We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Growth Fund, covering the six-month period from June 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017. For information about how the fund performed during the reporting period, as well as general market perspectives, we provide a Discussion of Fund Performance on the pages that follow.
Equity markets generally rallied over the past six months as corporate earnings grew, global economic conditions improved, and tax reform legislation appeared to make progress. While the rally was relatively broad-based, growth companies produced substantially higher returns than value-oriented companies. International stocks also performed well amid more positive economic data from Europe, Japan, and the emerging markets. In the bond market, U.S. government securities and municipal bonds generally lost a degree of value as economic and inflation expectations increased, while corporate-backed securities fared better in anticipation of improved business conditions.
The strong performance of riskier assets has been supported by solid underlying fundamentals, including rising corporate profits, a robust labor market, and business-friendly government policies. While we currently expect these favorable conditions to persist, we remain watchful for economic and political risks that could derail the markets. As always, we encourage you to discuss the risks and opportunities of today’s investment environment with your financial advisor.
Thank you for your continued confidence and support.
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
For the period from June 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017, as provided by Keith L. Stransky and Robert B. Mayerick of EACM Advisors LLC, the fund’s Portfolio Allocation Managers
Market and Fund Performance Overview
For the six-month period ended November 30, 2017, Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Growth Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class I, and Class Y shares at NAV produced total returns of 14.39%, 13.92%, 14.53%, and 14.53%, respectively.1 In comparison, the Russell 2000® Growth Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark, returned 14.78% for the same period.2
Small-cap stocks gained ground amid better-than-expected corporate earnings and expectations of more stimulative U.S. government policies. The fund modestly lagged the Index, mainly due to security selection shortfalls in the consumer discretionary and industrials sectors.
The Fund’s Investment Approach
The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in the stocks of small-cap companies. The fund’s portfolio is constructed so as to have a growth tilt.
The fund uses a “multi-manager” approach by selecting various subadvisers to manage its assets. We may hire, terminate or replace subadvisers and modify material terms and conditions of subadvisory arrangements without shareholder approval.
The fund’s assets are currently allocated to six subadvisers, each acting independently of one another and using their own methodology to select portfolio investments. At the end of the reporting period, 10% of the fund’s assets were under the management of Redwood Investments, LLC, which employs a blend of quantitative and qualitative research to build growth and core equity portfolios; approximately 19% of the fund’s assets were under the management of Geneva Capital Management, which employs bottom-up fundamental analysis supplemented by top-down considerations to identify companies with a consistent, sustainable record of growth; approximately 15% of the fund’s assets were under the management of Nicholas Investment Partners, L.P., which uses a bottom-up approach to security selection, combining rigorous fundamental analysis with the discipline and objectivity of quantitative analytics; EAM Investors, LLC, which managed 22% of the fund’s assets, chooses investments through bottom-up fundamental analysis using a blend of a quantitative discovery process and a qualitative analysis process; approximately 10% of the fund’s assets were managed by Granite Investment Partners, LLC, which seeks attractively valued small-cap companies with catalysts for growth; and 24% of the fund’s assets were managed by Rice Hall James & Associates LLC, which seeks growing companies with high earnings growth, high or improving returns on invested capital, and sustainable competitive advantages. The percentages of the fund’s assets allocated to the various subadvisers can change over time, within ranges described in the prospectus.
Economic Growth Bolstered Growth Stocks
U.S. stocks across all capitalization ranges advanced strongly over the reporting period. A declining unemployment rate and rising corporate earnings continued to support investor sentiment, driving the Index to a series of new highs. U.S. stocks were further bolstered toward the end of the reporting period when tax reform legislation made progress toward enactment. This environment proved especially favorable for growth-oriented companies, which outperformed their value-oriented counterparts. However, while small-cap stocks produced double-digit returns, they generally trailed large- and mid-cap stocks.
3
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)
Stock Selections Produced Mixed Results
Although the fund participated in nearly all of the Index’s gains over the reporting period, relative results were dampened to a degree by disappointing security selections in the consumer discretionary sector. Most notably, restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and Dave & Buster’s Entertainment were hurt by industrywide headwinds, including sluggish store traffic trends. In the industrials sector, airline operator Hawaiian Holdings encountered a drop in bookings to Asia amid concerns surrounding geopolitical turmoil in the region. Aerospace-and-defense contractor Esterline Technologies reduced its future earnings guidance in the midst of intensifying pricing pressures from some of its largest customers.
The fund achieved better relative results in the health care sector, where biopharmaceutical developer Nektar Therapeutics more than doubled in value after posting positive results from clinical trials of an experimental cancer drug, and Kite Pharma was acquired by a larger biotechnology firm. Among telecommunication services companies, mobile Internet access provider Boingo Wireless achieved record quarterly revenues stemming from strength in its military and wholesale markets. Likewise, Internet telephony services provider Vonage earned higher revenues due to a shift in focus from consumer services to enterprise markets.
Positioned for Continued Growth
We made no adjustments to the fund’s roster of subadvisers during the reporting period.
Looking forward, we are optimistic that the U.S. economy will continue to expand, and that corporate earnings will continue to grow. Due to their focus on domestic sources of revenue, small-cap companies may be particularly well positioned to benefit from lower U.S. corporate tax rates. However, in the wake of 2017’s robust stock market returns, we believe that market gains will be more modest over the months ahead.
December 15, 2017
1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid, and does not take into consideration the maximum initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares, or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions in the case of Class C shares. Had these charges been reflected, returns would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Return figures provided reflect the absorption of certain fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an undertaking in effect through October 1, 2018, at which time it may be extended, terminated, or modified. Had these expenses not been absorbed, the fund’s returns would have been lower.
2 Source: Lipper Inc. — The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000 companies with higher growth earning potential as defined by Russell’s leading style methodology. The Russell 2000® Growth Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the small-cap growth segment. The index is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true small-cap opportunity set and that the represented companies continue to reflect growth characteristics. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.
Please note: the position in any security highlighted with italicized typeface was sold during the reporting period.
Equities are subject generally to market, market sector, market liquidity, issuer, and investment style risks, among other factors, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus.
