 

Certain retirement plans and intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the fund may have developed policies designed to control frequent trading that may differ from the fund's policy. At its sole discretion, the fund may permit such intermediaries to apply their own frequent trading policy. If you are investing in fund shares through an intermediary (or in the case of a retirement plan, your plan sponsor), please contact the intermediary for information on the frequent trading policies applicable to your account.

To the extent the fund significantly invests in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the fund calculates its NAV, events that influence the value of these foreign securities may occur after the close of these foreign markets and before the fund calculates its NAV. As a result, certain investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these foreign securities at the time the fund calculates its NAV (referred to as price arbitrage). This type of frequent trading may dilute the value of fund shares held by other shareholders. Dreyfus has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign equity securities under certain circumstances to reflect what it believes to be their fair value.

To the extent the fund significantly invests in thinly traded securities, certain investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities (referred to as price arbitrage). Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the fund's portfolio to a greater degree than funds that invest in highly liquid securities, in part because the fund may have difficulty selling these portfolio securities at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent redemption requests. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of fund shares held by other shareholders.

Although the fund's frequent trading and fair valuation policies and procedures are designed to discourage market timing and excessive trading, none of these tools alone, nor all of them together, completely eliminates the potential for frequent trading.

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; Education Savings 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 30 days, the fund may close your account and send you the proceeds.

Distributions and Taxes

The fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to shareholders as capital gain distributions. The fund normally pays dividends quarterly and capital gain distributions annually. Fund dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct the fund otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.

Distributions paid by the fund are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes (unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account). For federal tax purposes, in general, certain fund distributions, including distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income. Other fund distributions, including dividends from U.S. companies and certain foreign companies and distributions of long-term capital gains, generally are taxable to you as qualified dividends and capital gains, respectively.

High portfolio turnover  and more volatile markets can result in significant taxable distributions to shareholders, regardless of whether their shares have increased in value. The tax status of any distribution generally is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash.

If you buy shares of a fund  when the fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion back in the form of a taxable distribution.

Your sale of shares, including exchanges into other funds, may result in a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment in the fund generally is the difference between the cost of your shares and the amount you receive when you sell them.

The tax status of your distributions will be detailed in your annual tax statement from the fund. Because everyone's tax situation is unique, please consult your tax adviser before investing.

17

 

 

The fund’s transactions in non-U.S. currencies, non-U.S. currency- denominated debt obligations and certain non-U.S. currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the relevant foreign currency.

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. If you purchase shares through a third party, the third party may impose different restrictions on these services and privileges, or may not make them available at all. For information, call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only).

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 Payroll Savings Plan permits you to purchase fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically through a payroll deduction.

Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit permits you to purchase fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $50,000 per transaction) automatically from your federal employment, Social Security or other regular federal government check.

Dreyfus Dividend Sweep permits you to automatically reinvest dividends and distributions from the fund into another Dreyfus Fund (not available for IRAs).

Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits you to exchange at regular intervals your fund shares for shares of other Dreyfus Funds.

Dreyfus Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you to make withdrawals (minimum of $50) on a monthly or quarterly basis, provided your account balance is at least $5,000. Any CDSC will be waived, as long as the amount of any withdrawal does not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the greater of the account value at the time of the first withdrawal under the plan, or at the time of the subsequent withdrawal.

Exchange Privilege

Generally, you can exchange shares worth $500 or more (no minimum for retirement accounts) into other Dreyfus 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 generally 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. See the SAI for more information regarding exchanges. The fund may deduct a 2% redemption fee if you are selling or exchanging fund shares you have owned for less than 60 days.

Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege

To move money between your bank account and your Dreyfus Fund account with a phone call (for regular or IRA accounts) or online (for regular accounts only), use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up Dreyfus TeleTransfer on your account by providing bank account information and following the instructions on your application, or contacting your financial representative. Shares held in an Education Savings Account may not be redeemed through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege.

Account Statements

Every Dreyfus Fund investor automatically receives regular account statements. You will also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any dividends and distributions you have received. Reinvestment Privilege

Upon written request, you can reinvest up to the number of Class A 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.

18

 

 

Financial Highlights

These financial highlights describe the performance of the fund's shares 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 financial highlights have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the annual report, which is available upon request.

         

   

Year Ended May 31,

Class A Shares

 

2011

2010

2009a

Per Share Data ($):

 

  

  

  

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

13.39

12.11

12.50

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income--netb

 

.65

.55

.45

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

 

1.61

.96

(.59)

Total from Investment Operations

 

2.26

1.51

(.14)

Distributions:

       

Dividends from investment income--net

 

(.36)

(.18)

(.25)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

 

(.07)

(.05)

-

Total Distributions

 

(.43)

(.23)

(.25)

Net asset value, end of period

 

15.22

13.39

12.11

Total Return (%)c

 

17.21

12.56

(.95)d

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

 

1.27

1.50

3.08 e

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

 

1.27

1.32

1.35e

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

 

4.48

4.22

5.67e

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

97.99

74.25

108.46d

Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)

 

79,957

38,428

17,469

aFrom September 12, 2008 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2009.

bBased on average shares outstanding at each month end.

cExclusive of sales charge.

dNot annualized.

eAnnualized.

19

 

 

Financial Highlights (cont’d)

         

   

Year Ended May 31,

Class C Shares

 

2011

2010

2009a

Per Share Data ($):

 

  

  

  

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

13.29

12.07

12.50

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income--netb

 

.53

.46

.39

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

 

1.60

.95

(.59)

Total from Investment Operations

 

2.13

1.41

(.20)

Distributions:

       

Dividends from investment income--net

 

(.29)

(.14)

(.23)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

 

(.07)

(.05)

-

Total Distributions

 

(.36)

(.19)

(.23)

Net asset value, end of period

 

15.06

13.39

12.07

Total Return (%)c

 

16.28

11.73

(1.49)d

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

 

1.99

2.27

3.84 e

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

 

1.99

2.09

2.10e

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

 

3.65

3.53

4.92e

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

97.99

74.25

108.46d

Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)

 

14,953

1,888

966

aFrom September 12, 2008 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2009.

bBased on average shares outstanding at each month end.

cExclusive of sales charge.

dNot annualized.

eAnnualized.

         

   

Year Ended May 31,

Class I Shares

 

2011

2010

2009a

Per Share Data ($):

 

  

  

  

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

13.42

12.12

12.50

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income--netb

 

.69

.41

.47

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

 

1.62

1.14

(.59)

Total from Investment Operations

 

2.31

1.55

(.12)

Distributions:

       

Dividends from investment income--net

 

(.41)

(.20)

(.26)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

 

(.07)

(.05)

-

Total Distributions

 

(.48)

(.25)

(.26)

Net asset value, end of period

 

15.25

13.42

12.12

Total Return (%)c

 

17.45

12.94

(.79)c

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

 

.97

1.02

2.84 d

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

 

.97

1.01

1.10d

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

 

4.73

3.60

5.92d

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

97.99

74.25

108.46c

Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)

 

2,304,400

561,401

970

aFrom September 12, 2008 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2009.

bBased on average shares outstanding at each month end.

cNot annualized.

dAnnualized.

20

 

 

NOTES

21

 

 

For More Information

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund

A series of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust
SEC file number: 811-5240

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. The fund's most recent annual and semiannual reports are available at www.dreyfus.com.

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

Provides more details about the fund and its policies. A current SAI is available at www.dreyfus.com and is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI is incorporated by reference (is legally considered part of this prospectus).

Portfolio Holdings

Dreyfus funds generally disclose their complete schedule of portfolio holdings monthly with a 30-day lag at www.dreyfus.com under Products and Performance. Complete holdings as of the end of the calendar quarter are disclosed 15 days after the end of such quarter. Dreyfus money market funds generally disclose their complete schedule of holdings daily. The schedule of holdings for a fund will remain on the website until the fund files its Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the dates of the posted holdings.

A complete description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund's portfolio securities is available in the fund's SAI.

To Obtain Information

By telephone. Call 1-800-DREYFUS (inside the U.S. only)

By mail.
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

By E-mail. Send your request to info@dreyfus.com

On the Internet. Certain fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from:

SEC: http://www.sec.gov

Dreyfus: http://www.dreyfus.com

You can also obtain copies, after paying a duplicating fee, by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information, call 1-202-551-8090) or by E-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

   

© 2011 MBSC Securities Corporation
6081P1011

 

 

THE DREYFUS/LAUREL FUNDS TRUST

drEyfus EQUITY INCOME FUND

(CLASS/TICKER:  CLASS A/DQIAX, CLASS C/DQICX, CLASS I/DQIRX)

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OCTOBER 1,
2011


            This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of Dreyfus Equity Income Fund (the “Fund”), dated October 1,
2011 , as the Prospectus may be revised from time to time. The Fund is a separate, diversified series of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company, known as a mutual fund, that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). To obtain a copy of the Fund’s Prospectus, please call your financial adviser, or write to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, visit www.dreyfus.com, or call 1-800- DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.)

The financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , including notes to the financial statements and supplementary information, and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included in the Annual Report to shareholders. A copy of the Annual Report accompanies this SAI. The financial statements included in the Annual Report and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, and related notes, are incorporated herein by reference.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

Description of The Trust and Fund

B2

Management of The Trust and Fund

B23

Management Arrangements

B35

How to Buy Shares

B43

Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan

B50

How to Redeem Shares

B52

Shareholder Services

B55

Determination of Net Asset Value

B60

Dividends and Distributions

B62

Taxation

B63

Portfolio Transactions

B78

Summary Of The Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures And Guidelines Of The Dreyfus Family of Funds

B84

Information About the Trust and Fund

B85

Counsel And Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

B87

Appendix

B87

 

 

 


 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND FUND

The Trust was organized as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 30, 1979. The Trust is an open-end management investment company comprised of separate portfolios, including the Fund, each of which is treated as a separate fund.  The 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 nor hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single issuer (other than, in each case, securities of other investment companies, and securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager ”, “Dreyfus ” or the “Investment Adviser ”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser.

MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”) is the distributor of the Fund’s shares.

Certain Portfolio Securities

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus.

Common Stock and Other Equity Securities. The Fund may invest in common stock and other equity securities. Stocks represent shares of ownership in a company. After other claims are satisfied, common stockholders participate in company profits on a pro-rata basis; profits may be paid out in dividends or reinvested in the company to help it grow. Increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price, so common stocks generally have the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential of all corporate securities. 

Preferred Stock. The Fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock is a form of equity ownership in a corporation. Generally, preferred stock has a specified dividend and ranks after bonds and before common stocks in its claim on income for dividend payments and on assets should the company be liquidated. The dividend on a preferred stock is a fixed payment which the corporation is not legally bound to pay. Certain classes of preferred stock are convertible, meaning the preferred stock is convertible into shares of common stock of the issuer.  By holding convertible preferred stock, the Fund can receive a steady stream of dividends and still have the option to convert the preferred stock to common stock. While most preferred stocks pay a dividend, the Fund may purchase preferred stock where the issuer has omitted, or is in danger of omitting, payment of its dividend. Such investments would be made primarily for their capital appreciation potential. The Fund may purchase trust preferred securities which are preferred stocks issued by a special purpose trust subsidiary backed by subordinated debt of the corporate parent. These securities typically bear a market rate coupon comparable to interest rates available on debt of a similarly rated company. Holders of the trust preferred securities have limited voting rights to control the activities of the trust and no voting rights with respect to the parent company. 

The Fund may invest in convertible preferred stocks that offer enhanced yield features, such as PERCS (Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock). PERCS are preferred stock that generally feature a mandatory conversion date, as well as a capital appreciation limit that is usually expressed in terms of a stated price. The Fund also may invest in other classes of enhanced convertible securities, such as ACES (Automatically Convertible Equity Securities), PEPS (Participating Equity Preferred Stock), PRIDES (Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities), SAILS (Stock Appreciation Income Linked Securities), TECONS (Term Convertible Notes), QICS (Quarterly Income Cumulative Securities) and DECS (Dividend Enhanced Convertible Securities). These securities are company-issued convertible preferred stock. Unlike PERCS, they do not have a capital appreciation limit. They are designed to provide the investor with high current income with some prospect of future capital appreciation, issued with three- or four-year maturities, and typically have some built-in call protection. Investors have the right to convert them into shares of common stock at a preset conversion ratio or hold them until maturity. Upon maturity they will convert mandatorily into either cash or a specified number of shares of common stock.

 


 

 

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities may be converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of common stock and, therefore, are deemed to be equity securities for purposes of the Fund’s management policies. 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.

The Fund may invest in so-called “synthetic convertible securities,” which are comprised of two or more different securities, each with its own market value, whose investment characteristics, taken together, resemble those of convertible securities. For example, the Fund may purchase a non-convertible debt security and a warrant or option. The “market value” of a synthetic convertible is the sum of the values of its fixed income component and its convertible component. For this reason, the values of a synthetic convertible and a true convertible security may respond differently to market fluctuations.

 


 

 

Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares (collectively, “ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts and Global Depositary Shares (collectively, “GDRs”) and other forms of depositary receipts. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. GDRs are receipts issued outside the United States typically by non-United States banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities markets and GDRs in bearer form are designed for use outside the United States.

These securities may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary.  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. Purchases or sales of certain ADRs may result, indirectly, in fees being paid to the Depositary Receipts Division of The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of the Manager, by brokers executing the purchases or sales.

Foreign Securities; Foreign Government Obligations; Securities of Supranational Entities. The Fund may purchase securities of foreign issuers (typically limited to ADRs) and may invest in obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks and domestic branches of foreign banks. The Fund also may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities that the Manager determines to be of comparable quality to the other obligations in which the Fund may invest. Such securities also include debt obligations of supranational entities. Supranational entities include international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related government agencies.  Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.

Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities issued by registered and unregistered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds described below. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund’s investment in such securities, subject to certain exceptions, currently is limited to (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets in the aggregate. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory fees and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. The Fund also may invest its uninvested cash reserves , or cash it receives as collateral from borrowers of its portfolio securities in connection with the Fund’s securities lending program , in shares of one or more money market funds advised by the Manager. Such investments will not be subject to the limitations described above. See “Lending Portfolio Securities.”

 


 

 

Exchange-Traded Funds. The Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (collectively, “ETFs”), which are designed to provide investment results corresponding to a securities index. These may include Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”), DIAMONDS, Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (also referred to as “Nasdaq 100 Shares ”) and iShares exchange-traded funds (“iShares”), such as iShares Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund. ETFs usually are units of beneficial interest in an investment trust or represent undivided ownership interests in a portfolio of securities, in each case with respect to a portfolio of all or substantially all of the component securities of, and in substantially the same weighting as, the relevant benchmark index. The benchmark indices of SPDRs, DIAMONDS and Nasdaq-100 Shares are the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq-100 Index, respectively. The benchmark index for iShares varies, generally corresponding to the name of the particular iShares fund. ETFs are designed to provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the component securities of the benchmark index. ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary market on a per-share basis.

The values of ETFs are subject to change as the values of their respective component securities fluctuate according to market volatility. Investments in ETFs that are designed to correspond to an equity index, for example, involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly based portfolio of common stocks, including the risk that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of ETFs invested in by the Fund. Moreover, the Fund’s investments in ETFs may not exactly match the performance of a direct investment in the respective indices to which they are intended to correspond due to the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or other extraordinary circumstances, such as discrepancies with respect to the weighting of securities.

Real Estate Investment Trusts. The Fund may invest in securities issued by real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). A REIT is a corporation, or a business trust that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation, which meets the definitional requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level Federal income tax and making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for Federal income tax purposes. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things, invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs) or cash and government securities, derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property, and distribute to shareholders annually a substantial portion of its otherwise taxable income.

REITs are characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs, which may include operating or finance companies, own real estate directly and the value of, and income earned by, the REITs depends upon the income of the underlying properties and the rental income they earn. Equity REITs also can realize capital gains (or losses) by selling properties that have appreciated (or depreciated) in value. Mortgage REITs can make construction, development or long-term mortgage loans and are sensitive to the credit quality of the borrower. Mortgage REITs derive their income from interest payments on such loans.  Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity and mortgage REITs, generally by holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in real estate. The value of securities issued by REITs are affected by tax and regulatory requirements and by perceptions of management skill. They also are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers or tenants, self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status under the Code or to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.

 


 

 

Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities include corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar instruments. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants attached.  Corporate income‑producing securities also may include forms of preferred or preference stock.  The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate such as interest rates or other financial indicators. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. Such securities may include those whose principal amount or redemption price is indexed to, and thus varies directly with, changes in the market price of certain commodities, including gold bullion or other precious metals.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities. Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the prime rate.

The Fund may invest in floating rate debt instruments (“floaters”). The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every six months.  Because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well.

The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”).  The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed or inversely to a multiple of the applicable index. An inverse floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality.

Warrants. A warrant is a form of derivative that gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specified amount of the issuing corporation’s equity or fixed-income securities at a set price for a specified period of time. Bonds with warrants attached to purchase equity securities have many characteristics of convertible bonds and their prices may, to some degree, reflect the performance of the underlying stock. Bonds also may be issued with warrants attached to purchase additional fixed-income securities at the same coupon rate. A decline in interest rates would permit the Fund to buy additional bonds at the favorable rate or to sell the warrants at a profit. If interest rates rise, the warrants would generally expire with no value.

 


 

 

Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Investments. The Fund may invest in Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar instruments. Eurodollar instruments are bonds of foreign corporate and government issuers that pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars generally held in banks outside the United States, primarily in Europe. Yankee Dollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated bonds typically issued in the U.S. by foreign governments and their agencies and foreign banks and corporations. The Fund may invest in Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (“ECDs”), Eurodollar Time Deposits (“ETDs”) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“Yankee CDs”). ECDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks; ETDs are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in a foreign branch of a U.S. bank or in a foreign bank; and Yankee CDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and held in the United States. These investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, including potential unfavorable political and economic developments, foreign withholding or other taxes, seizure of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest.

Zero Coupon, Pay-in-Kind and Step-up Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities, which are Treasury Notes and Bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves and receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and coupons. Zero coupon securities also are issued by corporations and financial institutions which constitute a proportionate ownership of the issuer’s pool of underlying U.S. Treasury securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holders during its life and is sold at a discount to its face value at maturity. The Fund may invest in pay-in-kind bonds, which are bonds that generally pay interest through the issuance of additional bonds. The Fund also may purchase step-up coupon bonds, which are debt securities that typically do not pay interest for a specified period of time and then pay interest at a series of different rates. The market prices of these securities generally are more volatile and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than the market prices of securities that pay cash interest periodically having similar maturities and credit qualities. In addition, unlike bonds that pay cash interest throughout the period to maturity, the Fund will realize no cash until the cash payment date unless a portion of such securities are sold and, if the issuer defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. Federal income tax law requires the holder of a zero coupon security or of certain pay-in-kind or step-up bonds to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for Federal income taxes, the Fund may be required to distribute such income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements. See “Taxation”

U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds that differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. In addition to U.S. Treasury securities, the Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality. These securities bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. While the U.S. Government currently provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since it is not so obligated by law.

 


 

 

Money Market Instruments. When the Manager determines that adverse market conditions exist, the 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. The Fund also may purchase money market instruments when it has cash reserves or in anticipation of taking a market position.

Bank Obligations. Bank obligations in which the Fund may invest include certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and fixed time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties that vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with commercial banks, or registered broker-dealers or other financial institutions. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund would acquire a security for a relatively short period subject to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund’s cost plus interest). In the case of repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, the value of the underlying securities (or collateral) will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest factor. The Fund bears a risk of loss if the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. This risk includes the risk of procedural costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value should fall below their repurchase price.

Commercial Paper. The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies. The commercial paper purchased by the Fund may consist of U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic issuers and foreign currency-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign issuers.

Illiquid Securities. The 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, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s net assets could be adversely affected.

 


 

 

Investment Techniques

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus.

Borrowing Money. The 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. The 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 the value of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments. In addition, the Fund may borrow for investment purposes on a secured basis through entering into reverse repurchase agreements, as described below under “Reverse Repurchase Agreements.”

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund also may borrow for investment purposes on a secured basis through entering into reverse repurchase agreements. The 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 the 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 SEC. The SEC views reverse repurchase transactions as collateralized borrowings by the Fund. Except for these transactions, the Fund’s borrowings generally will be unsecured.

Lending Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, the Fund remains the owner of the loaned securities and continues to be entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities. The Fund also has the right to terminate a loan at any time. The Fund may call the loan to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s investment is to be voted upon.  Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan). 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. If the collateral consists of a letter of credit or securities, the borrower will pay the Fund a loan premium fee.  If the collateral consists of cash, the Fund will reinvest the cash and pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” from any return earned on the investment. The Fund may participate in a securities lending program operated by The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of Dreyfus, as lending agent (the “Lending Agent”). The Lending Agent will receive a percentage of the total earnings of the Fund derived from lending its portfolio securities. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund may experience delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising its rights in the collateral. Loans are made only to borrowers that are deemed by the Manager to be of good financial standing. In a loan transaction, the Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The Fund will minimize this risk by limiting the investment of cash collateral to money market funds advised by the Manager, repurchase agreements or other high quality instruments with short maturities.

 


 

 

Short-Selling. In these transactions, the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. The Fund may make short-sales to hedge positions, for duration and risk management, to maintain portfolio flexibility or to enhance returns. To complete a short-sale 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. The Fund also may make short sales “against the box,” in which the Fund enters into a short sale of a security it owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost at the time of the sale. The Fund may not make a short sale that results in the Fund having sold short in the aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding securities of any class of an issuer.

Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, it will: (a) segregate permissible liquid assets in an amount that, together with the amount provided as collateral, always equals the current value of the security sold short; or (b) otherwise cover its short position.

Derivatives. The Fund may invest in, or enter into, derivatives for a variety of reasons, including to hedge certain market or interest rate risks, to provide a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities or to increase potential returns. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. Examples of derivative instruments the Fund may use include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and swap agreements. Derivatives may provide a cheaper, quicker or more specifically focused way for the Fund to invest than “traditional” securities would. The Fund’s portfolio managers may decide not to employ some or all of these strategies and there is no assurance that any derivatives strategy used by the Fund will succeed.

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 the 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 the 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 the underlying instruments or the Fund’s 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.

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 that is the issuer or counterparty to such derivatives. This guarantee usually is supported by a variation margin payment 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 the 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.

Some derivatives the Fund may use may involve leverage (e.g., an instrument linked to the value of a securities index may return income calculated as a multiple of the price movement of the underlying index). This economic leverage will increase the volatility of these instruments as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the underlying security, index, futures contract, currency or other economic variable. Pursuant to regulations and/or published positions of the SEC, the Fund may be required to segregate permissible liquid assets, or engage in other measures approved by the SEC or its staff, to “cover” the Fund’s obligations relating to its transactions in derivatives. For example, in the case of futures contracts or forward contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts’ full notional value (generally, the total numerical value of the asset underlying a future or forward contract at the time of valuation) while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts or forward contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligation (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures and forward contracts, the Fund may employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.

 


 

 

Neither the Trust nor the Fund will be a commodity pool. The Trust has filed notice with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association of its eligibility, as a registered investment company, for an exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator and that neither the Trust nor the Fund is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

Futures Transactions—In General. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security for a set price on a future date. These contracts are traded on exchanges, so that, in most cases, either party can close out its position on the exchange for cash, without delivering the security. An option on a futures contract gives the holder of the option the right to buy from or sell to the writer of the option a position in a futures contract at a specified price on or before a specified expiration date.

Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out before delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument with the same delivery date.  If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Transaction costs also are included in these calculations.

Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to the Fund which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s net assets. Although the 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 and options with respect thereto by the Fund also is subject to the Manager’s ability 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 the 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. The Fund may have to sell such securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Specific Futures Transactions. The Fund may invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including those with respect to securities indexes, interest rates and currencies.

 


 

 

The Fund may purchase and sell index futures contracts and options thereon. An index future obligates the 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 prices of the securities that comprise the index at the opening of trading in such securities on the next business day.

The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts and options thereon. 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.

The Fund may purchase and sell currency futures and options thereon. 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. The Fund may purchase call and put options and write (i.e., sell) covered call and put option contracts. 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 the Fund is a call option with respect to which the Fund owns the underlying security or otherwise covers the transaction such as by segregating permissible liquid assets. A put option written by the 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 or otherwise covers the transaction. 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. The 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. The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options in respect of specific securities (or groups or “baskets” of specific securities), including equity securities (including convertible securities), U.S. Government securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, and Eurodollar instruments that are traded on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, or securities indices, currencies or futures.

 


 

 

An option on an 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 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 index options will depend upon price movements in the level of the index rather than the price of a particular security.

The 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.

The Fund may purchase cash-settled options on interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps denominated in foreign currency and equity index swaps described below, in pursuit of its investment objective.  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.

Successful use by the Fund of options and options on futures will be subject to the Manager’s ability to predict correctly movements in the prices of individual securities, the relevant securities market generally, foreign currencies or interest rates , as applicable. To the extent the Manager’s predictions are incorrect, the Fund may incur losses.

Swap Transactions and Credit Derivatives. The Fund may engage in swap transactions, including currency swaps, index swaps and interest rate swaps. The Fund may enter into swaps for both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. The Fund also may enter into options on swap agreements, sometimes called “swaptions.”   Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another.  For example, if the Fund agreed to exchange payments in U.S. dollars for payments in a foreign currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the Fund’s exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates.  Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and its share price and yield.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, or in a “basket” of credit default swaps or securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount” of the swap agreement is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange.

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund are cash settled and calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Thus, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the segregation of permissible liquid assets of the Fund.

 


 

 

 

A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right 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. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally will incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than it will incur when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

 

Interest rate swaps are over-the-counter contracts in which each party agrees to make a periodic interest payment based on an index or the value of an asset in return for a periodic payment from the other party based on a different index or asset. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index rises above a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor or vice versa to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

 

The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements and similar agreements, which may have as reference obligations securities that are or are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection “seller” an up front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided generally that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund recovers nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an up front payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. Credit default swaps and similar instruments involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly, since, in addition to general market risks, they are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk.

 


 

 

 

The Fund may invest in credit linked securities issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle that, in turn, invests in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps or interest rate swaps, to obtain exposure to certain fixed income markets or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available. Like an investment in a bond, an investment in these credit linked securities represents the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the security. However, these payments are conditioned on the issuer’s receipt of payments from, and the issuer’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to certain derivative instruments entered into by the issuer of the credit linked security. For example, the issuer may sell one or more credit default swaps entitling the issuer to receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the issuer would be obligated to pay the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. 

The use of swap agreements and credit derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Manager is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors, or a counterparty defaults, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. In addition, it is possible that developments in the swap or credit derivatives markets , including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap or other credit derivative agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

 

The Fund will enter into swap and credit derivatives transactions only when the Manager believes it would be in the best interests of the Fund to do so. In addition, the Fund will enter into swap and other credit derivative agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness (generally, such counterparties would have to be eligible counterparties under the terms of the Fund’s repurchase agreement guidelines). 

 

The swaps market has been an evolving market and largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including new regulatory requirements, could affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements or otherwise affect how swaps are transacted. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act enacted on July 21, 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) will result in new clearing and exchange-trading requirements for swaps and other over-the-counter derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or the SEC, in consultation with banking regulators, to establish capital requirements as well as requirements for margin on uncleared derivatives in certain circumstances that will be clarified by rules proposed by the CFTC or SEC. In addition, the CFTC and the SEC are reviewing the current regulatory requirements applicable to derivatives, and it is not certain at this time how the regulators may change these requirements. Any such changes may, among various  possible effects, increase the cost of entering into derivatives transactions, require more assets of the Fund to be used for collateral in support of those derivatives than is currently the case, or restrict the ability of the Fund to enter into certain types of derivative transactions.

 


 

 

   

Structured Notes and Other Hybrid Instruments. Structured notes are derivative debt securities or other securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator, and include indexed securities. Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile. They are sometimes referred to as “structured notes” because the terms of the debt instrument may be structured by the issuer of the note and the purchaser of the note, such as the Fund. These notes may be issued by banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other financial institutions.

 

A hybrid instrument can combine the characteristics of securities, futures, and options.  For example, the principal amount or interest rate of a hybrid instrument could be tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some currency or securities index or another interest rate (each a “benchmark”). The interest rate or the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark.

Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment strategies, including currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund.

Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions including forward currency contracts and multiple interest rate transactions, structured notes and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions (“component transactions”), instead of a single transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Manager, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Manager’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

Future Developments. The Fund may take advantage of opportunities in 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 the Fund enters into such transactions or makes any such investment, the Fund will provide appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus or this SAI.

 


 

 

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may invest directly in foreign currencies or hold financial instruments that provide exposure to foreign currencies, in particular “hard currencies,” or may invest in securities that trade in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies. “Hard currencies” are currencies in which investors have confidence and are typically currencies of economically and politically stable industrialized nations. To the extent the Fund invests in such currencies, the Fund will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

The 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 for investment porpuses.

Foreign currency transactions may involve, for example, the 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. The Fund’s success in these transactions may depend on the ability of the Manager to predict accurately the future exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.

The Fund also may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) for the purchase or sale of a specified currency at a specified future date. The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved.  Generally, secondary markets do not exist for forward contracts, with the result that closing transactions can be made for forward contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty to the contract. 

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.

Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment (including “TBA” (to be announced)), when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, which means delivery and payment take place in the future after the date of the commitment to purchase or sell the securities at a predetermined price and/or yield. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. When purchasing a security on a forward commitment basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining its net asset value. Because the Fund is not required to pay for these securities until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund’s other investments. If the Fund is fully or almost fully invested when forward commitment purchases are outstanding, such purchases may result in a form of leverage. The Fund would engage in forward commitments to increase its portfolio’s financial exposure to the types of securities in which it invests. Leveraging the portfolio in this manner will increase the Fund’s exposure to changes in interest rates and will increase the volatility of its returns. 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, when-issued or delayed-delivery 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 or delayed-delivery basis may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery 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, when-issued or delayed-delivery 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.

Certain Investment Considerations and Risks

Equity Securities. Equity securities, including common stocks, and certain preferred stocks, 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. 

The Fund may purchase securities of companies in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) or shortly thereafter. An IPO is a corporation’s first offering of stock to the public. Shares are given a market value reflecting expectations for the corporation’s future growth. Special rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) apply to the distribution of IPOs.  Corporations offering IPOs generally have limited operating histories and may involve greater investment risk. The prices of these companies’ securities can be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly, sometimes based solely on investor perceptions rather than economic reasons.

Fixed-Income Securities. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities rated, at the time of purchase, investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch” and collectively with Moody’s and S&P, the “Rating Agencies”) or, if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality by the Manager. 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 that may be purchased by the Fund, such as those with interest rates that fluctuate directly or indirectly based on multiples of a stated index, are designed to be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and can subject the holders thereof to extreme reductions of yield and possibly loss of principal. The values of fixed-income securities also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuer. 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 “Appendix” for a general description of the Rating Agencies’ ratings.

 


 

 

Foreign Securities. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers, as well as instruments that provide investment exposure to foreign securities and markets, involves risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of domestic issuers.  Investments in foreign issuers may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and in exchange control regulations (e.g., currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency (i.e., weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. A change in the value of such foreign currency against the U.S. dollar also will result in a change in the amount of income the Fund has available for distribution. Because a portion of the Fund’s investment income may be received in foreign currencies, the Fund will be required to compute its income in U.S. dollars for distribution to shareholders, and therefore the Fund will absorb the cost of currency fluctuations. After the Fund has distributed income, subsequent foreign currency losses may result in the Fund having distributed more income in a particular fiscal period than was available from investment income, which could result in a return of capital to shareholders. In addition, if the exchange rate for the currency in which the Fund receives interest payments declines against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to enable the Fund to pay such dividends. Commissions on transactions in foreign securities may be higher than those for similar transactions on domestic stock markets and foreign custodial costs are higher than domestic custodial costs. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have on occasion been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.

Foreign securities markets generally are not as developed or efficient as those in the United States. Securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United States and, at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the United States. 

Because evidences of ownership of foreign securities usually are held outside the United States, by investing in such securities 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, that 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. Foreign securities held by the Fund may trade on days when the Fund does not calculate its net asset value and thus may affect the Fund’s net asset value on days when investors have no access to the Fund.

 


 

 

Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by ADRs or that are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter markets are not subject to many of the special considerations and risks discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI that apply to foreign securities traded and held abroad. A U.S. dollar investment in ADRs or shares of foreign issuers traded on U.S. exchanges may be impacted differently by currency fluctuations than would an investment made in a foreign currency on a foreign exchange in shares of the same issuer.

Investment Restrictions

Fundamental. The Fund’s classification as a diversified investment company is a fundamental policy, which cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Fund has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies. The Fund may not:

1.      Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

2.      Invest in physical commodities or commodities contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those related to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices and enter into swap agreements and other derivative instruments.

3.      Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or other mineral leases or exploration or development programs, but the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or issued by companies that invest or deal in real estate or real estate investment trusts and may acquire and hold real estate or interests therein through exercising rights or remedies with regard to such securities.

4.      Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets).

5.      Lend any securities or make loans to others, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits such loans to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets) or as otherwise permitted by the SEC. For purposes of this Investment Restriction, the purchase of debt obligations (including acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments) and the entry into repurchase agreements shall not constitute loans by the Fund. Any loans of portfolio securities will be made according to guidelines established by the SEC and the Trust’s Board.

6.      Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.

7.      Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act), except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of borrowing money in accordance with the Fund’s borrowing policies. For purposes of this Investment Restriction, collateral, escrow, or margin or other deposits with respect to the making of short sales, the purchase or sale of futures contracts or options, purchase or sale of forward foreign currency contracts, and the writing of options on securities are not deemed to be an issuance of senior security.

 


 

 

Non-fundamental. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities (or other instruments with similar economic characteristics). The Fund has adopted a policy to provide its shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior notice of any change in its policy to so invest 80% of its assets. The Fund also has adopted the following additional non-fundamental investment restrictions. These non-fundamental restrictions, and the Fund’s investment objective, may be changed by vote of a majority of the Trust’s Board members without shareholder approval, in compliance with applicable law and regulatory policy. The Fund may not:

1.      Purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts, and except that effecting short sales will be deemed not to constitute a margin purchase for purposes of this Investment Restriction.

2.      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.

3.      Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice or purchase securities that are illiquid, if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets would be so invested.

4.      Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.

5.      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, forward commitment or delayed-delivery 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 permitted transactions.

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. With respect to fundamental Investment Restriction No. 4, however, if borrowings exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets as a result of changes in values or assets, the Fund must take steps to reduce such borrowings within three business days at least to the extent of such excess.

If the Fund’s investment objective, policies, restrictions, practices or procedures change, shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of the shareholder’s then-current position and needs.

 

 

 


 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND FUND

Board of the Trust

 

Board’s Oversight Role in Management.  The Board’s role in management of the Trust is oversight.  As is the case with virtually all investment companies (as distinguished from operating companies), service providers to the Trust, primarily the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund, which includes responsibility for risk management (including management of investment performance and investment risk, valuation risk, issuer and counterparty credit risk, compliance risk and operational risk).  As part of its oversight, the Board, acting at its scheduled meetings, or the Chairman, acting between Board meetings, regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer (or a senior representative of his office), the Trust’s and the Investment Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer and portfolio management personnel.  The Board’s audit committee (which consists of all Board members) meets during its scheduled meetings, and between meetings the audit committee chair maintains contact, with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the Trust’s Chief Financial Officer.  The Board also receives periodic presentations from senior personnel of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates regarding risk management generally, as well as periodic presentations regarding specific operational, compliance or investment areas, such as business continuity, anti-money laundering, personal trading, valuation, credit, investment research and securities lending.  The Board also receives reports from counsel to the Company or counsel to the Investment Adviser and the Board's own independent legal counsel regarding regulatory compliance and governance matters.  The Board has adopted policies and procedures designed to address certain risks to the Fund.  In addition, the Investment Adviser and other service providers to the Fund have adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Fund.  Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks.  However, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks applicable to the Trust , and the Board's risk management oversight is subject to inherent limitations .

Board Composition and Leadership Structure.  The 1940 Act requires that at least 40% of the Trust’s Board members not be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and as such are not affiliated with the Investment Adviser (“Independent Board members”).  To rely on certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act, a majority of the Trust’s Board members must be Independent Board members, and for certain important matters, such as the approval of investment advisory agreements or transactions with affiliates, the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder require the approval of a majority of the Independent Board members.  Currently, all of the Trust’s Board members, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent Board members, although the Board could in the future determine to add Board members who are not Independent Board members.  The Board has determined that its leadership structure, in which the Chairman of the Board is not affiliated with the Investment Adviser, is appropriate in light of the services that the Investment Adviser and its affiliates provide to the Trust and potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these relationships. 

 

            Information About Each Board Member’s Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills.  Board members of the Trust, together with information as to their positions with the Trust, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, are shown below. 

 


 

 

Name (Age)
Position with Trust (Since)

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years

Joseph S. DiMartino ( 67 )
Chairman of the Board
(1999)

Corporate Director and Trustee

CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director 

(1997-present)

 

The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000- 2010 )

 

Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of certain outdoor-related services to homes and business, Director (2005-2009) 

 

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons ( 77 )
Board member
(1994)

Corporate Director and Trustee

 

Bill Barrett Corporation, an oil and natural gas exploration company, Director (2004 -present)

 

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel ( 65 )
Board member
(1988)

President and CEO,
Related Urban Development, a real estate development company (1996-present)

 

President and CEO, Himmel & Company, a real estate development company (1980-present)

 

CEO, American Food Management, a restaurant company (1983-present)

N/A

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood ( 64 )
Board member
(1993)

Chairman of the Board, Stephen J. Lockwood and Company LLC, a real estate investment company (2000-present)

N/A

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson ( 61 )
Board member
(1993)

Principal, Watson Ventures, Inc., a real estate investment company (1993- present)

N/A

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley ( 65 )
Board member
(1998)

Principal, The Wiley Group, a firm specializing in strategy and business development (2005-present)

 

President and CEO, The Partnership, an organization dedicated to increasing the representation of African Americans in positions of leadership, influence and decision-making in Boston, MA (1991-2005)

CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director 

(2008- present)

 

       

 


 

 

 

Each Board member has been a Board member of the Trust and other Dreyfus mutual funds for at least ten years.  Additional information about each Board member follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that each Board member possesses which the Board believes has prepared them to be effective Board members.  The Board believes that the significance of each Board member’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Board member may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the board level, with no single Board member, or particular factor, being indicative of board effectiveness.  However, the Board believes that Board members need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Trust management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties; the Board believes that its members satisfy this standard.  Experience relevant to having this ability may be achieved through a Board member’s educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., medicine, accounting or law), public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board of the Trust) or as an executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences.  The charter for the Board’s nominating committee contains certain other factors considered by the Committee in identifying and evaluating potential Board member nominees.  To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Board members are counseled by their own independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment Adviser, and also may benefit from information provided by the Trust’s or the Investment Adviser’s counsel; both Board and Trust counsel have significant experience advising funds and fund board members.  The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate.  The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.

