| UNITED STATES |
| SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
| Washington, D.C. 20549 |
| |
| |
| FORM N-CSR |
| |
| CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT |
| INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
| |
| Investment Company Act file number 811-3757 |
| |
| DREYFUS PREMIER CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND, INC. |
| (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter) |
| |
| |
| c/o The Dreyfus Corporation |
| 200 Park Avenue |
| New York, New York 10166 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) |
| |
| Mark N. Jacobs, Esq. |
| 200 Park Avenue |
| New York, New York 10166 |
| (Name and address of agent for service) |
| |
| Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 922-6000 |
| Date of fiscal year end: | | 5/31 |
| Date of reporting period: | | 11/30/04 |
FORM N-CSR
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
| Dreyfus Premier |
| California Tax Exempt |
| Bond Fund, Inc. |
SEMIANNUAL REPORT November 30, 2004
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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of Dreyfus or any other person in the Dreyfus organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Dreyfus disclaims any responsibility to update such views.These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Dreyfus fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Dreyfus fund.
Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value
Contents
| | | THE FUND |
| |
|
| 2 | | Letter from the Chairman |
| 3 | | Discussion of Fund Performance |
| 6 | | Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses |
| 6 | | Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses |
| With Those of Other Funds |
| 7 | | Statement of Investments |
| 16 | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
| 17 | | Statement of Operations |
| 18 | | Statement of Changes in Net Assets |
| 21 | | Financial Highlights |
| 23 | | Notes to Financial Statements |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION |
|
| | | Back Cover |
| Dreyfus Premier California |
| Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc. |
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Premier California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc., covering the six-month period from June 1, 2004, through November 30, 2004. Inside, you’ll find valuable information about how the fund was managed during the reporting period, including a discussion with the fund’s portfolio manager, Joseph Darcy.
The Federal Reserve Board has raised short-term interest rates four times since June 2004, the U.S. labor market is strengthening, and lower federal tax rates have made tax-advantaged investments somewhat less beneficial for many investors. Nonetheless, the municipal bond market is poised to have another consecutive calendar year of positive returns. In our view, investor demand for municipal bonds has remained strong due to concerns that record energy prices and persistent geopolitical tensions may be eroding the rate of U.S. economic growth.
In uncertain markets such as these, the tax-exempt investments that are right for you depend on your current needs, future goals, tolerance for risk and the composition of your current portfolio. As always, your financial advisor may be in the best position to recommend the specific market sectors and most suitable investments that will satisfy most effectively your tax-exempt income and capital preservation needs.
Thank you for your continued confidence and support.
| Stephen E. Canter |
| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
| The Dreyfus Corporation |
| December 15, 2004 |
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
Joseph Darcy, Portfolio Manager
|
How did Dreyfus Premier California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc. perform relative to its benchmark?
For the six-month period ended November 30, 2004, the fund’s Class Z shares achieved a total return of 4.33% . Between their inception on October 21,2004,and the end of the fund’s semiannual reporting period on November 30, 2004, the fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C shares produced total returns of –1.27%, –1.32% and –1.35%, respectively.1 In comparison, the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, the fund’s benchmark, achieved a total return of 4.30% for the six-month period.2
On October 21, 2004, outstanding shares of Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc. were reclassified as Class Z shares, which are generally closed to new investors, and was renamed Dreyfus Premier California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc (the “fund”). Subsequently on that date, Dreyfus Premier California Municipal Bond Fund transferred all of its assets into the fund and ceased operations.At the close of business on October 26, 2004, General California Municipal Bond Fund merged its assets into Class Z shares of the fund, and ceased operations.
Despite higher short-term interest rates, longer-term municipal bonds rebounded over the reporting period as investors responded to reports of sluggish economic growth and low inflation. The fund’s Class Z shares produced a return that was in line with its benchmark primarily because its security selection strategy enabled it to participate in market rallies while avoiding the full brunt of market declines.
What is the fund’s investment approach?
The fund seeks as high a level of current income exempt from federal and California state income taxes as is consistent with the preservation of cap-ital.To pursue this goal, the fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal and California state personal income taxes.The fund will invest at least 80%
| | DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)
|
of its assets in investment-grade municipal bonds or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus.The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade (“high yield”or “junk” bonds) or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus.The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio normally exceeds 10 years, but the fund’s average portfolio maturity is not restricted.
The portfolio manager may buy and sell bonds based on credit quality, market outlook and yield potential. In selecting municipal bonds for investment, the portfolio manager may assess the current interest-rate environment and the municipal bond’s potential volatility in different rate environments.The portfolio manager focuses on bonds with the potential to offer attractive current income, typically looking for bonds that can provide consistently attractive current yields or that are trading at competitive market prices. A portion of the fund’s assets may be allocated to “discount” bonds, which are bonds that sell at a price below their face value, or to “premium” bonds, which are bonds that sell at a price above their face value.The fund’s allocation either to discount bonds or to premium bonds will change along with our changing views of the current interest-rate and market environment. The portfolio manager also may look to select bonds that are most likely to obtain attractive prices when sold.
What other factors influenced the fund’s performance?
A stronger U.S. labor market and higher energy prices already had rekindled investors’ inflation fears when the reporting period began.As a result, municipal bond prices had declined sharply in April, and the market’s weakness continued into May.
In late June, to forestall an acceleration of inflation, the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) implemented its first increase in short-term interest rates in more than four years.Although the U.S. economy appeared to hit a “soft patch” over the summer and early fall, the Fed continued to raise short-term interest rates at its meetings in August, September and November,driving the overnight federal funds rate to 2% by the reporting period’s end. However, because inflationary pressures remained contained, municipal bond prices generally rallied during the summer and fall.
As the national economy improved, California made progress toward alleviating some of its longstanding budgetary pressures. As a result, while the state undertook several large deficit financings, ancillary and local issuers had less need to borrow, and the supply of newly issued securities from these entities dropped compared to the same period one year earlier.These factors helped support bond prices.
In this market environment, we maintained the fund’s average duration — a measure of sensitivity to changing interest rates — in a range we considered neutral to slightly longer than average. In addition, we emphasized higher-quality bonds with relatively strong income characteristics, including premium bonds backed by California counties, school districts and essential services facilities.These strategies generally helped the fund avoid the full brunt of the springtime market decline while positioning it to participate in subsequent rallies. The fund also benefited from gains produced by its holdings of the state’s general obligation bonds as credit conditions improved.
What is the fund’s current strategy?