The prices of small company stocks tend to be more volatile than the prices of large company stocks, mainly because these companies have less established and more volatile earnings histories. They also tend to be less liquid than larger company stocks.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES (Unaudited)
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 Select Managers Small Cap Growth Fund from June 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017. 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, 2017 |
|
| Class A | Class C | Class I | Class Y |
Expenses paid per $1,000† | | $6.83 | | $10.99 | | $5.43 | | $5.06 |
Ending value (after expenses) | | $1,143.90 | | $1,139.20 | | $1,145.30 | | $1,145.30 |
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, 2017 |
|
| Class A | Class C | Class I | Class Y |
Expenses paid per $1,000† | | $6.43 | | $10.35 | | $5.11 | | $4.76 |
Ending value (after expenses) | | $1,018.70 | | $1,014.79 | | $1,020.00 | | $1,020.36 |
† Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.27% for Class A, 2.05% for Class C, 1.01% for Class I and .94% for Class Y, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
5
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
November 30, 2017 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% | | | | | |
Automobiles & Components - 3.1% | | | | | |
Cooper-Standard Holding | | | | 12,132 | a | 1,529,481 | |
Dana | | | | 73,716 | | 2,435,577 | |
Dorman Products | | | | 27,953 | a,b | 1,909,469 | |
Fox Factory Holding | | | | 57,874 | a | 2,257,086 | |
LCI Industries | | | | 67,641 | b | 8,854,207 | |
Modine Manufacturing | | | | 55,628 | a | 1,273,881 | |
Visteon | | | | 23,549 | a | 3,101,168 | |
Winnebago Industries | | | | 23,495 | | 1,286,351 | |
| | | | 22,647,220 | |
Banks - 4.7% | | | | | |
Ameris Bancorp | | | | 32,652 | | 1,619,539 | |
BancFirst | | | | 13,366 | b | 759,189 | |
Bank of the Ozarks | | | | 142,377 | b | 6,865,419 | |
BofI Holding | | | | 194,476 | a,b | 5,375,317 | |
Boston Private Financial Holdings | | | | 56,726 | | 927,470 | |
Central Pacific Financial | | | | 29,443 | | 948,065 | |
Columbia Banking System | | | | 34,999 | | 1,613,454 | |
Eagle Bancorp | | | | 24,152 | a | 1,597,655 | |
Essent Group | | | | 23,998 | a | 1,061,912 | |
Heritage Financial | | | | 20,520 | | 667,926 | |
LendingTree | | | | 8,373 | a,b | 2,528,227 | |
MGIC Investment | | | | 145,298 | a | 2,124,257 | |
Pacific Premier Bancorp | | | | 46,099 | a | 1,825,520 | |
Preferred Bank | | | | 16,938 | | 1,060,319 | |
Synovus Financial | | | | 43,563 | | 2,162,032 | |
Texas Capital Bancshares | | | | 31,551 | a,b | 2,850,633 | |
Western Alliance Bancorp | | | | 10,431 | a | 606,876 | |
| | | | 34,593,810 | |
Capital Goods - 11.7% | | | | | |
AAON | | | | 48,709 | | 1,775,443 | |
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings | | | | 75,761 | a | 2,385,714 | |
Aerovironment | | | | 30,419 | a,b | 1,386,498 | |
Albany International, Cl. A | | | | 25,945 | b | 1,678,641 | |
Altra Industrial Motion | | | | 54,448 | | 2,646,173 | |
American Woodmark | | | | 9,580 | a | 954,168 | |
Astec Industries | | | | 24,037 | | 1,330,929 | |
Barnes Group | | | | 40,130 | b | 2,659,415 | |
Beacon Roofing Supply | | | | 81,488 | a | 5,221,751 | |
Builders FirstSource | | | | 71,784 | a | 1,464,394 | |
BWX Technologies | | | | 17,573 | | 1,097,434 | |
CAI International | | | | 28,464 | a | 974,892 | |
6
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Capital Goods - 11.7% (continued) | | | | | |
Chart Industries | | | | 29,216 | a,b | 1,422,235 | |
Columbus McKinnon | | | | 32,101 | | 1,282,114 | |
Cubic | | | | 41,587 | | 2,576,315 | |
Curtiss-Wright | | | | 8,795 | | 1,092,339 | |
Donaldson | | | | 48,709 | | 2,430,579 | |
Encore Wire | | | | 23,999 | b | 1,118,353 | |
EnPro Industries | | | | 12,825 | | 1,107,695 | |
Esterline Technologies | | | | 10,878 | a | 770,706 | |
GMS | | | | 36,128 | a | 1,347,936 | |
H&E Equipment Services | | | | 34,212 | | 1,272,344 | |
Harsco | | | | 51,990 | a | 938,420 | |
John Bean Technologies | | | | 8,590 | b | 1,028,653 | |
Kadant | | | | 11,465 | b | 1,172,869 | |
Kennametal | | | | 55,348 | | 2,580,324 | |
KLX | | | | 23,241 | a | 1,304,053 | |
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions | | | | 70,967 | a | 740,186 | |
Masonite International | | | | 41,054 | a | 3,023,627 | |
MasTec | | | | 43,833 | a | 1,965,910 | |
Mercury Systems | | | | 39,694 | a,b | 2,071,630 | |
Middleby | | | | 20,895 | a,b | 2,664,530 | |
MSC Industrial Direct, Cl. A | | | | 22,351 | | 2,013,155 | |
Navistar International | | | | 24,997 | a | 1,017,628 | |
NV5 Global | | | | 19,534 | a | 1,083,160 | |
Proto Labs | | | | 22,102 | a,b | 2,126,212 | |
Quanta Services | | | | 53,178 | a | 2,015,446 | |
RBC Bearings | | | | 30,369 | a,b | 4,052,743 | |
Rush Enterprises, Cl. A | | | | 67,219 | a | 3,274,237 | |
Simpson Manufacturing | | | | 20,930 | | 1,255,172 | |
SiteOne Landscape Supply | | | | 45,091 | a,b | 3,371,905 | |
Spartan Motors | | | | 87,336 | | 1,393,009 | |
Sun Hydraulics | | | | 19,872 | | 1,205,436 | |
Trex | | | | 31,978 | a,b | 3,765,729 | |
Triton International | | | | 33,689 | a,b | 1,333,074 | |
WABCO Holdings | | | | 8,743 | a | 1,306,641 | |
Woodward | | | | 31,862 | | 2,464,526 | |
| | | | 87,164,343 | |
Commercial & Professional Services - 2.4% | | | | | |
CBIZ | | | | 76,909 | a | 1,134,408 | |
Exponent | | | | 38,444 | | 2,902,522 | |
Franklin Covey | | | | 28,470 | a | 572,247 | |
Healthcare Services Group | | | | 84,036 | b | 4,363,989 | |
Insperity | | | | 10,070 | | 1,187,253 | |
On Assignment | | | | 8,437 | a | 539,631 | |
7
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Commercial & Professional Services - 2.4% (continued) | | | | | |
SP Plus | | | | 24,054 | a | 942,917 | |
Tetra Tech | | | | 109,334 | | 5,466,700 | |
The Brink's Company | | | | 10,238 | | 827,742 | |
| | | | 17,937,409 | |
Consumer Durables & Apparel - 2.2% | | | | | |
Acushnet Holdings | | | | 79,548 | b | 1,580,619 | |
Callaway Golf | | | | 140,848 | b | 2,043,704 | |
Century Communities | | | | 33,004 | a | 1,034,675 | |
Installed Building Products | | | | 16,486 | a | 1,270,246 | |
LGI Homes | | | | 19,689 | a | 1,382,365 | |
Nautilus | | | | 81,467 | a | 1,067,218 | |
Oxford Industries | | | | 27,300 | | 1,883,700 | |
TopBuild | | | | 35,351 | a | 2,403,514 | |
