STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"), which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus, dated February 14, 2011, of Dreyfus India Fund (the "Fund"), a separate series of Dreyfus Premier Investment Funds, Inc. (the "Company"), 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
|
Description of the Company and Fund
|
B-2
|
|
Management of the Company and Fund
|
B-31
|
|
Management Arrangements
|
B-39
|
|
How to Buy Shares
|
B-45
|
|
Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan
|
B-52
|
|
How to Redeem Shares
|
B-53
|
|
Shareholder Services
|
B-57
|
|
Determination of Net Asset Value
|
B-62
|
|
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
|
B-64
|
|
Portfolio Transactions
|
B-67
|
|
Summary of the Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures and Guidelines of the Dreyfus Family of Funds
|
B-72
|
|
Information About the Company and Fund
|
B-73
|
|
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
B-75
|
|
Appendix
|
B-76
|
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY AND FUND
The Company is a Maryland corporation formed on November 21, 1991. 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. The Manager has engaged its affiliate,
Hamon U.S. Investment Advisors Limited (the "Sub-Adviser" or "Hamon"),
to serve as the Fund's sub-investment adviser and to provide day-to-day management of the Fund's investments, subject to the supervision of the Manager. The Manager and the Sub-Adviser are referred to collectively as the "Advisers."
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 normally invests at least 80% of its assets in the securities of Indian issuers and other investments that are tied economically to India. The Fund considers Indian issuers to be: (i) companies organized under the laws of India; (ii) companies whose principal place of business is in India; (iii) companies that derive at least 50% of their profits, income or revenue from operations in India; (iv) companies whose securities are principally traded on Indian securities exchanges; or (v) governmental entities or agencies, instrumentalities or political sub-divisions of India.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in foreign securities other than those of Indian issuers, including those of issuers in other emerging market countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Foreign securities include the securities of companies organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and those issued or guaranteed by governments other than the U.S. Government or by foreign supranational entities. They also include securities of companies whose principal trading market is in a country other than the United States or of companies (including those that are located in the United States or organized under U.S. law) that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits from foreign businesses, investments or sales, or that have a majority of their assets outside the United States. They may be traded on foreign securities exchanges or in the foreign over-the-counter markets. Supranational entities include international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.
The Fund may purchase securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, including participation interests in loans between foreign governments and financial institutions, and interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of instruments issued or guaranteed by foreign governments. These include sovereign debt obligations, Brady Bonds and participation interests described below. The Fund also may invest in the currencies of such countries and may engage in strategic transactions in the markets of such countries. See "Investment Techniques."
Depositary Receipts
. The Fund may invest in Depositary Receipts, such as American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares (collectively, "ADRs") and Global Depositary Receipts and Global Depositary Shares (collectively, "GDRs"), and other forms of depositary receipts, which are securities that represent ownership interests in the publicly-traded securities of Indian or other non-U.S. issuers. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. GDRs are receipts issued outside the United States typically by non-United States banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities markets and GDRs in bearer form are designed for use outside the United States.
These securities may be purchased through "sponsored" or "unsponsored" facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities, and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities. Purchases or sales of certain ADRs may result, indirectly, in fees being paid to the Depositary Receipts Division of The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of the Advisers, by brokers executing the purchases or sales.
Common Stock and Other Equity Securities
. The Fund may invest in common stock and other equity securities. Stocks represent shares of ownership in a company. After other claims are satisfied, common stockholders participate in company profits on a pro-rata basis; profits may be paid out in dividends or reinvested in the company to help it grow. Increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company's stock price, so common stocks generally have the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential of all corporate securities. 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.
Preferred Stock
. The Fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock is a form of equity ownership in a corporation. The dividend on a preferred stock is a fixed payment which the corporation is not legally bound to pay. Certain classes of preferred stock are convertible, meaning the preferred stock is convertible into shares of common stock of the issuer. By holding convertible preferred stock, the Fund can receive a steady stream of dividends and still have the option to convert the preferred stock to common stock.
The Fund may invest in convertible preferred stocks that offer enhanced yield features, such as PERCS (Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock). PERCS are preferred stock that generally feature a mandatory conversion date, as well as a capital appreciation limit that is usually expressed in terms of a stated price. The Fund also may invest in other classes of enhanced convertible securities, such as ACES (Automatically Convertible Equity Securities), PEPS (Participating Equity Preferred Stock), PRIDES (Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities), SAILS (Stock Appreciation Income Linked Securities), TECONS (Term Convertible Notes), QICS (Quarterly Income Cumulative Securities) and DECS (Dividend Enhanced Convertible Securities). These securities are company-issued convertible preferred stock. Unlike PERCS, they do not have a capital appreciation limit. They are designed to provide the investor with high current income with some prospect of future capital appreciation, issued with three- or four-year maturities, and typically have some built-in call protection. Investors have the right to convert them into shares of common stock at a preset conversion ratio or hold them until maturity. Upon maturity they will convert mandatorily into either cash or a specified number of shares of common stock.
The Fund may purchase trust preferred securities which are preferred stocks issued by a special purpose trust subsidiary backed by subordinated debt of the corporate parent. These securities typically bear a market rate coupon comparable to interest rates available on debt of a similarly rated company. Holders of the trust preferred securities have limited voting rights to control the activities of the trust and no voting rights with respect to the parent company.
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.
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 securities 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.
Corporate Debt Securities
. Corporate debt securities include corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar instruments, including certain convertible securities. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants attached. Corporate income-producing securities also may include forms of preferred or preference stock. The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate such as interest rates or other financial indicators. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. Such securities may include those whose principal amount or redemption price is indexed to, and thus varies directly with, changes in the market price of certain commodities.
Sovereign Debt Obligations
. The Fund may invest in sovereign debt obligations. Investments in sovereign debt obligations involve special risks which are not present in corporate debt obligations. The foreign issuer of the sovereign debt or the foreign governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt, and the net asset value of the Fund, to the extent it invests in such securities, may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt issuers. In the past, certain foreign countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debt.
A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor's policy toward principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debts.
Brady Bonds
. The Fund may invest in Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds are securities created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to public and private entities in certain emerging markets for new bonds in connection with debt restructurings. In light of the history of defaults of countries issuing Brady Bonds on their commercial bank loans, investments in Brady Bonds may be viewed as speculative. Brady Bonds may be fully or partially collateralized or uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies (but primarily in U.S. dollars) and are actively traded in over-the-counter secondary markets. Brady Bonds with no or limited collateralization of interest or principal payment obligations have increased credit risk, and the holders of such bonds rely on the willingness and ability of the foreign government to make payments in accordance with the terms of such Brady Bonds. U.S. dollar-denominated collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed-rate bonds or floating-rate bonds, generally are collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. The Fund also may invest in one or more classes of securities ("Structured Securities") backed by, or representing interests in, Brady Bonds. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly-issued Structured Securities to create securities with different investment characteristics such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of the payments made with respect to Structured Securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments.
Participation Interests and Assignments
. The Fund may invest in short-term corporate obligations denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies that are originated, negotiated and structured by a syndicate of lenders ("Co-Lenders"), consisting of commercial banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies, financial companies or other financial institutions one or more of which administers the security on behalf of the syndicate (the "Agent Bank"). Co-Lenders may sell such securities to third parties called "Participants." The Fund may invest in such securities either by participating as a Co-Lender at origination or by acquiring an interest in the security from a Co-Lender or a Participant (collectively, "participation interests"). Co-Lenders and Participants interposed between the Fund and the corporate borrower (the "Borrower"), together with Agent Banks, are referred herein as "Intermediate Participants."
The Fund also may purchase a participation interest in a portion of the rights of an Intermediate Participant, which would not establish any direct relationship between the Fund and the Borrower. A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided interest in the security in the proportion that the Fund's participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the security. These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. The Fund would be required to rely on the Intermediate Participant that sold the participation interest not only for the enforcement of the Fund's rights against the Borrower but also for the receipt and processing of payments due to the Fund under the security. Because it may be necessary to assert through an Intermediate Participant such rights as may exist against the Borrower, in the event the Borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would be involved if the Fund would enforce its rights directly against the Borrower. Moreover, under the terms of a participation interest, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the Intermediate Participant (rather than of the Borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the Intermediate Participant may become insolvent. Similar risks may arise with respect to the Agent Bank if, for example, assets held by the Agent Bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined by the appropriate regulatory authority or court to be subject to the claims of the Agent Bank's creditors. In such case, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment in connection with the participation interest or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Borrower, the obligation of the Borrower to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such Borrower as a result of improper conduct by the Agent Bank or Intermediate Participant.
The Fund also may invest in the underlying loan to the Borrower through an assignment of all or a portion of such loan ("Assignments") from a third party. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Co-Lenders it will acquire direct rights against the Borrower on the loan. Because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, however, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Co-Lender. The Fund may have difficulty disposing of Assignments because to do so it will have to assign such securities to a third party. Because there is no established secondary market for such securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of an established secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and the Fund's ability to dispose of particular Assignments when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as 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.
Investment Companies
. The Fund may invest in securities issued by registered and unregistered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds described below. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), the Fund's investment in such securities, subject to certain exceptions, currently is limited to (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets in the aggregate. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory fees and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. The Fund also may invest its uninvested cash reserves, or cash it receives as collateral from borrowers of its portfolio securities in connection with the Fund's securities lending program, in shares of one or more money market funds advised by the Manager. Such investments will not be subject to the limitations described above. See "Lending Portfolio Securities."
Exchange-Traded Funds
. The Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (collectively, "ETFs"), which are designed 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"), World Equity Benchmark Series ("WEBS") and iShares exchange-traded funds ("iShares"), such as iShares S&P India Nifty Fifty Index Fund. ETFs usually are units of beneficial interest in an investment trust or represent undivided ownership interests in a portfolio of securities, in each case with respect to a portfolio of all or substantially all of the component securities of, and in substantially the same weighting as, the relevant benchmark index. The benchmark indices of SPDRs, DIAMONDS and Nasdaq-100 Shares are the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq-100 Index, respectively. The benchmark index for iShares varies, generally corresponding to the name of the particular iShares fund. WEBS are designed to replicate the composition and performance of publicly traded issuers in particular countries. ETFs are designed to provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the component securities of the benchmark index. ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary market on a per-share basis.
The values of ETFs are subject to change as the values of their respective component securities fluctuate according to market volatility. Investments in ETFs that are designed to correspond to an equity index, for example, involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly based portfolio of common stocks, including the risk that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of ETFs invested in by the Fund. Moreover, the Fund's investments in such 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.
Exchange-Traded Notes
. The Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded notes (collectively, "ETNs"), which are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during normal trading hours. However, investors can also hold the ETN until maturity. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day's market benchmark or strategy factor.
ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer's credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer's credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. These fees and expenses generally reduce the return realized at maturity or upon redemption from an investment in an ETN; therefore, the value of the index underlying the ETN must increase significantly in order for an investor in an ETN to receive at least the principal amount of the investment at maturity or upon redemption. The Fund's decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
. 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 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.
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.
Zero Coupon, Pay-In-Kind and Step-Up Securities
. The Fund may invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities, which are Treasury Notes and Bonds that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves and receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations and coupons. Zero coupon securities also are issued by corporations and financial institutions which constitute a proportionate ownership of the issuer's pool of underlying U.S. Treasury securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holders during its life and is sold at a discount to its face value at maturity. The Fund may invest in pay-in-kind bonds, which are bonds that generally pay interest through the issuance of additional bonds. The Fund also may purchase step-up coupon bonds, which are debt securities that typically do not pay interest for a specified period of time and then pay interest at a series of different rates. The market prices of these securities generally are more volatile and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than the market prices of securities that pay cash interest periodically having similar maturities and credit qualities. In addition, unlike bonds that pay cash interest throughout the period to maturity, the Fund will realize no cash until the cash payment date unless a portion of such securities are sold and, if the issuer defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. Federal income tax law requires the holder of a zero coupon security or of certain pay-in-kind or step-up bonds to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for Federal income taxes, the Fund may be required to distribute such income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Investments
. The Fund may invest in Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar instruments. Eurodollar instruments are bonds of foreign corporate and government issuers that pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars generally held in banks outside the United States, primarily in Europe. Yankee Dollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated bonds typically issued in the United States by foreign governments and their agencies and foreign banks and corporations. The Fund may invest in Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit ("ECDs"), Eurodollar Time Deposits ("ETDs") and Yankee Certificates of Deposit ("Yankee CDs"). ECDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks; ETDs are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in a foreign branch of a U.S. bank or in a foreign bank; and Yankee CDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank and held in the United States. These investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, including potential unfavorable political and economic developments, foreign withholding or other taxes, seizure of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest.