 

·         Joseph S. DiMartino – Mr. DiMartino has been the Chairman of the Board of the funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for over 15 years.  From 1971 through 1994, Mr. DiMartino served in various roles as an employee of Dreyfus (prior to its acquisition by a predecessor of  the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”) in August 1994 and related management changes), including portfolio manager, President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director.  He ceased being an employee or Director of Dreyfus by the end of 1994.  From July 1995 to November 1997, Mr. DiMartino served as Chairman of the Board of The Noel Group, a public buyout firm; in that capacity, he helped manage, acquire, take public and liquidate a number of operating companies.  From 1986 to 2010, Mr. DiMartino served as a Director of The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

 


 

 

 

·         James M. Fitzgibbons – In addition to his tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Mr. Fitzgibbons has also served as an officer or a board member of numerous public and private companies for over 40 years.  These positions included serving as Chairman of the Board of Davidson Cotton Company and as Chairman of the Board of Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc., a publicly traded diversified textile company.  He also has served as President of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute (the domestic industry’s trade association) and Chairman of the Board of the Tanners’ Council of America (the U.S. leather manufacturing trade group).  He has been a board member of Fiduciary Trust Company of Boston and of Brookline Savings Bank and a board member of significant charitable and non-profit organizations.  

 

·         Kenneth A. Himmel – In addition to his tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Mr. Himmel has over 30 years experience as a business entrepreneur, primarily focusing on real estate development.  Mr. Himmel is President and Chief Executive Officer of Related Urban Development, a leading developer of large-scale mixed-use properties and a division of Related Companies, L.P. 

 

·         Stephen J. Lockwood – In addition to his tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Mr. Lockwood’s business experience of over 40 years includes being a Board member and/or officer of various financial institutions, including insurance companies, real estate investment companies and venture capital firms.  Mr. Lockwood serves as Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Stephen J. Lockwood & Company, LLC, a real estate investment company.  Mr. Lockwood was formerly the Vice Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed insurance holding company. 

 

·         Roslyn M. Watson – In addition to her tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Ms. Watson has been a business entrepreneur in commercial and residential real estate for over 15 years.  Ms. Watson currently serves as President and Founder of Watson Ventures, Inc ., a real estate development investment firm, and her current board memberships include American Express Bank, FSB, SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc., The Hyams Foundation, Inc., Pathfinder International and Simmons College.  Previously, she held various positions in the public and private sectors, including General Manager for the Massachusetts Port Authority.  She has received numerous awards, including the Woman of Achievement award from the Boston Big Sister Association and the Working Woman of the Year Award from Working Woman Magazine.  

 

·         Benaree Pratt Wiley – In addition to her tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, Ms. Wiley has been a business entrepreneur and management consultant for over 18 years.  Ms. Wiley is a Principal of The Wiley Group, a firm specializing in personnel strategy, talent management and leadership development primarily for global insurance and consulting firms.  Prior to that, Ms. Wiley served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Partnership, Inc., a talent management organization for multicultural professionals in the greater Boston region.  Ms. Wiley currently serves on the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and is chair of the advisory board of PepsiCo African-American, and she has served on the boards of several public companies and charitable organizations. 

 


 

 

 

Additional Information about the Board and its Committees. Board members are elected to serve for an indefinite term. The Trust has standing audit and nominating committees, each comprised of its Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act. The function of the audit committee is (i) to oversee the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Fund’s financial statements and (ii) to assist in the Board’s oversight of the integrity of the Fund’s financial statements, the Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance. The Trust’s nominating committee is responsible for selecting and nominating persons as members of the Board for election or appointment by the Board and for election by shareholders. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by shareholders, the committee takes into consideration various factors listed in the nominating committee charter . The nominating committee will consider recommendations for nominees from shareholders submitted to the Secretary of the Trust, c/o The Dreyfus Corporation Legal Department, 200 Park Avenue, 8th Floor East, New York, New York 10166, which includes information regarding the recommended nominee as specified in the nominating committee charter. The Trust also has a standing compensation committee comprised of Ms. Watson (Chair), Mr. Fitzgibbons and Ms. Wiley. The function of the compensation committee is to establish the appropriate compensation for serving on the Board. The Trust also has a standing pricing committee comprised of any one Board member. The function of the pricing committee is to assist in valuing the Fund’s investments. The audit committee met three times and the compensation committee, the nominating committee and the pricing committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 .

 

The table below indicates the dollar range of each Board member’s ownership of Fund shares and shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which he or she is a Board member, in each case as of December 31,  2010 .

 

 

Joseph S. DiMartino

James M. Fitzgibbons 

Kenneth A. Himmel

Stephen J. Lockwood 

Roslyn M. Watson 

Benaree Pratt Wiley 

Dreyfus Equity Income Fund

None

None

None

None

None

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate Holdings of Funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which Responsible as a Board Member

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

$50,001-$100,000

Over $100,000

$10,001-$50,000

$50,001-$100,000

 

As of December 31,  2010 , none of the Board members or their immediate family members owned securities of the Manager, the Distributor or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager or the Distributor.

 


 

 

            No officer or employee of Dreyfus or the Distributor (or of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate thereof) receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. Each of the Trustees also serves as a Director/Trustee of Dreyfus Funds, Inc., Dreyfus Investment Funds, The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc. and The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds (collectively, with the Trust, the “Board Group Open-End Funds”) and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund. The Board Group Open-End Funds pay each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) $60,000 per annum, plus $7,000 per joint Board Group Open-End Funds Board meeting attended, $2,500 for separate in-person committee meetings attended which are not held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled Board meeting and $2,000 for Board meetings and separate committee meetings attended that are conducted by telephone.

Each Emeritus Board member is entitled to receive an annual retainer of one-half the amount paid as a retainer at the time the Board member became Emeritus and a per meeting attended fee of one-half the amount paid to Board members.    

             

            The Board Group Open-End Funds also reimburse each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) for travel and out-of-pocket expenses. With respect to Board meetings, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation (with the exception of reimbursable amounts). The Chair of each of the Board’s committees, unless the Chair also serves as Chairman of the Board, receives $1,350 per applicable Committee meeting. In the event that there is an in-person joint committee meeting or a joint telephone meeting of the Board Group Open-End Funds and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund, the fee is allocated between the Board Group Open-End Funds and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.

 

            The aggregate amount of compensation received by each current Trustee from the Trust for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , and the amount paid to each Trustee by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person was a Board member (the number of portfolios of such funds is set forth in parentheses next to each Board member’s total compensation) during the year ended December 31, 2010 , were as follows:

 

 

 

Name of Board

Member

 

Aggregate

Compensation

From the Trust (*)

Total Compensation

From the Trust

and Fund Complex

Paid to Board Member (**)

Joseph S. DiMartino

$ 25,313

$ 1,060,250 (175

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons

$ 21,750

$ 123,000 (35 )

 

 

 

J. Tomlinson Fort***

$10, 875

$ 52,000 (21 )

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel

$ 17,250

$ 105,000 (35 )

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood

$20, 250

$ 121 ,000 ( 35 )

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson

$ 21,750

$ 153,250 (46 )

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley

$ 21,750

$ 356,000 (73 )

 


 

 

____________________________

*         Amounts required to be paid by the Trust directly to the non-interested Trustees, that would be applied to offset a portion of the management fee payable to Dreyfus, are in fact paid directly by Dreyfus to the non-interested Trustees.  This amount does not include the cost of office space, secretarial services and health benefits for the Chairman and expenses reimbursed to Board members for attending Board meetings, which in the aggregate amounted to $ 1,095 .

**           Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the Fund Complex, including the Fund, for which the Board member served.

***      Emeritus Board member as of April 12, 2008.

Officers of the Trust

BRADLEY J. SKAPYAK, President since January 2010. Chief Operating Officer and a director of the Manager since June 2009.  From April 2003 to June 2009, Mr. Skapyak was the head of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager. He is an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 138 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1988.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001. Director - Mutual Fund Accounting of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1985.

MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Vice President and Secretary since August 2005. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1991.

KIESHA ASTWOOD, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010.  Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager.  She is 38 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since July 1995.

 


 

 

 

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon and Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 45 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since December 1996.

JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2000.

KATHLEEN DENICHOLAS, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010.  Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager.  She is 36 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 2001. 

JANETTE E. FARRAGHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.  Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1984.

JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1991.

M. CRISTINA MEISER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2011.  Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager.  She is 41 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since August 2001. 

ROBERT R. MULLERY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 59 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since May 1986.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1990.

RICHARD CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008. Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since 1982.

 


 

 

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005. Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1991.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Fixed Income Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 1990.

STEPHEN J. STOREN , Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since May 2011 .    Chief Compliance Officer of the Distributor, and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of 73 investment companies (comprised of 189 portfolios) managed by the Manager.  He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since October 1999 .

 

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004. Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (77 investment companies, comprised of 193 portfolios). From November 2001 through March 2004, Mr. Connolly was first Vice-President, Mutual Fund Servicing for Mellon Global Securities Services.  In that capacity, Mr. Connolly was responsible for managing Mellon’s Custody, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services to third-party mutual fund clients. He is 54 years old and has served in various capacities with the Manager since 1980, including manager of the firm’s Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.

The address of each Board member and officer of the Trust is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.

The officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned beneficially less than 1% of the total shares of the Fund outstanding as of September 6, 2011 .

Principal Shareholders. As of September 6, 2011 , the following shareholders were known by the Fund to own of record 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding shares. A shareholder who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the Fund’s voting securities may be deemed a “control person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

 

 


 

 

Class A Shares

 

 

 

American Enterprise Investment Service

P.O. Box 9446

Minneapolis, MN 55440-9446

18.1559 %

 

 

MLPF & S

4800 Deer Lake Dr. E Fl 3

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

 

13.4039%

First Clearing, LLC

Special Custody Account

2801 Market Street

ST Louis, MO 63103-2525

 

10.2598%

Pershing LLC

P.O. Box 2052

Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052

9.0966%

 

National Financial Services

82 Devonshire Street

Boston, MA 02109-3605

 

5.4658%

 

 

Class C Shares

 

 

 

MLPF & S

4800 Deer Lake Dr. E Fl 3

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

 

43.7527 %

American Enterprise Investment Service

P.O. Box 9446

Minneapolis, MN 55440-9446

16.34440%

Pershing LLC

P.O. Box 2052

Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052

9.4110%

First Clearing, LLC

Special Custody Account

2801 Market Street

ST Louis, MO 63103-2525

 

9.1702 %

 

 

Class I Shares

 

 

 

Pershing LLC

P.O. Box 2052

Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052

48.5483 %

LPL Financial

San Diego, CA 92121-1968

 

18.0036%

MLPF & S

4800 Deer Lake Dr. E Fl 3

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

 

15.7875%

The Bank of New York Mellon Custody

Paula Lovell

Neenah, WI 54956-4619

9.4095%

 

 

 

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Custody

Kenneth Price

Neenah, WI 54956-4619

8.2511%

 


 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

            Investment Adviser. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon, a global financial services company focused on helping clients move and manage their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing asset and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team.

 

Management Agreement. The Manager serves as the investment adviser for the Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between the Manager and the Trust, subject to the overall authority of the Board of Trustees in accordance with Massachusetts law. As investment adviser, the Manager manages the Fund by making investment decisions based on the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions.

The Management Agreement is subject to annual approval by (i) the Trust’s Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Trust’s Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Management Agreement is terminable without penalty, on not more than 60 days’ notice, by the Trust’s Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, or, upon not less than 90 days’ notice, by the Manager. The Management Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager: Jonathan Baum, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; J. Charles Cardona, President and a director; Diane P. Durnin, Vice Chair and a director; Bradley J. Skapyak, Chief Operating Officer and a director; Dwight Jacobsen, Executive Vice President and a director; Jeffrey D. Landau, Executive Vice President and a director; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications; Gary E. Abbs, Vice President-Tax; Jill Gill, Vice President-Human Resources; Joanne S. Huber, Vice President-Tax; Anthony Mayo, Vice President-Information Systems; Kathleen Geis, Vice President; John E. Lane, Vice President; Dean M. Steigauf , Vice President; Gary Pierce, Controller; Joseph W. Connolly, Chief Compliance Officer; James Bitetto, Secretary; and Robert G. Capone, Mitchell E. Harris , Cyrus Taraporevala and Scott E. Wennerholm, directors.

 


 

 

 

The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Fund, and furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required services to the Fund. The Manager may pay the Distributor for shareholder services from the Manager’s own assets, including past profits but not including the management fee paid by the Fund. The Distributor may use part or all of such payments to pay certain financial institutions (which may include banks), securities dealers (“Selected Dealers”) and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Agents”) 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.

Portfolio Management. The Manager provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio of investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Trust’s Board. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Trust’s Board to execute purchases and sales of securities. Jocelin A. Reed, CFA, C. Wesley Boggs, Warren Chiang, CFA, Ronald Gala, CFA, Langton Garvin, CFA, and Patrick Slattery, CFA, serve as the Fund’s primary portfolio managers. Ms. Reed and Messrs. Boggs, Chiang, Gala, Garvin and Slattery are employed by Dreyfus and Mellon Capital Management Corporation (“Mellon Capital”), an affiliate of Dreyfus. The Manager and its affiliates also maintain research departments with professional staffs of portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services for the Fund and for other funds advised by the Manager.

The Trust, the Manager and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics that permits its personnel, subject to the Code of Ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Each Code of Ethics restricts the personal securities transactions of employees to ensure that such trading does not disadvantage any of the firms’ other clients.  In that regard, portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Manager must preclear and report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the Code of Ethics and also are subject to the oversight of BNY Mellon’s Investment Ethics Committee (the “Committee”). Portfolio managers and other investment personnel who comply with the preclearance and disclosure procedures of the Code of Ethics 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.

Portfolio Manager Compensation. Dreyfus or Mellon Capital, not the Fund , compensates the portfolio manager.  The primary objectives of Mellon Capital’s compensation plans are to: 

 

  • Motivate and reward continued growth and profitability
  • Attract and retain high-performing individuals critical to the on-going success of Mellon Capital
  • Motivate and reward superior business/investment performance
  • Create an ownership mentality for all plan participants

 


 

 

The investment professionals' cash compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based base salary and (variable) incentives (cash and deferred). An investment professional's base salary is determined by the employees' experience and performance in the role, taking into account the ongoing compensation benchmark analyses. A portfolio manager's base salary is generally a fixed amount that may change as a result of an annual review, upon assumption of new duties, or when a market adjustment of the position occurs. Funding for the Mellon Capital Annual and Long Term Incentive Plan is through a pre-determined fixed percentage of overall Mellon Capital profitability. Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on Mellon Capital's financial performance. Annual incentive opportunities are pre-established for each individual, expressed as a percentage of base salary ("target awards"). These targets are derived based on a review of competitive market data for each position annually. Annual awards are determined by applying multiples to this target award. Awards are 100% discretionary. Factors considered in awards include individual performance, team performance, investment performance of the associated portfolio(s) including both short and long term returns and qualitative behavioral factors. Other factors considered in determining the award are the asset size and revenue growth/retention of the products managed. Awards are paid in partially in cash with the balance deferred through the Long Term Incentive Plan.

 

These positions that participate in the Long Term Incentive Plan have a high level of accountability and a large impact on the success of the business due to the position's scope and overall responsibility. This plan provides for an annual award, payable in cash after a three-year cliff vesting period as well as a grant of BNY Mellon Restricted Stock for senior level roles.

 

The same methodology described above is used to determine portfolio manager compensation with respect to the management of mutual funds and other accounts. Mutual fund portfolio managers are also eligible for the standard retirement benefits and health and welfare benefits available to all Mellon Capital employees. Certain portfolio managers may be eligible for additional retirement benefits under several supplemental retirement plans that Mellon Capital provides to restore dollar-for-dollar the benefits of management employees that had been cut back solely as a result of certain limits due to the tax laws. These plans are structured to provide the same retirement benefits as the standard retirement benefits. In addition, mutual fund portfolio managers whose compensation exceeds certain limits may elect to defer a portion of their salary and/or bonus under the BNY Mellon Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees. 

 

Additional Information About the Portfolio Manager. The following table lists the number and types of other accounts advised by the Fund’s primary portfolio manager and assets under management in those accounts as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal year.

 


 

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager 

Registered Investment Company

Accounts *

 

 

Assets Managed 

 

 

Pooled Accounts **

 

 

Assets Managed 

 

 

Other Accounts ***

 

 

Assets Managed 

C. Wesley Boggs

14*

$6.376 M

10**

$896 M

71***

$8,985 M

Warren Chiang

14*

$6.376 M

10**

$896 M

71***

$8,985 M

Ronald Gala

14*

$6.376 M

10**

$896 M

71***

$8,985 M

Langton Garvin

14*

$6.376 M

10**

$896 M

71***

$8,985 M

Jocelin A. Reed

14 *

$6. 376 M

10**

$ 896 M

71***

$ 8,985 M

Patrick Slattery

14*

$6.376 M

10**

$896 M

71***

$8,985 M

________________

* One of the registered investment company accounts managed (approximately $4.466 billion in assets) is subject to a performance-based advisory fee .

** One of the pooled accounts  managed ( approximately $ 33 million in assets) is subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

*** Thirteen of the other accounts managed ( approximately $1 .555 billion in aggregate assets) are subject to performance -based advisory fees .

 

The dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by the primary portfolio manager is as follows as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal year:

 

 

Portfolio Manager

 

 

Dollar Range of

Shares Beneficially Owned of the Fund

 

 

C. Wesley Boggs

None

Warren Chiang

None

Ronald Gala

None

Langton Garvin

None

Jocelin A. Reed

 

None

Patrick Slattery

None

 

            Portfolio managers may manage multiple accounts for a diverse client base, including mutual funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions such as pension funds, insurance companies and foundations), bank common trust accounts and wrap fee programs (“Other Accounts”).

 

Potential conflicts of interest may arise because of Dreyfus’ management of the Fund and Other Accounts, as applicable. For example, conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities, as Dreyfus may be perceived as causing accounts it manages to participate in an offering to increase Dreyfus’ overall allocation of securities in that offering, or to increase Dreyfus’ ability to participate in future offerings by the same underwriter or issuer. Allocations of bunched trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially filled due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as Dreyfus may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to preferred accounts. IPOs, in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. Additionally, portfolio managers may be perceived to have a conflict of interest if there are a large number of Other Accounts, in addition to the Fund, that they are managing on behalf of Dreyfus. Dreyfus periodically reviews each portfolio manager’s overall responsibilities to ensure that he or she is able to allocate the necessary time and resources to effectively manage the Fund. In addition, Dreyfus could be viewed as having a conflict of interest to the extent that Dreyfus or its affiliates and/or portfolio managers have a materially larger investment in Other Accounts than their investment in the Fund.

 


 

 

Other Accounts may have investment objectives, strategies and risks that differ from those of the Fund. For these or other reasons, the portfolio managers may purchase different securities for the Fund and the Other Accounts, and the performance of securities purchased for the Fund may vary from the performance of securities purchased for Other Accounts. The portfolio managers may place transactions on behalf of Other Accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made for the Fund, which could have the potential to adversely impact the Fund, depending on market conditions.

A potential conflict of interest may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in another account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by the other account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account.

Conflicts of interest similar to those described above arise when portfolio managers are employed by a sub-investment adviser or are dual employees of the Manager and an affiliated entity and such portfolio managers also manage Other Accounts.

 

BNY Mellon and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and commercial banking or other relationships with the issuers of securities purchased by the Fund.  BNY Mellon has no obligation to provide to Dreyfus or the Fund, or effect transactions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with, any market or other information, analysis, or research in its possession.  Consequently, BNY Mellon (including, but not limited to, BNY Mellon’s central Risk Management Department) may have information that could be material to the management of the Fund and may not share that information with relevant personnel of Dreyfus.  Accordingly, Dreyfus has informed management of the Fund that in making investment decisions it does not obtain or use material inside information that BNY Mellon or its affiliates may possess with respect to such issuers.

 

Dreyfus will make investment decisions for the Fund as it believes is in the best interests of the Fund.  Investment decisions made for the Fund may differ from, and may conflict with, investment decisions made for other investment companies and accounts advised by Dreyfus or BNY Mellon and its other affiliates.  Actions taken with respect to such other investment companies or accounts may adversely impact the Fund, and actions taken by the Fund may benefit BNY Mellon or other investment companies or accounts (including the Fund) advised by Dreyfus or BNY Mellon and its other affiliates.  Regulatory restrictions (including, but not limited to, those related to the aggregation of positions among different other investment companies and accounts) and internal BNY Mellon policies, guidance or limitations (including, but not limited to, those related to the aggregation of positions among all fiduciary accounts managed or advised buy BNY Mellon and all its affiliates (including Dreyfus) and the aggregated exposure of such accounts) may restrict investment activities of the Fund.  While the allocation of investment opportunities among the Fund and other investment companies and accounts advised by Dreyfus or BNY Mellon and its other affiliates may raise potential conflicts because of financial, investment or other interests of BNY Mellon or its personnel, Dreyfus will make allocation decisions consistent with the interests of the Fund and the other investment companies and accounts and not solely based on such other interests.

 


 

 

 

BNY Mellon and its affiliates, including Dreyfus and others involved in the management, sales, investment activities, business operations or distribution of the Fund, are engaged in businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Fund.  These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional, financial and other interests in securities, instruments and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Fund and the Fund's service providers, which may cause conflicts that could disadvantage the Fund.

 

Expenses. All expenses incurred in the operation of the Trust, with respect to the Fund, are borne by the Trust, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The expenses borne by the Trust, with respect to the Fund, include, without limitation: 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, SEC fees and 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 independent pricing services, costs of maintaining the Trust’s existence, 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. Expenses attributable to the Fund are charged against the assets of the Fund; other expenses of the Trust are allocated among the Fund and the Trust’s other series on the basis determined by the Trust’s Board, including, but not limited to, proportionately in relation to the net assets of each series. In addition, each class of shares bears any class specific expenses allocated to such class, such as expenses related to the distribution and/or shareholder servicing of such class. Class A and Class C shares are subject to an annual shareholder services fee, and Class C shares are subject to an annual distribution fee. See “Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan.” All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before the declaration of dividends to shareholders.

As compensation for the Manager’s services, the Trust has agreed to pay the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 , 2010 and 2011 , the management fee payable by the Fund to the Manager amounted to $ 8,929 , $11,067 and $ 21,280 , respectively, all of which amounts were waived pursuant to undertakings by the Manager, resulting in no management fee paid during such periods.

 


 

 

The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to reduction as the value of the Fund’s net assets increases.

Distributor. The Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Fund’s distributor on a best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement with the Trust, which is renewable annually. The Distributor also serves as the distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust.

 

The Distributor compensates certain Service Agents for selling Class A shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own assets. The proceeds of the CDSC and fees pursuant to the Trust’s Distribution Plan (described below), in part, are used to defray the expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with the sale of the applicable Class of Fund shares. The Distributor also may act as a Service Agent and retain sales loads and CDSCs and Distribution Plan fees. For purchases of Class A shares subject to a CDSC and Class C shares, the Distributor generally will pay Service Agents on new investments made through such Service Agents a commission of up to 1% of the net asset value of such shares purchased by their clients.

For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 , 2010 and 2011 , the Distributor retained $ 100 , $120 and $ 4,524 , respectively, from sales loads on the Fund’s Class A shares. For the same periods, the Distributor retained $ 204 , $19 and $ 16 , respectively, from the CDSCs on the Fund’s Class C shares.

The Distributor may pay Service Agents that have entered into agreements with the Distributor a fee based on the amount invested through such Service Agents in Fund shares by employees participating in qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension, profit-sharing and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities, trade or labor unions, or state and local governments (“Retirement Plans”), or other programs. The term “Retirement Plans” does not include IRAs, IRA “Rollover Accounts” or IRAs set up under Simplified Employee Pension Plans (“SEP-IRAs”). Generally, the Distributor may pay such Service Agents a fee of up to 1% of the amount invested through the Service Agents. The Distributor, however, may pay Service Agents 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. Sponsors of such Retirement Plans or the participants therein should consult their Service Agent for more information regarding any such fee payable to the Service Agent.

The Manager or the Distributor may provide additional cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund or provide other services. Such payments are separate from any sales charges, 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder services fees and other expenses paid by the Fund to those intermediaries. Because those payments are not made by you or the Fund, the Fund’s total expense ratio will not be affected by any such payments. These additional payments may be made to Service Agents, including affiliates, that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the Service Agent. Cash compensation also may be paid from the Manager’s or the Distributor’s own resources to Service Agents for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are referred to as “revenue sharing.” From time to time, the Manager or the Distributor also may provide cash or non-cash compensation to Service Agents in the form of: occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorships; support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations. In some cases, these payments or compensation may create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments it may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.

 


 

 

Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Trust’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under the transfer agency agreement with the Trust, the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of the relevant shareholder account records for the 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 the Fund during the month, and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses. The Fund also makes payments to certain financial intermediaries, including affiliates, who provide sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services to beneficial owners of Fund shares.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of the Manager, located at One Wall Street, New York, New York, 10286, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s investments. The Custodian has no 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 Trust, the 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 the Fund’s assets held in custody and receives certain securities transaction charges.

HOW TO BUY SHARES

General. Class A shares and Class C shares of the Fund may be purchased only by clients of certain Service Agents, including the Distributor. Subsequent purchases may be sent directly to the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent. You will be charged a fee if an investment check is returned unpayable. Shares are issued in book entry form only   

 

            The Trust reserves the right to reject any purchase order. The Fund will not establish an account for a “foreign financial institution,” as that term is defined in Department of the Treasury rules implementing section 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. Foreign financial institutions include: foreign banks (including foreign branches of U.S. depository institutions); foreign offices of U.S. securities broker-dealers, futures commission merchants, and mutual funds; non-U.S. entities that, if they were located in the United States, would be securities broker-dealers, futures commission merchants or mutual funds; and non-U.S. entities engaged in the business of currency dealer or exchanger or money transmitter.  The Fund will not accept cash, travelers’ checks, or money orders as payment for shares.

 


 

 

 

Class I shares are offered only to: (i) bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the Distributor to offer Class I shares to their clients, (ii) institutional investors acting in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for Retirement Plans and SEP-IRAs (Class I shares may be purchased for a Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA only by a custodian, trustee, investment manager or other entity authorized to act on behalf of such Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Class I shares to such Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA), (iii) law firms or attorneys acting as trustees or executors/administrators, (iv) foundations and endowments that make an initial investment in the Fund of at least $1 million, (v) sponsors of college savings plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under Section 529 of the Code , that maintain an omnibus account with the Fund and do not require shareholder tax reporting or 529 account support responsibilities from the Distributor, (vi) advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available , (vii) certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, and (viii) unaffiliated investment companies approved by the Distributor. Institutions effecting transactions in Class I shares for the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in connection with such transactions.

When purchasing shares of the Fund, you must specify which Class is being purchased.  Your Service Agent can help you choose the share Class that is appropriate for your investment.  The decision as to which Class of shares is most beneficial to you depends on a number of factors, including the amount and the intended length of your investment in the Fund. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for a further discussion of those factors.

 

In many cases, neither the Distributor nor the Transfer Agent will have the information necessary to determine whether a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase. You or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor whenever a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase and must provide the Distributor with sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that each purchase qualifies for the privilege or discount.

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 SAI, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may charge their clients direct fees.  You should consult your Service Agent in this regard.  As discussed under “Management Arrangements—Distributor,” Service Agents may receive revenue sharing payments from the Manager or the Distributor. The receipt of such payments could create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund instead of other mutual funds where such payments are not received. Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments it may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.

For each Class of shares, the minimum initial investment is $1,000. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be at least $100.  However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant and $500 for Dreyfus-sponsored Education Savings Accounts, 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 who elect to have a portion of their pay directly deposited into their Fund accounts, the minimum initial investment is $50. Fund shares are offered without regard to the minimum initial investment requirements to Board members of a fund advised by the Manager, including members of the Trust’s Board, who elect to have all or a portion of their compensation for serving in that capacity automatically invested in the Fund. Fund shares are offered without regard to the minimum initial or subsequent investment amount requirements to investors purchasing Fund shares through wrap fee accounts or other fee-based programs. The Trust reserves the right to offer Fund shares without regard to minimum purchase requirements to government-sponsored programs or to employees participating in certain Retirement Plans or other programs where contributions or account information can be transmitted in a manner and form acceptable to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to vary further the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.

 


 

 

The Fund may, in its discretion, accept securities in payment for Fund shares. Securities may be accepted in payment for shares only if they are, in the judgment of the Manager, appropriate investments for the Fund. These securities are valued by the same method used to value the Fund’s existing portfolio holdings. The contribution of securities to the Fund may be a taxable transaction to the shareholder. 

The Code imposes various limitations on the amount that may be contributed to certain Retirement Plans or government-sponsored programs. 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 or government-sponsored program. Participants and plan sponsors should consult their tax advisers for details.

Fund shares also may be purchased through Dreyfus-Automatic  Asset Builder®, Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan and Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege as described under “Shareholder Services.” These services enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide you with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. You should be aware, however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee a profit and will not protect an investor against loss in a declining market.

Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis. Net asset value per share of each Class is determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular business. For purposes of determining net asset value, certain options and futures contracts may 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. For 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 (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on a regular business day, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on the next regular 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 such business day (usually 5:15 p.m., Eastern time) will be based on the public offering price per share determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the orders will be based on the next determined public offering price. It is the dealer’s responsibility to transmit orders so that they will be received by the Distributor or its designee before the close of its business day. For certain institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor, payment for the purchase of Fund shares may be transmitted, and must be received by the Transfer Agent, within three business days after the order is placed. If such payment is not received within three business days after the order is placed, the order may be canceled and the institution could be held liable for resulting fees and/or losses.

Class A Shares. The public offering price for Class A shares of the Fund is the net asset value per share of that Class plus  (except for shareholders beneficially owning Class T shares of the Fund exchanged for Class A shares of the Fund) a sales load as shown below:

 

Total Sales Load* -- Class A Shares

 

 

Amount of Transaction

As a % of offering
price per share

 

As a % of net asset
value per share

Dealers’ reallowance as a % of offering price

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than $50,000

5.75

6.10

5.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

$50,000 to less than $100,000

4.50

4.71

3.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

$100,000 to less than $250,000

3.50

3.63

2.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

$250,000 to less than $500,000

2.50

2.56

2.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

$500,000 to less than $1,000,000

2.00

2.04

1.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,000,000 or more

-0-

-0-

-0-

 

____________________________

 

*

Due to rounding, the actual sales load you pay may be more or less than that calculated using these percentages.

               

 

Effective February 4, 2009 (the “Exchange Date”), the Fund no longer offers Class T shares. Holders of Class T shares of the Fund as of the Exchange Date received automatically in exchange for their Class T shares Class A shares of the Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate value of the shareholder’s Class T shares. For shareholders of the Fund who received Class A shares of the Fund in exchange for their Class T shares of the Fund on the Exchange Date, the public offering price for Class A shares of the Fund is the Net Asset Value of that Class plus a sales load as shown below:

 


 

 

 

 

 

Total Sales Load* -- Class A Shares

 

Amount of Transaction

As a % of offering
price per share

 

As a % of net asset
value per share

Dealers’ reallowance as a

% of offering price

 

 

 

 

Less than $50,000

4.50

4.71

4.00

 

 

 

 

$50,000 to less than $100,000

4.00

4.17

3.50

 

 

 

 

$100,000 to less than $250,000

3.00

3.09

2.50

 

 

 

 

$250,000 to less than $500,000

2.00

2.04

1.75

 

 

 

 

$500,000 to less than $1,000,000

1.50

1.50

1.25

 

 

 

 

$1,000,000 or more

-0-

-0-

-0-

____________________________

*

Due to rounding, the actual sales load you pay may be more or less than that calculated using these percentages.

Class A shares purchased without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more may be assessed at the time of redemption a 1% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. The Distributor may pay Service Agents an up-front commission of up to 1% of the net asset value of Class A shares purchased by their clients as part of a $1,000,000 or more investment in Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC. If the Service Agent waives receipt of such commission, the CDSC applicable to such Class A shares will not be assessed at the time of redemption. See “Management Arrangements--Distributor.”

The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class A shares made by any “purchaser,” which term includes an individual and/or spouse purchasing securities for his, her or their own account or for the account of any minor children, or a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account (including a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code) although more than one beneficiary is involved; or a group of accounts established by or on behalf of the employees of an employer or affiliated employers pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other program (including accounts established pursuant to Sections 403(b), 408(k), and 457 of the Code); or an organized group that 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 that result in economy of sales effort or expense.

Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering price of Class A shares of the Fund. 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 as of May 31, 2011 :

 


 

 

 

Class A

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share............................

$ 13.23

Per Share Sales Charge

 

Class A – 5.75% of offering price
(6.10% of net asset value per share) ...........

0. 81

 

Per Share Offering Price to the Public...........

 

$ 14.04


           
Dealers’ Reallowance—Class A Shares. The dealer reallowance provided with respect to Class A 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 Dreyfus which are sold with a sales load, such as Class A shares. In some instances, these incentives may be offered only to certain dealers who have sold or may sell significant amounts of such shares. See “Management Arrangements-Distributor.”

 

Class A Shares Offered at Net Asset Value. Full-time employees of FINRA member firms and full-time employees of other financial institutions that 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 a FINRA 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 (if Fund shares are offered to such plans or programs), or for their spouses or minor children, at net asset value without a sales load, provided they have furnished the Distributor 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 FINRA 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 or its affiliates, including members of the Trust’s Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of the foregoing.

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value, without a sales load, through certain broker-dealers and other financial institutions that 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, without a sales load, 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, and (iii) a charitable organization investing $50,000 or more in Fund shares and charitable remainder trust (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code), provided that such Class A shares are purchased directly through the Distributor. Any such charitable organization or charitable remainder trust that holds Class A shares of the Fund as of July 15, 2011, and continues to hold such Class A shares, may purchase additional Class A shares of the Fund at the net asset value without a sales load whether or not purchasing such shares directly through the Distributor.

 


 

 

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value, without a sales load, by qualified investors who (i) purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor, and (ii) have, or whose spouse or minor children have, beneficially owned shares and continuously maintained an open account directly through the Distributor in a Dreyfus-managed fund since on or before February 28, 2006.

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value, without a sales load, by investors with the cash proceeds from the investor's exercise of stock options and/or disposition of stock related to employment-based stock plans , whether invested in the Fund directly or indirectly through an exchange from a Dreyfus-managed money market fund, provided that the proceeds are processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor specifically relating to administering employment-based stock plans.  Upon establishing the account in the Fund or the Dreyfus-managed money market fund, the investor and the investor's spouse and minor children become eligible to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value, whether or not the investor uses the proceeds related to the employment- based stock plan to establish the account .

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value, without a sales load, by members of qualified affinity groups who purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor, provided that the qualified affinity group has entered into an affinity agreement with the Distributor.

Class A shares are offered at net asset value, without a sales load, to employees participating in Retirement 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 Retirement Plan or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided that, in the case of a Retirement Plan, the rollover is processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor specifically relating to processing rollovers. Upon establishing the Rollover Account in the Fund, the shareholder becomes eligible to make subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value in such account.

Right of Accumulation--Class A Shares. Reduced sales loads apply to any purchase of Class A shares by you and any related “purchaser” as defined above, where the aggregate investment, including such purchase, is $50,000 or more. If, for example, you previously purchased and still hold shares of the Fund or shares of certain other funds advised by the Manager that are subject to a front-end sales load or a CDSC or shares acquired by a previous exchange of such shares (hereinafter referred to as “Eligible Funds”), or combination thereof, with an aggregate current market value of $40,000 and subsequently purchase Class A shares of the 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. 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 for reduced sales loads, at the time of purchase you or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor if orders are made by wire, or the Transfer Agent if orders are made by mail. The reduced sales load is subject to confirmation of your holdings through a check of appropriate records.

 


 

 

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 I Shares. The public offering price for Class I shares is the net asset value per share of that Class. Class I shares of the Fund are offered to:

         certain institutional clients of a BNY Mellon investment advisory subsidiary, provided that such clients are approved by the Manager; and

 

         unaffiliated investment companies approved by the Distributor.

Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may purchase shares of the Fund by telephone or online 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. If purchase orders are received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any day the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for regular business, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined on that day. If purchase orders are made after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any day the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for regular business, or on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g., when the New York Stock Exchange is not open for business), Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined on the next 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 sent to an account at any other bank, the request must be in writing and signature-guaranteed. See “How to Redeem Shares—Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege.”

Reopening an Account. You may reopen an account with a minimum investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the calendar year the account is closed or during the following calendar year, provided the information on the old Account Application is still applicable.

Converting Shares. Under certain circumstances, Fund shares may be converted from one Class of shares to another Class of shares of the Fund. The aggregate dollar value of the shares of the Class received upon any such conversion will equal the aggregate dollar value of the converted shares on the date of the conversion. An investor whose shares are converted from one Class to another Class of the Fund will not realize taxable gain or loss as a result of the conversion.

 


 

 

DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN

Class C shares are subject to a Distribution Plan and Class A and Class C shares are subject to a Shareholder Services Plan.

Distribution Plan. Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) adopted by the SEC 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 Trust’s Board has adopted such a plan (the “Distribution Plan”) with respect to the Fund’s Class C shares pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for distributing Class C shares at an annual rate of 0.75% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class C shares. The Distributor may pay one or more Service Agents in respect of advertising, marketing and other distribution services, and determines the amounts, if any, to be paid to Service Agents and the basis on which such payments are made. The Trust’s Board believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and the holders of its Class C shares.

A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Distribution Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the Board for its review. In addition, the Distribution Plan provides that it may not be amended to increase materially the costs that holders of the Fund’s Class C shares may bear pursuant to the Distribution Plan without the approval of the holders of such shares and that other material amendments of the Distribution Plan must be approved by the Trust’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. As to the relevant class of shares, the Distribution Plan is subject to annual approval by such vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Plan. As to the relevant class of shares, 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.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , the Fund paid the Distributor, with respect to Class C shares, $ 4,221 in distribution fees pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

Shareholder Services Plan. The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan, pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for the provision of certain services to the holders of the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares at an annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such 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 Trust’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust 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 the relevant class of shares, 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. As to the relevant class of shares, the Shareholder Services Plan is terminable at any time by vote of a majority of the Board members who are not “interested persons” and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan.

 


 

 

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , the Fund paid the Distributor, with respect to Class A and Class C shares, $ 5,427 and $ 1,407 , respectively, in shareholder services fees pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

General. The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in proper form, except as provided by the rules of the SEC. However, if you have purchased Fund shares by check, by Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege or through Dreyfus-Automatic  Asset Builder® and subsequently submit a written redemption request to the Transfer Agent, the Fund may delay sending the redemption proceeds for up to eight business days after the purchase of such shares. In addition, the Fund will reject requests to redeem shares by wire or telephone, online or pursuant to the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege for a period of up to eight business days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the purchase check, the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  purchase or the Dreyfus-Automatic  Asset Builder order against which such redemption is requested. These procedures will not apply if your shares were purchased by wire payment, or if you otherwise have a sufficient collected balance in your account to cover the redemption request. Fund shares may not be redeemed until the Transfer Agent has received your Account Application.

If you hold shares of more than one Class of the Fund, any request for redemption must specify the Class of shares being redeemed. If you fail to specify the Class of shares to be redeemed or if you own fewer shares of the Class than specified to be redeemed, the redemption request may be delayed until the Transfer Agent receives further instructions from you or your Service Agent.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class C Shares. A CDSC of 1% payable to the Distributor is imposed on any redemption of Class C shares made within one year of the date of purchase. No CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset value of the Class C shares redeemed does not exceed (i) the current net asset value of Class C shares of the Fund acquired through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gain distributions, plus (ii) increases in the net asset value of your Class C shares above the dollar amount of all your payments for the purchase of Class C shares held by you at the time of redemption.

 


 

 

If the aggregate value of Class C 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 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 Fund dividends and distributions; then, of amounts representing the increase in net asset value of Class C shares above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class C shares made during the preceding year; and finally, of amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period.