Universal Electronics | | | | 22,104 | a | 1,173,722 | |
Wolverine World Wide | | | | 56,749 | | 1,644,019 | |
ZAGG | | | | 56,833 | a | 1,162,235 | |
| | | | 16,646,017 | |
Consumer Services - 4.7% | | | | | |
Bravo Brio Restaurant Group | | | | 31,533 | a,b | 67,796 | |
Bright Horizons Family Solutions | | | | 39,027 | a | 3,471,452 | |
Buffalo Wild Wings | | | | 20,932 | a,b | 3,264,345 | |
Century Casinos | | | | 87,221 | a | 789,350 | |
Cheesecake Factory | | | | 60,618 | b | 2,972,707 | |
Chuy's Holdings | | | | 19,185 | a | 477,707 | |
Dave & Buster's Entertainment | | | | 72,725 | a | 3,856,607 | |
Grand Canyon Education | | | | 33,976 | a | 3,226,361 | |
Hilton Grand Vacations | | | | 25,752 | | 1,029,307 | |
Planet Fitness, Cl. A | | | | 99,557 | a | 3,222,660 | |
Scientific Games, Cl. A | | | | 26,964 | a | 1,419,655 | |
Strayer Education | | | | 24,230 | | 2,404,343 | |
Texas Roadhouse | | | | 49,359 | | 2,520,764 | |
Vail Resorts | | | | 14,802 | | 3,332,818 | |
Weight Watchers International | | | | 17,995 | a,b | 793,040 | |
Wendy's | | | | 76,020 | b | 1,131,938 | |
Wingstop | | | | 26,062 | | 1,021,370 | |
| | | | 35,002,220 | |
Diversified Financials - 1.9% | | | | | |
Associated Capital Group, Cl. A | | | | 12,716 | b | 443,153 | |
FactSet Research Systems | | | | 9,147 | b | 1,828,302 | |
FirstCash | | | | 25,436 | | 1,714,386 | |
GAMCO Investors, Cl. A | | | | 12,858 | | 376,097 | |
Green Dot, Cl. A | | | | 41,304 | a | 2,552,587 | |
LPL Financial Holdings | | | | 20,745 | | 1,075,421 | |
8
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Diversified Financials - 1.9% (continued) | | | | | |
MarketAxess Holdings | | | | 17,923 | | 3,499,824 | |
Moelis & Co., Cl. A | | | | 28,302 | | 1,355,666 | |
WisdomTree Investments | | | | 134,202 | b | 1,543,323 | |
| | | | 14,388,759 | |
Energy - .9% | | | | | |
Callon Petroleum | | | | 112,365 | a | 1,240,510 | |
Forum Energy Technologies | | | | 73,755 | a,b | 1,047,321 | |
Green Plains | | | | 44,709 | b | 753,347 | |
Matador Resources | | | | 51,023 | a,b | 1,459,258 | |
ProPetro Holding | | | | 60,070 | | 1,127,514 | |
US Silica Holdings | | | | 41,477 | | 1,375,792 | |
| | | | 7,003,742 | |
Exchange-Traded Funds - 1.0% | | | | | |
iShares Russell 2000 ETF | | | | 47,731 | | 7,333,868 | |
Food & Staples Retailing - .0% | | | | | |
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage | | | | 20,846 | a,b | 163,850 | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco - 1.6% | | | | | |
Farmer Brothers | | | | 26,774 | a | 915,671 | |
Hain Celestial Group | | | | 89,504 | a | 3,678,614 | |
J&J Snack Foods | | | | 16,855 | | 2,546,959 | |
MGP Ingredients | | | | 16,334 | b | 1,214,433 | |
Nomad Foods | | | | 131,593 | a | 2,162,073 | |
SunOpta | | | | 169,558 | a | 1,339,508 | |
| | | | 11,857,258 | |
Health Care Equipment & Services - 9.6% | | | | | |
ABIOMED | | | | 29,735 | a | 5,793,567 | |
AMN Healthcare Services | | | | 33,848 | a | 1,699,170 | |
AxoGen | | | | 34,828 | a,b | 929,908 | |
BioTelemetry | | | | 16,406 | a,b | 475,774 | |
Cantel Medical | | | | 41,883 | | 4,459,702 | |
Cardiovascular Systems | | | | 43,794 | a | 1,097,478 | |
Cutera | | | | 23,163 | a | 950,841 | |
Globus Medical, Cl. A | | | | 64,728 | a,b | 2,460,311 | |
HealthEquity | | | | 109,504 | a,b | 5,679,972 | |
Heska | | | | 8,240 | a,b | 707,239 | |
ICU Medical | | | | 5,382 | a | 1,148,519 | |
Inogen | | | | 9,781 | a,b | 1,259,206 | |
Insulet | | | | 24,855 | a | 1,782,849 | |
iRhythm Technologies | | | | 20,799 | a | 1,154,344 | |
K2M Group Holdings | | | | 39,102 | a,b | 768,745 | |
LeMaitre Vascular | | | | 45,684 | b | 1,504,374 | |
LHC Group | | | | 14,386 | a | 946,167 | |
Masimo | | | | 52,640 | a | 4,676,538 | |
9
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Health Care Equipment & Services - 9.6% (continued) | | | | | |
Medidata Solutions | | | | 67,772 | a,b | 4,516,326 | |
Merit Medical Systems | | | | 23,859 | a | 1,036,674 | |
Natus Medical | | | | 41,279 | a,b | 1,653,224 | |
Neogen | | | | 42,069 | a | 3,529,589 | |
Nevro | | | | 5,828 | a,b | 436,051 | |
Omnicell | | | | 65,851 | a | 3,450,592 | |
Penumbra | | | | 18,069 | a,b | 1,902,666 | |
PetIQ | | | | 46,606 | | 1,033,721 | |
Premier, Cl. A | | | | 58,422 | a | 1,695,406 | |
Quidel | | | | 45,633 | a | 1,733,598 | |
Tabula Rasa HealthCare | | | | 31,953 | a,b | 1,108,450 | |
Tactile Systems Technology | | | | 20,193 | a,b | 602,357 | |
Teladoc | | | | 64,992 | a,b | 2,411,203 | |
Teleflex | | | | 16,457 | | 4,369,663 | |
Tivity Health | | | | 24,579 | a | 904,507 | |
ViewRay | | | | 116,769 | a,b | 1,124,485 | |
Vocera Communications | | | | 91,506 | a | 2,681,126 | |
| | | | 71,684,342 | |
Household & Personal Products - .2% | | | | | |
Inter Parfums | | | | 25,699 | b | 1,138,466 | |
Medifast | | | | 6,006 | | 411,591 | |
| | | | 1,550,057 | |
Insurance - .6% | | | | | |
AMERISAFE | | | | 15,476 | | 1,015,999 | |
Infinity Property & Casualty | | | | 10,719 | | 1,155,508 | |
James River Group Holdings | | | | 29,154 | | 1,180,154 | |
Kinsale Captial Group | | | | 27,398 | b | 1,221,677 | |
| | | | 4,573,338 | |
Materials - 3.5% | | | | | |
Balchem | | | | 29,926 | | 2,611,642 | |
Berry Global Group | | | | 16,857 | a | 1,007,543 | |
Carpenter Technology | | | | 20,451 | | 1,010,893 | |
Ferro | | | | 156,459 | a | 3,966,236 | |
Huntsman | | | | 32,066 | | 1,024,829 | |
Ingevity | | | | 29,298 | a,b | 2,331,828 | |
Kaiser Aluminum | | | | 12,609 | | 1,221,308 | |
KMG Chemicals | | | | 54,237 | | 2,949,950 | |
Koppers Holdings | | | | 39,110 | a | 1,951,589 | |
Neenah Paper | | | | 18,127 | b | 1,620,554 | |
Orion Engineered Carbons | | | | 22,539 | | 551,079 | |
Sensient Technologies | | | | 32,619 | | 2,528,951 | |
Summit Materials, Cl. A | | | | 77,125 | a,b | 2,372,365 | |
10
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Materials - 3.5% (continued) | | | | | |
US Concrete | | | | 10,825 | a | 875,201 | |
| | | | 26,023,968 | |
Media - .2% | | | | | |
New York Times, Cl. A | | | | 65,252 | | 1,226,738 | |
Scholastic | | | | 9,248 | | 376,166 | |
| | | | 1,602,904 | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences - 14.4% | | | | | |
Abeona Therapeutics | | | | 52,275 | a,b | 904,358 | |
Acceleron Pharma | | | | 24,403 | a | 890,465 | |
Aclaris Therapeutics | | | | 8,441 | a | 200,136 | |
Adamas Pharmaceuticals | | | | 50,984 | a,b | 1,894,056 | |
Aerie Pharmaceuticals | | | | 53,343 | a,b | 3,427,288 | |
Akebia Therapeutics | | | | 57,906 | a | 901,017 | |
Amicus Therapeutics | | | | 35,887 | a,b | 499,547 | |
AnaptysBio | | | | 10,084 | | 847,560 | |
Array BioPharma | | | | 150,856 | a,b | 1,697,130 | |
Avexis | | | | 21,494 | a,b | 2,037,846 | |
BioSpecifics Technologies | | | | 23,599 | a | 1,059,595 | |
Bio-Techne | | | | 22,776 | | 3,069,066 | |
Bluebird Bio | | | | 16,085 | a | 2,779,488 | |
Blueprint Medicines | | | | 9,548 | a,b | 716,673 | |
Cambrex | | | | 59,303 | a | 2,896,952 | |
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals | | | | 77,153 | a | 331,758 | |
Clovis Oncology | | | | 26,918 | a,b | 1,692,335 | |
Collegium Pharmaceutical | | | | 106,818 | a,b | 1,843,679 | |
CymaBay Therapeutics | | | | 118,443 | a,b | 1,025,716 | |
Dermira | | | | 34,833 | a,b | 891,725 | |
Dynavax Technologies | | | | 50,896 | a,b | 1,017,920 | |
Eagle Pharmaceuticals | | | | 10,799 | a,b | 637,789 | |
Emergent BioSolutions | | | | 116,982 | a | 5,139,019 | |
Esperion Therapeutics | | | | 18,123 | a,b | 1,114,746 | |
Exact Sciences | | | | 68,139 | a,b | 4,052,908 | |
FibroGen | | | | 27,948 | a,b | 1,327,530 | |
Flexion Therapeutics | | | | 20,539 | a,b | 532,165 | |
Global Blood Therapeutics | | | | 49,004 | a,b | 1,933,208 | |
GlycoMimetics | | | | 70,060 | a,b | 988,547 | |
Halozyme Therapeutics | | | | 68,244 | a | 1,274,115 | |
Horizon Pharma | | | | 87,219 | a | 1,254,209 | |
Ignyta | | | | 63,476 | a,b | 1,041,006 | |
Immunomedics | | | | 148,362 | a,b | 1,611,211 | |
Innoviva | | | | 98,663 | a | 1,294,459 | |
Insmed | | | | 37,382 | a,b | 1,165,945 | |
Intersect ENT | | | | 32,053 | a | 979,219 | |
11
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences - 14.4% (continued) | | | | | |
Keryx Biopharmaceuticals | | | | 249,825 | a,b | 1,196,662 | |
Ligand Pharmaceuticals | | | | 70,084 | a,b | 9,240,575 | |
Medpace Holdings | | | | 23,995 | a,b | 799,273 | |
Nektar Therapeutics | | | | 201,222 | a,b | 10,863,976 | |
NeoGenomics | | | | 138,536 | a,b | 1,280,073 | |
Neurocrine Biosciences | | | | 16,775 | a | 1,205,955 | |
Pacira Pharmaceuticals | | | | 47,610 | a,b | 2,199,582 | |
PRA Health Sciences | | | | 20,701 | a | 1,705,141 | |
Progenics Pharmaceuticals | | | | 207,861 | a,b | 1,201,437 | |
Puma Biotechnology | | | | 51,077 | a | 5,409,054 | |
Repligen | | | | 41,588 | a,b | 1,474,295 | |
Revance Therapeutics | | | | 5,037 | a | 139,777 | |
Sage Therapeutics | | | | 11,059 | a | 1,021,962 | |
Sarepta Therapeutics | | | | 26,399 | a,b | 1,469,632 | |
Scpharmaceuticals | | | | 34,269 | b | 562,697 | |
Spark Therapeutics | | | | 11,828 | a,b | 866,164 | |
Supernus Pharmaceuticals | | | | 245,307 | a,b | 9,272,605 | |
TESARO | | | | 4,394 | a,b | 371,732 | |
Zogenix | | | | 39,939 | a,b | 1,551,630 | |
| | | | 106,802,608 | |
Real Estate - .4% | | | | | |
Marcus & Millichap | | | | 58,420 | a | 1,867,103 | |
Terreno Realty | | | | 34,103 | c | 1,282,273 | |
| | | | 3,149,376 | |
Retailing - 3.9% | | | | | |
At Home Group | | | | 40,483 | a | 1,118,545 | |
Boot Barn Holdings | | | | 80,996 | a | 1,199,551 | |
Burlington Stores | | | | 21,650 | a | 2,302,910 | |
Camping World Holdings, Cl. A | | | | 26,397 | | 1,223,765 | |
Conn's | | | | 38,993 | a,b | 1,204,884 | |
Monro Muffler Brake | | | | 60,129 | b | 3,033,508 | |
Nutrisystem | | | | 49,052 | b | 2,489,389 | |
Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings | | | | 88,306 | a | 4,190,120 | |
Overstock.com | | | | 9,926 | a,b | 467,515 | |
Pool | | | | 55,560 | | 6,980,558 | |
Shutterfly | | | | 78,202 | a | 3,454,964 | |
The Children's Place | | | | 11,230 | | 1,492,467 | |
| | | | 29,158,176 | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 4.9% | | | | | |
Ambarella | | | | 15,450 | a,b | 838,472 | |
Axcelis Technologies | | | | 34,538 | a,b | 1,105,216 | |
AXT | | | | 121,925 | a | 1,176,576 | |
12
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 4.9% (continued) | | | | | |
CEVA | | | | 104,690 | a | 4,972,775 | |
Cohu | | | | 13,906 | | 316,501 | |
Cypress Semiconductor | | | | 276,904 | | 4,433,233 | |
Entegris | | | | 36,517 | | 1,106,465 | |
FormFactor | | | | 67,804 | a | 1,111,986 | |
Ichor Holdings | | | | 29,908 | b | 849,686 | |
Integrated Device Technology | | | | 137,598 | a,b | 4,140,324 | |
MaxLinear | | | | 29,145 | a,b | 769,719 | |
MKS Instruments | | | | 36,504 | | 3,442,327 | |
Monolithic Power Systems | | | | 34,014 | | 4,025,557 | |
ON Semiconductor | | | | 92,270 | a | 1,852,782 | |
PDF Solutions | | | | 39,896 | a,b | 721,719 | |
Power Integrations | | | | 10,225 | | 802,663 | |
Semtech | | | | 76,432 | a | 2,602,510 | |
Silicon Laboratories | | | | 12,012 | a | 1,094,293 | |
Tower Semiconductor | | | | 33,471 | a,b | 1,178,514 | |
| | | | 36,541,318 | |
Software & Services - 16.8% | | | | | |
2U | | | | 18,050 | a,b | 1,157,005 | |
ACI Worldwide | | | | 74,272 | a | 1,699,343 | |
Actua | | | | 111,245 | a | 1,724,297 | |
Acxiom | | | | 91,174 | a | 2,484,491 | |
Alarm.com Holdings | | | | 95,950 | a,b | 3,932,990 | |
Aspen Technology | | | | 10,749 | a | 719,323 | |
Blackbaud | | | | 40,560 | b | 3,993,132 | |
Bottomline Technologies | | | | 62,592 | a | 2,086,191 | |
Callidus Software | | | | 168,728 | a | 4,939,512 | |
Carbonite | | | | 86,001 | a,b | 2,068,324 | |
Cimpress | | | | 30,457 | a,b | 3,709,663 | |
Criteo, ADR | | | | 143,214 | a,b | 4,776,187 | |
Descartes Systems Group | | | | 74,117 | a | 2,056,747 | |
Ebix | | | | 26,329 | b | 2,035,232 | |
Ellie Mae | | | | 18,155 | a,b | 1,604,720 | |
Envestnet | | | | 74,638 | a | 3,668,458 | |
Everbridge | | | | 154,221 | a | 4,086,856 | |
ExlService Holdings | | | | 41,442 | a | 2,543,710 | |
Fair Isaac | | | | 18,039 | | 2,833,205 | |
Five9 | | | | 118,234 | a,b | 2,897,915 | |
Gartner | | | | 13,132 | a | 1,587,527 | |
GrubHub | | | | 17,004 | a,b | 1,148,790 | |
GTT Communications | | | | 29,705 | a,b | 1,201,567 | |
Guidewire Software | | | | 11,033 | a,b | 820,745 | |
13
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Software & Services - 16.8% (continued) | | | | | |
Hortonworks | | | | 51,156 | a | 972,476 | |
HubSpot | | | | 29,870 | a | 2,417,976 | |
Instructure | | | | 38,454 | a | 1,336,276 | |
Internap | | | | 53,039 | a | 944,625 | |
j2 Global | | | | 43,583 | b | 3,288,773 | |
Leidos Holdings | | | | 21,544 | | 1,369,552 | |
Limelight Networks | | | | 119,982 | a | 583,113 | |
MAXIMUS | | | | 48,818 | | 3,372,347 | |
Mimecast | | | | 45,912 | a | 1,395,725 | |
MINDBODY, Cl. A | | | | 91,962 | a | 2,997,961 | |
MiX Telematics, ADR | | | | 58,292 | b | 685,514 | |
MongoDB | | | | 18,122 | | 517,021 | |
Monotype Imaging Holdings | | | | 21,603 | | 544,396 | |
MuleSoft, Cl. A | | | | 43,515 | b | 998,669 | |
New Relic | | | | 45,277 | a | 2,548,190 | |
Nutanix, Cl. A | | | | 39,188 | a,b | 1,285,366 | |
Okta | | | | 33,375 | b | 974,884 | |
Paycom Software | | | | 54,430 | a,b | 4,463,260 | |
Pegasystems | | | | 10,545 | | 531,995 | |
Points International | | | | 53,023 | a | 609,765 | |
Progress Software | | | | 18,922 | | 782,235 | |
Proofpoint | | | | 31,810 | a,b | 2,864,490 | |
Q2 Holdings | | | | 23,118 | a | 967,488 | |
Qualys | | | | 18,499 | a | 1,089,591 | |
Quotient Technology | | | | 96,920 | a | 1,153,348 | |
RealPage | | | | 18,558 | a,b | 841,605 | |
RingCentral, Cl. A | | | | 27,578 | a,b | 1,300,303 | |
Shutterstock | | | | 73,852 | a,b | 3,137,971 | |
Stamps.com | | | | 43,590 | a,b | 7,340,556 | |
Talend, ADR | | | | 31,645 | a | 1,264,851 | |
Tyler Technologies | | | | 21,150 | a | 3,868,758 | |
Ultimate Software Group | | | | 7,059 | a,b | 1,489,661 | |
Varonis Systems | | | | 25,098 | a | 1,262,429 | |
Virtusa | | | | 22,004 | a,b | 1,019,885 | |
Wix.com | | | | 19,186 | a,b | 1,053,311 | |
WNS Holdings, ADR | | | | 89,678 | a | 3,688,456 | |
Zix | | | | 18,248 | a | 80,291 | |
| | | | 124,819,043 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment - 4.4% | | | | | |
CalAmp | | | | 128,832 | a | 2,943,811 | |
Cognex | | | | 20,469 | | 2,836,389 | |
Coherent | | | | 3,484 | a | 1,017,189 | |
Cray | | | | 62,732 | a | 1,427,153 | |
14
| | | | | | | |
|
Description | | | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Common Stocks - 98.0% (continued) | | | | | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment - 4.4% (continued) | | | | | |
Electro Scientific Industries | | | | 48,607 | a | 1,163,166 | |
Electronics For Imaging | | | | 19,505 | a,b | 599,974 | |
ePlus | | | | 23,549 | a | 1,912,179 | |
Extreme Networks | | | | 397,308 | a | 5,105,408 | |
II-VI | | | | 23,514 | a | 1,114,564 | |
Infinera | | | | 115,407 | a,b | 835,547 | |
Ituran Location and Control | | | | 20,059 | | 714,100 | |
Littelfuse | | | | 5,888 | b | 1,194,675 | |
Lumentum Holdings | | | | 14,198 | a,b | 767,402 | |
Novanta | | | | 19,950 | a | 959,595 | |
OSI Systems | | | | 15,222 | a | 1,319,139 | |
RADCOM | | | | 40,461 | a,b | 811,243 | |
Rogers | | | | 16,492 | a | 2,656,861 | |
Silicom | | | | 14,053 | b | 1,020,529 | |
Systemax | | | | 35,615 | | 1,086,257 | |
Universal Display | | | | 8,625 | b | 1,561,125 | |
USA Technologies | | | | 146,237 | a | 1,272,262 | |
| | | | 32,318,568 | |
Telecommunication Services - 1.2% | | | | | |
Boingo Wireless | | | | 266,093 | a | 6,572,497 | |
ORBCOMM | | | | 124,260 | a,b | 1,337,038 | |
Vonage Holdings | | | | 113,522 | a | 1,155,654 | |
| | | | 9,065,189 | |
Transportation - 3.5% | | | | | |
Air Transport Services Group | | | | 80,712 | a | 1,957,266 | |
Allegiant Travel | | | | 15,927 | b | 2,420,904 | |
BEST, ADR | | | | 116,267 | b | 1,144,067 | |
Echo Global Logistics | | | | 109,069 | a | 2,944,863 | |
Genesee & Wyoming, Cl. A | | | | 25,736 | a | 2,028,512 | |
Hawaiian Holdings | | | | 28,386 | | 1,224,856 | |
Hub Group, Cl. A | | | | 27,659 | a | 1,322,100 | |
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings | | | | 70,224 | | 2,997,160 | |
Marten Transport | | | | 162,756 | | 3,279,533 | |
Old Dominion Freight Line | | | | 13,834 | | 1,787,906 | |
Saia | | | | 44,079 | a | 2,900,398 | |
SkyWest | | | | 15,627 | | 813,385 | |
XPO Logistics | | | | 12,349 | a,b | 975,941 | |
| | | | 25,796,891 | |
Utilities - .2% | | | | | |
American States Water | | | | 20,472 | | 1,181,030 | |
Total Common Stocks (cost $541,545,017) | | | | 729,005,304 | |
15
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
| | | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | | |
Investment of Cash Collateral for Securities Loaned - 10.6% | | Shares | | Value ($) | |
Registered Investment Company; | | | | | |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares (cost $79,081,346) | | | | 79,081,346 | d | 79,081,346 | |
Total Investments (cost $620,626,363) | | 108.6% | | 808,086,650 | |
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables | | (8.6%) | | (63,868,003) | |
Net Assets | | 100.0% | | 744,218,647 | |
ADR—American Depository Receipt
ETF—Exchange-Traded Fund
aNon-income producing security.
b Security, or portion thereof, on loan. At November 30, 2017, the value of the fund’s securities on loan was $212,248,668 and the value of the collateral held by the fund was $216,752,531, consisting of cash collateral of $79,081,346 and U.S. Government & Agency securities valued at $137,671,185.
c Investment in real estate investment trust.
d Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund.
16
| |
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited) † | Value (%) |
Software & Services | 16.8 |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | 14.4 |
Capital Goods | 11.7 |
Money Market Investment | 10.6 |
Health Care Equipment & Services | 9.6 |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | 4.9 |
Consumer Services | 4.7 |
Banks | 4.7 |
Technology Hardware & Equipment | 4.4 |
Retailing | 3.9 |
Materials | 3.5 |
Transportation | 3.5 |
Automobiles & Components | 3.1 |
Commercial & Professional Services | 2.4 |
Consumer Durables & Apparel | 2.2 |
Diversified Financials | 1.9 |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco | 1.6 |
Telecommunication Services | 1.2 |
Exchange-Traded Funds | 1.0 |
Energy | .9 |
Insurance | .6 |
Real Estate | .4 |
Media | .2 |
Household & Personal Products | .2 |
Utilities | .2 |
Food & Staples Retailing | .0 |
| 108.6 |
† Based on net assets.
See notes to financial statements.
17
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATED ISSUERS (Unaudited)
| | | | | |
Registered Investment Company | Value 5/31/17($) | Purchases($) | Sales($) | Value 11/30/17($) | Net Assets(%) |
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Government Money Market Fund, Institutional Shares | 74,990,232 | 200,589,180 | 196,498,066 | 79,081,346 | 10.6 |
See notes to financial statements.
18
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
November 30, 2017 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | Cost | | Value | |
Assets ($): | | | | |
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments (including securities on loan, valued at $212,248,668)—Note 1(b): | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | 541,545,017 | | 729,005,304 | |
Affiliated issuers | | 79,081,346 | | 79,081,346 | |
Cash | | | | | 14,504,547 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | 7,099,559 | |
Dividends and securities lending income receivable | | 291,649 | |
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed | | 124,155 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | | | 29,414 | |
| | | | | 830,135,974 | |
Liabilities ($): | | | | |
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c) | | | | | 575,655 | |
Liability for securities on loan—Note 1(b) | | 79,081,346 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | 5,684,122 | |
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed | | 487,992 | |
Accrued expenses | | | | | 88,212 | |
| | | | | 85,917,327 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 744,218,647 | |
Composition of Net Assets ($): | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | | | 511,480,467 | |
Accumulated investment (loss)—net | | (2,571,105) | |
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments | | | | | 47,848,998 | |
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | | | 187,460,287 | |
Net Assets ($) | | | 744,218,647 | |
| | | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | Class A | Class C | Class I | Class Y | |
Net Assets ($) | 2,226,694 | 336,476 | 10,978,669 | 730,676,808 | |
Shares Outstanding | 79,340 | 12,769 | 381,657 | 25,392,806 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share ($) | 28.07 | 26.35 | 28.77 | 28.77 | |
| | | | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | |
19
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended November 30, 2017 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Investment Income ($): | | | | |
Income: | | | | |
Cash dividends (net of $3,720 foreign taxes withheld at source): | | | 1,381,327 | |
Income from securities lending—Note 1(b) | | | 365,163 | |
Total Income | | | 1,746,490 | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Management fee—Note 3(a) | | | 3,092,375 | |
Custodian fees—Note 3(c) | | | 44,464 | |
Registration fees | | | 31,176 | |
Professional fees | | | 30,022 | |
Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d) | | | 27,540 | |
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports | | | 13,431 | |
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c) | | | 10,292 | |
Loan commitment fees—Note 2 | | | 7,023 | |
Distribution fees—Note 3(b) | | | 1,212 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 24,032 | |
Total Expenses | | | 3,281,567 | |
Less—reduction in expenses due to undertaking—Note 3(a) | | | (281) | |
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c) | | | (39,571) | |
Net Expenses | | | 3,241,715 | |
Investment (Loss)—Net | | | (1,495,225) | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($): | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | 27,553,372 | |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | | 68,351,026 | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | | | 95,904,398 | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | 94,409,173 | |
| | | | | | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | |
20
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Six Months Ended November 30, 2017 (Unaudited) | | Year Ended May 31, 2017 | |
Operations ($): | | | | | | | | |
Investment (loss)—net | | | (1,495,225) | | | | (1,722,447) | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | | 27,553,372 | | | | 66,465,001 | |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 68,351,026 | | | | 46,361,475 | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 94,409,173 | | | | 111,104,029 | |
Capital Stock Transactions ($): | |
Net proceeds from shares sold: | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 118,231 | | | | 111,993 | |
Class C | | | 2,300 | | | | 99,495 | |
Class I | | | 2,729,092 | | | | 21,438,749 | |
Class Y | | | 38,985,942 | | | | 107,518,287 | |
Cost of shares redeemed: | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (1,042,801) | | | | (1,633,132) | |
Class C | | | (31,345) | | | | (82,751) | |
Class I | | | (4,996,289) | | | | (31,509,561) | |
Class Y | | | (25,821,335) | | | | (122,029,408) | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Stock Transactions | 9,943,795 | | | | (26,086,328) | |
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | 104,352,968 | | | | 85,017,701 | |
Net Assets ($): | |
Beginning of Period | | | 639,865,679 | | | | 554,847,978 | |
End of Period | | | 744,218,647 | | | | 639,865,679 | |
Accumulated investment (loss)—net | (2,571,105) | | | | (1,075,880) | |
Capital Share Transactions (Shares): | |
Class Aa | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 4,494 | | | | 4,851 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (40,022) | | | | (72,023) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (35,528) | | | | (67,172) | |
Class C | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 90 | | | | 4,821 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (1,293) | | | | (3,894) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (1,203) | | | | 927 | |
Class Ia | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 103,916 | | | | 907,336 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (191,133) | | | | (1,368,183) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (87,217) | | | | (460,847) | |
Class Ya | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 1,482,268 | | | | 4,680,876 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (972,734) | | | | (5,319,266) | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | 509,534 | | | | (638,390) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
aDuring the period ended November 30, 2017, 101,409 Class Y shares representing $2,662,774 were exchanged for 101,416 Class I shares and during the period ended May 31, 2017, 12,411 Class A shares representing $289,719 were exchanged for 12,125 Class I shares, 94,740 Class I shares representing $1,530,178 were exchanged for 94,777 Class Y shares. | |
See notes to financial statements. | | | | | | | | |
21
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated. All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share. Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.
| | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
November 30, 2017 | Year Ended May 31, |
Class A Shares | (Unaudited) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 24.54 | 20.41 | 24.84 | 23.55 | 22.16 | 17.13 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Investment (loss)—neta | (.10) | (.13) | (.15) | (.17) | (.19) | (.11) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 3.63 | 4.26 | (2.76) | 3.42 | 2.90 | 5.14 |
Total from Investment Operations | 3.53 | 4.13 | (2.91) | 3.25 | 2.71 | 5.03 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net realized gain on investments | - | - | (1.52) | (1.96) | (1.32) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | 28.07 | 24.54 | 20.41 | 24.84 | 23.55 | 22.16 |
Total Return (%)b | 14.39c | 20.24 | (11.99) | 14.30 | 11.87 | 29.36 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | 1.28d | 1.28 | 1.29 | 1.32 | 1.38 | 1.34 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 1.27d | 1.28 | 1.29 | 1.30 | 1.30 | 1.33 |
Ratio of net investment (loss) to average net assets | (.75)d | (.60) | (.66) | (.71) | (.75) | (.56) |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 43.97c | 138.00 | 125.11 | 148.55 | 121.33 | 111.48 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 2,227 | 2,819 | 3,716 | 4,834 | 4,742 | 668 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Exclusive of sales charge.
c Not annualized.
d Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
22
| | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
November 30, 2017 | Year Ended May 31, |
Class C Shares | (Unaudited) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 23.13 | 19.39 | 23.85 | 22.85 | 21.70 | 16.89 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Investment (loss)—neta | (.19) | (.31) | (.30) | (.35) | (.36) | (.23) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 3.41 | 4.05 | (2.64) | 3.31 | 2.83 | 5.04 |
Total from Investment Operations | 3.22 | 3.74 | (2.94) | 2.96 | 2.47 | 4.81 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net realized gain on investments | - | - | (1.52) | (1.96) | (1.32) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | 26.35 | 23.13 | 19.39 | 23.85 | 22.85 | 21.70 |
Total Return (%)b | 13.92c | 19.29 | (12.67) | 13.49 | 10.99 | 28.48 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | 2.24d | 2.27 | 2.39 | 2.34 | 2.34 | 2.25 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 2.05d | 2.05 | 2.05 | 2.05 | 2.03 | 2.02 |
Ratio of net investment (loss) to average net assets | (1.54)d | (1.39) | (1.42) | (1.48) | (1.48) | (1.28) |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 43.97c | 138.00 | 125.11 | 148.55 | 121.33 | 111.48 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 336 | 323 | 253 | 268 | 430 | 32 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Exclusive of sales charge.
c Not annualized.
d Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
23
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
| | | | | | |
Six Months Ended | |
November 30, 2017 | Year Ended May 31, |
Class I Shares | (Unaudited) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 25.12 | 20.84 | 25.25 | 23.83 | 22.35 | 17.22 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | | |
Investment (loss)—neta | (.07) | (.08) | (.08) | (.10) | (.12) | (.05) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 3.72 | 4.36 | (2.81) | 3.48 | 2.92 | 5.18 |
Total from Investment Operations | 3.65 | 4.28 | (2.89) | 3.38 | 2.80 | 5.13 |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Dividends from net realized gain on investments | - | - | (1.52) | (1.96) | (1.32) | - |
Net asset value, end of period | 28.77 | 25.12 | 20.84 | 25.25 | 23.83 | 22.35 |
Total Return (%) | 14.53b | 20.54 | (11.71) | 14.69 | 12.18 | 29.79 |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | 1.02c | 1.03 | .98 | .97 | .98 | .99 |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 1.01c | 1.01 | .98 | .97 | .98 | .99 |
Ratio of net investment (loss) to average net assets | (.51)c | (.33) | (.35) | (.53) | (.45) | (.25) |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 43.97b | 138.00 | 125.11 | 148.55 | 121.33 | 111.48 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 10,979 | 11,777 | 19,373 | 23,882 | 453,865 | 362,704 |
a Based on average shares outstanding.