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 Sub-Adviser 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, bank obligations, repurchase agreements 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.
Repurchase Agreements
. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund would acquire a security for a relatively short period subject to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund's cost plus interest). The value of the underlying securities (or collateral) will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest factor. The Fund bears a risk of loss if the other party to the repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. This risk includes the risk of procedural costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value should fall below their repurchase price.
Commercial Paper
. The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies. Commercial paper may consist of U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic issuers and foreign currency-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign issuers.
Illiquid Securities
. The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with the Fund's investment objective. These securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice and certain privately negotiated, non-exchange traded options and securities used to cover such options. As to these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the Fund desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected.
Investment Techniques
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectus.
Foreign Currency Transactions
. The Fund may invest directly in foreign currencies or hold financial instruments that provide investment 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 may engage in cross currency hedging against price movements between currencies, other than the U.S. dollar, caused by currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Fund's success in these transactions may depend on the ability of the Sub-Adviser to predict accurately the future exchange rates of foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.
The Fund also may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") for the purchase or sale of a specified currency at a specified future date. The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward contracts are usually entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. Generally, secondary markets do not exist for forward contracts, with the result that closing transactions can be made for forward contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty to the contract.
Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention, or failure to intervene, by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
Borrowing Money
. The Fund is permitted to borrow to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, which permits an investment company to borrow in an amount up to 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets. Such borrowings may be for temporary or emergency purposes or for leveraging as described below. While borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments.
Leverage
. The Fund is permitted to buy securities using borrowed money, known as leveraging. Leveraging exaggerates the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund's portfolio. These borrowings will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased; in certain cases, interest costs may exceed the return received on the securities purchased. For borrowings for investment purposes, the 1940 Act requires the Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed. If the required coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the amount of its borrowings and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
. The Fund may borrow for investment purposes on a secured basis through entering into reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with banks, broker/dealers or other financial institutions. This form of borrowing involves the transfer by the Fund of an underlying debt instrument in return for cash proceeds based on a percentage of the value of the security. The Fund retains the right to receive interest and principal payments on the security. At an agreed upon future date, the Fund repurchases the security at principal plus accrued interest. As a result of these transactions, the Fund is exposed to greater potential fluctuations in the value of its assets and its net asset value per share. To the extent the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal to the aggregate amount of its reverse repurchase obligations, plus accrued interest, in certain cases, in accordance with releases promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The SEC views reverse repurchase transactions as collateralized borrowings by the Fund. Except for these transactions, the Fund's borrowings generally will be unsecured.
Derivatives
. The Fund may invest in, or enter into, derivatives for a variety of reasons, including to hedge certain market, interest rate or currency risks, to provide a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities or to increase potential returns. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. 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, in addition to forward contracts, include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, swap agreements, credit derivatives, structured notes, custodial receipts, and participatory notes. The Fund's portfolio managers may decide not to employ some or all of these strategies and there is no assurance that any derivatives strategy used by the Fund will succeed.
Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of the particular derivative and the portfolio as a whole. Derivatives permit the Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is exposed in much the same way as the Fund can increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making investments in specific securities. However, derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on the Fund's performance.
If the Fund invests in derivatives at inopportune times or judges market conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund's return or result in a loss. The Fund also could experience losses if its derivatives were poorly correlated with the underlying instruments or the Fund's other investments, or if the Fund were unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for many derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for derivatives.
Derivatives may be purchased on established exchanges or through privately negotiated transactions referred to as over-the-counter derivatives. Exchange-traded derivatives generally are guaranteed by the clearing agency that is the issuer or counterparty to such derivatives. This guarantee usually is supported by a variation margin payment system operated by the clearing agency in order to reduce overall credit risk. As a result, unless the clearing agency defaults, there is relatively little counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives purchased on an exchange. In contrast, no clearing agency guarantees over-the-counter derivatives. Therefore, each party to an over-the-counter derivative bears the risk that the counterparty will default. Accordingly, the Sub-Adviser will consider the creditworthiness of counterparties to over-the-counter derivatives in the same manner as it would review the credit quality of a security to be purchased by the Fund. Over-the-counter derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives since the other party to the transaction may be the only investor with sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested in bidding for it.
Some derivatives the Fund may use may involve leverage (e.g., an instrument linked to the value of a securities index may return income calculated as a multiple of the price movement of the underlying index). This economic leverage will increase the volatility of these instruments as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the underlying security, index, futures contract, currency or other economic variable. Pursuant to regulations and/or published positions of the SEC, the Fund may be required to segregate permissible liquid assets, or engage in other measures approved by the SEC or its staff, to "cover" the Fund's obligations relating to its transactions in derivatives. For example, in the case of futures contracts or forward contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts' full notional value (generally, the total numerical value of the asset underlying a future or forward contract at the time of valuation) while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts or forward contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund's daily marked-to-market net obligation (i.e., the Fund's daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts' full notional value. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures and forward contracts, the Fund may employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts.
Neither the 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 for a set price on a future date. These contracts are traded on exchanges, so that, in most cases, either party can close out its position on the exchange for cash, without delivering the security. An option on a futures contract gives the holder of the option the right to buy from or sell to the writer of the option a position in a futures contract at a specified price on or before a specified expiration date.
Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out before delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument with the same delivery date. If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Transaction costs also are included in these calculations.
The Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits that the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the currency exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes.
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 Sub-Adviser'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 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 specific securities (or groups or "baskets" of specific securities), securities indexes, currencies and interest rates.
The Fund may purchase and sell index futures contracts and options thereon. An index future obligates the Fund to pay or receive an amount of cash equal to a fixed dollar amount specified in the futures contract multiplied by the difference between the settlement price of the contract on the contract's last trading day and the value of the index based on the prices of the securities that comprise the index at the opening of trading in such securities on the next business day.
The Fund may purchase and sell 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.
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.
Options—In General
. The Fund may purchase call and put options and write (i.e., sell) covered call and put option contracts. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security or securities at the exercise price at any time during the option period, or at a specific date. Conversely, a put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security or securities at the exercise price at any time during the option period, or at a specific date.
A covered call option written by the Fund is a call option with respect to which the Fund owns the underlying security or otherwise covers the transaction such as by segregating permissible liquid assets. A put option written by the Fund is covered when, among other things, the Fund segregates permissible liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option to fulfill the obligation undertaken or otherwise covers the transaction. The principal reason for writing covered call and put options is to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater return than would be realized on the underlying securities alone. The Fund receives a premium from writing covered call or put options which it retains whether or not the option is exercised.
There is no assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a liquid secondary market on a securities exchange will exist for any particular option or at any particular time, and for some options no such secondary market may exist. A liquid secondary market in an option may cease to exist for a variety of reasons. In the past, for example, higher than anticipated trading activity or order flow, or other unforeseen events, at times have rendered certain of the clearing facilities inadequate and resulted in the institution of special procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of orders or trading halts or suspensions in one or more options. There can be no assurance that similar events, or events that may otherwise interfere with the timely execution of customers' orders, will not recur. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options. If, as a covered call option writer, the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise or it otherwise covers its position.
Specific Options Transactions
. The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options in respect of specific securities (or groups or "baskets" of specific securities), including equity securities (including convertible securities), U.S. Government securities, foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, and Eurodollar instruments that are traded on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, or securities indices, currencies or futures.
An option on an index is similar to an option in respect of specific securities, except that settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. Instead, the option holder receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based is greater than in the case of a call, or less than in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. Thus, the effectiveness of purchasing or writing index options will depend upon price movements in the level of the index rather than the price of a particular security.
The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on foreign currency. These options convey the right to buy or sell the underlying currency at a price which is expected to be lower or higher than the spot price of the currency at the time the option is exercised or expires.
The Fund may purchase cash-settled options on swaps, described below, denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currency in pursuit of its investment objective. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date.
Successful use by the Fund of options and options on futures will be subject to the Sub-Adviser'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 Sub-Adviser's predictions are incorrect, the Fund may incur losses.
Swap Transactions
. The Fund may engage in swap transactions, including currency swaps, index swaps and interest rate swaps, caps and floors. The Fund may enter into swaps for both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. The Fund also may enter into options on swap agreements, sometimes called "swaptions." Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund's investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if the Fund agreed to exchange payments in U.S. dollars for payments in a foreign currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the Fund's exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund's investments and its share price and yield. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options.
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.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating-rate payments for fixed-rate payments. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. 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 payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor.
Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund are cash settled and calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Thus, the Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). The Fund's current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the segregation of permissible liquid assets of the Fund.
A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. These options typically are purchased in privately negotiated transactions from financial institutions, including securities brokerage firms. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally will incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than it will incur when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.
The use of swap agreements is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Sub-Adviser 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 Sub-Adviser 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).
Credit Derivatives
. The Fund may engage in credit derivative transactions, such as those involving default price risk derivatives and market spread derivatives. Default price risk derivatives are linked to the price of reference securities or loans after a default by the issuer or borrower, respectively. Market spread derivatives are based on the risk that changes in market factors, such as credit spreads, can cause a decline in the value of a security, loan or index. There are three basic transactional forms for credit derivatives: swaps, options and structured instruments. The use of credit derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Sub-Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. Moreover, even if the Sub-Adviser is correct in its forecasts, there is a risk that a credit derivative position may correlate imperfectly with the price of the asset or liability being hedged. The Fund's risk of loss in a credit derivative transaction varies with the form of the transaction. For example, if the Fund purchases a default option on a security, and if no default occurs with respect to the security, the Fund's loss is limited to the premium it paid for the default option. In contrast, if there is a default by the grantor of a default option, the Fund's loss will include both the premium it paid for the option and the decline in value of the underlying security that the default option hedged.
Structured Notes and Hybrid Instruments
. Structured notes are derivative securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator, and include indexed securities. Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile. They are sometimes referred to as "structured notes" because the terms of the debt instrument may be structured by the issuer of the note and the purchaser of the note. 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, 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 currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund.
Custodial Receipts
. The Fund may purchase custodial receipts representing the right to receive certain future principal and/or interest payments on a basket of securities which underlie the custodial receipts. A number of different arrangements are possible. In a typical custodial receipt arrangement, an issuer or a third party owner of securities deposits such securities obligations with a custodian in exchange for custodial receipts. These custodial receipts typically are sold in private placements and are designed to provide investors with pro rata ownership of a portfolio of underlying securities.
Participatory Notes
. The Fund may invest in participatory notes issued by banks or broker-dealers that are designed to replicate the performance of certain issuers and markets. Participatory notes are a type of equity-linked derivative which generally are traded over-the-counter. The performance results of participatory notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. Investments in participatory notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the shares of the companies the notes seek to replicate. In addition, participatory notes are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the broker-dealer or bank that issues the notes will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund. Participatory notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them, and the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such banks or broker-dealers and has no rights under a participatory note against the issuers of the stocks underlying such participatory notes. Participatory notes involve transaction costs. Participatory notes may be considered illiquid and, therefore, participatory notes considered illiquid will be subject to the Fund's percentage limitation for investments in illiquid securities.
Combined Transactions
. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple swap transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions, and any combination of futures, options, swaps, currency and interest rate transactions ("component transactions"), instead of a single transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser, 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 Sub- Adviser's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.
Future Developments
. The Fund may take advantage of opportunities in options and futures contracts and options on futures contracts and any other derivatives which are not presently contemplated for use by the Fund or which are not currently available but which may be developed, to the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Before the Fund enters into such transactions or makes any such investment, the Fund will provide appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus or this SAI.
Short-Selling
. In these transactions, the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. The Fund may make short-sales to hedge positions, for duration and risk management, to maintain portfolio flexibility or to enhance returns. To complete a short-sale transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it subsequently at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund, which would result in a loss or gain, respectively. The Fund also may make short sales "against the box," in which the Fund enters into a short sale of a security it owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost at the time of the sale.
Securities will not be sold short if, after effect is given to any such short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets.
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.