For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares of the Fund at $10 per share for a cost of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired five additional Fund shares through the reinvestment of Fund dividends. Within a 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 that represents appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260) would be charged at a rate of 1% for a total CDSC of $2.40.

Waiver of CDSC. The CDSC 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 Retirement 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 70½ 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 Trust’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 SAI at the time of the purchase of such shares.

To qualify for a waiver of the CDSC, at the time of redemption you or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of your entitlement.

Reinvestment Privilege. Upon written request, you may reinvest up to the number of Class A shares you have redeemed, within 45 days of redemption, at the then-prevailing net asset value without a sales load, or reinstate your account for the purpose of exercising Fund Exchanges. Upon reinstatement, 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. By using this Privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephone, letter or online redemption instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you or a representative of your Service Agent and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Trust 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.

 


 

 

To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature guaranteed as described below under “Share Certificates; Signatures.”

Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may request by telephone or online 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. You should be aware that if you have selected the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege, any request for a Dreyfus TeleTransfer  transaction will be effected 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. Shares held in an IRA or Education Savings Account may not be redeemed through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege. See “How to Buy Shares—Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege.”

Redemption Through a Selected Dealer. If you are a customer of a Selected Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If the Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by the Transfer Agent prior to the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the redemption request will be effective on that day. If the Transfer Agent receives a redemption request 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 (usually 5:15 p.m., Eastern 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.

Share Certificates; Signatures. Any certificates representing Fund shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. A fee may be imposed to replace lost or stolen certificates, or certificates that were never received. 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 1‑800‑ DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.)

 


 

 

Redemption Commitment. The Trust has committed itself to pay in cash all redemption requests by any shareholder of record of the Fund, limited in amount during any 90‑day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of such period.  Such commitment is irrevocable without the prior approval of the SEC. In the case of requests for redemption from the Fund in excess of such amount, the Trust’s Board reserves the right to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund 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 sells such securities, brokerage charges would be incurred.

Suspension of Redemptions. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when the SEC determines that trading in the markets the Fund ordinarily utilizes is restricted, or when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC 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 SEC by order may permit to protect the Fund’s shareholders.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Fund Exchanges. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence.  Shares of other such funds purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:

A.      Exchanges for shares of funds offered without a sales load will be made without a sales load.

B.      Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and the applicable sales load will be deducted.

 


 

 

C.      Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged without a sales load for shares of other funds sold without a sales load.

D.      Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a sales load and additional shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions of any such funds (collectively referred to herein as “Purchased Shares”) may be exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein as “Offered Shares”), 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 may be deducted.

E.       Shares of funds subject to a CDSC that are exchanged for shares of another fund will be subject to the higher applicable CDSC of the two funds, and, for purposes of calculating CDSC rates and conversion periods, if any, will be deemed to have been held since the date the shares being exchanged were initially purchased.

To accomplish an exchange under item D above, you, or your Service Agent acting on your behalf, must notify the Transfer Agent of your prior ownership of Fund shares and your account number.

You also may exchange your Fund shares that are subject to a CDSC for shares of Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc. The shares so purchased will be held in a special account created solely for this purpose (“Exchange Account”). Exchanges of shares for 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 and the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

To request an exchange, you, or your Service Agent acting on your behalf, must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing, by telephone or online. The ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone or online 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 this privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic and online instructions (including over the Dreyfus Express® voice response 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. Exchanges may be subject to limitations as to the amount involved or the number of exchanges permitted. Shares issued in certificate form are not eligible for telephone or online exchange. No fees currently are charged shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Trust 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 SEC.

 


 

 

Exchanges of Class I shares held by a Retirement Plan may be made only between the investor’s Retirement Plan account in one fund and such investor’s Retirement Plan account in another fund.

To establish a personal retirement plan by exchange, shares of the fund being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial investment being required for shares of the same Class of the fund into which the exchange is being made.

During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the Trust 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.

Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits you to purchase (on a semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis), in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of 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 in the Dreyfus family of funds may be obtained by calling 1‑800‑ DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.), or visiting www.dreyfus.com. The Trust reserves the right to reject any exchange request in whole or in part. Fund exchanges and Dreyfus Auto-Exchange privilege are available to shareholders residing in any state in which shares of the fund being acquired may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between accounts having certain identical identifying designations. The Fund Exchanges service or the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon notice to shareholders.

Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder®. Dreyfus-Automatic  Asset Builder permits you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and a 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.

 


 

 

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 Dividend Options. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows you to invest automatically your dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund in shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of 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 a sales load in shares of other funds offered without a sales load.

B.  Dividends and distributions paid by a fund that 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 may 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 the 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 established by filing an Automatic Withdrawal Plan application with the Transfer Agent or by oral request from any of the authorized signatories on the account by calling 1‑800‑ DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.) The Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by you, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which share certificates have been issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

 


 

 

No CDSC with respect to Class C shares will be imposed on withdrawals made under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, provided that any amount withdrawn under the plan does not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the greater of (1) the account value at the time of the first withdrawal under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, or (2) the account value at the time of the subsequent withdrawal. Withdrawals with respect to Class C shares under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan that exceed such amounts will be subject to a CDSC. Withdrawals of Class A shares subject to a CDSC under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan will be subject to any applicable CDSC. Purchases of additional Class A shares where the sales load is imposed concurrently with withdrawals of Class A shares generally are undesirable.

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.

Letter of Intent--Class A Shares. By signing a Letter of Intent form, you become eligible for the reduced sales load on purchases of Class A shares based on the total number of shares of Eligible Funds (as defined under “Right of Accumulation” above) purchased by you and any related “purchaser” (as defined above) in a 13-month period pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Letter of Intent. Shares of any Eligible Fund purchased within 90 days prior to the submission of the Letter of Intent may be used to equal or exceed the amount specified in the Letter of Intent. A minimum initial purchase of $5,000 is required. You can obtain a Letter of Intent form by calling 1-800- DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.)

Each purchase you make during the 13-month period (which begins on the date you submit the Letter of Intent) will be at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the aggregate dollar amount you select in the Letter of Intent. The Transfer Agent will hold in escrow 5% of the amount indicated in the Letter of Intent, which may be used for payment of a higher sales load if you do not purchase the full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent. When you fulfill the terms of the Letter of Intent by purchasing the specified amount the escrowed amount will be released and additional shares representing such amount credited to your account.  If your purchases meet the total minimum investment amount specified in the Letter of Intent within the 13-month period, an adjustment will be made at the conclusion of the 13-month period to reflect any reduced sales load applicable to shares purchased during the 90-day period prior to submission of the Letter of Intent. 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, the offering price of the shares you purchased (including shares representing the escrowed amount) during the 13-month period will be adjusted to reflect the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases you actually made (which will reduce the number of shares in your account), unless you have redeemed the shares in your account, in which case the Transfer Agent, as attorney-in-fact pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, will redeem an appropriate number of Class A shares of the Fund held in escrow to realize the difference between the sales load actually paid and the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases actually made and any remaining shares will be credited to your account. Signing a Letter of Intent does not bind you to purchase, or the Fund to sell, the full amount indicated at the sales load in effect at the time of signing, but you must complete the intended purchase to obtain the reduced sales load.  At the time you purchase Class A shares, you must indicate your intention to do so under a Letter of Intent.  Purchases pursuant to a Letter of Intent will be made at the then-current net asset value plus the applicable sales load in effect at the time such Letter of Intent was submitted.

 


 

 

Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Retirement Plans. The Trust makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing plans, including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Trust makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and rollover IRAs), Education Savings Accounts, 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

The Fund's equity securities, including option contracts (but not including investments in other open-end registered investment companies), generally are valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities primarily are traded.  Securities listed on NASDAQ markets generally will be valued at the official closing price .  If there are no transactions in a security, or no official closing prices for a NASDAQ market-listed security on that day, the security will be valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices .  Bid price is used when no asked price is available.  Open short positions for which there is no sale price on a given day are valued at the lowest asked price.  Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued at their reported net asset values each day.

Substantially all of the Fund's debt securities and instruments, including interest rate, credit default and total return swaps and options thereon, are valued by one or more independent pricing services (the " Service ") approved by the Board.   When, in the judgment of the Service , quoted bid prices for investments are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market , these investments are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities).  The value of other debt securities and instruments is determined by the Service based on methods which include consideration of:  yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions.  The Service's procedures are reviewed by fund officers under the general supervision of the Board. Overnight and certain other short-term debt securities and instruments (excluding U.S. Treasury bills) will be valued by the amortized cost method, which approximates value, unless a Service provides a valuation for such security or, in the opinion of the Board or a committee or other persons designated by the Board, the amortized cost method would not represent fair value.

 


 

 

Market quotations of foreign securities in foreign currencies and any fund assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars and foreign currency forward contracts are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked quotations obtained from a Service approved by the Board.  If the Fund has to obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the calculation of the Fund's net asset value may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of prices of certain of the Fund's portfolio securities.  Fair value of foreign equity securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using correlations between the movement of prices of foreign securities and indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs and futures contracts.  The valuation of a security based on this fair value process may differ from the security's most recent closing price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.  Foreign securities held by the Fund may trade on days that the Fund is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Fund's assets on days when fund investors have no access to the Fund .

Generally, over-the-counter option contracts will be valued by the Service at the average of the most recent bid and asked quotations obtained from the Service.  Futures contracts will be valued at the most recent settlement price.  Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which recent market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are determined by the Fund not to reflect accurately fair value (such as when the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) but before the Fund calculates its net asset value), or which are not valued by the Service, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith based on procedures approved by the Board.  Fair value of investments may be determined by the Board or its pricing committee or the Fund's valuation committee using such information as it deems appropriate .  The factors that may be considered when fair valuing a security include fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. The valuation of a security based on fair value procedures may differ from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.   

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 AND DISTRIBUTIONS

If a fund investor elects to receive dividends and distributions in cash, and the investor's dividend or distribution check is returned to the fund as undeliverable or remains uncashed for six months, the fund reserves the right to reinvest such dividends or distributions and all future dividends and distributions payable to you in additional fund shares at net asset value.  No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor's purchase of fund shares may have the effect of reducing the aggregate net asset value of the shares below the cost of the investment.  Such a dividend or distribution would be a return of capital in an economic sense, although taxable as stated in the fund's prospectus.  In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds shares of a fund for six months or less and has (or is deemed to have) 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 or deemed to have been received.  The Code further provides that if a shareholder holds shares of a municipal or other tax-exempt fund for six months or less and has received an exempt-interest dividend with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares will be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividend received.

A fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis than is described in its prospectus to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.  A fund may not make distributions from net realized securities gains unless capital loss carryovers, if any, have been utilized or have expired.  Dividends and distributions among share classes in the same fund may vary due to the different expenses of such share classes.

TAXATION

See the prospectus and elsewhere in this SAI to determine which sections of the discussion below apply to your funds.

 

The following is only a general summary of some of the important federal income tax considerations generally affecting the funds and their shareholders.  No attempt is made to present a complete explanation of the federal tax treatment of the funds' activities or to discuss state and local tax matters affecting the funds.  Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors for more detailed information concerning the tax implications of investments in the funds.

Taxation of the Funds. Each fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Code and intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders.  As a RIC, a fund will pay no federal income tax on its net investment income and net realized capital gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code.  To qualify as a RIC, a fund must, among other things: (a) derive in each taxable year (the "gross income test") at least 90% of its gross income from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stocks, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income from interests in " qualified publicly traded partnerships " ("QPTPs," as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings (the "asset diversification test") so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the fund's assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, two or more issuers that the fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or one or more QPTPs; and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income ( determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction) and net tax -exempt interest income , if any, for such year .

 


 

 

In general, for purposes of the gross income test described above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized by a RIC.  However, as noted above, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a QPTP is qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test.  A QPTP is defined as a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, (ii) that derives at least 90% of its income from certain enumerated passive income sources described in Code section 7704(d) and (iii) that would not satisfy the gross income test if it were a RIC.  Although income from a QPTP is qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test, investment in QPTPs cannot exceed 25% of a fund's assets.

Gains from foreign currencies (including foreign currency options, foreign currency swaps, foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently constitute qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test.  However, the U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly with retroactive effect) treating a RIC's foreign currency gains as non-qualifying income for purposes of the good income test to the extent that such income is not directly related to the RIC's principal business of investing in stock or securities.

Pursuant to the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Modernization Act"), a RIC that fails the gross income test for a taxable year shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test for such year if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements, and (ii) the RIC's failure to satisfy the gross income test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.  However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC for the taxable year in which, absent the application of the above cure provision, it would have failed the gross income test equal to the amount by which (x) the RIC's non-qualifying gross income exceeds (y) one-ninth of the RIC's qualifying gross income, each as determined for purposes of applying the gross income test for such year.

Also pursuant to the Modernization Act, a RIC that fails the asset diversification test as of the end of a quarter shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test as of the end of such quarter in the following circumstances.  If the RIC's failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of the quarter is due to the ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of (i) one percent of the total value of the RIC's assets at the end of such quarter and (ii) $10,000,000 (a "de minimis failure"), the RIC shall be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if, within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the asset diversification test, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test.

 


 

 

In the case of a failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of a quarter under circumstances that do not constitute a de minimis failure, a RIC shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements; (ii) the RIC's failure to satisfy the asset diversification test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and (iii) within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of the assets that caused the asset diversification failure, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test.  However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC, at the current rate of 35%, on the net income generated by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the asset diversification test during the period for which the asset diversification test was not met.  In all events, however, such tax will not be less than $50,000.

As a RIC, a fund will pay no federal income tax on its net investment income and net realized capital gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code.  If a fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, the fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.  Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 (unless such date is extended by future legislation), may be eligible for a 15% preferential maximum tax rate in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the fund's shares (as described below).  In addition, a fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.

A nondeductible excise tax at a rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of a fund's "required distribution" over its actual distributions in any calendar year.  Generally, the required distribution is 98% of a fund's ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income, determined under prescribed rules for this purpose, recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31st of such year (or December 31st of that year if the fund is permitted to so elect and so elects) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.  Each fund generally intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

Although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP.  A fund's investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in a fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

 


 

 

Taxation of Fund Distributions (Funds Other Than Municipal or Other Tax-Exempt Funds). For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the distributing fund's earnings and profits.  Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  In general, a fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on assets it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less.  Distributions of "net capital gains," that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, that are properly characterized by the fund as capital gain dividends ("capital gain dividends") will generally be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gain.  Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced, in general to 15%, with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate brackets, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013.  Distributions of net short-term capital gains that exceed net long-term capital losses will generally be taxable as ordinary income.  The determination of whether a distribution is from capital gains is generally made taking into account available net capital loss carryforwards, if any.  Under the Modernization Act, if a RIC has a "net capital loss" (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year, that portion of the RIC's net capital loss consisting of the excess (if any) of the RIC's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the RIC's next taxable year, and that portion of the RIC's net capital loss consisting of the excess (if any) of the RIC's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the RIC's next taxable year.  Any such capital losses of a RIC may be carried forward to succeeding taxable years of the RIC without limitation.  Net capital loss carryforwards of a RIC arising in taxable years of the RIC beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (the date of enactment of the Modernization Act) may be applied against any net realized capital gains of the RIC in each succeeding year, or until their respective expiration dates, whichever is first.

Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid for his or her shares).  Distributions are taxable regardless of whether shareholders receive them in cash or in additional shares.  Distributions declared and payable by a fund during October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the fund during the following January generally will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the fund and received by shareholders on December 31st of the year in which the distributions are declared rather than the calendar year in which they are received.

A fund may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained.  In such case, the fund may designate its retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who will be treated as if each received a distribution of his or her pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder in the fund will (i) be required to report his or her pro rata share of such gain on his or her tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for his or her pro rata share of the tax paid by the fund on the gain and (iii) increase the tax basis for his or her shares in the fund by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

 


 

 

In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by a fund to U.S. individual shareholders may be eligible for the 15% preferential maximum tax rate to the extent that the fund's income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain "qualified foreign corporations" on shares that have been held by the fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the shares become ex-dividend.  Dividends paid on shares held by a fund will not be taken into account in determining the applicability of the preferential maximum tax rate to the extent that the fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.  Dividends paid by REITs are not generally eligible for the preferential maximum tax rate.  Further, a "qualified foreign corporation" does not include any foreign corporation, which for its taxable year in which its dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") (discussed below).  Unless extended, this favorable provision will expire on December 31, 2012, and ordinary dividends will again be taxed at tax rates applicable to ordinary income.  In order to be eligible for the preferential rate, the shareholder in the fund must have held his or her shares in the fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the fund shares become ex-dividend.  Additional restrictions on a shareholder's qualification for the preferential rate may apply.

In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by a fund to U.S. corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent that the fund's income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations (other than REITs) on shares that have been held by the fund for at least 46 days during the 91-day period commencing 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend.  Dividends paid on shares held by a fund will not be taken into account for this purpose if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be "debt-financed" (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), or to the extent that the fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.  Moreover, the dividend received deduction may be disallowed or reduced if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares of the fund or by application of the Code.

If a fund makes a distribution that is or is considered to be in excess of its current and accumulated "earnings and profits" for the relevant period, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain.  A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder's basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a RIC and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of RIC shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person's "modified adjusted gross income" (in the case of an individual) or "adjusted gross income" (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.

 


 

 

Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares. A sale, exchange or redemption of shares in a fund will give rise to a gain or loss.  Any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months.  Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares.  Further, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of fund shares will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares of the fund are purchased (including by means of a dividend reinvestment plan) within 30 days before or after the disposition.  In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

As discussed below under "Funds Investing in Municipal Securities," any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares in a municipal or other tax-exempt fund that have been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares.  Under the Modernization Act, this loss disallowance rule, however, does not apply with respect to a regular dividend paid by a RIC which declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis.

Generally, if a shareholder sells or redeems shares of a fund within 90 days of their original acquisition, the shareholder cannot claim a loss on the original shares attributable to the amount of their load charge if the load charge is reduced or waived on a future purchase of shares of any fund (on account of the prior load charge), but instead is required to reduce the basis of the original shares by the amount of their load charge and carry over that amount to increase the basis of the newly acquired fund shares.  Under the Modernization Act, this rule applies only if the acquisition of the new fund shares occurs on or before January 31 of the calendar year following the year in which the original shares were sold or redeemed.

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886.  Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted.  Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs.  The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper.  Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Legislation passed by Congress in 2008 requires the funds (or their administrative agent) to report to the IRS and furnish to fund shareholders the cost basis information and holding period for fund shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012, and redeemed on or after that date.  The funds will permit fund shareholders to elect from among several IRS-accepted cost basis methods, including average cost.  In the absence of an election by a shareholder, the funds will use the average cost method with respect to that shareholder.  The cost basis method a shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a redemption of shares after the settlement date of the redemption.  Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the new cost basis reporting rules apply to them.

 


 

 

PFICs . Funds that invest in foreign securities may own shares in certain foreign entities that are treated as PFICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  A fund that owns shares of a PFIC may be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or gains from a disposition of shares in the PFIC.  To avoid this treatment, each fund owning PFIC shares may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in a PFIC "to market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in the PFIC on the last day of the fund's taxable year.  Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss.  Alternatively, a fund may in certain cases elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF"), in which case the fund will be required to include in its income annually its share of the QEF's income and net capital gains, regardless of whether the fund receives any distribution from the QEF.  If the QEF incurs losses for a taxable year, these losses will not pass through to the fund and, accordingly, cannot offset other income and/or gains of the fund.  A fund may not be able to make the QEF election with respect to many PFICs because of certain requirements that the PFICS would have to satisfy.

The mark-to-market and QEF elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by a fund to avoid taxation.  Making either of these elections therefore may require a fund to liquidate investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirements, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the fund's total return.  Dividends paid by PFICs generally will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.

Non-U.S. Taxes . Investment income that may be received by a fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes withheld at the source.  Tax treaties between the United States and certain countries may reduce or eliminate such taxes.  If more than 50% of the value of a fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, or, as provided in the Modernization Act, if at least 50% of the value of a fund's total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other RICs (as is the case for a Fund of Funds), that fund may elect to "pass through" to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by that fund.  If that fund so elects, each of its shareholders would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by that fund, but would be treated as having paid his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various Code limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).  For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules of the Code, each shareholder would treat as foreign source income his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes plus the portion of dividends received from the fund representing income derived from foreign sources.  No deduction for foreign taxes could be claimed by an individual shareholder who does not itemize deductions.  In certain circumstances, a shareholder that (i) has held shares of the fund for less than a specified minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss or (ii) is obligated to make payments related to the dividends will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes deemed imposed on dividends paid on such shares.  Additionally, the fund must also meet this holding period requirement with respect to its foreign stocks and securities in order for "creditable" taxes to flow-through.  Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the potential application of foreign tax credits.

 


 

 

Foreign Currency Transactions . Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time a fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time that fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss.  Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, also are treated as ordinary income or loss.

Financial Products . A fund's investments in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and derivatives, as well as any of its other hedging, short sale or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including notional principal contract, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the fund (including, potentially, without a corresponding receipt of cash with which to make required distributions), defer fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of fund securities, convert capital gains into ordinary income, render dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the dividends received deduction or a preferential rate of taxation ineligible for such treatment, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses.  These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders of a fund.  In addition, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the applicable requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid fund-level taxation.

Payments with Respect to Securities Loans . A fund's participation in loans of securities may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.  With respect to any security subject to a securities loan, any (i) amounts received by a fund in place of dividends earned on the security during the period that such security was not directly held by a fund will not give rise to qualified dividend income and (ii) withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such security was not directly held by a fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by such fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders even if the fund meets the requirements described in "Non-U.S. Taxes," above. 

Securities Issued or Purchased at a Discount and Payment-in-Kind Securities . A fund's investments, if any, in securities issued or purchased at a discount, as well as certain other securities (including zero coupon obligations and certain redeemable preferred stock), may require the fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received.  Similarly, a fund's investment in payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed even though the fund receives no payment in cash on the security during the year.  In order to generate sufficient cash to make its requisite distributions, a fund may be required to borrow money or sell securities in its portfolio that it otherwise would have continued to hold.

 


 

 

Inflation-Indexed Treasury Securities. The taxation of inflation-indexed Treasury securities is similar to the taxation of conventional bonds.  Both interest payments and the difference between original principal and the inflation-adjusted principal will be treated as interest income subject to taxation.  Interest payments are taxable when received or accrued.  The inflation adjustment to the principal is subject to tax in the year the adjustment is made, not at maturity of the security when the cash from the repayment of principal is received.  Accordingly, as in the case of securities issued or purchased at a discount and zero coupon obligations, a fund's investments in inflation-indexed Treasury securities may require the fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received.  Decreases in the indexed principal can be deducted only from current or previous interest payments reported as income.  If inflation-indexed Treasury securities are sold prior to maturity, capital losses or gains are realized in the same manner as traditional debt instruments. 

Certain Higher-Risk and High Yield Securities . A fund may invest in lower-quality fixed income securities, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or that are in default.  Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or are in default present special tax issues for a fund.  Tax rules are not entirely clear on the treatment of such debt obligations, including as to whether and to what extent a fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when a fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a fund shall allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and interest.  These and other related issues would be addressed by each fund if it invests in such securities as part of the fund's efforts to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Funds Investing in Municipal Securities (Municipal or Other Tax-Exempt Funds). It is anticipated that substantially all of the dividends to be paid by municipal or other tax-exempt funds that invest substantially all of their assets in U.S. municipal securities will constitute "exempt-interest dividends."  Such exempt-interest dividends will be exempt from federal income taxes.  It is possible, however, that a portion of the income dividends from such funds will not be exempt from federal income taxes.  Municipal or other tax-exempt funds may realize capital gains from the sale or other disposition of municipal securities or other securities.  Distributions by such funds of capital gains will be treated in the same manner as described under "Taxation of Fund Distributions."  Recipients of Social Security and/or certain railroad retirement benefits who receive income dividends from municipal bond or other tax-exempt funds may have to pay taxes on a portion of their benefits.  Shareholders will receive a Form 1040-DIV, Form 1099-INT or other IRS forms, as required, reporting the taxability of all dividends.  Certain municipal or other tax-exempt funds may invest in municipal securities the income from which is subject to AMT.  Such funds will advise shareholders of the percentage of dividends, if any, which should be included in the computation of AMT. 

Because the dividends of municipal or other tax-exempt funds are expected to be exempt-interest dividends, any interest on money a shareholder of such a fund borrows that is directly or indirectly used to purchase shares in the fund will not be deductible.  Further, entities or persons that are "substantial users" (or persons related to "substantial users") of facilities financed by private activity bonds or industrial development bonds should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of these funds.  The income from such bonds may not be tax-exempt for such substantial users.  There also may be collateral federal income tax consequences regarding the receipt of exempt-interest dividends by shareholders such as S corporations, financial institutions and property and casualty insurance companies.  A shareholder falling into any such category should consult its tax adviser concerning its investment in a fund that is intended to generate exempt-interest dividends.

 


 

 

As a general rule, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares in a municipal or other tax-exempt fund that have been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares.  Under the Modernization Act, this loss disallowance rule, however, does not apply with respect to a regular dividend paid by a RIC which declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis.

Under the Modernization Act, if at least 50% of the value of a fund's total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other RICs (such as a Fund of Funds), the fund may pass through to its shareholders its exempt interest income in the form of dividends that are exempt from federal income tax.

Proposals have been and may be introduced before Congress that would restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption of interest on municipal securities.  If such a proposal were enacted, the availability of such securities for investment by a fund that would otherwise invest in tax-exempt securities and the value of such a fund's portfolio would be affected.  In that event, such a fund would reevaluate its investment objective and policies.

The treatment under state and local tax law of dividends from a fund that invests in municipal securities may differ from the federal income tax treatment of such dividends under the Code.

Investing in Mortgage Entities . Special tax rules may apply to the investments by a fund in entities which invest in or finance mortgage debt.  Such investments include residual interests in REMICs and interests in a REIT which qualifies as a taxable mortgage pool under the Code or has a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool under the Code.  Although it is the practice of each fund not to make such investments, there is no guarantee that a fund will be able to avoid an inadvertent investment in REMIC residual interests or a taxable mortgage pool.

Such investments may result in a fund receiving excess inclusion income ("EII") in which case a portion of its distributions will be characterized as EII and shareholders receiving such distributions, including shares held through nominee accounts, will be deemed to have received EII.  This can result in the funds being required to pay tax on the portion of its EII that is allocated to disqualified organizations, including certain cooperatives, agencies or instrumentalities of a government or international organization, and tax-exempt organizations that are not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI").  In addition, such amounts generally cannot be offset by net operating losses, will be treated as UBTI to tax-exempt organizations that are not disqualified organizations, and will be subject to a 30% withholding tax for shareholders who are not U.S. persons, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable exemptions or rate reductions in any relevant tax treaties.

Special tax consequences also apply where charitable remainder trusts invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or in taxable mortgage pools.  Furthermore, any investment in residual interests of a REMIC can create complex tax consequences to both a fund and its shareholders, especially if a fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders.

 


 

 

Tax-Exempt Shareholders . Under current law, each fund serves to "block" (that is, prevent the attribution to shareholders of) UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a fund if shares in the fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code.  As noted above, a tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a fund recognizes EII derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or taxable mortgage pools.  If a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Section 664 of the Code) has UBTI for a taxable year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.

Backup Withholding . Each fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury Department a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to certain shareholders who fail to properly furnish the fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the applicable fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.  Corporate shareholders, certain foreign persons and other shareholders specified in the Code and applicable regulations are generally exempt from backup withholding, but may need to provide documentation to the fund to establish such exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax.  Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Shareholders . Dividends paid by a fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, if any, to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains.  In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable tax form certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty.  The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States.  Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder.  A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional "branch profits tax" imposed at a rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate).  A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to back-up withholding at the appropriate rate.  All non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the appropriate tax forms to provide to a fund to claim a reduced rate or exemption from U.S. federal withholding taxes, and the proper completion of those forms.

In general, and subject to the exceptions described below, U.S. withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of a fund.

 


 

 

For non-U.S. shareholders of a fund, a distribution by a fund that is attributable to the fund's receipt of certain capital gain distributions from a REIT and, for calendar years before 2012, gains from sales or exchanges of "United States real property interests" ("USRPIs") generally will be treated as "effectively connected" real property gain that is subject to tax in the hands of the non-U.S. shareholder at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders (subject to a special AMT in the case of nonresident alien individuals), a potential 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation and a 35% withholding tax (which can be credited against the non-U.S. shareholder's direct U.S. tax liabilities) if the fund is a "United States real property holding corporation" (as such term is defined in the Code, and referred to herein as a "USRPHC") or would be but for the operation of certain exclusions.  An exception to such treatment is provided if the non-U.S. shareholder has not owned more than 5% of the class of stock of the fund in respect of which the distribution was made at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution.  In that case, the distribution generally is treated as an ordinary dividend subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate).  In addition, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to certain tax filing requirements if the fund is a USRPHC.

Gains from the disposition of fund shares by a non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to withholding tax and treated as income effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business if at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition (or if shorter, the non-U.S. shareholder's holding period for the shares), the fund was a USRPHC and the foreign shareholder actually or constructively held more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the fund.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, gains recognized upon a disposition of fund shares in calendar years before 2012 will not be subject to U.S. income or withholding taxes if the fund is "domestically controlled" (as such term is defined in the Code).

Non-U.S. shareholders that engage in certain "wash sale" and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions from a fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business generally will be treated as having received such distributions. All shareholders of a fund should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rule.

For calendar years before 2012, a distribution of a USRPI in redemption of a non-U.S. shareholder's shares of a fund generally will cause that fund to recognize gain if the fund is considered "domestically controlled."  If a fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will equal a percentage of the excess of the fair market value of the distributed USRPI over the fund's adjusted basis in the distributed USRPI, with such percentage based on the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the fund during the five-year period ending on the date of the redemption.

For taxable years of a fund beginning before January 1, 2012, properly reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of a fund's "qualified net interest income" (generally, the fund's U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of a fund's "qualified short-term capital gains" (generally, the excess of the fund's net short-term capital gain over the fund's long-term capital loss for such taxable year).  However, depending on its circumstances, a fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.  In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form).  In the case of shares of a fund held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain.  Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

 


 

 

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. Under provisions of The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, P.L. 111-147 (the "HIRE Act"), certain payments of U.S. source interest, dividends, and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income, as well as gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of property of a type that can produce U.S. source dividends or interest (all such payments, "withholdable payments"), which are made to a "foreign financial institution," which term may include certain foreign shareholders, may be subject to a 30% withholding tax, if the foreign financial institution does not, among other things, comply, under an agreement with the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury or his/her delegate, with prescribed due diligence requirements necessary to determine which of its accounts (including equity interests in the foreign financial institution) are held by specified United States persons or United States owned foreign entities (such accounts, "United States accounts"), and prescribed reporting requirements in respect of its United States accounts.  Further, a 30% withholding tax may apply in respect of "passthru payments" made by a foreign financial institution to certain account holders that do not comply with reasonable information requests aimed at enabling the foreign financial institution to identify its United States accounts and meet applicable reporting obligations.  The HIRE Act will further impose a 30% withholding tax on certain payments to non-financial foreign entities.  The scope of the applicable HIRE Act provisions is not entirely clear and no assurance can be given that some or all of the income of a fund, and/or certain of the fund's shareholders will not be subject to any of the above described withholding taxes or that information will not be required to be reported to the IRS in respect of a shareholder's interest in the fund.  To comply with the requirements of the HIRE Act, a fund may, in appropriate circumstances, require shareholders to provide information and tax documentation regarding their direct and indirect owners.  While the withholding tax provisions of the HIRE Act were to have been effective beginning in 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have indicated that future regulatory guidance will provide for a phased-in implementation of these provision, with withholding on withholdable payments, other than gross proceeds, to begin on January 1, 2014, withholding on withholdable payments in the form of gross proceeds to begin on January 1, 2015, and withholding on certain "passthru payments" to begin on a date to be provided in future guidance, but no earlier than January 1, 2015.

The HIRE Act also imposes information reporting requirements on individuals (and, to the extent provided in future regulations, certain domestic entities) that hold any interest in a "specified foreign financial asset" if the aggregate value of all such assets held by such individual exceeds $50,000.  Significant penalties can apply upon a failure to make the required disclosure and in respect of understatements of tax attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets.  This information reporting requirement is generally applicable for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010.  The scope of this reporting requirement is not entirely clear and all shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether reporting may be required in respect of their indirect interests in certain investments of a fund.

 


 

 

All non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a fund.

Possible Legislative Changes . The tax consequences described herein may be affected (possibly with retroactive effect) by various legislative bills and proposals that may be initiated in Congress.  Several provisions of the Code relating to the taxation of RICs and their foreign shareholders will expire at the end of 2011, and it is possible that those provisions could be legislatively extended.  Similarly, several preferential tax provisions discussed herein (including the taxation to individuals of qualified dividend income at capital gains rates, as well as certain preferential tax rates) are set to expire at the end of 2012, but may, through legislative action, be extended or otherwise modified.  Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of any proposed legislation and the effect, if any, on their investment in a fund.

Other Tax Matters . Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans.  Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of a fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of such an investment in their particular tax situation.

Dividends, distributions and gains from the sale of fund shares may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes.  Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local and, where applicable, foreign taxes.

Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in shares and the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a fund.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

            General. The Manager assumes general supervision over the placement of securities purchase and sale orders on behalf of the funds it manages. Funds managed by dual employees of the Manager and an affiliated entity, and funds that employ a sub-investment adviser, execute portfolio transactions through the trading desk of the affiliated entity (the “Trading Desk”).  Those funds use the research facilities, and are subject to the internal policies and procedures, of applicable affiliated entity.

 

Debt securities purchased and sold by a fund generally are traded on a net basis (i.e., without a commission) through dealers acting for their own account and not as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of the instrument.  This means that a dealer makes a market for securities by offering to buy at one price and sell at a slightly higher price.  The difference between the prices is known as a "spread."  Other portfolio transactions may be executed through brokers acting as agents, which are typically paid a commission.

 


 

 

 

            The Trading Desk generally has the authority to select brokers (for equity securities) or dealers (for fixed income securities) and the commission rates or spreads to be paid. Allocation of brokerage transactions is made in the best judgment of the Trading Desk and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable. In choosing brokers or dealers, the Trading Desk evaluates the ability of the broker or dealer to execute the transaction at the best combination of price and quality of execution. 

 

In general, brokers or dealers involved in the execution of portfolio transactions on behalf of a fund are selected on the basis of their professional capability and the value and quality of their services. The Trading Desk attempts to obtain best execution for the funds by choosing brokers or dealers to execute transactions based on a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) price; (ii) liquidity; (iii) the nature and character of the relevant market for the security to be purchased or sold; (iv) the quality and efficiency of the broker’s or dealer’s execution; (v) the broker’s or dealer’s willingness to commit capital; (vi) the reliability of the broker or dealer in trade settlement and clearance; (vii) the level of counter-party risk (i.e., the broker’s or dealer’s financial condition); (viii) the commission rate or the spread; (ix) the value of research provided; (x) the availability of electronic trade entry and reporting links; and (xi) the size and type of order (e.g., foreign or domestic security, large block, illiquid security). In selecting brokers or dealers no factor is necessarily determinative; however, at various times and for various reasons, certain factors will be more important than others in determining which broker or dealer to use. Seeking to obtain best execution for all trades takes precedence over all other consideration .

 

Investment decisions for one fund or account are made independently from those for other funds or accounts managed by the portfolio managers. Under the Trading Desk’s procedures, portfolio managers and their corresponding Trading Desks may , but are not required to,  seek to aggregate (or “bunch”) orders that are placed or received concurrently for more than one fund or account  and available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated equitably to each.  In some cases, this policy may adversely affect the size of the position obtained or sold or the price paid or received by a fund.  When transactions are aggregated, but it is not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold, the various prices may be averaged, and the fund will be charged or credited with the average price.  

 

 The portfolio managers will make investment decisions for the funds as they believe are in the best interests of the funds.  Investment decisions made for a fund may differ from, and may conflict with, investment decisions made for other funds and accounts advised by the Manager and its affiliated entities or a Sub-Adviser.  Actions taken with respect to such other funds or accounts may adversely impact a fund, and actions taken by a fund may benefit the Manager or its affiliates or a Sub-Adviser or other funds or accounts advised by the Manager or an affiliated entity or Sub-Adviser.  Funds and accounts managed by the Manager, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser may own significant positions in portfolio companies which, depending on market conditions, may affect adversely the ability to dispose of some or all of such positions.  Regulatory restrictions (including, but not limited to, those related to the aggregation of positions among other funds and accounts) and internal BNY Mellon policies, guidance or limitations (including, but not limited to, those related to the aggregation of positions among all fiduciary accounts managed or advised by BNY Mellon and all its affiliates (including the Manager) and the aggregated exposure of such accounts) may restrict investment activities of the funds.  While the allocation of investment opportunities among a fund and other funds and accounts advised by the Manager and its affiliated entities may raise potential conflicts because of financial, investment or other interests of BNY Mellon or its personnel, the portfolio managers will make allocation decisions consistent with the interests of the fund and other funds and accounts and not solely based on such other interests.

 


 

 

Portfolio managers may deem it appropriate for one fund or account they manage to sell a security while another fund or account they manage is purchasing the same security. Under such circumstances, the portfolio managers may arrange to have the purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the funds and/or accounts ("cross transactions"). Cross transactions will be effected in accordance with procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.

            The Manager, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser may buy for a fund securities of issuers in which other funds or accounts advised by the Manager, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser may have , or are making, an investment in the same issuer that are subordinate or senior to the securities purchased for the fund .  For example, a fund may invest in debt securities of an issuer at the same time that other funds or accounts are investing, or currently have an investment, in equity securities of the same issuer.  To the extent that the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges which may impact the price of its securities and its ability to meet its obligations, decisions by the Manager, affiliated entity or a sub-adviser relating to what actions are to be taken may raise conflicts of interests and The Manager, an affiliated entity or a sub-adviser, as applicable, may take actions for certain funds or accounts that have negative impacts on other funds or accounts .

 

            Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. In periods in which extraordinary market conditions prevail, portfolio managers 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 Trading Desk 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.

 

To the extent that a fund invests in foreign securities, certain of such fund’s transactions in those securities may not benefit from the negotiated commission rates available to funds for transactions in securities of domestic issuers. For funds that permit foreign exchange transactions, such transactions are made with banks or institutions in the interbank market at prices reflecting a mark-up or mark-down and/or commission.

 

The Manager (and where applicable, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser) may utilize the services of an affiliate to effect certain client transactions when it determines that the use of such affiliate is consistent with its fiduciary obligations, including its obligation to obtain best execution, and the transactions are in the best interests of its clients.  Procedures have been adopted in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to provide that all brokerage commissions paid by the funds to the Manager (or, where applicable, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser) are reasonable and fair.

 


 

 

           Brokerage Commissions. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 , 2010 and 2011 , the Fund paid total brokerage commissions of $ 375 , $514 and $ 2,081 , respectively, none of which was paid to Dreyfus or its affiliates, including the Distributor. There were no gross spreads or concessions on principal transactions paid by the Fund for any of the stated periods.

 

The Trust contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the most favorable net price, brokerage transactions may be conducted through the Manager or its affiliates or their affiliates. The Trust’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 (and where applicable, Dreyfus affiliate) are reasonable and fair.

            Soft Dollars. The term “soft dollars” is commonly understood to refer to arrangements where an investment adviser uses client (or fund) brokerage commissions to pay for research and other services to be used by the investment adviser.  Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provides a “safe harbor” that permits investment advisers to enter into soft dollar arrangements if the investment adviser determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Eligible products and services under Section 28(e) include those that provide lawful and appropriate assistance to the investment adviser in the performance of its investment decision-making responsibilities.