b Not annualized.
c Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
24
| | | | | |
| Six Months Ended | |
| November 30, 2017 | Year Ended May 31, |
Class Y Shares | (Unaudited) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014a |
Per Share Data ($): | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | 25.12 | 20.83 | 25.23 | 23.81 | 23.06 |
Investment Operations: | | | | | |
Investment (loss)—netb | (.06) | (.07) | (.07) | (.09) | (.02) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 3.71 | 4.36 | (2.81) | 3.47 | 2.09 |
Total from Investment Operations | 3.65 | 4.29 | (2.88) | 3.38 | 2.07 |
Distributions: | | | | | |
Dividends from net realized gain on investments | - | - | (1.52) | (1.96) | (1.32) |
Net asset value, end of period | 28.77 | 25.12 | 20.83 | 25.23 | 23.81 |
Total Return (%) | 14.53c | 20.60 | (11.68) | 14.66 | 8.68c |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | | | | | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | .95d | .96 | .96 | .97 | 1.16d |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | .94d | .96 | .96 | .97 | 1.04d |
Ratio of net investment (loss) to average net assets | (.43)d | (.28) | (.33) | (.36) | (.08)d |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 43.97c | 138.00 | 125.11 | 148.55 | 121.33 |
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) | 730,677 | 624,947 | 531,507 | 592,655 | 973 |
a From July 1, 2013 (commencement of initial offering) to May 31, 2014.
b Based on average shares outstanding.
c Not annualized.
d Annualized.
See notes to financial statements.
25
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:
Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Growth Fund (the “fund”) is a separate non-diversified series of Strategic Funds, Inc. (the “Company”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company and operates as a series company currently offering six series, including the fund. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager” or “Dreyfus”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser. EACM Advisors LLC (“EACM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the fund’s portfolio allocation manager. Henderson Geneva Capital Management Ltd. (“Henderson”), Nicholas Investment Partners, L.P. (“Nicholas”), EAM Investors, LLC (“EAM”), Granite Investment Partners, LLC (“Granite”), Rice Hall James & Associates (“Rice Hall”) and Redwood Investments, LLC (“Redwood”), serve as the fund’s sub-investment advisers, each managing an allocated portion of the fund’s portfolio.
MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, is the distributor of the fund’s shares. The fund is authorized to issue 425 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock. The fund currently has authorized four classes of shares: Class A (75 million shares authorized), Class C (75 million shares authorized), Class I (75 million shares authorized), Class T (100 million shares authorized) and Class Y (100 million shares authorized). Class A and Class T shares generally are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class I and Class Y shares are sold at net asset value per share generally to institutional investors. As of the date of this report, the fund did not offer Class T shares for purchase. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.
The Company accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to
26
that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company 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: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).
Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
27
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:
Investments in securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities are primarily traded. Securities listed on the National Market System for which market quotations are available are valued at the official closing price or, if there is no official closing price that day, at the last sales price. For open short positions, asked prices are used for valuation purposes. 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. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Securities not listed on an exchange or the national securities market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. These securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Fair valuing of securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using calculations based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as prices of relevant ADRs and futures. Utilizing these techniques may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined to not accurately reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events 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, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.
28
For restricted securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of November 30, 2017 in valuing the fund’s investments:
| | | | |
| Level 1 Unadjusted Quoted Prices | Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs | Total |
Assets ($) |
Investments in Securities: |
Equity Securities - Domestic Common Stocks† | 693,510,104 | - | - | 693,510,104 |
Equity Securities - Foreign Common Stocks† | 28,161,332 | - | - | 28,161,332 |
Exchange-Traded Funds | 7,333,868 | - | - | 7,333,868 |
Registered Investment Company | 79,081,346 | - | - | 79,081,346 |
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.
At November 30, 2017, there were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. It is the fund’s policy to recognize transfers between levels at the end of the reporting period.
(b) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income, including, where applicable, accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is recognized on the accrual basis.
Pursuant to a securities lending agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon, a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, the fund may lend securities to qualified institutions. It is the fund’s policy that, at origination, all loans are secured by collateral of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned and 105% of the value of foreign securities loaned. Collateral equivalent to at least 100% of the market value of securities on loan is maintained at all times. Collateral is either in the form of cash, which can be invested in certain money market mutual funds managed by Dreyfus, or U.S. Government and Agency securities. The fund is entitled to receive all dividends, interest and distributions on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Should a borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner, The Bank of New York Mellon is required to replace the securities for the
29
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
benefit of the fund or credit the fund with the market value of the unreturned securities and is subrogated to the fund’s rights against the borrower and the collateral. Additionally, the contractual maturity of security lending transactions are on an overnight and continuous basis. During the period ended November 30, 2017, The Bank of New York Mellon earned $61,786 from lending portfolio securities, pursuant to the securities lending agreement.
(c) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by Dreyfus are defined as “affiliated” under the Act.
(d) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from investment income-net and dividends from net realized capital gains, 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 gains can be offset by capital loss carryovers, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gains. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(e) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.
As of and during the period ended November 30, 2017, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended November 30, 2017, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
Each tax year for the three-year period ended May 31, 2017 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.
NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:
The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in an $830 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by The Bank of New York Mellon (each, a “Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions. Prior to October 4, 2017, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A. was $810 million. In
30
connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay its pro rata portion of commitment fees for each Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on rates determined pursuant to the terms of the respective Facility at the time of borrowing. During the period ended November 30, 2017, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.
NOTE 3—Management Fee, Sub-Investment Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with Dreyfus, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .90% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. Dreyfus has contractually agreed, from June 1, 2017 through October 1, 2018, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the direct expenses of the fund, so that the direct expenses of Class A, Class C, Class I and Class Y shares (excluding Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan fees, Shareholder Services plan fees, taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.05%, 1.05%, 1.05% and .98% of the value of the respective class’ average daily net assets. The reduction in expenses, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $281 during the period ended November 30, 2017.
Pursuant to a Portfolio Allocation Agreement between Dreyfus and EACM, Dreyfus pays EACM a monthly fee at an annual .10% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Pursuant to separate sub-investment advisory agreements between Dreyfus and Henderson, Nicholas, EAM, Granite, Rice Hall and Redwood, each serves as the fund’s sub-investment adviser responsible for the day-to-day management of a portion of the fund’s portfolio. Dreyfus pays each sub-investment adviser a monthly fee at an annual percentage of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. Dreyfus has obtained an exemptive order from the SEC (the “Order”), upon which the fund may rely, to use a manager of managers approach that permits Dreyfus, subject to certain conditions and approval by the Board, to enter into and materially amend sub-investment advisory agreements with one or more sub-investment advisers who are either unaffiliated with Dreyfus or are wholly-owned subsidiaries (as defined under the Act) of Dreyfus’ ultimate parent company, BNY Mellon, without obtaining shareholder approval. The Order also allows the fund to disclose the sub-investment advisory fee paid by Dreyfus to any unaffiliated sub-investment adviser in the aggregate with other unaffiliated sub-investment advisers in documents filed with the SEC and provided to shareholders. In addition, pursuant to the Order, it is not necessary to disclose the sub-investment advisory fee payable by Dreyfus separately to a sub-investment adviser that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
31
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
BNY Mellon in documents filed with the SEC and provided to shareholders; such fees are to be aggregated with fees payable to Dreyfus. Dreyfus has ultimate responsibility (subject to oversight by the Board) to supervise any sub-investment adviser and recommend the hiring, termination, and replacement of any sub-investment adviser to the Board.