Lending Portfolio Securities
. The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, the Fund remains the owner of the loaned securities and continues to be entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities. The Fund also has the right to terminate a loan at any time. The Fund may call the loan to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund's investment is to be voted upon. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan). The Fund will receive collateral consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. If the collateral consists of a letter of credit or securities, the borrower will pay the Fund a loan premium fee. If the collateral consists of cash, the Fund will reinvest the cash and pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or "rebate" from any return earned on the investment. The Fund may participate in a securities lending program operated by The Bank of New York Mellon, 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 (including "TBA" (to be announced)), 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 securities at a predetermined price and/or yield. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. When purchasing a security on a forward commitment basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining its net asset value. Because the Fund is not required to pay for these securities until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund's other investments. If the Fund is fully or almost fully invested when forward commitment purchases are outstanding, such purchases may result in a form of leverage. The Fund would engage in forward commitments to increase its portfolio's financial exposure to the types of securities in which it invests. Leveraging the portfolio in this manner will increase the Fund's exposure to changes in interest rates and will increase the volatility of its returns. The Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal at all times to the amount of the Fund's purchase commitments.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are subject to changes in value (generally changing in the same way, i.e., appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates rise) based upon the public's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities purchased on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis can involve the additional risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis when the Fund is fully or almost fully invested may result in greater potential fluctuation in the value of the Fund's net assets and its net asset value per share.
Certain Investment Considerations and Risks
Foreign Securities
. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers, as well as instruments that provide investment exposure to foreign securities and markets, involves risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of domestic issuers. Investments in foreign issuers may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and in exchange control regulations (e.g., currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency (i.e., weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. A change in the value of such foreign currency against the U.S. dollar also will result in a change in the amount of income the Fund has available for distribution. Because a 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 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.
The risks associated with investing in foreign securities are often heightened for investments in emerging market countries, including India and other countries in which the Fund may invest. 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 Advisers and their affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached. These limitations may have a negative impact on the Fund's performance and may adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund's investment to the extent that it invests in certain emerging market countries. In addition, some emerging market countries may have fixed or managed currencies which are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Further, certain emerging market countries' currencies may not be internationally traded. Certain of these currencies have experienced a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. If the Fund does not hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities it owns denominated in currencies that are devalued, the Fund's net asset value will be adversely affected. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, adverse effects on the economies and securities markets of certain of these countries.
Since foreign securities often are purchased with and payable in currencies of foreign countries, the value of these assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations.
Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by ADRs or that are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter markets are not subject to many of the special considerations and risks discussed in the Fund's Prospectus and this SAI that apply to foreign securities traded and held abroad. A U.S. dollar investment in ADRs or shares of foreign issuers traded on U.S. exchanges may be impacted differently by currency fluctuations than would an investment made in a foreign currency on a foreign exchange in shares of the same issuer. The Fund may use participatory notes, which function similarly to ADRs, except that Indian-based brokerage firms, not U.S. banks, are depositories for Indian-based securities on behalf of foreign investors. Indian-based brokerage firms buy Indian-based securities and then issue participatory notes to foreign investors. Any dividends or capital gains collected from the underlying securities are remitted to the foreign investors. However, unlike ADRs, participatory notes are subject to credit risk based on the uncertainty of the counterparty's (i.e., the Indian-based brokerage firm's) ability to meet its obligations.
Investments in India involve certain risks and special considerations. Such risks include but are not limited to: (a) social, economic and political uncertainty, including war; (b) the ability to sustain strong economic growth; (c) greater price fluctuations and market volatility; (d) less liquidity and smaller capitalization of securities markets; (e) currency exchange rate fluctuations; (f) interest rate fluctuations; (g) government involvement in and control over the economy; (h) government decisions to discontinue support of economic reform programs; (i) differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; and (j) the availability and effectiveness of the Indian legal system. Because the Fund invests predominantly in the securities of Indian issuers, it may be subject to increased liquidity risks. This could inhibit the Fund's ability to meet a large number of shareholder redemption requests in the event of economic, political or religious turmoil in India or neighboring regions or deterioration in relations between the United States and India.
Political, economic and social factors, changes in Indian law or regulations and the status of India's relations with other countries may adversely affect the value of the Fund's assets. Certain developments (such as the possibility of nationalization, expropriations or taxation amounting to confiscation, political changes, governmental regulation, social instability, diplomatic disputes or other similar developments), which are beyond the control of the Fund and the Advisers, could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
India's political, social and economic stability is related to its developing status. Although India has experienced significant growth and is projected to undergo significant growth in the future, there can be no assurance that such growth will continue. Future actions of the Indian central government or the respective Indian state governments could have a significant effect on the Indian economy, which could adversely affect private sector companies, market conditions and prices and the performance of the Fund's investments in India. The occurrence of social unrest or external tensions could adversely affect India's political and economic stability and, consequently, adversely affect the Fund's performance.
India is a country that comprises diverse religious and ethnic groups. It is the world's most populous democracy and has a well-developed political system. Ethnic issues and border disputes, however, have given rise to ongoing tension in the relations between India and Pakistan, particularly over the region of Kashmir. In addition, cross-border terrorism could weaken regional stability in South Asia, thereby hurting investor sentiment. The Indian government has confronted separatist movements in several Indian states. If the Indian government is unable to control the violence and disruption associated with these tensions, the results could destabilize the economy and, consequently, adversely affect the Fund's investments.
While fiscal and legislative reforms have led to economic liberalization and stabilization in India over the past fifteen years, the possibility that these reforms may be halted or reversed could significantly and adversely affect the value of investments in India. The Fund's investments in India could also be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations or the interpretations thereof, including those governing foreign direct investment, anti-inflationary measures, laws governing rates and methods of taxation, and restrictions on currency conversion, imports and sources of supplies.
Although the Indian primary and secondary equity markets have grown rapidly over the last few years and the clearing, settlement and registration systems available to effect trades on the Indian stock markets have improved, these processes may still not be on par with those in more developed markets. The securities markets in India are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. The securities industry in India is comparatively underdeveloped, which may result in difficulties relating to settlement and recording of transactions and in interpreting and applying relevant securities laws and regulations. The Indian stock exchanges have been subject to broker defaults, failed trades and settlement delays in the past.
Foreign investment in the securities of issuers in India is usually restricted or controlled to some degree. In addition, the availability of financial instruments with exposure to Indian financial markets may be substantially limited by the restrictions on Foreign Institutional Investors ("FIIs") and sub-accounts, such as Dreyfus and the Fund, respectively. Only registered FIIs and sub-accounts and non-Indian mutual funds that comply with certain statutory conditions may make direct portfolio investments in exchange-traded Indian securities. FIIs and their sub-accounts are required to register with and be approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI"), and must continue to satisfy certain requirements imposed by SEBI. There can be no guarantee that Dreyfus or the Fund will satisfy these requirements to continue their FII and sub-account status, respectively. FIIs and their sub-accounts are required to observe certain investment restrictions which may limit the Fund's ability to invest in issuers or to fully pursue its investment objective. Income, gains and initial capital with respect to such investments are freely repatriable, subject to payment of applicable Indian taxes. India's guidelines under which foreign investors, such as the Fund, may invest in Indian securities are new and evolving. There can be no assurance that these foreign investment or exchange control regimes will not change in a way that makes it more difficult or impossible for the Fund to implement its investment strategy or repatriate its income, gains and initial capital from India.
The Advisers will take into account the effects on returns of local taxation. India may require withholding on dividends paid on portfolio securities and on realized capital gains. In the past, these taxes have sometimes been substantial. There can be no assurance that restrictions on repatriation of the Fund's income, gains or initial capital from India will not occur.
A high proportion of the shares of many Indian issuers are held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment. In addition, further issuances, or the perception that such issuances may occur, of securities by Indian issuers in which the Fund has invested could dilute the earnings per share of the Fund's investment and could adversely affect the market price of such securities. Sales of securities by such issuer's major shareholders, or the perception that such sales may occur, may also significantly and adversely affect the market price of such securities and, in turn, the Fund's investment. Moreover, a limited number of issuers represent a disproportionately large percentage of market capitalization and trading value in India.
The ability of the Fund to invest in Indian securities, exchange Indian rupees into U.S. dollars and repatriate investment income, capital and proceeds of sales realized from their investments in Indian securities is subject to the Indian Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, and the rules, regulations and notifications issued thereunder. There can be no assurance that the Indian government in the future, whether for purposes of managing its balance of payments or for other reasons, will not impose restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad or otherwise modify the exchange control regime applicable to foreign institutional investors in such a way that may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to repatriate its income and capital. If for any reason the Fund is unable, through borrowing or otherwise, to distribute an amount equal to substantially all of its investment company taxable income (as defined for U.S. tax purposes, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) within the applicable time periods, the Fund would cease to qualify for the favorable tax treatment afforded to regulated investment companies under the Code.
Equity Securities
. Equity securities, including common stocks, and certain preferred stocks, convertible securities and warrants, fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be pronounced. Changes in the value of the Fund's investments will result in changes in the value of its shares and thus the Fund's total return to investors.
The Fund may purchase equity securities of small capitalization companies. The stock prices of these companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the stocks of larger, more established companies, because these securities typically are traded in lower volume and the issuers typically are more subject to changes in earnings and prospects. The Fund, together with other investment companies advised by the Advisers and their affiliates, may own significant positions in portfolio companies which, depending on market conditions, may affect adversely the Fund's ability to dispose of some or all of its positions should it desire to do so.
The Fund may purchase securities of companies that have no earnings or have experienced losses. The Fund generally will make these investments based on a belief that actual anticipated products or services will produce future earnings. If the anticipated event is delayed or does not occur, or if investor perception about the company changes, the company's stock price may decline sharply and its securities may become less liquid.
The Fund may purchase securities of companies in initial public offerings ("IPOs") or shortly thereafter. An IPO is a corporation's first offering of stock to the public. Shares are given a market value reflecting expectations for the corporation's future growth. Special rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") apply to the distribution of IPOs. Corporations offering IPOs generally have limited operating histories and may involve greater investment risk. The prices of these companies' securities can be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly, sometimes based solely on investor perceptions rather than economic reasons.
The Fund may invest in securities issued by companies in the technology sector, which has been among the most volatile sectors of the market. Many technology companies involve greater risks because their revenues and earnings tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses) and their share prices tend to be more volatile. Certain technology companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or may depend on a limited management group. In addition, these companies are strongly affected by worldwide technological developments, and their products and services may not be economically successful or may quickly become outdated. Investor perception may play a greater role in determining the day-to-day value of technology stocks than it does in other sectors. Investments made in anticipation of future products and services may decline dramatically in value if the anticipated products or services are delayed or cancelled.
Fixed-Income Securities
. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities, including those rated at the time of purchase below investment grade by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P"), or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch" and together with Moody's and S&P, the "Rating Agencies") or, if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser. 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. Fixed-income securities rated below investment grade by the Rating Agencies may be subject to such risks with respect to the issuing entity and to greater market fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher rated fixed-income securities. Certain securities that may be purchased by the Fund, such as those with interest rates that fluctuate directly or indirectly based on multiples of a stated index, are designed to be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and can subject the holders thereof to extreme reductions of yield and possibly loss of principal. The values of fixed-income securities also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuer. Once the rating of a portfolio security has been changed, the Fund will consider all circumstances deemed relevant in determining whether to continue to hold the security. See "Appendix" for a general description of the Rating Agencies' ratings.
High Yield-Lower Rated Securities
. The Fund may invest without limitation in fixed-income securities rated below Baa by Moody's and below BBB by S&P and as low as the lowest rating assigned by the Rating Agencies. Such securities (commonly known as "high yield" or "junk" bonds), though higher yielding, are characterized by risk. Although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of these securities. The Fund will rely on the judgment, analysis and experience of the Sub-Adviser in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer.
Investors should be aware that the market values of many of these securities tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher rated securities. These securities generally are considered by the Rating Agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation and generally will involve more credit risk than securities in the higher rating categories.
Companies that issue certain of these securities often are highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with the higher rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of these securities may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer's ability to service its debt obligations also may be affected adversely by specific corporate developments, forecasts, or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss because of default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of these securities because such securities generally are unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. Bond prices are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, bond price volatility also is inversely related to coupon. Accordingly, below investment grade securities may be relatively less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher quality securities of comparable maturity, because of their higher coupon. This higher coupon is what the investor receives in return for bearing greater credit risk.