Despite a lower volume of new issuance during the reporting period, there has been an ample supply of bonds meeting our investment criteria. Accordingly, we have continued to diversify the fund’s holdings more broadly across issuers and maturities. This strategy is designed to reduce risks by mirroring more closely the maturity composition of the fund’s benchmark. In our judgment, this is a prudent approach if, as we expect, the Fed continues to raise interest rates in a moderately expanding economy.
| 1 | | Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. Past performance is no |
| | | guarantee of future results. Share price, yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon |
| | | redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Income may be subject |
| | | to state and local taxes for non-California residents, and some income may be subject to the federal |
| | | alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. |
| 2 | | SOURCE: LIPPER INC. — Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital |
| | | gain distributions.The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged |
| | | total return performance benchmark for the long-term, investment-grade, tax-exempt bond market. |
| | | Index returns do not reflect fees and expenses associated with operating a mutual fund. |
U N D E R S TA N D I N G YO U R F U N D ’ S E X P E N S E S ( U n a u d i t e d )
As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees and other expenses. Using the information below, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds.You also may pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial adviser.
| | Review your fund’s expenses
|
The table below shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in Dreyfus Premier California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc. from June 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.
| Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | | | | | | |
| assuming actual returns for the six months ended November 30, 2004 † | | |
| | | Class A | | Class B | | Class C | | Class Z |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Expenses paid per $1,000 †† | | $ 1.05 | | $ 1.58 | | $ 1.86 | | $ 3.69 |
| Ending value (after expenses) | | $987.30 | | $986.80 | | $986.50 | | $1,043.30 |
| |
| COMPARING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES | | | | | | |
| WITH THOSE OF OTHER FUNDS (Unaudited) | | | | |
Using the SEC’s method to compare expenses
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the table below shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total cost) of investing in the fund with those of other funds.All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.
| Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment | | | | | | |
| assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return for the six months ended November 30, 2004 † |
| | | Class A | | Class B | | Class C | | Class Z |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Expenses paid per $1,000 †† | | $ 1.05 | | $ 1.59 | | $ 1.88 | | $ 3.65 |
| Ending value (after expenses) | | $1,004.43 | | $1,003.89 | | $1,003.61 | | $1,021.46 |
| † | | For Class Z shares and from October 21, 2004 (commencement of initial offering) to November 30, 2004 for |
| | | Class A, Class B and Class C shares. |
| †† | | Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .96% for Class A, 1.45% for Class B, 1.71% for |
| | | Class C and .72% for Class Z; multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 |
| | | Class Z and 40/365 for Class A, Class B and Class C (to reflect the one-half year period for Class Z and actual |
| | | days since inception for Class A, Class B and Class C). |
| STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS |
| November 30, 2004 (Unaudited) |
| | | Principal | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments—96.8% | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| California—88.8% | | | | |
| ABAG Finance Authority for Nonprofit Corps., Revenue: | | |
| Multi Family Housing | | | | |
| (Central Park Apartments): | | | | |
| 5.50%, 7/1/2019 | | 1,010,000 | | 1,052,016 |
| 5.60%, 7/1/2038 | | 5,000,000 | | 5,067,850 |
| (Sansum-Santa Barbara Medical) | | | | |
| 5.50%, 4/1/2021 | | 1,500,000 | | 1,592,265 |
| Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Revenue | | |
| Zero Coupon, 10/1/2032 (Insured; MBIA) | | 8,000,000 | | 1,696,400 |
| Alameda County, COP: | | | | |
| 8.83%, 12/1/2013 (Insured; MBIA) | | 5,000,000 a,b | | 6,186,050 |
| Financing Project | | | | |
| 6%, 9/1/2021 (Insured; MBIA) | | | | |
| (Prerefunded 9/1/2006) | | 2,650,000 c | | 2,866,001 |
| Anaheim Public Finance Authority, Tax Allocation | | | | |
| Revenue 6.45%, 12/28/2018 (Insured; MBIA) | | 26,000,000 | | 29,383,120 |
| California: | | | | |
| 5%, 3/1/2029 | | 13,595,000 | | 13,640,815 |
| Economic Recovery: | | | | |
| 5.25%, 7/1/2013 (Insured; MBIA) | | 11,740,000 | | 13,173,337 |
| 5.25%, 7/1/2013 | | 30,000,000 | | 33,451,200 |
| 5%, 7/1/2016 | | 14,000,000 | | 14,815,500 |
| Various Purpose: | | | | |
| 6.125%, 10/1/2011 (Insured; FGIC) | | 2,875,000 | | 3,368,264 |
| 5%, 12/1/2031 (Insured; MBIA) | | 19,000,000 | | 19,222,110 |
| California Department of Veteran Affairs, | | | | |
| Home Purchase Revenue: | | | | |
| 5.50%, 12/1/2019 | | 11,380,000 | | 11,990,878 |
| 5.20%, 12/1/2028 | | 10,000,000 | | 10,017,700 |
| California Department of Water Resources, | | | | |
| Power Supply Revenue: | | | | |
| 5.875%, 5/1/2016 | | 10,000,000 | | 11,253,900 |
| 5.375%, 5/1/2018 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 30,585,000 | | 33,457,849 |
| California Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue | | | | |
| (Pooled College and University Projects) | | | | |
| 5.625%, 7/1/2023 | | 1,275,000 | | 1,187,382 |
| California Health Facilities Financing Authority, | | | | |
| Revenue: | | | | |
| (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center): | | | | |
| 6.125%, 12/1/2030 | | 29,695,000 | | 31,708,618 |
| 6.25%, 12/1/2034 | | 9,460,000 | | 10,122,578 |
S T A T E M E N T O F I N V E S T M E N T S ( U n a u d i t e d ) (continued)
| | | Principal | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments (continued) | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| California (continued) | | | | |
| California Health Facilities Financing Authority, | | | | |
| Revenue (continued): | | | | |
| Health Facility (Adventist Health System/West) | | | | |
| 5%, 3/1/2033 | | 2,525,000 | | 2,485,358 |
| (Sutter Health): | | | | |
| 5.35%, 8/15/2028 (Insured; MBIA) | | 3,780,000 | | 3,966,619 |
