485APOS 1 c60442_485apos.htm j29dif.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

File No. 33-08214
811-04813

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

 

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

x

 

 

 

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 144

x

 

 

 

and/or

 

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amendment No. 148

x

 

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

Dreyfus Investment Funds
(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)

 

 

 

 

o

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

 

 

 

x

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

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

 

 

 

 

o

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

 

 

 

 

o

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

 

 

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

 

 

 

o

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/Standish Fixed Income Fund, Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund and Dreyfus/Standish International Fixed Income Fund and does not affect the Registration Statement of the series below:

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund
Dreyfus/The Boston Company International Core Equity Fund
Dreyfus/The Boston Company Large Cap Core Fund
Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small Cap Growth Fund
Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small Cap Tax-Sensitive Equity Fund
Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small Cap Value Fund
Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
Dreyfus/Standish Intermediate Tax Exempt Bond Fund
Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund


 

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.

 

Dreyfus/Standish Fixed Income Fund

 

Class/Ticker                I SDFIX

 

PROSPECTUS May 1, 2010


 


Contents

Fund Summary

 

Fund Details

 

Shareholder Guide

 

For More Information

See back cover.

 


Fund Summary

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The fund seeks primarily a high level of current income, consistent with conserving principal and liquidity, and secondarily capital appreciation when changes in interest rates and economic conditions indicate that capital appreciation may be available without significant risk to principal.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Management fees

.37

Other expenses

___

Total annual fund operating expenses

___

 

EXAMPLE

The Example below 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

$___

$___

$___

$___

 

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 ___% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

To pursue its goals, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities issued by U.S. and foreign governments and companies. The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers, including those located in emerging markets, but no more than 10% of the fund’s assets may be invested in the foreign currency denominated securities that have not been hedged back to the U.S. dollar.

The portfolio managers focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities and de-emphasize the use of interest rate forecasting. The portfolio managers look for fixed income securities with the most potential for added value, such as those involving the potential for credit upgrades, unique structural characteristics or innovative features. These characteristics may also allow for substantial capital

 

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appreciation over time. Many of these securities have higher yields and offer more current income than U.S. governmental bonds but at heightened levels of risk.

The portfolio managers select securities by allocating assets among sectors appearing to have near-term return potential, actively trading among various sectors, and buying securities when a yield spread advantage presents an opportunity to buy those securities cheaply.

The fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives, such as futures, options and forward contracts, as a substitute for taking a position in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate risks or as part of a hedging strategy.

 

PRINCIPAL 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 fund’s share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

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. High yield (“junk”) 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.

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.

Market sector risk. The fund’s overall risk level will depend on the market sectors in which the fund is invested and the current interest rate, liquidity and credit quality of such sectors. 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.

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, even during periods of declining interest rates. 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. Investments in foreign securities tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities.

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 invests in foreign securities, the fund’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign fixed income securities.

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

 

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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 control.

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 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 fixed income securities of issuers located in emerging markets can be more volatile and less liquid than those of issuers in more mature economies. In addition, such securities often are considered to be below investment grade credit quality and predominantly speculative.

Derivatives risk. The fund may use derivative instruments, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities, indexes, and interest rates) and forward contracts. 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.

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.

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 I 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 I

 

Best Quarter (_____) ____% Worst Quarter (_____) ____%

 

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 12/31/09

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Class I returns before taxes

___

___

___

Class I returns after taxes on distributions

___

___

___

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

___

___

___

 

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index

reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes

 

 

___

 

 

___

 

 

___

 

 

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Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad measure of performance of domestic, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed rate investment grade bonds.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The fund’s investment adviser is The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus). David R. Bowser and Peter Vaream have served as the co-primary portfolio managers of the fund since May 2008. Mr. Bowser and Mr. Vaream are employees of Dreyfus and Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish), an affiliate of Dreyfus. Mr. Bowser is a senior portfolio manager for active core fixed income strategies, and also serves as a director of investment grade credit research at Standish. Mr. Vaream is a senior portfolio manager for active core fixed income strategies 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 for regular accounts. Certain types of accounts are eligible for lower minimum investments. You may sell your shares on any business day by calling 1-800-645-6561 (outside the U.S. 516-794-5452) or by visiting www.dreyfus.com. You may also mail your request to sell shares to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 55263, Boston, MA 02205-8501.

 

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.

 

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Fund Details

GOAL AND APPROACH

The fund seeks primarily a high level of current income, consistent with conserving principal and liquidity, and secondarily capital appreciation when changes in interest rates and economic conditions indicate that capital appreciation may be available without significant risk to principal. To pursue these goals, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities issued by U.S. and foreign governments and companies. The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers, including those located in emerging markets, but no more than 10% of the fund’s assets may be invested in the foreign currency denominated securities that have not been hedged back to the U.S. dollar.

The fund normally invests primarily in fixed income securities rated, at the time of purchase, investment grade (i.e., Baa/BBB or higher) or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. The fund, however, may invest up to 15% of its assets in securities rated, at the time of purchase, below investment grade (“high yield” or “junk” bonds), but not rated lower than B, or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. The targeted average credit quality of the fund’s portfolio generally will range from A to AA/Aa. The dollar-weighted average effective maturity of the fund’s portfolio generally will be between 5 and 13 years, but the fund may invest in individual securities of any maturity. Dollar-weighted average effective maturity is an average of the maturities of the bonds held by the fund directly and the bonds underlying derivative instruments entered into by the fund, based on their dollar-weighted proportions in the fund, adjusted to reflect provisions or market conditions that may cause a bond’s principal to be repaid earlier than at its stated maturity.

The portfolio managers focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities and de-emphasize the use of interest rate forecasting. The portfolio managers look for fixed income securities with the most potential for added value, such as those involving the potential for credit upgrades, unique structural characteristics or innovative features. These characteristics may also allow for substantial capital appreciation over time. Many of these securities have higher yields and offer more current income than U.S. governmental bonds but at heightened levels of risk. The portfolio managers select securities for the fund’s portfolio by:

Allocating assets among sectors appearing to have near-term return potential;

Actively trading among various sectors, such as corporate, mortgage pass-through, government agency and asset-backed securities; and

Buying when a yield spread advantage presents an opportunity to buy securities cheaply.


The fund’s fixed income investments may include bonds, notes (including structured notes), mortgage- related securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities, eurodollar and Yankee dollar instruments, preferred stocks and money market instruments. Fixed income securities may be issued by U.S. and foreign corporations or entities; U.S. and foreign banks; the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises; state and municipal governments; and foreign governments and their political subdivisions. These securities 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 is not required to, use derivatives, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities, foreign currencies, indexes and interest rates), forward contracts, and swaps (including interest rate and credit default swaps), as a substitute for investing directly in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate

 

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risk, or as part of a hedging strategy. The fund may enter into swap agreements, such as interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, which 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. A credit default swap is a derivative instrument whereby the buyer makes fixed, periodic premium payments to the seller in exchange for being made whole on an agreed-upon amount of principal should the specified reference entity (i.e., the issuer of a particular security) experience a “credit event” (e.g., failure to pay interest or principal, bankruptcy or restructuring).The fund also may invest in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which include collateralized loan obligations and other similarly structured securities. To enhance current income, the fund also may engage in a series of purchase and sale contracts or forward roll transactions in which the fund sells a mortgage-related security, for example, to a financial institution and simultaneously agrees to purchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed-upon price. 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.

 

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INVESTMENT RISKS

The fund’s principal risks are discussed below. 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.

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. High yield (“junk”) 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.

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.

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.

Market sector risk. The fund’s overall risk level will depend on the market sectors in which the fund is invested and the current interest rate, liquidity and credit quality of such sectors. 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.

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, even during periods of declining interest rates. 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. Investments in foreign securities tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities.

Call risk. Some bonds give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the bonds before their maturity date. If an issuer “calls” its bond during a time of declining interest rates, the fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. During periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates, prices of “callable” issues are subject to increased price fluctuation.

Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, the principal on mortgage-backed and certain asset-backed securities may be prepaid. The loss of higher yielding underlying mortgages and the reinvestment of proceeds at lower interest rates can reduce the fund’s potential price gain in response to falling interest rates, reduce the fund’s yield, or cause the fund’s share price to fall. When interest rates rise, the effective duration of the fund’s mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may lengthen due to a drop in prepayments of the underlying mortgages or other assets.

 

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This is known as extension risk and would increase the fund’s sensitivity to rising interest rates and its potential for price declines.

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 invests in foreign securities, the fund’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign fixed income securities.

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 control.

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 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 fixed income securities of issuers located in emerging markets can be more volatile and less liquid than those of issuers in more mature economies. In addition, such securities often are considered to be below investment grade credit quality and predominantly speculative.

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 and credit 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 be required to segregate liquid assets in connection with the purchase of derivative instruments.

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 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 objectives.

 

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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. The fund’s forward roll transactions will increase its portfolio turnover rate.

 

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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 $310 billion in 189 mutual fund portfolios. The fund has agreed to pay Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.40% of the fund’s average daily net assets up to $250 million, 0.35% of the next $250 million of such assets, and 0.30% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $500 million. For the past fiscal year, the fund paid Dreyfus an investment advisory fee at the annual rate of ___% 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 semiannual report for the six months ended June 30, 2009. 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 move and manage their financial assets, operating in 34 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. BNY Mellon has more than $22.3 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.1 trillion in assets under management, and it services more than $12.0 trillion in outstanding debt. 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.

David R. Bowser and Peter Vaream are the co-primary portfolio managers of the fund, positions they each have held since May 2008. Mr. Bowser is a senior portfolio manager for active core fixed income strategies, and also serves as a director of investment grade credit research at Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish). Mr. Bowser joined Standish in 2000. Mr. Vaream joined Standish in 2007 and is a senior portfolio manager for active core fixed income strategies at Standish. Prior to 2007, Mr. Vaream managed a variety of fixed income portfolios for MFS Investment Management. Mr. Bowser and Mr. Vaream have been employed by Dreyfus since July 2006 and April 2008, respectively. As dual employees of Dreyfus and Standish, Mr. Bowser and Mr. Vaream manage the fund as employees of Dreyfus, but use Standish’s proprietary investment process.

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

MBSC Securities Corporation (MBSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves as distributor of the fund and for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Rule 12b-1 fees and shareholder services, as applicable, 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

 

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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.

 

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Shareholder Guide

CLASS I SHARES

The fund is designed primarily for people who are investing through a third party, such as a bank, broker- dealer or financial adviser, or for a 401(k) or other retirement plan. Third parties with whom you open a fund account may impose policies, limitations and fees which are different from those described in this prospectus. Consult a representative of your plan or financial institution for further information.

The fund only offers Class I shares

Class I Shares of the fund are available only to limited types of investors, and may be purchased by:

bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the fund’s distributor to offer fund 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 fund 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 fund shares available

 

BUYING AND SELLING SHARES

Valuing Shares

You pay no sales charges to invest in shares of the fund. Your price for shares is the net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on days the exchange 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

 

12

 


prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values. Funds that seek tax-exempt income are not recommended for purchase in IRAs or other qualified retirement plans. 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. 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.

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 55299

Boston, MA 02205-8502

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 Dreyfus Family of Funds

P.O. Box 105

Newark, NJ 07101-0105

 

Wire. To purchase shares in a regular account by wire, please call 1-800-645-6561 (outside the U.S. 516-794-5452) for more information.

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. All investments must be in U.S. dollars. The minimum initial investment for foundations and endowments is $1 million. 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.

Before selling shares recently purchased by check, 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 or telephone redemption requests for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares

 

13

 


By Mail — Regular Account. To redeem shares of a regular account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes your name, your account number, the name of the fund, 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 55263

Boston, MA 02205-8501

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. To sell shares in a regular account, call Dreyfus at 1-800-645-6561 (outside the U.S. 516-794-5452) to request your transaction.

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

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

General Policies

Unless you decline teleservice privileges on your application, the fund’s transfer agent is authorized to act on telephone 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 order as long as the fund’s transfer agent takes reasonable measures to confirm that instructions are genuine.

If you invest through a financial intermediary (rather than directly with the distributor), the policies and fees may be different than those described herein. Banks, brokers, 401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares. Please consult your financial representative or the SAI.

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

 

14

 


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, 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 nonaffiliated 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.

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 that 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

 

15

 


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 that 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

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.

 

16

 


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

 


SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS

 

 

Exchange privilege

Generally, you can exchange shares worth $500 or more (no minimum for retirement accounts) of the fund for Class I shares of other Dreyfus Funds or for shares of certain other Dreyfus Funds. You can request your exchange in writing or by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging before investing. Any new account established through an exchange 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.

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.

 

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 ______________, 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. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, had been the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm effective through the completion of services related to the audit of the 2008 financial statements. The fund had no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Class I Shares

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Per Share Data ($):

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

____

19.31

19.61

19.66

20.08

Investment Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income--neta

____

.88

.96

.93

.82

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

____

(1.81)

(.26)

(.10)

(.23)

Total from Investment Operations

____

(.93)

.70

.83

.59

Distributions:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from investment income-net

____

(.86)

(1.00)

(.88)

(1.01)

Net asset value, end of period

___

17.52

19.31

19.61

19.66

Total Return (%)

____

(5.00)

3.64

4.38

2.96

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

____

.52

.51b

.50b

.49b

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

____

.50

.50

.50

.49

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

____

4.72

4.93

4.75

4.09

Portfolio Turnover Ratec,d

____

443

430

382

380

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

____

310,742

565,572

559,572

455,891

________________________________________________________________

a

Based on average shares outstanding at each month end.

b

Includes the fund’s share of The Standish Mellon Fixed Income Portfolio’s (the “Portfolio”) allocated expenses.

c

On October 25, 2007, the fund, which owned 100% of the Portfolio on such date, withdrew entirely from the Portfolio and received the Portfolio’s securities and cash in exchange for its interests in the Portfolio. Effective October 26, 2007, the fund began investing directly in the securities in which the Portfolio had invested. Portfolio turnover represents activity of both the fund and the Portfolio for the year. The amounts shown for 2005-2006 are ratios for the Portfolio.

d

The portfolio turnover rates excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions for the periods ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were ___%, 72%, 166%, 139%, 106% and 98%, respectively.

 

19

 


NOTES

 

20

 


NOTES

 

21

 


For More Information

Dreyfus/Standish Fixed Income Fund

A series of Dreyfus Investment Funds

SEC file number: 811-4813

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 Mutual Fund Center – Dreyfus Mutual Funds – Mutual Fund Total Holdings. 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 1-800-645-6561

By mail  Write to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds

144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard

Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

By E-mail  

Send your request to 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.

 


 

 

 

© 2010 MBSC Securities Corporation

6923P0510

 


Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund

 

Class/Ticker                A DHGAX    C DHGCX   I SDGIX

 

PROSPECTUS May 1, 2010

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 Details

Shareholder Guide

For More Information

See back cover.

 


Fund Summary

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The fund seeks to maximize total return while realizing a market level of income consistent with preserving principal and liquidity.

 

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 __ of the prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section on page __ of the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI). 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 1.00% if redeemed within one year.

 

Shareholder transaction 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

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management fees

.40

.40

.40

Distribution (12b-1) fees

none

.75

none

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

___

___

___

Total annual fund operating expenses

___

___

___

 

EXAMPLE

The Example below 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

$___

$___

$___

$___

Class C

$___

$___

$___

$___

Class I

$___

$___

$___

$___

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

 

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Class A

$___

$___

$___

$___

Class C

$___

$___

$___

$___

Class I

$___

$___

$___

$___

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 


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 ___% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities of governments and companies located in various countries, including emerging markets. The fund generally invests in eight or more countries, but always invests in at least three countries, one of which may be the United States. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in emerging markets generally and up to 7% of its assets in any single emerging market country. At times, the fund may invest a substantial part of its assets in any one country. The fund will hedge most, but not necessarily all, of its foreign currency exposure to protect the U.S. dollar value of the fund’s assets.

The portfolio managers focus on identifying undervalued government bond markets, currencies, sectors and securities by looking for fixed income securities with the potential for credit upgrades, unique structural characteristics or innovative features. The portfolio managers select securities by using fundamental economic research and quantitative analysis to allocate assets among countries and currencies, and by focusing on sectors and individual securities that appear to be relatively undervalued and actively traded among sectors.

The fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives, such as futures, options and forward contracts, as a substitute for taking a position in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate risks or as part of a hedging strategy.

 

PRINCIPAL 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 fund’s share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

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. High yield (“junk”) 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.

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.

Market sector risk. The fund’s overall risk level will depend on the market sectors in which the fund is invested and the current interest rate, liquidity and credit quality of such sectors. 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.

 

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, even during periods of declining interest rates.

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. The fund’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign fixed income securities.

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 control.

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 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 fixed income securities of issuers located in emerging markets can be more volatile and less liquid than those of issuers in more mature economies. In addition, such securities often are considered to be below investment grade credit quality and predominantly speculative.

Derivatives risk. The fund may use derivative instruments, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities, indexes, and interest rates) and forward contracts. 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.

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 I 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 I

 

 

Best Quarter (_____) ____% Worst Quarter (_____) ____%

 

After-tax performance is shown only for Class I 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 income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on

 

3

 


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.

The performance figures for the fund’s Class A and Class C shares, for periods prior to 12/1/09 reflect the performance of the fund’s Class I shares, adjusted to reflect each share class’ applicable sales charges. Such performance figures have not been adjusted, however, to reflect applicable class fees and expenses; if such fees and expenses had been reflected, the performance shown for Class A and Class C shares for such periods may have been lower.

 

Average annual total returns as of 12/31/09

 

 

 

Share Class/inception date

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Class I returns before taxes (1/1/94)

___

___

___

Class I returns after taxes on distributions

___

___

___

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

___

___

___

Class A returns before taxes (12/1/09)

___

___

___

Class C returns before taxes (12/1/09)

___

___

___

Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Index (Hedged)

reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes

 

___

 

___

 

___

Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Index (Hedged) is a broad measure of the global investment grade fixed income markets.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The fund’s investment adviser is The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus). Thomas F. Fahey and David C. Leduc have served as the co-primary portfolio managers of the fund since October 2005 and August 2006, respectively. Mr. Fahey and Mr. Leduc are employees of Dreyfus and Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish), an affiliate of Dreyfus. Mr. Fahey is a portfolio manager for global bond strategies at Standish, focusing on global economic analysis and relative value between the developed bond markets, currencies and sectors. Mr. Leduc is a Director of Global Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for overseeing the management of all non-U.S. and global strategies 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 for regular accounts. Certain types of accounts are eligible for lower minimum investments. You may sell your shares on any business day by calling 1-800-554-4611 (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 02205-8502.

 

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.

 

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Fund Details

GOAL AND APPROACH

The fund seeks to maximize total return while realizing a market level of income consistent with preserving principal and liquidity. To pursue this goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities. The fund also normally invests at least 65% of its assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign governments and companies located in various countries, including emerging markets. The fund always invests in at least five countries other than the United States. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in emerging markets generally and up to 7% of its assets in any single emerging market country. At times, the fund may invest a substantial part of its assets in any one country. The fund will hedge most, but not necessarily all, of its foreign currency exposure to protect the U.S. dollar value of the fund’s assets.

The fund normally invests primarily in fixed income securities rated, at the time of purchase, investment grade (i.e., Baa/BBB or higher) or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. The fund, however, may invest up to 25% of its assets in securities rated, at the time of purchase, below investment grade (“high yield” or “junk” bonds), but not rated lower than B, or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. The minimum average credit quality of the fund’s portfolio generally will be A3/A-. There are no restrictions on the dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio or on the maturities of the individual fixed income securities the fund may purchase.

The portfolio managers focus on identifying undervalued government bond markets, currencies, sectors and securities and de-emphasize the use of interest rate forecasting. The portfolio managers look for fixed income securities with the most potential for added value, such as those involving the potential for credit upgrades, unique structural characteristics or innovative features. The portfolio managers select securities for the fund’s portfolio by:

Using fundamental economic research and quantitative analysis to allocate assets among countries and currencies based on a comparative evaluation of interest and inflation rate trends, government fiscal and monetary policies and the credit quality of government debt; and

Focusing on sectors and individual securities that appear to be relatively undervalued and actively trading among sectors.

The fund’s fixed income investments may include bonds, notes (including structured notes), mortgage- related securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities, eurodollar and Yankee dollar instruments, preferred stocks and money market instruments. Fixed income securities may be issued by U.S. and foreign corporations or entities; U.S. and foreign banks; the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises; state and municipal governments; and foreign governments and their political subdivisions. These securities 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 is not required to, use derivatives, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities, foreign currencies, indexes and interest rates), forward contracts, and swaps (including interest rate and credit default swaps), as a substitute for investing directly in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate risk, or as part of a hedging strategy.

The fund may enter into swap agreements, such as interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, which 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. A credit default swap is a derivative instrument

 

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whereby the buyer makes fixed, periodic premium payments to the seller in exchange for being made whole on an agreed-upon amount of principal should the specified reference entity (i.e., the issuer of a particular security) experience a “credit event” (e.g., failure to pay interest or principal, bankruptcy or restructuring).The fund also may invest in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which include collateralized loan obligations and other similarly structured securities. To enhance current income, the fund also may engage in a series of purchase and sale contracts or forward roll transactions in which the fund sells a mortgage-related security, for example, to a financial institution and simultaneously agrees to purchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed-upon price. 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

The fund’s principal risks are discussed below. 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.

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. High yield (“junk”) 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.

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.

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.

Market sector risk. The fund’s overall risk level will depend on the market sectors in which the fund is invested and the current interest rate, liquidity and credit quality of such sectors. 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.

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, even during periods of declining interest rates. 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.

Call risk. Some bonds give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the bonds before their maturity date. If an issuer “calls” its bond during a time of declining interest rates, the fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from

 

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any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. During periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates, prices of “callable” issues are subject to increased price fluctuation.

Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, the principal on mortgage-backed and certain asset-backed securities may be prepaid. The loss of higher yielding underlying mortgages and the reinvestment of proceeds at lower interest rates can reduce the fund’s potential price gain in response to falling interest rates, reduce the fund’s yield, or cause the fund’s share price to fall. When interest rates rise, the effective duration of the fund’s mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may lengthen due to a drop in prepayments of the underlying mortgages or other assets. This is known as extension risk and would increase the fund’s sensitivity to rising interest rates and its potential for price declines.

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. The fund’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign fixed income securities.

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 control.

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 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 fixed income securities of issuers located in emerging markets can be more volatile and less liquid than those of issuers in more mature economies. In addition, such securities often are considered to be below investment grade credit quality and predominantly speculative.

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 and credit 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 be required to segregate liquid assets in connection with the purchase of derivative instruments.

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.

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

 

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issuers and more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund.

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 objectives.

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. The fund’s forward roll transactions will increase its portfolio turnover rate.

 

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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 $310 billion in 189 mutual fund portfolios. The fund has agreed to pay Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.40% of the fund’s average daily net assets. For the past fiscal year, the fund paid an investment advisory fee at the annual rate of ___% 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 semiannual report for the six months ended June 30, 2009. 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 move and manage their financial assets, operating in 34 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. BNY Mellon has more than $22.3 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.1 trillion in assets under management, and it services more than $12.0 trillion in outstanding debt. 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.

Thomas F. Fahey and David C. Leduc are the co-primary portfolio managers of the fund, positions they have held since October 2005 and August 2006, respectively. Mr. Fahey is a portfolio manager for global bond strategies at Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish), focusing on global economic analysis and relative value between the developed bond markets, currencies and sectors. Mr. Fahey joined Standish in 1999. Mr. Leduc is a Director of Global Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for overseeing the management of all non-U.S. and global strategies at Standish. Mr. Leduc joined Standish in 1995. Mr. Fahey and Mr. Leduc have been employed by Dreyfus since December 2005. As dual employees of Dreyfus and Standish, Mr. Fahey and Mr. Leduc manage the fund as employees of Dreyfus, but use Standish’s proprietary investment process.

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

 

MBSC Securities Corporation (MBSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves as distributor of the fund and for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Rule 12b-1 fees and shareholder services, as applicable, 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

 

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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.

 

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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 plan or 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 upfront 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

4.70

 

$50,000 to less than $100,000

4.00

4.20

 

$100,000 to less than $250,000

3.00

3.10

 

$250,000 to less than $500,000

2.50

2.60

 

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

2.00

2.00

 

$1,000,000 or more*

-0-

-0-

 

*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

 

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“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; charitable organizations investing $50,000 or more in fund shares; and charitable remainder trusts

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 and continuously maintained an open account directly through the distributor in a Dreyfus Fund since on or before February 28, 2006

investors with cash proceeds from the investor’s exercise of employment-related stock options, 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 agreement with the fund’s distributor specifically relating to processing stock options. Upon establishing the account in the fund or the Dreyfus money market fund, the investor and the investor’s spouse or minor children become eligible to purchase Class A shares of the fund at NAV, whether or not using the proceeds of the employment-related stock options

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

 

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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

 

CDSC waivers

The fund’s CDSC 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

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. Funds that seek tax-exempt income are not recommended for purchase in IRAs or other qualified retirement plans. 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.

 

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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 dealers 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 02205-8502

Attn: Institutional Processing

 

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 02205-8568

Attn: Institutional Processing

Electronic Check or Wire. To purchase shares in a regular or IRA account by wire or electronic check, please call 1-800-554-4611 (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 1-800-554-4611 (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 traditional, spousal and Roth IRAs is $750, with no minimum subsequent investment. The minimum initial investment for educational savings accounts is $500, with no minimum subsequent investment. The minimum initial and subsequent investment for Dreyfus automatic

 

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investment plans is $100 and $100, respectively. 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 of 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 02205-8502

 

By Mail – IRA Accounts. To redeem shares of 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 02205-8568

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 sell shares in a regular account, call Dreyfus at 1-800-554-4611 (inside the U.S. only) or visit www.dreyfus.com to request your transaction.

 

16

 


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 1-800-554-4611 (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.

 

17

 


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

 

18

 


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 that 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 that 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

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.

 

19

 


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.

 

20

 


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 1-800-554-4611.

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 or online, 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 IRA or 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.

 

21

 


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 _________, 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. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, had been the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm effective through the completion of services related to the audit of the 2008 financial statements. The fund had no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

td>

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Class I Shares

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Per Share Data ($):

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

____

18.57

18.14

17.55

21.35

Investment Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income--neta

____

.72

.69

.53

.75

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

____

.75

.10

.21

.23

Total from Investment Operations

____

1.47

.79

.74

.98

Distributions:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from investment income-net

____

(1.09)

(.36)

(.15)

(4.78)

Net asset value, end of period

____

18.95

18.57

18.14

17.55

Total Return (%)

____

8.08

4.35

4.27

4.72

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

____

.80

.70

.68

.58

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

____

.78

.70

.68

.58

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

____

3.84

3.73

3.01

3.49

Portfolio Turnover Rate

____

158b

168b

89

168

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

____

60,945

99,877

93,344

122,721

________________________________________________________________

a

Based on average shares outstanding at each month end.

b

The portfolio turnover rates excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions for the periods ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were ___%, 144% and 140%, respectively.

 

22

 


NOTES

 

23

 


NOTES

 

24

 

 


NOTES

 

25

 

 


For More Information

Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund

A series of Dreyfus Investment Funds

SEC file number: 811-4813

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 Mutual Fund Center – Dreyfus Mutual Funds – Mutual Fund Total Holdings. 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 1-800-554-4611

By mail  Write to:

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.

 


 

 

 

© 2010 MBSC Securities Corporation

6940P0510


Dreyfus/Standish International Fixed Income Fund

 

Class/Ticker                I SDIFX

 

PROSPECTUS May 1, 2010

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 Details

Shareholder Guide

For More Information

See back cover.

 

 

 


Fund Summary

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The fund seeks to maximize total return while realizing a market level of income consistent with preserving principal and liquidity.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Management fees

.40

Other expenses

___

Total annual fund operating expenses

___

 

EXAMPLE

The Example below 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

$___

$___

$___

$___

 

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 ___% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities. The fund also normally invests at least 65 % of its assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign governments and companies located in various countries, including emerging markets. The fund always invests in at least five countries other than United States. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in emerging markets generally and up to 7% of its assets in any single emerging market country. At times, the fund may invest a substantial part of its assets in any one country. The fund will hedge most, but not necessarily all, of its foreign currency exposure to protect the U.S. dollar value of the fund’s assets.

The portfolio managers focus on identifying undervalued government bond markets, currencies, sectors and securities and de-emphasize the use of interest rate forecasting. The portfolio managers look for fixed

 

1

 


income securities with the most potential for added value, such as those involving the potential for credit upgrades, unique structural characteristics or innovative features.

The portfolio managers select securities by using fundamental economic research and quantitative analysis to allocate assets among countries and currencies, and by focusing on sectors and individual securities that appear to be relatively undervalued and actively traded among sectors.

The fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives, such as futures, options and forward contracts, as a substitute for taking a position in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate risks or as part of a hedging strategy.

 

PRINCIPAL 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 fund’s share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

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. High yield (“junk”) 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.

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.

Market sector risk. The fund’s overall risk level will depend on the market sectors in which the fund is invested and the current interest rate, liquidity and credit quality of such sectors. 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.

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, even during periods of declining interest rates. 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. Investments in foreign securities tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities.

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 investments are concentrated in one or a limited number of foreign countries, the fund’s performance could be more volatile than that of a more geographically diversified funds. The fund’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign fixed income securities.

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

 

2

 


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 control.

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 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 fixed income securities of issuers located in emerging markets can be more volatile and less liquid than those of issuers in more mature economies. In addition, such securities often are considered to be below investment grade credit quality and predominantly speculative.

Derivatives risk. The fund may use derivative instruments, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities, indexes, and interest rates) and forward contracts. 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.

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.

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 I 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 I

 

 

Best Quarter (_____) ____% Worst Quarter (_____) ____%

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income 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 12/31/09

 

 

 

 

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Class I returns before taxes

___

___

___

Class I returns after taxes on distributions

___

___

___

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

___

___

___

Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Ex-U.S. Index (Hedged)

reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes

 

___

 

___

 

___

 

 

3

 


Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Ex-U.S. Index (Hedged) is a broad measure of the performance of non-U.S. government bonds with maturities of one year or more that are currently hedged into U.S. dollars.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The fund’s investment adviser is The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus). Thomas F. Fahey and David C. Leduc have served as the co-primary portfolio managers of the fund since October 2005 and August 2006, respectively. Mr. Fahey, Mr. Leduc are employees of Dreyfus and Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish), an affiliate of Dreyfus. Mr. Fahey is a portfolio manager for global bond strategies at Standish, focusing on global economic analysis and relative value between the developed bond markets, currencies and sectors. Mr. Leduc is a Director of Global Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for overseeing the management of all non-U.S. and global strategies 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 for regular accounts. Certain types of accounts are eligible for lower minimum investments. You may sell your shares on any business day by calling 1-800-645-6561 (outside the U.S. 516-794-5452) or by visiting www.dreyfus.com. You may also mail your request to sell shares to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 55263, Boston, MA 02205-8501.

 

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 while realizing a market level of income consistent with preserving principal and liquidity. To pursue this goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities. The fund also normally invests at least 65% of its assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign governments and companies located in various countries, including emerging markets. The fund always invests in at least five countries other than the United States. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in emerging markets generally and up to 7% of its assets in any single emerging market country. At times, the fund may invest a substantial part of its assets in any one country. The fund will hedge most, but not necessarily all, of its foreign currency exposure to protect the U.S. dollar value of the fund’s assets.

The fund normally invests primarily in fixed income securities rated, at the time of purchase, investment grade (i.e., Baa/BBB or higher) or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. The fund, however, may invest up to 25% of its assets in securities rated, at the time of purchase, below investment grade (“high yield” or “junk” bonds), but not rated lower than B, or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. The minimum average credit quality of the fund’s portfolio generally will be A3/A-. There are no restrictions on the dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio or on the maturities of the individual fixed income securities the fund may purchase.

The portfolio managers focus on identifying undervalued government bond markets, currencies, sectors and securities and de-emphasize the use of interest rate forecasting. The portfolio managers look for fixed income securities with the most potential for added value, such as those involving the potential for credit upgrades, unique structural characteristics or innovative features. The portfolio managers select securities for the fund’s portfolio by:

Using fundamental economic research and quantitative analysis to allocate assets among countries and currencies based on a comparative evaluation of interest and inflation rate trends, government fiscal and monetary policies and the credit quality of government debt; and

Focusing on sectors and individual securities that appear to be relatively undervalued and actively trading among sectors.

The fund’s fixed income investments may include bonds, notes (including structured notes), mortgage- related securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities, eurodollar and Yankee dollar instruments, preferred stocks and money market instruments. Fixed income securities may be issued by U.S. and foreign corporations or entities; U.S. and foreign banks; the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises; state and municipal governments; and foreign governments and their political subdivisions. These securities 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 is not required to, use derivatives, such as options, futures and options on futures (including those relating to securities, foreign currencies, indexes and interest rates), forward contracts, and swaps (including interest rate and credit default swaps), as a substitute for investing directly in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate risk, or as part of a hedging strategy.

The fund may enter into swap agreements, such as interest rate swaps and credit default swaps, which 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. A credit default swap is a derivative instrument

 

5

 


whereby the buyer makes fixed, periodic premium payments to the seller in exchange for being made whole on an agreed-upon amount of principal should the specified reference entity (i.e., the issuer of a particular security) experience a “credit event” (e.g., failure to pay interest or principal, bankruptcy or restructuring).The fund also may invest in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which include collateralized loan obligations and other similarly structured securities. To enhance current income, the fund also may engage in a series of purchase and sale contracts or forward roll transactions in which the fund sells a mortgage-related security, for example, to a financial institution and simultaneously agrees to purchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed-upon price. 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

The fund’s principal risks are discussed below. 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.

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. High yield (“junk”) 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.

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.

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.

Market sector risk. The fund’s overall risk level will depend on the market sectors in which the fund is invested and the current interest rate, liquidity and credit quality of such sectors. 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.

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, even during periods of declining interest rates. 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. Investments in foreign securities tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities.

Call risk. Some bonds give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the bonds before their maturity date. If an issuer “calls” its bond during a time of declining interest rates, the fund might have to

 

6

 


reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. During periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates, prices of “callable” issues are subject to increased price fluctuation.

Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, the principal on mortgage-backed and certain asset-backed securities may be prepaid. The loss of higher yielding underlying mortgages and the reinvestment of proceeds at lower interest rates can reduce the fund’s potential price gain in response to falling interest rates, reduce the fund’s yield, or cause the fund’s share price to fall. When interest rates rise, the effective duration of the fund’s mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may lengthen due to a drop in prepayments of the underlying mortgages or other assets. This is known as extension risk and would increase the fund’s sensitivity to rising interest rates and its potential for price declines.

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 investments are concentrated in one or a limited number of foreign countries, the fund’s performance could be more volatile than that of a more geographically diversified funds. The fund’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign fixed income securities.

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 control.

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 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 fixed income securities of issuers located in emerging markets can be more volatile and less liquid than those of issuers in more mature economies. In addition, such securities often are considered to be below investment grade credit quality and predominantly speculative.

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 and credit 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 be required to segregate liquid assets in connection with the purchase of derivative instruments.

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.

 

7

 


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.

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 objectives.

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. The fund’s forward roll transactions will increase its portfolio turnover rate.

 

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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 $310 billion in 189 mutual fund portfolios. The fund has agreed to pay Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.40% of the fund’s average daily net assets. For the past fiscal year, the fund paid Dreyfus an investment advisory fee at the annual rate of ___% 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 semiannual report for the six months ended June 30, 2009. 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 move and manage their financial assets, operating in 34 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. BNY Mellon has more than $22.3 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.1 trillion in assets under management, and it services more than $12.0 trillion in outstanding debt. 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.

Thomas F. Fahey and David C. Leduc are the co-primary portfolio managers of the fund, positions they have held since October 2005 and August 2006, respectively. Mr. Fahey is a portfolio manager for global bond strategies at Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (Standish), focusing on global economic analysis and relative value between the developed bond markets, currencies and sectors. Mr. Fahey joined Standish in 1999. Mr. Leduc is a Director of Global Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for overseeing the management of all non-U.S. and global strategies at Standish. Mr. Leduc joined Standish in 1995. Mr. Fahey and Mr. Leduc have been employed by Dreyfus since December 2005. As dual employees of Dreyfus and Standish, Mr. Fahey and Mr. Leduc manage the fund as employees of Dreyfus, but use Standish’s proprietary investment process.

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

 

MBSC Securities Corporation (MBSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves as distributor of the fund and for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Rule 12b-1 fees and shareholder services, as applicable, 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

 

9

 


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.

 

10

 


Shareholder Guide

CLASS I SHARES

The fund is designed primarily for people who are investing through a third party, such as a bank, broker- dealer or financial adviser, or for a 401(k) or other retirement plan. Third parties with whom you open a fund account may impose policies, limitations and fees which are different from those described in this prospectus. Consult a representative of your plan or financial institution for further information.

The fund only offers Class I shares

Class I Shares of the fund are available only to limited types of investors, and may be purchased by:

bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the fund’s distributor to offer fund 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 fund 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 fund shares available

 

BUYING AND SELLING SHARES

Valuing Shares

You pay no sales charges to invest in shares of the fund. Your price for shares is the net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on days the exchange 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

 

11

 


prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values. Funds that seek tax-exempt income are not recommended for purchase in IRAs or other qualified retirement plans. 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. 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.

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 55299

Boston, MA 02205-8502

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 Dreyfus Family of Funds

P.O. Box 105

Newark, NJ 07101-0105

 

Wire. To purchase shares in a regular account by wire, please call 1-800-645-6561 (outside the U.S. 516-794-5452) for more information.

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. All investments must be in U.S. dollars. The minimum initial investment for foundations and endowments is $1 million. 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.

Before selling shares recently purchased by check, 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 or telephone redemption requests for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares

 

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By Mail — Regular Account. To redeem shares of a regular account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes your name, your account number, the name of the fund, 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 55263

Boston, MA 02205-8501

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. To sell shares in a regular account, call Dreyfus at 1-800-645-6561 (outside the U.S. 516-794-5452) to request your transaction.

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

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

General Policies

Unless you decline teleservice privileges on your application, the fund’s transfer agent is authorized to act on telephone 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 order as long as the fund’s transfer agent takes reasonable measures to confirm that instructions are genuine.

If you invest through a financial intermediary (rather than directly with the distributor), the policies and fees may be different than those described herein. Banks, brokers, 401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares. Please consult your financial representative or the SAI.

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

 

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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, 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 nonaffiliated 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.

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 that 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

 

14

 


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 that 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

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.

Third-Party Investments

If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with the distributor), the policies and fees may be different than those described herein. Banks, brokers, 401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial institution for further information.

 

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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.

 

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SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS

 

 

Exchange privilege

Generally, you can exchange shares worth $500 or more (no minimum for retirement accounts) of the fund for Class I shares of other Dreyfus Funds or for shares of certain other Dreyfus Funds. You can request your exchange in writing or by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging before investing. Any new account established through an exchange 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.

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.

 

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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 ______________, 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. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, had been the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm effective through the completion of services related to the audit of the 2008 financial statements. The fund had no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Class I Shares

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

Per Share Data ($):

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

____

18.57

18.14

17.55

21.35

Investment Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income--neta

____

.72

.69

.53

.75

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

____

.75

.10

.21

.23

Total from Investment Operations

____

1.47

.79

.74

.98

Distributions:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from investment income-net

____

(1.09)

(.36)

(.15)

(4.78)

Net asset value, end of period

____

18.95

18.57

18.14

17.55

Total Return (%)

____

8.08

4.35

4.27

4.72

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

____

.80

.70

.68

.58

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

____

.78

.70

.68

.58

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

____

3.84

3.73

3.01

3.49

Portfolio Turnover Rate

____

158b

168b

89

168

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

____

60,945

99,877

93,344

122,721

________________________________________________________________

a

Based on average shares outstanding at each month end.

b

The portfolio turnover rates excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions for the periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were 144% and 140%, respectively.

 

18

 


NOTES

 

19

 


NOTES

 

20

 


NOTES

 

21

 


For More Information

Dreyfus/Standish International Fixed Income Fund

A series of Dreyfus Investment Funds

SEC file number: 811-4813

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 Mutual Fund Center – Dreyfus Mutual Funds – Mutual Fund Total Holdings. 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 1-800-645-6561

By mail  Write to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds

144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard

Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

By E-mail  

Send your request to 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.

 


 

 

 

© 2010 MBSC Securities Corporation

6931P0510

 



 


 

DREYFUS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

DREYFUS/STANDISH GLOBAL FIXED INCOME FUND

(Class A, Class C and Class I Shares)

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

May 1, 2010


          This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Dreyfus Investment Funds (the “Company”), dated May 1, 2010, as the Prospectus may be revised from time to time. 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 1-800-554-4611.

          The Fund’s most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders are separate documents supplied with this Statement of Additional Information, and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of the independent registered public accounting firm appearing in the Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 


 

 

 

Description of the Company and Fund

 

B-2

Management of the Company and Fund

 

B-28

Management Arrangements

 

B-35

How to Buy Shares

 

B-41

Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan

 

B-46

How to Redeem Shares

 

B-48

Shareholder Services

 

B-50

Determination of Net Asset Value

 

B-55

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

 

B-56

Portfolio Transactions

 

B-59

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

 

B-62

Information About the Company and Fund

 

B-63

Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

B-65

Appendix A

 

A-1



DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY AND FUND

          The Company is a Massachusetts business trust that was formed on August 13, 1986. The Fund is a separate series of the Company, an open-end management investment company, known as a mutual fund.

          The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager” or “Dreyfus”) 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 primarily in foreign securities. Typically, these will be debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign companies or by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, including supranational entities. “Foreign securities” include equity and debt securities of companies organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments other than the U.S. Government or by foreign supranational entities. They also include securities 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 significant portion of their assets abroad. 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. 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.

          Although the Fund invests primarily in securities of established issuers based in developed foreign countries, it also may invest in securities of issuers in emerging markets, including issuers in Asia (including Russia), eastern Europe, Latin and South America, the Mediterranean and Africa. In emerging markets, the Fund may purchase debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, including participation 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 (“Sovereign Debt Obligations”). These include Brady Bonds, Structured Securities, and Participation Interests and Assignments (as defined below). The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets generally, with a limit of 7% of its total assets invested in the securities of issuers located in any one emerging market country. These limitations do not apply to investments denominated or quoted in the Euro. The Fund considers emerging markets to be those countries listed in the Barclays Capital Global Emerging Market Index. 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.”

          Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities include corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar instruments, including certain convertible securities. Debt securities may be acquired

B-2



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.

          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.

          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

B-3


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.

          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. Investing in inverse floaters involves leveraging which may magnify gains or losses.

          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.

B-4


          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 to 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

B-5


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 (“NAV”).

          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.

          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.

          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.

          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

B-6


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”). 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. Most 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 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.

          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 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 “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”

B-7


          Mortgage-Related Securities. Mortgage-related securities are a form of derivative collateralized by pools of commercial or residential mortgages. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by various governmental, government-related and private organizations. These securities may include complex instruments such as collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities, mortgage pass-through securities, interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), adjustable rate mortgages, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), or other kinds of mortgage-backed securities, including those with fixed, floating and variable interest rates, those with interest rates based on multiples of changes in a specified index of interest rates and those with interest rates that change inversely to changes in interest rates, as well as those that do not bear interest.

Residential Mortgage-Related Securities—The Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities representing participation interests in pools of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by governmental agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), or issued by private entities. Residential mortgage-related securities have been issued using a variety of structures, including multi-class structures featuring senior and subordinated classes.

          Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Ginnie Maes”) which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA certificates also are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Fannie Maes”) which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as “Freddie Macs” or “PCs”). Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Bank and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable. In September 2008, the Federal Housing Financing Agency placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship and the U.S. Treasury, through a secured lending credit facility and a senior preferred stock purchase agreement, enhanced the ability of each agency to meet its obligations.

Commercial Mortgage-Related Securities—The Fund may invest in commercial mortgage-related securities which generally are multi-class debt or pass-through certificates secured by mortgage loans on commercial properties. These mortgage-related securities generally are structured to provide protection to holders of the senior classes against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. This protection generally is provided by having the holders of subordinated classes of securities (“Subordinated Securities”) take the first loss if there are defaults on the underlying commercial mortgage loans. Other protection, which may benefit all of the classes or particular classes, may include issuer guarantees, reserve funds, additional Subordinated Securities, cross-collateralization and over-collateralization.

Subordinated Securities—The Fund may invest in Subordinated Securities issued or sponsored by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, private mortgage insurance companies and other non-governmental issuers. Subordinated Securities have no governmental guarantee, and are subordinated in some manner as to the payment of principal and/or interest to the

B-8


holders of more senior mortgage-related securities arising out of the same pool of mortgages. The holders of Subordinated Securities typically are compensated with a higher stated yield than are the holders of more senior mortgage-related securities. On the other hand, Subordinated Securities typically subject the holder to greater risk than senior mortgage-related securities and tend to be rated in a lower rating category, and frequently a substantially lower rating category, than the senior mortgage-related securities issued in respect of the same pool of mortgage. Subordinated Securities generally are likely to be more sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates and the market for such securities may be less liquid than is the case for traditional fixed-income securities and senior mortgage-related securities.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) and Multi-Class Pass-Through-Securities—The Fund may invest in CMOs which are multiclass bonds backed by pools of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs may be collateralized by (a) Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac pass-through certificates, (b) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, (c) unsecuritized conventional mortgages, (d) other mortgage-related securities, or (e) any combination thereof.

          Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final distribution dates. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates which reset periodically at a specified increment over an index, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (or sometimes more than one index). These floating rate CMOs typically are issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate CMOs. Inverse floating rate CMOs constitute a tranche of a CMO with a coupon rate that moves in the reverse direction to an applicable index such as LIBOR. Accordingly, the coupon rate thereon will increase as interest rates decrease. Inverse floating rate CMOs are typically more volatile than fixed or floating rate tranches of CMOs.

          Many inverse floating rate CMOs have coupons that move inversely to a multiple of the applicable indices. The effect of the coupon varying inversely to a multiple of an applicable index creates a leverage factor. Inverse floaters 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 loss of principal. The markets for inverse floating rate CMOs with highly leveraged characteristics at times may be very thin. The Fund’s ability to dispose of its positions in such securities will depend on the degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. It is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in such securities, and therefore the future degree of liquidity.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities—The Fund also may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities which are created by segregating the cash flows from underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or more new securities, each with a specified percentage of the underlying security’s principal or interest payments. Mortgage securities may be partially stripped so that each investor class receives some interest and some principal. When securities are completely stripped, however, all of the interest is distributed to holders of one type of security, known as an interest-only security, or IO, and all of the principal is distributed to holders of another type of security known as a principal-only security, or PO. Strips can be created in a pass-through structure or as tranches of a CMO. The yields to maturity on IOs and POs are very sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying mortgage assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on POs could be materially and adversely affected.

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Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Loans (“ARMs”)—The Fund may invest in ARMs. ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool will generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time, generally for either the first three, six, twelve, thirteen, thirty-six, or sixty scheduled monthly payments. Thereafter, the interest rates are subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in an index. ARMs typically have minimum and maximum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the loans. Certain ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Negatively amortizing ARMs may provide limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments that are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a negatively amortizing ARM by its maturity at the interest rate in effect during any particular month.

Private Entity Securities—The Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities issued by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, private mortgage insurance companies and other non-governmental issuers. Timely payment of principal and interest on mortgage-related securities backed by pools created by non-governmental issuers often is supported partially by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance. The insurance and guarantees are issued by government entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. There can be no assurance that the private insurers or mortgage poolers can meet their obligations under the policies, so that if the issuers default on their obligations the holders of the security could sustain a loss. No insurance or guarantee covers the Fund or the price of the Fund’s shares. Mortgage-related securities issued by nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government-agency and government-related securities because there are no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment.

Other Mortgage-Related Securities—Other mortgage-related securities in which the Fund may invest include securities other than those described above that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property, including CMO residuals. Other mortgage-related securities may be equity or debt securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks, partnerships, trusts and special purpose entities of the foregoing.

          Real Estate Investment Trusts. The Fund may invest in 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 is affected by tax and regulatory requirements and by perceptions of

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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.

          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 (“CLO”) or collateralized bond obligation (“CBO”) 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.

          Municipal Obligations. Municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, or multistate agencies or authorities, generally to obtain funds for various public purposes and include certain industrial development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities. Municipal obligations are classified as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and notes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenue derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Industrial development bonds, in most cases, are revenue bonds that do not carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality, but generally are guaranteed by the corporate entity on whose behalf they are issued. Notes are short-term instruments which are obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues. Municipal obligations include municipal lease/purchase agreements which are similar to installment purchase contracts for property or equipment issued by municipalities. Municipal obligations bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest, which are determined in some instances by formulas under which the municipal obligation’s interest rate will change directly or inversely to changes in interest rates or an index, or multiples thereof, in many cases subject to a maximum and minimum. Certain municipal obligations are subject to redemption at a date earlier than their stated maturity pursuant to call options, which may be separated from the related municipal obligation and purchased and sold separately. The Fund also may acquire call options on specific

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municipal obligations. The Fund generally would purchase these call options to protect the Fund from the issuer of the related municipal obligation redeeming, or other holder of the call option from calling away, the municipal obligation before maturity.

          While, in general, municipal obligations are tax exempt securities having relatively low yields as compared to taxable, non-municipal obligations of similar quality, certain municipal obligations are taxable obligations, offering yields comparable to, and in some cases greater than, the yields available on other permissible Fund investments. Dividends received by shareholders on Fund shares which are attributable to interest income received by the Fund from municipal obligations generally will be subject to Federal income tax. The Fund may invest in municipal obligations, the ratings of which correspond with the ratings of other permissible Fund investments.

          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 some or all 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 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.

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. Commercial paper may consist of U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic issuers and foreign currency-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign issuers. Commercial paper in which the Fund invests will be rated at the time of purchase P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”, and, together with Moody’s and S&P, the “Rating Agencies”) or, if unrated, determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality.

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Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in repurchase agreements. 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. A Fund entering into a repurchase agreement 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.

          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. Such 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.

          Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may invest directly in foreign currencies or hold financial instruments that provide exposure to foreign currencies, or may invest in securities that trade in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies. To the extent the Fund invests in foreign 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 or reduce exposure to the foreign currency for investment purposes.

          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 Manager’s ability 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.

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          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 may borrow in an amount up to 15% of the value of the respective Fund’s total assets. The Fund 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.

          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 will not sell securities short if, after effect is given to any short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. 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.

          Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will: (a) segregate permissible liquid assets in an amount that, together with the amount 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, commodities, and related indexes. Derivatives may provide a cheaper, quicker or more specifically focused way for the Fund to invest than “traditional” securities would. Examples of derivative instruments the Fund may use include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements. The Fund’s portfolio managers may decide not to employ any 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

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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. By contrast, no clearing agency guarantees over-the-counter derivatives. Therefore, each party to an over-the-counter derivative bears the risk that the counterparty will default. Accordingly, the Manager 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (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 Company nor the Fund will be a commodity pool. The Company 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 Company 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 or commodity 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 or commodity. 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 or commodities, 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

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out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument or commodity 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, if applicable, on exchanges located outside the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits 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.

          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 securities index futures contracts and options thereon. A securities 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 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.

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          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 make investments in Eurodollar contracts. Eurodollar contracts are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed-income instruments are linked.

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, as applicable, fixed income or 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 traded 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

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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 and Other Credit Derivatives. The Fund may engage in swap transactions, including, as applicable, interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, caps, collars and floors, credit default swaps, currency swaps, and index swap agreements and other credit derivative products, to seek to mitigate risk, manage maturity and duration, reduce portfolio turnover, or obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in an instrument that yielded the desired return. The Fund also may enter into options on swap agreements, sometimes called “swaptions.” Swap agreements will tend to shift a Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if a 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

B-18


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).

          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.

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          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 other 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 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 and other 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 agreements and other credit derivative transactions 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).

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

B-20


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 NAV of the Fund.

          It is expected that not more than 5% of the Fund’s net assets will be at risk as a result of investments in structured notes and hybrid instruments.

Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions (as applicable), including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts), multiple swap transactions and multiple interest rate transactions, structured notes and any combination of futures, options, swaps, currency, and interest rate transactions (“component” transactions), instead of a single strategic transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the Manager’s opinion, 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 Statement of Additional Information.

          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 20% (with a 10% limit for any borrower) 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, 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.


          Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, which means that delivery and payment take place in the future after the date of the commitment to purchase or sell. The Fund may commit up to 25% of its net assets to purchase such securities. The payment obligation and the interest rate receivable on a forward

B-21


commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery security are fixed when the Fund enters into the commitment, but the Fund does not make payment until it receives delivery from the counterparty. The Fund will commit to purchase such securities only with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. The Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal at all times to the amount of the Fund’s purchase commitments.

          Securities purchased on a forward commitment, 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.

          Forward Roll Transactions. To enhance current income, the Fund may enter into forward roll transactions with respect to mortgage-related securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in forward roll transactions. In a forward roll transaction, the Fund sells a mortgage-related security to a financial institution, such as a bank or broker-dealer, and simultaneously agrees to purchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed upon price. The securities that are purchased will bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different pre-payment histories than those sold. During the period between the sale and purchase, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Proceeds of the sale typically will be invested in short-term instruments, particularly repurchase agreements, and the income from these investments, together with any additional fee income received on the sale will be expected to generate income for the Fund exceeding the yield on the securities sold. Forward roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the purchase price of those securities. The Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the repurchase price (including accrued interest).

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 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.

B-22


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 foreign 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 shareholders have no access to the Fund.

          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.

          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 or the Manager and its affiliates and 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.

B-23


          Moreover, no established secondary markets may exist for many of the Sovereign Debt Obligations in which the Fund may invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity may have an adverse effect on the market price and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular instruments when necessary to meet its liquidity requirements or in response to specific economic events such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain Sovereign Debt Obligations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio. Market quotations are generally available on many Sovereign Debt Obligations only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of those dealers or prices of actual sales.

          Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by American Depositary Receipts 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 Statement of Additional Information that apply to foreign securities traded and held abroad. A U.S. dollar investment in American Depositary Receipts 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.

          Mortgage-Related Securities. Mortgage-related securities are complex derivative instruments, subject to both credit and prepayment risk, and may be more volatile and less liquid, and more difficult to price accurately, than more traditional debt securities. Although certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party (such as a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality with respect to government-related mortgage-backed securities) or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not secured.

          Mortgage-related securities generally are subject to credit risks associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage properties and to prepayment risk. In certain instances, the credit risk associated with mortgage-related securities can be reduced by third party guarantees or other forms of credit support. Improved credit risk does not reduce prepayment risk which is unrelated to the rating assigned to the mortgage-related security. Prepayment risk can lead to fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related security which may be pronounced. If a mortgage-related security is purchased at a premium, all or part of the premium may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security, whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments on the underlying mortgage collateral. Certain mortgage-related securities that may be purchased by the Fund, such as inverse floating rate collateralized mortgage obligations, have coupons that move inversely to a multiple of a specific index which may result in a form of leverage. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain mortgage-related securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. However, although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the security are more likely to be prepaid. For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related security’s stated maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages, and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return to the Fund. Moreover, with respect to certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, if the underlying mortgage securities experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment even if the securities are rated in the highest rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. During periods of rapidly rising interest rates, prepayments of mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than expected rates. Slower prepayments effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related security’s expected maturity which generally would cause the value of such security to fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates. Were the prepayments on the Fund’s mortgage-related securities to decrease broadly, the Fund’s effective duration, and thus sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, would increase. Commercial real property loans, however, often contain provisions that reduce the likelihood that such

B-24


securities will be prepaid. The provisions generally impose significant prepayment penalties on loans and in some cases there may be prohibitions on principal prepayments for several years following origination.

          Fixed-Income Securities. The Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed-income securities. 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. In assessing the overall rating of a security, the higher rating given by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch will be used. See “Appendix A” for a general description of the Rating Agencies’ ratings.

          Lower Rated Securities. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in higher yielding (and, therefore, higher risk) debt securities such as those rated below Baa by Moody’s and below BBB by S&P and Fitch (commonly known as “junk” bonds). They may be subject to certain risks with respect to the issuing entity and to greater market fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher rated fixed-income securities. The retail secondary market for these securities may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities; adverse conditions could make it difficult at times for the Fund to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Fund’s NAV.

          Bond prices are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, bond price volatility also may be 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. The higher credit risk associated with below investment grade securities potentially can have a greater effect on the value of such securities than may be the case with higher quality issues of comparable maturity, and will be a substantial factor in the Fund’s relative share price volatility. 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.

          You should be aware that the market values of many of these securities tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher rated securities and will fluctuate over time. These securities generally are considered by the Rating Agencies to be, on balance, predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation and generally will involve more credit risk than securities in the higher rating categories.

          Companies that issue certain of these securities often are highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with 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, or the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts, or the unavailability of additional

B-25


financing. The risk of loss because of default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of these securities because such securities generally are unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.

          Because there is no established retail secondary market for many of these securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market for these securities does exist, it generally is not as liquid as the secondary market for higher rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on market price and yield and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular issues when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid security market for certain securities also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its NAV. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of these securities. In such cases, the Manager’s judgment may play a greater role in valuation because less reliable, objective data may be available.

          These securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. An economic recession could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of lower rated bonds to repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities. It is likely that any economic recession also could disrupt severely the market for such securities and have an adverse impact on their value.

          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 persons 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.

          The ratings of the Ratings Agencies represent their opinions as to the quality of the obligations which they undertake to rate. Ratings are relative and subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of such obligations. Although these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection of portfolio investments, the Manager also will evaluate these securities and the ability of the issuers of such securities to pay interest and principal.


          Portfolio Securities Ratings. The average distribution of Fund investments in corporate bonds (excluding preferred stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible bonds) by ratings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, calculated monthly on a dollar-weighted basis, was as follows:

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Fitch

or

Moody’s

or

S&P

 

Percentage of Value


 


 


 


AAA

 

Aaa

 

AAA

 

___%

AA

 

Aa

 

AA

 

___%

A

 

A

 

A

 

___%

BBB

 

Baa

 

BBB

 

___%

BB

 

Ba

 

BB

 

___%

B

 

B

 

B

 

___%

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

___%

 

 

 

 

 

 

___%

          The actual distribution of the Fund’s corporate bond investments by ratings on any given date will vary, and the distribution of the Fund’s investments by ratings as set forth above should not be considered as representative of the Fund’s future portfolio composition.

Investment Restrictions

          Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities of governments and companies located in various countries, including emerging markets. 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 has adopted the following 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’s non-fundamental policies may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Company’s Board members at any time. The Fund may not:

 

 

1.

Invest more than 25% of the current value of its total assets in any single industry, provided that this restriction shall not apply to debt securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

 

 

2.

Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

 

3.

Purchase real estate or real estate mortgage loans, although the Fund may purchase marketable securities of companies which deal in real estate, real estate mortgage loans or interests therein.

 

 

4.

Purchase securities on margin (except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities).

 

 

5.

Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except that the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts and engage in foreign currency exchange transactions.

 

 

6.

With respect to at least 50% of its total assets, invest more than 5% in the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) or acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer.

B-27



 

 

7.

Issue senior securities, borrow money, enter into reverse repurchase agreements or pledge or mortgage its assets, except that the Fund may (a) borrow from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes (but not investment purposes) in an amount up to 15% of the current value of its total assets to secure such borrowings, (b) enter into forward roll transactions, and (c) pledge its assets to an extent not greater than 15% of the current value of its total assets to secure such borrowings; however, the Fund may not make any additional investments while its outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the current value of its total assets.

 

 

8.

Lend portfolio securities, except that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities with a value up to 20% of its total assets (with a 10% limit for any borrower), except that the Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to 25% of the value of its net assets.

          The following restrictions are not fundamental policies and may be changed by the Trustees of the Company without shareholder approval, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations or regulatory policy. The Fund may not:

 

 

 

(a) Invest in the securities of an issuer for the purpose of exercising control or management but it may do so where it is deemed advisable to protect or enhance the value of an existing investment.

 

 

 

(b) Purchase the securities of any other investment company except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

          Notwithstanding any fundamental or non-fundamental policy, the Fund may invest all of its assets (other than assets which are not “investment securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) or are excepted by the SEC) in an open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objective as the Fund.

          If any percentage restriction described above is adhered to at the time of investment, a subsequent increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s assets will not constitute a violation of the restriction.

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND FUND

          The Company’s Board is responsible for the management and supervision of the Fund and approves all significant agreements with those companies that furnish services to the Fund. These companies are as follows:

 

 

 

 

The Dreyfus Corporation

Investment Adviser

 

MBSC Securities Corporation

Distributor

 

Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.

Transfer Agent

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

Custodian

B-28


Board Members of the Company1


          Board members of the Company, together with information as to their positions with the Company, principal occupations and other board memberships and affiliations, are shown below. Each of the Company’s Board members also serves as a Director/Trustee of The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc., The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust, The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds and Dreyfus Funds, Inc. (collectively with the Company, the “Board Group Open-End Funds”) and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Age)
Position with Company (Since)

 

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

 

Other Board Memberships and Affiliations


 


 


 

Joseph S. DiMartino (66)

 

Corporate Director and Trustee

 

The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Director

Chairman of the Board (2008)

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants, Director

 

 

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons (75)
Board Member (2008)

 

Corporate Director and Trustee

 

Bill Barrett Company, an oil and gas exploration company, Director

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel (63)
Board Member (2008)

 

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

 

None

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood (62)
Board Member (2008)

 

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

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson (60)
Board Member (2008)

 

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

 

American Express Bank, FSB, Director

 

 

The Hyams Foundation Inc., a Massachusetts Charitable Foundation, Trustee

 

 

National Osteoporosis Foundation, Trustee

 

 

SBLI-USA, Director

 

 

 

 


 

 


1

None of the Board members are “interested persons” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act.

B-29



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Age)
Position with Company (Since)

 

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

 

Other Board Memberships and Affiliations


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley (63)
Board Member (2008)

 

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)

 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Director

 

 

CBIZ, Inc. (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director
Commonwealth Institute, Director
Efficacy Institute, Director
PepsiCo African-American, Chair of Advisory Board
The Boston Foundation, Director

          Board members are elected to serve for an indefinite term. The Company has standing audit and nominating committees, each comprised of its Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act. The function of the audit committee is (i) to oversee the Company’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 Company’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, including character and integrity, business and professional experience, and whether the committee believes the person has the ability to apply sound and independent business judgment and would act in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders. The nominating committee will consider recommendations for nominees from shareholders submitted to the Secretary of the Company, 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 Company 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 Company 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 ___ times, the pricing committee met ___ times, the compensation committee met once and the nominating committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

          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 as of December 31, 2009.

B-30



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Board Member

 

Fund

 

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


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

Joseph S. DiMartino

 

None

 

Over $100,000

 

 

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons

 

None

 

Over $100,000

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel

 

None

 

$50,001-$100,000

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood

 

None

 

Over $100,000

 

 

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson

 

None

 

$0 - $50,000

 

 

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley

 

None

 

$50,001-$100,000

          As of December 31, 2009, 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 the Manager or the Distributor (or of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate thereof) receives any compensation from the Company for serving as an officer or Board member of the Company. During calendar year 2009, the Board Group Open-End Funds are paying each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) $45,000 per annum, plus $6,000 per joint Board Group Open-End Funds Board meeting attended, $2,000 for separate in-person committee meetings attended which are not held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled Board meeting and $1,500 for Board meetings and separate committee meetings attended that are conducted by telephone. Effective January 1, 2010, the Board Group Open-End Funds will pay each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Company (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 Company (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). With respect to compensation committee meetings, during calendar year 2009, the Chair of the compensation committee received $900 per meeting. Effective January 1, 2010, the Chair of each of the Board’s committees, unless the Chair also serves as Chairman of the Board, will receive $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 $2,000 or $1,500 fee (during calendar year 2009) or the $2,500 or $2,000 fee (effective January 1, 2010), as applicable, is allocated between the Board Group Open-End Funds and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.

          The aggregate amount of compensation received by each Board member by the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and the amount paid to each Board member by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person was a Board member (the number of portfolios of such

B-31



funds is set forth in parenthesis next to each Board member’s total compensation) during the year ended December 31, 2009, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Board Member

 

Aggregate Estimated
Compensation
From the Company*

 

Total Compensation
From the Company and
Fund Complex Paid
to Board Member(**)

 


 


 


 

Joseph S. DiMartino

 

 

$______

 

 

$_____ (__)

 

James M. Fitzgibbons

 

 

$______

 

 

$_____ (__)

 

Kenneth A. Himmel

 

 

$______

 

 

$_____ (__)

 

Stephen J. Lockwood

 

 

$______

 

 

$_____ (__)

 

Roslyn M. Watson

 

 

$______

 

 

$_____ (__)

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley

 

 

$______

 

 

$_____ (__)

 


 

 

 


 

*

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 is estimated in the aggregate to amount to $______.

 

 

 

**

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

Officers of the Company

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 __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1988.

PHILLIP N. MAISANO, Executive Vice President since July 2007. Chief Investment Officer, Vice Chair and a director of Dreyfus, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. Mr. Maisano also is an officer and/or board member of certain other investment management subsidiaries of BNY Mellon, each of which is an affiliate of Dreyfus. He is 62 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since November 2006. Prior to joining Dreyfus, Mr. Maisano served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EACM Advisors, an affiliate of Dreyfus, since August 2004.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001. Director-Mutual Fund Accounting of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since April 1985.

J. DAVID OFFICER, Vice President since October 2007. Director of Mellon United National Bank, an affiliate of the Manager, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. Prior to June 2009, Mr. Officer was Chief Operating Officer, Vice Chairman and a director of the Manager, where he had been employed since April 1998. He is 61 years old.

MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Vice President and Secretary since August 2005. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___

B-32


portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 50 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1991.

KIESHA ASTWOOD, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010. Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 36 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 Dreyfus, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since December 1996.

JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. She is 54 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since June 2000.

KATHLEEN DENICHOLAS, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ____ portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 35 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 __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. She is 47 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since February 1984.

JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since February 1991.

M. CRISTINA MEISER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 39 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 __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 58 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since May 1986.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1990.

RICHARD S. CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008. Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1982.

B-33


GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005. Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 41 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since April 1991.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Fixed Income Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1988.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007. Senior Accounting Manager - Equity Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since November 1990.

WILLIAM GERMENIS, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since July 2002. Vice President and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the Distributor, and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 39 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since October 1998.

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004. Chief Compliance Officer of Dreyfus and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (__ investment companies, comprised of ___ 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 52 years old and has served in various capacities with Dreyfus 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 Company is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.


          The Company’s Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than 1% of the Fund’s voting securities outstanding as of April ___, 2010.

          The following persons are known by the Company to own of record 5% or more of the indicated Class of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, as of April ___, 2010:

          Class A - ______%

          Class C - ______%

          Class J - ______%

B-34


          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.

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

          Effective on December 1, 2008 (“Effective Date”), Dreyfus was appointed to serve as the Fund’s investment adviser. Prior to the Effective Date, Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (“Standish”), an affiliate of Dreyfus, was the investment adviser for the Fund.

          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 34 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.

          The Manager provides management services to the Fund pursuant to a Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between the Company and the Manager. The Management Agreement will continue until April 4, 2010, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (i) the Company’s Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Company’s Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company or the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Management Agreement is terminable without penalty, on not more than 60 days’ notice, by the Company’s Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, or, on not less than 90 days’ notice, by the Manager. The Management Agreement will terminate automatically, as to the Fund, 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; Phillip N. Maisano, Chief Investment Officer, Vice Chair and a director; Bradley J. Skapyak, Chief Operating Officer and a director; Dwight Jacobsen, 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; John E. Lane, Vice President; Jeanne M. Login, Vice President; Gary Pierce, Controller; Joseph W. Connolly, Chief Compliance Officer; James Bitetto, Secretary; and Mitchell E. Harris, Jeffrey D. Landau, Ronald P. O’Hanley III, 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 manages the Fund’s portfolio of investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Company’s Board. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized

B-35



by the Company’s Board to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Manager also maintains research departments with professional staffs of portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services for the Fund and other funds advised by the Manager. The portfolio managers of the Fund are dual employees of Dreyfus and Standish, an affiliate of Dreyfus. The primary portfolio managers of the Fund are Thomas F. Fahey and David C. LeDuc. Brendon Murphy is an additional portfolio manager of the Fund.

          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.

          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.

          The Company, the Manager and the Distributor each have adopted a Code of Ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such Code of Ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The Manager’s Code of Ethics subjects the personal securities transactions of its employees to various restrictions to ensure that such trading does not disadvantage any fund advised by the Manager. In that regard, portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Manager must pre-clear 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

B-36


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. The portfolio managers’ cash compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based salary and an incentive compensation plan (annual and long term incentive). The Fund’s portfolio managers are compensated by Standish or its affiliates and not by the Fund. Funding for Standish Annual Incentive Plan and Long Term Incentive Plan is through a pre-determined fixed percentage of overall company profitability. Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on Standish’s performance. The investment professionals are eligible to receive annual cash bonus awards from the incentive compensation plan. Annual awards are granted in March, for the prior calendar year. Individual awards for portfolio managers are discretionary, based on product performance relative to both benchmarks and peer comparisons and goals established at the beginning of each calendar year. Goals are to a substantial degree based on investment performance, including performance for one and three year periods. Also considered in determining individual awards are team participation and general contributions to Standish.

          All portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in the Standish Long Term Incentive Plan. This plan provides for an annual award, payable in deferred cash that cliff vests after three years, with an interest rate equal to the average year over year earnings growth of Standish (capped at 20% per year). Management has discretion with respect to actual participation.

          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 each primary portfolio manager of the Fund and assets under management in those accounts as of December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio
Manager

 

Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts

 

Assets
Managed

 

Pooled
Accounts

 

Assets
Managed

 

Other
Accounts

 

Assets
Managed

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Thomas F. Fahey

 

 

__

 

 

$_________

 

 

__

 

 

$__

 

 

__

 

 

$_______

 

David C. LeDuc

 

 

__

 

 

$_________

 

 

__

 

 

$__

 

 

__

 

 

$_______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          None of the funds or accounts are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

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

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Dollar Range of Fund Shares Beneficially Owned


 


Thomas F. Fahey

 

$0

David C. LeDuc

 

$0

          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 the Manager’s management of the Fund and Other Accounts. For example, conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of

B-37


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. The Manager 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.

          Dreyfus’ goal is to provide high quality investment services to all of its clients, while meeting its fiduciary obligation to treat all clients fairly. Dreyfus has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, that it believes address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition, Dreyfus monitors a variety of areas, including compliance with Fund guidelines, the allocation of IPOs, and compliance with the firm’s Code of Ethics. Furthermore, senior investment and business personnel at Dreyfus periodically review the performance of the portfolio managers for Dreyfus-managed funds.

          Expenses. All expenses incurred in the operation of the Company, with respect to the Fund, are borne by the Company, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The expenses borne by the Company, 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, 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 Company’s existence, costs attributable to investor services (including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), costs of shareholders’ reports and meetings, costs of preparing and printing prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders, and any extraordinary expenses. Expenses attributable to the Fund are charged against the assets of the Fund; other expenses of the Company are allocated among the

B-38


Fund and the Company’s other series on the basis determined by the Company’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 Company has agreed to pay the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 0.40% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Until October 25, 2007, the Fund was a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure and did not directly pay advisory fees but bore its pro rata share of such fees paid by its corresponding master portfolio. On such date, the Fund, which had owned 100% of the master portfolio in which it invested, withdrew entirely from the portfolio and received the portfolio’s securities and cash in exchange for its interest in the portfolio. Effective October 26, 2007, the Fund began investing directly in the securities in which its master portfolio had invested and entered into an agreement with Standish. On the Effective Date, Dreyfus was appointed to serve as the Fund’s investment adviser.

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

          For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, and for the period January 1, 2008 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 through November 30, 2008, the management fees payable to Standish by the Fund, the amounts waived by Standish and the net fee paid to Standish by the Fund were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/1/08-11/30/2008

 

2007*

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Fee
Payable

 

Reduction
In Fee

 

Net Fee

 

Fee
Payable

 

Reduction
In Fee

 

Net Fee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

153,742

 

$

142,960

 

$

10,782

 

$

161,717

 

$

105,228

 

$

56,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

*

Until October 25, 2007, the Fund was a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure and did not directly pay advisory fees but bore its pro rata share of such fees paid by its corresponding master portfolio. On such date, the Fund, which had owned 100% of the master portfolio in which it invested, withdrew entirely from the portfolio and received the portfolio’s securities and cash in exchange for its interest in the portfolio. Effective October 26, 2007, the Fund began investing directly in the securities in which its master portfolio had invested and entered into an agreement with Standish.


          For the period December 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the management fees payable to Dreyfus by the Fund, the amounts waived by Dreyfus and the net fee paid to Dreyfus by the Fund were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/1/2008-12/31/2008

 

2009

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Fee Payable

 

Reduction In Fee

 

Net Fee

 

Fee Payable

 

Reduction In Fee

 

Net Fee

 

 

 

$

14,381

 

$

11,858

 

$

2,523

 

$

______

 

$

______

 

$

______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          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 Company, which is renewable annually. The Distributor also serves as 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

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assets. The proceeds of the CDSC and fees pursuant to the Company’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.

          As Class A and Class C shares of the Fund were not offered as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, no information on retained sales loads and CDSCs is provided with respect to the Fund.

          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 or 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 sponsorship; 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, is the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement with the Company, the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of shareholder account records for 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

B-40


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, is the Fund’s custodian. 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 Company, the Custodian holds the Fund’s securities and keeps all necessary accounts and records. The Custodian also provides administration services to the Fund which include financial reporting, registered investment company compliance, and Board and tax reporting, and the Custodian is responsible for supervising the provision of transfer agent services to the Fund by the Transfer Agent and serves as liaison between the Company and its other services providers as agreed upon from time to time by the Company and the Custodian.

          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 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. Share certificates are issued only upon your written request. No certificates are issued for fractional 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, and (vi) advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available. Institutions effecting transactions in Class I shares for the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in connection with such transactions.

          The Company 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.

          When purchasing Fund shares, 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

B-41


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 Statement of Additional Information, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may charge their clients direct fees. You should consult your Service Agent in this regard. 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 Company’s Board, who elect to have all or a portion of their compensation for serving in that capacity automatically invested in the Fund. The Company 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 Company. 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 Company 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 Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan as described under “Shareholder

B-42


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 of the Fund 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

 

 

4.70

 

 

4.25

 

 

$50,000 to less than $100,000

 

4.00

 

 

4.20

 

 

3.75

 

 

$100,000 to less than $250,000

 

3.00

 

 

3.10

 

 

2.75

 

 

$250,000 to less than $500,000

 

2.50

 

 

2.60

 

 

2.25

 

 

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

 

2.00

 

 

2.00

 

 

1.75

 

 

$1,000,000 or more

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

 

-0-

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

*

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

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          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 the Fund’s Class A shares. The example assumes a purchase of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000, subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above at a price based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s Class A shares on December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, per share

 

$______

 

Per Share Sales Charge

 

 

 

Class A – 4.50% of offering price

 

 

 

(4.70% of net asset value per share)

 

$______

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share Offering Price to the Public

 

$______

 

 

 

          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 the Manager, 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

B-44


subsidiaries, directors of the Manager, Board members of a fund advised by the Manager or its affiliates, including members of the Company’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, (iii) a charitable organization (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code) investing $50,000 or more in Fund shares, and (iv) a charitable remainder trust (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code).

          Class 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 fund since on or before February 28, 2006.

          Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load with the cash proceeds from an investor’s exercise of employment-related stock options, 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 Distributor specifically relating to processing stock options. Upon establishing the account in the Fund or Dreyfus-managed money market fund, the investor and the investor’s spouse or minor children become eligible to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value, whether or not using the proceeds of the employment-related stock options.

          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 Dreyfus funds 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 4.00% of the offering price. All present holdings of Eligible Funds may be

B-45


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.

          Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may purchase Fund 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 the 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 Fund 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 of the Fund are subject to a Distribution Plan and Class A and Class C shares of the Fund are subject to a Shareholder Services Plan.

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          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 Company’s Board has adopted such a plan (the “Distribution Plan”) with respect to Class C shares of the Fund, pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for distributing Class C shares a fee 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 Company’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 Company’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. The Distribution Plan is subject to annual approval by such vote of the Board cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Plan. The Distribution Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Company’s 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.

          As Class C shares of the Fund were not offered as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, no information on Distribution Plan fees is provided with respect to the Fund.

          Shareholder Services Plan. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A and Class C shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor for the provision of certain services to the holders of such shares a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class A and Class C shares. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of such shareholder accounts. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Distributor may make payments to certain Service Agents in respect of these services.

          A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Shareholder Services Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the Board for its review. In addition, the Shareholder Services Plan provides that material amendments must be approved by the Company’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. As to 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 Company’s 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.

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          As Class A and Class C shares of the Fund were not offered as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, no information on Shareholder Services Plan fees is provided with respect to the Fund.

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 shares of the Fund 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 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.

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          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 Company’s Board determines to discontinue the waiver of the CDSC, the disclosure herein will be revised appropriately. Any Fund shares subject to a CDSC which were purchased prior to the termination of such waiver will have the CDSC waived, as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information at the time of the purchase of such shares.

          To qualify for a waiver of the CDSC, at the time of redemption you 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 Company will initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on the next business day after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the redemption request in proper form. Redemption proceeds ($1,000 minimum) will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the commercial bank account specified by you on the Account Application or Shareholder Services Form, or to a correspondent bank if your bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. Fees ordinarily are imposed by such bank and borne by the investor. Immediate notification by the correspondent bank to your bank is necessary to avoid a delay in crediting the funds to your bank account.

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

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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 1-800-554-4611.

          Redemption Commitment. The Company 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 Company’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 investments are 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

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          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 such other funds purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:

 

 

 

 

A.

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

 

 

 

 

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 from an Exchange Account only can be made into certain other funds managed or administered by the Manager. No CDSC is charged when an investor exchanges into an Exchange Account; however, the applicable CDSC will be imposed when shares are redeemed from an Exchange Account or other applicable fund account. Upon redemption, the applicable CDSC will be calculated without regard to the time such shares were held in an Exchange Account. See “How to Redeem Shares.” Redemption proceeds for Exchange Account shares are paid by Federal wire or check only. Exchange Account shares also are eligible for the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege 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

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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 Company reserves the right, upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, to charge shareholders a nominal administrative fee in accordance with rules promulgated by the 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 Company may suspend Fund Exchanges temporarily without notice and treat exchange requests based on their separate components--redemption orders with a simultaneous request to purchase the other fund’s shares. In such a case, the redemption request would be processed at the Fund’s next determined net asset value but the purchase order would be effective only at the net asset value next determined after the fund being purchased receives the proceeds of the redemption, which may result in the purchase being delayed.

          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 for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds may be obtained by calling 1-800-554-4611 or visiting www.dreyfus.com. The Company reserves the right to reject any exchange request in whole or in part. 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

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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 1-800-554-4611. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by you, the Company or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

          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

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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 1-800-554-4611.

          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 Company makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing plans, including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Company makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, 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.

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          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 fixed income investments (excluding short-term investments) are valued by one or more independent pricing services (the “Service”) approved by the Company’s Board. Securities valued by the Service for which quoted bid prices in the judgment of the Service are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market 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 investments is determined by the Service based on methods that 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. Short-term investments are not valued by the Service and are valued at the mean price or yield equivalent for such securities or for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type as obtained from market makers. Other investments that are not valued by the Service are valued at the last sales price for securities traded primarily on an exchange or the national securities market or otherwise at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currency will be translated into U.S. dollars at the midpoint of the New York interbank market spot exchange rate as quoted on the day of such translation by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if no such rate is quoted on such date, at the exchange rate previously quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or at such other quoted market exchange rate as may be determined to be appropriate by Dreyfus. Forward currency contracts will be valued at the current cost of offsetting the contract. If the Fund has to obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the calculation of net asset value may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of prices of a certain of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Short-term investments may be carried at amortized cost, which approximates value. Expenses and fees, including the management fee (reduced by the expense limitation, if any) and fees pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan, with respect to Class A and Class C shares only, and pursuant to the Distribution Plan, with respect to Class C shares only, are accrued daily and are taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of the relevant Class of shares. Because of the difference in operating expenses incurred by each Class, the per share net asset value of each Class will differ.

          Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which recent market quotations are not readily available, are not valued by the Service, or are determined by the Company not to reflect accurately fair value, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith based on procedures approved by the Company’s Board. Fair value of investments may be determined by the Company’s Board, its pricing committee or its valuation committee using such information as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. 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 or 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

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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. Restricted securities which are, or are convertible into, securities of the same class of securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued at market value less the same percentage discount at which purchased. This discount will be revised periodically by the Board if it believes that the discount no longer reflects the value of the restricted securities. Restricted securities not of the same class as securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued initially at cost. Any subsequent adjustment from cost will be based upon considerations deemed relevant by the Board

          New York Stock Exchange Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

          Management believes that the Fund has qualified for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code for its most recent fiscal year end. The Fund intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders. As a RIC, the Fund will pay no Federal income tax on net investment income and net realized securities gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things: (a) derive in each taxable year 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” (as defined in the Code) (all such income items, “qualifying income”); (b) diversify its holdings 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 “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code); and (c) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) to its shareholders each taxable year. If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, it will be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary corporation subject to Federal income tax. The term “regulated investment company” does not imply the supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency.

          The Fund ordinarily declares and pays dividends from its net investment income quarterly, and distributes net realized capital gains, if any, once a year. The Fund, however, may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. Shares begin earning income dividends on the day Federal Funds are received by the Transfer Agent. If a purchase order is not accompanied by remittance in Federal Funds, there may be a delay between the time the purchase order becomes effective and the time the shares purchased start earning dividends. If your payment is not made in Federal Funds, it must be converted into Federal Funds. This usually occurs within one business day of receipt of a bank wire and within two business days of receipt of a check drawn on a member bank of the Federal Reserve

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System. Checks drawn on banks which are not members of the Federal Reserve system may take considerably longer to convert into Federal Funds. If you redeem all shares in your account at any time during the month, all dividends to which you are entitled will be paid to you along with the proceeds of the redemption. If you are an omnibus accountholder and indicate in a partial redemption request that a portion of any accrued dividends to which such account is entitled belongs to an underlying accountholder who has redeemed all shares in his or her account, such portion of the accrued dividends will be paid to you along with the proceeds of the redemption, after the deduction of any fees.

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

          Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor’s purchase 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 the Fund for six months or less and has received a capital gain distribution with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain distribution received.

          The Fund may qualify for and may make an election under which shareholders may be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their Federal income tax returns for, and will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of qualified taxes incurred or paid by the Fund to foreign countries. The Fund may make that election provided that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of the taxable year consists of securities in foreign corporations and the Fund satisfies certain distribution requirements. The foreign tax credit available to shareholders is subject to certain limitations.

          Investment income that may be received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes withheld at the source. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If the Fund qualifies as a RIC, the Fund satisfies the 90% distribution requirement and more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each shareholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes and therefore would 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 Fund shares for less than a specified minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss, (ii) is obligated to make payments related to the dividends or (iii) holds Fund shares in arrangements in which the shareholder’s expected economic profits after non-U.S. taxes are insubstantial, will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes deemed imposed on dividends paid on such shares. Additionally, the Fund also must meet this holding period requirement with respect to its foreign stock and securities in order for “creditable” taxes

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to flow-through. Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser regarding the potential application of foreign tax credits.

          Ordinarily, gains and losses realized by a Fund from portfolio transactions will be treated as capital gains and losses. However, a portion of the gain or loss realized from the disposition of foreign currencies (including foreign currency denominated bank deposits) and non-U.S. dollar denominated securities (including debt instruments and certain futures or forward contracts and options) may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities may be treated as ordinary income or loss. In addition, all or a portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition of certain market discount bonds will be treated as ordinary income. Finally, all or a portion of the gain realized from engaging in “conversion transactions” (generally including certain transactions designed to convert ordinary income into capital gain) may be treated as ordinary income.

          Gain or loss, if any, realized by the Fund from certain financial futures or forward contracts and options transactions (“Section 1256 contracts”) will be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss will arise upon exercise or lapse of Section 1256 contracts as well as from closing transactions. In addition, any Section 1256 contracts remaining unexercised at the end of the Fund’s taxable year will be treated as sold for their then fair market value, resulting in additional gain or loss to the Fund.

          Offsetting positions held by the Fund involving certain financial futures or forward contracts or options transactions with respect to actively traded personal property may be considered, for tax purposes, to constitute “straddles.” To the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by the Fund, losses realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in the offsetting position. In addition, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gains on straddle positions may be treated as short-term capital gains or ordinary income. Certain of the straddle positions held by the Fund may constitute “mixed straddles.” The Fund may make one or more elections with respect to the treatment of “mixed straddles,” resulting in different tax consequences. In certain circumstances, the provisions governing the tax treatment of straddles override or modify certain of the provisions discussed above.

          If the Fund either (1) holds an appreciated financial position with respect to stock, certain debt obligations, or partnership interests (“appreciated financial position”) and then enters into a short sale, futures, forward, or offsetting notional principal contract (collectively, a “Contract”) with respect to the same or substantially identical property or (2) holds an appreciated financial position that is a Contract and then acquires property that is the same as, or substantially identical to, the underlying property, the Fund generally will be taxed as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date the Fund enters into the financial position or acquires the property, respectively. The foregoing will not apply, however, to any transaction during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is the Fund’s risk of loss regarding that position reduced by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as having an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale, or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).

          If the Fund enters into certain derivatives (including forward contracts, long positions under notional principal contracts, and related puts and calls) with respect to equity interests in certain pass-thru

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entities (including other regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships, real estate mortgage investment conduits and certain trusts and foreign corporations), long-term capital gain with respect to the derivative may be recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent it exceeds the long-term capital gain that would have been realized had the interest in the pass-thru entity been held directly by the Fund during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain recharacterized as ordinary income will be treated as accruing at a constant rate over the term of the derivative contract and may be subject to an interest charge. The Treasury has authority to issue regulations expanding the application of these rules to derivatives with respect to debt instruments and/or stock in corporations that are not pass-thru entities.

          If the Fund invests in an entity that is classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for Federal income tax purposes, the operation of certain provisions of the Code applying to PFICs could result in the imposition of certain Federal income taxes on the Fund. In addition, gain realized from the sale or other disposition of PFIC securities may be treated as ordinary income.

          Investment by the Fund in securities issued or acquired at a discount, or providing for deferred interest or for payment of interest in the form of additional obligations could under special tax rules affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders by causing the Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments. For example, the Fund could be required each year to accrue a portion of the discount (or deemed discount) at which the securities were issued and to distribute such income in order to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company. In such case, the Fund may have to dispose of securities which it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash to satisfy the distribution requirements.

          Federal regulations require that you provide a certified taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) upon opening or reopening an account. See the Account Application for further information concerning this requirement. Failure to furnish a certified TIN to the Company could subject you to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

          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 with 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.

          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

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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 the Fund are made independently from those of the other investment companies and accounts advised by Dreyfus and its affiliates. If, however, such other investment companies or accounts desire to invest in, or dispose of, the same securities as the Fund, Dreyfus or its affiliates may, but are not required to, aggregate (or “bunch”) orders that are placed or received concurrently for more than one investment company or account and available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated equitability to each. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by the Fund or the price paid or received by the Fund. 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.

          Dreyfus may buy for the Fund securities of issuers in which other investment companies or accounts advised by Dreyfus or BNY Mellon and its other affiliates have made, or are making, an investment in securities that are subordinate or senior to the securities purchased for the Fund. For example, the Fund may invest in debt securities of an issuer at the same time that other investment companies 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 BNY Mellon or its affiliates (including Dreyfus) relating to what actions are to be taken may raise conflicts of interests and Dreyfus or BNY Mellon and its other affiliates may take actions for certain accounts that have negative impacts on other advisory accounts, including the Fund.

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

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          Funds and accounts managed by the Manager, an affiliated entity or a sub-investment 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.

          Brokerage Commissions. The Company contemplates that, consistent with the policy of seeking best price and execution, brokerage transactions may be conducted through affiliates of the Manager or Sub-Adviser (as applicable). The Board has adopted procedures in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to affiliates of the Manager are reasonable and fair.

          For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the amounts paid by the Fund for total brokerage commissions were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage Commissions Paid*

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

$______

 

 

$577

 

 

$3,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

*

Until October 25, 2007, the Fund was a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure and did not directly pay brokerage commissions but bore its pro rata share of brokerage commissions paid by its corresponding master portfolio. On such date, the Fund, which had owned 100% of the master portfolio in which it invested, withdrew entirely from the portfolio and received the portfolio’s securities and cash in exchange for its interest in the portfolio. Effective October 26, 2007, the Fund began investing directly in the securities in which its master portfolio had invested.

          The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of seeking best price and execution, brokerage transactions may be conducted through affiliates of the Manager. The Board has adopted procedures in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to affiliates of the Manager are reasonable and fair.

          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. As of December 31, 2009, the Fund held securities of their regular brokers or dealers.

          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

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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 holdings 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 a Fund’s portfolio holdings may be authorized only by the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, and any exceptions to this policy are reported quarterly to the Company’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 the Manager the authority to vote proxies of companies held in the fund’s portfolio. The Manager, through its participation on the BNY Mellon’s Proxy Policy Committee (the “PPC”), applies BNY Mellon’s Proxy Voting Policy, related procedures, and voting guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of the funds.

          The Manager recognizes that an investment adviser is a fiduciary that owes its clients, including funds it manages, a duty of utmost good faith and full and fair disclosure of all material facts. An investment adviser’s duty of loyalty requires an adviser to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best financial and economic interest of its clients and precludes the adviser from subrogating the clients’ interests to its own. In addition, an investment adviser voting proxies on behalf of a fund must do so in a manner consistent with the best financial and economic interests of the fund and its shareholders.

          The Manager seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest by participating in the PPC, which applies detailed, pre-determined written proxy voting guidelines (the “Voting Guidelines”) in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by a third party vendor, and without consideration of any client relationship factors. Further, the Manager and its affiliates engage a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for BNY Mellon securities and proxies of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager or its affiliates (including the Dreyfus Family of Funds), and may engage an independent fiduciary to vote proxies of other issuers in the Manager’s and its affiliates’ discretion.

          All proxies received by the funds are reviewed, categorized, analyzed and voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines. The guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and any changes in BNY Mellon’s or the Manager’s policies on specific issues. Items that can be categorized under the Voting Guidelines are 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, for example, new proposals arising from emerging economic or regulatory issues, 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. With regard to

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voting proxies of foreign companies, the Manager weighs the cost of voting and potential inability to sell the securities (which may occur during the voting process) against the benefit of voting the proxies to determine whether or not to vote. With respect to securities lending transactions, the Manager seeks to balance the economic benefits of continuing to participate in an open securities lending transaction against the inability to vote proxies.

          When evaluating proposals, the PPC recognizes that the management of a publicly-held company may need protection from the market’s frequent focus on short-term considerations, so as to be able to concentrate on such long-term goals as productivity and development of competitive products and services. In addition, the PPC generally supports proposals designed to provide management with short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable them to bargain effectively with potential suitors to the extent such proposals are discrete and not bundled with other proposals. The PPC 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 management and voting on matters which properly come to a shareholder vote. However, the PPC generally opposes proposals designed to insulate an issuer’s management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of shareholders.

          On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, the PPC attempts to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues. Responsiveness will be 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. The PPC will pay particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment in the intervening period to take actions on issues. With respect to funds having investment policies that require proxies to be cast in a certain manner on particular social responsibility issues, proposals relating to such issues are evaluated and voted separately by the fund’s portfolio manager in accordance with such policies, rather than pursuant to the PPC process described above.

          In evaluating proposals regarding incentive plans and restricted stock plans, the PPC typically employs a shareholder value transfer model. This model seeks to assess the amount of shareholder equity flowing out of the company to executives as options are exercised. After determining the cost of the plan, the PPC evaluates whether the cost is reasonable based on a number of factors, including industry classification and historical performance information. The PPC generally votes against proposals that permit or are silent on the repricing or replacement of stock options without shareholder approval or that are silent on repricing and the Company has a history of repricing stock options in a manner that the PPC believes is detrimental to its shareholders.

          Information regarding how proxies were voted for the Fund is available on the Dreyfus Family of Fund’s website at http://www.dreyfus.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov on the Company’s Form N-PX filed with the SEC.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY 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, subscription, or conversion rights and are freely transferable.

          The Company is organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of the Fund, under certain circumstances, could be held personally liable for the obligations of that Fund. However, the Company’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Trust Agreement”) disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Company and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement,

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obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Company or a Trustee. The Trust Agreement 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company to hold a special meeting of shareholders for purposes of removing a Board member from office. Shareholders may remove a Board member by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Company’s outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Board will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Board members if, at any time, less than a majority of the Board members then holding office have been elected by shareholders.

          The Company is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios, each of which is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act and for other purposes. A shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. For certain matters shareholders vote together as a group; as to others they vote separately by portfolio.

          All consideration received by the Company for shares of a series, and all assets in which such consideration is invested, will belong to that series (subject only to the rights of creditors of the Company) and will be subject to the liabilities related thereto. The income attributable to, and the expenses of, a series will be treated separately from those of the other series of the Company. The Company has the ability to create, from time to time, new series without shareholder approval.

          Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted under the provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law or otherwise to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company, such as the Company, will not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each series in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of such series. 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 the Rule.

          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 Company will take no other action with respect to Fund

B-64


shares until it receives further instructions from the investor. While the Company 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 Company changed its name from “Mellon Institutional Funds Investment Trust” to its current name, and the Fund changed its name from “Standish Mellon Global Fixed Income Fund” to “Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund.” Effective September 1, 2009, the Fund’s existing class of shares was redesignated as Class I shares of the Fund.

          The Fund sends 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, serves as counsel to the Fund.

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

          ________________, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, an independent registered public accounting firm, was appointed by the Trustees to serve as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2009, providing audit and other services including (1) examination 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 Funds.

B-65


Appendix A

Rating Categories

          Description of certain ratings assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”):

S&P

Long-term

AAA

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.

AA

An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A

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.

BBB

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.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

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.

BB

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.

B

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.

CCC

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.

A-1


CC

An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C

A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘C’ rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. A ‘C’ also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.

D

An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation 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.

r

The symbol ‘r’ is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include: obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities; obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk—such as interest-only or principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky interest terms, such as inverse floaters.

N.R.

The designation ‘N.R.’ 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.

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

Short-term

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 sign (+) 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.

A-2


Commercial paper

A-1

This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

A-2

Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated ‘A-1’.

A-3

Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for timely payment. The are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

B

Issues rated B are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.

C

This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.

D

Debt rated ‘D’ is payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the due date, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes such payments will be made during such grace period.

Moody’s

Long-term

Aaa

Bonds rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa

Bonds rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the ‘Aaa’ group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in ‘Aaa’ securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the ‘Aaa’ securities.

A

Bonds rated ‘A’ possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa

Bonds rated ‘Baa’ are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor

A-3


poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba

Bonds rated ‘Ba’ are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B

Bonds rated ‘B’ generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa

Bonds rated ‘Caa’ are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca

Bonds rated ‘Ca’ represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C

Bonds rated ‘C’ are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in 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.

Prime rating system (short-term)

Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:

          Leading market positions in well-established industries.

          High rates of return on funds employed.

          Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.

          Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.

          Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser

A-4


degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

MIG/VMIG—U.S. short-term

Municipal debt issuance ratings are designated as Moody’s Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels — MIG 1 through MIG 3.

The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) is designated as VMIG. When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

MIG 1/VMIG 1

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2/VMIG 2

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3/VMIG 3

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Fitch

Long-term investment grade

AAA

Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA

Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A-5


A

High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB

Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.

Long-term speculative grade

BB

Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B

Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC, CC, C

High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. ‘CC’ ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable. ‘C’ ratings signal imminent default.

DDD, DD, D

Default. The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. ‘DDD’ obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90% - 100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. ‘DD’ ratings indicate potential recoveries in the range of 50% - 90% and ‘D’ the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.

Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated ‘DDD’ have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated ‘DD’ and ‘D’ are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated ‘DD’ are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated ‘D’ have a poor prospect of repaying all obligations.

Short-term

A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1

Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

A-6


F2

Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3

Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitment is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction non-investment grade.

B

Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C

High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D

Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.

‘NR’ indicates that Fitch does not rate the issuer or issue in question.

Notes to long-term and short-term ratings: A plus (+) or minus (-) sign designation may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ long-term rating category, to categories below ‘CCC’, or to short-term ratings other than ‘F1.’

A-7



 


 

DREYFUS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

DREYFUS/STANDISH FIXED INCOME FUND

DREYFUS/STANDISH INTERNATIONAL FIXED INCOME FUND

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

MAY 1, 2010


          This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of Dreyfus/Standish Fixed Income Fund (“Fixed Income Fund”), and Dreyfus/Standish International Fixed Income Fund (“International Fixed Income Fund”) (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), dated May 1, 2010, each a separate series of Dreyfus Investment Funds (the “Company”), as each Prospectus may be revised from time to time. To obtain a copy of a 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 1-800-645-6561.

          Each Fund’s most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders are separate documents supplied with this Statement of Additional Information, and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of the independent registered public accounting firm appearing in the Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 


 

 

 

Description of the Company and Funds

 

B-2

Management of the Company and Funds

 

B-31

Management Arrangements

 

B-37

How to Buy Shares

 

B-44

How to Redeem Shares

 

B-46

Shareholder Services

 

B-47

Determination of Net Asset Value

 

B-48

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

 

B-49

Portfolio Transactions

 

B-52

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

 

B-56

Information About the Company and Funds

 

B-57

Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

B-59

Appendix A

 

B-60



DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY AND FUNDS

          The Company is a Massachusetts business trust that was formed on August 13, 1986. Each Fund is a separate series of the Company, an open-end management investment company, known as a mutual fund. Fixed Income Fund is a diversified fund, 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). International Fixed Income Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means that the Fund may, with respect to up to 50% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer.

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

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

Certain Portfolio Securities

          The following information supplements (except as noted) and should be read in conjunction with the relevant Fund’s Prospectus.


          Corporate Debt Securities. (All Funds) 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.

          Convertible Securities. (All Funds) Convertible securities may be converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of common stock. Convertible securities have characteristics similar to both fixed-income and equity securities. Convertible securities generally are subordinated to other similar but non-convertible securities of the same issuer, although convertible bonds, as corporate debt obligations, enjoy seniority in right of payment to all equity securities, and convertible preferred stock is senior to common stock, of the same issuer. Because of the subordination feature, however, convertible securities typically have lower ratings than similar non-convertible securities.

          Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.

          Convertible securities provide for a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks, but there can be no assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible

B-2


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.

          Each 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, a 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.

          Preferred Stock. (All Funds) Each 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, a Fund can receive a steady stream of dividends and still have the option to convert the preferred stock to common stock.

          Each 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. Each 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.

          Variable and Floating Rate Securities. (All Funds) 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.

          Each 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.

          Each 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

B-3


security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality. Investing in inverse floaters involves leveraging which may magnify gains or losses.

          Foreign Securities. (All Funds) International Fixed Income Fund invests primarily, and Fixed Income Fund may invest to a limited extent, in foreign securities. Typically, these will be debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign companies or by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, including supranational entities. “Foreign securities” include equity and debt securities of companies organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments other than the U.S. Government or by foreign supranational entities. They also include securities 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 significant portion of their assets abroad. 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. 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.

          Although the Funds invest primarily in securities of established issuers based in developed foreign countries, they may also invest in securities of issuers in emerging markets, including issuers in Asia (including Russia), eastern Europe, Latin and South America, the Mediterranean and Africa. In emerging markets, a Fund may purchase debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, including participation 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 (“Sovereign Debt Obligations”). These include Brady Bonds, Structured Securities, and Participation Interests and Assignments (as defined below). Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets generally, with a limit of 3% of its total assets invested in the securities of issuers located in any one emerging market country. International Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets generally, with a limit of 7% of its total assets invested in the securities of issuers located in any one emerging market country. These limitations do not apply to investments denominated or quoted in the Euro. International Fixed Income Fund considers emerging markets to be those countries listed in the Barclays Capital Global Emerging Market Index. Each 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. (All Funds) Each 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 a 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

B-4


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. (All Funds) Each 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 Funds 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. (All Funds). Each 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.” Each 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 to herein as “Intermediate Participants.”

          Each 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. A 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

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claims of the Agent Bank’s creditors. In such case, a 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.

          Each 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 a 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. A 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 a Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio and calculating its net asset value (“NAV”).

          Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Investments. (All Funds) Each 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. A 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.

          Warrants. (International Fixed Income Fund only) 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.

          Common Stock and Other Equity Securities. (International Fixed Income Fund only) 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

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such securities until the Manager determines it is appropriate in light of current market conditions for the Fund to dispose of such securities.

          Investment Companies. (All Funds) Each 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”), a Fund’s investment in such securities, subject to certain exceptions, currently is limited to (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets in the aggregate. As a shareholder of another investment company, a 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. Each 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. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (collectively, “ETFs”), which are designed typically 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”). 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. These types of 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 the underlying common stocks, including the risk that the component stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of ETFs invested in by a Fund. Moreover, a 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.

          Zero-Coupon, Pay-In-Kind and Step-Up Securities. (All Funds) Each 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. Each Fund may invest in pay-in-kind bonds, which are bonds that generally pay interest through the issuance of additional bonds. Each 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

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securities that pay interest periodically having similar maturities and credit qualities. In addition, unlike bonds that pay cash interest throughout the period to maturity, a 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 “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”

          Mortgage-Related Securities. (All Funds) Mortgage-related securities are a form of derivative collateralized by pools of commercial or residential mortgages. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by various governmental, government-related and private organizations. These securities may include complex instruments such as collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities, mortgage pass-through securities, interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), adjustable rate mortgages, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), or other kinds of mortgage-backed securities, including those with fixed, floating and variable interest rates, those with interest rates based on multiples of changes in a specified index of interest rates and those with interest rates that change inversely to changes in interest rates, as well as those that do not bear interest.

Residential Mortgage-Related Securities—Each Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities representing participation interests in pools of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by governmental agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), or issued by private entities. Residential mortgage-related securities have been issued using a variety of structures, including multi-class structures featuring senior and subordinated classes.

          Mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Ginnie Maes”) which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA certificates also are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Fannie Maes”) which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as “Freddie Macs” or “PCs”). Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Bank and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable. In September 2008, the Federal Housing Financing Agency placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship and the U.S. Treasury, through a secured lending credit facility and a senior preferred stock purchase agreement, enhanced the ability of each agency to meet its obligations.

Commercial Mortgage-Related Securities—Each Fund may invest in commercial mortgage-related securities which generally are multi-class debt or pass-through certificates secured by mortgage loans on

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commercial properties. These mortgage-related securities generally are structured to provide protection to holders of the senior classes against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. This protection generally is provided by having the holders of subordinated classes of securities (“Subordinated Securities”) take the first loss if there are defaults on the underlying commercial mortgage loans. Other protection, which may benefit all of the classes or particular classes, may include issuer guarantees, reserve funds, additional Subordinated Securities, cross-collateralization and over-collateralization.

Subordinated Securities—Each Fund may invest in Subordinated Securities issued or sponsored by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, private mortgage insurance companies and other non-governmental issuers. Subordinated Securities have no governmental guarantee, and are subordinated in some manner as to the payment of principal and/or interest to the holders of more senior mortgage-related securities arising out of the same pool of mortgages. The holders of Subordinated Securities typically are compensated with a higher stated yield than are the holders of more senior mortgage-related securities. On the other hand, Subordinated Securities typically subject the holder to greater risk than senior mortgage-related securities and tend to be rated in a lower rating category, and frequently a substantially lower rating category, than the senior mortgage-related securities issued in respect of the same pool of mortgage. Subordinated Securities generally are likely to be more sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates and the market for such securities may be less liquid than is the case for traditional fixed-income securities and senior mortgage-related securities.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) and Multi-Class Pass-Through-Securities—Each Fund may invest in CMOs which are multiclass bonds backed by pools of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs may be collateralized by (a) Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac pass-through certificates, (b) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, (c) unsecuritized conventional mortgages, (d) other mortgage-related securities, or (e) any combination thereof.

          Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final distribution dates. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates which reset periodically at a specified increment over an index, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (or sometimes more than one index). These floating rate CMOs typically are issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. Each Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate CMOs. Inverse floating rate CMOs constitute a tranche of a CMO with a coupon rate that moves in the reverse direction to an applicable index such as LIBOR. Accordingly, the coupon rate thereon will increase as interest rates decrease. Inverse floating rate CMOs are typically more volatile than fixed or floating rate tranches of CMOs.

          Many inverse floating rate CMOs have coupons that move inversely to a multiple of the applicable indices. The effect of the coupon varying inversely to a multiple of an applicable index creates a leverage factor. Inverse floaters 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 loss of principal. The markets for inverse floating rate CMOs with highly leveraged characteristics at times may be very thin. A Fund’s ability to dispose of its positions in such securities will depend on the degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. It is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in such securities, and therefore the future degree of liquidity.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities—Each Fund also may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities which are created by segregating the cash flows from underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to

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create two or more new securities, each with a specified percentage of the underlying security’s principal or interest payments. Mortgage securities may be partially stripped so that each investor class receives some interest and some principal. When securities are completely stripped, however, all of the interest is distributed to holders of one type of security, known as an interest-only security, or IO, and all of the principal is distributed to holders of another type of security known as a principal-only security, or PO. Strips can be created in a pass-through structure or as tranches of a CMO. The yields to maturity on IOs and POs are very sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying mortgage assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on POs could be materially and adversely affected.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Loans (“ARMs”)—Each Fund may invest in ARMs. ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool will generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time, generally for either the first three, six, twelve, thirteen, thirty-six, or sixty scheduled monthly payments. Thereafter, the interest rates are subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in an index. ARMs typically have minimum and maximum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the loans. Certain ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Negatively amortizing ARMs may provide limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments that are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a negatively amortizing ARM by its maturity at the interest rate in effect during any particular month.

Private Entity Securities—Each Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities issued by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, private mortgage insurance companies and other non-governmental issuers. Timely payment of principal and interest on mortgage-related securities backed by pools created by non-governmental issuers often is supported partially by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance. The insurance and guarantees are issued by government entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. There can be no assurance that the private insurers or mortgage poolers can meet their obligations under the policies, so that if the issuers default on their obligations the holders of the security could sustain a loss. No insurance or guarantee covers a Fund or the price of the Fund’s shares. Mortgage-related securities issued by nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government-agency and government-related securities because there are no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment.

Other Mortgage-Related Securities—Other mortgage-related securities in which a Fund may invest include securities other than those described above that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property, including CMO residuals. Other mortgage-related securities may be equity or debt securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks, partnerships, trusts and special purpose entities of the foregoing.

          Real Estate Investment Trusts. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in 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

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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 is 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.

          Asset-Backed Securities. (All Funds) 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. (All Funds) Each 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 (“CLO”) or collateralized bond obligation (“CBO”) 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.

          Municipal Obligations. (All Funds) Municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, or multistate agencies or authorities, generally to obtain funds for various public purposes and include certain industrial development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities. Municipal obligations are classified as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and notes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenue derived from a

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particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Industrial development bonds, in most cases, are revenue bonds that do not carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality, but generally are guaranteed by the corporate entity on whose behalf they are issued. Notes are short-term instruments which are obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues. Municipal obligations include municipal lease/purchase agreements which are similar to installment purchase contracts for property or equipment issued by municipalities. Municipal obligations bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest, which are determined in some instances by formulas under which the municipal obligation’s interest rate will change directly or inversely to changes in interest rates or an index, or multiples thereof, in many cases subject to a maximum and minimum. Certain municipal obligations are subject to redemption at a date earlier than their stated maturity pursuant to call options, which may be separated from the related municipal obligation and purchased and sold separately. The Fund also may acquire call options on specific municipal obligations. The Fund generally would purchase these call options to protect the Fund from the issuer of the related municipal obligation redeeming, or other holder of the call option from calling away, the municipal obligation before maturity.

          While, in general, municipal obligations are tax exempt securities having relatively low yields as compared to taxable, non-municipal obligations of similar quality, certain municipal obligations are taxable obligations, offering yields comparable to, and in some cases greater than, the yields available on other permissible Fund investments. Dividends received by shareholders on Fund shares which are attributable to interest income received by the Fund from municipal obligations generally will be subject to Federal income tax. Each Fund may invest in municipal obligations, the ratings of which correspond with the ratings of other permissible Fund investments. The Fixed Income Fund currently intends to invest no more than 10% of its assets in municipal obligations. However, this percentage may be varied from time to time without shareholder approval.

          U.S. Government Securities. (All Funds) Each 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, each 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. (All Funds) When the Manager determines that adverse market conditions exist, a Fund may adopt a temporary defensive position and invest some or all of its assets in money market instruments, including U.S. Government securities, repurchase agreements, bank obligations and commercial paper. A Fund also may purchase money market instruments when it has cash reserves or in anticipation of taking a market position.

Bank Obligations. (All Funds) Bank obligations 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

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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.

Commercial Paper. (All Funds) Each 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. Commercial paper may consist of U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic issuers and foreign currency-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign issuers. Commercial paper in which the Funds invest will be rated at the time of purchase P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”, and, together with Moody’s and S&P, the “Rating Agencies”) or, if unrated, determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality.

Repurchase Agreements. (All Funds) Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 5%, and International Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 25%, of their respective net assets in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which a 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. A Fund entering into a repurchase agreement 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.

          Illiquid Securities. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, and certain privately negotiated, non-exchange traded options and securities used to cover such options. As to these securities, a Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s net assets could be adversely affected.

Investment Techniques

          The following information supplements (except as noted) and should be read in conjunction with the relevant Fund’s Prospectus.

          Foreign Currency Transactions. (All Funds) Each 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 or reduce exposure to the foreign currency for investment purposes. No more than 10% of the Fixed Income Fund’s total assets will be invested in foreign securities not subject to hedging transactions back into U.S. dollars.

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          Foreign currency transactions may involve, for example, a Fund’s purchase of foreign currencies for U.S. dollars or the maintenance of short positions in foreign currencies. A short position would involve a Fund agreeing to exchange an amount of a currency it did not currently own for another currency at a future date in anticipation of a decline in the value of the currency sold relative to the currency the Fund contracted to receive. A Fund’s success in these transactions may depend on the Manager’s ability to predict accurately the future exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.

          Each 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 a 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. (All Funds) Each Fund may borrow in an amount up to 15% of the value of the respective Fund’s total assets. Each Fund currently intends to borrow money only for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes. While such borrowings exceed 5% of the value of a Fund’s total assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments. In addition, Fixed Income 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. (Fixed Income Fund only) 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (“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.

          Short-Selling. (All Funds) In these transactions, a Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. 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.

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          A Fund will not sell securities short if, after effect is given to any short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would exceed 5% of the value of a Fund’s net assets. A Fund also may make short sales “against the box,” in which the Fund enters into a short sale of a security it owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost at the time of the sale.

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


          Derivatives. (All Funds) Each Fund may invest in, or enter into, derivatives 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. Derivatives may provide a cheaper, quicker or more specifically focused way for a Fund to invest than “traditional” securities would. Examples of derivative instruments a Fund may use include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements. A Fund’s portfolio managers may decide not to employ any 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 a Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is exposed in much the same way as the Fund can increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making investments in specific securities. However, derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on a Fund’s performance.

          If a Fund invests in derivatives at inopportune times or judges market conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund’s return or result in a loss. A Fund also could experience losses if its derivatives were poorly correlated with 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. By contrast, no clearing agency guarantees over-the-counter derivatives. Therefore, each party to an over-the-counter derivative bears the risk that the counterparty will default. Accordingly, the Manager will consider the creditworthiness of counterparties to over-the-counter derivatives in the same manner as it would review the credit quality of a security to be purchased by a Fund. Over-the-counter derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives since the other party to the transaction may be the only investor with sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested in bidding for it.

          Some derivatives a 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

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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, a 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, a 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, a 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, a 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 Company nor any of the Funds will be a commodity pool. The Company 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 Company nor any of the Funds is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

Futures Transactions–In General. (All Funds) A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security or commodity 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 or commodity. 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 or commodities, 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 or commodity 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.


          Each Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or, if applicable, on exchanges located outside the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits a Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the currency exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes.

          Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to a Fund which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s net assets. Although the Funds intend 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

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

          Each Fund may purchase and sell securities index futures contracts and options thereon. A securities 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.

          Each 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.

          Each 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.

          Each Fund may make investments in Eurodollar contracts. Eurodollar contracts are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. A Fund might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed-income instruments are linked.

Options–In General. (All Funds) Each 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

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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. A Fund receives a premium from writing covered call or put options which it retains whether or not the option is exercised.

          There is no assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a liquid secondary market on a securities exchange will exist for any particular option or at any particular time, and for some options no such secondary market may exist. A liquid secondary market in an option may cease to exist for a variety of reasons. In the past, for example, higher than anticipated trading activity or order flow, or other unforeseen events, at times have rendered certain of the clearing facilities inadequate and resulted in the institution of special procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of orders or trading halts or suspensions in one or more options. There can be no assurance that similar events, or events that may otherwise interfere with the timely execution of customers’ orders, will not recur. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options. If, as a covered call option writer, the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise or it otherwise covers its position.


Specific Options Transactions. Each Fund may purchase and sell call and put options in respect of specific securities (or groups or “baskets” of specific securities), including, as applicable, fixed income or 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 traded 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.

          Each 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.

          Each 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 a 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, a Fund may incur losses.

Swap Transactions and Other Credit Derivatives. (All Funds) Each Fund may engage in swap transactions, including, as applicable, interest rate swaps, interest rate locks, caps, collars and floors, credit default swaps, currency swaps, and index swap agreements and other credit derivative products, to seek to mitigate risk, manage maturity and duration, reduce portfolio turnover, or obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to a Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in an instrument that yielded

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the desired return. Each Fund also may enter into options on swap agreements, sometimes called “swaptions.” Swap agreements will tend to shift a Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if a 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 a Fund are cash settled and calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Thus, a 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”). A 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 a 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 a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

          A 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, a 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).

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          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.

          A 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.

          A 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 other 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 applicable market factors, or a counterparty defaults, the investment performance of a 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 a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

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          A Fund will enter into swap and other credit derivatives transactions only when the Manager believes it would be in the best interests of the Fund to do so. In addition, a Fund will enter into swap agreements and other credit derivative transactions 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).

Structured Notes and Other Hybrid Instruments. (All Funds) 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 a 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 a Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the NAV of the Fund.

          It is expected that not more than 5% of each Fund’s net assets will be at risk as a result of investments in structured notes and hybrid instruments.

Combined Transactions. (All Funds) Each Fund may enter into multiple transactions (as applicable), including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts), multiple swap transactions and multiple interest rate transactions, structured notes and any combination of futures, options, swaps, currency, and interest rate transactions (“component” transactions), instead of a single strategic transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the Manager’s opinion, it is in the best interests of a 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. (All Funds) A 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

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for the Fund. Before a Fund enters into such transactions or makes any such investment, the Fund will provide appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information.


          Lending Portfolio Securities. (All Funds) Each Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. 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%, in the case of Fixed Income Fund, or 20% (with a 10% limit for any borrower), in the case of International Fixed Income Fund, of the value of the respective 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. Each Fund may participate in a securities lending program operated by The Bank of New York Mellon, 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. A 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.

          Forward Commitments. (All Funds) Each Fund may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, which means that delivery and payment take place in the future after the date of the commitment to purchase or cell. International Fixed Income Fund may commit up to 25% of its net assets to purchase such securities. The payment obligation and the interest rate receivable on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery security are fixed when the Fund enters into the commitment, but the Fund does not make payment until it receives delivery from the counterparty. The Fund will commit to purchase such securities only with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. The Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal at all times to the amount of the Fund’s purchase commitments.

          Securities purchased on a forward commitment, 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.

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          Forward Roll Transactions. (All Funds) To enhance current income, each Fund may enter into forward roll transactions with respect to mortgage-related securities. International Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in forward roll transactions. In a forward roll transaction, the Fund sells a mortgage-related security to a financial institution, such as a bank or broker-dealer, and simultaneously agrees to purchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed upon price. The securities that are purchased will bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different pre-payment histories than those sold. During the period between the sale and purchase, the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Proceeds of the sale typically will be invested in short-term instruments, particularly repurchase agreements, and the income from these investments, together with any additional fee income received on the sale will be expected to generate income for the Fund exceeding the yield on the securities sold. Forward roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the purchase price of those securities. The Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the repurchase price (including accrued interest).

Certain Investment Considerations and Risks

          Foreign Securities. (All Funds) 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 foreign 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

B-23



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 shareholders have no access to the Fund.

          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.

          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 or the Manager and its affiliates and clients and other service providers. A 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.

          Moreover, no established secondary markets may exist for many of the Sovereign Debt Obligations in which a Fund may invest. Reduced secondary market liquidity may have an adverse effect on the market price and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular instruments when necessary to meet its liquidity requirements or in response to specific economic events such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain Sovereign Debt Obligations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio. Market quotations are generally available on many Sovereign Debt Obligations only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of those dealers or prices of actual sales.

          Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by American Depositary Receipts 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 relevant Fund’s Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information that apply to foreign securities traded and held abroad. A U.S. dollar investment in American Depositary Receipts 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.

B-24


          Mortgage-Related Securities. (All Funds) Mortgage-related securities are complex derivative instruments, subject to both credit and prepayment risk, and may be more volatile and less liquid, and more difficult to price accurately, than more traditional debt securities. Although certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party (such as a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality with respect to government-related mortgage-backed securities) or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not secured.

          Mortgage-related securities generally are subject to credit risks associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage properties and to prepayment risk. In certain instances, the credit risk associated with mortgage-related securities can be reduced by third party guarantees or other forms of credit support. Improved credit risk does not reduce prepayment risk which is unrelated to the rating assigned to the mortgage-related security. Prepayment risk can lead to fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related security which may be pronounced. If a mortgage-related security is purchased at a premium, all or part of the premium may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security, whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments on the underlying mortgage collateral. Certain mortgage-related securities that may be purchased by a Fund, such as inverse floating rate collateralized mortgage obligations, have coupons that move inversely to a multiple of a specific index which may result in a form of leverage. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain mortgage-related securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. However, although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the security are more likely to be prepaid. For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related security’s stated maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages, and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return to a Fund. Moreover, with respect to certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, if the underlying mortgage securities experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment even if the securities are rated in the highest rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. During periods of rapidly rising interest rates, prepayments of mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than expected rates. Slower prepayments effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related security’s expected maturity which generally would cause the value of such security to fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates. Were the prepayments on a Fund’s mortgage-related securities to decrease broadly, the Fund’s effective duration, and thus sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, would increase. Commercial real property loans, however, often contain provisions that reduce the likelihood that such securities will be prepaid. The provisions generally impose significant prepayment penalties on loans and in some cases there may be prohibitions on principal prepayments for several years following origination.

          Fixed-Income Securities. (All Funds) Each Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed-income securities. 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 a 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, a Fund will consider all circumstances deemed relevant in determining whether to continue to hold the security. In assessing the overall rating of a security, the higher rating given by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch will be used. See “Appendix A” for a general description of the Rating Agencies’ ratings.

B-25



          Lower Rated Securities. (All Funds) International Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets, and Fixed Income Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets, in higher yielding (and, therefore, higher risk) debt securities such as those rated below Baa by Moody’s and below BBB by S&P and Fitch (commonly known as “junk” bonds). They may be subject to certain risks with respect to the issuing entity and to greater market fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher rated fixed-income securities. The retail secondary market for these securities may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities; adverse conditions could make it difficult at times for a Fund to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Fund’s NAV.

          Bond prices are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, bond price volatility also may be 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. The higher credit risk associated with below investment grade securities potentially can have a greater effect on the value of such securities than may be the case with higher quality issues of comparable maturity, and will be a substantial factor in a Fund’s relative share price volatility. 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 Funds will rely on the judgment, analysis and experience of the Manager in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer.

          You should be aware that the market values of many of these securities tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher rated securities and will fluctuate over time. These securities generally are considered by the Rating Agencies to be, on balance, predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation and generally will involve more credit risk than securities in the higher rating categories.

          Companies that issue certain of these securities often are highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with 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, or the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts, or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss because of default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of these securities because such securities generally are unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.

          Because there is no established retail secondary market for many of these securities, the Funds anticipate 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 a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular issues when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid security market for certain securities also may make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its NAV. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of these securities. In such cases, the Manager’s judgment may play a greater role in valuation because less reliable, objective data may be available.

          These securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. An economic recession could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of lower rated bonds to repay principal and pay interest

B-26


thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities. It is likely that any economic recession also could disrupt severely the market for such securities and have an adverse impact on their value.

          Each Fund may acquire these securities during an initial offering. Such securities may involve special risks because they are new issues. The Funds have no arrangement with any persons 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.

          The ratings of the Ratings Agencies represent their opinions as to the quality of the obligations which they undertake to rate. Ratings are relative and subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of such obligations. Although these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection of portfolio investments, the Manager also will evaluate these securities and the ability of the issuers of such securities to pay interest and principal.


          Portfolio Securities Ratings. The average distribution of Fund investments in corporate bonds (excluding preferred stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible bonds) by ratings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, calculated monthly on a dollar-weighted basis, was as follows:

          Fixed Income Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitch

or

Moody’s

or

S&P

 

Percentage of
Value

 


 


 


 


 

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

AAA

 

%

 

AA

 

Aa

 

AA

 

%

 

A

 

A

 

A

 

%

 

BBB

 

Baa

 

BBB

 

%

 

Ba

 

BB

 

BB

 

%

 

B

 

B

 

B

 

%

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-27


          Global Fixed Income Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitch

or

Moody’s

or

S&P

 

Percentage of
Value

 


 


 


 


 

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

AAA

 

%

 

AA

 

Aa

 

AA

 

%

 

A

 

A

 

A

 

%

 

BBB

 

Baa

 

BBB

 

%

 

Ba

 

BB

 

BB

 

%

 

B

 

B

 

B

 

%

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          International Fixed Income Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitch

or

Moody’s

or

S&P

 

Percentage of
Value

 


 


 


 


 

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

AAA

 

%

 

AA

 

Aa

 

AA

 

%

 

A

 

A

 

A

 

%

 

BBB

 

Baa

 

BBB

 

%

 

Ba

 

BB

 

BB

 

%

 

B

 

B

 

B

 

%

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          The actual distribution of a Fund’s corporate bond investments by ratings on any given date will vary, and the distribution of a Fund’s investments by ratings as set forth above should not be considered as representative of the Fund’s future portfolio composition.

Investment Restrictions


          Under normal circumstances, Fixed Income Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in fixed income securities issued by U.S. and foreign governments and companies. Under normal circumstances, International Fixed Income Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in fixed income securities. Each 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 Funds have adopted the following 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. A Fund’s non-fundamental policies may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Company’s Board members at any time.

Fixed Income Fund. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fixed Income Fund may not:

1. Invest, with respect to at least 75% of its total assets, more than 5% in the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) or acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer.

B-28


2. Issue senior securities, borrow money or securities or pledge or mortgage its assets, except that the fund may (a) borrow money from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes (but not for investment purposes) in an amount up to 15% of the current value of its total assets, (b) enter into forward roll transactions, and (c) pledge its assets to an extent not greater than 15% of the current value of its total assets to secure such borrowings; however, the Fund may not make any additional investments while its outstanding bank borrowings exceed 5% of the current value of its total assets.

3. Lend portfolio securities except that the Fund (i) may lend portfolio securities in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies up to 33-1/3% of the Fund’s total assets taken at market value, (ii) enter into repurchase agreements, and (iii) purchase all or a portion of an issue of debt securities, bank loan participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, debentures or other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities, and except that the Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to 5% of the value of its net assets.

4. Invest more than 25% of the current value of its total assets in any single industry, provided that this restriction shall not apply to U.S. government securities, including mortgage pass-through securities (GNMAs).

5. Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933.

6. Purchase real estate or real estate mortgage loans, although the Fund may purchase marketable securities of companies which deal in real estate, real estate mortgage loans or interests therein.

7. Purchase securities on margin (except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities).

8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except that the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts and engage in foreign currency exchange transactions.

          The following restrictions are not fundamental policies and may be changed by the Trustees of the Company without shareholder approval in accordance with applicable laws, regulations or regulatory policy. The Fixed Income Fund may not:

          (a) Invest in the securities of an issuer for the purpose of exercising control or management, but it may do so where it is deemed advisable to protect or enhance the value of an existing investment.

          (b) Purchase securities of any other investment company except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

          (c) Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

B-29



          International Fixed Income Fund. As a matter of fundamental policy, the International Fixed Income Fund may not:

1. Invest, with respect to at least 50% of its total assets, more than 5% in the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) or acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer.

2. Issue senior securities, borrow money or securities or pledge or mortgage its assets, except that the Fund may (a) borrow money from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes (but not for investment purposes) in an amount up to 15% of the current value of its total assets, (b) enter into forward roll transactions, and (c) pledge its assets to an extent not greater than 15% of the current value of its total assets.

3. Lend portfolio securities, except that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities with a value up to 20% of its total assets (with a 10% limit for any borrower) and may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to 25% of the value of its net assets.

4. Invest more than 25% of the current value of its total assets in any single industry, provided that this restriction shall not apply to debt securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

5. Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933.

6. Purchase real estate or real estate mortgage loans, although the Fund may purchase marketable securities of companies which deal in real estate, real estate mortgage loans or interests therein.

7. Purchase securities on margin (except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities).

8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except that the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts and engage in foreign currency exchange transactions.

          The following restrictions are not fundamental policies and may be changed by the Trustees of the Company without shareholder approval, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations or regulatory policy. The International Fixed Income Fund may not:

          (a) Invest in the securities of an issuer for the purpose of exercising control or management, but it may do so where it is deemed advisable to protect or enhance the value of an existing investment.

          (b) Purchase securities of any other investment company except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

          (c) Invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities which are illiquid.

          (d) Purchase additional securities if the Fund’s borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets.

******

B-30



          Notwithstanding any fundamental or non-fundamental policy, Fixed Income Fund may invest all of its assets (other than assets which are not “investment securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) or are excepted by the SEC) in an open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objective as the respective Fund.

          If any percentage restriction described above is adhered to at the time of investment, a subsequent increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from changes in the value of a Fund’s assets will not constitute a violation of the restriction.

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND FUNDS

The Company’s Board is responsible for the management and supervision of the Funds and approves all significant agreements with those companies that furnish services to the Funds. These companies are as follows:

 

 

The Dreyfus Corporation

Investment Adviser

MBSC Securities Corporation

Distributor

Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.

Transfer Agent

The Bank of New York Mellon

Custodian

Board Members of the Company1


          Board members of the Company, together with information as to their positions with the Company, principal occupations and other board memberships and affiliations, are shown below. Each of the Company’s Board members also serves as a Director/Trustee of Dreyfus Funds, Inc., The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc., The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust and The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds (collectively with the Company, the “Board Group Open-End Funds”) and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Age)
Position with Trust (Since)

 

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

 

Other Board Memberships and Affiliations

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph S. DiMartino (66)
Chairman of the Board
(1999)

 

Corporate Director and
Trustee

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons (75)
Board Member
(1994)

 

Corporate Director and
Trustee

 

Bill Barrett Company, an oil and gas exploration company, Director

 




 

 

 

1

None of the Board members are “interested persons” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act.

B-31



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Age)
Position with Trust (Since)

 

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

 

Other Board Memberships and Affiliations

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel (63)
Board Member
(1988)

 

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

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood (62)
Board Member
(1993)

 

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

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson (60)
Board Member
(1992)

 

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

 

American Express Bank, FSB, Director The Hyams Foundation Inc., a Massachusetts Charitable Foundation, Trustee National Osteoporosis Foundation, Trustee SBLI-USA, Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley (63)
Board Member
(1998)

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

President and CEO of 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)

 

Commonwealth Institute, Director Efficacy Institute, Director PepsiCo African-American, Chair of Advisory Board
The Boston Foundation, Director

 

          Board members are elected to serve for an indefinite term. The Company has standing audit and nominating committees, each comprised of its Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act. The function of the audit committee is (i) to oversee the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Funds’ financial statements and (ii) to assist in the Board’s oversight of the integrity of the Funds’ financial statements, the Funds’ compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance. The Company’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, including character and integrity, business and professional experience, and whether the

B-32



committee believes the person has the ability to apply sound and independent business judgment and would act in the interest of each Fund and its shareholders. The nominating committee will consider recommendations for nominees from shareholders submitted to the Secretary of the Company, 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 Company 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 Company 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 _____ times, the pricing committee met ____ times, the compensation committee met once and the nominating committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

          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 as of December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Board Member

 

Fixed Income Fund

 

International Fixed
Income Fund

 

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


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph S. DiMartino

 

None

 

None

 

Over $100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James M. Fitzgibbons

 

None

 

None

 

Over $100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Himmel

 

None

 

None

 

$50,001-$100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen J. Lockwood

 

None

 

None

 

Over $100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roslyn M. Watson

 

None

 

None

 

$0 -$50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley

 

None

 

None

 

$50,001-$100,000

          As of December 31, 2009, 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 Company for serving as an officer or Director of the Company. During calendar year 2009, the Board Group Open-End Funds paid each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) $45,000 per annum, plus $6,000 per joint Board Group Open-End Funds Board meeting attended, $2,000 for separate in-person committee meetings attended which are not held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled Board meeting and $1,500 for Board meetings and separate committee meetings attended that are conducted by telephone. Effective January 1, 2010, the Board Group Open-End Funds will pay each Director/Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Company (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

B-33



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 Company (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). With respect to compensation committee meetings, during calendar year 2009, the Chair of the compensation committee received $900 per meeting and, prior to April 12, 2008, with respect to audit committee meetings, the Chair of the Audit Committee received $1,350 per meeting. Effective January 1, 2010, the Chair of each of the Board’s committees, unless the Chair also serves as Chairman of the Board, will receive $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 $2,000 or $1,500 fee (during calendar year 2009) or the $2,500 or $2,000 fee (effective January 1, 2010), as applicable, is allocated between the Board Group Open-End Funds and Dreyfus High Yield Strategies Fund.

          The aggregate amount of compensation received by each Board member by the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and the amount paid to each Board member by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person is a Board member (the number of portfolios of such funds is set forth in parenthesis next to each Board member’s total compensation) during the year ended December 31, 2009, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Board Member

 

Aggregate
Compensation
From the Company*

 

Total Compensation
From the Company and
Fund Complex Paid
To Board Member(**)


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

Joseph S. DiMartino

 

$_____

 

$_____(__)

James M. Fitzgibbons

 

$_____

 

$_____(__)

Kenneth A. Himmel

 

$_____

 

$_____(__)

Stephen J. Lockwood

 

$_____

 

$_____(__)

Roslyn M. Watson

 

$_____

 

$_____(__)

Benaree Pratt Wiley

 

$_____

 

$_____(__)



 

 

*

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 is estimated in the aggregate to amount to $______.

 

 

**

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

Officers of the Company

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 __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1988.

B-34



PHILLIP N. MAISANO, Executive Vice President since July 2007. Chief Investment Officer, Vice Chair and a director of Dreyfus, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. Mr. Maisano also is an officer and/or board member of certain other investment management subsidiaries of BNY Mellon, each of which is an affiliate of Dreyfus. He is 62 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since November 2006. Prior to joining Dreyfus, Mr. Maisano served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EACM Advisors, an affiliate of Dreyfus, since August 2004.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001. Director-Mutual Fund Accounting of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since April 1985.

J. DAVID OFFICER, Vice President since October 2007. Director of Mellon United National Bank, an affiliate of the Manager, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. Prior to June 2009, Mr. Officer was Chief Operating Officer, Vice Chairman and a director of the Manager, where he had been employed since April 1998. He is 61 years old.

MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Vice President and Secretary since August 2005. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 50 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1991.

KIESHA ASTWOOD, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010. Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 36 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 Dreyfus, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since December 1996.

JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. She is 54 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since June 2000.

KATHLEEN DENICHOLAS, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ____ portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 35 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 __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. She is 47 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since February 1984.

B-35


JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since February 1991.

M. CRISTINA MEISER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of ___ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 39 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 __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 58 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since May 1986.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1990.

RICHARD S. CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008. Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1982.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005. Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 41 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since April 1991.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Fixed Income Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since October 1988.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007. Senior Accounting Manager - Equity Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of Dreyfus since November 1990.

WILLIAM GERMENIS, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since July 2002. Vice President and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the Distributor, and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of __ investment companies (comprised of ___ portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. He is 39 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since October 1998.

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004. Chief Compliance Officer of Dreyfus and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (__ investment companies, comprised of ___ 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

B-36


to third-party mutual fund clients. He is 52 years old and has served in various capacities with Dreyfus 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 Company is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.


          The Company’s Board members and officers as a group owned less than 1% of each Fund’s voting securities outstanding as of April __, 2010.

          The following persons are known by the Company to own of record 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities as of April __, 2010. 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.

Fixed Income Fund - Class I – _______%

International Fixed Income Fund - Class I – _______%

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

          Effective on December 1, 2008 (“Effective Date”), Dreyfus was appointed to serve as each Fund’s investment adviser. Prior to the Effective Date, Standish Mellon Asset Management Company LLC (“Standish”), an affiliate of Dreyfus, was the investment adviser for each Fund.

          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 34 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.


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

          The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager: 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; Phillip N. Maisano, Chief Investment Officer, Vice Chair and a director; Bradley J. Skapyak, Chief Operating Officer and a director; Dwight Jacobsen, 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;

B-37



Anthony Mayo, Vice President-Information Systems; John E. Lane, Vice President; Jeanne M. Login, Vice President; Gary Pierce, Controller; Joseph W. Connolly, Chief Compliance Officer; James Bitetto, Secretary; and Mitchell E. Harris, Jeffrey D. Landau, Ronald P. O’Hanley III, Cyrus Taraporevala and Scott E. Wennerholm, directors.

          The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Funds, and furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required services to the Funds. The Manager may pay the Distributor for shareholder services from the Manager’s own assets, including past profits but not including the management fees paid by the Funds. The Distributor may use part or all of such payments to pay 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 manages each Fund’s portfolio of investments in accordance with the stated policies of the relevant Fund, subject to the approval of the Company’s Board. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides each Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Company’s Board to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Manager also maintains research departments with professional staffs of portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services for the Funds and other funds advised by the Manager. The portfolio managers of the Funds are dual employees of Dreyfus and Standish, an affiliate of Dreyfus. The portfolio managers of the Funds are as follows:

 

 

 

Fund

 

Portfolio Manager(s)


 


 

 

 

Fixed Income Fund

 

David R. Bowser, Peter Vaream

International Fixed Income Fund

 

Thomas F. Fahey, David C. LeDuc, Brendon Murphy

          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.

          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.

B-38



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.

          The Company, the Manager and the Distributor each have adopted a Code of Ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such Code of Ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund. The Manager’s Code of Ethics subjects the personal securities transactions of its employees to various restrictions to ensure that such trading does not disadvantage any fund advised by the Manager. In that regard, portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Manager must pre-clear 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. (All Funds). The portfolio managers’ cash compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based salary and an incentive compensation plan (annual and long term incentive). The Funds’ portfolio managers are compensated by Standish or its affiliates and not by the Fund. Funding for Standish Annual Incentive Plan and Long Term Incentive Plan is through a predetermined fixed percentage of overall company profitability. Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on Standish’s performance. The investment professionals are eligible to receive annual cash bonus awards from the incentive compensation plan. Annual awards are granted in March, for the prior calendar year. Individual awards for portfolio managers are discretionary, based on product performance relative to both benchmarks and peer comparisons and goals established at the beginning of each calendar year. Goals are to a substantial degree based on investment performance, including performance for one and three year periods. Also considered in determining individual awards are team participation and general contributions to Standish.

          All portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in the Standish Long Term Incentive Plan. This plan provides for an annual award, payable in deferred cash that cliff vests after three years, with an interest rate equal to the average year over year earnings growth of Standish (capped at 20% per year). Management has discretion with respect to actual participation.

          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 each primary portfolio manager of the Funds and assets under management in those accounts as of December 31, 2009:

B-39



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio
Manager

 

Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts

 

Assets
Managed

 

Pooled
Accounts

 

Assets
Managed

 

Other
Accounts

 

Assets
Managed

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

David R. Bowser

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

Peter Vaream

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas F. Fahey

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David C. LeDuc

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

__

 

$

______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          None of the funds or accounts are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Fund Name

 

Dollar Range of Fund Shares Beneficially Owned


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

David R. Bowser

 

Fixed Income Fund

 

$0

Peter Vaream

 

Fixed Income Fund

 

$0

Thomas F. Fahey

 

International Fixed

 

$0

 

 

Income Fund

 

 

David C. LeDuc

 

International Fixed

 

$0

 

 

Income Fund

 

 

          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 the Manager’s management of the Funds and Other Accounts. 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. The Manager 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 Funds. For these or other reasons, the portfolio managers may purchase different securities for the Funds 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

B-40


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.

          Dreyfus’ goal is to provide high quality investment services to all of its clients, while meeting its fiduciary obligation to treat all clients fairly. Dreyfus has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, that it believes address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition, Dreyfus monitors a variety of areas, including compliance with Fund guidelines, the allocation of IPOs, and compliance with the firm’s Code of Ethics. Furthermore, senior investment and business personnel at Dreyfus periodically review the performance of the portfolio managers for Dreyfus-managed funds.


          Expenses. All expenses incurred in the operation of the Company, with respect to the Funds, are borne by the Company, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The expenses borne by the Company, with respect to the Funds, 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, 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 Company’s existence, costs attributable to investor services (including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), costs of shareholders’ reports and meetings, costs of preparing and printing prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders, and any extraordinary expenses. Expenses attributable to a Fund are charged against the assets of that Fund; other expenses of the Company are allocated among the Funds and the Company’s other series on the basis determined by the Company’s Board, including, but not limited to, proportionately in relation to the net assets of each. All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before the declaration of dividends to shareholders.

          As compensation for the Manager’s services, the Company has agreed to pay the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate set forth below as a percentage of the relevant Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

 

 

Name of Fund

 

Annual Rate of Management Fee
Payable




 

 

 

Fixed Income Fund*

 

.40% of the first $250 million

 

 

.35% of the next $250 million

 

 

.30% of over $500 million

International Fixed Income Fund

 

.40%



 

 

* Until October 25, 2007, the Fund was a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure and did not directly pay advisory fees but bore its pro rata share of such fees paid by its corresponding master portfolio. On such date, the Fund, which had owned 100% of the master portfolio in which it invested, withdrew entirely from the portfolio and received the portfolio’s securities and cash in exchange for its interest in the portfolio.

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Effective October 26, 2007, the Fund began investing directly in the securities in which its master portfolio had invested and entered into an agreement with Standish. On the Effective Date, Dreyfus was appointed to serve as each Fund’s investment adviser.

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


          For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, and for the period January 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008, the management fees payable to Standish by each indicated Fund, the amounts waived by Standish and the net fee paid to Standish by each Fund were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of
Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/1/08-11/30/2008

 

2007

 


 


 


 

 

 

Fee
Payable

 

Reduction
In Fee

 

Net Fee

 

Fee
Payable

 

Reduction
In Fee

 

Net Fee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Fund*

 

$

1,647,833

 

$

47,732

 

$

1,600,101

 

$

2,078,567

 

$

41,745

 

$

2,036,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Fixed Income Fund

 

$

337,945

 

$

9,137

 

$

328,808

 

$

394,869

 

$

0

 

$

394,869

 



 

 

 


 

* Until October 25, 2007, the Fund was a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure and did not directly pay advisory fees but bore its pro rata share of such fees paid by its corresponding master portfolio. On such date, the Fund, which had owned 100% of the master portfolio in which it invested, withdrew entirely from the portfolio and received the portfolio’s securities and cash in exchange for its interest in the portfolio. Effective October 26, 2007, the Fund began investing directly in the securities in which its master portfolio had invested and entered into an agreement with Standish.


          For the period December 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the management fees payable to Dreyfus by each indicated Fund, the amounts waived by Dreyfus and the net fee paid to Dreyfus by each Fund were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Fund

 

2009

 

12/1/2008-12/31/2008

 


 


 


 

 

 

Fee Payable

 

Reduction In
Fee

 

Net Fee

 

Fee Payable

 

Reduction In Fee

 

Net Fee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Fund*

 

$

______

 

$

______

 

$

______

 

$

99,063

 

$

33,557

 

$

65,506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Fixed Income Fund

 

$

______

 

$

______

 

$

______

 

$

19,282

 

$

8,092

 

$

11,190

 

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

          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

B-42


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 Funds or provide other services. Such payments are separate from any expenses paid by a Fund to those intermediaries. Because those payments are not made by you or a 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 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, 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 sponsorship; 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 a 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 a 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, is each Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement with the Company, the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of shareholder account records for each Fund, the handling of certain communications between shareholders and the Fund and the payment of dividends and distributions payable by the Fund. For these services, the Transfer Agent receives a monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it maintains for each Fund during the month, and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses. Each 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, is each Fund’s custodian. The Custodian has no part in determining the investment policies of the Funds or which securities are to be purchased or sold by a Fund. Under a custody agreement with the Company, the Custodian holds each Fund’s securities and keeps all necessary accounts and records. The Custodian also provides administration services to the Funds which include financial reporting, registered investment company compliance, and Board and tax reporting, and the Custodian is responsible for supervising the provision of transfer agent services to the Funds by the Transfer Agent and serves as liaison between the Company and its other services providers as agreed upon from time to time by the Company and the Custodian.

          For its custody services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based on the market value of each Fund’s assets held in custody and receives certain securities transaction charges.

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HOW TO BUY SHARES


          General. Each Fund offers one share class – Class I shares (“Fund shares”). Fund shares are sold without a sales charge. You may be charged a fee if you effect transactions in Fund shares through a Service Agent. You will be charged a fee if an investment check is returned unpayable. Share certificates are issued only upon your written request. No certificates are issued for fractional shares.

          Fund shares are offered only to (i) bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the Distributor to offer Fund shares to their clients, (ii) institutional investors acting in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for Retirement Plans and SEP-IRAs (Fund 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 Fund 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, and (vi) advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Fund shares available. Institutions effecting transactions in Fund shares for the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in connection with such transactions.


          The Company reserves the right to reject any purchase order. The Funds 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 Funds will not accept cash, travelers’ checks, or money orders as payment for shares.

          Management understands that some Service Agents may impose certain conditions on their clients which are different from those described in the relevant Fund’s Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may charge their clients direct fees. You should consult your Service Agent in this regard. 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 Funds.


          The minimum initial investment in a Fund is $1,000. Subsequent investments in a Fund must be at least $100. However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, SEP-IRAs and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant. 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 Company’s Board, who elect to have all or a portion of their compensation for serving in that capacity automatically invested in the Fund. The Company reserves the right to offer Fund shares without regard to minimum purchase requirements to government-sponsored programs or to employees participating in

B-44


certain Retirement Plans or other programs where contributions or account information can be transmitted in a manner and form acceptable to the Company. 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 Company reserves the right to vary further the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.


          Each 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 a 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 Funds by a Retirement Plan or government sponsored program. Participants and plan sponsors should consult their tax advisers for details.

          Shares are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value per share next determined after an order in proper form is received by the Transfer Agent or other entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of a Fund. Net asset value per share 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 is computed by dividing the value of the Fund’s net assets (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by the total number of Fund shares outstanding. For information regarding the methods employed in valuing a 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.

          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.

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HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

          General. Each 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 shares of a Fund by check 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, a Fund will reject requests to redeem shares by wire or telephone, for a period of up to eight business days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the purchase check 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.

          Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephone redemption instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you, or a representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Company will initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on the next business day after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the redemption request in proper form. Redemption proceeds ($1,000 minimum) will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the commercial bank account 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 wire redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature guaranteed as described below under “Share Certificates; Signatures.”

          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 one of the telephone numbers listed on the cover.


          Redemption Commitment. The Company has committed itself to pay in cash all redemption requests by any shareholder of record of a Fund, limited in amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of 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 a Fund in excess of such amount, the Company’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

B-46


be valued in the same manner as the Fund’s investments are 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 relevant 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 a Fund, Class I shares 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 such other funds purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:

 

 

 

 

A.

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

 

 

 

 

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.

          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.

          To request an exchange, you, or your Service Agent acting on your behalf, must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. The ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically, unless you check the applicable “No” box on the Account Application, indicating that you specifically refuse this privilege. By using this privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic 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. 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 exchange. No fees currently are charged shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Company reserves the right, upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, to charge shareholders a nominal administrative fee in accordance with rules promulgated by the SEC.

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          Exchanges of 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 Company may suspend Fund Exchanges temporarily without notice and treat exchange requests based on their separate components—redemption orders with a simultaneous request to purchase the other fund’s shares. In such a case, the redemption request would be processed at the Fund’s next determined net asset value but the purchase order would be effective only at the net asset value next determined after the fund being purchased receives the proceeds of the redemption, which may result in the purchase being delayed.

          Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Retirement Plans. The Company makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing plans, including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Company makes available Keogh Plans, certain IRAs, 401(k) Salary Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services also are available.

          If you wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh Plan, a 403(b)(7) Plan or 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 SEP-IRAs may charge a fee, payment of which could require the liquidation of shares. All fees charged are described in the appropriate form.

          Shares may be purchased in connection with these plans only by direct remittance to the entity acting as custodian. Purchases for these plans may not be made in advance of receipt of funds.

          You should read the prototype retirement plan and the appropriate form of custodial agreement for further details on eligibility, service fees and tax implications, and should consult a tax adviser.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

          Valuation of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund’s investments are valued each business day using available market quotations or at fair value. Substantially all of a Fund’s fixed income investments (excluding short-term investments) are valued by one or more independent pricing services (the “Service”) approved by the Company’s Board. Securities valued by the Service for which quoted bid prices in the judgment of the Service are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market 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 investments is determined by the Service based on methods that 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. Short-term investments are not valued by the Service and are valued at the mean price or yield equivalent for such securities or for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type as obtained from market makers. Other investments that are not valued by the Service are valued at the last sales price for securities traded primarily on an exchange or the national securities market or otherwise at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currency will be translated into U.S. dollars at the midpoint of the New York interbank market spot exchange rate as quoted on the day of such translation by the Federal Reserve Bank of New

B-48



York or, if no such rate is quoted on such date, at the exchange rate previously quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or at such other quoted market exchange rate as may be determined to be appropriate by Dreyfus. Forward currency contracts will be valued at the current cost of offsetting the contract. If a Fund has to obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the calculation of net asset value may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of prices of certain of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Short-term investments may be carried at amortized cost, which approximates value. Expenses and fees, including the management fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of a Fund’s shares.

          Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which recent market quotations are not readily available, are not valued by the Service, or are determined by the Company not to reflect accurately fair value, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith based on procedures approved by the Company’s Board. Fair value of investments may be determined by the Company’s Board, its pricing committee or its valuation committee using such information as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. 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 or 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 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 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. Restricted securities which are, or are convertible into, securities of the same class of securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued at market value less the same percentage discount at which purchased. This discount will be revised periodically by the Board if it believes that the discount no longer reflects the value of the restricted securities. Restricted securities not of the same class as securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued initially at cost. Any subsequent adjustment from cost will be based upon considerations deemed relevant by the Board.

          New York Stock Exchange Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

          Management believes that each Fund has qualified for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code for its most recent fiscal year end. Each Fund 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 net investment income and net realized securities gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. To qualify as a RIC, a Fund must, among other things: (a) derive in each taxable year 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” (as defined in the Code) (all such income items, “qualifying income”); (b) diversify its holdings 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

B-49


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 “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code); and (c) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) to its shareholders each taxable year. If a Fund does not qualify as a RIC, it will be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary corporation subject to Federal income tax. The term “regulated investment company” does not imply the supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency.

          Each Fund ordinarily declares and pays dividends from its net investment income quarterly, and distributes net realized capital gains, if any, once a year. Each Fund, however, may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. Shares begin earning income dividends on the day Federal Funds are received by the Transfer Agent. If a purchase order is not accompanied by remittance in Federal Funds, there may be a delay between the time the purchase order becomes effective and the time the shares purchased start earning dividends. If your payment is not made in Federal Funds, it must be converted into Federal Funds. This usually occurs within one business day of receipt of a bank wire and within two business days of receipt of a check drawn on a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. Checks drawn on banks which are not members of the Federal Reserve system may take considerably longer to convert into Federal Funds. If you redeem all shares in your account at any time during the month, all dividends to which you are entitled will be paid to you along with the proceeds of the redemption. If you are an omnibus accountholder and indicate in a partial redemption request that a portion of any accrued dividends to which such account is entitled belongs to an underlying accountholder who has redeemed all shares in his or her account, such portion of the accrued dividends will be paid to you along with the proceeds of the redemption, after the deduction of any fees.

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

          Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor’s purchase 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, taxable as stated in the relevant Fund’s Prospectus. In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds shares of the Fund for six months or less and has received a capital gain distribution with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain distribution received.

          A Fund may qualify for and may make an election under which shareholders may be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their Federal income tax returns for, and will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of qualified taxes incurred or paid by the Fund to foreign countries. A Fund may make that election provided that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of the taxable year consists of securities in foreign corporations and the Fund satisfies certain distribution requirements. The foreign tax credit available to shareholders is subject to certain limitations.

          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 conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If a Fund qualifies as a RIC, the Fund satisfies the 90% distribution requirement and more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its

B-50


taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If a Fund so elects, each shareholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes and therefore would 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 Fund shares for less than a specified minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss, (ii) is obligated to make payments related to the dividends or (iii) holds Fund shares in arrangements in which the shareholder’s expected economic profits after non-U.S. taxes are insubstantial, will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes deemed imposed on dividends paid on such shares. Additionally, the Fund also must meet this holding period requirement with respect to its foreign stock and securities in order for “creditable” taxes to flow-through. Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser regarding the potential application of foreign tax credits.


          Ordinarily, gains and losses realized by a Fund from portfolio transactions will be treated as capital gains and losses. However, a portion of the gain or loss realized from the disposition of foreign currencies (including foreign currency denominated bank deposits) and non-U.S. dollar denominated securities (including debt instruments and certain futures or forward contracts and options) may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities may be treated as ordinary income or loss. In addition, all or a portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition of certain market discount bonds will be treated as ordinary income. Finally, all or a portion of the gain realized from engaging in “conversion transactions” (generally including certain transactions designed to convert ordinary income into capital gain) may be treated as ordinary income.

          Gain or loss, if any, realized by a Fund from certain financial futures or forward contracts and options transactions (“Section 1256 contracts”) will be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss will arise upon exercise or lapse of Section 1256 contracts as well as from closing transactions. In addition, any Section 1256 contracts remaining unexercised at the end of the Fund’s taxable year will be treated as sold for their then fair market value, resulting in additional gain or loss to the Fund.

          Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain financial futures or forward contracts or options transactions with respect to actively traded personal property may be considered, for tax purposes, to constitute “straddles.” To the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by the Fund, losses realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in the offsetting position. In addition, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gains on straddle positions may be treated as short-term capital gains or ordinary income. Certain of the straddle positions held by the Fund may constitute “mixed straddles.” The Fund may make one or more elections with respect to the treatment of “mixed straddles,” resulting in different tax consequences. In certain circumstances, the provisions governing the tax treatment of straddles override or modify certain of the provisions discussed above.

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          If a Fund either (1) holds an appreciated financial position with respect to stock, certain debt obligations, or partnership interests (“appreciated financial position”) and then enters into a short sale, futures, forward, or offsetting notional principal contract (collectively, a “Contract”) with respect to the same or substantially identical property or (2) holds an appreciated financial position that is a Contract and then acquires property that is the same as, or substantially identical to, the underlying property, the Fund generally will be taxed as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date the Fund enters into the financial position or acquires the property, respectively. The foregoing will not apply, however, to any transaction during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is the Fund’s risk of loss regarding that position reduced by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as having an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale, or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).

          If a Fund enters into certain derivatives (including forward contracts, long positions under notional principal contracts, and related puts and calls) with respect to equity interests in certain pass-thru entities (including other regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships, real estate mortgage investment conduits and certain trusts and foreign corporations), long-term capital gain with respect to the derivative may be recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent it exceeds the long-term capital gain that would have been realized had the interest in the pass-thru entity been held directly by the Fund during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain recharacterized as ordinary income will be treated as accruing at a constant rate over the term of the derivative contract and may be subject to an interest charge. The Treasury has authority to issue regulations expanding the application of these rules to derivatives with respect to debt instruments and/or stock in corporations that are not pass-thru entities.

          If a Fund invests in an entity that is classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for Federal income tax purposes, the operation of certain provisions of the Code applying to PFICs could result in the imposition of certain Federal income taxes on the Fund. In addition, gain realized from the sale or other disposition of PFIC securities may be treated as ordinary income.

          Investment by a Fund in securities issued or acquired at a discount, or providing for deferred interest or for payment of interest in the form of additional obligations could under special tax rules affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders by causing the Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments. For example, the Fund could be required each year to accrue a portion of the discount (or deemed discount) at which the securities were issued and to distribute such income in order to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company. In such case, the Fund may have to dispose of securities which it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash to satisfy the distribution requirements.

          Federal regulations require that you provide a certified taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) upon opening or reopening an account. See the Account Application for further information concerning this requirement. Failure to furnish a certified TIN to the Company could subject you to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

          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 with 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

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funds use the research facilities, and are subject to the internal policies and procedures, of applicable affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser.

          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 the Fund are made independently from those of the other investment companies and accounts advised by Dreyfus and its affiliates. If, however, such other investment companies or accounts desire to invest in, or dispose of, the same securities as the Fund, Dreyfus or its affiliates may, but are not required to, aggregate (or “bunch”) orders that are placed or received concurrently for more than one investment company or account and available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated equitability to each. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by the Fund or the price paid or received by the Fund. 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.

          Dreyfus may buy for the Fund securities of issuers in which other investment companies or accounts advised by Dreyfus or BNY Mellon and its other affiliates have made, or are making, an investment in securities that are subordinate or senior to the securities purchased for the Fund. For example, the Fund may invest in debt securities of an issuer at the same time that other investment companies 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 BNY Mellon or its affiliates (including Dreyfus) relating to what actions are to be taken may raise conflicts of interests and Dreyfus or BNY Mellon and its other affiliates may take actions for certain accounts that have negative impacts on other advisory accounts, including the Fund.

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

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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 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.

          Funds and accounts managed by the Manager, an affiliated entity or a sub-investment 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.

          Brokerage Commissions. The Company contemplates that, consistent with the policy of seeking best price and execution, brokerage transactions may be conducted through affiliates of the Manager. The Company’s Board has adopted procedures in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) are reasonable and fair.


          For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the amounts paid by the Funds for total brokerage commissions were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Fund

 

Brokerage Commissions Paid

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Fund*

 

$

________

 

$

5,023

 

$

47,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Fixed Income Fund

 

$

________

 

$

1,051

 

$

10,099

 

* Until October 25, 2007, the Fund was a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure and did not directly pay brokerage commissions but bore its pro rata share of brokerage commissions paid by its corresponding master portfolio. On such date, the Fund, which had owned 100% of the master portfolio in which it invested, withdrew entirely from the portfolio and received the portfolio’s securities and cash in exchange for its interest in the portfolio. Effective October 26, 2007, the Fund began investing directly in the securities in which its master portfolio had invested.

          IPO Allocations. Certain funds advised by the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) may participate in IPOs. In deciding whether to purchase an IPO, the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or 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, a sub-adviser or 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, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) only receives a partial allocation of the total amount

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requested, those shares will be distributed fairly and equitably among participating funds or accounts managed by the Manager (or where applicable, a sub-adviser or 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 to transaction costs, market liquidity and other factors unique to international markets.

          Regular Broker-Dealers. Each 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. As of December 31, 2009, the following Funds held securities of their regular brokers or dealers:

          Fixed Income Fund: __________ - $__________

          International Fixed Income Fund: __________ - $__________

          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 holdings 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,

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independent registered public accounting firm, investment adviser, administrator, and each of their respective affiliates and advisers.


          Disclosure of a Fund’s f portfolio holdings may be authorized only by the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, and any exceptions to this policy are reported quarterly to the Company’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 the Manager the authority to vote proxies of companies held in the fund’s portfolio. The Manager, through its participation on the BNY Mellon’s Proxy Policy Committee (the “PPC”), applies BNY Mellon’s Proxy Voting Policy, related procedures, and voting guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of the funds.

          The Manager recognizes that an investment adviser is a fiduciary that owes its clients, including funds it manages, a duty of utmost good faith and full and fair disclosure of all material facts. An investment adviser’s duty of loyalty requires an adviser to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best financial and economic interest of its clients and precludes the adviser from subrogating the clients’ interests to its own. In addition, an investment adviser voting proxies on behalf of a fund must do so in a manner consistent with the best financial and economic interests of the fund and its shareholders.

          The Manager seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest by participating in the PPC, which applies detailed, pre-determined written proxy voting guidelines (the “Voting Guidelines”) in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by a third party vendor, and without consideration of any client relationship factors. Further, the Manager and its affiliates engage a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for BNY Mellon securities and proxies of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager or its affiliates (including the Dreyfus Family of Funds), and may engage an independent fiduciary to vote proxies of other issuers in the Manager’s and its affiliates’ discretion.

          All proxies received by the funds are reviewed, categorized, analyzed and voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines. The guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and any changes in BNY Mellon’s or the Manager’s policies on specific issues. Items that can be categorized under the Voting Guidelines are 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, for example, new proposals arising from emerging economic or regulatory issues, 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. With regard to voting proxies of foreign companies, the Manager weighs the cost of voting and potential inability to sell the securities (which may occur during the voting process) against the benefit of voting the proxies to determine whether or not to vote. With respect to securities lending transactions, the Manager seeks to balance the economic benefits of continuing to participate in an open securities lending transaction against the inability to vote proxies.

          When evaluating proposals, the PPC recognizes that the management of a publicly-held company may need protection from the market’s frequent focus on short-term considerations, so as to be able to concentrate on such long-term goals as productivity and development of competitive products and services. In addition, the PPC generally supports proposals designed to provide management with short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable them to bargain effectively with potential suitors to the extent such proposals are discrete and not bundled with other proposals. The PPC believes that a shareholder’s role in the governance of a publicly-held company is generally limited to monitoring the

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performance of the company and its management and voting on matters which properly come to a shareholder vote. However, the PPC generally opposes proposals designed to insulate an issuer’s management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of shareholders.

          On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, the PPC attempts to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues. Responsiveness will be 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. The PPC will pay particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment in the intervening period to take actions on issues. With respect to funds having investment policies that require proxies to be cast in a certain manner on particular social responsibility issues, proposals relating to such issues are evaluated and voted separately by the fund’s portfolio manager in accordance with such policies, rather than pursuant to the PPC process described above.

          In evaluating proposals regarding incentive plans and restricted stock plans, the PPC typically employs a shareholder value transfer model. This model seeks to assess the amount of shareholder equity flowing out of the company to executives as options are exercised. After determining the cost of the plan, the PPC evaluates whether the cost is reasonable based on a number of factors, including industry classification and historical performance information. The PPC generally votes against proposals that permit or are silent on the repricing or replacement of stock options without shareholder approval or that are silent on repricing and the Company has a history of repricing stock options in a manner that the PPC believes is detrimental to its shareholders.

          Information regarding how proxies were voted for the Fund is available on the Dreyfus Family of Fund’s website at http://www.dreyfus.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov on the Company’s Form N-PX filed with the SEC.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND FUNDS

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

          The Company is organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of the Fund, under certain circumstances, could be held personally liable for the obligations of that Fund. However, the Company’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Trust Agreement”) disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Company and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Company or a Trustee. The Trust Agreement 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company to hold a special meeting of

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shareholders for purposes of removing a Board member from office. Shareholders may remove a Board member by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Company’s outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Board will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Board members if, at any time, less than a majority of the Board members then holding office have been elected by shareholders.

          The Company is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios, each of which is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act and for other purposes. A shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. For certain matters shareholders vote together as a group; as to others they vote separately by portfolio.


          All consideration received by the Company for shares of a series, and all assets in which such consideration is invested, will belong to that series (subject only to the rights of creditors of the Company) and will be subject to the liabilities related thereto. The income attributable to, and the expenses of, a series will be treated separately from those of the other series of the Company. The Company has the ability to create, from time to time, new series without shareholder approval.

          Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted under the provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law or otherwise to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company, such as the Company, will not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each series in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of such series. 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 the Rule.

          Each Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term market movements. A pattern of frequent purchases and exchanges can be disruptive to efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be detrimental to the Fund’s performance and its shareholders. 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 Company will take no other action with respect to Fund shares until it receives further instructions from the investor. While the Company 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 Company changed its name from “Mellon Institutional Funds Investment Trust” to its current name, and the Funds changed their names as follows:

 

 

Prior Name

New Name

 

 

Standish Mellon Fixed Income Fund

Dreyfus/Standish Fixed Income Fund

 

 

Standish Mellon International Fixed Income Fund

Dreyfus/Standish International Fixed Income Fund

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          On July 1, 2003, Fixed Income Fund changed its name from Standish Fixed Income Fund to Standish Mellon Fixed Income Fund and International Fixed Income Fund changed its name from Standish International Fixed Income Fund to Standish Mellon International Fixed Income Fund.

          Effective September 1, 2009, each Fund’s shares were re-designated as Class I shares.

          The Funds send annual and semi-annual financial statements to all of their shareholders.

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

          K&L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006-1600, serves as counsel to the Funds offered by the Prospectuses 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 Company.


          ________________, 345 Park Avenue, New York, , New York 10154, an independent registered public accounting firm, was appointed by the Trustees to serve as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2009, providing audit and other services including (1) examination 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 Funds.

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Appendix A

Rating Categories

          Description of certain ratings assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”):

S&P

Long-term

AAA

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.

AA

An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A

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.

BBB

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.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

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.

BB

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.

B

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.

CCC

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.

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CC

An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C

A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘C’ rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. A ‘C’ also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.

D

An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation 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.

r

The symbol ‘r’ is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include: obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities; obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk—such as interest-only or principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky interest terms, such as inverse floaters.

N.R.

The designation ‘N.R.’ 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.

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

Short-term

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 sign (+) 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.

Commercial paper

A-1

This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

B-61


A-2

Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated ‘A-1’.

A-3

Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for timely payment. The are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

B

Issues rated B are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.

C

This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.

D

Debt rated ‘D’ is payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the due date, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes such payments will be made during such grace period.

Moody’s

Long-term

Aaa

Bonds rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa

Bonds rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the ‘Aaa’ group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in ‘Aaa’ securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the ‘Aaa’ securities.

A

Bonds rated ‘A’ possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa

Bonds rated ‘Baa’ are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

B-62


Ba

Bonds rated ‘Ba’ are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B

Bonds rated ‘B’ generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa

Bonds rated ‘Caa’ are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca

Bonds rated ‘Ca’ represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C

Bonds rated ‘C’ are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in 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.

Prime rating system (short-term)

Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:

          Leading market positions in well-established industries.

          High rates of return on funds employed.

          Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.

          Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.

          Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

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Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

MIG/VMIG—U.S. short-term

Municipal debt issuance ratings are designated as Moody’s Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels — MIG 1 through MIG 3.

The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) is designated as VMIG. When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

MIG 1/VMIG 1

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2/VMIG 2

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3/VMIG 3

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Fitch

Long-term investment grade

AAA

Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA

Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A

High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

B-64


BBB

Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.

Long-term speculative grade

BB

Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B

Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC, CC, C

High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. ‘CC’ ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable. ‘C’ ratings signal imminent default.

DDD, DD, D

Default. The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. ‘DDD’ obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90% - 100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. ‘DD’ ratings indicate potential recoveries in the range of 50% - 90% and ‘D’ the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.

Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated ‘DDD’ have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated ‘DD’ and ‘D’ are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated ‘DD’ are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated ‘D’ have a poor prospect of repaying all obligations.

Short-term

A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1

Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2

Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

B-65


F3

Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitment is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction non-investment grade.

B

Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C

High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D

Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.

‘NR’ indicates that Fitch does not rate the issuer or issue in question.

Notes to long-term and short-term ratings: A plus (+) or minus (-) sign designation may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ long-term rating category, to categories below ‘CCC’, or to short-term ratings other than ‘F1.’

B-66


PART C
OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 23.

Exhibits.

 

 

(a)(1)

Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 13, 1986 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(2)

Certificate of Designation dated November 6, 1986 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(3)

Certificate of Designation dated May 2, 1989 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(4)

Certificate of Amendment dated November 21, 1989 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(5)

Certificate of Amendment dated November 29, 1989 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(6)

Certificate of Amendment dated April 24, 1990 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(7)

Certificate of Designation dated September 4, 1990 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(8)

Certificate of Designation dated September 8, 1992 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(k) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(9)

Certificate of Designation dated December 8, 1993 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(10)

Certificate of Designation dated October 16, 1995 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

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(a)(11)

Certificate of Designation dated July 18, 1996 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(a)(12)

Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated March 4, 1999 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(21) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on March 3, 1999.

 

 

(a)(13)

Certificate of Designation dated November 10, 1999 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(20) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on March 3, 1999.

 

 

(a)(14)

Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated June 21, 2003 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(27) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on November 26, 2003.

 

 

(a)(15)

Certificate of Amendment dated July 1, 2003 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(28) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on November 26, 2003.

 

 

(a)(16)

Certificate of Name Change dated June 29, 2005 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(32) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on October 7, 2005.

 

 

(a)(17)

Certificate of Designation dated February 10, 2006 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(36) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on February 14, 2006.

 

 

(a)(18)

Amendment to Declaration of Trust dated December 1, 2008 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(25) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on January 30, 2009.

 

 

 

(a)(19)

Certificate of Amendment dated December 1, 2008 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit a(19) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 28, 2010.

 

 

 

(b)

By-Laws of the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit b of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 30, 1998.

 

 

(c)

Not applicable

 

 

(d)(1)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/Standish Intermediate Tax Exempt Bond Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (7) of Post-Effective

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Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(2)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/Standish International Fixed Income Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(3)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (19) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(4)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small Cap Tax-Sensitive Equity Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (21) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(5)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (27) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 30, 2009.

 

 

(d)(6)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/The Boston Company Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (29) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(7)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/The Boston Company International Core Equity Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (32) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(8)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/The Boston Company Large Cap Core Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (34) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(9)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of

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Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small Cap Growth Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (35) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(10)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small Cap Value Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (36) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(11)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/Standish Fixed Income Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit D (37) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 24, 2009.

 

 

(d)(12)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund, and The Dreyfus Corporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 140 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 30, 2009.

 

 

 

(d)(13)

Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between The Dreyfus Corporation and Newton Capital Management Limited relating to Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(39) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 30, 2009.

 

 

 

(e)

Distribution Agreement, dated June 30, 2007 and amended February 10, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 140 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 30, 2009.

 

 

(f)

Not applicable

 

 

(g)(1)

Custody, Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and Mellon Bank, N.A. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit g(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on November 26, 2003.

 

 

(g)(2)

Amendment to Custody, Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and Mellon Bank, N.A. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit g(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on January 29, 2008.

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(h)(1)

Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on April 29, 2005.

 

 

(h)(2)

Amendment to the Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1a, filed on January 29, 2008.

 

 

(h)(3)

Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 20, 2007 and amended October 29, 2009, for Dreyfus/The Boston Company Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Large Cap Core Fund, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund and Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit h(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on November 23, 2009.

 

 

(i)(1)

Opinion and Consent of Counsel for the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit i of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on November 3, 1997.

 

 

(i)(2)

Consent of Counsel for the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on April 30, 2009.

 

 

 

(j)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 28, 2010.

 

 

 

(k)

None

 

 

(l)

Not applicable

 

 

(m)

Distribution Plan, dated December 20, 2007 and amended October 29, 2009, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Large Cap Core Fund, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Growth Fund, Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund and Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit M(1) of Post-Effective Amendment

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No. 141 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on November 23, 2009.

 

 

(n)

Rule 18f-3 Plan for Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Large Cap Core Fund, Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Dreyfus/Standish Intermediate Tax Exempt Bond Fund and Dreyfus/Standish Global Fixed Income Fund, amended as of February 4, 2009, revised as of October 29, 2009, is incorporated by reference to exhibit n(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registration Statement of Form N-1A, filed on November 23, 2009.

 

 

(p)

Code of Ethics adopted by the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit P of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on November 23, 2009.

 

 

 

(q)

Power of Attorney of Bradley J. Skapyak, James Windels and Trustees, dated October 28, 2009 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (q) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 28, 2010.

 

 

(r)

Code of Ethics adopted by the nonmanagement Board members of the Dreyfus Family of Funds, to become effective March 31, 2010, is filed herewith.

 

Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

Not Applicable.

Item 25. Indemnification

Under the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, any past or present Trustee or officer of the Registrant is indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he may be a party or is otherwise involved by reason of his being or having been a Trustee or officer of the Registrant. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant does not authorize indemnification where it is determined, in the manner specified in the Declaration, that such Trustee or officer has not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his actions were in the best interest of the Registrant. Moreover, the Declaration does not authorize indemnification where such Trustee or officer is liable to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of

C-6


expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by any such Trustee, officer or controlling person against the Registrant in connection with the securities being registered, and the Commission is still of the same opinion, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 26. (a) Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

The Dreyfus Corporation (“Dreyfus”) and subsidiary companies comprise a financial service organization whose business consists primarily of providing investment management services as the investment adviser and manager for sponsored investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and as an investment adviser to institutional and individual accounts. Dreyfus also serves as sub-investment adviser to and/or administrator of other investment companies. MBSC Securities Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves primarily as a registered broker-dealer.

          (b) Business and Other Connections of Sub-Investment Adviser

Registrant is fulfilling the requirement of this Item 26 to provide a list of the officers and directors of Newton Capital Management Limited (“Newton”), the sub-investment adviser to Registrant’s Dreyfus/Newton International Equity 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).

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ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued)
  Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser

Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
 
 
Jonathan Baum MBSC Securities Corporation++ Chief Executive Officer 3/08 - Present
Chief Executive Officer   Chairman of the Board 3/08 - Present
and Chair of the Board   Director 6/07 - 3/08
    Executive Vice President 6/07 - 3/08
 
J. Charles Cardona MBSC Securities Corporation++ Director 6/07 - Present
President and Director   Executive Vice President 6/07 - Present
 
  Universal Liquidity Funds plc+ Director 4/06 - Present
 
Diane P. Durnin None    
Vice Chair and Director      
 
Phillip N. Maisano The Bank of New York Mellon ***** Senior Vice President 7/08 - Present
Director, Vice Chair and      
Chief Investment Officer      
 
  BNY Mellon, National Association + Senior Vice President 7/08 - Present
 
  Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Senior Vice President 4/06 - 6/08
 
  BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc.++ Director 10/07 - Present
 
  BNY Mellon Investment Office GP LLC* Manager 4/07 - Present
 
  Mellon Global Alternative Investments Limited Director 8/06 - Present
  London, England    
 
  Pareto Investment Management Limited Director 4/08 - Present
  London, England    
 
  The Boston Company Asset Management NY, Manager 10/07 - Present
  LLC*    
 
  The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC* Manager 12/06 - Present
 
  Urdang Capital Management, Inc. Director 10/07 - Present
  630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300    
  Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462    
 
  Urdang Securities Management, Inc. Director 10/07 - Present
  630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300    
  Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462    
 
  EACM Advisors LLC Chairman of Board 8/04 - Present
  200 Connecticut Avenue    
  Norwalk, CT 06854-1940    

C-8



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
  Founders Asset Management LLC**** Member, Board of 11/06 - 12/09
    Managers  
  Standish Mellon Asset Management Company, Board Member 12/06 - Present
  LLC    
  Mellon Financial Center    
  201 Washington Street    
  Boston, MA 02108-4408    
  Mellon Capital Management Corporation*** Director 12/06 - Present
  Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Board Member 12/06 - 12/07
  Newton Management Limited Board Member 12/06 - Present
  London, England    
  Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC* Board Member 12/06 - Present
Mitchell E. Harris Standish Mellon Asset Management Company Chairman 2/05 - Present
Director LLC Chief Executive Officer 8/04 - Present
  Mellon Financial Center Member, Board of 10/04 - Present
  201 Washington Street Managers  
  Boston, MA 02108-4408    
  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 President 12/05 - Present
  Mellon Financial Center    
  201 Washington Street    
  Boston, MA 02108-4408    
    Manager 12/05 - Present
  Palomar Management Director 12/97 - Present
  London, England    
  Palomar Management Holdings Limited Director 12/97 - Present
  London, England    
  Pareto Investment Management Limited Director 9/04 - Present
  London, England    
Jeffrey D. Landau The Bank of New York Mellon+ Executive Vice President 4/07 - Present
Director      
  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+ Treasurer 12/07 - 12/09
  The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation+ Treasurer 7/07 - 01/10

C-9



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
Ronald P. O’Hanley The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation ***** Vice Chairman 7/07 - Present
Director      
  Mellon Trust of New England, N.A. * Vice Chairman 4/05 - 6/08
  The Bank of New York Mellon ***** Vice Chairman 7/08 - Present
  BNY Mellon, National Association + Vice Chairman 7/08 - Present
  BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. ++ Director 10/07 - Present
  BNY Mellon Investment Office GP LLC+ Manager 4/07 - Present
  EACM Advisors LLC Manager 6/04 - Present
  200 Connecticut Avenue    
  Norwalk, CT 06854-1940    
  Ivy Asset Management Corp. Director 12/07 - Present
  One Jericho Plaza    
  Jericho, NY 11753    
  Neptune LLC+++++ Chairman 7/98 - Present
    President 7/98 - Present
    Member, Management 6/98 - Present
    Committee  
  Pareto Investment Management Limited Director 9/04 - Present
  London, England    
  The Boston Company Asset Management NY, Manager 10/07 - Present
  LLC*    
  The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC* Manager 12/97 - Present
  The Boston Company Holding, LLC* Vice Chairman 2/07 - Present
  Walter Scott & Partners Limited Director 10/06 - Present
  Edinburgh, Scotland    
  WestLB Mellon Asset Management Holdings Director 4/06 - Present
  Limited    
  Dusseldorf, Germany    
  Mellon Bank, N.A. + Vice Chairman 6/01 - 6/08
  Standish Mellon Asset Management Company, Board Member 7/01 – Present
  LLC    
  Mellon Financial Center    
  201 Washington Street    
  Boston, MA 02108-4408    
  Franklin Portfolio Holdings, LLC* Director 12/00 - Present
  Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC* Director 4/97 – Present
  Pareto Partners (NY) ++ Partner Representative 2/00 - Present
 
  Buck Consultants, Inc.++ Director 7/97 - Present

C-10



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
 
  Newton Management Limited Executive Committee 10/98 - Present
  London, England Member  
    Director 10/98 - Present
 
  BNY Mellon Asset Management Japan Limited Director 6/06 - Present
  Tokyo, Japan    
 
  TBCAM Holdings, LLC* Director 1/98 – Present
 
  MAM (MA) Holding Trust+++++ Trustee 6/03 – Present
 
  MAM (DE) Trust+++++ Trustee 6/03 – Present
 
  Pareto Partners Partner Representative 5/97 – Present
  The Bank of New York Mellon Centre    
  160 Queen Victoria Street    
  London England    
 
  Mellon Capital Management Corporation*** Director 2/97 – Present
 
  Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 – 12/07
    Member  
    Chairman 1/98 – 12/07
 
  Mellon Global Investing Corp.* Director 5/97 – Present
    Chairman 5/97 - Present
    Chief Executive Officer 5/97 – Present
 
Cyrus Taraporevala Urdang Capital Management, Inc. Director 10/07 - Present
Director 630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300    
  Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462    
 
  Urdang Securities Management, Inc. Director 10/07 - Present
  630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300    
  Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462    
 
  The Boston Company Asset Management NY, Manager 08/06 – Present
  LLC*    
 
  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
 
Scott E. Wennerholm Mellon Capital Management Corporation*** Director 10/05 - Present
Director      
 
  Newton Management Limited Director 1/06 - Present
  London, England    
 
  Gannett Welsh & Kotler LLC Manager 11/07 - Present
  222 Berkley Street Administrator 11/07 - Present
  Boston, MA 02116    
 
  BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. ++ Director 10/07 - Present
 
  Ivy Asset Management Corp. Director 12/07 - Present
  One Jericho Plaza    
  Jericho, NY 11753    

C-11



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
 
  Urdang Capital Management, Inc. Director 10/07 - Present
  630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300    
  Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462    
 
  Urdang Securities Management, Inc. Director 10/07 - Present
  630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300    
  Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462    
 
  EACM Advisors LLC Manager 6/04 - Present
  200 Connecticut Avenue    
  Norwalk, CT 06854-1940    
 
  Franklin Portfolio Associates LLC* Manager 1/06 - Present
 
  The Boston Company Asset Management NY, Manager 10/07 - Present
  LLC*    
 
  The Boston Company Asset Management LLC* Manager 10/05 - Present
 
  Pareto Investment Management Limited Director 3/06 - Present
  London, England    
 
  Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 10/05 - 12/07
    Member  
 
  Standish Mellon Asset Management Company, Member, Board of 10/05 - Present
  LLC Managers  
  Mellon Financial Center    
  201 Washington Street    
  Boston, MA 02108-4408    
 
  The Boston Company Holding, LLC* Member, Board of 4/06 - Present
    Managers  
 
  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 4/06 - 6/08
    Senior Vice President 10/05 - 6/08
 
  MAM (DE) Trust+++++ Member of Board of 1/07 - Present
    Trustees  
 
  MAM (MA) Holding Trust+++++ Member of Board of 1/07 - Present
    Trustees  
 
Bradley J. Skapyak MBSC Securities Corporation++ Executive Vice President 6/07 - Present
Chief Operating Officer      
and Director      
  The Bank of New York Mellon**** Senior Vice President 4/07 - Present
 
  The Dreyfus Family of Funds++ President 1/10 - Present
 
Dwight Jacobsen Pioneer Investments Senior Vice President 4/06 - 12/07
Executive Vice President 60 State Street    
and Director Boston, Massachusetts    

C-12



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
 
Patrice M. Kozlowski None    
Senior Vice President –      
Corporate      
Communications      
 
Gary Pierce The Bank of New York Mellon ***** Vice President 7/08 - Present
Controller      
 
 
  BNY Mellon, National Association + Vice President 7/08 - Present
 
  The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chief Financial Officer 7/05 - 6/08
    Treasurer 7/05 - 6/08
 
  Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Chief Financial Officer 5/07 - Present
 
  MBSC Securities Corporation++ Director 6/07 - Present
    Chief Financial Officer 6/07 - Present
 
  Founders Asset Management, LLC**** Assistant Treasurer 7/06 - 12/09
 
  Dreyfus Consumer Credit Treasurer 7/05 - Present
  Corporation ++    
 
  Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. ++ Chief Financial Officer 7/05 - Present
 
  Dreyfus Service Treasurer 7/05 - Present
  Organization, Inc.++    
  Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++ Treasurer 4/99 - Present
 
Joseph W. Connolly The Dreyfus Family of Funds++ Chief Compliance 10/04 - Present
Chief Compliance Officer   Officer  
  Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Chief Compliance 4/05 - Present
    Officer  
  The Mellon Funds Trust++ Chief Compliance 10/04 - Present
    Officer  
  MBSC Securities Corporation++ Chief Compliance 6/07 – Present
    Officer  
 
Gary E. Abbs The Bank of New York Mellon+ First Vice President and 12/96 – Present
Vice President – Tax   Manager of Tax  
    Compliance  
 
  Dreyfus Service Organization++ Vice President – Tax 01/09 – Present
 
  Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++ Chairman 01/09 – Present
    President 01/09 – Present
 
  MBSC Securities Corporation++ Vice President – Tax 01/09 – Present
 
Jill Gill MBSC Securities Corporation++ Vice President 6/07 – Present
Vice President –      
Human Resources      
  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

C-13



Name and Position        
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates  
 
Joanne S. Huber The Bank of New York Mellon+ State & Local 07/1/07
Vice President – Tax   Compliance Manager Present  
 
  Dreyfus Service Organization++ Vice President – Tax 01/09 – Present  
 
  Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++ Vice President – Tax 01/09 – Present  
 
  MBSC Securities Corporation++ Vice President – Tax 01/09 – Present  
 
Anthony Mayo None      
Vice President –        
Information Systems        
 
John E. Lane A P Colorado, Inc. + Vice President – Real 8/07 - Present  
Vice President   Estate and Leases    
  A P East, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  A P Management, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  A P Properties, Inc. + Vice President – Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  A P Rural Land, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - 9/07  
    Estate and Leases    
  Allomon Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  AP Residential Realty, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  AP Wheels, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  BNY Mellon, National Association + Vice President – Real 7/08 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Citmelex Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Eagle Investment Systems LLC Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
  65 LaSalle Road Estate and Leases    
  West Hartford, CT 06107      
  East Properties Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  FSFC, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Holiday Properties, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  MBC Investments Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  MBSC Securities Corporation++ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  MELDEL Leasing Corporation Number 2, Inc. + Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Mellon Bank Community Development Vice President– Real 11/07 - Present  
  Corporation+ Estate and Leases    
 
  Mellon Capital Management Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Mellon Financial Services Corporation #1+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4+ Vice President – Real 7/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Mellon Funding Corporation+ Vice President– Real 12/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    
  Mellon Holdings, LLC+ Vice President– Real 12/07 - Present  
    Estate and Leases    

C-14



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
 
  Mellon International Leasing Company+ Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Leasing Corporation+ Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Private Trust Company, National Vice President– Real 8/07 - 1/08
  Association+ Estate and Leases  
 
  Mellon Securities Trust Company+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - 7/08
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Trust Company of Illinois+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - 07/08
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Trust Company of New England, N.A.+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - 6/08
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Trust Company of New York LLC++ Vice President– Real 8/07 - 6/08
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Ventures, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Melnamor Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  MFS Leasing Corp. + Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  MMIP, LLC+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Pareto New York LLC++ Vice President– Real 10/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Pontus, Inc. + Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Promenade, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  RECR, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  SKAP #7+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - 11/07
    Estate and Leases  
  Technology Services Group, Inc.***** Senior Vice President 6/06 - Present
 
  Tennesee Processing Center LLC***** Managing Director 5/08 - Present
    Senior Vice President 4/04 - 5/08
 
  Texas AP, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  The Bank of New York Mellon***** Vice President – Real 7/08 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation***** Executive Vice President 8/07 - Present
 
  Trilem, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
Jeanne M. Login A P Colorado, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
Vice President   Estate and Leases  
  A P East, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  A P Management, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  A P Properties, Inc. + Vice President – Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  A P Rural Land, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - 9/07
    Estate and Leases  
  Allomon Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  AP Residential Realty, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  

C-15



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
 
  AP Wheels, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  APT Holdings Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  BNY Investment Management Services LLC++++ Vice President– Real 1/01 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  BNY Mellon, National Association + Vice President – Real 7/08 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Citmelex Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Eagle Investment Systems LLC+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  East Properties Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  FSFC, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Holiday Properties, Inc. + Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  MBC Investments Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  MBSC Securities Corporation++ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  MELDEL Leasing Corporation Number 2, Inc. + Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Bank Community Development Vice President – Real 11/07 - Present
  Corporation+ Estate and Leases  
 
  Mellon Capital Management Corporation+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Financial Services Corporation #1+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4+ Vice President – Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Funding Corporation+ Vice President – Real 12/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Holdings LLC+ Vice President – Real 12/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon International Leasing Company+ Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Leasing Corporation+ Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Private Trust Company, National Vice President – Real 8/07 - 1/08
  Association+ Estate and Leases  
 
  Mellon Securities Trust Company+ Vice President – Real 8/07 - 7/08
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Trust of New England, N.A. * Vice President – Real 8/07 - 6/08
    Estate and Leases  
  Mellon Trust Company of Illinois+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - 7/08
    Estate and Leases  
  MFS Leasing Corp. + Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  MMIP, LLC+ Vice President– Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Pontus, Inc. + Vice President– Real 7/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Promenade, Inc. + Vice President – Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  RECR, Inc. + Vice President – Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  

C-16



Name and Position      
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
 
  SKAP #7+ Vice President – Real 8/07 - 11/07
    Estate and Leases  
  Tennesee Processing Center LLC***** Managing Director 5/08 - Present
    Senior Vice President 4/04 - 5/08
 
  Texas AP, Inc. + Vice President – Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  The Bank of New York Mellon***** Vice President – Real 7/08 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
  Trilem, Inc. + Vice President – Real 8/07 - Present
    Estate and Leases  
 
James Bitetto The Dreyfus Family of Funds* Vice President and 8/05 - Present
Secretary   Assistant Secretary  
 
  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 - Present
 
  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 595 Market Street, Suite 3000, San Francisco, California 94105.
**** 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.

C-17


Item 27. 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 Funds, Inc.
 
13.      The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated
 
14.      Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds
 
15.      Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
 
16.      Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc.
 
17.      Dreyfus Institutional Cash Advantage Funds
 
18.      Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
 
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
 

C-18



47.      Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
 
48.      Dreyfus Premier California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
 
49.      Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds, Inc.
 
50.      Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund, Inc.
 
51.      Dreyfus Premier Investment Funds, Inc.
 
52.      Dreyfus Premier Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
 
53.      Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc.
 
54.      Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Inc.
 
55.      Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds
 
56.      Dreyfus Stock Funds
 
57.      Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
 
58.      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
 
59.      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.
 
60.      Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management Funds
 
61.      The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.
 
62.      Dreyfus Treasury & Agency Cash Management
 
63.      Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
 
64.      Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
 
65.      Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
 
66.      Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
 
67.      Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
 
68.      Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
 
69.      General California Municipal Money Market Fund
 
70.      General Government Securities Money Market Funds, Inc.
 
71.      General Money Market Fund, Inc.
 
72.      General Municipal Money Market Funds, Inc.
 
73.      General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
 
74.      General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
 
75.      Strategic Funds, Inc.
 

C-19



(b)     
Name and principal    Positions and Offices 
Business address  Positions and offices with the Distributor  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  None 
Sue Ann Cormack**  Executive Vice President  None 
Dwight D. Jacobsen*  Executive Vice President and Director  None 
Mark A. Keleher******  Executive Vice President  None 
James D. Kohley****  Executive Vice President  None 
William H. Maresca*  Executive Vice President and Director  None 
Timothy M. McCormick*  Executive Vice President  None 
David K. Mossman****  Executive Vice President  None 
James Neiland*  Executive Vice President  None 
Sean O’Neil*****  Executive Vice President and Director  None 
Irene Papadoulis**  Executive Vice President  None 
Matthew Perrone**  Executive Vice President  None 
Noreen Ross*  Executive Vice President  None 
Bradley J. Skapyak*  Executive Vice President  None 
Gary Pierce*  Chief Financial Officer and Director  None 
Tracy Hopkins*  Senior Vice President  None 
Marc S. Isaacson**  Senior Vice President  None 
Denise B. Kneeland*****  Senior Vice President  None 
Mary T. Lomasney*****  Senior Vice President  None 
Barbara A. McCann*****  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  None 
Maria Georgopoulos*  Vice President – Facilities Management  None 
William Germenis*  Vice President – Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering  Anti-Money Laundering 
  Officer  Compliance Officer 
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 – Real Estate and Leases  None 
Jeanne M. Login*******  Vice President – Real Estate and Leases  None 
Edward A. Markward*  Vice President – Compliance  None 
Paul Molloy*  Vice President  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 

C-20



(b)     
Name and principal    Positions and Offices 
Business address  Positions and offices with the Distributor  with Registrant 
 
James Bitetto*  Assistant Secretary  Vice President and 
    Assistant Secretary 
James D. Muir*  Assistant Secretary  None 
Ken Christoffersen***  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 210 University Blvd., Suite 800, Denver, CO 80206.
****      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 595 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
*******      Principal business address is 101 Barclay Street, New York 10286.

 

C-21



 

 

 

Item 28.

Location of Accounts and Records

 

 

 

 

1.

The Bank of New York Mellon

 

 

One Wall Street

 

 

New York, New York 10286

 

 

 

 

2.

DST Systems, Inc.

 

 

1055 Broadway

 

 

Kansas City, MO 64105

 

 

 

 

3.

The Dreyfus Corporation

 

 

200 Park Avenue

 

 

New York, New York 10166

 

 

 

Item 29.

Management Services

 

 

 

 

Not Applicable

 

 

 

Item 30.

Undertakings

 

 

 

 

None

C-22




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York on the 24th day of February, 2010.

DREYFUS INVESTMENT FUNDS

BY: /s/ Bradley J. Skapyak*
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  2/24/10 
Bradley J. Skapyak     
 
/s/James Windels*  Treasurer  2/24/10 
James Windels     
 
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino*  Trustee, Chairman of the Board  2/24/10 
Joseph S. DiMartino     
 
/s/James M. Fitzgibbons*  Trustee  2/24/10 
James M. Fitzgibbons     
 
/s/Kenneth A. Himmel*  Trustee  2/24/10 
Kenneth A. Himmel     
 
/s/Stephen J. Lockwood*  Trustee  2/24/10 
Stephen J. Lockwood     
 
/s/Roslyn M. Watson*  Trustee  2/24/10 
Roslyn M. Watson     
 
/s/Benaree Pratt Wiley*  Trustee  2/24/10 
Benaree Pratt Wiley     
*By: /s/James Bitetto     
Attorney-in-Fact     


INDEX OF EXHIBIT

Other Exhibits

 

 

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Code of Ethics adopted by the nonmanagement Board members of the Dreyfus Family of Funds, to become effective March 31, 2010.