Because there is no established retail secondary market for many of these securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market for these securities does exist, it generally is not as liquid as the secondary market for higher rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on market price and yield and the Fund's ability to dispose of particular issues when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of these securities. In such cases, judgment may play a greater role in valuation because less reliable, objective data may be available.
These securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. It is likely that an economic recession could disrupt severely the market for such securities and may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities. In addition, it is likely that any such economic downturn could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities.
The Fund may acquire these securities during an initial offering. Such securities may involve special risks because they are new issues. The Fund has no arrangement with any person concerning the acquisition of such securities, and the Sub-Adviser will review carefully the credit and other characteristics pertinent to such new issues.
The credit risk factors pertaining to lower rated securities also apply to lower rated zero coupon, 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.
Investment Restrictions
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in the securities of Indian issuers and other investments that are tied economically to India. 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 its assets.
The Fund has adopted investment restrictions numbered 1 through 7 as fundamental policies, which cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. The Fund's investment objective and investment restrictions numbered 8 through 12 are not fundamental policies and may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Company's Board members at any time. Except as described below or as otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by, or exemptive or other relief from, the SEC or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, and disclosed to investors, the Fund may not:
1. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
2. Invest in physical commodities or physical commodities contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those related to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices, and enter into swap agreements and other derivative instruments that are commodities or commodity contracts.
3. Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or other mineral leases or exploration or development programs, but the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or issued by companies that invest or deal in real estate or real estate investment trusts and may acquire and hold real estate or interests therein through exercising rights or remedies with regard to such securities.
4. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets).
5. Lend any securities or make loans to others, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits such loans to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets). For purposes of this Investment Restriction, the purchase of debt obligations (including acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments) and the entry into repurchase agreements shall not constitute loans by the Fund. Any loans of portfolio securities will be made according to guidelines established by the SEC and the Company's Board.
6. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.
7. Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act), except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of borrowing money in accordance with the Fund's borrowing policies. For purposes of this Investment Restriction, collateral, escrow, or margin or other deposits with respect to the making of short sales, the purchase or sale of futures contracts or options and other derivative instruments, purchase or sale of forward foreign currency contracts, and the writing of options on securities are not deemed to be an issuance of senior security.
8. Purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and other derivative instruments, and except that effecting short sales will be deemed not to constitute a margin purchase for purposes of this Investment Restriction.
9. Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, but the Fund will vote the securities it owns in its portfolio as a shareholder in accordance with its views.
10. Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice or purchase securities that are illiquid, if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's net assets would be so invested.
11. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.
12. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the purchase of securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed-delivery basis and the deposit of assets in escrow in connection with writing covered put and call options and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect to permitted transactions.
The Fund also has adopted a policy prohibiting it from operating as a fund-of-funds in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction. With respect to Investment Restriction No. 4, however, if borrowings exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets as a result of changes in values or assets, the Fund must take steps to reduce such borrowings within three business days at least to the extent of such excess.
If the Fund's investment objective, policies, restrictions, practices or procedures change, shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of the shareholder's then-current position and needs.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND FUND
Board of the Company
Board's Oversight Role in Management
. The Board's role in management of the Company is oversight. As is the case with virtually all investment companies (as distinguished from operating companies), service providers to the Company, primarily the Manager and its affiliates, have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund, which includes responsibility for risk management (including management of investment performance and investment risk, valuation risk, issuer and counterparty credit risk, compliance risk and operational risk). As part of its oversight, the Board, acting at its scheduled meetings, or the Chairman, acting between Board meetings, regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including the Manager's Chief Investment Officer (or a senior representative of his office), the Company's and the Manager's Chief Compliance Officer and portfolio management personnel. The Board's audit committee (which consists of all Board members) meets during its scheduled meetings, and between meetings the audit committee chair maintains contact, with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and the Company's Chief Financial Officer. The Board also receives periodic presentations from senior personnel of the Manager or its affiliates regarding risk management generally, as well as periodic presentations regarding specific operational, compliance or investment areas, such as business continuity, anti-money laundering, personal trading, valuation, credit, investment research and securities lending. The Board also receives reports from counsel to the Manager and the Board's own independent legal counsel regarding regulatory compliance and governance matters. The Board has adopted policies and procedures designed to address certain risks to the Fund. In addition, the Manager and other service providers to the Company have adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Fund. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. However, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks applicable to the Fund, and the Board's risk management oversight is subject to inherent limitations.
Board Composition and Leadership Structure
. The 1940 Act requires that at least 40% of the Company's Board members not be "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company and as such are not affiliated with the Manager ("Independent Board members"). To rely on certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act, a majority of the Company's Board members must be Independent Board members, and for certain important matters, such as the approval of investment advisory agreements or transactions with affiliates, the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder require the approval of a majority of the Independent Board members. Currently, all of the Company's Board members, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent Board members, although the Board could in the future determine to add Board members who are not Independent Board members. The Board has determined that its leadership structure, in which the Chairman of the Board is not affiliated with the Manager, is appropriate in light of the services that the Manager and its affiliates provide to the Company and potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these relationships.
Information About Each Board Member's Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills
. Board members of the Company, together with information as to their positions with the Company, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, are shown below.
Name (Age)
Position with Company (Since)
|
|
Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph S. DiMartino (67)
Chairman of the Board (1995)
|
|
Corporate Director and Trustee
|
|
CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies,
Director
(1997 - present)
The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants,
Director
(2000 - 2010)
Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of certain outdoor-related services to homes and business,
Director
(2005 - 2009)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gordon J. Davis (69)
Board Member (1993)
|
|
Partner in the law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf, LLP
|
|
Consolidated Edison, Inc., a utility company,
Director
(1997 - present)
The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company,
Director
(2000 - present)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David P. Feldman (71)
Board Member (1991)
|
|
Corporate Director and Trustee
|
|
BBH Mutual Funds Group (4 registered mutual funds),
Director
(1992 - present)
QMed, Inc., a heathcare company,
Director
(1999 - 2007)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lynn Martin (71)
Board Member (1994)
|
|
President of The Martin Hall Group LLC, a human resources consulting firm, from January 2005 - present
Advisor to the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP and Chair to its Council for the Advancement of Women from March 1993 - September 2005
|
|
AT&T Inc., a telecommunications company, Director (1999 - present)
Ryder System, Inc., a supply chain and transportation management company, Director (1993 - present)
The Procter & Gamble Co., a consumer products company, Director (1994 - present)
Constellation Energy Group, Inc.,
Director
(2003 - present)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip L. Toia (77)
Board Member (1997)
|
|
Private Investor
|
|
N/A
|
Each Board member has been a Board member of Dreyfus mutual funds for over ten years. Additional information about each Board member follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that each Board member possesses which the Board believes has prepared them to be effective Board members. The Board believes that the significance of each Board member's experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Board member may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the board level, with no single Board member, or particular factor, being indicative of board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that Board members need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Company management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties; the Board believes that its members satisfy this standard. Experience relevant to having this ability may be achieved through a Board member's educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., medicine, accounting or law), public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board of the Company) or as an executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. The charter for the Board's nominating committee contains certain other factors considered by the committee in identifying and evaluating potential Board member nominees. To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Board members are counseled by their own independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Manager, and also may benefit from information provided by the Manager's counsel; counsel to the Company and to the Board have significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate. The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.
|
●
|
Joseph S. DiMartino
– Mr. DiMartino has been the Chairman of the Board of the funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for over 15 years. From 1971 through 1994, Mr. DiMartino served in various roles as an employee of Dreyfus (prior to its acquisition by a predecessor of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation ("BNY Mellon") in August 1994 and related management changes), including portfolio manager, President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director. He ceased being an employee or Director of Dreyfus by the end of 1994. From July 1995 to November 1997, Mr. DiMartino served as Chairman of the Board of The Noel Group, a public buyout firm; in that capacity, he helped manage, acquire, take public and liquidate a number of operating companies. Mr. DiMartino has been a Director of The Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1986.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Gordon J. Davis
– Mr. Davis is a partner in the law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, where his practice involves complex real estate, land use development and related environmental matters. Before joining the firm, Mr. Davis served as a Commissioner and member of the New York City Planning Commission, and as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of New York. Mr. Davis was a co-founder of the Central Park Conservancy and the founding Chairman of Jazz at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. He has also served as President of Lincoln Center. Mr. Davis also served on the board of Dreyfus (prior to its acquisition by a predecessor of BNY Mellon in August 1994 and related management changes).
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
David P. Feldman
– Mr. Feldman is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Investment Management Corp., from which he retired in 1997, where he was responsible for $70 billion in pension assets. Mr. Feldman has served as Chairman of the Financial Executives Institute's Committee on Investment of Employee Benefits Assets. Mr. Feldman currently serves as a member of the Pension Managers Advisory Committee of the New York Stock Exchange Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Lynn Martin
– Ms. Martin served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 1991, the Illinois Senate from 1979 to 1980, and the Illinois House of Representatives from 1977 to 1979. Ms. Martin also served as Co-Chairperson of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign, and from 1991 to 1993 served as U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bush. After her tenure in politics, Ms. Martin was a professor at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and also a fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. She also has served as an Advisor of Deloitte & Touche LLP and as Chair of its Council for the Advancement of Women. Ms. Martin serves on the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Coca-Cola International Advisory Council and Deutsche Bank Advisory Council.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Philip L. Toia
– From 1984 through 1997, Mr. Toia served in various roles as an employee of Dreyfus. During this time he directed the organization of the fixed-income research group, investor relations, organized the bank wholesaling group, and served as a director and officer of subsidiaries of Dreyfus. Upon the acquisition of Dreyfus by a predecessor of BNY Mellon, Mr. Toia took on additional duties as Vice Chairman for Administration and Operations, including being responsible for fund accounting, fund legal, information systems and human resources. He also served as a member of the Board. He ceased all roles at Dreyfus by 1997. Before Dreyfus, Mr. Toia served as Group Executive for Public Finance at Chase Manhattan Bank, managing its investment banking group and its tax-exempt underwriting, trading and sales departments. He also served on Board of Directors of Chase Manhattan Bank, Delaware. In addition, from 1975 through 1977, Mr. Toia served as Deputy Mayor for Finance for the City of New York.
|
Additional Information About the Board and its Committees
. Board members are elected to serve for an indefinite term. The Company has standing audit, nominating and compensation 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 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 table below indicates the dollar range of each Board member's ownership of shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which he or she is a Board member, as of December 31, 2010. As the Fund had not commenced offering its shares prior to the date of this SAI, none of the Board members owned any shares of the Fund.
|
Name of Board Member
|
Aggregate Holdings of Funds in the Dreyfus Family
of
Funds for which Responsible as a Board Member
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph S. DiMartino
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Gordon J. Davis
|
Over $100,000
|
|
David P. Feldman
|
Over $100,000
|
|
Lynn Martin
|
$1-$10,000
|
|
Philip L. Toia
|
$1-$10,000
|
As of December 31, 2010, none of the Board members or their immediate family members owned securities of the Manager, the Sub-Adviser, the Distributor or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager, the Sub-Adviser or the Distributor.
The Company pays its Board members its allocated portion of an annual retainer of $50,000 and a fee of $6,000 per meeting (with a minimum $1,000 per meeting and per telephone meeting) attended for the Company and five other funds (comprised of 16 portfolios) in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation. The Company also reimburses each Board member for travel and out of pocket expenses in connection with attending Board or committee meetings. 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 aggregate amount of compensation estimated to be paid to each Board member by the Company for the Fund's fiscal year ending October 31, 2011 is, 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 funds is set forth in parenthesis next to each Board member's total compensation) during the year ended December 31, 2010 was, 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
|
|
$42,575
|
|
$1,060,250 (175)
|
|
Gordon J. Davis
|
|
$34,060
|
|
$ 179,500 (45)
|
|
David P. Feldman
|
|
$34,060
|
|
$ 225,000 (48)
|
|
Lynn Martin
|
|
$34,060
|
|
$ 56,000 (15)
|
|
Daniel Rose
†
|
|
$17,030
|
|
$ 83,750 (37)
|
|
Philip L. Toia
|
|
$34,060
|
|
$ 128,500 (26)
|
|
Sander Vanocur
††
|
|
$17,030
|
|
$ 90,250 (37)
|
___________
|
*
|
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 $16,850.
|
|
**
|
Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the Fund Complex, including the Fund, for which the Board member serves.
|
|
†
|
Emeritus Board member since October 31, 2009.
|
|
††
|
Emeritus Board member since January 8, 2008.
|
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 76 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 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 the Manager, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. 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 the Manager. He is 63 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 2006. Prior to joining the Manager, Mr. Maisano served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EACM Advisors, an affiliate of the Manager, since August 2004, and served as Chief Executive Officer of Evaluation Associates, a leading institutional investment consulting firm, from 1988 until 2004.