| 6.25%, 8/15/2035 | | 2,250,000 | | 2,479,545 |
| (Walden House) | | | | |
| 6.85%, 3/1/2022 | | 3,225,000 | | 3,225,452 |
| California Housing Finance Agency: | | | | |
| MFHR: | | | | |
| 6.15%, 8/1/2022 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 1,845,000 | | 1,917,693 |
| 6.30%, 8/1/2026 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 7,130,000 | | 7,349,176 |
| Single Family Mortgage: | | | | |
| 6.25%, 8/1/2014 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 435,000 | | 440,337 |
| 6.30%, 8/1/2024 | | 1,435,000 | | 1,477,763 |
| 6.45%, 8/1/2025 | | 1,690,000 | | 1,699,464 |
| California Pollution Control Financing Authority, | | | | |
| PCR: | | | | |
| 9.882%, 6/1/2014 | | 4,500,000 a,b | | 6,005,925 |
| 9.882%, 6/1/2014 | | 24,165,000 a,b | | 32,251,817 |
| (Southern California Edison Co.): | | | | |
| 2%, 3/1/2006 | | 26,250,000 | | 25,966,237 |
| 2%, 3/1/2006 | | 7,500,000 | | 7,418,775 |
| 6.40%, 12/1/2024 | | 12,600,000 | | 12,630,114 |
| California Public Works Board, LR: | | | | |
| (Department of Corrections, Calipatria | | | | |
| State Prison, Imperial County) | | | | |
| 6.50%, 9/1/2017 (Insured; MBIA) | | 13,000,000 | | 15,906,280 |
| (Department of General Services-Capital | | | | |
| East End Complex) | | | | |
| 5%, 12/1/2012 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 7,275,000 | | 8,040,039 |
| (Various University of California Projects) | | | | |
| 5.50%, 6/1/2014 | | 5,000,000 | | 5,585,550 |
| California State University, Fresno Association Inc., | | | | |
| Auxiliary Organization Event Center Revenue: | | | | |
| 6%, 7/1/2022 | | 3,500,000 | | 3,682,595 |
| 6%, 7/1/2026 | | 2,500,000 | | 2,643,275 |
| 6%, 7/1/2031 | | 5,250,000 | | 5,503,733 |
| | | Principal | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments (continued) | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| California (continued) | | | | |
| California Statewide Communities | | | | |
| Development Authority: | | | | |
| COP: | | | | |
| (Catholic Healthcare West) | | | | |
| 6.50%, 7/1/2020 | | 3,500,000 | | 3,885,035 |
| (Motion Picture and Television Fund) | | | | |
| 6.45%, 1/1/2022 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 5,700,000 | | 5,825,286 |
| (The Internext Group) | | | | |
| 5.375%, 4/1/2030 | | 20,000,000 | | 19,262,200 |
| Revenue: | | | | |
| (Kaiser Permanente): | | | | |
| 3.45%, 5/1/2011 | | 10,000,000 | | 9,783,600 |
| 5.50%, 11/1/2032 | | 13,500,000 | | 13,785,930 |
| (Sutter Health) | | | | |
| 5.50%, 8/15/2028 | | 14,000,000 | | 14,500,920 |
| (The California Endowment): | | | | |
| 5%, 7/1/2028 | | 15,360,000 | | 15,654,605 |
| 5%, 7/1/2033 | | 16,710,000 | | 16,971,679 |
| 5%, 7/1/2036 | | 14,355,000 | | 14,579,799 |
| Capistrano Unified School District: | | | | |
| Community Facilities District | | | | |
| Special Tax Number 98 (Ladera) | | | | |
| 5.75%, 9/1/2029 | | 4,500,000 | | 4,548,420 |
| School Facilities Improvement District Number 1 | | | | |
| 6%, 8/1/2024 (Insured; FGIC) | | 2,075,000 | | 2,364,877 |
| Castaic Lake Water Agency, COP, Revenue | | | | |
| (Water System Improvement Project) | | | | |
| Zero Coupon, 8/1/2027 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 10,000,000 | | 2,913,300 |
| Central California Joint Powers | | | | |
| Health Financing Authority, COP | | | | |
| (Community Hospitals of Central California): | | | | |
| 6%, 2/1/2030 | | 3,000,000 | | 3,095,250 |
| 5.75%, 2/1/2031 | | 18,500,000 | | 18,752,895 |
| Contra Costa County Public Finance Authority, | | | | |
| Tax Allocation Revenue (Pleasant Hill) | | | | |
| 5.45%, 8/1/2028 | | 2,840,000 | | 2,905,860 |
| Cucamonga County Water District, COP | | | | |
| 5.25%, 9/1/2025 (Insured; FGIC) | | 5,555,000 | | 5,828,473 |
S T A T E M E N T O F I N V E S T M E N T S ( U n a u d i t e d ) (continued)
| | | Principal | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments (continued) | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| California (continued) | | | | |
| Del Mar Race Track Authority, Revenue | | | | |
| 6.20%, 8/15/2011 | | 2,000,000 | | 2,127,980 |
| Delano, COP (Delano Regional Medical Center) | | | | |
| 5.25%, 1/1/2018 | | 13,500,000 | | 13,132,125 |
| Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, COP: | | | | |
| 5.375%, 7/1/2018 (Insured; FGIC) | | 2,000,000 | | 2,251,300 |
| 5.375%, 7/1/2019 (Insured; FGIC) | | 3,855,000 | | 4,347,399 |
| Escondido Improvement Board | | | | |
| 5.70%, 9/2/2026 | | 915,000 | | 933,922 |
| Fontana, Special Tax | | | | |
| 5.25%, 9/1/2017 (Insured; MBIA) | | 10,000,000 | | 10,831,200 |
| Fontana Public Financing Authority, | | | | |
| Tax Allocation Revenue | | | | |
| (North Fontana Redevelopment Project) | | | | |
| 5.50%, 9/1/2032 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 13,800,000 | | 14,674,230 |
| Fremont Union High School District: | | | | |
| 5.25%, 9/1/2022 (Insured; FGIC) | | 3,400,000 | | 3,643,882 |
| 5.25%, 9/1/2023 (Insured; FGIC) | | 4,000,000 | | 4,260,760 |
| 5.25%, 9/1/2025 (Insured; FGIC) | | 11,295,000 | | 11,907,754 |
| Fresno, Sewer Revenue | | | | |
| 5.25%, 9/1/2019 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 12,400,000 | | 13,871,012 |
| Fullerton Community Facilities District Number 1, | | | | |
| Special Tax (Amerige Heights): | | | | |
| 6.10%, 9/1/2022 | | 1,000,000 | | 1,040,360 |
| 6.20%, 9/1/2032 | | 2,500,000 | | 2,569,150 |
| Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp., | | | | |
| Enhanced Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds: | | | | |
| 5%, 6/1/2043 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 6,760,000 | | 6,771,560 |
| 5.50%, 6/1/2043 | | 5,000,000 | | 5,183,700 |
| High Desert Memorial Health Care District, Revenue | | | | |
| 5.40%, 10/1/2011 | | 2,500,000 | | 2,515,000 |
| Kaweah Delta Health Care District | | | | |
| Revenue 6%, 8/1/2034 | | 8,500,000 | | 9,030,145 |
| Los Angeles, GO | | | | |
| 5%, 9/1/2016 (Insured; MBIA) | | 11,670,000 | | 12,590,996 |
| Los Angeles Harbor Department, Revenue | | | | |
| 6%, 8/1/2012 | | 8,900,000 | | 9,418,514 |
| Los Angeles Unified School District | | | | |
| 5.75%, 7/1/2017 (Insured; MBIA) | | 10,135,000 | | 11,869,707 |
| | | Principal | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments (continued) | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| California (continued) | | | | |
| Madera County, COP | | | | |
| (Valley Children’s Hospital) | | | | |
| 6.50%, 3/15/2009 (Insured; MBIA) | | 3,370,000 | | 3,866,772 |
| Merced Union High School District: | | | | |
| Zero Coupon, 8/1/2023 (Insured; FGIC) | | 2,500,000 | | 963,125 |
| Zero Coupon, 8/1/2024 (Insured; FGIC) | | 2,555,000 | | 921,052 |