During the period ended November 30, 2017, the Distributor retained $276 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares.
(b) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing its shares at an annual rate of .75% of the value of its average daily net assets. During the period ended November 30, 2017, Class C shares were charged $1,212 pursuant to the Distribution Plan.
(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of their average daily net assets 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 (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended November 30, 2017, Class A and Class C shares were charged $3,277 and $404, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
The fund has arrangements with the transfer agent and the custodian whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset transfer agency and custody fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes net earnings credits as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.
The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, under a transfer agency agreement for providing transfer agency and cash management services for the fund. The majority of transfer agency fees are comprised of amounts paid on a per account basis, while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2017, the fund was charged $2,191 for transfer agency services and $107 for cash management services. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. Cash management fees were offset by earnings credits of $107.
32
The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets, geographic region and transaction activity. During the period ended November 30, 2017, the fund was charged $44,464 pursuant to the custody agreement. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $39,464.
During the period ended November 30, 2017, the fund was charged $12,329 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer and his staff.
The components of “Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees $536,582, Distribution Plan fees $202, Shareholder Services Plan fees $512, custodian fees $21,000, Chief Compliance Officer fees $16,439 and transfer agency fees $966, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $46.
(d) 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.
NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended November 30, 2017, amounted to $309,287,231 and $295,357,611, respectively.
At November 30, 2017, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $187,460,287, consisting of $197,037,029 gross unrealized appreciation and $9,576,742 gross unrealized depreciation.
At November 30, 2017, 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).
33
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited)
At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors held on October 30-31, 2017, the Board considered the renewal of (a) the fund’s Management Agreement, pursuant to which Dreyfus provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Management Agreement”); (b) Dreyfus’ Portfolio Allocation Management Agreement (the “Allocation Agreement”) with EACM Advisors LLC (“EACM”), pursuant to which EACM is responsible for evaluating and recommending subadvisers to provide the fund with day-to-day portfolio management services, recommending the percentage of fund assets to be allocated to each subadviser, monitoring and evaluating the performance of the subadvisers, and recommending whether a subadviser should be terminated; and (c) Dreyfus’ separate Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements (collectively with the Management Agreement and the Allocation Agreement, the “Agreements”) with each of EAM Investors, LLC, Geneva Capital Management LLC, Nicholas Investment Partners, L.P., Granite Investment Partners, LLC, Rice Hall James & Associates, LLC and Redwood Investments, LLC (collectively, the “Subadvisers”), pursuant to which each Subadviser serves as a sub-investment adviser and provides day-to-day management of the fund’s investments. The Board members, a majority of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from representatives of Dreyfus, EACM and the Subadvisers. In considering the renewal of the Agreements, the Board considered all factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below. The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.
Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to them at the meeting and in previous presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex. Dreyfus provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. Dreyfus also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the Dreyfus fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or Dreyfus) and Dreyfus’ corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.
The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that Dreyfus also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered Dreyfus’ extensive administrative, accounting and compliance infrastructures, as well as Dreyfus’ supervisory activities over EACM and the Subadvisers, and EACM’s evaluations and recommendations to Dreyfus regarding the Subadvisers and EACM’s supervisory activities over the Subadvisers. The Board also
34
considered portfolio management’s brokerage policies and practices (including policies and practices regarding soft dollars) and the standards applied in seeking best execution.
Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, which included information comparing (1) the fund’s performance with the performance of a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended September 30, 2017, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of a group of comparable funds (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Broadridge as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.
Dreyfus representatives stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds. The Board discussed with representatives of Dreyfus, its affiliates and/or the Subadvisers the results of the comparisons and considered that the fund’s total return performance was at or above the Performance Group median for all periods except for the four- and five-year periods when it was below the median, and below the Performance Universe medians for all periods except for the one-year period when it was above the median. The Board considered the relative proximity of the fund’s performance to the Performance Group and/or Performance Universe median in certain periods when performance was below median. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s benchmark index.
The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons. The Board considered that the fund’s contractual management fee was at the Expense Group median, the fund’s actual management fee was slightly below the Expense Group median and above the Expense Universe median and the fund’s total expenses were below the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians.
The Dreyfus representatives stated that Dreyfus has contractually agreed to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund, until October 1, 2018, so that the expenses of Class A, Class C, Class I and Class Y shares of the fund (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.05%, 1.05%, 1.05% and 0.98%, respectively.
Dreyfus representatives reviewed with the Board the management or investment advisory fees (1) paid by funds advised or administered by Dreyfus that are in the same Lipper category as the fund and (2) paid to Dreyfus or the Subadvisers or their affiliates
35
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
for advising any separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios that are considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund (the “Similar Clients”), and explained the nature of the Similar Clients. They discussed differences in fees paid and the relationship of the fees paid in light of any differences in the services provided and other relevant factors. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Clients to evaluate the appropriateness of the fund’s management fee.
The Board considered the fee to EACM and to each Subadviser in relation to the fee paid to Dreyfus by the fund and the respective services provided by EACM, each Subadviser and Dreyfus. The Board also took into consideration that EACM’s and each Subadviser’s fee is paid by Dreyfus (out of its fee from the fund) and not the fund.
Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Dreyfus representatives reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by Dreyfus and its affiliates and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus and its affiliates for managing the funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not unreasonable, given the services rendered and service levels provided by Dreyfus. The Board also had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding Dreyfus’ approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire Dreyfus fund complex. The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.
The Board considered on the advice of its counsel the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreements, considered in relation to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus and the Subadvisers, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, supported the renewal of the Agreements and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Since Dreyfus, and not the fund, pays EACM and the Subadvisers pursuant to the respective Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements, the Board did not consider EACM’s or any Subadviser’s profitability to be relevant to its deliberations. Dreyfus representatives also stated that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to Dreyfus and each Subadviser from acting as investment adviser and sub-investment adviser, respectively, and took into consideration the soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.
At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the
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renewal of the Agreements. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.
· The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Dreyfus, EACM and the Subadvisers are adequate and appropriate.
· The Board generally was satisfied with the fund’s improved performance, particularly in the one-year period.
· The Board concluded that the fees paid to Dreyfus, EACM and the Subadvisers continued to be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the factors and the totality of the services provided as discussed above.
· The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to Dreyfus and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by Dreyfus in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.
In evaluating the Agreements, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with Dreyfus and its affiliates, EACM and the Subadvisers, of Dreyfus and the Subadvisers and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus, EACM and the Subadvisers. The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreements, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of the Agreements for the fund, or substantially similar agreements for other Dreyfus funds that the Board oversees, during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and Dreyfus representatives. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of the fund’s arrangements, or substantially similar arrangements for other Dreyfus funds that the Board oversees, in prior years. The Board determined to renew the Agreements.
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Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Growth Fund
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Manager
The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Portfolio Allocation Manager
EACM Advisors LLC
200 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854-1958
Sub-Investment Advisers
Henderson Geneva Capital
Management Ltd.
100 East Wisconsin Avenue,
Suite 2550
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Nicholas Investment Partners, L.P.
6451 El Sicomoro
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
EAM Investors, LLC
2533 South Coast Highway 101,
Suite 240
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Granite Investment Partners, LLC
2121 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 2360
El Segundo, CA 90245
Rice Hall James & Associates
600 West Broadway, Suite 1000
San Diego, CA 92101
Redwood Investments, LLC
One Gateway Center, Suite 802
Newton, MA 02458
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
225 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10286
Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Distributor
MBSC Securities Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
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Ticker Symbols: Class A: DSGAX Class C: DSGCX Class I: DSGIX Class Y: DSGYX |
Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS
Mail The Dreyfus Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
E-mail Send your request to info@dreyfus.com
Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.dreyfus.com
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 www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. (phone 1-800-SEC-0330 for information).
A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the fund voted these proxies for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.dreyfus.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-DREYFUS.
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© 2018 MBSC Securities Corporation 6289SA1117 | |