JAMES WINDELS,
Treasurer since November 2001
. Director-Mutual Fund Accounting of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1985.
MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG,
Vice President and Secretary since August 2005
. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1991.
KIESHA ASTWOOD,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010
. Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 37 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since July 1995.
JAMES BITETTO,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005
. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon and Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since December 1996.
JONI LACKS CHARATAN,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005
. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.
JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005
. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2000.
KATHLEEN DENICHOLAS,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010
. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 36 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 2001.
JANETTE E. FARRAGHER,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005
. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1984.
JOHN B. HAMMALIAN,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005
. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1991.
M. CRISTINA MEISER,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since January 2010
. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 40 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since August 2001.
ROBERT R. MULLERY,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005
. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 59 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since May 1986.
JEFF PRUSNOFSKY,
Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005
. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 45 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1990.
RICHARD S. CASSARO,
Assistant Treasurer since January 2008
. Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since September 1982.
GAVIN C. REILLY,
Assistant Treasurer since August 2005
. Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 42 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1991.
ROBERT S. ROBOL,
Assistant Treasurer since August 2005
. Senior Accounting Manager –Fixed Income Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.
ROBERT SALVIOLO,
Assistant Treasurer since July 2007
. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 1989.
ROBERT SVAGNA,
Assistant Treasurer since August 2005
. Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 77 investment companies (comprised of 194 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 1990.
NATALIA GRIBAS,
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since July 2010
. Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the Distributor and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of 73 investment companies (comprised of 190 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 41 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since September 2008.
JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY,
Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004
. Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (77 investment companies, comprised of 194 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 53 years old and has served in various capacities with the Manager since 1980, including manager of the firm's Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.
The address of each Board member and officer of the Company is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
As the Fund had not commenced offering its shares prior to the date of this SAI, none of the Board members or officers of the Company owned any shares of the Fund.
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Investment Adviser
. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon, a global financial services company focused on helping clients move and manage their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing asset and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team.
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 July 31, 2012, 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 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 Robert Capone, Mitchell E. Harris, Jeffrey D. Landau, 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.
Sub-Investment Adviser
. The Sub-Adviser, an affiliate of Dreyfus, provides investment advisory assistance and day-to-day management of the Fund's investments pursuant to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement") between the Sub-Adviser and the Manager. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue until July 31, 2012, and thereafter the Sub-Advisory Agreement is subject to annual approval by (i) the Company's Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Company's Board members who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company or the Advisers, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty (i) by the Manager on 60 days' notice, (ii) by the Company's Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities on 60 days' notice, or (iii) by the Sub-Adviser on not less than 90 days' notice. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement for any reason.
Hugh Simon is the director and Chief Executive Officer of the Sub-Adviser.
Portfolio Management
. The Sub-Adviser provides day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio of investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Manager and the approval of the Company's Board. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Company's Board to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Fund's portfolio managers are Hugh Simon, Abhijit Sarkar and Nina Wu. The Manager and the Sub-Adviser also maintain 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 and the Sub-Adviser.
The Company, the Manager, the Sub-Adviser, and the Distributor each have adopted a Code of Ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such respective 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 its employees' personal securities transactions 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 preclear and report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the Code of Ethics and also are subject to the oversight of BNY Mellon's Investment Ethics Committee (the "Committee"). Portfolio managers and other investment personnel who comply with the preclearance and disclosure procedures of the Code of Ethics and the requirements of the Committee may be permitted to purchase, sell or hold securities which also may be or are held in fund(s) they manage or for which they otherwise provide investment advice.
Portfolio Manager Compensation
. The Fund's portfolio managers are compensated by Hamon and not by Dreyfus or the Fund. Portfolio manager compensation is comprised of a market-based salary, and an annual incentive plan. Under the annual incentive plan, portfolio managers may receive a bonus of up to two times their annual salary, at the discretion of management. In determining the amount of the bonus, significant consideration is given to the portfolio manager's investment portfolio performance over a one-year period (weighted 75%) and three-year (weighted 25%) compared to peer groups and relevant indices. Other factors considered are individual qualitative performance, asset size and revenue growth of the product and funds managed by the portfolio managers
.
Additional Information About the Portfolio Managers
. The following table lists the number and types of other accounts advised by the Fund's primary portfolio managers and assets under management in those accounts as of October 31, 2010:
|
|
|
Registered Investment Company Accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hugh Simon
|
|
5
|
|
$1.52B
|
|
None
|
|
N/A
|
|
None
|
|
N/A
|
|
Abhijit Sarkar
|
|
2
|
|
$200M
|
|
None
|
|
N/A
|
|
None
|
|
N/A
|
|
Nina Wu
|
|
3
|
|
$1.26B
|
|
None
|
|
N/A
|
|
None
|
|
N/A
|
One of the accounts advised by Mr. Simon (approximately $32 million in assets under management) is subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
As the Fund had not offered its shares prior to the date of this SAI, the Fund's primary portfolio managers did not own any Fund shares.
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 Advisers' management of the Fund 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 or Hamon, as the case may be, may be perceived as causing accounts it manages to participate in an offering to increase Dreyfus' or Hamon's overall allocation of securities in that offering, or to increase Dreyfus' or Hamon's 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 or Hamon 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 or Hamon. The Advisers periodically review 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 or Hamon could be viewed as having a conflict of interest to the extent that Dreyfus or Hamon or their 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.
The goal of each of Dreyfus and Hamon is to provide high quality investment services to all of their respective clients, while meeting their fiduciary obligation to treat all clients fairly. Each of Dreyfus and Hamon 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.
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 by 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.
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 or the Sub-Adviser. The expenses borne by the Company, with respect to the Fund, include, without limitation: organizational costs, taxes, interest, loan commitment fees, interest and distributions paid on securities sold short, brokerage fees and commissions, if any, fees of Board members who are not officers, directors, employees or holders of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Manager or Sub-Adviser or their affiliates, SEC fees and state Blue Sky qualification fees, advisory fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents' fees, certain insurance premiums, industry association fees, outside auditing and legal expenses, costs of independent pricing services, costs of maintaining the Company's corporate existence, costs attributable to investor services (including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), costs of preparing and printing prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders, costs of shareholders' reports and meetings, and any extraordinary expenses. Expenses attributable to the Fund are charged against the assets of the Fund; other expenses of the Company are allocated among the 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. 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 of the Fund are subject to an annual shareholder services fee, and Class C shares of the Fund 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 1.25% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. As the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information is provided on management fees paid by the Fund.
Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Manager has agreed to pay the Sub-Adviser, out of the fee the Manager receives from the Fund, a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.625% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. As the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information is provided on sub-investment advisory fees paid by the Manager to the Sub-Adviser for its services to the Fund.
The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to reduction as the value of the Fund's net assets increases.
Distributor
. The Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Fund's distributor on a best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement with the 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 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 the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information is provided on retained sales loads for 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 sponsorships; support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations. In some cases, these payments or compensation may create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments it may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian
. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, 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 intermediaries, including affiliates, who provide sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services to beneficial owners of Fund shares.
The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Custodian"), an affiliate of the Manager, located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as custodian for the investments of the Fund. Under a custody agreement with the Company, the Custodian holds the Fund's securities and keeps all necessary accounts and records. For its custody services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based on the market value of the Fund's assets held in custody and receives certain securities transaction charges.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
General
. Class A 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, (vi) advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available, and (vii) certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. 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 the intended length of your investment in the Fund. Please refer to the Fund's Prospectus for a further discussion of those factors.
In many cases, neither the Distributor nor the Transfer Agent will have the information necessary to determine whether a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase. You or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor whenever a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase and must provide the Distributor with sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that each purchase qualifies for the privilege or discount.
Service Agents may receive different levels of compensation for selling different Classes of shares. Management understands that some Service Agents may impose certain conditions on their clients which are different from those described in the Fund's Prospectus and this SAI, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may charge their clients direct fees. You should consult your Service Agent in this regard. As discussed under "Management Arrangements—Distributor," Service Agents may receive revenue sharing payments from the Manager or the Distributor. The receipt of such payments could create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund instead of other mutual funds where such payments are not received. Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments it may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.
For each Class of shares, the minimum initial investment is $1,000. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be at least $100. However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant and $500 for Dreyfus-sponsored Education Savings Accounts, with no minimum for subsequent purchases. The initial investment must be accompanied by the Account Application. For full-time or part-time employees of the Manager or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries who elect to have a portion of their pay directly deposited into their Fund accounts, the minimum initial investment is $50. Fund shares are offered without regard to the minimum initial investment requirements to Board members of a fund advised by the Manager, including members of the Company's Board, who elect to have all or a portion of their compensation for serving in that capacity automatically invested in the Fund. Fund shares are offered without regard to the minimum initial or subsequent investment amount requirements to investors purchasing Fund shares through wrap fee accounts or other fee based programs. The 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. The Company reserves the right to vary further the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.
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.
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.
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 Services." These services enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide you with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. You should be aware, however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee a profit and will not protect an investor against loss in a declining market.
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis. Net asset value per share of each Class is determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular business. For purposes of determining net asset value, certain options and futures contracts may be valued 15 minutes after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Net asset value per share of each Class is computed by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets represented by such Class (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by the total number of shares of such Class outstanding. For information regarding the methods employed in valuing the Fund's investments, see "Determination of Net Asset Value."
If an order is received in proper form by the Transfer Agent or other entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on a regular business day, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on the next regular business day, except where shares are purchased through a dealer as provided below.
Orders for the purchase of Fund shares received by dealers by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any business day and transmitted to the Distributor or its designee by the close of its business day (usually 5:15 p.m., Eastern time) will be based on the public offering price per share determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the orders will be based on the next determined public offering price. It is the dealer's responsibility to transmit orders so that they will be received by the Distributor or its designee before the close of its business day. For certain institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor, payment for the purchase of Fund shares may be transmitted, and must be received by the Transfer Agent, within three business days after the order is placed. If such payment is not received within three business days after the order is placed, the order may be canceled and the institution could be held liable for resulting fees and/or losses.
Class A Shares
. The public offering price for Class A shares of the Fund is the net asset value per share of that Class plus a sales load as shown below:
|
|
|
Total Sales Load* -- Class A Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a % of offering price
per share
|
|
As a % of
net asset value
per share
|
|
Dealers' reallowance as a
% of offering price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than $50,000
|
|
5.75
|
|
6.10
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$50,000 to less than $100,000
|
|
4.50
|
|
4.71
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 to less than $250,000
|
|
3.50
|
|
3.63
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 to less than $500,000
|
|
2.50
|
|
2.56
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000
|
|
2.00
|
|
2.04
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 or more
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
_______________
*
Due to rounding, the actual sales load you pay may be more or less than that calculated using these percentages.
Class A shares purchased without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more may be assessed at the time of redemption a 1% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. The Distributor may pay Service Agents an up-front commission of up to 1% of the net asset value of Class A shares purchased by their clients as part of a $1,000,000 or more investment in Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC. If the Service Agent waives receipt of such commission, the CDSC applicable to such Class A shares will not be assessed at the time of redemption. See "Management Arrangements—Distributor."
The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class A shares made by any "purchaser," which term includes an individual and/or spouse purchasing securities for his, her or their own account or for the account of any minor children, or a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account (including a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code) although more than one beneficiary is involved; or a group of accounts established by or on behalf of the employees of an employer or affiliated employers pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other program (including accounts established pursuant to Sections 403(b), 408(k), and 457 of the Code); or an organized group that has been in existence for more than six months, provided that it is not organized for the purpose of buying redeemable securities of a registered investment company and provided that the purchases are made through a central administration or a single dealer, or by other means that result in economy of sales effort or expense.