| Murrieta Unified School District | | | | |
| Zero Coupon, 9/1/2021 (Insured; FGIC) | | 4,950,000 | | 2,155,378 |
| Natomas Unified School District | | | | |
| 5.95%, 9/1/2021 (Insured; MBIA) | | 2,500,000 | | 2,969,200 |
| New Haven Unified School District | | | | |
| 5.75%, 8/1/2019 (Insured; FSA) | | 2,000,000 | | 2,262,080 |
| Northern California Power Agency, Revenue | | | | |
| (Hydroelectric Project Number 1): | | | | |
| 7%, 7/1/2016 (Insured; AMBAC) | | | | |
| (Prerefunded 1/1/2016) | | 670,000 c | | 855,121 |
| 6.30%, 7/1/2018 (Insured; MBIA) | | 26,400,000 | | 32,134,080 |
| 7.50%, 7/1/2023 (Insured; AMBAC) | | | | |
| (Prerefunded 7/1/2021) | | 375,000 c | | 508,834 |
| Oakland Unified School District | | | | |
| 5.25%, 8/1/2024 (Insured; FGIC) | | 17,275,000 | | 18,279,714 |
| Orange County Community Facilities District (Ladera Ranch) | | |
| Special Tax Number 1: | | | | |
| 6.25%, 8/15/2030 | | 1,600,000 | | 1,695,360 |
| 6%, 8/15/2032 | | 3,000,000 | | 3,121,260 |
| Special Tax Number 3: | | | | |
| 5.60%, 8/15/2028 | | 3,250,000 | | 3,297,775 |
| 5.625%, 8/15/2034 | | 6,000,000 | | 6,098,520 |
| Orange County Public Financing Authority, LR | | | | |
| (Juvenile Justice Center Facility) | | | | |
| 5.375%, 6/1/2019 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 6,150,000 | | 6,685,788 |
| Pasadena Unified School District | | | | |
| 5%, 11/1/2014 (Insured; FGIC) | | 10,000,000 | | 11,062,100 |
| Pomona Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation | | | | |
| (West Holt Avenue) 5.50%, 5/1/2032 | | 3,000,000 | | 3,053,340 |
| Public Utilities Commission of the City and County | | | | |
| of San Francisco, Clean Water Revenue: | | | | |
| 5%, 10/1/2012 (Insured; MBIA) | | 23,095,000 | | 25,570,322 |
| 5%, 10/1/2013 (Insured; MBIA) | | 22,195,000 | | 24,422,934 |
S T A T E M E N T O F I N V E S T M E N T S ( U n a u d i t e d ) (continued)
| | | Principal | | | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments (continued) | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| California (continued) | | | | | | |
| Rancho Cucamonga Redevelopment Agency | | | | | | |
| (Tax Allocation Rancho Development) | | | | | | |
| 5.375%, 9/1/2025 (Insured; MBIA) | | 7,485,000 | | | | 7,943,157 |
| Rancho Mirage Joint Powers Financing Authority | | | | | | |
| Revenue (Eisenhower Medical Center) | | | | | | |
| 5.625%, 7/1/2029 | | 10,000,000 | | | | 10,366,800 |
| Riverside County, SFMR | | | | | | |
| 7.80%, 5/1/2021 (Insured; GNMA) | | 1,250,000 | | | | 1,713,575 |
| Sacramento City Financing Authority, Revenue: | | | | | | |
| 9.131%, 12/1/2013 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 2,335,000 | | a,b | | 2,882,651 |
| 9.131%, 12/1/2014 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 2,000,000 | | a,b | | 2,469,080 |
| Sacramento County, Airport System Revenue | | | | | | |
| 6%, 7/1/2017 (Insured; MBIA) | | 5,850,000 | | | | 6,220,422 |
| Sacramento County (Community Facilities | | | | | | |
| District Number 1) 5.70%, 12/1/2020 | | 2,230,000 | | | | 2,276,094 |
| Sacramento County Sanitation District | | | | | | |
| Financing Authority, Revenue | | | | | | |
| 5%, 12/1/2027 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 19,330,000 | | | | 19,624,589 |
| Sacramento Municipal Utility District, | | | | | | |
| Electric Revenue: | | | | | | |
| 6.50%, 9/1/2013 (Insured; MBIA) | | 6,930,000 | | | | 8,222,514 |
| 5%, 11/15/2014 (Insured; MBIA) | | 5,000,000 | | | | 5,479,350 |
| 5.20%, 7/1/2017 (Insured; MBIA) | | 300,000 | | | | 323,865 |
| San Bernardino County, COP | | | | | | |
| (Capital Facilities Project) | | | | | | |
| 6.875%, 8/1/2024 | | 5,000,000 | | | | 6,463,050 |
| San Diego County, COP | | | | | | |
| (Burnham Institute) 6.25%, 9/1/2029 | | 2,800,000 | | | | 2,893,324 |
| San Diego County Water Authority, | | | | | | |
| Water Revenue, COP | | | | | | |
| 5%, 5/1/2032 (Insured; MBIA) | | 10,000,000 | | | | 10,073,400 |
| San Diego Unified School District: | | | | | | |
| Zero Coupon, 7/1/2017 (Insured; FGIC) | | 2,325,000 | | | | 1,294,862 |
| 5.25%, 7/1/2018 (Insured; FGIC) | | 3,390,000 | | | | 3,797,376 |
| San Francisco City and County Airports Commission, | | | | | | |
| International Airport Revenue | | | | | | |
| 5.90%, 5/1/2026 | | 9,385,000 | | | | 9,569,040 |
| San Francisco City and County, COP | | | | | | |
| (San Bruno Jail Number 3) | | | | | | |
| 5.25%, 10/1/2021 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 2,985,000 | | | | 3,216,397 |
| |
| |
| |
| 12 | | | | | | |
| | | Principal | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments (continued) | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| California (continued) | | | | |
| San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, | | | | |
| Toll Road Revenue | | | | |
| Zero Coupon, 1/15/2032 (Insured; MBIA) | | 48,295,000 | | 10,839,330 |
| San Jose Financing Authority, LR | | | | |
| (Civic Center Project) | | | | |
| 5%, 6/1/2032 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 30,015,000 | | 30,147,366 |
| San Juan Unified School District: | | | | |
| Zero Coupon, 8/1/2023 (Insured; FSA) | | 10,030,000 | | 3,864,058 |
| Zero Coupon, 8/1/2024 (Insured; FSA) | | 10,655,000 | | 3,841,021 |
| Southeast Resource Recovery Facility Authority, LR: | | | | |
| 5.25%, 12/1/2016 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 11,715,000 | | 12,826,871 |
| 5.25%, 12/1/2017 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 6,475,000 | | 7,063,966 |
| 5.25%, 12/1/2018 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 7,585,000 | | 8,268,939 |
| Stockton, Health Facilities Revenue | | | | |
| (Dameron Hospital Association) | | | | |
| 5.70%, 12/1/2014 | | 1,000,000 | | 1,049,350 |
| Turlock, COP, Health Facilities Revenue | | | | |
| (Emanuel Medical Center, Inc.) 5.75%, 10/15/2023 | | 6,000,000 | | 6,027,300 |
| Tustin Unified School District, Special Tax | | | | |
| (Senior Lien-Community Facilities District 97) | | | | |
| 5%, 9/1/2038 (Insured; FSA) | | 10,000,000 | | 10,034,300 |
| University of California, Revenue (Multi Purpose) | | | | |
| 5.25%, 9/1/2027 (Insured; MBIA) | | 31,475,000 | | 32,644,296 |
| Ventura County Community College District | | | | |
| 5.50%, 8/1/2023 (Insured; MBIA) | | 4,250,000 | | 4,630,673 |
| Walnut Energy Center Authority, Revenue | | | | |
| 5%, 1/1/2034 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 21,200,000 | | 21,283,528 |
| West Basin Municipal Water District, Revenue, COP: | | | | |
| 5.25%, 8/1/2014 (Insured; MBIA) | | 5,000,000 | | 5,545,800 |
| 5.25%, 8/1/2015 (Insured; MBIA) | | 5,000,000 | | 5,498,000 |
| 5.25%, 8/1/2016 (Insured; MBIA) | | 3,000,000 | | 3,284,940 |
| 5.25%, 8/1/2017 (Insured; MBIA) | | 2,000,000 | | 2,182,280 |
| West Covina Redevelopment Agency, | | | | |
| Community Facilities District | | | | |
| Special Tax (Fashion Plaza): | | | | |
| 6%, 9/1/2017 | | 6,000,000 | | 6,921,240 |
| 6%, 9/1/2022 | | 11,325,000 | | 13,316,954 |
| Whittier Health Facility, Revenue | | | | |
| (Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital) | | | | |
| 5.75%, 6/1/2031 | | 10,090,000 | | 10,586,327 |
S T A T E M E N T O F I N V E S T M E N T S ( U n a u d i t e d ) (continued)
| | | Principal | | | | |
| Long-Term Municipal Investments (continued) | | Amount ($) | | Value ($) |
| |
| |
|
| U.S. Related—8.0% | | | | | | |
| Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement | | | | | | |
| 5.50%, 7/1/2016 (Insured; MBIA) | | 11,830,000 | | | | 13,586,518 |
| Commonwealth of Puerto Rico | | | | | | |
| Infrastructure Financing Authority, | | | | | | |
| Special Tax Revenue: | | | | | | |
| 5.50%, 10/1/2032 | | 10,000,000 | | | | 10,806,600 |
| 5.50%, 10/1/2040 | | 30,000,000 | | | | 32,354,700 |
| Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority: | | | | | | |
| Highway Revenue | | | | | | |
| 5.50%, 7/1/2013 (Insured; MBIA) | | 4,750,000 | | | | 5,435,853 |
| Transportaion Revenue | | | | | | |
| 6%, 7/1/2039 (Prerefunded 7/1/2010) | | 2,000,000 | | c | | 2,303,840 |
| Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority | | | | | | |
| (Capital Fund Program) 5%, 12/1/2015 | | 11,615,000 | | | | 12,472,187 |
| Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority, | | | | | | |
| Government Facilities Revenue | | | | | | |
| 5%, 7/1/2012 (Insured; AMBAC) | | 21,600,000 | | | | 23,516,352 |
| Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, Revenue | | | | | | |
| 7.30%, 10/1/2018 | | 3,100,000 | | | | 4,019,150 |
| Total Long-Term Municipal Investments | | | | | | |
| (cost $1,202,474,137) | | | | | | 1,262,662,445 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| Short-Term Municipal Investments—1.7% | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| California, VRDN | | | | | | |
| 1.63%, (LOC; JPMorgan Chase Bank and | | | | | | |
| Westdeutsche Landesbank) | | 4,200,000 | | d | | 4,200,000 |
| California Department of Water Resources, | | | | | | |
| Power Supply Revenue, VRDN: | | | | | | |
| 1.63% (LOC; Bayerische Landesbank) | | 2,500,000 | | d | | 2,500,000 |
| 1.74% (LOC; Banque Nationale de Paris) | | 7,500,000 | | d | | 7,500,000 |
| California Statewide Communities | | | | | | |
| Development Authority, Revenue, VRDN | | | | | | |
| (University Retirement) 1.68% (Insured; AGIC) | | 7,685,000 | | d | | 7,685,000 |
| Total Short-Term Municipal Investments | | | | | | |
| (cost $21,885,000) | | | | | | 21,885,000 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| Total Investments (cost $1,224,359,137) | | 98.5% | | | | 1,284,547,445 |
| Cash and Receivables (Net) | | 1.5% | | | | 19,797,287 |
| Net Assets | | 100.0% | | | | 1,304,344,732 |
| |
| |
| |
| 14 | | | | | | |
| Summary of Abbreviations | | | | |
| |
| AGIC | | Asset Guaranty Insurance | | GO | | General Obligation |
| | | Company | | LOC | | Letter of Credit |
| AMBAC | | American Municipal Bond | | LR | | Lease Revenue |
| | | Assurance Corporation | | MBIA | | Municipal Bond Investors |
| COP | | Certificate of Participation | | | | Assurance Insurance |
| FGIC | | Financial Guaranty Insurance | | | | Corporation |
| | | Company | | MFHR | | Multi-Family Housing Revenue |
| FSA | | Financial Security Assurance | | PCR | | Pollution Control Revenue |
| GNMA | | Government National Mortgage | | SFMR | | Single Family Mortgage Revenue |
| | | Association | | VRDN | | Variable Rate Demand Notes |
| Summary of Combined Ratings (Unaudited) | | |
| |
| Fitch | | or | | Moody’s | | or | | Standard & Poor’s | | Value (%) † |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| AAA | | | | Aaa | | | | AAA | | 63.3 |
| AA | | | | Aa | | | | AA | | 10.5 |
| A | | | | A | | | | A | | 15.3 |
| BBB | | | | Baa | | | | BBB | | 6.7 |
| BB | | | | Ba | | | | BB | | .1 |
| F1 | | | | MIG1/P1 | | | | SP1/A1 | | 1.7 |
| Not Rated e | | | | Not Rated e | | | | Not Rated e | | 2.4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 100.0 |
| † | | Based on total investments. |
| a | | Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.These securities may be resold |
| | | in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.These securities have been deemed |
| | | to be liquid by the Board of Directors. At November 30, 2004, these securities amounted to $49,795,523 or |
| | | 3.8% of net assets. |
| b | | Inverse floater security—the interest rate is subject to change periodically. |
| c | | Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized by U.S. Government securities which are held in escrow and are used |
| | | to pay principal and interest on the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date. |
| d | | Securities payable on demand.Variable interest rate—subject to periodic change. |
| e | | Securities which, while not rated by Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, have been determined by the Manager to |
| | | be of comparable quality to those rated securities in which the fund may invest. |
| f | | At November 30, 2004, 26.0% of the fund’s net assets are insured by MBIA. |
| See notes to the financial statements. |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
| November 30, 2004 (Unaudited) |
| | | Cost | | Value |
| |
| |
|
| Assets ($): | | | | |
| Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments | | 1,224,359,137 | | 1,284,547,445 |
| Interest receivable | | | | 21,631,312 |
| Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed | | | | 15,704 |
| Prepaid expenses | | | | 52,466 |
| | | | | 1,306,246,927 |
| |
| |
|
| Liabilities ($): | | | | |
| Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(b) | | | | 682,290 |
| Cash overdraft due to Custodian | | | | 362,677 |
| Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed | | | | 591,806 |
| Accrued expenses | | | | 265,422 |
| | | | | 1,902,195 |
| |
| |
|
| Net Assets ($) | | | | 1,304,344,732 |
| |
| |
|
| Composition of Net Assets ($): | | | | |
| Paid-in capital | | | | 1,238,734,186 |
| Accumulated undistributed investment income—net | | | | 198,887 |
| Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments | | | | 5,223,351 |
| Accumulated net unrealized appreciation | | | | |
| (depreciation) on investments | | | | 60,188,308 |
| |
| |
|
| Net Assets ($) | | | | 1,304,344,732 |
| | See notes to financial statements.
|
| Net Asset Value Per Share | | | | | | | | |
| | | Class A | | Class B | | Class C | | Class Z |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Net Assets ($) | | 87,573,986 | | 10,558,284 | | 3,432,365 | | 1,202,780,097 |
| Shares Outstanding | | 5,947,661 | | 717,094 | | 233,116 | | 81,703,665 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Net Asset Value Per Share ($) | | 14.72 | | 14.72 | | 14.72 | | 14.72 |
| | STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended November 30, 2004 (Unaudited)
|
| Investment Income ($): | | |
| Interest Income | | 24,886,915 |
| Expenses: | | |
| Management fee—Note 3(a) | | 3,223,737 |
| Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b) | | 454,298 |
| Professional fees | | 77,207 |
| Custodian fees | | 49,377 |
| Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(c) | | 33,348 |
| Prospectus and shareholders’ reports | | 33,138 |
| Registration fees | | 18,758 |
| Distribution fees—Note 3(b) | | 8,731 |
| Loan commitment fees—Note 2 | | 3,828 |
| Miscellaneous | | 17,578 |
| Total Expenses | | 3,920,000 |
| Less—reduction in management fee due to | | |
| undertaking—Note 3(a) | | (1,925) |
| Less—reduction in custody fees due to | | |
| earnings credits—Note 1(b) | | (18,117) |
| Net Expenses | | 3,899,958 |
| Investment Income—Net | | 20,986,957 |
| |
|
| Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($): |
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | 696,399 |
| Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 16,813,100 |
| Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | | 17,509,499 |
| Net Increase In Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | 38,496,456 |
See notes to financial statements.
|
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| | | Six Months Ended | | |
| | | November 30, 2004 | | Year Ended |
| | | (Unaudited) a | | May 31, 2004 |
| |
| |
|
| Operations ($): | | | | |
| Investment income—net | | 20,986,957 | | 41,679,258 |
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | 696,399 | | 8,203,472 |
| Net unrealized appreciation | | | | |
| (depreciation) on investments | | 16,813,100 | | (63,000,098) |
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| Resulting from Operations | | 38,496,456 | | (13,117,368) |
| |
| |
|
| Dividends to Shareholders from ($): | | | | |
| Investment income—net: | | | | |
| Class A shares | | (363,949) | | — |
| Class B shares | | (37,920) | | — |
| Class C shares | | (11,170) | | — |
| Class Z shares | | (20,751,564) | | (41,050,288) |
| Net realized gain on investments: | | | | |
| Class Z shares | | — | | (10,276,672) |
| Total Dividends | | (21,164,603) | | (51,326,960) |
| |
| |
|
| Capital Stock Transactions ($): | | | | |
| Net proceeds from shares sold: | | | | |
| Class A shares | | 514,456 | | — |
| Net assets received in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 90,627,532 | | — |
| Class B shares | | 160,383 | | — |
| Net assets received in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 11,083,656 | | — |
| Class C shares | | 243,865 | | — |
| Net assets received in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 3,440,510 | | — |
| Class Z shares | | 18,671,861 | | 155,077,435 |
| Net assets received in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 205,846,182 | | — |
| | | Six Months Ended | | |
| | | November 30, 2004 | | Year Ended |
| | | (Unaudited) a | | May 31, 2004 |
| |
| |
|
| Capital Stock Transactions ($) (continued): | | |
| Dividends reinvested: | | | | |
| Class A shares | | 222,351 | | — |
| Class B shares | | 26,191 | | — |
| Class C shares | | 7,688 | | — |
| Class Z shares | | 13,819,690 | | 34,795,373 |
| Cost of shares redeemed: | | | | |
| Class A shares | | (2,287,100) | | — |
| Class B shares | | (529,755) | | — |
| Class C shares | | (201,731) | | — |
| Class Z shares | | (58,886,186) | | (261,572,844) |
| Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from | | | | |
| Capital Stock Transactions | | 282,759,593 | | (71,700,036) |
| Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | 300,091,446 | | (136,144,364) |
| |
| |
|
| Net Assets ($): | | | | |
| Beginning of Period | | 1,004,253,286 | | 1,140,397,650 |
| End of Period | | 1,304,344,732 | | 1,004,253,286 |
| Undistributed investment income—net | | 198,887 | | 316,230 |
| | STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)
|
| | | Six Months Ended | | |
| | | November 30, 2004 | | Year Ended |
| | | (Unaudited) a | | May 31, 2004 |
| |
| |
|
| Capital Share Transactions: | | | | |
| Class A b | | | | |
| Shares sold | | 32,421 | | — |
| Shares issued in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 6,053,943 | | — |
| Shares issued for dividends reinvested | | 15,052 | | — |
| Shares redeemed | | (153,755) | | — |
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | | 5,947,661 | | — |
| |
| |
|
| Class B b | | | | |
| Shares sold | | 10,532 | | — |
| Shares issued in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 740,391 | | — |
| Shares issued for dividends reinvested | | 1,773 | | — |
| Shares redeemed | | (35,602) | | — |
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | | 717,094 | | — |
| |
| |
|
| Class C | | | | |
| Shares sold | | 16,313 | | — |
| Shares issued in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 229,827 | | — |
| Shares issued for dividends reinvested | | 521 | | — |
| Shares redeemed | | (13,545) | | — |
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | | 233,116 | | — |
| |
| |
|
| Class Z | | | | |
| Shares sold | | 1,274,936 | | 10,532,214 |
| Shares issued in connection | | | | |
| with reorganization—Note 1 | | 13,723,079 | | — |
| Shares issued for dividends reinvested | | 939,452 | | 2,362,002 |
| Shares redeemed | | (4,020,153) | | (17,723,340) |
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | | 11,917,314 | | (4,829,124) |
| a | | The fund commenced offering four classes of shares on October 21, 2004.The existing shares were redesignated |
| | | Class Z shares and the fund added Class A, Class B and Class C shares. |
| b | | During the period ended November 30, 2004, 8,633 Class B shares representing $128,803 were automatically |
| | | converted to 8,633 Class A shares. |
| See notes to financial statements. |
The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated.All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share.Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions.These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.
| | | | | Six Months Ended November 30, 2004 a |
| | | |
|
| | | | | Class A Shares | | Class B Shares | | Class C Shares |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | | 14.97 | | 14.97 | | 14.97 |
| Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
| Investment income—net b | | .06 | | .05 | | .05 |
| Net realized and unrealized | | | | | | |
| gain (loss) on investments | | (.25) | | (.25) | | (.25) |
| Total from Investment Operations | | (.19) | | (.20) | | (.20) |
| Distributions: | | | | | | |
| Dividends from investment income—net | | (.06) | | (.05) | | (.05) |
| Net asset value, end of period | | 14.72 | | 14.72 | | 14.72 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Total Return (%) c,d | | (1.27) | | (1.32) | | (1.35) |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | |
| Ratio of total expenses to average net assets e | | .98 | | 1.49 | | 1.71 |
| Ratio of net expenses to average net assets e | | .96 | | 1.45 | | 1.71 |
| Ratio of net investment income | | | | | | |
| to average net assets e | | 3.83 | | 3.32 | | 3.07 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate d | | 17.77 | | 17.77 | | 17.77 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | | 87,574 | | 10,558 | | 3,432 |
| |
| a | | From October 21, 2004 (commencement to intitail offering) to November 30, 2004. | | |
| b | | Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. | | | | |
| c | | Exclusive of sales charge. | | | | | | |
| d | | Not annualized. | | | | | | |
| e | | Annualized. | | | | | | |
| See notes to financial statements. | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
| Six Months Ended | | | | | | | | | | |
| November 30, 2004 | | | | | | Year Ended May 31, | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Class Z Shares (Unaudited) | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 a | | 2001 | | 2000 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net asset value, | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| beginning of period | | 14.39 | | 15.28 | | 14.60 | | 14.56 | | 13.65 | | 14.72 |
| Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment income—net | | .28b | | .58b | | .63b | | .67b | | .71 | | .70 |
| Net realized and unrealized | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| gain (loss) on investments | | .34 | | (.76) | | .83 | | .29 | | .91 | | (1.01) |
| Total from | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment Operations | | .62 | | (.18) | | 1.46 | | .96 | | 1.62 | | (.31) |
| Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends from | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| investment income—net | | (.29) | | (.57) | | (.63) | | (.67) | | (.71) | | (.71) |
| Dividends from net realized | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| gain on investments | | — | | (.14) | | (.15) | | (.25) | | — | | (.05) |
| Total Distributions | | (.29) | | (.71) | | (.78) | | (.92) | | (.71) | | (.76) |
| Net asset value, | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| end of period | | 14.72 | | 14.39 | | 15.28 | | 14.60 | | 14.56 | | 13.65 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Total Return (%) | | 4.33c | | (1.16) | | 10.30 | | 6.69 | | 11.98 | | (2.04) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ratio of total expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| to average net assets | | .72d | | .70 | | .70 | | .71 | | .70 | | .73 |
| Ratio of net expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| to average net assets | | .72d | | .70 | | .70 | | .71 | | .70 | | .73 |
| Ratio of net investment income | | | | | | | | | | |
| to average net assets | | 3.91d | | 3.93 | | 4.27 | | 4.54 | | 4.87 | | 5.03 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | | 17.77c | | 56.87 | | 47.21 | | 51.69 | | 32.21 | | 34.09 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| Net Assets, end of | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| period ($ x 1,000) 1,202,780 | | 1,004,253 | | 1,140,398 | | 1,099,751 1,099,495 | | 1,045,993 |
| a | | As required, effective June 1, 2001, the fund has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide |
| | | for Investment Companies and began accreting discount or amortizing premium on a scientific basis for debt securities. |
| | | The effect of this change for the period ended May 31, 2002 was to increase net investment income per share and |
| | | decrease net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments by less than $.01 and increase the ratio of net |
| | | investment income to average net assets from 4.51% to 4.54%. Per share data and ratios/supplemental data for |
| | | periods prior to June 1, 2001 have not been restated to reflect this change in presentation. |
| b | | Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. |
| c | | Not annualized. |
| d | | Annualized. |
| See notes to financial statements. |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:
Dreyfus Premier California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc. (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a non-diversified open-end management investment company.The fund’s investment objective is to provide investors with a high level of current income exempt from federal and California state income taxes, as is consistent with the preservation of capital.The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager” or “Dreyfus”) serves as the fund’s investment adviser. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Financial Corporation (“Mellon Financial”).
On January 27, 2004, the fund’s Board of Directors approved, effective October 21, 2004, a change of the fund’s name from “Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.” to “Dreyfus Premier California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.” coinciding with the fund implementing a multiple class structure. Existing shareholders, on October 21, 2004, were classified as Class Z shareholders and the fund added Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
As of the close of business on October 21, 2004, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization previously approved by the fund’s Board of Directors, all of the assets, subject to the liabilities, of Dreyfus Premier California Municipal Bond Fund (“Premier California”) were transferred to the fund in exchange for the corresponding class of shares of Common Stock of the fund, in equal value, on the close of business on October 21, 2004. Holders of Class A, B and C shares of Premier California receive Class A, B and C shares of the fund, respectively, in each case in an amount equal to the aggregate net asset value of their investment in Premier California at the time of the exchange.The net asset value of the fund’s shares on the close of business October 21, 2004, after the reorganization, was $14.97 per share for each of Class A, B and C shares, and a total of 6,053,943 Class A shares, 740,391 Class B shares and 229,827 Class C shares, representing net assets of $90,627,532 Class A shares, $11,083,656 Class B shares and $3,440,510 Class C shares (including $9,508,057 net unrealized appre-
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
ciation on investments) were issued to Premier California’s shareholders in the exchange. The exchange was a tax-free event to Premier California shareholders.
As of the close of business on October 26, 2004, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization previously approved by the fund’s Board of Directors, all of the assets, subject to the liabilities, of General California Municipal Bond Fund (“General California”) were transferred to the fund in exchange for shares of Common Stock of the fund of equal amount. Shareholders of General California received Class Z shares of the fund, in an amount equal to the aggregate net asset value of their investment in General California at the time of the exchange. The fund’s net asset value on the close of business on October 26, 2004 was $15.00 per share for Class Z shares, and a total of 13,723,079 Class Z shares representing net assets of $205,846,182 (including $18,179,239 net unrealized appreciation on investments) were issued to the shareholders of General California in the exchange. The exchange was a tax-free event to General California shareholders.
Dreyfus Service Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, is the distributor of the fund’s shares.The fund is authorized to issue 100 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z. Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class B shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed on Class B share redemptions made within six years of purchase and automatically convert to Class A shares after six years. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class Z shares are sold at net asset value per share generally only to shareholders who received Class Z shares in exchange for their shares of General California Municipal Bond Fund as a result of the reorganization of such fund. Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and real-
ized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.
The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown.The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.
(a) Portfolio valuation: Investments in securities are valued each business day by an independent pricing service (the “Service”) approved by the Board of Directors. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service 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). Other investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions.
(b) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gain and loss from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest income, adjusted for accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.
The fund has an arrangement with the custodian bank whereby the fund receives earnings credits from the custodian when positive cash
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
balances are maintained, which are used to offset custody fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes net earnings credits as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.
The fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay principal of, municipal obligations held by the fund.
(c) Dividends to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly. Dividends from net realized capital gain, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).To the extent that net realized capital gain can be offset by capital loss carryovers, if any, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gain. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with incomes tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(d) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax exempt dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.
The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, were as follows: tax exempt income $41,050,288, ordinary income $2,121,105 and long term capital gain $8,155,567. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
NOTE 2—Bank Line of Credit:
The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $350 million redemption credit facility (the “Facility”) to be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions.
In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay commitment fees on its pro rata portion of the Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on prevailing market rates in effect at the time of borrowings. During the period ended November 30, 2004, the fund did not borrow under the Facility.
NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
(a) Pursuant to a management agreement (“Agreement”) with the Manager, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .60 of 1% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly.The Agreement provides that if in any full fiscal year the aggregate expenses allocable to Class Z, exclusive of taxes, brokerage fees, interest on borrowings, commitment fees and extraordinary expenses, exceed 1 1 / 2% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class Z, the fund may deduct from the fees paid to the Manager, or the Manager will bear such excess expense. During the period ended November 30, 2004, there was no expense reimbursement pursuant to the Agreement.The Manager has contractually agreed to waive receipt of its fee and/or assume the expenses, until at least May 31, 2006, so that the total annual operating expenses, excluding certain expenses as described above, do not exceed .96% for Class A, 1.45% for Class B and 1.71% for Class C. The reduction in management fee, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $1,925 during the period ended November 30, 2004.
During the period ended November 30, 2004, the Distributor retained $5,214 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $3,666 from contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions of the fund’s Class B shares.
(b) Under the Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class B and Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing their shares at an annual rate of .50 of 1% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class B shares and .75 of 1% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class C shares. During the period ended November 30, 2004, Class B and Class C shares were charged $5,904 and $2,827, respectively, pursuant to the Plan.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A, Class B and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the value of the average daily net assets of their shares, for the provision of certain services.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (a securities dealer, financial institution or other industry professional) in respect of these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended November 30, 2004, Class A, Class B and Class C shares were charged $24,484, $2,952 and $942, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class Z shares reimburse the Distributor an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the value of Class Z shares’ average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding Class Z shares and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended November 30, 2004, Class Z shares were charged $212,828 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, under a transfer agency agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the fund. During the period ended November 30, 2004, the fund was charged $133,080 pursuant to the transfer agency agreement.
The components of Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees $649,310,Rule 12b-1 distribution plan fees $6,486, and shareholder services plan fees $28,419, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $1,925.
(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds within the Dreyfus complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.
(d) A .10% redemption fee is charged and retained by the fund on shares redeemed within thirty days following the date of issuance, including redemptions made through the use of the fund’s exchange privilege. During the period ended November 30, 2004, redemption fees charged and retained by the fund amounted to $1,564. The redemption fee plan ended on October 21, 2004 when the fund went to a multi-class structure.
NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended November 30, 2004, amounted to $460,256,153 and $186,862,129, respectively.
At November 30, 2004, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $60,188,308, consisting of $61,814,062 gross unrealized appreciation and $1,625,754 gross unrealized depreciation.
At November 30, 2004, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
NOTE 5—Legal Matters:
Two class actions have been filed against Mellon Financial, Mellon Bank, N.A., Dreyfus, Founders Asset Management LLC and the directors of all or substantially all of the Dreyfus Funds, on behalf of a purported class and derivatively on behalf of said funds, alleging violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the common law. The complaints alleged, among other things, (i) that 12b-1 fees and directed brokerage were improperly used to pay brokers to recommend Dreyfus funds over other funds, (ii) that such payments were not disclosed to investors, (iii) that economies of scale and soft-dollar benefits were not passed on to investors, and (iv)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
that 12b-1 fees charged to certain funds that were closed to new investors were also improper. The complaints sought compensatory and punitive damages, rescission of the advisory contracts and an accounting and restitution of any unlawful fees, as well as an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses. On April 22, 2004, the actions were consolidated under the caption In re Dreyfus Mutual Funds Fee Litigation, and a consolidated amended complaint was filed on September 13, 2004.While adding new parties and claims under state and federal law, the allegations in the consolidated amended complaint essentially track the allegations in the prior complaints pertaining to 12b-1 fees, directed brokerage, soft dollars and revenue sharing. Dreyfus and the funds believe the allegations to be totally without merit and intend to defend the action vigorously.
Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed against the defendants in the future. Neither Dreyfus nor the Dreyfus funds believe that any of the pending actions will have a material adverse effect on the Dreyfus funds or Dreyfus’ ability to perform its contracts with the Dreyfus funds.
NOTE 6—Plan of Reorganization:
On September 21, 2004, the Board of Directors of the fund approved, and on January 14, 2005 the shareholders of Dreyfus California Municipal Income, Inc. also approved, an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to merge Dreyfus California Municipal Income, Inc. into the fund as part of a tax-free reorganization. The merger currently is anticipated to occur on Thursday, February 24, 2005. On the date of the merger, Dreyfus California Municipal Income, Inc. will exchange all of its assets at net asset value, subject to liabilities, for Class Z shares of the fund.Those shares then will be distributed pro rata to stockholders of Dreyfus California Municipal Income, Inc. so that each stockholder receives a number of Class Z shares of the fund equal to the aggregate net asset value of the stockholder’s Dreyfus California Municipal Income, Inc. shares.
NOTES
For More Information
| Dreyfus Premier |
| California Tax Exempt |
| Bond Fund, Inc. |
| 200 Park Avenue |
| New York, NY 10166 |
| |
| Manager |
| The Dreyfus Corporation |
| 200 Park Avenue |
| New York, NY 10166 |
| |
| Custodian |
| The Bank of New York |
| One Wall Street |
| New York, NY 10286 |
Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166
Distributor
Dreyfus Service Corporation 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166
Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611
| Mail | | The Dreyfus Premier Family of Funds |
| | | 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144 |
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2004, is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-645-6561.
© 2005 Dreyfus Service Corporation
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable. [CLOSED-END FUNDS ONLY]
Item 9. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The Registrant has a Nominating Committee (the "Committee"), which is responsible for selecting and nominating persons for election or appointment by the Registrant's Board as Board members. The Committee has adopted a Nominating Committee Charter (the "Charter"). Pursuant to the Charter, the Committee will consider recommendations for nominees from shareholders submitted to the Secretary of the Registrant, c/o The Dreyfus Corporation Legal Department, 200 Park Avenue, 8th Floor West, New York, New York 10166. A nomination submission must include information regarding the recommended nominee as specified in the Charter. This information includes all information relating to a recommended nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxy statements for the election of Board members, as well as information sufficient to evaluate the factors to be considered by the Committee, including character and integrity, business and professional experience, and whether the person has the ability to apply sound and independent business judgment and would act in the interests of the Registrant and its shareholders.
Nomination submissions are required to be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders, and such additional information must be provided regarding the recommended nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee.
Item 10. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The Registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There were no changes to the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Item 11. Exhibits. |
| (a)(1) | | Not applicable. |
| (a)(2) | | Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) |
| under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| (a)(3) | | Not applicable. |
| (b) | | Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) |
| under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
DREYFUS PREMIER CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND, INC.
| By: | | /s/ Stephen E. Canter |
| | | Stephen E. Canter |
| | | President |
| |
| Date: | | February 2, 2005 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By: | | /s/ Stephen E. Canter |
| | | Stephen E. Canter |
| | | Chief Executive Officer |
| |
| Date: | | February 2, 2005 |
| |
| By: | | /s/ James Windels |
| James Windels |
| | | Chief Financial Officer |
| |
| Date: | | February 2, 2005 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.CERT)
(b) Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.906CERT)