 

            Subject to the policy of seeking best execution, Dreyfus-managed funds may execute transactions with brokerage firms that provide research services and products, as defined in Section 28(e). Any and all research products and services received in connection with brokerage commissions will be used to assist the applicable affiliated entity in its investment decision-making responsibilities, as contemplated under Section 28(e). Under certain conditions, higher brokerage commissions may be paid in connection with certain transactions in return for research products and services. 

 

            The products and services provided under these arrangements permit the Trading Desk to supplement its own research and analysis activities, and provide it with information from individuals and research staffs of many securities firms. Such services and products may include, but are not limited to the following: fundamental research reports (which may discuss, among other things, the value of securities, or the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, or the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities, or issuers, industries, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance); current market data and news; technical and portfolio analyses; economic forecasting and interest rate projections; and historical information on securities and companies. The Trading Desk also may defray the costs of certain services and communication systems that facilitate trade execution (such as on-line quotation systems, direct data feeds from stock exchanges and on-line trading systems with brokerage commissions generated by client transactions) or functions related thereto (such as clearance and settlement). Some of the research products or services received by the Trading Desk may have both a research function and a non-research administrative function (a “mixed use”). If the Trading Desk determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, the Trading Desk will allocate in good faith the cost of such service or product accordingly. The portion of the product or service that the Trading Desk determines will assist it in the investment decision-making process may be paid for in soft dollars. The non-research portion is paid for by the Trading Desk in hard dollars. 

 


 

 

 

            The Trading Desk generally considers the amount and nature of research, execution and other services provided by brokerage firms, as well as the extent to which such services are relied on, and attempts to allocate a portion of the brokerage business of its clients on the basis of that consideration. Neither the services nor the amount of brokerage given to a particular brokerage firm are made pursuant to any agreement or commitment with any of the selected firms that would bind the Trading Desk to compensate the selected brokerage firm for research provided. The Trading Desk endeavors, but is not legally obligated, to direct sufficient commissions to broker/dealers that have provided it with research and other services to ensure continued receipt of research the Trading Desk believes is useful. Actual commissions received by a brokerage firm may be more or less than the suggested allocations.

 

There may be no correlation between the amount of brokerage commissions generated by a particular fund or client and the indirect benefits received by that fund or client. The affiliated entity may receive a benefit from the research services and products that is not passed on to a fund in the form of a direct monetary benefit. Further, research services and products may be useful to the affiliated entity in providing investment advice to any of the funds or clients it advises. Likewise, information made available to the affiliated entity from brokerage firms effecting securities transactions for a fund may be utilized on behalf of another fund or client.  Information so received is in addition to, and not in lieu of, services required to be performed by the affiliated entity and fees are not reduced as a consequence of the receipt of such supplemental information. Although the receipt of such research services does not reduce the normal independent research activities of the affiliated entity, it enables them to avoid the additional expenses that might otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.

IPO Allocations. Certain funds advised by the Manager (and where applicable, Dreyfus affiliate) may participate in IPOs. In deciding whether to purchase an IPO, the Manager (and where applicable, Dreyfus affiliate) generally considers the capitalization characteristics of the security, as well as other characteristics of the security, and identifies funds and accounts with investment objectives and strategies consistent with such a purchase. Generally, as more IPOs involve small- and mid-cap companies, the funds and accounts with a small- and mid-cap focus may participate in more IPOs than funds and accounts with a large-cap focus. The Manager (and where applicable, Dreyfus affiliate), when consistent with the fund’s and/or account’s investment guidelines, generally will allocate shares of an IPO on a pro rata basis. In the case of “hot” IPOs, where the Manager (and if applicable, Dreyfus affiliate) only receives a partial allocation of the total amount requested, those shares will be distributed fairly and equitably among participating funds or accounts managed by the Manager (or where applicable, Dreyfus affiliate). “Hot” IPOs raise special allocation concerns because opportunities to invest in such issues are limited as they are often oversubscribed. The distribution of the partial allocation among funds and/or accounts will be based on relevant net asset values. Shares will be allocated on a pro rata basis to all appropriate funds and accounts, subject to a minimum allocation based on trading, custody, and other associated costs. International hot IPOs may not be allocated on a pro rata basis due transaction costs, market liquidity and other factors unique to international markets.

 


 

 

Regular Broker-Dealers. The Fund may acquire securities issued by one or more of its “regular brokers or dealers,” as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act. Rule 10b-1 provides that a “regular broker or dealer” is one of the ten brokers or dealers that, during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year (i) received the greatest dollar amount of brokerage commissions from participating, either directly or indirectly, in the Fund’s portfolio transactions, (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of the Fund’s portfolio transactions or (iii) sold the largest dollar amount of the Fund’s securities.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , the Fund acquired securities issued by its regular brokers or dealers. The following is a list of the issuers of the securities and the aggregate value per issuer, as of May 31, 2011 , of such securities:

 

 

Name of Regular Broker or Dealer

 

 

Aggregate Value Per Issuer

 

 

J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.

$ 37 ,000

Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.

$ 19 ,000

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

$ 14 ,000

Bank of America NA

$ 4 ,000

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. It is the policy of Dreyfus to protect the confidentiality of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information about such holdings. Each fund, or its duly authorized service providers, publicly discloses its portfolio holdings in accordance with regulatory requirements, such as periodic portfolio disclosure in filings with the SEC. Each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service providers, may publicly disclose its complete schedule of portfolio holdings at month-end, with a one-month lag, at www.dreyfus.com. In addition, fifteen days following the end of each calendar quarter, each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service providers, may publicly disclose on the website its complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of the end of such quarter. Each money market fund will disclose daily on www.dreyfus.com the fund’s complete schedule of holdings as of the end of the previous business day. The schedule of holdings will remain on the website until the date on which the fund files its Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the date of the posted holdings.

If a fund’s portfolio holdings are released pursuant to an ongoing arrangement with any party, such fund must have a legitimate business purpose for doing so, and neither the fund, nor the Manager or its affiliates, may receive any compensation in connection with an arrangement to make available information about the fund’s portfolio holdings. Funds may distribute portfolio holdings to mutual fund evaluation services such as Standard & Poor’s, Morningstar or Lipper Analytical Services; due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds before their public disclosure; and broker-dealers that may be used by the fund, for the purpose of efficient trading and receipt of relevant research,  provided that: (a) the recipient does not distribute the portfolio holdings to persons who are likely to use the information for purposes of purchasing or selling fund shares or fund portfolio holdings before the portfolio holdings become public information; and (b) the recipient signs a written confidentiality agreement.

 


 

 

Funds may also disclose any and all portfolio information to their service providers and others who generally need access to such information in the performance of their contractual duties and responsibilities and are subject to duties of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on non-public information, imposed by law and/or contract. These service providers include the fund’s custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, investment advisers, administrator, and each of their respective affiliates and advisers.

Disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be authorized only by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, and any exceptions to this policy are reported quarterly to the Trust’s Board.

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY VOTING POLICY, PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES OF THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS

The Board of each fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds has delegated to Dreyfus the authority to vote proxies of companies held in a fund’s portfolio.  Dreyfus, through its participation on The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation’s Proxy Policy Committee (the “PPC”) applies The Bank of New York Mellon’s Proxy Voting Policy, related procedures and voting guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of the funds.

 Dreyfus recognizes that an investment adviser is a fiduciary that owes its clients a duty of utmost good faith and full and fair disclosure of all material facts.  Dreyfus further recognizes that the right to vote proxies is an asset, just as the economic investment represented by the shares is an asset.  An investment adviser's duty of loyalty precludes an adviser from subrogating its clients' interests to its own.  Accordingly, in voting proxies, Dreyfus seeks to act solely in the best financial and economic interests of the funds. 

Dreyfus seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest through its participation in the PPC, which applies detailed, pre-determined proxy voting guidelines in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by third party vendors, and without consideration of any client relationship factors.  Further, Dreyfus engages a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for Fund securities. 

Each proxy is reviewed, categorized and analyzed in accordance with the PPC’s written guidelines in effect from time to time.  The guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and changes to the PPC’s policies on specific issues.  Items that can be categorized will be voted in accordance with any applicable guidelines or referred to the PPC, if the applicable guidelines so require.  Proposals for which a guideline has not yet been established are referred to the PPC for discussion and vote.  Additionally, the PPC may elect to review any proposal where it has identified a particular issue for special scrutiny in light of new information. The PPC will also consider specific interests and issues raised by a fund, which interests and issues may require that a vote for a fund be cast differently from the collective vote in order to act in the best interests of such fund.

Dreyfus believes that a shareholder’s role in the governance of a publicly-held company is generally limited to monitoring the performance of the company and its managers and voting on matters which properly come to a shareholder vote.  Dreyfus carefully reviews proposals that would limit shareholder control or could affect shareholder values.

 


 

 

Dreyfus generally opposes proposals that seem designed to insulate management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of the shareholders and that would lead to a determination of a company’s future by a minority of its shareholders.  Dreyfus generally supports proposals that seem to have as their primary purpose providing management with temporary or short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable them to bargain effectively with potential suitors and otherwise achieve identified long-term goals to the extent such proposals are discrete and not bundled with other proposals.

On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, Dreyfus attempts to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues.  Responsiveness is measured by management's efforts to address the particular social issue including, where appropriate, assessment of the implications of the proposal to the ongoing operations of the company. Dreyfus pays particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment to take specific actions.  With respect to funds having investment policies that require proxies to be cast in a certain manner on particular social responsibility issues, Dreyfus votes such issues in accordance with those investment policies.

Information regarding how Dreyfus voted proxies for the funds is available on the Dreyfus website at www.dreyfus.com  and on the SEC’s website at www.SEC.gov  on the fund’s Form N-PX.

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST AND FUND

Each Fund share has one vote and, when-issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and non-assessable. Fund shares have equal rights as to dividends and in liquidation. Shares have no preemptive or subscription rights and are freely transferable. The Fund is one of six portfolios of the Trust.

The Trust is organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or a Trustee. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification from the Fund’s property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations, a possibility which management believes is remote. Upon payment of any liability incurred by the Fund, the shareholder paying such liability will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Fund. The Trust intends to conduct its operations in such a way so as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Fund.

 


 

 

Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be necessary for the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result, Fund shareholders may not consider each year the election of Board members or the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm. However, the holders of at least 10% of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote may require the Trust 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 66-2/3% of the Trust’s outstanding voting shares entitled to vote thereon. 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 Trust 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, or, where matters affect different classes of a portfolio differently, by class.

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 Trust, 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. Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm and the election of Board members from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.

The Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term market movements. A pattern of frequent purchases and exchanges can be disruptive to efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be detrimental to the Fund’s performance and its shareholders. If Fund management determines that an investor is following an abusive investment strategy, it may reject any purchase request, or terminate the investor’s exchange privilege, with or without prior notice.  Such investors also may be barred from purchasing shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Accounts under common ownership or control may be considered as one account for purposes of determining a pattern of excessive or abusive trading. In addition, the Fund may refuse or restrict purchase or exchange requests for Fund shares by any person or group if, in the judgment of the Fund’s management, the Fund would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment objective and policies or could otherwise be adversely affected or if the Fund receives or anticipates receiving simultaneous orders that may significantly affect the Fund. If an exchange request is refused, the Trust will take no other action with respect to the Fund shares until it receives further instructions from the investor. While the Trust will take reasonable steps to prevent excessive short term trading deemed to be harmful to the Fund, it may not be able to identify excessive trading conducted through certain financial intermediaries or omnibus accounts.

Effective December 1, 2008, the Fund changed its name from “Dreyfus Premier Equity Income Fund” to its current name.

 


 

 

Effective June 1, 2007, the Fund’s Class R shares were redesignated as Class I shares.

The Trust sends annual and semi-annual financial statements to all of the Fund’s shareholders.

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

K&L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006-1600, has passed upon the legality of the shares offered by the Prospectus and this SAI.

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038‑4982, serves as counsel to the non-interested Trustees of the Trust.

KPMG LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, an independent registered public accounting firm, was appointed by the Trustees to serve as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending May 31, 2012 , providing audit and other services including (1) audit of the annual financial statements, (2) review and consultation in connection with SEC filings and (3) review of the annual federal income tax return filed on behalf of the Fund.

 


 

 

APPENDIX

RATING CATEGORIES

 

The following is a description of certain ratings assigned by S&P , Moody's, Fitch and DBRS.

 

S&P

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation , a specific class of financial obligations or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P's view of the obligor's capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term.  Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days ¾ including commercial paper. Short-term ratings also are used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating.  Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P's analysis of the following considerations:

·         likelihood of payment ¾ capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

·         nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

·         protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

 

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default.  Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.  (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 

 


 

 

An obligation rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by S&P.  The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

An obligation rated " AA 

" differs from the highest - rated obligations only to a small degree.  The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

An obligation rated "

" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher - rated categories.  However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

An obligation rated " BBB 

" exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

Obligations rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest.  While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

An obligation rated "BB" is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

An obligation rated "B" is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated "BB," but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

An obligation rated "CCC" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

An obligation rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

A "C" rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment , obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the "C" rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument's terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par .

 


 

 

An obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when payments on an obligation , including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.   An obligation's rating is lowered to "D" upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

Note:  The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

An "NR" indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Short- Term Issue Credit Ratings

A short-term obligation rated " A- 1 " is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+).  This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A short-term obligation rated " A- 2 " is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A short-term obligation rated " A- 3 " exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

A short-term obligation rated "B" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics.   Ratings of "B-1," "B-2," and "B-3" may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the "B" category.   The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

A short-term obligation rated "B-1" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

A short-term obligation rated "B-2" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

A short-term obligation rated "B-3" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 


 

 

A short-term obligation rated "C" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

A short-term obligation rated "

" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when payments on an obligation , including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions

An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P's opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes.  Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating.  Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.  In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P analysis will review the following considerations:

·         amortization schedule ¾ the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

·         source of payment ¾ the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

Note rating symbols are as follows:

SP-1    Strong capacity to pay principal and interest.  An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2    Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3    Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Moody's

Long-Term Obligation Ratings and Definitions

Moody's long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more.  They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Obligations rated "Aaa" are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

 


 

 

Obligations rated "Aa" are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

Obligations rated "A" are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Obligations rated "Baa" are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered

medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics .

Obligations rated " Ba 

" are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

Obligations rated "B" are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Obligations rated "Caa" are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Obligations rated "Ca" are highly speculative and are likely in , or very near, default , with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

Obligations rated

"

" are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note:  Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa.  The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

 

 

 

Short-Term Ratings

Moody's short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations.  Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments.  Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody's employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

P-2

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

P-3

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

NP

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 


 

 

Fitch

Corporate Finance Obligations — Long-Term Rating Scales

Ratings of individual securities or financial obligations of a corporate issuer address relative vulnerability to default on an ordinal scale.  In addition, for financial obligations in corporate finance, a measure of recovery given default on that liability also is included in the rating assessment. This notably applies to covered bond ratings, which incorporate both an indication of the probability of default and of the recovery given a default of this debt instrument.

The relationship between issuer scale and obligation scale assumes an historical average recovery of between 30%–50% on the senior, unsecured obligations of an issuer.  As a result, individual obligations of entities, such as corporations, are assigned ratings higher, lower or the same as that entity's issuer rating. 

Highest credit quality :  "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk.  They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

Very high credit quality :  "AA" ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk.  They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

High credit quality :  "A" ratings denote expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong.  This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

Good credit quality :  "BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

Speculative :  "BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk , particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

Highly speculative :  "B" ratings indicate that material credit risk is present .

Substantial credit risk:  "CCC" ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

Very high levels of credit risk:  "CC" ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

Exceptionally high levels of credit risk:  "C" indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned "D" ratings, but are instead rated in the "B" to "C" rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics.  This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

 


 

 

Note:  The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the "AAA" obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below "B."

Structured, Project & Public Finance Obligations — Long-Term Rating Scales

Ratings of structured finance, project finance and public finance obligations on the long-term scale, including the financial obligations of sovereigns, consider the obligations' relative vulnerability to default. These ratings are typically assigned to an individual security or tranche in a transaction and not to an issuer.

Highest credit quality:  "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk.  They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

Very high credit quality:  "AA" ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

High credit quality:  "A" ratings denote expectations of low default risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong.  This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

Good credit quality:  "BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

Speculative:  "BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

Highly speculative:  "B" ratings indicate that material default risk is present , but a limited margin of safety remains.  Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

Substantial credit risk:  " CCC

" indicates that default is a real possibility.

Very high levels of credit risk:  "CC" indicates that default of some kind appears probable.

Exceptionally high levels of credit risk:  "C" indicates that default appears imminent or inevitable .

Default:  "D" indicates a default.  Default generally is defined as one of the following:

·            failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

·            the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or

 


 

 

·            the coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.

Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation.  Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as "short-term" based on market convention.  Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

Highest short-term credit quality : "F1" indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

Good short-term credit quality:  "F2" indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments
.

Fair

short-term credit quality: "F3" indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

Speculative short-term credit quality: "B" indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

High short-term default risk :  "C" indicates that default is a real possibility.

Restricted default:  "RD" indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments

, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.  Applicable to entity ratings only.

Default: "D" indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.

   

DBRS

 

Long Term Obligations

The DBRS long-term rating scale provides an opinion on the risk of default.  That is, the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy its financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which an obligation has been issued.  Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer, and the relative ranking of claims.  All ratings categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories "(high)" and "(low)."  The absence of either a "(high)" or "(low)" designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category. 

 

 


 

 

Long-term debt rated "AAA" is considered to be of the highest credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

Long-term debt rated "AA" is considered to be of superior credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high.  Credit quality differs from AAA only to a small degree.  Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

Long-term debt rated "A" is considered to be of good credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than AA.  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

Long-term debt rated "BBB" is considered to be of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

Long-term debt rated "BB" is considered to be of speculative, non-investment-grade credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of future obligations is uncertain.  Vulnerable to future events.

Long-term debt rated "B" is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

Long-term debt rated "CCC," "CC" or "C" is of very highly speculative credit quality.  In danger of defaulting on financial obligations.  There is little difference between these three categories, although CC and C ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the CCC to B range.  Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the C category.

A "D" rating implies a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not met in the near future or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange.  A downgrade to D may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods or extenuating circumstances may exist.

Commercial Paper and Short Term Debt

The DBRS short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner.  Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer and the relative ranking of claims.  The R-1 and R-2 rating are further denoted by the subcategories "(high)," "(middle)" and "(low)."

Short-term debt rated "R-1 (high)" is considered to be of the highest credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high.  Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

 


 

 

Short-term debt rated "R-1 (middle)" is considered to be of superior credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high.  Differs from R-1 (high) by a relatively modest degree.  Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

Short-term debt rated "R-1 (low)" is considered to be of good credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial.  Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories.  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

Short-term debt rated "R-2 (high)" is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

Short-term debt rated "R-2 (middle)" is considered to be of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

Short-term debt rated "R-2 (low)" is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.  A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer's ability to meet such obligations.

Short-term debt rated "R-3" is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality.  There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due.  May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

Short-term debt rated "R-4" is considered to be of speculative credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

Short-term debt rated "R-5" is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

A security rated "D" implies that a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not met in the near future, or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange. A downgrade to D may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods, other procedural considerations or extenuating circumstances may exist.

 


 

 

__________________________________________________________________________

THE DREYFUS/LAUREL FUNDS TRUST

DREYFUS emerging markets debt local currency FUND
(Class/Ticker: Class A/DDBAX, Class C/DDBCX, Class I/DDBIX)

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OcTOBER 1, 2011

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus, dated October 1, 2011 , of Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (the “Fund”), as the Prospectus may be revised from time to time. The Fund is a separate series of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company, known as a mutual fund, that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). To obtain a copy of the Fund’s Prospectus, please call your financial adviser, write to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, visit www.dreyfus.com, or call 1-800- DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.)

The financial statements for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , including notes to the financial statements and supplementary information, and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included in the Annual Report to shareholders. A copy of the Annual Report accompanies this SAI. The financial statements included in the Annual Report and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, and related notes, are incorporated herein by reference.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

Description of The Trust and Fund

B2

Management of the Trust and Fund

B29

Management Arrangements

B41

How to Buy Shares

B48

Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan

B55

How to Redeem Shares

B56

Shareholder Services

B60

Determination of Net Asset Value

B65

Dividends and Distributions

B67

Taxation

B68

Portofolio Transactions

B84

Summary of the Proxy Voting Policy Procedures and Guidelines of The Dreyfus Family of Funds

B88

Information About the Trust and Fund

B89

Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accouting Firm

B91

Appendix

B92

 


 

 

  

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND FUND

 

The Trust was organized as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 30, 1979. The Trust is an open-end management investment company comprised of separate portfolios, including the Fund, each of which is treated as a separate fund.

 

The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager ”, “Dreyfus ” or the “Investment Adviser ”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. 

MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”) is the distributor of the Fund’s shares.

Certain Portfolio Securities

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus.

Foreign Securities.  The Fund invests in “foreign securities.” These securities include the securities of companies organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and those issued or guaranteed by governments other than the U.S. Government or by foreign supranational entities.  They also include securities of companies whose principal trading market is in a country other than the United States or of companies (including those that are located in the United States or organized under U.S. law) that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits from foreign businesses, investments or sales, or that have a majority of their assets outside the United States. They may be traded on foreign securities exchanges or in the foreign over-the-counter markets. Supranational entities include international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in emerging market bonds and other debt instruments denominated in the local currency of issue, and in derivative instruments that provide investment exposure to such securities. These instruments consist primarily of emerging market government bonds and currency forward exchange contracts. Countries considered to be “emerging markets” are those countries defined as having an emerging or developing economy by the World Bank or its related organizations, or the United Nations or its authorities, as well as any other country the Fund’s portfolio managers believe has an emerging economy or market. The emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest currently include, but are not limited to, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Israel , Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Uruguay and Venezuela. The Fund may purchase securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, including participation interests in loans between foreign governments and financial institutions, and interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of instruments issued or guaranteed by foreign governments. These include sovereign debt obligations, Brady Bonds and participation interests described below.  The Fund also may invest in the currencies of such countries and may engage in strategic transactions in the markets of such countries. See “Investment Techniques.” 

 


 

 

Sovereign Debt Obligations. The Fund may invest in sovereign debt obligations.  Investments in sovereign debt obligations involve special risks which are not present in corporate debt obligations. The foreign issuer of the sovereign debt or the foreign governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt, and the net asset value of the Fund, to the extent it invests in such securities, may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt issuers. In the past, certain foreign countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debt.

A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts.

Brady Bonds. The Fund may invest in Brady Bonds.  Brady Bonds are securities created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to public and private entities in certain emerging markets for new bonds in connection with debt restructurings.  In light of the history of defaults of countries issuing Brady Bonds on their commercial bank loans, investments in Brady Bonds may be viewed as speculative. Brady Bonds may be fully or partially collateralized or uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies (but primarily in U.S. dollars) and are actively traded in over-the-counter secondary markets. Incomplete collateralization of interest or principal payment obligations results in increased credit risk. U.S. dollar-denominated collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed-rate bonds or floating-rate bonds, generally are collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the Brady Bonds.  The Fund also may invest in one or more classes of securities (“Structured Securities”) backed by, or representing interests in, Brady Bonds. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly-issued Structured Securities to create securities with different investment characteristics such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of the payments made with respect to Structured Securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments.

Participation Interests and Assignments. The Fund may invest in short-term corporate obligations denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies that are originated, negotiated and structured by a syndicate of lenders (“Co-Lenders”), consisting of commercial banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies, financial companies or other financial institutions one or more of which administers the security on behalf of the syndicate (the “Agent Bank”). Co-Lenders may sell such securities to third parties called “Participants.” The Fund may invest in such securities either by participating as a Co-Lender at origination or by acquiring an interest in the security from a Co-Lender or a Participant (collectively, “participation interests”). Co-Lenders and Participants interposed between the Fund and the corporate borrower (the “Borrower”), together with Agent Banks, are referred herein as “Intermediate Participants.”

 


 

 

The Fund also may purchase a participation interest in a portion of the rights of an Intermediate Participant, which would not establish any direct relationship between the Fund and the Borrower. A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided interest in the security in the proportion that the Fund’s participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the security.  These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. The Fund would be required to rely on the Intermediate Participant that sold the participation interest not only for the enforcement of the Fund’s rights against the Borrower but also for the receipt and processing of payments due to the Fund under the security. Because it may be necessary to assert through an Intermediate Participant such rights as may exist against the Borrower, in the event the Borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would be involved if the Fund would enforce its rights directly against the Borrower. Moreover, under the terms of a participation interest, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the Intermediate Participant (rather than of the Borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the Intermediate Participant may become insolvent. Similar risks may arise with respect to the Agent Bank if, for example, assets held by the Agent Bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined by the appropriate regulatory authority or court to be subject to the claims of the Agent Bank’s creditors. In such case, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment in connection with the participation interest or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Borrower, the obligation of the Borrower to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such Borrower as a result of improper conduct by the Agent Bank or Intermediate Participant.

The Fund also may invest in the underlying loan to the Borrower through an assignment of all or a portion of such loan (“Assignments”) from a third party. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Co-Lenders it will acquire direct rights against the Borrower on the loan.  Because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Co-Lender. The Fund may have difficulty disposing of Assignments because to do so it will have to assign such securities to a third party.  Because there is no established secondary market for such securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of an established secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular Assignments 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 Borrower. The lack of an established secondary market for Assignments also may make it more difficult for the Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio and calculating its net asset value. 

Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities include corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar instruments, including certain convertible securities. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants attached. Corporate income‑producing securities also may include forms of preferred or preference stock. The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate such as interest rates or other financial indicators. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. Such securities may include those whose principal amount or redemption price is indexed to, and thus varies directly with, changes in the market price of certain commodities, including gold bullion or other precious metals.

 


 

 

Variable and Floating Rate Securities. Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the prime rate.

The Fund may invest in floating rate debt instruments (“floaters”). The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every six months.  Because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well.

The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”).  The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed or inversely to a multiple of the applicable index. An inverse floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality.

Convertible Securities. 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.

The Fund may invest in so-called “synthetic convertible securities,” which are comprised of two or more different securities, each with its own market value, whose investment characteristics, taken together, resemble those of convertible securities. For example, the Fund may purchase a non-convertible debt security and a warrant or option. The “market value” of a synthetic convertible is the sum of the values of its fixed income component and its convertible component. For this reason, the values of a synthetic convertible and a true convertible security may respond differently to market fluctuations.

Common Stock and Other Equity Securities. From time to time, the Fund may hold common stock sold in units with, or attached to, debt securities purchased by the Fund. The Fund also may hold common stock received upon the conversion of convertible securities. In connection with its investments in corporate debt securities, or restructuring of investments it owned, the Fund may receive warrants or other non-income producing equity securities. The Fund may retain such securities until the Manager determines it is appropriate in light of current market conditions for the Fund to dispose of such securities.

Preferred Stock. The Fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock is a form of equity ownership in a corporation. The dividend on a preferred stock is a fixed payment which the corporation is not legally bound to pay. Certain classes of preferred stock are convertible, meaning the preferred stock is convertible into shares of common stock of the issuer. By holding convertible preferred stock, the Fund can receive a steady stream of dividends and still have the option to convert the preferred stock to common stock.

The Fund may invest in convertible preferred stocks that offer enhanced yield features, such as PERCS (Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock). PERCS are preferred stock that generally feature a mandatory conversion date, as well as a capital appreciation limit that is usually expressed in terms of a stated price. The Fund also may invest in other classes of enhanced convertible securities, such as ACES (Automatically Convertible Equity Securities), PEPS (Participating Equity Preferred Stock), PRIDES (Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities), SAILS (Stock Appreciation Income Linked Securities), TECONS (Term Convertible Notes), QICS (Quarterly Income Cumulative Securities) and DECS (Dividend Enhanced Convertible Securities). These securities are company-issued convertible preferred stock. Unlike PERCS, they do not have a capital appreciation limit. They are designed to provide the investor with high current income with some prospect of future capital appreciation, issued with three- or four-year maturities, and typically have some built-in call protection. Investors have the right to convert them into shares of common stock at a preset conversion ratio or hold them until maturity. Upon maturity they will convert mandatorily into either cash or a specified number of shares of common stock.

 


 

 

Warrants.  A warrant is a form of derivative that 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. The Fund may invest in warrants to purchase equity or fixed-income securities. Bonds with warrants attached to purchase equity securities have many characteristics of convertible bonds and their prices may, to some degree, reflect the performance of the underlying stock.  Bonds also may be issued with warrants attached to purchase additional fixed-income securities at the same coupon rate. A decline in interest rates would permit the Fund to buy additional bonds at the favorable rate or to sell the warrants at a profit. If interest rates rise, the warrants would generally expire with no value.

Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares (collectively, “ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts and Global Depositary Shares (collectively, “GDRs”) and other forms of depositary receipts. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. GDRs are receipts issued outside the United States typically by non-United States banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities markets and GDRs in bearer form are designed for use outside the United States.

These securities may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary.  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.  Purchases or sales of certain ADRs may result, indirectly, in fees being paid to the Depositary Receipts Division of The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of the Manager, by brokers executing the purchases or sales.

Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities issued by registered and unregistered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds described below. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund’s investment in such securities, subject to certain exceptions, currently is limited to (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets in the aggregate.  As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory fees and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. The Fund also may invest its uninvested cash reserves, or cash it receives as collateral from borrowers of its portfolio securities in connection with the Fund’s securities lending program, in shares of one or more money market funds advised by the Manager.  Such investments will not be subject to the limitations described above.  See “Lending Portfolio Securities.”

 


 

 

Exchange-Traded Funds. The Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (collectively, “ETFs”), which are designed to provide investment results corresponding to a securities index. These may include Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”), DIAMONDS, Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (also referred to as “Nasdaq 100 Shares”), and iShares exchange-traded funds (“iShares”), such as iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund. ETFs usually are units of beneficial interest in an investment trust or represent undivided ownership interests in a portfolio of securities, in each case with respect to a portfolio of all or substantially all of the component securities of, and in substantially the same weighting as, the relevant benchmark index. The benchmark indices of SPDRs, DIAMONDS and Nasdaq-100 Shares are the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq-100 Index, respectively. The benchmark index for iShares varies, generally corresponding to the name of the particular iShares fund. ETFs are designed to provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the component securities of the benchmark index. ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary market on a per-share basis.

The values of ETFs are subject to change as the values of their respective component securities fluctuate according to market volatility. Investments in ETFs that are designed to correspond to an equity index, for example, involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly based portfolio of common stocks, including the risk that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of ETFs invested in by the Fund. Moreover, the Fund’s investments in ETFs may not exactly match the performance of a direct investment in the respective indices to which they are intended to correspond due to the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or other extraordinary circumstances, such as discrepancies with respect to the weighting of securities.

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are a form of derivative. The securitization techniques used for asset-backed securities are similar to those used for mortgage-related securities. These securities include debt securities and securities with debt-like characteristics. The collateral for these securities has included home equity loans, automobile and credit card receivables, boat loans, computer leases, airplane leases, mobile home loans, recreational vehicle loans and hospital account receivables. The Fund may invest in these and other types of asset-backed securities that may be developed in the future.

Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities.  Primarily, these securities may provide the Fund with a less effective security interest in the related collateral than do mortgage-backed securities. Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on the underlying collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities.

Collateralized Debt Obligations. The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which are securitized interests in pools of—generally non-mortgage—assets. Assets called collateral usually comprise loans or debt instruments. A CDO may be called a collateralized loan obligation or collateralized bond obligation if it holds only loans or bonds, respectively. Investors bear the credit risk of the collateral. Multiple tranches of securities are issued by the CDO, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics. Tranches are categorized as senior, mezzanine, and subordinated/equity, according to their degree of credit risk.  If there are defaults or the CDO’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches take precedence over those of mezzanine tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those to subordinated/equity tranches. Senior and mezzanine tranches are typically rated, with the former receiving ratings of A to AAA/Aaa and the latter receiving ratings of B to BBB/Baa. The ratings reflect both the credit quality of underlying collateral as well as how much protection a given tranche is afforded by tranches that are subordinate to it.

 


 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts. The Fund may invest in securities issued by real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). A REIT is a corporation, or a business trust that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation, which meets the definitional requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level Federal income tax and making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for Federal income tax purposes. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things, invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs) or cash and government securities, derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property, and distribute to shareholders annually a substantial portion of its otherwise taxable income.

REITs are characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs, which may include operating or finance companies, own real estate directly and the value of, and income earned by, the REITs depends upon the income of the underlying properties and the rental income they earn. Equity REITs also can realize capital gains (or losses) by selling properties that have appreciated (or depreciated) in value. Mortgage REITs can make construction, development or long-term mortgage loans and are sensitive to the credit quality of the borrower. Mortgage REITs derive their income from interest payments on such loans.  Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity and mortgage REITs, generally by holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in real estate. The value of securities issued by REITs are affected by tax and regulatory requirements and by perceptions of management skill. They also are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers or tenants, self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status under the Code or to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.

Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Investments. The Fund may invest in Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar instruments. Eurodollar instruments are bonds of foreign corporate and government issuers that pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars generally held in banks outside the United States, primarily in Europe. Yankee Dollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated bonds typically issued in the United States by foreign governments and their agencies and foreign banks and corporations. The Fund may invest in Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (“ECDs”), Eurodollar Time Deposits (“ETDs”) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“Yankee CDs”). ECDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks; ETDs are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in a foreign branch of a U.S. bank or in a foreign bank; and Yankee CDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and held in the United States. These investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, including potential unfavorable political and economic developments, foreign withholding or other taxes, seizure of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest.

 


 

 

Zero Coupon, Pay-In-Kind and Step-Up Securities. The Fund may invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities, which are Treasury Notes and Bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves and receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and coupons. Zero coupon securities also are issued by corporations and financial institutions which constitute a proportionate ownership of the issuer’s pool of underlying U.S. Treasury securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holders during its life and is sold at a discount to its face value at maturity.  The Fund may invest in pay-in-kind bonds, which are bonds that generally pay interest through the issuance of additional bonds.  The Fund also may purchase step-up coupon bonds, which are debt securities that typically do not pay interest for a specified period of time and then pay interest at a series of different rates.  The market prices of these securities generally are more volatile and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than the market prices of securities that pay cash interest periodically having similar maturities and credit qualities. In addition, unlike bonds that pay cash interest throughout the period to maturity, the Fund will realize no cash until the cash payment date unless a portion of such securities are sold and, if the issuer defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment.  Federal income tax law requires the holder of a zero coupon security or of certain pay-in-kind or step-up bonds to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments.  To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for Federal income taxes, the Fund may be required to distribute such income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.  See “ Taxation .”

U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds that differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.  In addition to U.S. Treasury securities, the Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality. These securities bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. While the U.S. Government currently provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since it is not so obligated by law.

 


 

 

Money Market Instruments. When Dreyfus determines that adverse market conditions exist, the 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. The Fund also may purchase money market instruments when it has cash reserves or in anticipation of taking a market position.

Bank Obligations.  Bank obligations in which the Fund may invest include certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and fixed time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties that vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with commercial banks or registered broker-dealers . A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund would acquire a security for a relatively short period subject to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund’s cost plus interest). In the case of repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, the value of the underlying securities (or collateral) will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest factor. The Fund bears a risk of loss if the other party to the repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. This risk includes the risk of procedural costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value should fall below their repurchase price.

Commercial Paper. The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies. The commercial paper purchased by the Fund may consist of U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic issuers and foreign currency-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign issuers.

Illiquid Securities. The 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, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s net assets could be adversely affected.

 


 

 

The Fund may invest in commercial obligations issued in reliance on the so-called “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Section 4(2) paper”). The Fund may also purchase securities that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but that can be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under that Act (“Rule 144A securities”).  Liquidity determinations with respect to Section 4(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will be made by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees” or “Board of Trustees” or “Board members”) or by Dreyfus pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.  The Board or Dreyfus will consider availability of reliable price information and other relevant information in making such determinations. Section 4(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally is sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to registration or an exemption therefrom. Section 4(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors like the Fund through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in the Section 4(2) paper, thus providing liquidity. Rule 144A securities generally must be sold to other qualified institutional buyers. If a particular investment in Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A securities is not determined to be liquid, that investment will be included within the percentage limitation on investment in illiquid securities. The ability to sell Rule 144A securities to qualified institutional buyers is a recent development and it is not possible to predict how this market will mature. Investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities from the Fund or other holder.

Investment Techniques

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus.

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may invest directly in foreign currencies of emerging market countries or hold financial instruments that provide investment exposure to such currencies, in addition to investing in emerging market bonds and other debt instruments denominated in the local currency of issue. To the extent the Fund invests in such currencies, the Fund will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

The 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, or to gain exposure to the foreign currency in an attempt to realize gains.

Foreign currency transactions may involve, for example, the 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. The Fund may engage in cross currency hedging against price movements between currencies, other than the U.S. dollar, caused by currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Fund’s success in these transactions may depend on the ability of the Manager to predict accurately the future exchange rates of foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.

 


 

 

The Fund also may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) for the purchase or sale of a specified currency at a specified future date. The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved.  Generally, secondary markets do not exist for forward contracts, with the result that closing transactions can be made for forward contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty to the contract. 

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.

Borrowing Money. The 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. The Fund, however, currently intends to borrow money only for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes. While such borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments. In addition, the Fund may borrow for investment purposes on a secured basis through entering into reverse repurchase agreements, as described below under “Reverse Repurchase Agreements.”

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may borrow for investment purposes on a secured basis through entering into reverse repurchase agreements. The 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 the 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 SEC. The SEC views reverse repurchase transactions as collateralized borrowings by the Fund. Except for these transactions, the Fund’s borrowings generally will be unsecured.

Lending Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, the Fund remains the owner of the loaned securities and continues to be entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities. The Fund also has the right to terminate a loan at any time. The Fund may call the loan to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s investment is to be voted upon. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan). 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. If the collateral consists of a letter of credit or securities, the borrower will pay the Fund a loan premium fee. If the collateral consists of cash, the Fund will reinvest the cash and pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” from any return earned on the investment. The Fund may participate in a securities lending program operated by The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of Dreyfus, as lending agent (the “Lending Agent”).  The Lending Agent will receive a percentage of the total earnings of the Fund derived from lending its portfolio securities. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund may experience delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising its rights in the collateral.  Loans are made only to borrowers that are deemed by the Manager to be of good financial standing. In a loan transaction, the Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The Fund will minimize this risk by limiting the investment of cash collateral to money market funds advised by the Manager, repurchase agreements or other high quality instruments with short maturities.

 


 

 

Derivatives. The Fund may invest in, or enter into, derivatives for a variety of reasons, including to hedge certain market or interest rate risks, to provide a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities or to increase potential returns. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities and related indexes. Examples of derivative instruments the Fund may use include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, participatory notes, structured notes and swap agreements. Derivatives may provide a cheaper, quicker or more specifically focused way for the Fund to invest than “traditional” securities would. The Fund’s portfolio managers may decide not to employ some or all of these strategies and there is no assurance that any derivatives strategy used by the Fund will succeed.

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 the 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 the 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 the underlying instruments or the Fund’s 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.

 


 

 

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 that is the issuer or counterparty to such derivatives. This guarantee usually is supported by a variation margin payment 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 the 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.

Some derivatives the Fund may use may involve leverage (e.g., an instrument linked to the value of a securities index may return income calculated as a multiple of the price movement of the underlying index). This economic leverage will increase the volatility of these instruments as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the underlying security, index, futures contract, currency or other economic variable. Pursuant to regulations and/or published positions of the SEC, the Fund may be required to segregate permissible liquid assets, or engage in other measures approved by the SEC or its staff, to “cover” the Fund’s obligations relating to its transactions in derivatives. For example, in the case of futures contracts or forward contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts’ full notional value (generally, the total numerical value of the asset underlying a future or forward contract at the time of valuation) while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts or forward contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligation (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures and forward contracts, the Fund may employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.

Neither the Trust nor the Fund will be a commodity pool. The Trust has filed notice with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association of its eligibility as a registered investment company for an exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator and that neither the Trust nor the Fund is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

Futures Transactions—In General. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security for a set price on a future date. These contracts are traded on exchanges, so that, in most cases, either party can close out its position on the exchange for cash, without delivering the security. An option on a futures contract gives the holder of the option the right to buy from or sell to the writer of the option a position in a futures contract at a specified price on or before a specified expiration date.

 


 

 

Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out before delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument with the same delivery date.  If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Transaction costs also are included in these calculations.

The Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or 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 that the 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 the Fund which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s net assets. Although the 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 and options with respect thereto by the Fund also is subject to the Manager’s ability 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 the 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. The Fund may have to sell such securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

 


 

 

Specific Futures Transactions. The Fund may invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including those with respect to securities indices, interest rates and currencies.

The Fund may purchase and sell index futures contracts and options thereon. An index future obligates the 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 prices of the securities that comprise the index at the opening of trading in such securities on the next business day.

The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts and options thereon. 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.

The Fund may purchase and sell currency futures and options thereon. 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. The Fund may purchase call and put options and write (i.e., sell) covered call and put option contracts.  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 the Fund is a call option with respect to which the Fund owns the underlying security or otherwise covers the transaction such as by segregating permissible liquid assets. A put option written by the 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 or otherwise covers the transaction. 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. The 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. The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options in respect of specific securities (or groups or “baskets” of specific securities), including equity securities (including convertible securities), U.S. Government securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, and Eurodollar instruments that are traded on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, or securities indices, currencies or futures.

An option on an 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 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 index options will depend upon price movements in the level of the index rather than the price of a particular security.

The 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.

The Fund may purchase cash-settled options on swaps, described below, denominated in U.S dollars or foreign currency in pursuit of its investment objective. 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.

Successful use by the Fund of options and options on futures will be subject to the Manager’s ability to predict correctly movements in the prices of individual securities, the relevant securities market generally, foreign currencies or interest rates, as applicable. To the extent the Manager’s predictions are incorrect, the Fund may incur losses.

Swap Transactions. The Fund may engage in swap transactions, including currency swaps, index swaps and interest rate swaps. The Fund may enter into swaps for both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. The Fund also may enter into options on swap agreements, sometimes called “swaptions.” Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another.  For example, if the Fund agreed to exchange payments in U.S. dollars for payments in a foreign currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the Fund’s exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates.  Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and its share price and yield.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year.  In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of swaps or securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount” of the swap agreement is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange.

 


 

 

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund are cash settled and calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Thus, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the segregation of permissible liquid assets of the Fund.

A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right 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. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally will incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than it will incur when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

The use of swap agreements is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Manager is incorrect in its forecasts of applicable market factors, or a counterparty defaults, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used.  In addition, it is possible that developments in the swap market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

The Fund will enter into swap agreements only when the Manager believes it would be in the best interests of the Fund to do so. In addition, the Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness (generally, such counterparties would have to be eligible counterparties under the terms of the Fund’s repurchase agreement guidelines).

The swaps market has been an evolving market and largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including new regulatory requirements, could affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements or otherwise affect how swaps are transacted. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act enacted on July 21, 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) will result in new clearing and exchange-trading requirements for swaps and other over-the-counter derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or the SEC, in consultation with banking regulators, to establish capital requirements as well as requirements for margin on uncleared derivatives in certain circumstances that will be clarified by rules proposed by the CFTC or SEC. In addition, the CFTC and the SEC are reviewing the current regulatory requirements applicable to derivatives, and it is not certain at this time how the regulators may change these requirements. Any such changes may, among various  possible effects, increase the cost of entering into derivatives transactions, require more assets of the Fund to be used for collateral in support of those derivatives than is currently the case, or restrict the ability of the Fund to enter into certain types of derivative transactions.

 


 

 

 

Credit Derivatives. The Fund may engage in credit derivative transactions, such as those involving default price risk derivatives and market spread derivatives. Default price risk derivatives are linked to the price of reference securities or loans after a default by the issuer or borrower, respectively. Market spread derivatives are based on the risk that changes in market factors, such as credit spreads, can cause a decline in the value of a security, loan or index.  There are three basic transactional forms for credit derivatives: swaps, options and structured instruments. The use of credit derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions.  If the Manager is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. Moreover, even if the Manager is correct in its forecasts, there is a risk that a credit derivative position may correlate imperfectly with the price of the asset or liability being hedged. The Fund’s risk of loss in a credit derivative transaction varies with the form of the transaction. For example, if the Fund purchases a default option on a security, and if no default occurs with respect to the security, the Fund’s loss is limited to the premium it paid for the default option. In contrast, if there is a default by the grantor of a default option, the Fund’s loss will include both the premium it paid for the option and the decline in value of the underlying security that the default option hedged.

Structured Notes and Other Hybrid Instruments. Structured notes are derivative securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator, and include indexed securities.  Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile. They are sometimes referred to as “structured notes” because the terms of the debt instrument may be structured by the issuer of the note and the purchaser of the note, such as the Fund. These notes may be issued by banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other financial institutions.

A hybrid instrument can combine the characteristics of securities, futures, and options.  For example, the principal amount or interest rate of a hybrid instrument could be tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some currency or securities index or another interest rate (each a “benchmark”). The interest rate or the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark.

Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment strategies, including currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return.  Hybrids may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero.  Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund.

 


 

 

Participatory Notes. The Fund may invest in participatory notes issued by banks or broker-dealers that are designed to replicate the performance of certain issuers and markets.  Participatory notes are a type of equity-linked derivative which generally are traded over-the-counter. The performance results of participatory notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. Investments in participatory notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the shares of the companies the notes seek to replicate. In addition, participatory notes are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the broker-dealer or bank that issues the notes will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund.  Participatory notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them, and the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such banks or broker-dealers and has no rights under a participatory note against the issuers of the securities underlying such participatory notes. Participatory notes involve transaction costs. Participatory notes may be considered illiquid and, therefore, participatory notes considered illiquid will be subject to the Fund’s percentage limitation for investments in illiquid securities.

Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions including forward currency contracts and multiple interest rate transactions, structured notes and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions (“component transactions”), instead of a single transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Manager, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Manager’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

Future Developments. The Fund may take advantage of opportunities in 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 the Fund enters into such transactions or makes any such investment, the Fund will provide appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus or this SAI.

Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment (including “TBA” (to be announced)), when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, which means delivery and payment take place in the future after the date of the commitment to purchase or sell the securities at a predetermined price and/or yield. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered.  When purchasing a security on a forward commitment basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining its net asset value. Because the Fund is not required to pay for these securities until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund’s other investments. If the Fund is fully or almost fully invested when forward commitment purchases are outstanding, such purchases may result in a form of leverage. The Fund would engage in forward commitments to increase its portfolio’s financial exposure to the types of securities in which it invests. Leveraging the portfolio in this manner will increase the Fund’s exposure to changes in interest rates and will increase the volatility of its returns. 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, when-issued or delayed-delivery 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, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery 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, when-issued or delayed-delivery 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.

Certain Investment Considerations and Risks

Foreign Securities. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers, as well as instruments that provide investment exposure to foreign securities and markets, involves risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of domestic issuers.  Investments in foreign issuers may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and in exchange control regulations (e.g., currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency (i.e., weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. A change in the value of such foreign currency against the U.S. dollar also will result in a change in the amount of income the Fund has available for distribution. Because a substantial portion of the Fund’s investment income may be received in foreign currencies, the Fund will be required to compute its income in U.S. dollars for distribution to shareholders, and therefore the Fund will absorb the cost of currency fluctuations. After the Fund has distributed income, subsequent foreign currency losses may result in the Fund having distributed more income in a particular fiscal period than was available from investment income, which could result in a return of capital to shareholders. In addition, if the exchange rate for the currency in which the Fund receives interest payments declines against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to enable the Fund to pay such dividends. Commissions on transactions in foreign securities may be higher than those for similar transactions on domestic stock markets and foreign custodial costs are higher than domestic custodial costs. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have on occasion been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.

 


 

 

Foreign securities markets generally are not as developed or efficient as those in the United States.  Securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United States and, at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the United States.

Because evidences of ownership of foreign securities usually are held outside the United States, by investing in such securities 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, that 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. Foreign securities held by the Fund may trade on days when the Fund does not calculate its net asset value and thus may affect the Fund’s net asset value on days when investors have no access to the Fund.

The risks associated with investing in foreign securities are often heightened for investments in emerging market countries. These heightened risks include (i) greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, and less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the small size of the markets for securities of emerging market issuers and the currently low or nonexistent volume of trading, resulting in lack of liquidity and in price volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities including restrictions on investing in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests; and (iv) the absence of developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment and private property. The Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging market countries may be constrained by limitations as to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. In certain cases, such limitations may be computed based upon the aggregate trading by or holdings of the Fund, the Manager and its affiliates and their clients and other service providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached. These limitations may have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and may adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investment to the extent that it invests in certain emerging market countries. In addition, some emerging market countries may have fixed or managed currencies which are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Further, certain emerging market countries’ currencies may not be internationally traded. Certain of these currencies have experienced a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. If the Fund does not hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities it owns denominated in currencies that are devalued, the Fund’s net asset value will be adversely affected. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have adverse effects on the economies and securities markets of certain of these countries.

 


 

 

Since foreign securities often are purchased with and payable in currencies of foreign countries, the value of these assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations.

Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by ADRs or that are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter markets are not subject to many of the special considerations and risks discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI that apply to foreign securities traded and held abroad. A U.S. dollar investment in ADRs or shares of foreign issuers traded on U.S. exchanges may be impacted differently by currency fluctuations than would an investment made in a foreign currency on a foreign exchange in shares of the same issuer.

Foreign Government Obligations and Securities of Supranational Entities. Investing in foreign sovereign debt securities in emerging market countries creates exposure to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the securities or in which the issuers are located. The ability and willingness of sovereign obligors in emerging market countries or the governmental authorities that control repayment of their external debt to pay principal and interest on such debt when due may depend on general economic and political conditions within the relevant country. Certain countries in which the Fund may invest have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of these countries also are characterized by political uncertainty or instability. Additional factors which may influence the ability or willingness to service debt include a country’s cash flow situation, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of its debt service burden to the economy as a whole and its government’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international agencies. The ability of a foreign sovereign obligor to make timely payments on its external debt obligations also will be strongly influenced by the obligor’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A governmental obligor may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, the Fund may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. In some cases, remedies must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign sovereign debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign sovereign debt obligations in the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements. Sovereign obligors in emerging market countries are among the world’s largest debtors to commercial banks, other governments, international financial organizations and other financial institutions. These obligors, in the past, have experienced substantial difficulties in servicing their external debt obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by negotiating new or amended credit agreements or converting outstanding principal and unpaid interest to Brady Bonds, and obtaining new credit to finance interest payments. Holders of certain foreign sovereign debt securities may be requested to participate in the restructuring of such obligations and to extend further loans to their issuers. There can be no assurance that the Brady Bonds and other foreign sovereign debt securities in which the Fund may invest will not be subject to similar restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit which may adversely affect the Fund’s holdings. Brady Bonds with no or limited collateralization of interest or principal payment obligations have increased credit risk, and the holders of such bonds rely on the willingness and ability of the foreign government to make payment in accordance with the terms of such Brady Bonds. Obligations of the World Bank and certain other supranational organizations are supported by subscribed but unpaid commitments of member countries. There is no assurance that these commitments will be undertaken or complied with in the future.

 


 

 

Fixed-Income Securities. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities, including those rated at the time of purchase below investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch” and collectively with Moody’s and S&P, the “Rating Agencies”) or, if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality by the Manager. 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.  Fixed-income securities rated below investment grade by the Rating Agencies 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. Certain securities that may be purchased by the Fund, such as those with interest rates that fluctuate directly or indirectly based on multiples of a stated index, are designed to be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and can subject the holders thereof to extreme reductions of yield and possibly loss of principal. The values of fixed-income securities also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuer. 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 “Appendix” for a general description of the Rating Agencies’ ratings.

High Yield-Lower Rated Securities. The Fund may invest without limitation in fixed-income securities rated below Baa by Moody’s and below BBB by S&P and as low as the lowest rating assigned by the Rating Agencies. Such securities (commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds), though higher yielding, are characterized by risk. 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 judgment, analysis and experience of the Manager in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer. The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective may be more dependent on the credit analysis undertaken by the Manager than might be the case for a fund that invests in higher rated securities.

Investors 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. These securities generally are considered by the Rating Agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation and generally will involve more credit risk than securities in the higher rating categories.

 


 

 

Companies that issue certain of these securities often are highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing.  Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with the higher rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of these securities may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer’s ability to service its debt obligations also may be affected adversely by specific corporate developments, forecasts, or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss because of default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of these securities because such securities generally are unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. Bond prices are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, bond price volatility also is inversely related to coupon. Accordingly, below investment grade securities may be relatively less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher quality securities of comparable maturity, because of their higher coupon. This higher coupon is what the investor receives in return for bearing greater credit risk.

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, judgment may play a greater role in valuation because less reliable, objective data may be available.

These securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. It is likely that an economic recession could disrupt severely the market for such securities and may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities. In addition, it is likely that any such economic downturn could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities.

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.  

The credit risk factors pertaining to lower rated securities also apply to lower rated zero coupon, pay-in-kind and step-up securities. In addition to the risks associated with the credit rating of the issuers, the market prices of these securities may be very volatile during the period no interest is paid.

Certain Investments. From time to time, to the extent consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, the Fund may invest in securities of companies with which an affiliate of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”) has a lending relationship.

 


 

 

Investment Restrictions

Fundamental. The Fund has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies, which cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares. The Fund may not:

1.      Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or as otherwise permitted by the SEC. Securities issued or guaranteed by governments other than the U.S. Government or by foreign supranational entities are not considered to be the securities of issuers in a single industry for purposes of this Investment Restriction.

2.      Invest in physical commodities or physical commodities contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those related to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices and enter into swap agreements and other derivative instruments.

3.      Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or other mineral leases or exploration or development programs, but the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or issued by companies that invest or deal in real estate or real estate investment trusts and may acquire and hold real estate or interests therein through exercising rights or remedies with regard to such securities.

4.      Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets).

5.      Lend any securities or make loans to others, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits such loans to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets) or as otherwise permitted by the SEC. For purposes of this Investment Restriction, the purchase of debt obligations (including acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments) and the entry into repurchase agreements shall not constitute loans by the Fund. Any loans of portfolio securities will be made according to guidelines established by the SEC and the Trust’s Board.

6.      Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.

7.      Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act), except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of borrowing money in accordance with the Fund’s borrowing policies. For purposes of this Investment Restriction, collateral, escrow, or margin or other deposits with respect to the making of short sales, the purchase or sale of futures contracts or options, purchase or sale of forward foreign currency contracts, and the writing of options on securities are not deemed to be an issuance of senior security.

 


 

 

Non-fundamental. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in emerging market bonds and other debt instruments denominated in the local currency of issue, and in derivative instruments that provide investment exposure to such securities (or other instruments with similar economic characteristics). The Fund has adopted a policy to provide its shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior notice of any change in its policy to so invest 80% of its assets. The Fund also has adopted a policy prohibiting it from operating as a fund-of-funds in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. 

The Fund has adopted the following additional non-fundamental investment restrictions.  These non-fundamental restrictions, and the Fund’s investment objective, may be changed by vote of a majority of the Trust’s Board members without shareholder approval, in compliance with applicable law and regulatory policy.  The Fund may not:

1.      Purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts, and except that effecting short sales will be deemed not to constitute a margin purchase for purposes of this Investment Restriction.

2.      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.

3.      Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice or purchase securities that are illiquid, if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets would be so invested.

4.      Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.

5.      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, forward commitment or delayed-delivery 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 permitted transactions.

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.  With respect to fundamental Investment Restriction No. 4, however, if borrowings exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets as a result of changes in values or assets, the Fund must take steps to reduce such borrowings within three business days at least to the extent of such excess.

 


 

 

If the Fund’s investment objective, policies, restrictions, practices or procedures change, shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of the shareholder’s then-current position and needs.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND FUND

Board of the Trust

 

Board’s Oversight Role in Management.  The Board’s role in management of the Trust is oversight.  As is the case with virtually all investment companies (as distinguished from operating companies), service providers to the Trust, primarily the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund, which includes responsibility for risk management (including management of investment performance and investment risk, valuation risk, issuer and counterparty credit risk, compliance risk and operational risk).  As part of its oversight, the Board, acting at its scheduled meetings, or the Chairman, acting between Board meetings, regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer (or a senior representative of his office), the Trust’s and the Investment Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer and portfolio management personnel.  The Board’s audit committee (which consists of all Board members) meets during its scheduled meetings, and between meetings the audit committee chair maintains contact, with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the Trust’s Chief Financial Officer.  The Board also receives periodic presentations from senior personnel of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates regarding risk management generally, as well as periodic presentations regarding specific operational, compliance or investment areas, such as business continuity, anti-money laundering, personal trading, valuation, credit, investment research and securities lending.  The Board also receives reports from counsel to the Company or counsel to the Investment Adviser and the Board’s own independent legal counsel regarding regulatory compliance and governance matters. The Board has adopted policies and procedures designed to address certain risks to the Fund.  In addition, the Investment Adviser and other service providers to the Fund have adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Fund.  Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks.  However, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks applicable to the Trust , and the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to inherent limitations .

 

Board Composition and Leadership Structure.  The 1940 Act requires that at least 40% of the Trust’s Board members not be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and as such are not affiliated with the Investment Adviser (“Independent Board members”).  To rely on certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act, a majority of the Trust’s Board members must be Independent Board members, and for certain important matters, such as the approval of investment advisory agreements or transactions with affiliates, the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder require the approval of a majority of the Independent Board members.  Currently, all of the Trust’s Board members, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent Board members, although the Board could in the future determine to add Board members who are not Independent Board members.  The Board has determined that its leadership structure, in which the Chairman of the Board is not affiliated with the Investment Adviser, is appropriate in light of the services that the Investment Adviser and its affiliates provide to the Trust and potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these relationships. 

 


 

 

            Information About Each Board Member’s Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills.  Board members of the Trust, together with information as to their positions with the Trust, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, are shown below. 

Name (Age)
Position with Trust (Since)

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years

Joseph S. DiMartino ( 67 )
Chairman of the Board
(1999)

Corporate Director and Trustee

CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director 

(1997 - present)

 

The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000 - 2010 )

 

Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of certain outdoor-related services to homes and business, Director (2005 - 2009)

 

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons ( 77 )
Board member
(1994)

Corporate Director and Trustee

 

Bill Barrett Corporation, an oil and natural gas exploration company, Director (2004 - present)

 

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel ( 65 )
Board member
(1988)

President and CEO,
Related Urban Development, a real estate development company (1996-present)

 

President and CEO, Himmel & Company, a real estate development company (1980-present)

 

CEO, American Food Management, a restaurant company (1983-present)

N/A

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood ( 64 )
Board member
(1993)

Chairman of the Board, Stephen J. Lockwood and Company LLC, a real estate investment company (2000-present)

N/A

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson ( 61 )
Board member
(1993)

Principal, Watson Ventures, Inc., a real estate investment company (1993-present)

N/A

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley ( 65 )
Board member
(1998)

Principal, The Wiley Group, a firm specializing in strategy and business development (2005-present)

 

President and CEO, The Partnership, an organization dedicated to increasing the representation of African Americans in positions of leadership, influence and decision-making in Boston, MA (1991-2005)

CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director 

(2008 – present)

 

       

 


 

 

 

Each Board member has been a Board member of the Trust and other Dreyfus mutual funds for at least ten years.  Additional information about each Board member follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that each Board member possesses which the Board believes has prepared them to be effective Board members.  The Board believes that the significance of each Board member’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Board member may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the board level, with no single Board member, or particular factor, being indicative of board effectiveness.  However, the Board believes that Board members need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Trust management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties; the Board believes that its members satisfy this standard.  Experience relevant to having this ability may be achieved through a Board member’s educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., medicine, accounting or law), public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board of the Trust) or as an executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences.  The charter for the Board’s nominating committee contains certain other factors considered by the Committee in identifying and evaluating potential Board member nominees.  To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Board members are counseled by their own independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment Adviser, and also may benefit from information provided by the Trust’s or the Investment Adviser’s counsel; both Board and Trust counsel have significant experience advising funds and fund board members.  The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate.  The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.

 


 

 

 

·         Joseph S. DiMartino – Mr. DiMartino has been the Chairman of the Board of the funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for over 15 years.  From 1971 through 1994, Mr. DiMartino served in various roles as an employee of Dreyfus (prior to its acquisition by a predecessor of BNY Mellon in August 1994 and related management changes), including portfolio manager, President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director.  He ceased being an employee or Director of Dreyfus by the end of 1994.  From July 1995 to November 1997, Mr. DiMartino served as Chairman of the Board of The Noel Group, a public buyout firm; in that capacity, he helped manage, acquire, take public and liquidate a number of operating companies.  From 1986 to 2010, Mr. DiMartino served as a Director of The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

 

·         James M. Fitzgibbons – In addition to his tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Mr. Fitzgibbons has also served as an officer or a board member of numerous public and private companies for over 40 years.  These positions included serving as Chairman of the Board of Davidson Cotton Company and as Chairman of the Board of Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc., a publicly traded diversified textile company.  He also has served as President of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute (the domestic industry’s trade association) and Chairman of the Board of the Tanners’ Council of America (the U.S. leather manufacturing trade group).  He has been a board member of Fiduciary Trust Company of Boston and of Brookline Savings Bank and a board member of significant charitable and non-profit organizations.  

 

·         Kenneth A. Himmel – In addition to his tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Mr. Himmel has over 30 years experience as a business entrepreneur, primarily focusing on real estate development.  Mr. Himmel is President and Chief Executive Officer of Related Urban Development, a leading developer of large-scale mixed-use properties and a division of Related Companies, L.P. 

 

·         Stephen J. Lockwood – In addition to his tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Mr. Lockwood’s business experience of over 40 years includes being a Board member and/or officer of various financial institutions, including insurance companies, real estate investment companies and venture capital firms.  Mr. Lockwood serves as Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Stephen J. Lockwood & Company, LLC, a real estate investment company.  Mr. Lockwood was formerly the Vice Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed insurance holding company. 

 

·         Roslyn M. Watson – In addition to her tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, or their predecessor funds, Ms. Watson has been a business entrepreneur in commercial and residential real estate for over 15 years.  Ms. Watson currently serves as President and Founder of Watson Ventures, Inc . a real estate development investment firm, and her current board memberships include American Express Bank, FSB, SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc., The Hyams Foundation, Inc., Pathfinder International and Simmons College.  Previously, she held various positions in the public and private sectors, including General Manager for the Massachusetts Port Authority.  She has received numerous awards, including the Woman of Achievement award from the Boston Big Sister Association and the Working Woman of the Year Award from Working Woman Magazine.  

 


 

 

 

·         Benaree Pratt Wiley – In addition to her tenure as a Board member of various Dreyfus mutual funds, Ms. Wiley has been a business entrepreneur and management consultant for over 18 years.  Ms. Wiley is a Principal of The Wiley Group, a firm specializing in personnel strategy, talent management and leadership development primarily for global insurance and consulting firms.  Prior to that, Ms. Wiley served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Partnership, Inc., a talent management organization for multicultural professionals in the greater Boston region.  Ms. Wiley currently serves on the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and is chair of the advisory board of PepsiCo African-American, and she has served on the boards of several public companies and charitable organizations. 

 

Additional Information about the Board and its Committees. Board members are elected to serve for an indefinite term. The Trust has standing audit and nominating committees, each comprised of its Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act. The function of the audit committee is (i) to oversee the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Fund’s financial statements and (ii) to assist in the Board’s oversight of the integrity of the Fund’s financial statements, the Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance. The Trust’s nominating committee is responsible for selecting and nominating persons as members of the Board for election or appointment by the Board and for election by shareholders. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by shareholders, the committee takes into consideration various factors listed in the nominating committee charter . The nominating committee will consider recommendations for nominees from shareholders submitted to the Secretary of the Trust, c/o The Dreyfus Corporation Legal Department, 200 Park Avenue, 8th Floor East, New York, New York 10166, which includes information regarding the recommended nominee as specified in the nominating committee charter. The Trust also has a standing compensation committee comprised of Ms. Watson (Chair), Mr. Fitzgibbons and Ms. Wiley. The function of the compensation committee is to establish the appropriate compensation for serving on the Board. The Trust also has a standing pricing committee comprised of any one Board member. The function of the pricing committee is to assist in valuing the Fund’s investments. The audit committee met three times and the compensation committee, the nominating committee and the pricing committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 .

 

The table below indicates the dollar range of each Board member’s ownership of Fund shares and shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which he or she is a Board member, in each case as of December 31,  2010 .

 

Joseph S. DiMartino

James M. Fitzgibbons

Kenneth A. Himmel 

Stephen J. Lockwood

Roslyn M. Watson

Benaree Pratt Wiley

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund

None

None

None

None

None

None

Aggregate Holdings of Funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which Responsible as a Board Member

Over $100,000

Over -$100,000

$50,001-$100,000

Over -$100,000

$10,001-$50,000

$50,001-$100,000

 


 

 

As of December 31,  2010 , none of the Board members or their immediate family members owned securities of the Manager, the Distributor or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager or the Distributor.

            No officer or employee of Dreyfus or the Distributor (or of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate thereof) receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. Each of the Trustees also serves as a Director/Trustee of Dreyfus Funds, Inc., Dreyfus Investment Funds, The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc. and The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds (collectively, with the Trust, the “Board Group Open-End Funds”) and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund. The Board Group Open-End Funds will pay each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) $60,000 per annum, plus $7,000 per joint Board Group Open-End Funds Board meeting attended, $2,500 for separate in-person committee meetings attended which are not held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled Board meeting and $2,000 for Board meetings and separate committee meetings attended that are conducted by telephone.

Each Emeritus Board member is entitled to receive an annual retainer of one-half the amount paid as a retainer at the time the Board member became Emeritus and a per meeting attended fee of one-half the amount paid to Board members.    

 

            The Board Group Open-End Funds also reimburse each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) for travel and out-of-pocket expenses. With respect to Board meetings, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation (with the exception of reimbursable amounts). The Chair of each of the Board’s committees, unless the Chair also serves as Chairman of the Board, receives $1,350 per applicable committee meeting. In the event that there is an in-person joint committee meeting or a joint telephone meeting of the Board Group Open-End Funds and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund , the fee is allocated between the Board Group Open-End Funds and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.

 

The aggregate amount of compensation received by each current Trustee from the Trust for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , and from all other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person was a Board member (the number of portfolios of such funds is set forth in parentheses next to each Board member’s total compensation) during the year ended December 31, 2010 , were as follows:

 

 

 

 

Name of Board

Member

 

Aggregate

Compensation

From the Trust*

Total Compensation

From the Trust

and Fund Complex

Paid to Board Member**

Joseph S. DiMartino

$ 25,313

$ 1,060,250 (175

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons

$ 21,750

$ 123,000 (35 )

 

 

 

J. Tomlinson Fort***

$10, 875

$ 52,000 (21 )

   

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel

$ 17,250

$ 105,000 (35 )

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood

$20, 250

$ 121 ,000 ( 35 )

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson

$ 21,750

$ 153,250 (46 )

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley

$ 21,750

$ 356,000 (73 )

 


 

 

____________________________

*        Amounts required to be paid by the Trust directly to the non-interested Trustees, that would be applied to offset a portion of the management fee payable to Dreyfus, are in fact paid directly by Dreyfus to the non-interested Trustees.  This amount does not include the cost of office space, secretarial services and health benefits for the Chairman and expenses reimbursed to Board members for attending Board meetings, which in the aggregate amounted to $ 2,534 .

**     Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the Fund Complex, including the Fund, for which the Board member served.

***   Emeritus Board member as of April 12, 2008.

 

Officers of the Trust

BRADLEY J. SKAPYAK, President since January 2010. Chief Operating Officer and a director of the Manager since June 2009.  From April 2003 to June 2009, Mr. Skapyak was the head of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager. He is an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of

138 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1988.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001. Director - Mutual Fund Accounting of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1985.

MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Vice President and Secretary since August 2005. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1991.

 


 

 

KIESHA ASTWOOD, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010.  Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager.  She is 38 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since July 1995.

 

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon and Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 45 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since December 1996.

JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2000.

KATHLEEN DENICHOLAS, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010.  Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager.  She is 36 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 2001. 

JANETTE E. FARRAGHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.  Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1984.

JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1991.

M. CRISTINA MEISER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2011.  Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager.  She is 41 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since August 2001. 

ROBERT R. MULLERY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 59 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since May 1986.

 


 

 

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1990.

RICHARD CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008. Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since 1982. 

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005. Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1991.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Fixed Income Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 193 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 1990.

STEPHEN J. STOREN , Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since May 2011 .    Chief Compliance Officer of the Distributor, and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of 73 investment companies (comprised of 189 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since October 1999 .

 

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004. Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (77 investment companies, comprised of 193 portfolios). From November 2001 through March 2004, Mr. Connolly was first Vice-President, Mutual Fund Servicing for Mellon Global Securities Services.  In that capacity, Mr. Connolly was responsible for managing Mellon’s Custody, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services to third-party mutual fund clients. He is 54 years old and has served in various capacities with the Manager since 1980, including manager of the firm’s Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.

 


 

 

The address of each Board member and officer of the Trust is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.

The officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned beneficially less than 1% of the total shares of the Fund outstanding as of September 6, 2011 .

Principal Shareholders. As of September 6, 2011 , the following shareholders were known by the Fund to own of record 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding shares. A shareholder who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the Fund’s voting securities may be deemed a “control person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

 

Class A Shares

 

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.                                                                            16.0354 %

Reinvestment Account

San Francisco, CA 94104-4151

 

American Enterprise Investment Service                                                        15.2096%

707 2nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405

 

CitiGroup Global Markets, Inc.                                                                      13.1678%

333 West 34th Street

New York, NY 10001-2402

                                                           

UBS WM USA                                                                                               13.0899%

499 Washington Blvd

Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995

 

Morgan Stanley & Co.                                                                                    12.8572%
Harborside Financial Center Plaza 2

Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

LPL Financial                                                                                                             8.7364 %

Reinvestment Account

San Diego, CA 92121-1968

 

 

 

MLPF & S For the Sole Benefit of its Customers                                          5.3050%

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

 

First Clearing, LLC                                                                                         5.1469%

Special Custody Accnt

St Louis, MO 63103-2523

                                                           

Class C Shares

   

 


 

 

MLPF & S For the Sole Benefit of its Customers                                          37.4474%

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.                                                                                    15.3228%
Harborside Financial Center Plaza 2

Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

First Clearing, LLC                                                                                         13.8335 %

10750 Wheat First Drive

Glen Allen, VA 23060-9243

 

CitiGroup Global Markets, Inc.                                                                      10.6548%

333 West 34th Street

New York, NY 10001-2402

 

UBS WM USA                                                                                               9.3241%

499 Washington Blvd

Jersey City, NJ 07310-1995

 

Class I Shares

 

Strafe & Co.                                                                                                  49.8731 %

P.O. Box 6924

Newark, DE 19714-6924

 

Wells Fargo Bank NA FBO                                                                           18.5453%

P.O. Box 1533

Minneapolis, MN 55480-1553           

 

MLPF & S For the Sole Benefit of its Customers                                          8.4572%

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

 

Vallee & Co.                                                                                                   6.1625 %

11270 W. Park Place Suite 400

Milwaukee, WI 53224-3638

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Investment Adviser. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon, a global financial services company focused on helping clients move and manage their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing asset and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team.

 


 

 

Management Agreement. The Manager serves as the investment adviser for the Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between the Manager and the Trust, subject to the overall authority of the Board of Trustees in accordance with Massachusetts law. As investment adviser, the Manager manages the Fund by making investment decisions based on the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions.

The Management Agreement is subject to annual approval by (i) the Trust’s Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Trust’s Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.  The Management Agreement is terminable without penalty, on not more than 60 days’ notice, by the Trust’s Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, or, upon not less than 90 days’ notice, by the Manager. The Management Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager: Jonathan Baum, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; J. Charles Cardona, President and a director; Diane P. Durnin, Vice Chair and a director; Bradley J. Skapyak, Chief Operating Officer and a director; Dwight Jacobsen, Executive Vice President and a director; Jeffrey D. Landau, Executive Vice President and a director; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications; Gary E. Abbs, Vice President-Tax; Jill Gill, Vice President-Human Resources; Joanne S. Huber, Vice President-Tax; Anthony Mayo, Vice President-Information Systems; Kathleen Geis, Vice President; John E. Lane, Vice President; Dean M. Steigauf , Vice President; Gary Pierce, Controller; Joseph W. Connolly, Chief Compliance Officer; James Bitetto, Secretary; and Robert G. Capone, Mitchell E. Harris , Cyrus Taraporevala and Scott E. Wennerholm, directors.

 

The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Fund, and furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required services to the Fund. The Manager may pay the Distributor for shareholder services from the Manager’s own assets, including past profits but not including the management fee paid by the Fund. The Distributor may use part or all of such payments to pay certain financial institutions (which may include banks), securities dealers (“Selected Dealers”) and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Agents”) 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.

Portfolio Management. The Manager provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio of investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Trust’s Board members. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Trust’s Board to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Fund’s portfolio managers are Alexander Kozhemiakin and Javier Murcio, each of whom is employed by Dreyfus and Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC ("Standish"), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus. The Manager and its affiliates also maintain research departments with professional staffs of portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services for the Fund and for other funds advised by the Manager.

 


 

 

The Trust, the Manager and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics that permits its personnel, subject to the Code of Ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Each Code of Ethics restricts the personal securities transactions of employees to ensure that such trading does not disadvantage any of the firms’ other clients.  In that regard, portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Manager must preclear and report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the Code of Ethics and also are subject to the oversight of BNY Mellon’s Investment Ethics Committee (the “Committee”). Portfolio managers and other investment personnel who comply with the preclearance and disclosure procedures of the Code of Ethics 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.

BNY Mellon and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and commercial banking or other relationships with the issuers of securities purchased by the Fund.  BNY Mellon has no obligation to provide to Dreyfus or the Fund, or effect transactions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with, any market or other information, analysis, or research in its possession.  Consequently, BNY Mellon (including, but not limited to, the Risk Department) may have information that could be material to the management of the Fund and may not share that information with relevant personnel of Dreyfus.  Accordingly, Dreyfus has informed management of the Fund that in making investment decisions it does not obtain or use material inside information that BNY Mellon or its affiliates may possess with respect to such issuers.

Portfolio Manager Compensation. Portfolio managers’ compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based salary and an incentive compensation plan (annual and long - term ).   Funding for the Standish Incentive Plan is through a pre-determined fixed percentage of overall profitability.  Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on Standish’s overall performance as opposed to the performance of a single product or group. 

All investment professionals are eligible to receive incentive awards .  Cash awards are payable in the February month end pay of the following year.  Most of the awards granted have some portion deferred for three years in the form of deferred cash, BNY Mellon equity, interests in investment vehicles (consisting of investments in a range of Standish products), or a combination of the above.

Individual awards for portfolio managers are discretionary, based on both individual and multi-sector product risk adjusted performance relative to both benchmarks and peer comparisons over one year, three year and five year periods.  Also considered in determining individual awards are team participation and general contributions to Standish.   Individual objectives and goals are also established at the beginning of each calendar year and are taken into account. 

 


 

 

Portfolio managers whose compensation exceeds certain levels may elect to defer portions of their base salaries and/or incentive compensation pursuant to BNY Mellon’s Elective Deferred Compensation Plan.

Additional Information About the Portfolio Managers. The following table lists the number and types of other accounts advised by the Fund’s primary portfolio managers and assets under management in those accounts as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal year:

 

Portfolio Manager

Registered Investment Company Accounts

Assets
Managed

Pooled Accounts

Assets Managed

Other Accounts

Assets Managed

Alexander Kozhemiakin

 

2

 

$ 2.38 Billion

 

20

 

$ 7.44 Billion

 

8

 

$357.09 Million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Javier Murcio

2

$2.38 Billion

20

$7.44 Billion

8

$357.09 Million

 

 

None of the accounts are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

The dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by the primary portfolio managers is as follows as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal year:

 

 

Portfolio Manager

 

 

Fund Name

 

Dollar Range of Fund

Shares Beneficially Owned

Alexander Kozhemiakin

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund

None

 

Javier Murcio

 

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund

 

None

 

Portfolio managers may manage multiple accounts for a diverse client base, including mutual funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions such as pension funds, insurance companies and foundations), bank common trust accounts and wrap fee programs (“Other Accounts”).

Potential conflicts of interest may arise because of Dreyfus’ management of the Fund and Other Accounts, as applicable. For example, conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities, as Dreyfus may be perceived as causing accounts it manages to participate in an offering to increase Dreyfus’ overall allocation of securities in that offering, or to increase Dreyfus’ ability to participate in future offerings by the same underwriter or issuer. Allocations of bunched trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially filled due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as Dreyfus may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to preferred accounts.  Initial public offerings (“IPOs”), in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. Additionally, portfolio managers may be perceived to have a conflict of interest if there are a large number of Other Accounts, in addition to the Fund, that they are managing on behalf of Dreyfus. Dreyfus periodically reviews each portfolio manager’s overall responsibilities to ensure that he or she is able to allocate the necessary time and resources to effectively manage the Fund. In addition, Dreyfus could be viewed as having a conflict of interest to the extent that Dreyfus or its affiliates and/or portfolio managers have a materially larger investment in Other Accounts than their investment in the Fund.

 


 

 

Other Accounts may have investment objectives, strategies and risks that differ from those of the Fund. For these or other reasons, the portfolio managers may purchase different securities for the Fund and the Other Accounts, and the performance of securities purchased for the Fund may vary from the performance of securities purchased for Other Accounts. The portfolio managers may place transactions on behalf of Other Accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made for the Fund, which could have the potential to adversely impact the Fund, depending on market conditions.

A potential conflict of interest may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in another account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by the other account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account.

Conflicts of interest similar to those described above arise when portfolio managers are employed by a sub-investment adviser or are dual employees of the Manager and an affiliated entity and such portfolio managers also manage Other Accounts.

Expenses. All expenses incurred in the operation of the Trust, with respect to the Fund, are borne by the Trust, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The expenses borne by the Trust, with respect to the Fund, include, without limitation: organizational costs, taxes, interest, commitment fees on borrowings, prime broker 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, SEC fees and 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 independent pricing services, costs of maintaining the Trust’s existence, 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. Expenses attributable to the Fund are charged against the assets of the Fund; other expenses of the Trust are allocated among the Fund and the Trust’s other series on the basis determined by the Trust’s Board, including, but not limited to, proportionately in relation to the net assets of each series.  In addition, each class of shares bears any class specific expenses allocated to such class, such as expenses related to the distribution and/or shareholder servicing of such class. Class A and Class C shares are subject to an annual shareholder services fee, and Class C shares are subject to an annual distribution fee. See “Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan.” All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before the declaration of dividends to shareholders.

 


 

 

As compensation for the Manager’s services, the Trust has agreed to pay the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets.  For the period from September 12, 2008 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2009, the management fee payable by the Fund to the Manager amounted to $94,696, which was reduced by $94,696 pursuant to an undertaking by the Manager, resulting in a net management fee of $0.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, the management fee payable by the Fund to the Manager amounted to $895,997, which was reduced by $55,525 pursuant to an undertaking by the Manager resulting in a net management fee of $840,472. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011, the management fee payable by the Fund to the Manager amounted to $10,389,843.

The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to reduction as the value of the Fund’s net assets increases.

Distributor. The Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Fund’s distributor on a best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement with the Trust, which is renewable annually. The Distributor also serves as the distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust.

The Distributor compensates certain Service Agents for selling Class A shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own assets. The proceeds of the CDSC and fees pursuant to the Trust’s Distribution Plan (described below), in part, are used to defray these expenses. The Distributor also may act as a Service Agent and retain sales loads and CDSCs and Distribution Plan fees. For purchases of Class A shares subject to a CDSC and Class C shares, the Distributor generally will pay Service Agents on new investments made through such Service Agents a commission of up to 1% of the net asset value of such shares purchased by their clients.

For the period from September 12, 2008 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2009, the Distributor retained $6 from sales loads on the Fund’s Class A shares. For the same period, there were no amounts retained by the Distributor from the CDSC on the Fund’s Class C shares. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2010 and 2011 , the Distributor retained $464 and $20,499, respectively, from sales loads on the Fund’s Class A shares and $50 and $5,551, respectively, from the CDSC on the Fund’s Class C shares.

The Distributor may pay Service Agents that have entered into agreements with the Distributor a fee based on the amount invested through such Service Agents in Fund shares by employees participating in qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension, profit-sharing and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities, trade or labor unions, or state and local governments (“Retirement Plans”), or other programs. The term “Retirement Plans” does not include IRAs, IRA “Rollover Accounts” or IRAs set up under Simplified Employee Pension Plans (“SEP-IRAs”).  Generally, the Distributor may pay such Service Agents a fee of up to 1% of the amount invested through the Service Agents. The Distributor, however, may pay Service Agents 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. Sponsors of such Retirement Plans or the participants therein should consult their Service Agent for more information regarding any such fee payable to the Service Agent.

 


 

 

The Manager or the Distributor may provide additional cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund or provide other services. Such payments are separate from any sales charges, 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder services fees and other expenses paid by the Fund to those intermediaries. Because those payments are not made by you or the Fund, the Fund’s total expense ratio will not be affected by any such payments.  These additional payments may be made to Service Agents, including affiliates, that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the Service Agent. Cash compensation also may be paid from the Manager’s or the Distributor’s own resources to Service Agents for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are referred to as “revenue sharing.” From time to time, the Manager or the Distributor also may provide cash or non-cash compensation to Service Agents in the form of: occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorships; support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations. In some cases, these payments or compensation may create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you.  Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments it may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.

Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Trust’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under the transfer agency agreement with the Trust, the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of the relevant shareholder account records for the 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 the Fund during the month, and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses. The Fund also makes payments to certain financial intermediaries, including affiliates, who provide sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services to beneficial owners of Fund shares.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of the Manager, located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the Custodian of the Fund’s investments. The Custodian has no 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 Trust, the 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 the Fund’s assets held in custody and receives certain securities transaction charges.

 

 


 

 

HOW TO BUY SHARES

General. Class A shares and Class C shares of the Fund may be purchased only by clients of certain Service Agents, including the Distributor. Subsequent purchases may be sent directly to the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent. You will be charged a fee if an investment check is returned unpayable. Shares are issued in book entry form only .

The Trust reserves the right to reject any purchase order. The Fund will not establish an account for a “foreign financial institution,” as that term is defined in Department of the Treasury rules implementing section 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. Foreign financial institutions include:  foreign banks (including foreign branches of U.S. depository institutions); foreign offices of U.S. securities broker-dealers, futures commission merchants, and mutual funds; non-U.S. entities that, if they were located in the United States, would be securities broker-dealers, futures commission merchants or mutual funds; and non-U.S. entities engaged in the business of currency dealer or exchanger or money transmitter. The Fund will not accept cash, travelers’ checks, or money orders as payment for shares.

Class I shares are offered only to : (i) bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the Distributor to offer Class I shares to their clients, (ii) institutional investors acting in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for Retirement Plans and SEP-IRAs (Class I shares may be purchased for a Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA only by a custodian, trustee, investment manager or other entity authorized to act on behalf of such Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Class I shares to such Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA), (iii) law firms or attorneys acting as trustees or executors/administrators, (iv) foundations and endowments that make an initial investment in the Fund of at least $1 million, (v) sponsors of college savings plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under Section 529 of the Code, that maintain an omnibus account with the Fund and do not require shareholder tax reporting or 529 account support responsibilities from the Distributor, (vi) advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available, (vii) certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds , and (viii) unaffiliated investment companies approved by the Distributor. Institutions effecting transactions in Class I shares for the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in connection with such transactions.

When purchasing shares of the Fund, you must specify which Class is being purchased.  Your Service Agent can help you choose the share class that is appropriate for your investment.  The decision as to which Class of shares is most beneficial to you depends on a number of factors, including the amount and the intended length of your investment in the Fund. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for a further discussion of those factors.

In many cases, neither the Distributor nor the Transfer Agent will have the information necessary to determine whether a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase. You or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor whenever a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase and must provide the Distributor with sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that each purchase qualifies for the privilege or discount.

 


 

 

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 SAI, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may charge their clients direct fees.  You should consult your Service Agent in this regard. As discussed under “Management Arrangements—Distributor,” Service Agents may receive revenue sharing payments from the Manager or the Distributor. The receipt of such payments could create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund instead of other mutual funds where such payments are not received. Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments it may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.

For each Class of shares, the minimum initial investment is $1,000. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be at least $100.  However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant and $500 for Dreyfus-sponsored Education Savings Accounts, 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 who elect to have a portion of their pay directly deposited into their Fund accounts, the minimum initial investment is $50. Fund shares are offered without regard to the minimum initial investment requirements to Board members of a fund advised by the Manager, including members of the Trust’s Board, who elect to have all or a portion of their compensation for serving in that capacity automatically invested in the Fund.  Fund shares are offered without regard to the minimum initial or subsequent investment amount requirements to investors purchasing Fund shares through wrap fee accounts or other fee-based programs. The Trust reserves the right to offer Fund shares without regard to minimum purchase requirements to government-sponsored programs or to employees participating in certain Retirement Plans or other programs where contributions or account information can be transmitted in a manner and form acceptable to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to vary further the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.

The Fund may, in its discretion, accept securities in payment for Fund shares. Securities may be accepted in payment for shares only if they are, in the judgment of the Manager, appropriate investments for the Fund. These securities are valued by the same method used to value the Fund’s existing portfolio holdings. The contribution of securities to the Fund may be a taxable transaction to the shareholder.

The Code imposes various limitations on the amount that may be contributed to certain Retirement Plans or government-sponsored programs. 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 or government-sponsored program. Participants and plan sponsors should consult their tax advisers for details.

Fund shares also may be purchased through Dreyfus-Automatic  Asset Builder®, Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan and Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege as described under “Shareholder Services.” These services enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide you with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. You should be aware, however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee a profit and will not protect an investor against loss in a declining market.

 


 

 

Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis. Net asset value per share of each Class is determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular business. For purposes of determining net asset value, certain options and futures contracts may 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. For 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 (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on a regular business day, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on the next regular 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 (usually 5:15 p.m., Eastern time) will be based on the public offering price per share determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the orders will be based on the next determined public offering price. It is the dealer’s responsibility to transmit orders so that they will be received by the Distributor or its designee before the close of its business day. For certain institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor, payment for the purchase of Fund shares may be transmitted, and must be received by the Transfer Agent, within three business days after the order is placed. If such payment is not received within three business days after the order is placed, the order may be canceled and the institution could be held liable for resulting fees and/or losses.

Class A Shares. The public offering price for Class A shares of the Fund is the net asset value per share of that Class plus a sales load as shown below:

 


 

 

 

Total Sales Load* -- Class A Shares

 

 

Amount of Transaction

As a % of offering
price per share

As a % of net asset
value per share

Dealers’ reallowance as a
% of offering price

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than $50,000

4.50

4.71

4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

$50,000 to less than $100,000

4.00

4.17

3.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

$100,000 to less than $250,000

3.00

3.09

2.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

$250,000 to less than $500,000

2.50

2.56

2.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

$500,000 to less than $1,000,000

2.00

2.04

1.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,000,000 or more

-0-

-0-

-0-

 

______________________________

 

*

Due to rounding, the actual sales load you pay may be more or less than that calculated using these percentages.

               

Class A shares purchased without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more may be assessed at the time of redemption a 1% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. The Distributor may pay Service Agents an up-front commission of up to 1% of the net asset value of Class A shares purchased by their clients as part of a $1,000,000 or more investment in Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC. If the Service Agent waives receipt of such commission, the CDSC applicable to such Class A shares will not be assessed at the time of redemption. See “Management Arrangements—Distributor.”

The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class A shares made by any “purchaser,” which term includes an individual and/or spouse purchasing securities for his, her or their own account or for the account of any minor children, or a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account (including a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code) although more than one beneficiary is involved; or a group of accounts established by or on behalf of the employees of an employer or affiliated employers pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other program (including accounts established pursuant to Sections 403(b), 408(k), and 457 of the Code); or an organized group that 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 that result in economy of sales effort or expense.

Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering price of Class A shares of the Fund. 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 as of May 31, 2011 :

 


 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share

$ 15.22

 

Per Share Sales Charge

 

 

Class A – 4.50% of offering price
(4.70% of net asset value per share)

$0. 72

 

 

 

 

Per Share Offering Price to the Public

$ 15.94

 

 

 

 

Dealers’ Reallowance—Class A Shares. The dealer reallowance provided with respect to Class A 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 Dreyfus which are sold with a sales load, such as Class A shares. In some instances, these incentives may be offered only to certain dealers who have sold or may sell significant amounts of such shares. See “Management Arrangements-Distributor.”

 

Class A Shares Offered at Net Asset Value.  Full-time employees of member firms of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and full-time employees of other financial institutions that 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 a FINRA 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 (if Fund shares are offered to such plans or programs), or for their spouses or minor children, at net asset value without a sales load, provided they have furnished the Distributor 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 FINRA 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 or its affiliates, including members of the Trust’s Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of the foregoing.

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load through certain broker-dealers and other financial institutions that 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 without a sales load, 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, and (iii) a charitable organization investing $50,000 or more in Fund shares and charitable remainder trust (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code), provided that such Class A shares are purchased directly through the Distributor. Any such charitable organization or charitable remainder trust that holds Class A shares of the Fund as of July 15, 2011, and continues to hold such Class A shares, may purchase additional Class A shares of the Fund at the net asset value without a sales load whether or not purchasing such shares directly through the Distributor.

 


 

 

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load by qualified investors who (i) purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor, and (ii) have, or whose spouse or minor children have, beneficially owned shares and continuously maintained an open account directly through the Distributor in a Dreyfus-managed fund since on or before February 28, 2006.

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load , by investors with the cash proceeds from the investor’s exercise of stock options and/or disposition of stock related to employment-based stock plans , whether invested in the Fund directly or indirectly through an exchange from a Dreyfus-managed money market fund, provided that the proceeds are processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s Distributor specifically relating to administering employment-based stock plans.  Upon establishing the account in the Fund or the Dreyfus-managed money market fund, the investor and the investor’s spouse and minor children become eligible to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value, whether or not the investor uses the proceeds related to the employment- based stock plan to establish the account .

Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load by members of qualified affinity groups who purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor, provided that the qualified affinity group has entered into an affinity agreement with the Distributor.

Class A shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to employees participating in Retirement 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 Retirement Plan or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided that, in the case of a Retirement Plan, the rollover is processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor specifically relating to processing rollovers. Upon establishing the Rollover Account in the Fund, the shareholder becomes eligible to make subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value in such account.

Right of Accumulation--Class A Shares. Reduced sales loads apply to any purchase of Class A shares by you and any related “purchaser” as defined above, where the aggregate investment, including such purchase, is $50,000 or more. If, for example, you previously purchased and still hold shares of the Fund or shares of certain other funds advised by the Manager that are subject to a front-end sales load or a CDSC or shares acquired by a previous exchange of such shares (hereinafter referred to as “Eligible Funds”), or combination thereof, with an aggregate current market value of $40,000 and subsequently purchase Class A shares of the 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. 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 for reduced sales loads, at the time of purchase you or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor if orders are made by wire, or the Transfer Agent if orders are made by mail. The reduced sales load is subject to confirmation of your holdings through a check of appropriate records.

 


 

 

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 I Shares. The public offering price for Class I shares is the net asset value per share of that Class. Class I shares of the Fund are offered to:

         certain institutional clients of a BNY Mellon investment advisory subsidiary, provided that such clients are approved by the Manager; and

 

         unaffiliated investment companies approved by the Distributor.

Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may purchase shares by telephone or online 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. If purchase orders are received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any day the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for regular business, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined on that day. If purchase orders are made after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any day the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for regular business, or on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g., when the New York Stock Exchange is not open for business), Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined on the next bank business day following such purchase order. To qualify to use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege, the initial payment for purchase of Fund 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 sent to an account at any other bank, the request must be in writing and signature-guaranteed.  See “How to Redeem Shares—Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege.”

Reopening an Account. You may reopen an account with a minimum investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the calendar year the account is closed or during the following calendar year, provided the information on the old Account Application is still applicable.

            Converting Shares. Under certain circumstances, Fund shares may be converted from one Class of shares to another Class of shares of the Fund. The aggregate dollar value of the shares of the Class received upon any such conversion will equal the aggregate dollar value of the converted shares on the date of the conversion. An investor whose shares are converted from one Class to another Class of the Fund will not realize taxable gain or loss as a result of the conversion.

 

 


 

 

DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN

Class C shares are subject to a Distribution Plan and Class A and Class C shares are subject to a Shareholder Services Plan. 

Distribution Plan. Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) adopted by the SEC 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 Trust’s Board has adopted such a plan (the “Distribution Plan”) with respect to the Fund’s Class C shares, pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for distributing Class C shares at an annual rate of 0.75% of the value of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class C shares. The Distributor may pay one or more Service Agents in respect of advertising, marketing and other distribution services, and determines the amounts, if any, to be paid to Service Agents and the basis on which such payments are made. The Trust’s Board believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and the holders of its Class C shares.

A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Distribution Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the Board for its review. In addition, the Distribution Plan provides that it may not be amended to increase materially the costs that holders of the Fund’s Class C shares may bear pursuant to the Distribution Plan without the approval of the holders of such shares and that other material amendments of the Distribution Plan must be approved by the Trust’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. As to the relevant class of shares, the Distribution Plan is subject to annual approval by such vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Plan. As to the relevant class of shares, 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.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , the Fund paid the Distributor, with respect to Class C shares, $ 54,217 in distribution fees pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

Shareholder Services Plan. The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for the provision of certain services to the holders of the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares at an annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such 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 Trust’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust 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 the relevant class of shares, 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. As to the relevant class of shares, the Shareholder Services Plan is terminable 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 Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan.

For the fiscal year ended May 2011 , the Fund paid the Distributor, with respect to Class A and Class C shares, $ 140,551 and $ 18,072 , respectively, in shareholder services fees pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

General. The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in proper form, except as provided by the rules of the SEC. However, if you have purchased Fund shares by check, by Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege or through Dreyfus-Automatic  Asset Builder® and subsequently submit a written redemption request to the Transfer Agent, the Fund may delay sending the redemption proceeds for up to eight business days after the purchase of such shares. In addition, the Fund will reject requests to redeem shares by wire or telephone, online or pursuant to the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege for a period of up to eight business days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the purchase check, the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  purchase or the Dreyfus-Automatic  Asset Builder order against which such redemption is requested. These procedures will not apply if your shares were purchased by wire payment, or if you otherwise have a sufficient collected balance in your account to cover the redemption request. Fund shares may not be redeemed until the Transfer Agent has received your Account Application.

If you hold shares of more than one Class of the Fund, any request for redemption must specify the Class of shares being redeemed. If you fail to specify the Class of shares to be redeemed or if you own fewer shares of the Class than specified to be redeemed, the redemption request may be delayed until the Transfer Agent receives further instructions from you or your Service Agent.

Redemption Fee. The Fund will deduct a redemption fee equal to 2% of the net asset value of Fund shares redeemed (including redemptions through the use of the Fund Exchanges service) less than 60 days following the issuance of such shares. The redemption fee will be deducted from the redemption proceeds and retained by the Fund. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 , the Fund retained $ 65,278 in redemption fees.

 


 

 

Subject to the exceptions described in the Fund’s Prospectus, shares held for less than 60 days will be subject to the Fund’s redemption fee, whether held directly in your name or indirectly through an intermediary, such as a broker, bank, investment adviser, recordkeeper for retirement plan participants, or any other third party. If you hold your shares through an intermediary’s omnibus account, the intermediary is responsible for imposing the fee and remitting the fee to the Fund.

The redemption fee will be charged and retained by the Fund on shares sold before the end of the required holding period. The Fund will use the “first-in, first-out” method to determine the holding period for the shares sold. Under this method, shares held the longest will be redeemed or exchanged first. The holding period commences on the day after your purchase order is effective. For example, the holding period for shares purchased on October 31 (trade date) begins on November 1 and ends on the 59th day, which is December 29. Thus, if you redeemed these shares on December 29, you would be assessed the fee, but you would not be assessed the fee if you redeemed on or after December 30.

The redemption fee generally is collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds, but may be imposed by billing you if the fee is not imposed as part of the redemption transaction.

The Fund may postpone the effective date of the assessment of the redemption fee on the underlying shareholder accounts within an omnibus account if an intermediary is unable to collect the Fund’s redemption fee.

The Fund may impose the redemption fee at the plan level for employee benefit plans that hold shares on behalf of a limited number of employees.  Plan sponsors of such benefit plans that opt to impose redemption fees at the employee account level, rather than the plan level, must enter into agreements with Dreyfus that obligate the sponsor to collect and remit redemption fees at the employee level and to provide to the Fund, at its request, shareholder identity and transaction information.

The Fund’s Prospectus contains information on transactions for which the redemption fee is waived. The Fund reserves the right to exempt additional transactions from the fee.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class C Shares. A CDSC of 1% payable to the Distributor is imposed on any redemption of Class C shares made within one year of the date of purchase.  No CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset value of the Class C shares redeemed does not exceed (i) the current net asset value of Class C shares acquired through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gain distributions, plus (ii) increases in the net asset value of your Class C shares above the dollar amount of all your payments for the purchase of Class C shares held by you at the time of redemption.

If the aggregate value of Class C 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 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 Class C shares of the Fund acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions; then, of amounts representing the increase in net asset value of Class C shares above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class C shares made during the preceding year; and finally, of amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period.

 


 

 

For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares of the Fund at $10 per share for a cost of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired five additional Fund shares through the reinvestment of Fund dividends. Within a 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 that represents appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260) would be charged at a rate of 1% for a total CDSC of $2.40.

Waiver of CDSC. The CDSC 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 Retirement 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 70½ 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 Trust’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 SAI at the time of the purchase of such shares.

To qualify for a waiver of the CDSC, at the time of redemption you or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of your entitlement.

Reinvestment Privilege. Upon written request, you may reinvest up to the number of Class A shares you have redeemed, within 45 days of redemption, at the then-prevailing net asset value without a sales load, or reinstate your account for the purpose of exercising Fund Exchanges. Upon reinstatement, 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. By using this Privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephone, letter or online redemption instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you or a representative of your Service Agent and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Trust 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.

 


 

 

To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature guaranteed as described below under “Share Certificates; Signatures.”

Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may request by telephone or online 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. You should be aware that if you have selected the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege, any request for a Dreyfus TeleTransfer  transaction will be effected 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.  Shares held in an IRA or Education Savings Account may not be redeemed through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege. See “How to Buy Shares—Dreyfus TeleTransfer  Privilege.”

Redemption Through a Selected Dealer. If you are a customer of a Selected Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If the Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by the Transfer Agent prior to the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the redemption request will be effective on that day. If the Transfer Agent receives a redemption request 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 (usually 5:15 p.m., Eastern 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.

Share Certificates; Signatures. Any certificates representing Fund shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. A fee may be charged to replace lost or stolen certificates, or certificates that were never received. 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 1-800- DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.)

 


 

 

Redemption Commitment. The Trust has committed itself to pay in cash all redemption requests by any shareholder of record of the Fund, limited in amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of such period.  Such commitment is irrevocable without the prior approval of the SEC. In the case of requests for redemption from the Fund in excess of such amount, the Trust’s Board reserves the right to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund 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 sells such securities, brokerage charges would be incurred.

Suspension of Redemptions. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when the SEC determines that trading in the markets the Fund ordinarily utilizes is restricted, or when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC 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 SEC by order may permit to protect the Fund’s shareholders.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Fund Exchanges. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. The Fund will deduct a redemption fee equal to 2% of the net asset value of Fund shares exchanged out of the Fund where the exchange is made less than 60 days after the issuance of such shares. Shares of such funds purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:

A.      Exchanges for shares of funds offered without a sales load will be made without a sales load.

B.      Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and the applicable sales load will be deducted.

C.      Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged without a sales load for shares of other funds sold without a sales load.

 


 

 

D.      Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a sales load and additional shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions of any such funds (collectively referred to herein as “Purchased Shares”) may be exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein as “Offered Shares”), 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 may be deducted.

E.       Shares of funds subject to a CDSC that are exchanged for shares of another fund will be subject to the higher applicable CDSC of the two funds and, for purposes of calculating CDSC rates and conversion periods, if any, will be deemed to have been held since the date the shares being exchanged were initially purchased.

To accomplish an exchange under item D above, you, or your Service Agent acting on your behalf, must notify the Transfer Agent of your prior ownership of Fund shares and your account number.

You also may exchange your Fund shares that are subject to a CDSC for shares of Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc. The shares so purchased will be held in a special account created solely for this purpose (“Exchange Account”). Exchanges of shares for 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 and the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

To request an exchange, you, or your Service Agent acting on your behalf, must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing, by telephone or online. The ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone or online 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 this privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic and online instructions (including over the Dreyfus Express® voice response 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. Exchanges may be subject to limitations as to the amount involved or the number of exchanges permitted. Shares issued in certificate form are not eligible for telephone or online exchange. No fees currently are charged shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Trust 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 SEC.

 


 

 

Exchanges of Class I shares held by a Retirement Plan may be made only between the investor’s Retirement Plan account in one fund and such investor’s Retirement Plan account in another fund.

To establish a personal retirement plan by exchange, shares of the fund being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial investment required for shares of the same class of the fund into which the exchange is being made.

During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the Trust 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.

Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits you to purchase (on a semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis), in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of 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 an 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- DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.), or visiting www.dreyfus.com. The Trust reserves the right to reject any exchange request in whole or in part. Fund exchanges and Dreyfus Auto-Exchange privilege are available to shareholders residing in any state in which shares of the fund being acquired may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between accounts having certain identical 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®. 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.

 


 

 

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 Dividend Options. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows you to invest automatically your dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund in shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds 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 a sales load in shares of other funds offered without a sales load.

B.  Dividends and distributions paid by a fund that 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 may 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 the 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 established by filing an Automatic Withdrawal Plan application with the Transfer Agent or by oral request from any of the authorized signatories on the account by calling 1-800- DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.) The Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by you, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

 


 

 

No CDSC with respect to Class C shares will be imposed on withdrawals made under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, provided that any amount withdrawn under the plan does not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the greater of (1) the account value at the time of the first withdrawal under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, or (2) the account value at the time of the subsequent withdrawal. Withdrawals with respect to Class C shares under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan that exceed such amounts will be subject to a CDSC. Withdrawals of Class A shares subject to a CDSC under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan will be subject to any applicable CDSC. Purchases of additional Class A shares where the sales load is imposed concurrently with withdrawals of Class A shares generally are undesirable.

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.

Letter of Intent--Class A Shares. By signing a Letter of Intent form, you become eligible for the reduced sales load on purchases of Class A shares based on the total number of shares of Eligible Funds (as defined under “Right of Accumulation” above) purchased by you and any related “purchaser” (as defined above) in a 13-month period pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Letter of Intent.  Shares of any Eligible Fund purchased within 90 days prior to the submission of the Letter of Intent may be used to equal or exceed the amount specified in the Letter of Intent. A minimum initial purchase of $5,000 is required. You can obtain a Letter of Intent form by calling 1-800- DREYFUS (1-516-794-5452 outside the U.S.).

Each purchase you make during the 13-month period (which begins on the date you submit the Letter of Intent) will be at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the aggregate dollar amount you select in the Letter of Intent. The Transfer Agent will hold in escrow 5% of the amount indicated in the Letter of Intent, which may be used for payment of a higher sales load if you do not purchase the full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent. When you fulfill the terms of the Letter of Intent by purchasing the specified amount the escrowed amount will be released and additional shares representing such amount credited to your account.  If your purchases meet the total minimum investment amount specified in the Letter of Intent within the 13-month period, an adjustment will be made at the conclusion of the 13-month period to reflect any reduced sales load applicable to shares purchased during the 90-day period prior to submission of the Letter of Intent. 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, the offering price of the shares you purchased (including shares representing the escrowed amount) during the 13-month period will be adjusted to reflect the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases you actually made (which will reduce the number of shares in your account), unless you have redeemed the shares in your account, in which case the Transfer Agent, as attorney-in-fact pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, will redeem an appropriate number of Class A shares of the Fund held in escrow to realize the difference between the sales load actually paid and the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases actually made and any remaining shares will be credited to your account.  Signing a Letter of Intent does not bind you to purchase, or the Fund to sell, the full amount indicated at the sales load in effect at the time of signing, but you must complete the intended purchase to obtain the reduced sales load. At the time you purchase Class A shares, you must indicate your intention to do so under a Letter of Intent.  Purchases pursuant to a Letter of Intent will be made at the then-current net asset value plus the applicable sales load in effect at the time such Letter of Intent was submitted.

 


 

 

Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Retirement Plans. The Trust makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing plans, including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Trust makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and rollover IRAs), Education Savings Accounts, 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. The Fund’s investments are valued each business day using available market quotations or at fair value. Substantially all of the Fund’s debt securities and instruments, including interest rate, credit default and total return swaps and options thereon, are valued each business day by one or more independent pricing services (the “Service”) approved by the Board. When, in the judgment of the Service , quoted bid prices for investments, are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market , the investments are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). The value of other debt securities and instruments is determined by the Service based on methods which include consideration of:  yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. The Service's procedures are reviewed by Trust officers under the general supervision of the Board.  Overnight and certain other short-term debt securities and instruments (excluding U.S. Treasury bills) will be valued by the amortized cost method, which approximates value, unless a Service provides a valuation for such security or, in the opinion of the board or a committee or other persons designated by the Board, the amortized cost method would not represent fair value.

 


 

 

 

Market quotations of foreign securities in foreign currencies and any Fund assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars and foreign currency forward contracts are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked quotations obtained from a Service approved by the Board.  Since the Fund has to obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the calculation of the Fund's net asset value may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of prices of certain of the Fund's portfolio securities.  Fair value of foreign equity securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using correlations between the movement of prices of foreign securities and indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs and futures contracts.  The valuation of a security based on this fair value process may differ from the security's most recent closing price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.  Foreign securities held by the Fund may trade on days that the Fund is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Fund's assets on days when Fund investors have no access to the Fund.

Generally, over-the-counter option contracts will be valued by the Service at the average of the most recent bid and asked quotations obtained from the Service. Futures contracts will be valued at the most recent settlement price.  Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which recent market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are determined by the Fund not to reflect accurately fair value (such as when the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) but before the Fund calculates its net asset value), or which are not valued by the Service, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith based on procedures approved by the Board.  Fair value of investments may be determined by the Board or its pricing committee or the Fund's valuation committee using such information as it deems appropriate.  The factors that may be considered when fair valuing a security include fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers.  The valuation of a security based on fair value procedures may differ from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.   

 

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 AND DISTRIBUTIONS

If a fund investor elects to receive dividends and distributions in cash, and the investor’s dividend or distribution check is returned to the fund as undeliverable or remains uncashed for six months, the fund reserves the right to reinvest such dividends or distributions and all future dividends and distributions payable to you in additional fund shares at net asset value.  No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

 


 

 

Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor’s purchase of fund shares may have the effect of reducing the aggregate net asset value of the shares below the cost of the investment.  Such a dividend or distribution would be a return of capital in an economic sense, although taxable as stated in the fund’s prospectus.  In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds shares of a fund for six months or less and has (or is deemed to have) 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 or deemed to have been received.  The Code further provides that if a shareholder holds shares of a municipal or other tax-exempt fund for six months or less and has received an exempt-interest dividend with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares will be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividend received.

A fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis than is described in its prospectus to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.  A fund may not make distributions from net realized securities gains unless capital loss carryovers, if any, have been utilized or have expired.  Dividends and distributions among share classes in the same fund may vary due to the different expenses of such share classes.

TAXATION

See the prospectus and elsewhere in this SAI to determine which sections of the discussion below apply to your funds.

 

The following is only a general summary of some of the important federal income tax considerations generally affecting the funds and their shareholders.  No attempt is made to present a complete explanation of the federal tax treatment of the funds' activities or to discuss state and local tax matters affecting the funds.  Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors for more detailed information concerning the tax implications of investments in the funds.

Taxation of the Funds . Each fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Code and intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders.  As a RIC, a fund will pay no federal income tax on its net investment income and net realized capital gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code.  To qualify as a RIC, a fund must, among other things: (a) derive in each taxable year (the "gross income test") at least 90% of its gross income from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stocks, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income from interests in " qualified publicly traded partnerships " ("QPTPs," as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings (the "asset diversification test") so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the fund's assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, two or more issuers that the fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or one or more QPTPs; and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income ( determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction) and net tax -exempt interest income , if any, for such year .

 


 

 

In general, for purposes of the gross income test described above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized by a RIC.  However, as noted above, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a QPTP is qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test.  A QPTP is defined as a partnership (i) interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, (ii) that derives at least 90% of its income from certain enumerated passive income sources described in Code section 7704(d) and (iii) that would not satisfy the gross income test if it were a RIC.  Although income from a QPTP is qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test, investment in QPTPs cannot exceed 25% of a fund's assets.

Gains from foreign currencies (including foreign currency options, foreign currency swaps, foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently constitute qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test.  However, the U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly with retroactive effect) treating a RIC's foreign currency gains as non-qualifying income for purposes of the good income test to the extent that such income is not directly related to the RIC's principal business of investing in stock or securities.

Pursuant to the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Modernization Act"), a RIC that fails the gross income test for a taxable year shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test for such year if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements, and (ii) the RIC's failure to satisfy the gross income test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.  However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC for the taxable year in which, absent the application of the above cure provision, it would have failed the gross income test equal to the amount by which (x) the RIC's non-qualifying gross income exceeds (y) one-ninth of the RIC's qualifying gross income, each as determined for purposes of applying the gross income test for such year.

Also pursuant to the Modernization Act, a RIC that fails the asset diversification test as of the end of a quarter shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test as of the end of such quarter in the following circumstances.  If the RIC's failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of the quarter is due to the ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of (i) one percent of the total value of the RIC's assets at the end of such quarter and (ii) $10,000,000 (a "de minimis failure"), the RIC shall be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if, within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the asset diversification test, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test.

 


 

 

In the case of a failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of a quarter under circumstances that do not constitute a de minimis failure, a RIC shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements; (ii) the RIC's failure to satisfy the asset diversification test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and (iii) within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of the assets that caused the asset diversification failure, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test.  However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC, at the current rate of 35%, on the net income generated by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the asset diversification test during the period for which the asset diversification test was not met.  In all events, however, such tax will not be less than $50,000.

As a RIC, a fund will pay no federal income tax on its net investment income and net realized capital gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code.  If a fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, the fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.  Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 (unless such date is extended by future legislation), may be eligible for a 15% preferential maximum tax rate in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the fund's shares (as described below).  In addition, a fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.

A nondeductible excise tax at a rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of a fund's "required distribution" over its actual distributions in any calendar year.  Generally, the required distribution is 98% of a fund's ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income, determined under prescribed rules for this purpose, recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31st of such year (or December 31st of that year if the fund is permitted to so elect and so elects) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.  Each fund generally intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

Although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP.  A fund's investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in a fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

Taxation of Fund Distributions (Funds Other Than Municipal or Other Tax-Exempt Funds) . For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the distributing fund's earnings and profits.  Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares.  In general, a fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on assets it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less.  Distributions of "net capital gains," that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, that are properly characterized by the fund as capital gain dividends ("capital gain dividends") will generally be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gain.  Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced, in general to 15%, with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate brackets, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013.  Distributions of net short-term capital gains that exceed net long-term capital losses will generally be taxable as ordinary income.  The determination of whether a distribution is from capital gains is generally made taking into account available net capital loss carryforwards, if any.  Under the Modernization Act, if a RIC has a "net capital loss" (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year, that portion of the RIC's net capital loss consisting of the excess (if any) of the RIC's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the RIC's next taxable year, and that portion of the RIC's net capital loss consisting of the excess (if any) of the RIC's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the RIC's next taxable year.  Any such capital losses of a RIC may be carried forward to succeeding taxable years of the RIC without limitation.  Net capital loss carryforwards of a RIC arising in taxable years of the RIC beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (the date of enactment of the Modernization Act) may be applied against any net realized capital gains of the RIC in each succeeding year, or until their respective expiration dates, whichever is first.

 


 

 

Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid for his or her shares).  Distributions are taxable regardless of whether shareholders receive them in cash or in additional shares.  Distributions declared and payable by a fund during October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the fund during the following January generally will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the fund and received by shareholders on December 31st of the year in which the distributions are declared rather than the calendar year in which they are received.

A fund may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained.  In such case, the fund may designate its retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who will be treated as if each received a distribution of his or her pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder in the fund will (i) be required to report his or her pro rata share of such gain on his or her tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for his or her pro rata share of the tax paid by the fund on the gain and (iii) increase the tax basis for his or her shares in the fund by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by a fund to U.S. individual shareholders may be eligible for the 15% preferential maximum tax rate to the extent that the fund's income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain "qualified foreign corporations" on shares that have been held by the fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the shares become ex-dividend.  Dividends paid on shares held by a fund will not be taken into account in determining the applicability of the preferential maximum tax rate to the extent that the fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.  Dividends paid by REITs are not generally eligible for the preferential maximum tax rate.  Further, a "qualified foreign corporation" does not include any foreign corporation, which for its taxable year in which its dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") (discussed below).  Unless extended, this favorable provision will expire on December 31, 2012, and ordinary dividends will again be taxed at tax rates applicable to ordinary income.  In order to be eligible for the preferential rate, the shareholder in the fund must have held his or her shares in the fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the fund shares become ex-dividend.  Additional restrictions on a shareholder's qualification for the preferential rate may apply.

 


 

 

In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by a fund to U.S. corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent that the fund's income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations (other than REITs) on shares that have been held by the fund for at least 46 days during the 91-day period commencing 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend.  Dividends paid on shares held by a fund will not be taken into account for this purpose if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be "debt-financed" (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), or to the extent that the fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.  Moreover, the dividend received deduction may be disallowed or reduced if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares of the fund or by application of the Code.

If a fund makes a distribution that is or is considered to be in excess of its current and accumulated "earnings and profits" for the relevant period, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain.  A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder's basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a RIC and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of RIC shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person's "modified adjusted gross income" (in the case of an individual) or "adjusted gross income" (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.

Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares . A sale, exchange or redemption of shares in a fund will give rise to a gain or loss.  Any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months.  Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

 


 

 

However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares.  Further, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of fund shares will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares of the fund are purchased (including by means of a dividend reinvestment plan) within 30 days before or after the disposition.  In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

As discussed below under "Funds Investing in Municipal Securities," any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares in a municipal or other tax-exempt fund that have been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares.  Under the Modernization Act, this loss disallowance rule, however, does not apply with respect to a regular dividend paid by a RIC which declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis.

Generally, if a shareholder sells or redeems shares of a fund within 90 days of their original acquisition, the shareholder cannot claim a loss on the original shares attributable to the amount of their load charge if the load charge is reduced or waived on a future purchase of shares of any fund (on account of the prior load charge), but instead is required to reduce the basis of the original shares by the amount of their load charge and carry over that amount to increase the basis of the newly acquired fund shares.  Under the Modernization Act, this rule applies only if the acquisition of the new fund shares occurs on or before January 31 of the calendar year following the year in which the original shares were sold or redeemed.

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886.  Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted.  Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs.  The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper.  Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Legislation passed by Congress in 2008 requires the funds (or their administrative agent) to report to the IRS and furnish to fund shareholders the cost basis information and holding period for fund shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012, and redeemed on or after that date.  The funds will permit fund shareholders to elect from among several IRS-accepted cost basis methods, including average cost.  In the absence of an election, the funds will use a default cost basis method that has not yet been determined.  The cost basis method a shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a redemption of shares after the settlement date of the redemption.  Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the new cost basis reporting rules apply to them.

 


 

 

PFICs . Funds that invest in foreign securities may own shares in certain foreign entities that are treated as PFICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  A fund that owns shares of a PFIC may be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or gains from a disposition of shares in the PFIC.  To avoid this treatment, each fund owning PFIC shares may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in a PFIC "to market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in the PFIC on the last day of the fund's taxable year.  Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss.  Alternatively, a fund may in certain cases elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF"), in which case the fund will be required to include in its income annually its share of the QEF's income and net capital gains, regardless of whether the fund receives any distribution from the QEF.  If the QEF incurs losses for a taxable year, these losses will not pass through to the fund and, accordingly, cannot offset other income and/or gains of the fund.  A fund may not be able to make the QEF election with respect to many PFICs because of certain requirements that the PFICS would have to satisfy.

The mark-to-market and QEF elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by a fund to avoid taxation.  Making either of these elections therefore may require a fund to liquidate investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirements, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the fund's total return.  Dividends paid by PFICs generally will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.

Non-U.S. Taxes . Investment income that may be received by a fund

from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes withheld at the source.  Tax treaties between the United States and certain countries may reduce or eliminate such taxes.  If more than 50% of the value of a fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, or, as provided in the Modernization Act, if at least 50% of the value of a fund's total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other RICs (as is the case for a Fund of Funds), that fund may elect to " pass through " to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by that fund.  If that fund so elects, each of its shareholders would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by that fund , but would be treated as having paid his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various Code limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).  For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules of the Code, each shareholder would treat as foreign source income his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes plus the portion of dividends received from the fund representing income derived from foreign sources.  No deduction for foreign taxes could be claimed by an individual shareholder who does not itemize deductions.  In certain circumstances, a shareholder that (i) has held shares of the fund for less than a specified minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss or (ii) is obligated to make payments related to the dividends will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes deemed imposed on dividends paid on such shares.  Additionally, the fund must also meet this holding period requirement with respect to its foreign stocks and securities in order for " creditable " taxes to flow-through.  Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the potential application of foreign tax credits.

 


 

 

Foreign Currency Transactions . Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time a fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time that fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss.  Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, also are treated as ordinary income or loss .

Financial Products . A fund's investments in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and derivatives, as well as any of its other hedging, short sale or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including notional principal contract, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the fund (including, potentially, without a corresponding receipt of cash with which to make required distributions), defer fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of fund securities, convert capital gains into ordinary income, render dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the dividends received deduction or a preferential rate of taxation ineligible for such treatment, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses.  These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders of a fund.  In addition, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the applicable requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid fund-level taxation.

Payments with Respect to Securities Loans . A fund's participation in loans of securities may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.  With respect to any security subject to a securities loan, any (i) amounts received by a fund in place of dividends earned on the security during the period that such security was not directly held by a fund will not give rise to qualified dividend income and (ii) withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such security was not directly held by a fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by such fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders even if the fund meets the requirements described in "Non-U.S. Taxes," above. 

Securities Issued or Purchased at a Discount and Payment-in-Kind Securities . A fund's investments, if any, in securities issued or purchased at a discount, as well as certain other securities (including zero coupon obligations and certain redeemable preferred stock), may require the fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received.  Similarly, a fund's investment in payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed even though the fund receives no payment in cash on the security during the year.  In order to generate sufficient cash to make its requisite distributions, a fund may be required to borrow money or sell securities in its portfolio that it otherwise would have continued to hold.

Inflation-Indexed Treasury Securities . The taxation of inflation-indexed Treasury securities is similar to the taxation of conventional bonds.  Both interest payments and the difference between original principal and the inflation-adjusted principal will be treated as interest income subject to taxation.  Interest payments are taxable when received or accrued.  The inflation adjustment to the principal is subject to tax in the year the adjustment is made, not at maturity of the security when the cash from the repayment of principal is received.  Accordingly, as in the case of securities issued or purchased at a discount and zero coupon obligations, a fund's investments in inflation-indexed Treasury securities may require the fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received.  Decreases in the indexed principal can be deducted only from current or previous interest payments reported as income.  If inflation-indexed Treasury securities are sold prior to maturity, capital losses or gains are realized in the same manner as traditional debt instruments. 

 


 

 

Certain Higher-Risk and High Yield Securities . A fund may invest in lower-quality fixed income securities, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or that are in default.  Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or are in default present special tax issues for a fund.  Tax rules are not entirely clear on the treatment of such debt obligations, including as to whether and to what extent a fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when a fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a fund shall allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and interest.  These and other related issues would be addressed by each fund if it invests in such securities as part of the fund's efforts to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Funds Investing in Municipal Securities (Municipal or Other Tax-Exempt Funds) . It is anticipated that substantially all of the dividends to be paid by municipal or other tax-exempt funds that invest substantially all of their assets in U.S. municipal securities will constitute "exempt-interest dividends."  Such exempt-interest dividends will be exempt from federal income taxes.  It is possible, however, that a portion of the income dividends from such funds will not be exempt from federal income taxes.  Municipal or other tax-exempt funds may realize capital gains from the sale or other disposition of municipal securities or other securities.  Distributions by such funds of capital gains will be treated in the same manner as described under "Taxation of Fund Distributions."  Recipients of Social Security and/or certain railroad retirement benefits who receive income dividends from municipal bond or other tax-exempt funds may have to pay taxes on a portion of their benefits.  Shareholders will receive a Form 1040-DIV, Form 1099-INT or other IRS forms, as required, reporting the taxability of all dividends.  Certain municipal or other tax-exempt funds may invest in municipal securities the income from which is subject to AMT.  Such funds will advise shareholders of the percentage of dividends, if any, which should be included in the computation of AMT. 

Because the dividends of municipal or other tax-exempt funds are expected to be exempt-interest dividends, any interest on money a shareholder of such a fund borrows that is directly or indirectly used to purchase shares in the fund will not be deductible.  Further, entities or persons that are "substantial users" (or persons related to "substantial users") of facilities financed by private activity bonds or industrial development bonds should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of these funds.  The income from such bonds may not be tax-exempt for such substantial users.  There also may be collateral federal income tax consequences regarding the receipt of exempt-interest dividends by shareholders such as S corporations, financial institutions and property and casualty insurance companies.  A shareholder falling into any such category should consult its tax adviser concerning its investment in a fund that is intended to generate exempt-interest dividends.

 


 

 

As a general rule, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares in a municipal or other tax-exempt fund that have been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares.  Under the Modernization Act, this loss disallowance rule, however, does not apply with respect to a regular dividend paid by a RIC which declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis.

Under the Modernization Act, if at least 50% of the value of a fund's total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other RICs (such as a Fund of Funds), the fund may pass through to its shareholders its exempt interest income in the form of dividends that are exempt from federal income tax.

Proposals have been and may be introduced before Congress that would restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption of interest on municipal securities.  If such a proposal were enacted, the availability of such securities for investment by a fund that would otherwise invest in tax-exempt securities and the value of such a fund's portfolio would be affected.  In that event, such a fund would reevaluate its investment objective and policies.

The treatment under state and local tax law of dividends from a fund that invests in municipal securities may differ from the federal income tax treatment of such dividends under the Code.

Investing in Mortgage Entities . Special tax rules may apply to the investments by a fund in entities which invest in or finance mortgage debt.  Such investments include residual interests in REMICs and interests in a REIT which qualifies as a taxable mortgage pool under the Code or has a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool under the Code.  Although it is the practice of each fund not to make such investments, there is no guarantee that a fund will be able to avoid an inadvertent investment in REMIC residual interests or a taxable mortgage pool.

Such investments may result in a fund receiving excess inclusion income ("EII") in which case a portion of its distributions will be characterized as EII and shareholders receiving such distributions, including shares held through nominee accounts, will be deemed to have received EII.  This can result in the funds being required to pay tax on the portion of its EII that is allocated to disqualified organizations, including certain cooperatives, agencies or instrumentalities of a government or international organization, and tax-exempt organizations that are not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI").  In addition, such amounts generally cannot be offset by net operating losses, will be treated as UBTI to tax-exempt organizations that are not disqualified organizations, and will be subject to a 30% withholding tax for shareholders who are not U.S. persons, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable exemptions or rate reductions in any relevant tax treaties.

Special tax consequences also apply where charitable remainder trusts invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or in taxable mortgage pools.  Furthermore, any investment in residual interests of a REMIC can create complex tax consequences to both a fund and its shareholders, especially if a fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders.

 


 

 

Tax-Exempt Shareholders . Under current law, each fund serves to "block" (that is, prevent the attribution to shareholders of) UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a fund if shares in the fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code.  As noted above, a tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a fund recognizes EII derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or taxable mortgage pools.  If a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Section 664 of the Code) has UBTI for a taxable year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.

Backup Withholding . Each fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury Department a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to certain shareholders who fail to properly furnish the fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the applicable fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.  Corporate shareholders, certain foreign persons and other shareholders specified in the Code and applicable regulations are generally exempt from backup withholding, but may need to provide documentation to the fund to establish such exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax.  Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Shareholders . Dividends paid by a fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, if any, to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains.  In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable tax form certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty.  The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States.  Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder.  A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional "branch profits tax" imposed at a rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate).  A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to back-up withholding at the appropriate rate.  All non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the appropriate tax forms to provide to a fund to claim a reduced rate or exemption from U.S. federal withholding taxes, and the proper completion of those forms.

 


 

 

In general, and subject to the exceptions described below, U.S. withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of a fund.

For non-U.S. shareholders of a fund, a distribution by a fund that is attributable to the fund's receipt of certain capital gain distributions from a REIT and, for calendar years before 2012, gains from sales or exchanges of "United States real property interests" ("USRPIs") generally will be treated as "effectively connected" real property gain that is subject to tax in the hands of the non-U.S. shareholder at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders (subject to a special AMT in the case of nonresident alien individuals), a potential 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation and a 35% withholding tax (which can be credited against the non-U.S. shareholder's direct U.S. tax liabilities) if the fund is a "United States real property holding corporation" (as such term is defined in the Code, and referred to herein as a "USRPHC") or would be but for the operation of certain exclusions.  An exception to such treatment is provided if the non-U.S. shareholder has not owned more than 5% of the class of stock of the fund in respect of which the distribution was made at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution.  In that case, the distribution generally is treated as an ordinary dividend subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate).  In addition, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to certain tax filing requirements if the fund is a USRPHC.

Gains from the disposition of fund shares by a non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to withholding tax and treated as income effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business if at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition (or if shorter, the non-U.S. shareholder's holding period for the shares), the fund was a USRPHC and the foreign shareholder actually or constructively held more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the fund.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, gains recognized upon a disposition of fund shares in calendar years before 2012 will not be subject to U.S. income or withholding taxes if the fund is "domestically controlled" (as such term is defined in the Code).

Non-U.S. shareholders that engage in certain "wash sale" and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions from a fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business generally will be treated as having received such distributions. All shareholders of a fund should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rule.

For calendar years before 2012, a distribution of a USRPI in redemption of a non-U.S. shareholder's shares of a fund generally will cause that fund to recognize gain if the fund is considered "domestically controlled."  If a fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will equal a percentage of the excess of the fair market value of the distributed USRPI over the fund's adjusted basis in the distributed USRPI, with such percentage based on the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the fund during the five-year period ending on the date of the redemption.

For taxable years of a fund beginning before January 1, 2012, properly reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of a fund's "qualified net interest income" (generally, the fund's U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of a fund's "qualified short-term capital gains" (generally, the excess of the fund's net short-term capital gain over the fund's long-term capital loss for such taxable year).  However, depending on its circumstances, a fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.  In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form).  In the case of shares of a fund held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain.  Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

 


 

 

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act . Under provisions of The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, P.L. 111-147 (the "HIRE Act"), certain payments of U.S. source interest, dividends, and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income, as well as gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of property of a type that can produce U.S. source dividends or interest (all such payments, "withholdable payments"), which are made to a "foreign financial institution," which term may include certain foreign shareholders, may be subject to a 30% withholding tax, if the foreign financial institution does not, among other things, comply, under an agreement with the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury or his/her delegate, with prescribed due diligence requirements necessary to determine which of its accounts (including equity interests in the foreign financial institution) are held by specified United States persons or United States owned foreign entities (such accounts, "United States accounts"), and prescribed reporting requirements in respect of its United States accounts.  Further, a 30% withholding tax may apply in respect of "passthru payments" made by a foreign financial institution to certain account holders that do not comply with reasonable information requests aimed at enabling the foreign financial institution to identify its United States accounts and meet applicable reporting obligations.  The HIRE Act will further impose a 30% withholding tax on certain payments to non-financial foreign entities.  The scope of the applicable HIRE Act provisions is not entirely clear and no assurance can be given that some or all of the income of a fund, and/or certain of the fund's shareholders will not be subject to any of the above described withholding taxes or that information will not be required to be reported to the IRS in respect of a shareholder's interest in the fund.  To comply with the requirements of the HIRE Act, a fund may, in appropriate circumstances, require shareholders to provide information and tax documentation regarding their direct and indirect owners.  While the withholding tax provisions of the HIRE Act were to have been effective beginning in 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have indicated that future regulatory guidance will provide for a phased-in implementation of these provision, with withholding on withholdable payments, other than gross proceeds, to begin on January 1, 2014, withholding on withholdable payments in the form of gross proceeds to begin on January 1, 2015, and withholding on certain "passthru payments" to begin on a date to be provided in future guidance, but no earlier than January 1, 2015.

 


 

 

The HIRE Act also imposes information reporting requirements on individuals (and, to the extent provided in future regulations, certain domestic entities) that hold any interest in a "specified foreign financial asset" if the aggregate value of all such assets held by such individual exceeds $50,000.  Significant penalties can apply upon a failure to make the required disclosure and in respect of understatements of tax attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets.  This information reporting requirement is generally applicable for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010.  The scope of this reporting requirement is not entirely clear and all shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether reporting may be required in respect of their indirect interests in certain investments of a fund.

All non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a fund.

Possible Legislative Changes . The tax consequences described herein may be affected (possibly with retroactive effect) by various legislative bills and proposals that may be initiated in Congress.  Several provisions of the Code relating to the taxation of RICs and their foreign shareholders will expire at the end of 2011, and it is possible that those provisions could be legislatively extended.  Similarly, several preferential tax provisions discussed herein (including the taxation to individuals of qualified dividend income at capital gains rates, as well as certain preferential tax rates) are set to expire at the end of 2012, but may, through legislative action, be extended or otherwise modified.  Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of any proposed legislation and the effect, if any, on their investment in a fund.

Other Tax Matters . Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans.  Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of a fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of such an investment in their particular tax situation.

Dividends, distributions and gains from the sale of fund shares may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes.  Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local and, where applicable, foreign taxes.

Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in shares and the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a fund.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

General. The Manager assumes general supervision over the placement of securities purchase and sale orders on behalf of the funds it manages. Funds managed by dual employees of the Manager and an affiliated entity, and funds that employ a sub-investment adviser, execute portfolio transactions through the trading desk of the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser, as applicable (the “Trading Desk”). Those funds use the research facilities, and are subject to the internal policies and procedures, of applicable affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser.

 


 

 

Debt securities purchased and sold by a fund generally are traded on a net basis (i.e., without a commission) through dealers acting for their own account and not as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of the instrument.  This means that a dealer makes a market for securities by offering to buy at one price and sell at a slightly higher price.  The difference between the prices is known as a "spread."  Other portfolio transactions may be executed through brokers acting as agents, which are typically paid a commission.

 

The Trading Desk generally has the authority to select brokers (for equity securities) or dealers (for fixed income securities) and the commission rates or spreads to be paid.  Allocation of brokerage transactions is made in the best judgment of the Trading Desk and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable.  In choosing brokers or dealers, the Trading Desk evaluates the ability of the broker or dealer to execute the transaction at the best combination of price and quality of execution.

In general, brokers or dealers involved in the execution of portfolio transactions on behalf of a fund are selected on the basis of their professional capability and the value and quality of their services. The Trading Desk attempts to obtain best execution for the funds by choosing brokers or dealers to execute transactions based on a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) price; (ii) liquidity; (iii) the nature and character of the relevant market for the security to be purchased or sold; (iv) the quality and efficiency of the broker’s or dealer’s execution; (v) the broker’s or dealer’s willingness to commit capital; (vi) the reliability of the broker or dealer in trade settlement and clearance; (vii) the level of counter-party risk (i.e., the broker’s or dealer’s financial condition); (viii) the commission rate or the spread; (ix) the value of research provided; (x) the availability of electronic trade entry and reporting links; and (xi) the size and type of order (e.g., foreign or domestic security, large block, illiquid security). In selecting brokers or dealers no factor is necessarily determinative; however, at various times and for various reasons, certain factors will be more important than others in determining which broker or dealer to use. Seeking to obtain best execution for all trades takes precedence over all other considerations.

Investment decisions for one fund or account are made independently from those for other funds or accounts managed by the portfolio managers. Under the Trading Desk’s procedures, portfolio managers and their corresponding Trading Desks may , but are not required to, seek to aggregate (or " bunch ") orders that are placed or received concurrently for more than one fund or account , and available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated equitably to each.  In some cases, this policy may adversely affect the size of the position obtained or sold or the price paid or received by a fund.  When transactions are aggregated, but it is not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold, the various prices may be averaged, and the fund will be charged or credited with the average price. 

The portfolio managers will make investment decisions for the funds as they believe are in the best interests of the funds.  Investment decisions made for a fund may differ from, and may conflict with, investment decisions made for other funds and accounts advised by Dreyfus and its affiliated entities or a Sub-Adviser.  Actions taken with respect to such other funds or accounts may adversely impact a fund, and actions taken by a fund may benefit Dreyfus or its affiliates or a Sub-Adviser or other funds or accounts advised by the Manager or an affiliated entity or Sub-Adviser.  Funds and accounts managed by Dreyfus, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser may own significant positions in portfolio companies which, depending on market conditions, may affect adversely the ability to dispose of some or all of such positions.  Regulatory restrictions (including, but not limited to, those related to the aggregation of positions among other funds and accounts) and internal BNY Mellon policies, guidance or limitations (including, but not limited to, those related to the aggregation of positions among all fiduciary accounts managed or advised by BNY Mellon and all its affiliates (including Dreyfus) and the aggregated exposure of such accounts) may restrict investment activities of the funds.  While the allocation of investment opportunities among a fund and other funds and accounts advised by Dreyfus and its affiliated entities may raise potential conflicts because of financial, investment or other interests of BNY Mellon or its personnel, the portfolio managers will make allocation decisions consistent with the interests of the fund and other funds and accounts and not solely based on such other interests.

 


 

 

Portfolio managers may deem it appropriate for one fund or account they manage to sell a security while another fund or account they manage is purchasing the same security. Under such circumstances, the portfolio managers may arrange to have the purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the funds and/or accounts ("cross transactions"). Cross transactions will be effected in accordance with procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Dreyfus, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser may buy for a fund securities of issuers in which other funds or accounts advised by Dreyfus, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser may have, or are making, an investment in the same issuer that are subordinate or senior to the securities purchased for the fund.  For example, a fund may invest in debt securities of an issuer at the same time that other funds or accounts are investing, or currently have an investment, in equity securities of the same issuer.  To the extent that the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges which may impact the price of its securities and its ability to meet its obligations, decisions by Dreyfus , an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser relating to what actions are to be taken may raise conflicts of interests and Dreyfus , an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser, as applicable, may take actions for certain funds or accounts that have negative impacts on other funds or accounts

Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. In periods in which extraordinary market conditions prevail, portfolio managers 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 Trading Desk 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.

To the extent that a fund invests in foreign securities, certain of such fund’s transactions in those securities may not benefit from the negotiated commission rates available to funds for transactions in securities of domestic issuers. For funds that permit foreign exchange transactions, such transactions are made with banks or institutions in the interbank market at prices reflecting a mark-up or mark-down and/or commission.

 


 

 

Dreyfus (and where applicable, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser) may utilize the services of an affiliate to effect certain client transactions when it determines that the use of such affiliate is consistent with its fiduciary obligations, including its obligation to obtain best execution, and the transactions are in the best interests of its clients.  Procedures have been adopted in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to provide that all brokerage commissions paid by the funds to Dreyfus (or, where applicable, an affiliated entity or a Sub-Adviser) are reasonable and fair.

Brokerage Commissions. The Trust contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the most favorable net price, brokerage transactions may be conducted through the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) or their affiliates. The Trust’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 (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) are reasonable and fair.

For the period from September 12, 2008 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2009, the Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, the Fund paid $318 in brokerage commissions.  There were no brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011. There were no gross spreads or concessions on principal transactions paid by the Fund for any of the stated periods.

There were no brokerage commissions paid to Dreyfus or its affiliates for any of the stated periods.

Regular Broker-Dealers. The Fund may acquire securities issued by one or more of its “regular brokers or dealers,” as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act. Rule 10b-1 provides that a “regular broker or dealer” is one of the ten brokers or dealers that, during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year (i) received the greatest dollar amount of brokerage commissions from participating, either directly or indirectly, in the Fund’s portfolio transactions, (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of the Fund’s portfolio transactions or (iii) sold the largest dollar amount of the Fund’s securities.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings.  It is the policy of Dreyfus to protect the confidentiality of fund portfolio holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information about such holdings. Each fund, or its duly authorized service providers, publicly discloses its portfolio holdings in accordance with regulatory requirements, such as periodic portfolio disclosure in filings with the SEC. Each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service providers, may publicly disclose its complete schedule of portfolio holdings at month-end, with a one-month lag, at www.dreyfus.com. In addition, fifteen days following the end of each calendar quarter, each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service providers, may publicly disclose on the website its complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of the end of such quarter. Each money market fund will disclose daily on www.dreyfus.com the fund’s complete schedule of holdings as of the end of the previous business day. The schedule of holdings will remain on the website until the date on which the fund files its Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the date of the posted holdings.

 


 

 

If a fund’s portfolio holdings are released pursuant to an ongoing arrangement with any party, such fund must have a legitimate business purpose for doing so, and neither the fund, nor Dreyfus or its affiliates, may receive any compensation in connection with an arrangement to make available information about the fund’s portfolio holdings. Funds may distribute portfolio holdings to mutual fund evaluation services such as Standard & Poor’s, Morningstar or Lipper Analytical Services; due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds before their public disclosure; and broker-dealers that may be used by the fund, for the purpose of efficient trading and receipt of relevant research, provided that: (a) the recipient does not distribute the portfolio holdings to persons who are likely to use the information for purposes of purchasing or selling fund shares or fund portfolio holdings before the portfolio holdings become public information; and (b) the recipient signs a written confidentiality agreement.

Funds may also disclose any and all portfolio information to their service providers and others who generally need access to such information in the performance of their contractual duties and responsibilities and are subject to duties of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on non-public information, imposed by law and/or contract. These service providers include the fund’s custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, investment adviser, administrator, and each of their respective affiliates and advisers.

Disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be authorized only by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, and any exceptions to this policy are reported quarterly to the Trust’s Board.

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY VOTING POLICY, PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES OF THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS

The Board of each fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds has delegated to Dreyfus the authority to vote proxies of companies held in a fund’s portfolio.  Dreyfus, through its participation on BNY Mellon’s Proxy Policy Committee (the “PPC”) applies The Bank of New York Mellon’s Proxy Voting Policy, related procedures and voting guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of the funds.

 Dreyfus recognizes that an investment adviser is a fiduciary that owes its clients a duty of utmost good faith and full and fair disclosure of all material facts.  Dreyfus further recognizes that the right to vote proxies is an asset, just as the economic investment represented by the shares is an asset.  An investment adviser’s duty of loyalty precludes an adviser from subrogating its clients’ interests to its own.  Accordingly, in voting proxies, Dreyfus seeks to act solely in the best financial and economic interests of the funds. 

Dreyfus seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest through its participation in the PPC, which applies detailed, pre-determined proxy voting guidelines in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by  third party vendors, and without consideration of any client relationship factors.  Further, Dreyfus engages a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for Fund securities. 

 


 

 

Each proxy is reviewed, categorized and analyzed in accordance with the PPC’s written guidelines in effect from time to time.  The guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and changes to the PPC’s policies on specific issues.  Items that can be categorized will be voted in accordance with any applicable guidelines or referred to the PPC, if the applicable guidelines so require.  Proposals for which a guideline has not yet been established are referred to the PPC for discussion and vote.  Additionally, the PPC may elect to review any proposal where it has identified a particular issue for special scrutiny in light of new information. The PPC will also consider specific interests and issues raised by a fund, which interests and issues may require that a vote for a fund be cast differently from the collective vote in order to act in the best interests of such fund.

 Dreyfus believes that a shareholder’s role in the governance of a publicly-held company is generally limited to monitoring the performance of the company and its managers and voting on matters which properly come to a shareholder vote.  Dreyfus carefully reviews proposals that would limit shareholder control or could affect shareholder values.

Dreyfus generally opposes proposals that seem designed to insulate management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of the shareholders and that would lead to a determination of a company’s future by a minority of its shareholders.  Dreyfus generally supports proposals that seem to have as their primary purpose providing management with temporary or short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable them to bargain effectively with potential suitors and otherwise achieve identified long-term goals to the extent such proposals are discrete and not bundled with other proposals.

On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, Dreyfus attempts to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues.  Responsiveness is measured by management’s efforts to address the particular social issue including, where appropriate, assessment of the implications of the proposal to the ongoing operations of the company. Dreyfus pays particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment to take specific actions.  With respect to funds having investment policies that require proxies to be cast in a certain manner on particular social responsibility issues, Dreyfus votes such issues in accordance with those investment policies.

Information regarding how Dreyfus voted proxies for the funds is available on the Dreyfus website at www.dreyfus.com  and on the SEC’s website at www.SEC.gov  on the fund’s Form N-PX.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST AND FUND

Each Fund share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and non-assessable. Fund shares have equal rights as to dividends and in liquidation. Shares have no preemptive or subscription rights and are freely transferable.  The Fund is one of six portfolios of the Trust.

 


 

 

The Trust is organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or a Trustee. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification from the Fund’s property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations, a possibility which management believes is remote. Upon payment of any liability incurred by the Fund, the shareholder paying such liability will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Fund. The Trust intends to conduct its operations in such a way so as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Fund.

Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be necessary for the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result, Fund 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 Trust 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 66-2/3% of the Trust’s outstanding voting shares entitled to vote thereon.  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 Trust 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.

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 Trust, 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. Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm and the election of Board members from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.

The Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term market movements. A pattern of frequent purchases and exchanges can be disruptive to efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be detrimental to the Fund’s performance and its shareholders. If Fund management determines that an investor is following an abusive investment strategy, it may reject any purchase request, or terminate the investor’s exchange privilege, with or without prior notice.  Such investors also may be barred from purchasing shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Accounts under common ownership or control may be considered as one account for purposes of determining a pattern of excessive or abusive trading. In addition, the Fund may refuse or restrict purchase or exchange requests for Fund shares by any person or group if, in the judgment of the Fund’s management, the Fund would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment objective and policies or could otherwise be adversely affected or if the Fund receives or anticipates receiving simultaneous orders that may significantly affect the Fund. If an exchange request is refused, the Trust will take no other action with respect to the Fund shares until it receives further instructions from the investor. While the Trust will take reasonable steps to prevent excessive short term trading deemed to be harmful to the Fund, it may not be able to identify excessive trading conducted through certain financial intermediaries or omnibus accounts.

 


 

 

Effective December 1, 2008, the Fund changed its name from “Dreyfus Premier Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund” to its current name.

The Fund will send annual and semi-annual financial statements to all of its shareholders.

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

K & L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006-1600, has passed upon the legality of the shares of the Fund offered by the Prospectus and this SAI.

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038‑4982, serves as counsel to the non-interested Trustees of the Trust.

KPMG LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, an independent registered public accounting firm, have been selected to serve as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending May 31, 2012 , providing audit and other services including (1) audit of the annual financial statements, (2) review and consultation in connection with SEC filings and (3) review of the annual federal income tax return filed on behalf of the Fund.

 

 


 

 

APPENDIX

RATING CATEGORIES

 

The following is a description of certain ratings assigned by S&P , Moody’s , Fitch and DBRS.

 

S&P

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term.  Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days ¾ including commercial paper. Short-term ratings also are used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating.  Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

 

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:

·         likelihood of payment ¾ capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

·         nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

·         protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

 

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default.  Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.  (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 


 

 

 

An obligation rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by S&P.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

An obligation rated "AA" differs from the highest - rated obligations only to a small degree.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

An obligation rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher - rated categories.  However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

An obligation rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

Obligations rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest.  While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

An obligation rated "BB" is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

An obligation rated "B" is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated "BB," but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

An obligation rated "CCC" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

An obligation rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

A "C" rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment , obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the "C" rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par .

 


 

 

An obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when payments on an obligation , including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.   An obligation’s rating is lowered to "D" upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

Note:  The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

An "NR" indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Short- Term Issue Credit Ratings

A short-term obligation rated " A- 1 " is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+).   This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A short-term obligation rated " A- 2 " is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A short-term obligation rated " A- 3 " exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

A short-term obligation rated "B" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics.   Ratings of "B-1," "B-2," and "B-3" may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the "B" category.   The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

A short-term obligation rated "B-1" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 


 

 

A short-term obligation rated "B-2" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

A short-term obligation rated "B-3" is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

A short-term obligation rated "C" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

A short-term obligation rated "

" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when payments on an obligation , including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions

An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes.  Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating.  Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.  In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P analysis will review the following considerations:

·         amortization schedule ¾ the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

·         source of payment ¾ the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

Note rating symbols are as follows:

SP-1    Strong capacity to pay principal and interest.  An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2    Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3    Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Moody’s

Long- Term Obligation Ratings and Definitions

 


 

 

Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more.  They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Obligations rated "Aaa" are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

Obligations rated "Aa" are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

Obligations rated "

" are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Obligations rated "Baa" are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered

medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics .

Obligations rated " Ba 

" are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

Obligations rated "B" are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Obligations rated "Caa" are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Obligations rated "Ca" are highly speculative and are likely in , or very near, default , with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

Obligations rated

"

" are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note:  Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa.  The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

 

 

 

Short-Term Ratings

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations.  Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments.  Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

P-2

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

P-3

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

 

NP

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 


 

 

Fitch

Corporate Finance Obligations — Long-Term Rating Scales

Ratings of individual securities or financial obligations of a corporate issuer address relative vulnerability to default on an ordinal scale.  In addition, for financial obligations in corporate finance, a measure of recovery given default on that liability also is included in the rating assessment. This notably applies to covered bond ratings, which incorporate both an indication of the probability of default and of the recovery given a default of this debt instrument.

The relationship between issuer scale and obligation scale assumes an historical average recovery of between 30%–50% on the senior, unsecured obligations of an issuer.  As a result, individual obligations of entities, such as corporations, are assigned ratings higher, lower or the same as that entity’s issuer rating. 

Highest credit quality :  "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk.  They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

Very high credit quality :  "AA" ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk.  They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

High credit quality :  "A" ratings denote expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong.  This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

Good credit quality :  "BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

Speculative :  "BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk , particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

Highly speculative :  "B" ratings indicate that material credit risk is present .

 


 

 

Substantial credit risk:  "CCC" ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

Very high levels of credit risk:  "CC" ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

Exceptionally high levels of credit risk:  "C" indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned "D" ratings, but are instead rated in the "B" to "C" rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics.  This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

Note:  The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the "AAA" obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below "B."

Structured, Project & Public Finance Obligations — Long-Term Rating Scales

Ratings of structured finance, project finance and public finance obligations on the long-term scale, including the financial obligations of sovereigns, consider the obligations’ relative vulnerability to default. These ratings are typically assigned to an individual security or tranche in a transaction and not to an issuer.

Highest credit quality:  "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk.  They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

Very high credit quality:  "AA" ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

High credit quality:  "A" ratings denote expectations of low default risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong.  This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

Good credit quality:  "BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

Speculative:  "BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

Highly speculative:  "B" ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains.  Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

Substantial credit risk:  "CCC" indicates that default is a real possibility.

 


 

 

Very high levels of credit risk:  "CC" indicates that default of some kind appears probable.

Exceptionally high levels of credit risk:  "C" indicates that default appears imminent or inevitable.

Default:  "D" indicates a default.  Default generally is defined as one of the following:

·            failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

·            the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or

·            the coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.

Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation.  Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as "short-term" based on market convention.  Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

Highest short-term credit quality: " F1 " indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

Good short-term credit quality:  "F2" indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

Fair short-term credit quality: "F3" indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

Speculative short-term credit quality: "B" indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

High short-term default risk:  "C" indicates that default is a real possibility.

Restricted default:  "RD" indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.  Applicable to entity ratings only.

Default: "D" indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.

 


 

 

   

DBRS

 

Long Term Obligations

The DBRS long-term rating scale provides an opinion on the risk of default.  That is, the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy its financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which an obligation has been issued.  Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer, and the relative ranking of claims.  All ratings categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories "(high)" and "(low)."  The absence of either a "(high)" or "(low)" designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category. 

 

Long-term debt rated "AAA" is considered to be of the highest credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

Long-term debt rated "AA" is considered to be of superior credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high.  Credit quality differs from AAA only to a small degree.  Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

Long-term debt rated "A" is considered to be of good credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than AA.  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

Long-term debt rated "BBB" is considered to be of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

Long-term debt rated "BB" is considered to be of speculative, non-investment-grade credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of future obligations is uncertain.  Vulnerable to future events.

Long-term debt rated "B" is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

Long-term debt rated "CCC," "CC" or "C" is of very highly speculative credit quality.  In danger of defaulting on financial obligations.  There is little difference between these three categories, although CC and C ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the CCC to B range.  Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the C category.

A "D" rating implies a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not met in the near future or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange.  A downgrade to D may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods or extenuating circumstances may exist.

 


 

 

Commercial Paper and Short Term Debt

The DBRS short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner.  Ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative considerations relevant to the issuer and the relative ranking of claims.  The R-1 and R-2 rating are further denoted by the subcategories "(high)," "(middle)" and "(low)."

Short-term debt rated "R-1 (high)" is considered to be of the highest credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high.  Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

Short-term debt rated "R-1 (middle)" is considered to be of superior credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high.  Differs from R-1 (high) by a relatively modest degree.  Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

Short-term debt rated "R-1 (low)" is considered to be of good credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial.  Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories.  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

Short-term debt rated "R-2 (high)" is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

Short-term debt rated "R-2 (middle)" is considered to be of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

Short-term debt rated "R-2 (low)" is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.  A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

Short-term debt rated "R-3" is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality.  There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due.  May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

Short-term debt rated "R-4" is considered to be of speculative credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

 


 

 

Short-term debt rated "R-5" is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

A security rated "D" implies that a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not met in the near future, or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange. A downgrade to D may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods, other procedural considerations or extenuating circumstances may exist.

 

 


 

 

THE DREYFUS/LAUREL FUNDS TRUST

(formerly, The Laurel Funds Trust)

 

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 28.           Exhibits

                        ---------

 

            A(1)     Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.

 

            A(2)     Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, filed on February 7, 1994, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.

 

            A(3)     Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, filed on March 31, 1994, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.

 

            A(4)     Amendment No. 3 to Registrant's Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, filed on October 17, 1994, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 13, 1994.

 

            A(5)     Amendment No. 4 to Registrant's Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, filed on December 19, 1994, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 19, 1994.

 

            A(6)     Amendment No. 9 to Registrant’s Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit A(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on April 25, 2003.

 

            A(7)     Amendment No. 10 to Registrant’s Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit A(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 26, 2009.

 

            A(8)     Amendment No. 11 to Registrant’s Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit A(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 147 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on April 30, 2009.

 

            B         Amended and restated Bylaws dated July 1, 2011 are filed herewith.

 

            D(1)     Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and Mellon Bank, N.A., dated April 4, 1994, is incorporated by Reference to Exhibit (d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.

 

            D(2)     Assignment Agreement among the Registrant, Mellon Bank, N.A. and The Dreyfus Corporation, dated as of October 17, 1994 (relating to Investment Management Agreement, dated April 4, 1994), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 19, 1994.

 


 

 

 

            D(3)     Management Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of Dreyfus Premier International Bond Fund) and The Dreyfus Corporation, dated December 20, 2005, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 27, 2005.

 

            D(4)     Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant and The Dreyfus Corporation, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised April 20, 2006 (adding Dreyfus Premier Equity Income Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 29, 2006.

             

            D(5)     Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant and The Dreyfus Corporation, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised April 26, 2007 (adding Dreyfus Premier Global Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Premier 130/30 Growth Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 11, 2007.

             

            D(6)     Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant and The Dreyfus Corporation, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised July 24, 2008 (adding Dreyfus Premier Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on August 26, 2008.

 

            D(7)     Amended Management Agreement between the Registrant and The Dreyfus Corporation, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised April 16, 2010 (adding Dreyfus Institutional Income Advantage Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 25, 2010.

 

            D(8)     Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, dated April 26, 2007 (relating to Dreyfus Premier Global Equity Income Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 11, 2007.

 

            D(9)     Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between The Dreyfus Corporation and Mellon Capital Management Corporation, dated April 26, 2007 (relating to Dreyfus Premier 130/30 Growth Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 11, 2007.

 

            E(1)     Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Dreyfus Service Corporation, dated March 22, 2000 (relating to Dreyfus Premier Core Value Fund, Dreyfus Premier Limited Term High Yield Fund and Dreyfus Premier Managed Income Fund), is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 25, 2004.

 

            E(2)     Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Dreyfus Service Corporation, dated March 22, 2000 and as revised December 20, 2005 (adding Dreyfus Premier International Bond Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 27, 2005.

 

 


 

 

            E(3)     Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Dreyfus Service Corporation, dated March 22, 2000 and as revised April 20, 2006 (adding Dreyfus Premier Equity Income Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 29, 2006.

 

            E(4)     Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Dreyfus Service Corporation, dated March 22, 2000 and as revised April 26, 2007 (adding Dreyfus Premier Global Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Premier 130/30 Growth Fund), is incorporated by referenced to Exhibit E(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 134, filed on September 11, 2007.

 

            E(5)     Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and MBSC Securities Corporation (formerly, Dreyfus Service Corporation), dated March 22, 2000 and as revised July 24, 2008 (adding Dreyfus Premier Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund), is incorporated by referenced to Exhibit E(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, filed on August 26, 2008.

 

            E(6)     Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and MBSC Securities Corporation (formerly, Dreyfus Service Corporation), dated March 22, 2000 and as revised April 16, 2010 (adding Dreyfus Institutional Income Advantage Fund), is incorporated by referenced to Exhibit E(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 157, filed on June 25, 2010.

 

            E(7)     Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and MBSC Securities Corporation (formerly, Dreyfus Service Corporation), dated March 22, 2010 and amended October 1, 2010, is incorporated by referenced to Exhibit E(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 158, filed on September 27, 2010.

 

            E(8)     Forms of Service Agreements are incorporated by reference to Exhibit E(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 131 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2007.

 

            E(9)     Forms of Supplement to Service Agreements are incorporated by reference to Exhibit E(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 131 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2007.

 

            F          Not applicable.

             

            G         Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated January 1, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit G of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 25, 2011.

             

            H(1)     Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., dated June 1, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit H(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 25, 2011.

 

            H(2)     Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 20, 2005 for Dreyfus Premier International Bond Fund (relating to Class A and Class C shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 27, 2005.

 

            H(3)     Amended Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised April 20, 2006 (adding Dreyfus Premier Equity Income Fund – Class A, Class C and Class T shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 29, 2006.

 


 

 

 

            H(4)     Amended Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised April 26, 2007 adding Dreyfus Premier Global Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Premier 130/30 Growth Fund (relating to Class A, Class C and Class T shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on October 15, 2007.

 

            H(5)     Amended Shareholder Services Plan dated December 20, 2005 and as revised July 24, 2008 adding Dreyfus Premier Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (relating to Class A and Class C shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on August 26, 2008.

 

            I(1)      Opinion and consent of Registrant’s counsel (relating to Dreyfus Institutional Income Advantage Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit I(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 25, 2010.

 

            I(2)      Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel (relating to Dreyfus International Bond Fund and Dreyfus Global Equity Income Fund) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit I(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 25, 2011.

 

            I(3)      Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel (relating to Dreyfus Core Value Fund and Dreyfus High Yield Fund) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit I(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on April 20, 2011.

 

            I(4)      Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel (relating to Dreyfus Equity Income Fund), is filed herewith

 

            I(5)      Opinion and consent of Registrant’s counsel (relating to Dreyfus Premier Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund), is filed herewith.

 

            J           Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.

 

            K         Letter of Investment Intent. Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement.

 

            M(1)    Amended Distribution Plan, dated April 24, 1997 (relating to Class B Shares and Class C Shares) for Dreyfus Premier Limited Term High Yield Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 25, 2004.

 

            M(2)    Amended and Restated Distribution Plan, dated January 27, 2000 and effective March 22, 2000 for (relating to Class A Shares and Institutional Shares) for Dreyfus Premier Core Value Fund, Dreyfus Premier Managed Income Fund and Dreyfus Premier Limited Term High Yield Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 25, 2004.

 

 


 

 

            M(3)    Distribution Plan, dated August 14, 1999 (relating to Class T shares) for Dreyfus Premier Core Value Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 26, 2007.

 

            M(4)    Distribution Plan, dated December 19, 1994 and as revised November 20, 1997 (relating to Class B and Class C shares) for Dreyfus Premier Core Value Fund and Dreyfus Premier Managed Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 26, 2007.

 

            M(5)    Distribution Plan, dated December 20, 2005 (relating to Class C Shares) for Dreyfus Premier International Bond Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 27, 2005.

 

            M(6)    Amended Distribution Plan, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised April 20, 2006 (relating to Class C and Class T shares) for Dreyfus Premier Equity Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 29, 2006.

 

            M(7)    Amended Distribution Plan, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised April 26, 2007 (relating to Class C and Class T shares) for Dreyfus Premier Global Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Premier 130/30 Growth Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 11, 2007.

 

            M(8)    Amended Distribution Plan, dated December 20, 2005 and as revised July 24, 2008 (relating to Class C shares) for Dreyfus Premier Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on August 26, 2008.

  

            M(9)    Amended and Restated Service Plan, dated March 22, 2000 (relating to Class B, Class C and Class T Shares) for Dreyfus Premier Managed Income Fund, Dreyfus Premier Limited Term High Yield Fund and Dreyfus Premier Core Value Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on May 1, 2000.

 

            M(10)  Service plan for Dreyfus Institutional Income Advantage Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 25, 2010.

 

            N(1)     Rule 18f-3 Plan for Dreyfus Core Value Fund and Dreyfus High Yield Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (N(1)) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 28, 2009.

 

            N(2)     Rule 18f-3 Plan for Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Dreyfus Equity Income Fund, Dreyfus Global Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, amended as of February 4, 2009 and revised as of April 15, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (N2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A,.filed on October 5, 2010.

 

 


 

 

            N(3)     Rule 18f-3 Plan for Dreyfus Institutional Income Advantage Fund, dated April 29, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit N(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on June 25, 2010.

 

            N(4)     Rule 18f-3 Plan, amended as of February 4, 2009, revised as of July 15, 2011, for Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Dreyfus Equity Income Fund, Dreyfus Global Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (N(4)) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 164 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on July 15, 2011.

 

            N(5)     Rule 18f-3 Plan, amended as of July 15, 2009, revised as of July 15, 2011, for Dreyfus Core Value Fund and Dreyfus High Yield Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (N(5)) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 164 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on July 15, 2011.

 

            P(1)     Code of Ethics adopted by the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit P(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 26, 2008.

 

            P(2)     Code of Ethics adopted by The Dreyfus Corporation, as adviser to the Registrant, Mellon Capital Management Corporation, as sub-investment adviser to Dreyfus Premier 130/30 Growth Fund; and Newton Capital Management Limited, as sub-investment adviser to Dreyfus Premier Global Equity Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit P(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 26, 2008.

 

            P(3)     Code of Ethics adopted by the non-management Board members of the Dreyfus Family of Funds, effective March 31, 2010 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit P(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 152 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 25, 2010.

 

 

Other Exhibits

-----------------

  

a)      Power of Attorney Power of Attorney of Bradley J. Skapyak, James Windels and Trustees, dated October 28, 2009 is incorporated by to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 24, 2009.

 

Item 29.           Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with Registrant

                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not applicable.

 

Item 30.           Indemnification

-------------------

 

            The Registrant's charter documents set forth the circumstances under which indemnification shall be provided to any past or present Board member or officer of the Registrant. The Registrant also has entered into a separate agreement with each of its Board members that describes the conditions and manner in which the Registrant indemnifies each of its Board members against all liabilities incurred by them (including attorneys' fees and other litigation expenses, settlements, fines and penalties), or which may be threatened against them, as a result of being or having been a Board member of the Registrant. These indemnification provisions are subject to applicable state law and to the limitation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that no board member or officer of a fund may be protected against liability for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for the duties of his or her office. Reference is hereby made to the following: 

 


 

 

 

Article VI of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust and any amendments thereto, and Section 1.9 of the Distribution Agreement.

 

Item 31. (a)     Business and Other Connections of the 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, manager and distributor 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. MBSC Securities Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves primarily as a registered broker-dealer of shares of investment companies sponsored by Dreyfus and of other investment companies for which Dreyfus acts as an investment adviser, sub-investment adviser or administrator.  

 

 (b)    Business and Other Connections of Sub-Investment Adviser

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registrant is fulfilling the requirement of this Item 31 to provide a list of the officers and directors of Newton Capital Management Limited ("Newton"), the sub-investment adviser to Registrant's Dreyfus Global Equity Income Fund, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by Newton or that firm's officers and directors during the past two years, by incorporating by reference the information contained in the Form ADV filed with the SEC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by Newton (SEC File No. 801-42114).

 

 

 


 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued)
  Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

       

Jonathan Baum
Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Chief Executive Officer
Chairman of the Board

3/08 - Present
3/08 - Present

       

J. Charles Cardona
President and Director

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Director
Executive Vice President

6/07 – Present
6/07 - Present

       
 

Universal Liquidity Funds plc+

Director

4/06 - Present

       

Diane P. Durnin
Vice Chair and Director

None

   
       

Robert G. Capone
Director

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Executive Vice President Director

4/07 - Present
4/07 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon*****

Vice President

2/06 - Present

       

Mitchell E. Harris
Director

Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC
Mellon Financial Center
201 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108-4408

Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
Member, Board of Managers

2/05 – Present
8/04 – Present
10/04 - Present

       
 

Alcentra NY, LLC++

Manager

1/08 - Present

       
 

Alcentra US, Inc. ++

Director

1/08 - Present

       
 

Alcentra, Inc. ++

Director

1/08 - Present

       
 

BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. ++

Director

10/07 - Present

       
 

Pareto New York LLC++

Manager

11/07 - Present

       
 

Standish Ventures LLC
Mellon Financial Center
201 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108-4408

President
Manager

12/05 - Present
12/05 - Present

       

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

 

Palomar Management
London, England

Director

12/97 - Present

       
 

Palomar Management Holdings Limited
London, England

Director

12/97 - Present

       
 

Pareto Investment Management Limited
London, England

Director

9/04 - Present

       

Jeffrey D. Landau
Executive Vice President and Director

The Bank of New York Mellon+

Executive Vice President

4/07 - Present

 

Allomon Corporation+

Treasurer

12/07 - Present

       
 

APT Holdings Corporation+

Treasurer

12/07 - Present

       
 

BNY Mellon, N.A.+

Treasurer

7/07 - 0/10

       
 

Mellon Funding Corporation+
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation+

Treasurer
Treasurer

12/07 - 12/09
7/07 - 01/10

       

Cyrus Taraporevala
Director

Urdang Capital Management, Inc.
630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Director

10/07 - Present

       
 

Urdang Securities Management, Inc.
630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Director

10/07 - Present

       
 

The Boston Company Asset Management NY, LLC*

Manager

08/06 - Present

       
 

The Boston Company Asset Management LLC*

Manager

01/08 - Present

       
 

BNY Mellon, National Association+

Senior Vice President

07/06 - Present

       
 

The Bank of New York Mellon*****

Senior Vice President

07/06 - Present

       

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

Scott E. Wennerholm
Director

Mellon Capital Management Corporation***

Director

10/05 - Present

       
 

Newton Management Limited
London, England

Director

1/06 - Present

       
 

Gannett Welsh & Kotler LLC

Manager

11/07 - Present

 

222 Berkley Street
Boston, MA 02116

Administrator

11/07 - Present

       
 

BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. ++

Director

10/07 - Present

       
 

Ivy Asset Management Corp.
One Jericho Plaza
Jericho, NY 11753

Director

12/07 - Present

       
 

Urdang Capital Management, Inc.
630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Director

10/07 - Present

       
 

Urdang Securities Management, Inc.
630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Director

10/07 - Present

       
 

EACM Advisors LLC
200 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854-1940

Manager

6/04 - Present

       
 

Franklin Portfolio Associates LLC*

Manager

1/06 - Present

       
 

The Boston Company Asset Management NY, LLC*

Manager

10/07 - Present

       
 

The Boston Company Asset Management LLC*

Manager

10/05 - Present

       
 

Pareto Investment Management Limited

London, England

Director

3/06 - Present

       

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

 

Standish Mellon Asset Management Company, LLC
Mellon Financial Center
201 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108-4408

Member, Board of Managers

10/05 - Present

       
 

The Boston Company Holding, LLC*

Member, Board of Managers

4/06 - Present

       
 

The Bank of New York Mellon *****

Senior Vice President

7/08 - Present

       
 

BNY Mellon, National Association +

Senior Vice President

7/08 - Present

       
 

Mellon Bank, N.A. +

Senior Vice President

10/05 - 6/08

       
 

Mellon Trust of New England, N. A.*

Director
Senior Vice President

4/06 - 6/08
10/05 - 6/08

       
 

MAM (DE) Trust+++++

Member of Board of Trustees

1/07 - Present

       
 

MAM (MA) Holding Trust+++++

Member of Board of Trustees

1/07 - Present

       

Bradley J. Skapyak
Chief Operating Officer and Director

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Executive Vice President

6/07 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon****

Senior Vice President

4/07 - Present

       
 

The Dreyfus Family of Funds++

President

1/10 - Present

       
 

Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. ++

Chairman

Director

Senior Vice President

5/11 - Present

5/10 - Present
5/10 - 5/11

       

Dwight Jacobsen
Executive Vice President and Director

None

   
       

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

Patrice M. Kozlowski
Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications

None

   
       

Gary Pierce
Controller

The Bank of New York Mellon *****

Vice President

7/08 - Present

       
 

BNY Mellon, National Association +

Vice President

7/08 - Present

       
 

The Dreyfus Trust Company+++

Chief Financial Officer

Treasurer

7/05 - 6/08
7/05 - 6/08

       
 

Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+

Chief Financial Officer

5/07 - Present

       
 

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Director
Chief Financial Officer

6/07 – Present
6/07 - Present

       
 

Founders Asset Management, LLC****

Assistant Treasurer

7/06 - 12/09

 

Dreyfus Consumer Credit
Corporation ++

Treasurer

7/05 - 08/10

       
 

Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. ++

Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer

7/05 - Present
5/11- Present

       
 

Dreyfus Service
Organization, Inc.++

Treasurer

7/05 – Present

       
 

Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++

Treasurer

4/99 - Present

       

Joseph W. Connolly
Chief Compliance Officer

The Dreyfus Family of Funds++

Chief Compliance Officer

10/04 - Present

 

Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+

Chief Compliance Officer

4/05 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Funds Trust++

Chief Compliance Officer

10/04 - Present

 

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Chief Compliance Officer

6/07 – Present

       

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

Gary E. Abbs
Vice President – Tax

The Bank of New York Mellon+

First Vice President and Manager of Tax Compliance

12/96 - Present

       
 

Dreyfus Service Organization++

Vice President – Tax

01/09 - Present

       
 

Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++

Chairman
President

01/09 – 08/10
01/09 – 08/10

       
 

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Vice President – Tax

01/09 - Present

       

Jill Gill
Vice President –
Human Resources

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Vice President

6/07 – Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon *****

Vice President

7/08 – Present

       
 

BNY Mellon, National Association +

Vice President

7/08 - Present

       
 

Mellon Bank N.A. +

Vice President

10/06 – 6/08

       

Joanne S. Huber
Vice President – Tax

The Bank of New York Mellon+

State & Local Compliance Manager

07/1/07 - Present

       
 

Dreyfus Service Organization++

Vice President – Tax

01/09 – Present

       
 

Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++

Vice President – Tax

01/09 – 08/10

       
 

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Vice President – Tax

01/09 – Present

       

Anthony Mayo
Vice President – Information Systems

None

   
       

John E. Lane
Vice President

A P Colorado, Inc. +

Vice President – Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

A P East, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

A P Management, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

 

A P Properties, Inc. +

Vice President – Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Allomon Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

AP Residential Realty, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

AP Wheels, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

BNY Mellon, National Association +

Vice President – Real Estate and Leases

7/08 - Present

 

Citmelex Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Eagle Investment Systems LLC
65 LaSalle Road
West Hartford, CT 06107

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

East Properties Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

FSFC, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Holiday Properties, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

MBC Investments Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

MELDEL Leasing Corporation Number 2, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

7/07 - Present

 

Mellon Bank Community Development Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

11/07 - Present

 

Mellon Capital Management Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Mellon Financial Services Corporation #1+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4+

Vice President – Real Estate and Leases

7/07 - Present

 

Mellon Funding Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

12/07 - Present

 

Mellon Holdings, LLC+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

12/07 - Present

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

 

Mellon International Leasing Company+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

7/07 - Present

 

Mellon Leasing Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

7/07 - Present

 

Mellon Securities Trust Company+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - 7/08

 

Mellon Trust Company of Illinois+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - 07/08

 

Mellon Trust Company of New England, N.A.+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - 6/08

 

Mellon Trust Company of New York LLC++

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - 6/08

 

Mellon Ventures, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Melnamor Corporation+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

MFS Leasing Corp. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

7/07 - Present

 

MMIP, LLC+

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Pareto New York LLC++

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

10/07 - Present

 

Pontus, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

7/07 - Present

 

Promenade, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

RECR, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

Technology Services Group, Inc.*****

Senior Vice President

6/06 - Present

       
 

Tennesee Processing Center LLC*****

Managing Director

5/08 - Present

       
 

Texas AP, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon*****

Vice President – Real Estate and Leases

7/08 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation*****

Executive Vice President

8/07 - Present

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

       
 

Trilem, Inc. +

Vice President– Real Estate and Leases

8/07 - Present

       

Kathleen Geis
President

BNY Mellon, National Association+

Managing Director

7/09 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Distributors Holdings, Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Investment
Servicing (US) Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Performance & Risk Analytics, LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Trust Company of Illinois+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Eagle Investment Systems LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Ivy Asset Management LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Capital Management Corporation***

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Financial Services

Corporation #1+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Holdings LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Investor Services LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Pareto New York LLC*****

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

SourceNet Solutions, Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Technology Services Group, Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Tennessee Processing Center LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

 

Alcentra US, Inc. ++

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC++

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Pershing LLC*****

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon+

Managing Director

07/09 - Present

 

MBNA Institutional PA Services, LLC+

Managing Director
Senior Vice President

7/09 - Present
10/06 - 7/09

       

Dean M. Steigauf
Vice President

BNY Mellon, National Association+

Vice President

7/09 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Distributors Holdings, Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Investment
Servicing (US) Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Performance & Risk Analytics, LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Trust Company of Illinois+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Eagle Investment Systems LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Ivy Asset Management LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Capital Management Corporation***

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Financial Services

Corporation #1+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Holdings LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Mellon Investor Services LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Pareto New York LLC*****

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

SourceNet Solutions, Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

 

       

Name and Position
With Dreyfus  

Other Businesses

Position Held

Dates

 

Technology Services Group, Inc. +

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Tennessee Processing Center LLC+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association+

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Alcentra US, Inc. ++

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC++

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

Pershing LLC*****

Vice President -
Real Estate

07/11 - Present

 

The Bank of New York Mellon+

Vice President

12/02 - Present

       

James Bitetto
Secretary

The Dreyfus Family of Funds++

Vice President and Assistant Secretary

8/05 - Present

       
 

MBSC Securities Corporation++

Assistant Secretary

6/07 - Present

       
 

Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.++

Secretary

8/05 - Present

       
 

The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++

Vice President

2/02 - 08/10

       
 

Founders Asset Management LLC****

Assistant Secretary

3/09 - 12/09

   

*

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 50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900, San Francisco, California 94104.

****

The address of the business so indicated is 210 University Blvd., Suite 800, Denver, Colorado 80206.

*****

The address of the business so indicated is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.

+

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 White Clay Center, Route 273, Newark, Delaware 19711.

 

 

   

+++++

The address of the business so indicated is 4005 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19804.

     

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 (a) Other investment companies for which Registrant's principal underwriter (exclusive distributor) acts as principal underwriter or exclusive distributor:

1. 

Advantage Funds, Inc.

 

2. 

BNY Mellon Funds Trust

 

3. 

CitizensSelect Funds

 

4. 

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.

 

5. 

Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc.

 

6. 

Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund

 

7. 

Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Mortgage Securities Fund

 

8. 

Dreyfus Bond Funds, Inc.

 

9. 

Dreyfus Cash Management

 

10. 

Dreyfus Cash Management Plus, Inc.

 

11. 

Dreyfus Connecticut Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.

 

12. 

Dreyfus Dynamic Alternatives Fund, Inc.

 

13. 

Dreyfus Funds, Inc.

 

14. 

The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated

 

15. 

Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds

 

16. 

Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.

 

17. 

Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc.

 

18. 

Dreyfus Institutional Cash Advantage Funds

 

19. 

Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Funds

 

20. 

Dreyfus Institutional Reserves Funds

 

21. 

Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

 

22. 

Dreyfus International Funds, Inc.

 

23. 

Dreyfus Investment Funds

 

24. 

Dreyfus Investment Grade Funds, Inc.

 

25. 

Dreyfus Investment Portfolios

 

26. 

The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc.

 

27. 

The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust

 

28. 

The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds

 

29. 

Dreyfus LifeTime Portfolios, Inc.

 

30. 

Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc.

 

 

 

   

31. 

Dreyfus Manager Funds I

32. 

Dreyfus Manager Funds II

33. 

Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund

34. 

Dreyfus Midcap Index Fund, Inc.

35. 

Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc.

36. 

Dreyfus Municipal Bond Opportunity Fund

37. 

Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus

38. 

Dreyfus Municipal Funds, Inc.

39. 

Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.

40. 

Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

41. 

Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.

42. 

Dreyfus New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

43. 

Dreyfus New York AMT-Free Municipal Money Market Fund

44. 

Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management

45. 

Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.

46. 

Dreyfus Opportunity Funds

47. 

Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

48. 

Dreyfus Premier California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

49. 

Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund, Inc.

50. 

Dreyfus Premier Investment Funds, Inc.

51. 

Dreyfus Premier Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

52. 

Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc.

53. 

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Inc.

54. 

Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds

55. 

Dreyfus Stock Funds

56. 

Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund

57. 

The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.

58. 

Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.

59. 

Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management Funds

60. 

The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.

61. 

Dreyfus Treasury & Agency Cash Management

62. 

Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management

63. 

Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund

64. 

Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund

 

 

   

65. 

Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund

66. 

Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund

67. 

Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.

68. 

General California Municipal Money Market Fund

69. 

General Government Securities Money Market Funds, Inc.

70. 

General Money Market Fund, Inc.

71. 

General Municipal Money Market Funds, Inc.

72. 

General New York Municipal Money Market Fund

73. 

Strategic Funds, Inc.

     

(b)

   

Name and principal
Business address

Positions and offices with the Distributor

Positions and Offices with Registrant

Jon R. Baum*

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

None

Ken Bradle**

President and Director

None

Robert G. Capone****

Executive Vice President and Director

None

J. Charles Cardona*

Executive Vice President and Director

Executive Vice President (Money Market Funds Only)

Sue Ann Cormack**

Executive Vice President

None

John M. Donaghey***

Executive Vice President and Director

None

Dwight D. Jacobsen*

Executive Vice President and Director

None

Mark A. Keleher*****

Executive Vice President

None

James D. Kohley***

Executive Vice President

None

Jeffrey D. Landau*

Executive Vice President and Director

None

William H. Maresca*

Executive Vice President and Director

None

Timothy M. McCormick*

Executive Vice President

None

David K. Mossman***

Executive Vice President

None

Irene Papadoulis**

Executive Vice President

None

Matthew Perrone**

Executive Vice President

None

Bradley J. Skapyak*

Executive Vice President

President

Gary Pierce*

Chief Financial Officer and Director

None

Tracy Hopkins*

Senior Vice President

None

Mercedez Katz**

Senior Vice President

None

Mary T. Lomasney****

Senior Vice President

None

 

 

     

(b)

   

Name and principal
Business address

Positions and offices with the Distributor

Positions and Offices with Registrant

Barbara A. McCann****

Senior Vice President

None

Christopher D. O' Connor*

Senior Vice President

None

Christine Carr Smith*****

Senior Vice President

None

Ronald Jamison*

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

None

Joseph W. Connolly*

Chief Compliance Officer (Investment Advisory Business)

Chief Compliance Officer

Stephen Storen*

Chief Compliance Officer

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

Maria Georgopoulos*

Vice President – Facilities Management

None

Stewart Rosen*

Vice President – Facilities Management

None

Karin L. Waldmann*

Privacy Officer

None

Gary E. Abbs***

Vice President – Tax

None

Timothy I. Barrett**

Vice President

None

Gina DiChiara*

Vice President

None

Jill Gill*

Vice President

None

Joanne S. Huber***

Vice President – Tax

None

John E. Lane******

Vice President

None

Kathleen Geis******

Vice President

None

Dean M. Steigauf******

Vice President

None

Donna M. Impagliazzo**

Vice President – Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering Officer

None

Edward A. Markward*

Vice President – Compliance

None

Anthony Nunez*

Vice President – Finance

None

William Schalda*

Vice President

None

John Shea*

Vice President – Finance

None

Christopher A. Stallone**

Vice President

None

Susan Verbil*

Vice President – Finance

None

William Verity*

Vice President – Finance

None

James Windels*

Vice President

Treasurer

James Bitetto*

Assistant Secretary

Vice President and
Assistant Secretary

James D. Muir*

Assistant Secretary

None

 

 

     

(b)

   

Name and principal
Business address

Positions and offices with the Distributor

Positions and Offices with Registrant

Barbara J. Parrish***

Assistant Secretary

None

Cristina Rice***

Assistant Secretary

None

   

*

Principal business address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166.

**

Principal business address is 144 Glenn Curtiss Blvd., Uniondale, NY 11556-0144.

***

Principal business address is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15258.

****

Principal business address is One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02108.

*****

Principal business address is 50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94104.

******

Principal business address is 101 Barclay Street, New York 10286.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

  1.  The Bank of New York Mellon
   One Wall Street
   New York, New York 10286

         2.  The Bank of New York Mellon
              One Mellon Bank Center
              Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258

  3.  DST Systems, Inc.
   1055 Broadway
   Kansas City, MO 64105

  4.  The Dreyfus Corporation
   200 Park Avenue
   New York, New York 10166 

Item 34. Management Services

  Not Applicable

Item 35. Undertakings

  None

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York on the 28th day of September, 2011.

 

THE DREYFUS/LAUREL FUNDS TRUST

 

                              BY:   /s/Bradley J. Skapyak*

                                       /s/Bradley J. Skapyak, 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 dates indicated.

 

Signatures                                         Title                                                                  Date 

 

/s/Bradley J. Skapyak*                        President (Principal Executive Officer)            9/28/2011

Bradley J. Skapyak

 

/s/James Windels*                               Treasurer (Principal Financial and                   9/28/2011

James Windels                                     Accounting Officer)

 

/s/Joseph S. DiMartino*                       Trustee, Chairman of the Board                       9/28/2011

Joseph S. DiMartino

 

/s/James M. Fitzgibbons*                     Trustee                                                             9/28/2011

James M. Fitzgibbons

 

/s/Kenneth A. Himmel*                       Trustee                                                             9/28/2011

Kenneth A. Himmel

 

/s/Stephen J. Lockwood*                     Trustee                                                             9/28/2011

Stephen J. Lockwood

 

/s/Roslyn M. Watson*                          Trustee                                                             9/28/2011

Roslyn M. Watson

 

/s/Benaree Pratt Wiley*                        Trustee                                                             9/28/2011

Benaree Pratt Wiley

 

*By:     /s/James Bitetto

Attorney-in-Fact

 


 
 

 

 

 

                                                 

 

 

                                                                             INDEX OF EXHIBIT

 

Exhibit

 

 

B                     Amended and restated Bylaws dated July 1, 2011.

 

I (4)                Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel (relating to Dreyfus Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund).

              

J                     Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

                                                                         

 


 
EX-3.(II) 2 by-laws.htm BY-LAWS by-laws.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

 

EXHIBIT B

 

BY-LAWS

OF

The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust

ARTICLE 1
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Principal Office

1.1              Agreement and Declaration of Trust.  These By-Laws shall be subject to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in effect (the "Declaration of Trust"), of the above-captioned Massachusetts business trust established by the Declaration of Trust (the "Trust").

1.2              Principal Office of the Trust.  The principal office of the Trust shall be located in New York, New York.  Its resident agent in Massachusetts shall be CT Corporation System, 2 Oliver Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, or such other person as the Trustees from time to time may select.

ARTICLE 2
Meetings of Trustees

2.1              Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without call or notice at such places (including for these purposes, by means of conference telephone circuit, video conferencing or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time) and at such times as the Trustees from time to time may determine, provided that notice of the first regular meeting following any such determination shall be given to absent Trustees.

2.2              Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Trustees may be held at any time and at any place (including for these purposes, by means of conference telephone circuit, video conferencing or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time) designated in the call of the meeting when called by the President or the Treasurer or by two or more Trustees, sufficient notice thereof being given to each Trustee by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the officer or the Trustees calling the meeting.

2.3              Notice of Special Meetings.  It shall be sufficient notice to a Trustee of a special meeting to send notice by mail at least forty-eight hours or by email or facsimile at least twenty-four hours before the meeting addressed to the Trustee at his or her usual or last known business or residence address, email address or facsimile number, as applicable, or to give notice to him or her in person or by telephone at least twenty-four hours before the meeting.  Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee if a written waiver of notice, executed by him or her before or after the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any Trustee who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to him or her.  Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need specify the purposes of the meeting.

2.4              Notice of Certain Actions by Consent.  If in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust any action is taken by the Trustees by a written consent of less than all of the Trustees, then prompt notice of any such action shall be furnished to each Trustee who did not execute such written consent, provided that the effectiveness of such action shall not be impaired by any delay or failure to furnish such notice.  Any written consents may be executed and delivered by electronic means.

 

 

 


 

 

Members of the Board of Trustees or any committee designated thereby may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone circuit, video conferencing or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.  Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

ARTICLE 3
Officers

3.1              Enumeration; Qualification.  The officers of the Trust shall be a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a Chief Compliance Officer and such other officers, if any, as the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion elect.  The Trust also may have such agents as the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion appoint.  An officer may be but need not be a Trustee or shareholder.  Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

3.2              Election.  The President, the Treasurer and the Secretary shall be elected by the Trustees upon the occurrence of any vacancy in any such office.  Other officers, if any, may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time.  Vacancies in any such other office may be filled at any time.

3.3              Tenure.  The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall hold office in each case until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.  Each other officer shall hold office and each agent shall retain authority at the pleasure of the Trustees.

3.4              Powers.  Subject to the other provisions of these By-Laws, each officer shall have, in addition to the duties and powers herein and in the Declaration of Trust set forth, such duties and powers as commonly are incident to the office occupied by him or her as if the Trust were organized as a Massachusetts business corporation or such other duties and powers as the Trustees may from time to time designate.

3.5              President.  Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Trustees.  Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the Trust.

3.6              Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall be the chief financial and accounting officer of the Trust, and, subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and to any arrangement made by the Trustees with a custodian, investment adviser or manager, or transfer, shareholder servicing or similar agent, shall be in charge of the valuable papers, books of account and accounting records of the Trust, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Trustees or by the President.

3.7              Secretary.  The Secretary shall record all proceedings of the shareholders and the Trustees in books to be kept therefor, which books or a copy thereof shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust.  In the absence of the Secretary from any meeting of the shareholders or Trustees, an Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or if he or she is absent, a temporary Secretary chosen at such meeting shall record the proceedings thereof in the aforesaid books.

3.8              Chief Compliance Officer.  The Chief Compliance Officer shall function as described in Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

3.9              Resignations and Removals.  Any Trustee or officer may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to the President or Secretary or to a meeting of the

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Trustees.  Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time.  The Trustees may remove any officer elected by them with or without cause.  Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee or officer resigning and no officer removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal.

ARTICLE 4
Committees; Experts and Advisers

4.1              Appointment.  The Trustees may appoint from their number an executive committee and other committees.  Except as the Trustees otherwise may determine, any such committee may make rules for conduct of its business.  The chair, if any, and members of any duly appointed committee shall receive such compensation and/or fees and reimbursement for expenses as from time to time may be determined by the Trustees.

4.2              Quorum; Voting.  A majority of the members of any Committee of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and any action of such a Committee may be taken at a meeting by a vote of a majority of the members present (a quorum being present).

4.3              Authority to Retain Experts and Advisers.  The Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Trust may, by a vote of a majority of such Trustees, hire employees and retain experts and advisers, including independent legal counsel, at the expense of the Trust, to the extent such Trustees deem necessary to carry out their duties as Trustees, and may execute any agreements, contracts, instruments or other documents in connection therewith. 

ARTICLE 5
Reports

The Trustees and officers shall render reports at the time and in the manner required by the Declaration of Trust or any applicable law.  Officers and Committees shall render such additional reports as they may deem desirable or as may from time to time be required by the Trustees.

ARTICLE 6
Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Trust shall be fixed, and shall be subject to change, by the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE 7
Seal

The seal of the Trust shall consist of a flat-faced die with the word "Massachusetts," together with the name of the Trust and the year of its organization cut or engraved thereon but, unless otherwise required by the Trustees, the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on, and in its absence shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other paper executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust.

 

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ARTICLE 8
Execution of Papers

Except as the Trustees generally or in particular cases may authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, all deeds, leases, contracts, notes and other obligations made by the Trustees shall be signed by the President, any Vice President, or by the Treasurer and need not bear the seal of the Trust.

ARTICLE 9
Issuance of Share Certificates

9.1              Sale of Shares.  Except as otherwise determined by the Trustees, the Trust will issue and sell for cash or securities from time to time, full and fractional shares of its shares of beneficial interest, such shares to be issued and sold at a price of not less than net asset value per share, as from time to time determined in accordance with the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws and, in the case of fractional shares, at a proportionate reduction in such price.  In the case of shares sold for securities, such securities shall be valued in accordance with the provisions for determining value of assets of the Trust as stated in the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws.  The officers of the Trust are severally authorized to take all such actions as may be necessary or desirable to carry out this Section 9.1.

9.2              Share Certificates.  In lieu of issuing certificates for shares, the Trustees or the transfer agent either may issue receipts therefor or may keep accounts upon the books of the Trust for the record holders of such shares, who shall in either case, for all purposes hereunder, be deemed to be the holders of certificates for such shares as if they had accepted such certificates and shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof.

The Trustees at any time may authorize the issuance of share certificates.  In that event, each shareholder shall be entitled to a certificate stating the number of shares owned by him or her, in such form as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Trustees.  Such certificate shall be signed by the President or Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer.  Such signatures may be facsimile if the certificate is signed by a transfer agent, or by a registrar, other than a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust.  In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall cease to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if he or she were such officer at the time of its issue.

9.3              Loss of Certificates.  The Trust, or if any transfer agent is appointed for the Trust, the transfer agent with the approval of any two officers of the Trust, is authorized to issue and countersign replacement certificates for the shares of the Trust which have been lost, stolen or destroyed subject to the deposit of a bond or other indemnity in such form and with such security, if any, as the Trustees may require; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such shareholder and the Trustees have determined that such certificates may be issued.

9.4              Discontinuance of Issuance of Certificates.  The Trustees at any time may discontinue the issuance of share certificates and by written notice to each shareholder, may require the surrender of share certificates to the Trust for cancellation.  Such surrender and cancellation shall not affect the ownership of shares in the Trust.

 

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ARTICLE 10
Indemnification

10.1          Trustees, Officers, etc.  The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated in a decision on the merits in any such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office.  Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition or any such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article, provided that (a) such Covered Person shall provide security for his or her undertaking, (b) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of such Covered Person's failure to fulfill his or her undertaking, or (c) a majority of the Trustees who are disinterested persons and who are not "interested persons" (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) (provided that a majority of such Trustees then in office act on the matter), or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe such Covered Person ultimately will be entitled to indemnification.

10.2          Compromise Payment.  As to any matter disposed of (whether by a compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication in a decision on the merits by a court, or by any other body before which the proceeding was brought, that such Covered Person either (a) did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust or (b) is liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office, indemnification shall be provided if (a) approved as in the best interest of the Trust, after notice that it involves such indemnification, by at least a majority of the Trustees who are disinterested persons and are not Interested Persons (provided that a majority of such Trustees then in office act on the matter), upon a determination, based upon a review of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry) that such Covered Person acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust and is not liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office, or (b) there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel, based upon a review of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry) to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such Covered Person against any liability to the Trust to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.  Any approval pursuant to this Section shall not prevent the recovery

-5-

 

 


 

 

from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance with this Section as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office.

10.3          Indemnification Not Exclusive.  The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled.  As used in this Article 10, the term "Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors and administrators, and a "disinterested person" is a person against whom none of the actions, suits or other proceedings in question or another action, suit, or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.  Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of such person.

10.4          Limitation.  Notwithstanding any provisions in the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws pertaining to indemnification, all such provisions are limited by the following undertaking set forth in the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission:

In the event that a claim for indemnification is asserted by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in connection with the registered securities of the Trust, the Trust will not make such indemnification unless (i) the Trust has submitted, before a court or other body, the question of whether the person to be indemnified was liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties, and has obtained a final decision on the merits that such person was not liable by reason of such conduct or (ii) in the absence of such decision, the Trust shall have obtained a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that such person was not liable by virtue of such conduct, by (a) the vote of a majority of Trustees who are neither interested persons as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor parties to the proceeding or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

The Trust will not advance attorneys' fees or other expenses incurred by the person to be indemnified unless (i) the Trust shall have received an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay the advance unless it is ultimately determined that such person is entitled to indemnification and (ii) one of the following conditions shall have occurred:  (x) such person shall provide security for his undertaking, (y) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (z) a majority of the disinterested, non-party Trustees of the Trust, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined that based on a review of readily available facts there is reason to believe that such person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

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ARTICLE 11
Shareholders

11.1          Meetings.  A meeting of the shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class shall be called by the Secretary whenever ordered by the Trustees, or requested in writing by the holder or holders of at least 30% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting.  If the meeting is a meeting of the shareholders of one or more series or class of shares, but not a meeting of all shareholders of the Trust, then only the shareholders of such one or more series or classes shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.  If the Secretary, when so ordered or requested, refuses or neglects for more than five days to call such meeting, the Trustees, or the shareholders so requesting may, in the name of the Secretary, call the meeting by giving notice thereof in the manner required when notice is given by the Secretary.

11.2          Access to Shareholder List.  Shareholders of record may apply to the Trustees for assistance in communicating with other shareholders for the purpose of calling a meeting in order to vote upon the question of removal of a Trustee.  When ten or more shareholders of record who have been such for at least six months preceding the date of application and who hold in the aggregate shares having a net asset value of at least $25,000 or at least 1% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less, so apply, the Trustees shall within five business days either:

(i)                 afford to such applicants access to a list of names and addresses of all shareholders as recorded on the books of the Trust; or

(ii)               inform such applicants of the approximate number of shareholders of record and the approximate cost of mailing material to them and, within a reasonable time thereafter, mail materials submitted by the applicants to all such shareholders of record.  The Trustees shall not be obligated to mail materials which they believe to be misleading or in violation of applicable law.

11.3          Record Dates.  For the purpose of determining the shareholders of any series or class who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment thereof, or who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, the Trustees from time to time may fix a time, which shall be not more than 90 days before the date of any meeting of shareholders or the date of payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, as the record date for determining the shareholders of such series or class having the right to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof or the right to receive such dividend or distribution, and in such case only shareholders of record on such record date shall have such right notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the Trust after the record date; or without fixing such record date the Trustees may for any such purposes close the register or transfer books for all or part of such period.

11.4          Place of Meetings.  All meetings of the shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the Trust or at such other place within the United States as shall be designated by the Trustees or the President of the Trust.

11.5          Notice of Meetings.  A written notice of each meeting of shareholders, stating the place, date and hour and the purposes of the meeting, shall be given at least ten days before the meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat at his or her address as it appears in the records of the Trust or the address (including for these purposes email address or facsimile number, as applicable) supplied by

-7-

 

 


 

 

the shareholder for the purpose of notice.  Such notice shall be given by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by an officer designated by the Trustees.  No notice of any meeting of shareholders need be given to a shareholder if a written waiver of notice, executed before or after the meeting by such shareholder or his attorney thereunto duly authorized, is filed with the records of the meeting.

11.6          Communications with Shareholders.  Any notices, reports, statements or other communications with shareholders of any kind required under the Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws or applicable law may be sent, delivered or made available in any reasonable manner as may be determined by the Trustees if not otherwise prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, by email or other electronic means or by posting on a website; and such communications may be sent, delivered or otherwise made available to shareholders in accordance with householding or other similar rules under which a single copy of such notice or report may be sent to shareholders who reside at the same address.  No communication need by given to any shareholder who shall have failed to inform the Trust of the shareholder's current address and the Trustees may from time to time adopt, or may authorize the officers or agents of the Trust to adopt, procedures or policies with respect to communications to shareholders that are returned to the Trust or its agents as undeliverable and similar matters.

11.7          Ballots.  No ballot shall be required for any election unless requested by a shareholder present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election.

11.8          Proxies.  Shareholders entitled to vote may vote either in person or by proxy in writing dated not more than six months before the meeting named therein, which proxies shall be filed with the Secretary or other person responsible to record the proceedings of the meeting before being voted.  Unless otherwise specifically limited by their terms, such proxies shall entitle the holders thereof to vote at any adjournment of such meeting but shall not be valid after the final adjournment of such meeting.  The placing of a shareholder's name on a proxy pursuant to telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions obtained pursuant to procedures reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such shareholder shall constitute execution of such proxy by or on behalf of such shareholder.

 

ARTICLE 12
Amendments to the By-Laws

These By-Laws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, by a majority of the Trustees then in office at any meeting of the Trustees, or by one or more writings signed by such a majority.

Amended and Restated:  July 1, 2011

 

-8-

 

 


 
EX-99.B10 3 klgates.htm OPINION AND CONSENT OF REGISTRANT'S COUNCEL (S&L GATES) klgates.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

                                                                                                                           

 

 

 

 

September 27, 2011

 

 

The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust, a business trust formed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Trust”), in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 165 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-43846; 811-00524) (the “Post-Effective Amendment”), registering an indefinite number of Class A, Class C, and Class I shares of beneficial interest in Dreyfus Equity Income Fund and Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, each a separate series of the Trust, (the “Shares”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

You have requested our opinion as to the matters set forth below in connection with the filing of the Post-Effective Amendment.  For purposes of rendering that opinion, we have examined the Post-Effective Amendment, the agreement and declaration of trust, as amended, and bylaws of the Trust, and the action of the trustees of the Trust that provides for the issuance of the Shares, and we have made such other investigation as we have deemed appropriate.  We have examined and relied upon certificates of public officials and, as to certain matters of fact that are material to our opinions, we have also relied on a certificate of an officer of the Trust.  In rendering our opinion, we also have made the assumptions that are customary in opinion letters of this kind.  We have not verified any of those assumptions.

Our opinions, as set forth herein, are based on the facts in existence and the laws in effect on the date hereof and are limited to the federal laws of the United States and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that, in our experience, generally are applicable to the issuance of shares by entities such as the Trust.  We express no opinion with respect to any other laws.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1.         The Shares to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust.

2.         When issued and paid for upon the terms provided in the Post-Effective Amendment, the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

We note with respect to our opinion in numbered paragraph 2 above that the Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a “Massachusetts business trust” and, under certain circumstances, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

This opinion is rendered solely in connection with the filing of the Post-Effective Amendment and supersedes any previous opinions of this firm in connection with the issuance of Shares.  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC in connection with the Post‑Effective Amendment and to the reference to this firm in the statement of additional information that is being filed as part of the Post-Effective Amendment.  In giving our consent we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

 

      Very truly yours,

      /s/ K&L Gates LLP

 

 
 
EX-23 4 kpmgconsents.htm KPMG CONSENTS kpmgconsents.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust:

 

We consent to the use of our report dated July 25, 2011, pertaining to Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (a series of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust), incorporated by reference herein and to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the prospectus and “Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the statement of additional information

 

KPMG LLP/s/

 

September 27, 2011

 

 


 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust:

 

We consent to the use of our report dated July 25, 2011, pertaining to Dreyfus Equity Income Fund (a series of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust), incorporated by reference herein and to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the prospectus and “Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the statement of additional information

 

KPMG LLP/s/

 

September 27, 2011

 

 

 


 
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