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering price of Class A shares of the Fund. The example assumes a purchase of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000, subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above, at a price based upon a net asset value of $12.50 per share:
|
|
|
|
|
Class A
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Share
|
$12.50
|
|
Per Share Sales Charge
|
|
|
Class A – 5.75% of offering price
(6.10% of net asset value per share)
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share Offering Price to the Public
|
$13.26
|
|
|
|
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 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 of a Dreyfus-managed fund and continuously maintained an open account with the Distributor in that 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 the investor uses the proceeds of the employment-related stock options to establish the account.
Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load by members of qualified affinity groups who purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor, provided that the qualified affinity group has entered into an affinity agreement with the Distributor.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to employees participating in Retirement Plans. Class A shares also may be purchased (including by exchange) at net asset value without a sales load for Dreyfus-sponsored IRA "Rollover Accounts" with the distribution proceeds from a Retirement Plan or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided that, in the case of a Retirement Plan, the rollover is processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor specifically relating to processing rollovers. Upon establishing the Rollover Account in the Fund, the shareholder becomes eligible to make subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value in such account.
Right of Accumulation--Class A Shares
. Reduced sales loads apply to any purchase of Class A shares by you and any related "purchaser" as defined above, where the aggregate investment, including such purchase, is $50,000 or more. If, for example, you previously purchased and still hold shares of the Fund, or shares of certain other Dreyfus funds that are subject to a front-end sales load or CDSC, or shares acquired by a previous exchange of such shares (hereinafter referred to as "Eligible Funds"), or combination thereof, with an aggregate current market value of $40,000 and subsequently purchase Class A shares of the Fund having a current value of $20,000, the sales load applicable to the subsequent purchase would be reduced to 4.50% of the offering price. All present holdings of Eligible Funds may be combined to determine the current offering price of the aggregate investment in ascertaining the sales load applicable to each subsequent purchase.
To qualify for reduced sales loads, at the time of purchase you or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor if orders are made by wire, or the Transfer Agent if orders are made by mail. The reduced sales load is subject to confirmation of your holdings through a check of appropriate records.
Class C Shares
. The public offering price for Class C shares is the net asset value per share of that Class. No initial sales charge is imposed at the time of purchase. A CDSC is imposed, however, on redemptions of Class C shares made within the first year of purchase. See "How to Redeem Shares—Contingent Deferred Sales Charge—Class C Shares."
Class I Shares
. The public offering price for Class I shares is the net asset value per share of that Class.
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.
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 the Fund's Class C shares pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for distributing such Class of shares a fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the value of the average daily net assets of its 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 Company's 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 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 the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information is provided as to the fees paid by the Fund pursuant to the Distribution Plan.
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 its 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 Company's Board cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Shareholder Services Plan. As to the relevant Class of shares, the Shareholder Services Plan is terminable at any time by vote of a majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons" and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan.
As the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information is provided as to the fees paid by the Fund pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
General
. The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in proper form, except as provided by the rules of the SEC. However, if you have purchased Fund shares by check, by Dreyfus
TeleTransfer
Privilege or through Dreyfus-
Automatic
Asset Builder
®
and subsequently submit a written redemption request to the Transfer Agent, the Fund may delay sending the redemption proceeds for up to eight business days after the purchase of such shares. In addition, the Fund will reject requests to redeem shares by wire or telephone, online or pursuant to the Dreyfus
TeleTransfer
Privilege for a period of up to eight business days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the purchase check, the Dreyfus
TeleTransfer
purchase or the Dreyfus-
Automatic
Asset Builder order against which such redemption is requested. These procedures will not apply if your shares were purchased by wire payment, or if you otherwise have a sufficient collected balance in your account to cover the redemption request. Fund shares may not be redeemed until the Transfer Agent has received your Account Application.
If you hold shares of more than one Class of the Fund, any request for redemption must specify the Class of shares being redeemed. If you fail to specify the Class of shares to be redeemed or if you own fewer shares of the Class than specified to be redeemed, the redemption request may be delayed until the Transfer Agent receives further instructions from you or your Service Agent.
Redemption Fee
. The Fund will deduct a redemption fee equal to 2% of the net asset value of Fund shares redeemed (including redemptions through the use of the Fund Exchanges service) less than 60 days following the issuance of such shares. The redemption fee will be deducted from the redemption proceeds and retained by the Fund.
Subject to the exceptions described in the Fund's Prospectus, shares held for less than the 60 day holding period will be subject to the Fund's redemption fee, whether held directly in your name or indirectly through an intermediary, such as a broker, bank, investment adviser, recordkeeper for retirement plan participants, or any other third party. If you hold your shares through an intermediary's omnibus account, the intermediary is responsible for imposing the fee and remitting the fee to the Fund.
The redemption fee will be charged and retained by the Fund on shares sold before the end of the required holding period. The Fund will use the "first-in, first-out" method to determine the holding period for the shares sold. Under this method, shares held the longest will be redeemed or exchanged first. The holding period commences on the day after your purchase order is effective. For example, the holding period for shares purchased on April 10 (trade date) begins on April 11 and ends 59 days later on June 8. Thus, if you redeemed these shares on June 8, you would be assessed the fee, but you would not be assessed the fee if you redeemed on or after June 9.
The redemption fee generally is collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds, but may be imposed by billing you if the fee is not imposed as part of the redemption transaction.
The Fund may postpone the effective date of the assessment of the redemption fee on the underlying shareholder accounts within an omnibus account if an intermediary is unable to collect the Fund's redemption fee.
The Fund may impose the redemption fee at the plan level for employee benefit plans that hold shares on behalf of a limited number of employees. Plan sponsors of such benefit plans that opt to impose redemption fees at the employee account level, rather than the plan level, must enter into agreements with Dreyfus that obligate the sponsor to collect and remit redemption fees at the employee level and to provide to the Fund, at its request, shareholder identity and transaction information.
The Fund's Prospectus contains information on transactions for which the redemption fee is waived. The Fund reserves the right to exempt additional transactions from the fee.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge—Class C Shares
. A CDSC of 1% payable to the Distributor is imposed on any redemption of Class C shares made within one year of the date of purchase. No CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset value of the Class C shares redeemed does not exceed (i) the current net asset value of Class C shares acquired through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gain distributions, plus (ii) increases in the net asset value of your Class C shares above the dollar amount of all your payments for the purchase of Class C shares held by you at the time of redemption.
If the aggregate value of Class C shares redeemed has declined below their original cost as a result of the Fund's performance, a CDSC may be applied to the then-current net asset value rather than the purchase price.
In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be made in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate. It will be assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing Class C shares of the Fund acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions; then, of amounts representing the increase in net asset value of Class C shares above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class C shares made during the preceding year; and finally, of amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period.
For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares of the Fund at $10 per share for a cost of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired five additional Fund shares through the reinvestment of Fund dividends. Within a year after the purchase the investor decided to redeem $500 of the investment. Assuming at the time of the redemption the net asset value had appreciated to $12 per share, the value of the investor's shares would be $1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares and the amount that represents appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260) would be charged at a rate of 1% for a total CDSC of $2.40.
Waiver of CDSC
. The CDSC may be waived in connection with (a) redemptions made within one year after the death or disability, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code, of the shareholder, (b) redemptions by employees participating in Retirement Plans, (c) redemptions as a result of a combination of any investment company with the Fund by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise, (d) a distribution following retirement under a tax-deferred retirement plan or upon attaining age 70½ in the case of an IRA or Keogh plan or custodial account pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code, and (e) redemptions pursuant to the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, as described below. If the 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 SAI at the time of the purchase of such shares.
To qualify for a waiver of the CDSC, at the time of redemption you or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of your entitlement.
Reinvestment Privilege
. Upon written request, you may reinvest up to the number of Class A shares you have redeemed, within 45 days of redemption, at the then-prevailing net asset value without a sales load, or reinstate your account for the purpose of exercising Fund Exchanges. Upon reinstatement, if such shares were subject to a CDSC, your account will be credited with an amount equal to the CDSC previously paid upon redemption of the shares reinvested. The Reinvestment Privilege may be exercised only once.
Wire Redemption Privilege
. By using this Privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephone, letter or online redemption instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you, or a representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the 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 redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature guaranteed as described below under "Share Certificates; Signatures."
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege
. You may request by telephone or online that redemption proceeds be transferred between your Fund account and your bank account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution which is an ACH member may be designated. You should be aware that if you have selected the Dreyfus
TeleTransfer
Privilege, any request for a Dreyfus
TeleTransfer
transaction will be effected through the ACH system unless more prompt transmittal specifically is requested. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in your account at an ACH member bank ordinarily two business days after receipt of the redemption request. Shares held in an IRA or Education Savings Account may not be redeemed through the Dreyfus
TeleTransfer
Privilege. See "How to Buy Shares—Dreyfus
TeleTransfer
Privilege."
Redemption Through a Selected Dealer
. If you are a customer of a Selected Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If the Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by the Transfer Agent prior to the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the redemption request will be effective on that day. If the Transfer Agent receives a redemption request after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, the redemption request will be effective on the next business day. It is the responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit a request so that it is received in a timely manner. The proceeds of the redemption are credited to your account with the Selected Dealer. See "How to Buy Shares" for a discussion of additional conditions or fees that may be imposed upon redemption.
In addition, the Distributor or its designee will accept orders from Selected Dealers with which the Distributor has sales agreements for the repurchase of shares held by shareholders. Repurchase orders received by dealers by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any business day and transmitted to the Distributor or its designee prior to the close of its business day (usually 5:15 p.m., Eastern time), are effected at the price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the shares will be redeemed at the next determined net asset value. It is the responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit orders on a timely basis. The Selected Dealer may charge the shareholder a fee for executing the order. This repurchase arrangement is discretionary and may be withdrawn at any time.
Share Certificates; Signatures
. Any certificates representing Fund shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. A fee may be imposed to replace lost or stolen certificates, or certificates that were never received. Written redemption requests must be signed by each shareholder, including each holder of a joint account, and each signature must be guaranteed. Signatures on endorsed certificates submitted for redemption also must be guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program. Guarantees must be signed by an authorized signatory of the guarantor and "Signature-Guaranteed" must appear with the signature. The Transfer Agent may request additional documentation from corporations, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians, and may accept other suitable verification arrangements from foreign investors, such as consular verification. For more information with respect to signature-guarantees, please call 1-800-554-4611.
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
Fund Exchanges
. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. The Fund will deduct a redemption fee equal to 2% of the net asset value of Fund shares exchanged out of the Fund where the exchange is made less than 60 days after the issuance of such shares. Shares of the 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 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 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 the 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 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.
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 equity investments are valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Equity securities are valued at the last sale price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities primarily are traded. Securities listed on the Nasdaq National Market System for which market quotations are available are valued at the official closing price or, if there is no official closing price on that day, at the last sale price. Securities not listed on an exchange or national securities market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices, except that open short positions are valued at the asked price. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Registered investment companies that are not traded on an exchange are valued at their net asset value. Substantially all of the Fund's fixed-income investments (excluding short-term investments) are valued each business day 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 fixed-income investments is determined by the Service based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. Short-term investments may be carried at amortized cost, which approximates value. Market quotations of foreign securities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currency will be translated into U.S. dollars at the midpoint of the New York interbank market spot exchange rate as quoted on the day of such translation by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or if no such rate is quoted on such date, at the exchange rate previously quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or at such other quoted market exchange rate as may be determined to be appropriate by the Advisers. Forward contracts are 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 the Fund's net asset value may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of prices of certain of the Fund's portfolio securities. Expenses and fees, including the management fee 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 Fund's shares. Because of the differences in operating expenses incurred by each Class of shares of the Fund, the per share net asset value of each Class of shares of the Fund will differ.
Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which recent market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are determined by the Fund not to reflect accurately fair value (such as when the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) but before the Fund calculates its net asset value), or which are not valued by the Service, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith based on procedures approved by the 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. 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. Fair value of foreign equity securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using correlations between the movement of prices of foreign securities and indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs and futures contracts. The valuation of a security based on 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 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 that are, or are convertible into, securities of the same class of other securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued at such market value less the same percentage discount at which the restricted securities were purchased. This discount will be revised periodically by the Company's Board if the Board members believe that it no longer reflects the value of the restricted securities. Restricted securities not of the same class as securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued initially at cost. Any subsequent adjustment from cost will be based upon considerations deemed relevant by the Company's 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
Dividends and Distributions
. The Fund ordinarily declares and pays dividends from its net investment income 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. The Fund may not make distributions from net realized securities gains unless capital loss carryovers, if any, have been utilized or have expired. Dividends and distributions among the Fund's share classes may vary due to the different expenses of such share classes.
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 Fund's Prospectus. In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds shares of the Fund for six months or less and has (or is deemed to have) received a capital gain distribution with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain distribution received or deemed to have been received.
Taxation of the Fund
. Management expects that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under the Code. The Fund intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things: (a) derive in each taxable year (the "gross income test") at least 90% of its gross income from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stocks, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income from interests in "qualified publicly traded partnerships" ("QPTPs") (as defined in the Code); (b) diversify its holdings (the "asset diversification test") so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or one or more QPTPs; and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction) and net tax-exempt interest income, if any, for such year. 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.
Pursuant to the recently enacted Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Modernization Act"), a RIC that fails the gross income test for a taxable year shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test for such year if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements, and (ii) the RIC's failure to satisfy the gross income test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC for the taxable year in which, absent the application of the above cure provision, it would have failed the gross income test equal to the amount by which (x) the RIC's non-qualifying gross income exceeds (y) one-ninth of the RIC's qualifying gross income, each as determined for purposes of applying the gross income test for such year.
Also pursuant to the Modernization Act, a RIC that fails the asset diversification test as of the end of a quarter shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test as of the end of such quarter in the following circumstances. If the RIC's failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of the quarter is due to the ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of (i) one percent of the total value of the RIC's assets at the end of such quarter and (ii) $10,000,000 (a "
de minimis
failure"), the RIC shall be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if, within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the asset diversification test, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test.
In the case of a failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of a quarter under circumstances that do not constitute a
de minimis
failure, a RIC shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural requirements; (ii) the RIC's failure to satisfy the asset diversification test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and (iii) within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period), the RIC either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the asset diversification test, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test. However, in such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC, at the current rate of 35%, on the net income generated by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the asset diversification test during the period for which the asset diversification test was not met. In all events, however, such tax will not be less than $50,000.
As a RIC, the Fund will pay no federal income tax on its net investment income and net realized capital gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 (unless such date is extended by future legislation), may be eligible for a 15% preferential maximum tax rate in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the Fund's shares (as described below). In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
A nondeductible excise tax at a rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of the Fund's "required distribution" over its actual distributions in any calendar year. Generally, the required distribution is 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98% (98.2% for calendar years after 2010) of its capital gain net income, determined under prescribed rules for this purpose, recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31st of such year (or December 31st of that year if the Fund is permitted to so elect and so elects) plus undistributed amounts from prior years. The Fund generally intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
Although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP. The Fund's investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the Fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
Taxation of Fund Distributions
. For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. In general, the Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on assets it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of "net capital gains," that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, that are properly characterized by the Fund as capital gain dividends ("capital gain dividends") will generally be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gain. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced, in general to 15%, with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate brackets, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013. Distributions of net short-term capital gains that exceed net long-term capital losses will generally be taxable as ordinary income. The determination of whether a distribution is from capital gains is generally made taking into account available net capital loss carryforwards, if any. Under the Modernization Act, if a RIC has a "net capital loss" (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year, the excess (if any) of the RIC's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the RIC's next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the RIC's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the RIC's next taxable year. Any such capital losses of a RIC may be carried forward to succeeding taxable years of the RIC without limitation. Net capital loss carryforwards of a RIC arising in taxable years of the RIC beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (the date of enactment of the Modernization Act) may be applied against any net realized capital gains of the RIC in each succeeding year, or until their respective expiration dates, whichever is first.
Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by the Fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid for his or her shares). Distributions are taxable regardless of whether shareholders receive them in cash or in additional shares. Distributions declared and payable by the Fund during October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January generally will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31st of the year in which the distributions are declared rather than the calendar year in which they are received.
The Fund may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such case, the Fund may designate its retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who will be treated as if each received a distribution of his or her pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder in the Fund will (i) be required to report his or her pro rata share of such gain on his or her tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for his or her pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain and (iii) increase the tax basis for his or her shares in the Fund by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by the Fund to U.S. individual shareholders may be eligible for the 15% preferential maximum tax rate to the extent that the Fund's income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain "qualified foreign corporations" on shares that have been held by the Fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the shares become ex-dividend. Dividends paid on shares held by the Fund will not be taken into account in determining the applicability of the preferential maximum tax rate to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Dividends paid by REITs are not generally eligible for the preferential maximum tax rate. Further, a "qualified foreign corporation" does not include any foreign corporation, which for its taxable year in which its dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. Unless extended, this favorable provision will expire on December 31, 2012, and ordinary dividends will again be taxed at tax rates applicable to ordinary income. In order to be eligible for the preferential rate, the shareholder in the Fund must have held his or her shares in the Fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the Fund shares become ex-dividend. Additional restrictions on a shareholder's qualification for the preferential rate may apply.
In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by the Fund to U.S. corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent that the Fund's income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations (other than REITs) on shares that have been held by the Fund for at least 46 days during the 91-day period commencing 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend. Dividends paid on shares held by the Fund will not be taken into account for this purpose if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be "debt-financed" (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), or to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividend received deduction may be disallowed or reduced if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or by application of the Code.
If the Fund makes a distribution that is or is considered to be in excess of its current and accumulated "earnings and profits" for the relevant period, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder's basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares
. A sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares will give rise to a gain or loss. Any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. Further, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased (including by means of a dividend reinvestment plan) within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
. The Fund may own shares in certain foreign entities that are treated as "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs"), which could potentially subject the Fund to U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or gains from a disposition of shares in the PFIC. To avoid this treatment, to the extent the Fund owns PFIC shares, the Fund intends to make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in a PFIC "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in the PFIC on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. Alternatively, the Fund may in certain cases elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" (i.e., make a "QEF election"), in which case the Fund will be required to include in its income annually its share of the PFIC's income and net capital gains, regardless of whether the Fund receives any distribution from the PFIC.
The mark-to-market and QEF elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirements, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund's total return. Dividends paid by PFICs generally will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
Non-U.S Taxes
. Investment income that may be received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes. Tax treaties between the United States and certain countries may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, or, as provided in the Modernization Act, if at least 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year is represented by interests in other RICs, the Fund may elect to "pass through" to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each of its shareholders would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various Code limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both). For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules of the Code, each shareholder would treat as foreign source income his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes plus the portion of dividends received from the Fund representing income derived from foreign sources. No deduction for foreign taxes could be claimed by an individual shareholder who does not itemize deductions. In certain circumstances, a shareholder that (i) has held shares of the Fund for less than a specified minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss or (ii) is obligated to make payments related to the dividends will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes deemed imposed on dividends paid on such shares. Additionally, the Fund must also meet this holding period requirement with respect to its foreign stocks and securities in order for "creditable" taxes to flow-through. Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the potential application of foreign tax credits.
In India, assuming Dreyfus and the Fund continue to be registered as an FII and sub-account, respectively, and the Fund's investments are made accordingly, a tax of 15% plus surcharges is currently imposed on gains from sales of equities held not more than one year and sold on a recognized stock exchange in India. Gains from sales of equity securities in other cases are taxed at a rate of 30% plus surcharges (for securities held not more than one year) and 10% plus surcharges (for securities held for more than one year). There is no tax on gains from sales of equities held for more than one year and sold on a recognized stock exchange in India. Also in India, the tax rate on gains from sales of listed debt securities is currently 10% plus surcharges if the securities have been held more than one year and 30% plus surcharges if the securities have been held not more than one year. Securities transaction tax applies for specified transactions at specified rates. India imposes a tax on interest on securities at a rate of 20% plus surcharges. This tax is imposed on the investor and payable prior to repatriation of sales proceeds, and is reduced to 15% under the India-U.S. double tax treaty. The tax is computed on net realized gains; any realized losses in excess of gains may be carried forward for a period of up to 8 years to offset future gains. Any losses on transfer of long-term capital assets would be allowed to be set-off only against gains from transfer of long-term capital assets. However, when the long-term gains arising on transfer of securities are not subject to tax, then the long-term losses from such securities would not be allowed to be set off or carried forward. India imposes a tax on dividends paid by an Indian company at a rate of 15% plus surcharges. This tax is imposed on the company that pays the dividends. The Fund accrues a deferred tax liability for net unrealized short-term gains in excess of available carryforwards on Indian securities, which may reduce the Fund's net asset value.
Foreign Currency Transactions
. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, also are treated as ordinary income or loss.
Financial Products
. The Fund's investments in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and derivatives, as well as any of its other hedging, short sale or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including notional principal contract, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund (including, potentially, without a corresponding receipt of cash with which to make required distributions), defer fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of Fund securities, convert capital gains into ordinary income, render dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the dividends received deduction or a preferential rate of taxation ineligible for such treatment, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders of the Fund. In addition, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the applicable requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid fund-level taxation.
Securities Issued or Purchased at a Discount and Payment-in-Kind Securities
. The Fund's investments, if any, in securities issued or purchased at a discount, as well as certain other securities (including zero coupon obligations and certain redeemable preferred stock), may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. Similarly, the Fund's investment in payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed even though the Fund receives no payment in cash on the security during the year. In order to generate sufficient cash to make its requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to borrow money or sell securities in its portfolio that it otherwise would have continued to hold.
Certain Higher-Risk and High Yield Securities
. The Fund may invest in lower-quality fixed income securities, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or that are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or are in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear on the treatment of such debt obligations, including as to whether and to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent the Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how the Fund shall allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and interest. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund if it invests in such securities as part of the Fund's efforts to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Investing in Mortgage Entities
. Special tax rules may apply to the investments by the Fund in entities which invest in or finance mortgage debt. Such investments include residual interests in "real estate mortgage investment conduits" ("REMICs") and interests in a REIT which qualifies as a taxable mortgage pool under the Code or has a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool under the Code. Although it is the practice of the Fund not to make such investments, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to sustain this practice or avoid an inadvertent investment.
Such investments may result in the Fund receiving excess inclusion income ("EII") in which case a portion of its distributions will be characterized as EII and shareholders receiving such distributions, including shares held through nominee accounts, will be deemed to have received EII. This can result in the Fund being required to pay tax on the portion of its EII that is allocated to disqualified organizations, including certain cooperatives, agencies or instrumentalities of a government or international organization, and tax-exempt organizations that are not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI"). In addition, such amounts generally cannot be offset by net operating losses, will be treated as UBTI to tax-exempt organizations that are not disqualified organizations, and will be subject to a 30% withholding tax for shareholders who are not U.S. persons, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable exemptions or rate reductions in any relevant tax treaties.
Special tax consequences also apply where charitable remainder trusts invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or in taxable mortgage pools. Furthermore, any investment in residual interests of a REMIC can create complex tax consequences to both the Fund and its shareholders, especially if the Fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
. Under current law, the Fund serves to "block" (that is, prevent the attribution to shareholders of) UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. As noted above, a tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes EII derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or taxable mortgage pools. If a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Section 664 of the Code) has UBTI for a taxable year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.
Backup Withholding
. The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to a shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. Corporate shareholders, certain foreign persons and other shareholders specified in the Code and applicable regulations are generally exempt from backup withholding, but may need to provide documentation to the Fund to establish such exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Shareholders
. Dividends paid by the Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, if any, to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable tax form certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional "branch profits tax" imposed at a rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to back-up withholding at the appropriate rate. All non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the appropriate tax forms to provide to the Fund to claim a reduced rate or exemption from U.S. federal withholding taxes, and the proper completion of those forms.
In general, and subject to the exceptions described below, U.S. withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends or upon the sale or other disposition of Fund shares.
For non-U.S. shareholders of the Fund, a distribution by the Fund that is attributable to the Fund's receipt of certain capital gain distributions from a REIT and, for calendar years before 2012, gains from sales or exchanges of "United States real property interests" ("USRPIs") generally will be treated as "effectively connected" real property gain that is subject to tax in the hands of the non-U.S. shareholder at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders (subject to a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals), a potential 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation and a 35% withholding tax (which can be credited against the non-U.S. shareholder's direct U.S. tax liabilities) if the Fund is a "United States real property holding corporation" (as such term is defined in the Code, and referred to herein as a "USRPHC") or would be but for the operation of certain exclusions. An exception to such treatment is provided if the non-U.S. shareholder has not owned more than 5% of the class of stock of the Fund in respect of which the distribution was made at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. In that case, the distribution generally is treated as an ordinary dividend subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). In addition, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to certain tax filing requirements if the Fund is a USRPHC.
Gains from the disposition of Fund shares by a non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to withholding tax and treated as income effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business if at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition (or if shorter, the non-U.S. shareholder's holding period for the shares), the Fund was a USRPHC and the foreign shareholder actually or constructively held more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, gains recognized upon a disposition of Fund shares in calendar years before 2012 will not be subject to U.S. income or withholding taxes if the Fund is "domestically controlled" (as such term is defined in the Code).
Non-U.S. shareholders that engage in certain "wash sale" and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions from the Fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business generally will be treated as having received such distributions. All shareholders of the Fund should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rule.
For calendar years before 2012, a distribution of a USRPI in redemption of a non-U.S. shareholder's Fund shares generally will cause the Fund to recognize gain if the Fund is considered "domestically controlled." If the Fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will equal a percentage of the excess of the fair market value of the distributed USRPI over the Fund's adjusted basis in the distributed USRPI, with such percentage based on the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the Fund during the five-year period ending on the date of the redemption.
For taxable years of RICs beginning before January 1, 2012, properly-designated dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of the Fund's "qualified net interest income" (generally, the fund's U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of the Fund's "qualified short-term capital gains" (generally, the excess of the Fund's net short-term capital gain over the Fund's long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, the Fund may designate all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.
Under legislation that is generally effective in respect of payments made after December 31, 2012, certain payments of U.S. source interest, dividends, and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income, as well as gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of property of a type that can produce U.S. source dividends and interest (all such payments, "withholdable payments"), which are made to a "foreign financial institution," which term may include certain non-U.S. shareholders of the Fund, may be subject to a 30% withholding tax, if the foreign financial institution does not, among other things, comply, under an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury or his/her delegate, with prescribed due diligence requirements necessary to determine which of its accounts (including equity interests in the foreign financial institution) are held by specified United States persons or United States owned foreign entities (such accounts, "United States accounts"), and prescribed reporting requirements in respect of its United States accounts. Further, a 30% withholding tax may apply in respect of payments by a foreign financial institution to certain account holders that do not comply with reasonable information requests aimed at enabling the foreign financial institution to identify its United States accounts and meet applicable reporting obligations. The legislation further imposes a 30% withholding tax on certain payments to non-financial foreign entities. The scope of this legislation is not entirely clear and no assurance can be given that some or all of the income of the Fund and certain of its shareholders will not be subject to any of the new withholding taxes or that information will not be required to be reported to the IRS in respect of a shareholder's interest in the Fund. To comply with the requirements of the legislation, the Fund may, in appropriate circumstances, require shareholders to provide information and tax documentation regarding their direct and indirect owners.
The legislation also imposes information reporting requirements on individuals (and, to the extent provided in future regulations, certain domestic entities) that hold any interest in a "specified foreign financial asset" if the aggregate value of all such assets held by such individual exceeds $50,000. Significant penalties can apply upon a failure to make the required disclosure and in respect of understatements of tax attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets. This information reporting requirement is generally applicable for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The scope of this reporting requirement is not entirely clear and all shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether reporting may be required in respect of their indirect interests in the investments of the Fund.
All non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
Other Tax Matters
. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of such an investment in their particular tax situation.
Dividends, distributions and gains from the sale of Fund shares may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local and, where applicable, foreign taxes.
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 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 a 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 a 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, a 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 the 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.
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 the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) or their affiliates. 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.
As the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no information is provided on brokerage fees or commissions paid by the Fund.
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 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.
Soft Dollars
. The term "soft dollars" is commonly understood to refer to arrangements where an investment adviser uses client (or fund) brokerage commissions to pay for research and other services to be used by the investment adviser. Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provides a "safe harbor" that permits investment advisers to enter into soft dollar arrangements if the investment adviser determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Eligible products and services under Section 28(e) include those that provide lawful and appropriate assistance to the investment adviser in the performance of its investment decision-making responsibilities.
Subject to the policy of seeking best execution, Dreyfus-managed funds may execute transactions with brokerage firms that provide research services and products, as defined in Section 28(e). Any and all research products and services received in connection with brokerage commissions will be used to assist the applicable affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser in its investment decision-making responsibilities, as contemplated under Section 28(e). Under certain conditions, higher brokerage commissions may be paid in connection with certain transactions in return for research products and services.
The products and services provided under these arrangements permit the Trading Desk to supplement its own research and analysis activities, and provide it with information from individuals and research staffs of many securities firms. Such services and products may include, but are not limited to the following: fundamental research reports (which may discuss, among other things, the value of securities, or the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, or the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities, or issuers, industries, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance); current market data and news; technical and portfolio analyses; economic forecasting and interest rate projections; and historical information on securities and companies. The Trading Desk also may defray the costs of certain services and communication systems that facilitate trade execution (such as on-line quotation systems, direct data feeds from stock exchanges and on-line trading systems with brokerage commissions generated by client transactions) or functions related thereto (such as clearance and settlement). Some of the research products or services received by the Trading Desk may have both a research function and a non-research administrative function (a "mixed use"). If the Trading Desk determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, the Trading Desk will allocate in good faith the cost of such service or product accordingly. The portion of the product or service that the Trading Desk determines will assist it in the investment decision-making process may be paid for in soft dollars. The non-research portion is paid for by the Trading Desk in hard dollars.
The Trading Desk generally considers the amount and nature of research, execution and other services provided by brokerage firms, as well as the extent to which such services are relied on, and attempts to allocate a portion of the brokerage business of its clients on the basis of that consideration. Neither the services nor the amount of brokerage given to a particular brokerage firm are made pursuant to any agreement or commitment with any of the selected firms that would bind the Trading Desk to compensate the selected brokerage firm for research provided. The Trading Desk endeavors, but is not legally obligated, to direct sufficient commissions to broker/dealers that have provided it with research and other services to ensure continued receipt of research the Trading Desk believes is useful. Actual commissions received by a brokerage firm may be more or less than the suggested allocations.
There may be no correlation between the amount of brokerage commissions generated by a particular fund or client and the indirect benefits received by that fund or client. The affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser may receive a benefit from the research services and products that is not passed on to a fund in the form of a direct monetary benefit. Further, research services and products may be useful to the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser in providing investment advice to any of the funds or clients it advises. Likewise, information made available to the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser from brokerage firms effecting securities transactions for a fund may be utilized on behalf of another fund or client. Information so received is in addition to, and not in lieu of, services required to be performed by the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser and fees are not reduced as a consequence of the receipt of such supplemental information. Although the receipt of such research services does not reduce the normal independent research activities of the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser, it enables them to avoid the additional expenses that might otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.
Regular Broker-Dealers
. The Fund may acquire securities issued by one or more of its "regular brokers or dealers," as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act. Rule 10b-1 provides that a "regular broker or dealer" is one of the ten brokers or dealers that, during the Fund's most recent fiscal year (i) received the greatest dollar amount of brokerage commissions from participating, either directly or indirectly, in the Fund's portfolio transactions, (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of the Fund's portfolio transactions or (iii) sold the largest dollar amount of the Fund's securities.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
. It is the policy of Dreyfus to protect the confidentiality of fund portfolio holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information about such holdings. Each fund, or its duly authorized service providers, publicly discloses its portfolio holdings in accordance with regulatory requirements, such as periodic portfolio disclosure in filings with the SEC. Each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service providers, may publicly disclose its complete schedule of portfolio holdings at month-end, with a one-month lag, at
www.dreyfus.com
. In addition, fifteen days following the end of each calendar quarter, each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service providers, may publicly disclose on the website its complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of the end of such quarter. Each money market fund will disclose daily on
www.dreyfus.com
the fund's complete schedule of holdings as of the end of the previous business day. The schedule of holdings will remain on the website until the date on which the fund files its Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the date of the posted holdings.
If a fund's portfolio holdings are released pursuant to an ongoing arrangement with any party, such fund must have a legitimate business purpose for doing so, and neither the fund, nor Dreyfus or its affiliates, may receive any compensation in connection with an arrangement to make available information about the fund's portfolio holdings. Funds may distribute portfolio holdings to mutual fund evaluation services such as Standard & Poor's, Morningstar or Lipper Analytical Services; due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds before their public disclosure; and broker-dealers that may be used by the fund, for the purpose of efficient trading and receipt of relevant research, provided that: (a) the recipient does not distribute the portfolio holdings to persons who are likely to use the information for purposes of purchasing or selling fund shares or fund portfolio holdings before the portfolio holdings become public information; and (b) the recipient signs a written confidentiality agreement.
Funds may also disclose any and all portfolio information to their service providers and others who generally need access to such information in the performance of their contractual duties and responsibilities and are subject to duties of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on non-public information, imposed by law and/or contract. These service providers include the fund's custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, investment adviser, administrator, and each of their respective affiliates and advisers.
Disclosure of 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 Dreyfus the authority to vote proxies of companies held in a fund's portfolio. Dreyfus, through its participation on The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation's Proxy Policy Committee (the "PPC") applies The Bank of New York Mellon's Proxy Voting Policy, related procedures and voting guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of the funds.
Dreyfus recognizes that an investment adviser is a fiduciary that owes its clients a duty of utmost good faith and full and fair disclosure of all material facts. Dreyfus further recognizes that the right to vote proxies is an asset, just as the economic investment represented by the shares is an asset. An investment adviser's duty of loyalty precludes an adviser from subrogating its clients' interests to its own. Accordingly, in voting proxies, Dreyfus seeks to act solely in the best financial and economic interests of the funds.
Dreyfus seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest through its participation in the PPC, which applies detailed, pre-determined proxy voting guidelines in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by third party vendors, and without consideration of any client relationship factors. Further, Dreyfus engages a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies for Fund securities.
Each proxy is reviewed, categorized and analyzed in accordance with the PPC's written guidelines in effect from time to time. The guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and changes to the PPC's policies on specific issues. Items that can be categorized will be voted in accordance with any applicable guidelines or referred to the PPC, if the applicable guidelines so require. Proposals for which a guideline has not yet been established are referred to the PPC for discussion and vote. Additionally, the PPC may elect to review any proposal where it has identified a particular issue for special scrutiny in light of new information. The PPC will also consider specific interests and issues raised by a fund, which interests and issues may require that a vote for a fund be cast differently from the collective vote in order to act in the best interests of such fund.
Dreyfus believes that a shareholder's role in the governance of a publicly-held company is generally limited to monitoring the performance of the company and its managers and voting on matters which properly come to a shareholder vote. Dreyfus carefully reviews proposals that would limit shareholder control or could affect shareholder values.
Dreyfus generally opposes proposals that seem designed to insulate management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of the shareholders and that would lead to a determination of a company's future by a minority of its shareholders. Dreyfus generally supports proposals that seem to have as their primary purpose providing management with temporary or short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable them to bargain effectively with potential suitors and otherwise achieve identified long-term goals to the extent such proposals are discrete and not bundled with other proposals.
On questions of social responsibility where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, Dreyfus attempts to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues. Responsiveness is measured by management's efforts to address the particular social issue including, where appropriate, assessment of the implications of the proposal to the ongoing operations of the company. Dreyfus pays particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment to take specific actions. With respect to funds having investment policies that require proxies to be cast in a certain manner on particular social responsibility issues, Dreyfus votes such issues in accordance with those investment policies.
Information regarding how Dreyfus voted proxies for the funds is available on the Dreyfus website at
www.dreyfus.com
and on the SEC's website at
www.SEC.gov
on the fund's Form N-PX.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE 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.
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 a majority of the Company's outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Board will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Board members if, at any time, less than a majority of the Board members then holding office have been elected by shareholders.
The Company is a "series fund," which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios, each of which is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act and for other purposes. A shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. For certain matters shareholders vote together as a group; as to others they vote separately by portfolio.
To date, the Board has authorized the creation of 11 series of shares. 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 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 March 24, 2008, the Company changed its name from "Dreyfus Premier International Funds, Inc." to its current name.
The Fund will send annual and semi-annual financial statements to all of its shareholders.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038-4982, as counsel for the Company, has rendered its opinion as to certain legal matters regarding the due authorization and valid issuance of the shares being sold pursuant to the Fund's Prospectus.
, an independent registered public accounting firm, has been selected to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund.