N-CSR 1 formncsr-6155.htm ANNUAL REPORT formncsr-6155.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

 

  

 

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

811-3940

 

 

 

Strategic Funds, 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)

 

 

 

 

 

Janette E. Farragher, 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:

 

11/30

 

Date of reporting period:

11/30/12

 

             

 

 

  The following N-CSR relates only to the Registrant’s series listed below and does not affect the other series of the Registrant, which have different fiscal year ends and, therefore, different N-CSR reporting requirements.  Separate N-CSR Forms will be filed for these series, as appropriate.

 

Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Value Fund

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund

Global Stock Fund

International Stock Fund

 


 

 

FORM N-CSR

Item 1.                        Reports to Stockholders.

 


 




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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.




 

Contents

 

THE FUND

2     

A Letter from the President

3     

Discussion of Fund Performance

6     

Fund Performance

8     

Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses

8     

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses With Those of Other Funds

9     

Statement of Investments

26     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

27     

Statement of Operations

28     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

30     

Financial Highlights

33     

Notes to Financial Statements

43     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

44     

Important Tax Information

45     

Information About the Renewal of the Fund’s Management, Portfolio Allocation Management and Sub-Invesment Advisory Agreements

53     

Board Members Information

56     

Officers of the Fund

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



Dreyfus 
Select Managers 
Small Cap Value Fund 

 

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this annual report for Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Value Fund, covering the 12-month period from December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012. 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.

Despite pronounced stock market weakness during the spring of 2012, equities generally advanced over the reporting period as investors responded to encouraging macroeconomic developments throughout the world. Employment gains in the United States, credible measures to prevent a more severe banking crisis in Europe, and the likelihood of a “soft landing” for China’s economy buoyed investor sentiment, as did aggressively accommodative monetary policies from central banks in the United States, Europe, Japan and China. Consequently, U.S. stocks across all capitalization ranges posted respectable returns, on average, for the reporting period.

In light of the easy monetary policies adopted by many countries, we expect global growth to be slightly more robust in 2013 than in 2012.The U.S. economic recovery is likely to persist at subpar levels, as growth early in the new year may remain constrained by uncertainties surrounding fiscal policy and tax reforms. However, resolution of these issues may prompt corporate decision-makers to increase capital spending later in the year, which could have positive implications for the U.S. economy and domestic equity markets.As always, we encourage you to stay in touch with your financial advisor as new developments unfold.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,


J. Charles Cardona
President
The Dreyfus Corporation
December 17, 2012

2



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012, as provided by Keith L. Stransky and Robert B. Mayerick, Portfolio Allocation Managers, EACM Advisors LLC

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended November 30, 2012, Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Value Fund’s Class A shares produced a total return of 15.04%, Class C shares returned 14.16% and Class I shares returned 15.45%.1 In comparison, the Russell 2000Value Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark, returned 15.05% for the same period.2

Small-cap value stocks generally rallied over the reporting period as investors responded to improving economic conditions. The fund’s Class I shares produced fractionally higher returns than its benchmark, primarily due to strong results from the financials sector.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks capital appreciation.To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in the stocks of small-cap companies.The fund uses a “multi-manager” approach by selecting one or more sub-advisers to manage its assets.As the fund’s portfolio allocation managers, we seek sub-advisers that complement one another’s style of investing, consistent with the fund’s investment goal.We monitor and evaluate the performance of the sub-advisers and will make corresponding recommendations to Dreyfus and the fund’s Board based on our evaluations.

The fund’s assets are currently under the day-to-day portfolio management of seven sub-advisers, each acting independently of one another and using its own methodology to select portfolio investments.As of the end of the reporting period, 18% of the fund’s assets are under the management of Thompson, Siegel and Walmsley, LLC, which employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative security selection methods based on a four-factor valuation model.Approximately 23% of the fund’s assets are under the management of Walthausen & Co., LLC, which uses a proprietary valuation model to identify companies that are trading at a discount to their intrinsic values. Approximately 14% of the fund’s assets are under the management of Neuberger Berman Management LLC, which uses fundamental analysis and a bottom-up stock selection process to identify publicly traded small-cap companies selling at a material

The Fund 3



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

discount to their intrinsic value.Approximately 28% of the fund’s assets are under the management of Lombardia Capital Partners, LLC, which uses fundamental analysis and a bottom-up value-oriented approach in seeking stocks trading below their intrinsic values. Approximately 11% of the fund’s assets are under the management of Iridian Asset Management LLC, which employs bottom-up stock selection and a disciplined valuation process to identify and invest in corporate change.Approximately 5% of the fund’s assets are under the management of Vulcan Value Partners, LLC, which seeks companies with sustainable competitive advantages that may enable them to earn superior cash returns on capital.Approximately 1% of the fund’s assets are under the management of Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC, which was added as a sub-adviser on August 15, 2012, and employs a fundamental, bottom-up, research-driven investment process in seeking to identify high quality companies whose securities are trading at attractive valuations.These percentages can change over time, within ranges described in the prospectus.

Economic Optimism Lifted U.S. Equities

The reporting period began in the aftermath of pronounced stock market weakness, resulting in attractive valuations across several market sectors. By the first quarter of 2012, stocks were rallying amid stronger U.S. employment gains and a quantitative easing program in Europe. Corporate earnings remained strong, and many companies had shored up their balance sheets. Investors grew more tolerant of risks, focusing more on business fundamentals and less on news headlines.

These positive influences were called into question during the spring, when the U.S. labor market’s rebound slowed and measures to relieve Europe’s fiscal pressures encountered resistance. However, investor sentiment soon improved when several central banks, including the Federal Reserve Board and European Central Bank, announced measures to stimulate their economies. Ensuing market rallies enabled the benchmark to end the reporting period with double-digit gains.

Financial Stocks Buoyed Relative Performance

The fund’s investments proved particularly successful in the financials sector, where mortgage servicing providers Ocwen Financial and Altisource Portfolio Solutions advanced strongly after Ocwen Financial made an accretive acquisition. In other areas, engineering and construction firm The Shaw Group was acquired by a former competitor, and home health care provider Lincare Holdings was taken over by a German gas producer.

4



The fund achieved less favorable results in the information technology sector, where relatively heavy exposure weighed on relative performance. Disappointments in the sector included components manufacturer Pulse Electronics which missed earnings targets, and solar equipment and services provider GT Advanced Technologies, which warned of a challenging 2013.

Economic Recovery Remains Intact

We are optimistic about the prospects for small-cap value stocks. Accommodative monetary policies are expected to keep the economy growing at a moderate pace, and large-cap companies have plenty of cash available to acquire smaller businesses. We believe the fund is well positioned for this environment, as its holdings have lower valuations than the benchmark, on average, but with higher growth rates.The fund’s sub-advisers, in part, have focused on investment managers seeking companies with steady growth rates, reasonable valuations, and businesses that tend to be relatively insensitive to economic cycles. In the aggregate, the sub-advisers have also found a number of opportunities in the industrials and information technology sectors, but fewer among financial companies and utilities.

December 17, 2012

Equity funds 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. 
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 April 1, 2013, 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. — Reflects the reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain 
distributions.The Russell 2000 Value Index is an unmanaged index, which measures the performance of those 
Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Investors cannot invest 
directly in any index. 

 

The Fund 5



FUND PERFORMANCE


Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in each of the Class A, Class C and Class I shares of Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Value Fund on 12/17/08 (inception date) to a $10,000 investment made in the Russell 2000 Value Index (the “Index”) on that date.All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account the maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares and all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes.The Index is an unmanaged index, which measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. These factors can contribute to the Index potentially outperforming the fund. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

6



Average Annual Total Returns as of 11/30/12         
 
  Inception      From  
  Date  1 Year  Inception  
Class A shares           
with maximum sales charge (5.75%)  12/17/08  8.42 %  14.62 % 
without sales charge  12/17/08  15.04 %  16.34 % 
Class C shares           
with applicable redemption charge   12/17/08  13.16 %  15.50 % 
without redemption  12/17/08  14.16 %  15.50 % 
Class I shares  12/17/08  15.45 %  16.71 % 
Russell 2000 Value Index  12/31/08  15.05 %  12.88 %†† 

 

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.The fund’s performance shown in the graph and table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

  The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the 
  date of purchase. 
††  For comparative purposes, the value of the Index as of 12/31/08 is used as the beginning value on 12/17/08. 

 

The Fund 7



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 CapValue Fund from June 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. 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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 7.22  $ 11.05  $ 5.12 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,109.10  $ 1,105.30  $ 1,111.50 

 

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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 6.91  $ 10.58  $ 4.90 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,018.15  $ 1,014.50  $ 1,020.15 

 

† Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.37% for Class A, 2.10% for Class C and .97% 
for Class I, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half 
year period). 

 

8



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

November 30, 2012

Common Stocks—96.1%  Shares      Value ($) 
Aerospace & Defense—1.7%         
Aerovironment  17,450 a  356,154 
Curtiss-Wright  18,768   595,509 
DigitalGlobe  34,200 a,b  852,948 
Hexcel  98,342 a  2,542,141 
Moog, Cl. A  5,820 a  213,943 
Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Cl. A  48,930 a  770,647 
Teledyne Technologies  14,800 a  932,400 
Textron  35,200   826,848 
Triumph Group  4,390   288,028 
        7,378,618 
Air Freight & Logistics—.3%         
Air Transport Services Group  180,736 a  684,989 
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings  15,600 a 675,168 
        1,360,157 
Airlines—.4%         
Hawaiian Holdings  112,100 a 699,504 
SkyWest  72,090   835,523 
        1,535,027 
Auto Components—1.6%         
Cooper Tire & Rubber  164,616   4,112,108 
Exide Technologies  143,890 a  415,842 
Gentherm  64,400 a  778,596 
Modine Manufacturing  89,600 a  663,040 
Visteon  15,010 a  752,001 
        6,721,587 
Automobiles—.3%         
Thor Industries  30,631   1,156,014 
Beverages—.2%         
Constellation Brands, Cl. A  16,000 a  574,080 
National Beverage  8,895   152,638 
        726,718 
Biotechnology—.1%         
Alkermes  20,020 a  386,586 

 

The Fund 9



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares      Value ($) 
Building Products—.6%         
AAON  38,147      802,994 
Gibraltar Industries  55,787  a   773,766 
NCI Building Systems  85,790  a   1,122,991 
        2,699,751 
Capital Markets—2.9%         
Ares Capital  184,215      3,267,974 
Eaton Vance  37,607      1,198,911 
Fifth Street Finance  150,904 b    1,626,745 
Investment Technology Group  54,065 a    483,341 
Janus Capital Group  94,767      777,089 
Piper Jaffray  24,040 a    682,015 
Waddell & Reed Financial, Cl. A  69,369      2,253,799 
Walter Investment Management  49,540      2,094,551 
        12,384,425 
Chemicals—3.4%         
American Vanguard  25,100      835,077 
Balchem  1,960      70,070 
Chemtura  60,100 a    1,221,232 
Cytec Industries  8,800      604,032 
Ferro  168,770 a    484,370 
KMG Chemicals  45,001      819,918 
Kraton Performance Polymers  90,970 a    2,136,886 
LSB Industries  47,290 a    1,580,905 
Omnova Solutions  138,200  a   1,025,444 
PolyOne  106,270      2,140,278 
RPM International  44,865      1,301,534 
Sensient Technologies  38,673      1,399,963 
TPC Group  20,000 a   960,600 
        14,580,309 
Commercial Banks—8.8%         
BancorpSouth  89,279      1,181,161 
Bank of Hawaii  32,644  b   1,419,035 
Bank of the Ozarks  4,600      146,188 
BankUnited  23,700      556,950 
BBCN Bancorp  157,545      1,792,862 
Bryn Mawr Bank  53,520      1,152,286 

 

10



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Commercial Banks (continued)       
Centerstate Banks  91,120   716,203 
City Holding  33,590 b  1,128,624 
City National  9,200   447,948 
Columbia Banking System  53,300   919,958 
Comerica  28,827   852,991 
Community Bank System  82,453 b  2,216,337 
Cullen/Frost Bankers  5,153   281,405 
CVB Financial  125,100   1,271,016 
East West Bancorp  67,818   1,434,351 
F.N.B  135,818   1,466,834 
First Bancorp  11,100   123,654 
First Commonwealth Financial  99,000   634,590 
First Financial Bankshares  35,940 b  1,398,425 
First Merchants  39,447   535,690 
First Midwest Bancorp  55,178   689,725 
First Niagara Financial Group  293,684   2,214,377 
Hancock Holding  95,719   3,007,491 
Huntington Bancshares  137,400   845,010 
IBERIABANK  28,200   1,374,750 
Independent Bank  7,740 b  222,138 
Investors Bancorp  23,272   398,417 
National Bank Holdings, Cl. A  29,940   548,501 
SVB Financial Group  18,700 a  1,032,614 
TCF Financial  89,100   1,058,508 
Texas Capital Bancshares  40,600 a  1,828,624 
Trustmark  36,381   808,386 
Umpqua Holdings  176,710   2,060,439 
Union First Market Bankshares  45,904   701,872 
Westamerica Bancorporation  3,210   136,618 
Wintrust Financial  37,400   1,375,946 
      37,979,924 
Commercial Service & Supply—2.8%       
ACCO Brands  193,686 a  1,305,444 
Asta Funding  60,630   560,221 
Avery Dennison  45,770   1,531,007 
Brink’s  36,500   1,002,290 

 

The Fund 11



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Commercial Service & Supply (continued)       
Ceco Environmental  43,480   405,234 
Covanta Holding  59,800   1,129,024 
Deluxe  130,090   3,746,592 
Encore Capital Group  47,600 a,b  1,265,208 
Ennis  52,064   792,414 
Metalico  123,690 a  206,562 
      11,943,996 
Communications Equipment—2.7%       
ADTRAN  5,375 b  105,565 
Arris Group  76,700 a  1,071,499 
Aviat Networks  186,918 a  514,024 
Black Box  63,306   1,560,493 
Brocade Communications Systems  194,700 a  1,105,896 
Ciena  35,200 a,b  523,776 
Emulex  171,170 a  1,258,100 
Infinera  103,300 a,b  576,414 
Ituran Location and Control  54,344   710,276 
Oplink Communications  100,823 a  1,562,756 
Plantronics  69,386   2,333,452 
Sierra Wireless  54,800 a  424,152 
      11,746,403 
Computers & Peripherals—1.3%       
Electronics for Imaging  85,565 a  1,570,973 
Lexmark International, Cl. A  77,610 b  1,888,251 
Logitech International  106,000 b  752,600 
Quantum  575,420 a  690,504 
Silicon Graphics International  64,110 a,b  537,883 
      5,440,211 
Construction & Engineering—2.1%       
Aegion  35,113 a  724,030 
Dycom Industries  5,100 a  91,596 
Foster Wheeler  26,748 a  600,760 
Granite Construction  13,601   416,191 
KBR  44,500   1,237,100 
Layne Christensen  43,290 a  995,237 
Orion Marine Group  87,933 a  624,324 

 

12



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Construction & Engineering (continued)       
Pike Electric  53,301 a  527,680 
Shaw Group  42,715 a  1,919,185 
Tutor Perini  136,795 a  1,759,184 
      8,895,287 
Consumer Finance—1.7%       
Cash America International  20,600   767,144 
DFC Global  56,400 a  984,180 
First Cash Financial Services  28,170 a  1,360,893 
Netspend Holdings  167,230 a  1,948,230 
World Acceptance  32,977 a,b  2,407,651 
      7,468,098 
Container & Packaging—1.0%       
AptarGroup  3,000   143,010 
Crown Holdings  32,900 a  1,228,815 
Greif, Cl. A  25,094   1,029,607 
Sealed Air  57,500   967,150 
Sonoco Products  38,460   1,156,492 
      4,525,074 
Distributors—.1%       
VOXX International  46,700 a  314,758 
Diversified Consumer Services—.5%       
Coinstar  20,600 a,b  969,024 
Hillenbrand  7,815   165,365 
Universal Technical Institute  91,343   865,018 
      1,999,407 
Diversified Financial Services—.7%       
Leucadia National  27,510   609,346 
NASDAQ OMX Group  37,920   918,802 
PHH  74,130 a,b  1,624,188 
      3,152,336 
Diversified Telecommunications—.2%       
MagicJack VocalTec  39,150 a,b  673,771 
Electric Utilities—1.2%       
Empire District Electric  66,301   1,326,020 
PNM Resources  42,400   895,912 
Portland General Electric  69,254   1,871,936 

 

The Fund 13



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Electric Utilities (continued)       
UNS Energy  28,000   1,192,240 
      5,286,108 
Electrical Equipment—1.1%       
EnerSys  34,659 a  1,207,519 
Franklin Electric  17,201   1,024,492 
Generac Holdings  28,100 b  916,903 
GrafTech International  128,428 a,b  1,245,752 
LSI Industries  70,765   482,617 
      4,877,283 
Electronic Equipment & Instruments—3.9%       
Anixter International  16,434   1,003,789 
Badger Meter  3,475   156,583 
Benchmark Electronics  62,253 a  967,412 
Cognex  2,640   94,565 
CTS  161,096   1,427,311 
Dolby Laboratories, Cl. A  22,000 a,b  734,140 
GSI Group  61,420 a  466,178 
Itron  19,240 a  842,712 
Mercury Systems  41,500 a  364,785 
Methode Electronics  56,910   513,897 
Park Electrochemical  60,851   1,482,939 
Plexus  45,227 a  1,047,006 
Power-One  376,181 a,b  1,561,151 
Pulse Electronics  287,328   91,945 
Radisys  186,488 a  419,598 
ScanSource  18,273 a  539,967 
SYNNEX  37,280 a  1,230,986 
Vishay Intertechnology  335,830 a  3,257,551 
Vishay Precision Group  39,265 a  479,033 
      16,681,548 
Energy Equipment & Services—1.9%       
Bristow Group  15,899   828,338 
Cal Dive International  447,610 a  702,748 
CARBO Ceramics  1,000   76,570 
Helix Energy Solutions Group  55,500 a  971,805 
ION Geophysical  94,700 a  564,412 

 

14



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Energy Equipment & Services (continued)       
McDermott International  50,400 a  530,712 
Newpark Resources  230,670 a,b  1,799,226 
TETRA Technologies  122,800 a  859,600 
Tidewater  43,731   1,961,773 
      8,295,184 
Exchange-Traded Funds—.7%       
iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund  34,680 b  2,846,534 
Food & Staples Retailing—.4%       
Andersons  15,600   658,008 
Nash Finch  52,050   1,098,255 
      1,756,263 
Food Products—.4%       
Darling International  52,040 a  877,915 
Hillshire Brands  22,720   632,752 
Overhill Farms  41,025 a  181,330 
Smithfield Foods  8,060 a  180,302 
      1,872,299 
Gas Utilities—.4%       
Atmos Energy  51,832   1,814,638 
Health Care Technology—.3%       
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions  100,990 a  1,123,009 
Healthcare Equipment & Supplies—1.8%       
Accuray  83,670 a  525,448 
AngioDynamics  59,979 a  632,179 
CryoLife  103,457   614,534 
Hill-Rom Holdings  66,928   1,871,307 
Merit Medical Systems  46,079 a  639,577 
Natus Medical  51,446 a  582,369 
NxStage Medical  38,240 a  459,645 
Symmetry Medical  184,768 a  1,801,488 
Syneron Medical  72,720 a  606,485 
Young Innovations  1,880   68,000 
      7,801,032 
Healthcare Providers & Services—2.5%       
Acadia Healthcare  33,900 a  778,005 
Air Methods  9,200 a  1,004,364 

 

The Fund 15



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Healthcare Providers & Services (continued)       
AmSurg  55,111 a  1,544,210 
Bio-Reference Labs  51,390 a,b  1,353,099 
Chemed  8,500   578,680 
Health Net  23,460 a  552,483 
HealthSouth  8,630 a  189,774 
Kindred Healthcare  197,206 a  2,139,685 
Magellan Health Services  32,900 a  1,706,852 
Owens & Minor  6,585   180,297 
Universal American  70,650   585,688 
      10,613,137 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure—2.4%       
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store  30,612   1,881,107 
Interval Leisure Group  20,646   388,764 
Jack in the Box  34,100 a  939,455 
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts  200,740 a  1,826,734 
Multimedia Games Holding Company  47,400 a  700,572 
Nathan’s Famous  10,711 a  339,110 
Ruby Tuesday  85,380 a  666,818 
Ruth’s Hospitality Group  82,211 a  616,582 
Scientific Games, Cl. A  108,700 a  905,471 
SHFL Entertainment  46,900 a  645,344 
Sonic  41,134 a  416,687 
Wendy’s  232,010 b  1,081,167 
      10,407,811 
Household Durables—1.2%       
Beazer Homes USA  39,270 a,b  586,301 
CSS Industries  40,200   824,904 
Harman International Industries  5,120   202,547 
Jarden  11,225   593,915 
Lifetime Brands  20,939   209,390 
M/I Homes  80,690 a  1,775,987 
Tupperware Brands  12,786   829,172 
      5,022,216 

 

16



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Household Products—.1%       
Church & Dwight  3,770   204,145 
WD-40  4,420   208,801 
      412,946 
Independent Power Prod. & Energy Traders—.3%       
GenOn Energy  273,200 a  696,660 
Ormat Technologies  40,500 b  746,010 
      1,442,670 
Industrial Conglomerates—.5%       
Standex International  47,200   2,325,072 
Insurance—5.4%       
American Equity Investment Life Holding  238,785 b  2,753,191 
American Financial Group  6,990   277,153 
Argo Group International Holdings  18,460   612,687 
Aspen Insurance Holdings  48,200   1,508,660 
Assurant  6,310   215,865 
Donegal Group, Cl. A  31,546   436,281 
Endurance Specialty Holdings  28,504   1,145,861 
Everest Re Group  7,583   822,528 
FBL Financial Group, Cl. A  21,604   718,117 
Fidelity National Financial, Cl. A  44,000   1,065,240 
Hanover Insurance Group  24,092   880,563 
HCC Insurance Holdings  72,982   2,691,576 
Horace Mann Educators  35,200   673,024 
Navigators Group  17,233 a  903,182 
Platinum Underwriters Holdings  17,566   782,038 
Primerica  65,970   1,888,721 
ProAssurance  1,961   177,823 
RLI  19,695   1,269,146 
Tower Group  178,287   3,013,050 
Validus Holdings  36,988   1,311,594 
      23,146,300 
Internet & Catalog Retail—.2%       
Shutterfly  39,000 a  1,051,050 

 

The Fund 17



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Internet Software & Services—.5%       
DealerTrack Holdings  31,650 a  851,068 
Digital River  62,200 a  908,742 
Unwired Planet  247,632 a  339,256 
      2,099,066 
IT Services—3.0%       
Acxiom  79,834 a  1,412,263 
CACI International, Cl. A  47,600 a  2,434,740 
Cardtronics  46,600 a  1,069,004 
Cass Information Systems  3,880   182,321 
Computer Services  2,735   82,023 
Convergys  154,550   2,412,526 
CoreLogic  58,900 a  1,521,976 
DST Systems  18,100   1,043,284 
Heartland Payment Systems  30,884   915,093 
Jack Henry & Associates  5,460   212,230 
MoneyGram International  49,000 a  588,490 
NeuStar, Cl. A  23,143 a  930,349 
Online Resources  106,250 a  245,437 
Syntel  3,435   206,650 
      13,256,386 
Leisure Equipment & Products—.1%       
JAKKS Pacific  45,958 b  573,556 
Life Sciences Tools & Services—.5%       
Affymetrix  102,600 a,b  341,658 
Cambrex  47,900 a  525,463 
Charles River       
Laboratories International  29,800 a  1,143,426 
      2,010,547 
Machinery—4.1%       
Actuant, Cl. A  40,050   1,152,238 
Albany International, Cl. A  30,710   660,572 
Altra Holdings  40,450   760,864 
CLARCOR  3,265   151,431 

 

18



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Machinery (continued)       
Columbus McKinnon  65,220 a  975,691 
Donaldson  14,579   489,563 
ESCO Technologies  26,600   976,220 
Flow International  178,700 a  562,905 
Gardner Denver  4,384   306,222 
Graco  4,145   204,804 
Harsco  26,550   534,982 
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling  10,260   425,585 
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Cl. B  10,260   425,585 
IDEX  10,826   486,629 
ITT  40,200   899,274 
John Bean Technologies  53,010   863,533 
Lincoln Electric Holdings  20,030   951,626 
Lydall  67,791 a  887,384 
Manitowoc  44,400   666,000 
Navistar International  25,100 a,b  512,291 
Tennant  26,200   999,268 
Titan International  80,420 b  1,634,939 
TriMas  62,690 a  1,623,671 
Twin Disc  28,200 b  481,092 
      17,632,369 
Marine—.1%       
Danaos  115,000 a  317,400 
Media—.6%       
John Wiley & Sons, Cl. A  11,170   476,959 
Meredith  25,078 b  781,932 
Valassis Communications  52,730 a,b  1,369,925 
      2,628,816 
Metals & Mining—2.1%       
Carpenter Technology  4,110   199,171 
Haynes International  27,080   1,260,303 
Kaiser Aluminum  29,005   1,765,534 
Materion  43,910   900,155 

 

The Fund 19



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Metals & Mining (continued)       
Metals USA Holdings  76,910   1,202,872 
Noranda Aluminum Holding  123,800   734,134 
Olympic Steel  25,400 b  502,158 
RTI International Metals  28,080 a  696,384 
Stillwater Mining  45,920 a  527,162 
Worthington Industries  59,400   1,399,464 
      9,187,337 
Multi-Utilities—.3%       
NorthWestern  35,800   1,241,902 
Office Electronics—.4%       
Zebra Technologies, Cl. A  49,066 a  1,911,121 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels—3.3%       
Berry Petroleum, Cl. A  63,888   1,987,556 
Callon Petroleum  147,490 a  691,728 
Energy XXI  28,900 b  915,552 
EPL Oil & Gas  60,280 a  1,265,277 
Gulfport Energy  47,530 a  1,808,041 
Halcon Resources  136,370 a  842,767 
Northern Oil and Gas  73,982 a,b  1,161,517 
PetroQuest Energy  100,880 a,b  537,690 
Stone Energy  61,430 a  1,273,444 
Synergy Resources  162,220 a  627,791 
TransGlobe Energy  55,000 a  569,800 
Warren Resources  266,219 a  732,102 
Western Refining  50,700 b  1,472,835 
World Fuel Services  5,395   210,135 
      14,096,235 
Paper & Forest Products—.9%       
Glatfelter  87,429   1,485,419 
Mercer International  180,915 a  1,255,550 
Schweitzer-Mauduit International  26,408   989,508 
      3,730,477 

 

20



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Personal Products—1.0%       
Medifast  24,700 a  783,484 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Cl. A  75,062 b  3,407,815 
      4,191,299 
Pharmaceuticals—.7%       
Flamel Technologies, ADR  228,462 a  740,217 
MAP Pharmaceuticals  18,280 a,b  291,383 
Nektar Therapeutics  23,017 a,b  150,301 
Questcor Pharmaceuticals  29,400 b  762,930 
Sagent Pharmaceuticals  30,480 a,b  454,152 
Santarus  81,600 a  813,552 
      3,212,535 
Professional Services—3.3%       
Acacia Research  37,850 a  841,405 
American Reprographics  156,480 a  394,330 
Barrett Business Services  19,971   664,036 
CBIZ  215,919 a,b  1,254,489 
CDI  61,763   1,020,325 
Corporate Executive Board  3,720   159,216 
Dun & Bradstreet  12,965   1,026,569 
FTI Consulting  80,740 a  2,495,673 
Kelly Services, Cl. A  56,200   767,692 
Korn/Ferry International  135,202 a  1,949,613 
Lender Processing Services  150,420   3,737,937 
      14,311,285 
Real Estate Investment Trusts—2.8%       
Brandywine Realty Trust  54,800 c  653,764 
Capstead Mortgage  78,900 c  957,846 
EPR Properties  2,400   108,840 
First Potomac Realty Trust  49,442 c  579,955 
Glimcher Realty Trust  11,824 c  126,753 
Hersha Hospitality Trust  339,958 c  1,594,403 
LaSalle Hotel Properties  29,500 c  711,245 

 

The Fund 21



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (continued)       
Medical Properties Trust  202,304 c  2,360,888 
Omega Healthcare Investors  131,160 c  3,006,187 
PS Business Parks  11,300 c  728,737 
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust  81,215 c  1,086,657 
      11,915,275 
Real Estate Management &       
Development—.4%       
Altisource Portfolio Solutions  17,113 a  1,819,625 
Road & Rail—.9%       
Arkansas Best  54,345   449,977 
Avis Budget Group  58,400 a  1,106,096 
Con-way  28,300   794,947 
Landstar System  4,110   207,843 
Ryder System  23,700   1,115,559 
      3,674,422 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor       
Equipment—2.1%       
Cabot Microelectronics  4,365   142,386 
Ceva  25,900 a  391,349 
FormFactor  157,632 a  698,310 
Freescale Semiconductor  50,870 a,b  471,056 
GT Advanced Technologies  428,100 a,b  1,442,697 
Integrated Silicon Solution  78,743 a  689,789 
Kulicke & Soffa Industries  105,850 a  1,209,865 
LTX-Credence  80,142 a  455,207 
Rambus  75,200 a  367,728 
Silicon Image  211,500 a  985,590 
Spansion, Cl. A  43,840 a  513,805 
Teradyne  29,050 a  454,342 
Ultratech  25,000 a  820,500 
Veeco Instruments  12,760 a,b  363,150 
      9,005,774 

 

22



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Software—2.7%       
Accelrys  79,000 a  695,990 
American Software, Cl. A  135,776   1,095,712 
Cadence Design Systems  71,100 a  905,103 
Comverse  20,133   579,227 
Comverse Technology  122,430 a  435,851 
Ebix  10,950   184,069 
Fair Isaac  16,433   703,661 
FalconStor Software  295,918 a  707,244 
NetScout Systems  38,600 a  969,632 
Progress Software  31,990 a  643,319 
Rovi  55,960 a  858,426 
SeaChange International  66,200 a  612,350 
TiVo  101,700 a  1,189,890 
Tyler Technologies  15,600 a  731,952 
Verint Systems  42,110 a,b  1,169,395 
      11,481,821 
Specialty Retail—4.2%       
Barnes & Noble  62,800 a,b  901,180 
Bebe Stores  105,416   396,364 
Chico’s FAS  37,890   706,648 
Express  25,900 a  386,687 
Finish Line, Cl. A  51,400   1,060,382 
Guess?  15,780   408,229 
JOS. A. Bank Clothiers  36,410 a,b  1,569,272 
Kirkland’s  47,740 a  433,957 
Men’s Wearhouse  41,400   1,343,016 
Office Depot  275,090 a  924,302 
OfficeMax  232,200   2,322,000 
PEP Boys-Manny Moe & Jack  127,130 b  1,343,764 
RadioShack  149,800 b  304,094 
Rent-A-Center  144,695   5,029,598 

 

The Fund 23



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Specialty Retail (continued)       
Sonic Automotive, Cl. A  52,129 b  1,029,026 
      18,158,519 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods—1.5%       
Aeropostale  35,060 a  484,179 
American Eagle Outfitters  32,950   698,540 
Ascena Retail Group  85,937 a  1,727,334 
Delta Apparel  45,995 a  667,387 
G-III Apparel Group  16,100 a  612,605 
Iconix Brand Group  119,354 a  2,406,176 
      6,596,221 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance—1.8%       
Astoria Financial  61,000 b  569,130 
Brookline Bancorp  72,744   615,414 
Dime Community Bancshares  67,230   937,858 
First Financial Holdings  55,266   745,538 
Flushing Financial  45,015   673,424 
Heritage Financial Group  51,954   682,676 
Ocwen Financial  66,400 a  2,381,104 
Rockville Financial  53,488   694,274 
Washington Federal  36,168   581,220 
      7,880,638 
Tobacco—.1%       
Universal  11,600 b  578,840 
Trading Companies & Distributors—.6%       
CAI International  59,250 a  1,185,000 
DXP Enterprises  17,800 a  859,562 
Lawson Products  31,896 b  264,099 
Textainer Group Holdings  12,700 b  383,286 
      2,691,947 
Total Common Stocks       
(cost $381,504,476)      414,046,970 

 

24



Investment of Cash Collateral         
for Securities Loaned—10.1%  Shares   Value ($)  
Registered Investment Company;         
Dreyfus Institutional Cash Advantage Fund         
(cost $43,410,240)  43,410,240 d  43,410,240  
Total Investments (cost $424,914,716)  106.2 %  457,457,210  
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables  (6.2 %)  (26,671,068 ) 
Net Assets  100.0 %  430,786,142  

 

ADR—American Depository Receipts

a Non-income producing security. 
b Security, or portion thereof, on loan.At November 30, 2012, the value of the fund’s securities on loan was 
$42,385,211 and the value of the collateral held by the fund was $43,724,540, consisting of cash collateral of 
$43,410,240 and U.S. Government & Agency securities valued at $314,300. 
c Investment in real estate investment trust. 
d Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. 

 

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)     
 
  Value (%)    Value (%) 
Capital Goods  10.7  Utilities  2.2 
Banks  10.6  Semiconductors &   
Money Market Investment  10.1  Semiconductor Equipment  2.1 
Technology Hardware & Equipment  8.3  Automobiles & Components  1.9 
Materials  7.4  Transportation  1.7 
Software & Services  6.2  Pharmaceuticals,   
Commercial & Professional Services  6.1  Biotech & Life Sciences  1.3 
Insurance  5.4  Household & Personal Products  1.1 
Diversified Financials  5.3  Exchange-Traded Funds  .7 
Energy  5.2  Food, Beverage & Tobacco  .7 
Health Care Equipment & Services  4.6  Media  .6 
Retailing  4.5  Food & Staples Retailing  .4 
Real Estate  3.2  Telecommunication Services  .2 
Consumer Services  2.9     
Consumer Durables & Apparel  2.8    106.2 
 
† Based on net assets.       
See notes to financial statements.       

 

The Fund 25



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

November 30, 2012

    Cost  Value 
Assets ($):       
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments (including     
        securities on loan, valued at $42,385,211)—Note 1(b):     
Unaffiliated issuers    381,504,476  414,046,970 
Affiliated issuers    43,410,240  43,410,240 
Cash      15,444,789 
Receivable for investment securities sold      5,567,487 
Dividends and securities lending income receivable      722,876 
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed      144,200 
Prepaid expenses      31,479 
      479,368,041 
Liabilities ($):       
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c)    339,855 
Liability for securities on loan—Note 1(b)      43,410,240 
Payable for investment securities purchased      4,079,473 
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed      663,757 
Accrued expenses      88,574 
      48,581,899 
Net Assets ($)      430,786,142 
Composition of Net Assets ($):       
Paid-in capital      379,028,895 
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net      1,890,606 
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments      17,324,147 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation       
   depreciation) on investments      32,542,494 
Net Assets ($)      430,786,142 
 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share       
  Class A  Class C  Class I 
Net Assets ($)  889,210  164,976  429,731,956 
Shares Outstanding  45,318  8,683  21,655,152 
Net Asset Value Per Share ($)  19.62  19.00  19.84 
 
See notes to financial statements.       

 

26



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended November 30, 2012

Investment Income ($):     
Income:     
Cash dividends (net of $3,666 foreign taxes withheld at source)  5,222,988  
Income from securities lending—Note 1(b)  302,904  
Total Income  5,525,892  
Expenses:     
Management fee—Note 3(a)  3,299,659  
Custodian fees—Note 3(c)  92,648  
Professional fees  63,189  
Registration fees  59,374  
Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)  47,819  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports  16,104  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)  8,147  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2  3,542  
Distribution fees—Note 3(b)  1,278  
Miscellaneous  26,124  
Total Expenses  3,617,884  
Less—reduction in expenses due to undertaking—Note 3(a)  (399 ) 
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c)  (14 ) 
Net Expenses  3,617,471  
Investment Income—Net  1,908,421  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  18,752,627  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments  28,174,786  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  46,927,413  
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  48,835,834  
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

The Fund 27



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Operations ($):         
Investment income—net  1,908,421   573,823  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  18,752,627   24,412,345  
Net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments  28,174,786   (24,681,280 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
Resulting from Operations  48,835,834   304,888  
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):         
Investment income—net:         
Class I Shares  (639,291 )   
Net realized gain on investments:         
Class A Shares  (75,831 )  (443,790 ) 
Class C Shares  (14,596 )  (61,614 ) 
Class I Shares  (25,288,419 )  (14,742,480 ) 
Total Dividends  (26,018,137 )  (15,247,884 ) 
Capital Stock Transactions ($):         
Net proceeds from shares sold:         
Class A Shares  118,438   830,601  
Class C Shares  506   146,384  
Class I Shares  147,573,196   119,134,231  
Dividends reinvested:         
Class A Shares  75,831   43,161  
Class C Shares  14,596   15,022  
Class I Shares  13,220,617   6,759,296  
Cost of shares redeemed:         
Class A Shares  (421,174 )  (7,562,568 ) 
Class C Shares  (22,518 )  (958,764 ) 
Class I Shares  (50,912,127 )  (56,671,319 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
from Capital Stock Transactions  109,647,365   61,736,044  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  132,465,062   46,793,048  
Net Assets ($):         
Beginning of Period  298,321,080   251,528,032  
End of Period  430,786,142   298,321,080  
Undistributed investment income—net  1,890,606   621,176  

 

28



  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Capital Share Transactions:         
Class A         
Shares sold  6,248   40,242  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  4,401   2,167  
Shares redeemed  (22,730 )  (357,221 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (12,081 )  (314,812 ) 
Class C         
Shares sold  30   7,198  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  869   766  
Shares redeemed  (1,216 )  (46,318 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (317 )  (38,354 ) 
Class I         
Shares sold  7,796,955   6,040,831  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  761,027   337,627  
Shares redeemed  (2,677,729 )  (2,940,158 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  5,880,253   3,438,300  
 
See notes to financial statements.         

 

The Fund 29



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.

      Year Ended November 30,      
Class A Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009 a 
Per Share Data ($):                 
Net asset value, beginning of period  18.66   19.63   15.24   12.50  
Investment Operations:                 
Investment income (loss)—netb  .02   (.04 )  (.05 )  (.00 )c 
Net realized and unrealized                 
gain (loss) on investments  2.56   .23   4.47   2.74  
Total from Investment Operations  2.58   .19   4.42   2.74  
Distributions:                 
Dividends from net realized                 
gain on investments  (1.62 )  (1.16 )  (.03 )   
Net asset value, end of period  19.62   18.66   19.63   15.24  
Total Return (%)d  15.04   .62   29.05   21.92 e 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                 
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets  1.40   1.29   1.34   2.94 f 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets  1.36   1.27   1.32   1.40 f 
Ratio of net investment income                 
(loss) to average net assets  .12   (.18 )  (.27 )  (.02 )f 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  74.74   67.49   56.03   48.43 e 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  889   1,071   7,308   6,289  

 

a  From December 17, 2008 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2009. 
b  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
c  Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
d  Exclusive of sales charge. 
e  Not annualized. 
f  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

30



      Year Ended November 30,      
Class C Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009 a 
Per Share Data ($):                 
Net asset value, beginning of period  18.25   19.34   15.13   12.50  
Investment Operations:                 
Investment (loss)—netb  (.12 )  (.18 )  (.18 )  (.10 ) 
Net realized and unrealized                 
gain (loss) on investments  2.49   .25   4.42   2.73  
Total from Investment Operations  2.37   .07   4.24   2.63  
Distributions:                 
Dividends from net realized                 
gain on investments  (1.62 )  (1.16 )  (.03 )   
Net asset value, end of period  19.00   18.25   19.34   15.13  
Total Return (%)c  14.16   (.03 )  28.07   21.04 d 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                 
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets  2.15   2.03   2.10   3.70 e 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets  2.12   2.02   2.08   2.15 e 
Ratio of net investment (loss)                 
to average net assets  (.64 )  (.92 )  (1.02 )  (.77 )e 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  74.74   67.49   56.03   48.43 d 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  165   164   916   617  

 

a  From December 17, 2008 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2009. 
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.

The Fund 31



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

      Year Ended November 30,      
Class I Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009 a 
Per Share Data ($):                 
Net asset value, beginning of period  18.83   19.72   15.28   12.50  
Investment Operations:                 
Investment income—netb  .10   .04   .00 c  .03  
Net realized and unrealized                 
gain (loss) on investments  2.57   .23   4.47   2.75  
Total from Investment Operations  2.67   .27   4.47   2.78  
Distributions:                 
Dividends from investment income—net  (.04 )    (.00 )c   
Dividends from net realized                 
   gain on investments  (1.62 )  (1.16 )  (.03 )   
Total Distributions  (1.66 )  (1.16 )  (.03 )   
Net asset value, end of period  19.84   18.83   19.72   15.28  
Total Return (%)  15.45   1.04   29.32   22.24 d 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                 
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets  .99   .99   1.07   1.91 e 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets  .99   .99   1.06   1.15 e 
Ratio of net investment income                 
   o average net assets  .52   .20   .02   .26 e 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  74.74   67.49   56.03   48.43 d 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  429,732   297,086   243,304   63,379  

 

a  From December 17, 2008 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2009. 
b  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
c  Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
d  Not annualized. 
e  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

32



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus Select Managers Small CapValue 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 nine 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 subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the fund’s portfolio allocation manager.Thompson, Siegel and Walmsley, LLC (“TS&W”), Walthausen & Co., LLC (“Walthausen”), Neuberger Berman Management LLC (“Neuberger Berman”), Lombardia Capital Partners, LLC (“Lombardia”), Iridian Asset Management LLC (“Iridian”),Vulcan Value Partners, LLC (“Vulcan”) and Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC (“Kayne”) serve as the fund’s sub-investment advisers, each managing an allocated portion of the fund’s portfolio. Effective May 10, 2012 and August 15, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved new sub-investment advisory agreements with Vulcan and Kayne, respectively.

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 100 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class I. Class A shares 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 shares are sold at net asset value per share only to institutional investors. Other differences between the classes include

The Fund 33



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 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 unad-

34



justed 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).

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

The Fund 35



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

price or, if there is no official closing price that day, at the last sales price. 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, except for open short positions, where the asked price is 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 categorized within Level 1 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 financial 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 not to reflect accurately 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 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 depending on the relevant inputs used.

For restricted securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

36



The following is a summary of the inputs used as of November 30, 2012 in valuing the fund’s investments:

    Level 2—Other   Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant   Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable   Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs   Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)           
Investments in Securities:         
Equity Securities—           
Domestic           
Common Stocks  403,413,006  425,585 ††    403,838,591 
Equity Securities—           
Foreign           
Common Stocks  7,361,845      7,361,845 
Exchange-Traded           
Funds  2,846,534      2,846,534 
Mutual Funds  43,410,240      43,410,240 

 

  See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. 
††  Securities classified as Level 2 at period end as the values were determined pursuant to the fund’s 
  fair valuation procedures. 

 

At November 30, 2012, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

(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

The Fund 37



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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, U.S. Government and Agency securities or letters of credit.The fund is entitled to receive all income on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Although each security loaned is fully collateralized, the fund bears the risk of delay in recovery of, or loss of rights in, the securities loaned should a borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner. During the period ended November 30, 2012,The Bank of New York Mellon earned $100,968 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” in the Act. Investments in affiliated investment companies for the period ended November 30, 2012 were as follows:

    Affiliated         
Investment  Value   Value  Net 
Company  11/30/2011($) Purchases ($)  Sales ($) 11/30/2012 ($) Assets (%)  
Dreyfus         
Institutional         
Cash         
Advantage         
Fund  11,415,857  170,177,841 138,183,458 43,410,240  10.1 

 

(d) Dividends to shareholders: Dividends 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 pro-

38



visions 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, 2012, 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, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended November 30, 2012 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At November 30, 2012, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $11,594,979, undistributed capital gains $11,932,510 and unrealized appreciation $28,229,758.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 were as follows: ordinary income $7,650,223 and $11,066,759 and long-term capital gains $18,367,914 and $4,181,125, respectively.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $210 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 10, 2012, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A., was $225 million. In 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 on November 30, 2012, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

The Fund 39



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 December 1, 2011 through April 1, 2013, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund so that the direct expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees, taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed an annual rate of 1.15% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.The reduction in expenses, pursuant to the undertaking amounted to $399 during the period ended November 30, 2012.

Pursuant to separate Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements between Dreyfus and TS&W, Walthausen, Neuberger Berman, Lombardia, Iridian, Vulcan and Kayne, Dreyfus pays each sub-investment adviser separate monthly fees at an annual percentage of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets managed by such sub-investment adviser.

(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 the average daily net assets of Class C shares. During the period ended November 30, 2012, Class C shares were charged $1,278 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

40



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, 2012, Class A and Class C shares were charged $2,146 and $426, 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 services for the fund and, since May 29, 2012, cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $3,073 for transfer agency services and $72 for cash management services. Cash management fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $9.These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensatesThe Bank of NewYork Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $92,648 pursuant to the custody agreement.

Prior to May 29, 2012, the fund compensated The Bank of NewYork Mellon under a cash management agreement for performing cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $140 pursuant to the cash management agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $5.

The Fund 41



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $8,650 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 $308,482, Distribution Plan fees $99, Shareholder Services Plan fees $205, custodian fees $27,046, Chief Compliance Officer fees $3,318 and transfer agency fees $705.

(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, 2012, amounted to $338,828,921 and $262,868,263, respectively.

At November 30, 2012, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $429,227,452; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $28,229,758, consisting of $56,640,393 gross unrealized appreciation and $28,410,635 gross unrealized depreciation.

42



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors

Dreyfus Select Managers Small Cap Value Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Dreyfus Select Managers Small CapValue Fund (one of the series comprising Strategic Funds, Inc.) as of November 30, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian and others. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dreyfus Select Managers Small CapValue Fund at November 30, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the indicated periods, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

New York, New York
January 28, 2013

The Fund 43



IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

For federal tax purposes the fund hereby reports 46.80% of the ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012 as qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction.Also certain dividends paid by the fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions paid during the fiscal year, $3,140,185 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income. Shareholders will receive notification in early 2013 of the percentage applicable to the preparation of their 2012 income tax returns. Also, the fund hereby reports $.4478 per share as a short-term capital gain distribution paid and $1.1724 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 30, 2011 and also reports $.0002 per share as a short-term capital gain distribution paid and $.0012 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on March 28, 2012.

44



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S
MANAGEMENT, PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION MANAGEMENT
AND SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited)

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors held on November 5-6, 2012, 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; (b) Dreyfus’ Portfolio Allocation Management Agreement (the “Allocation Agreement”) with EACM Advisors, LLC (“EACM”), pursuant to which EACM is responsible for evaluating and recommending sub-advisers to provide the fund with day-to-day portfolio management services, recommending the percentage of fund assets to be allocated to each sub-adviser, monitoring and evaluating the performance of the sub-advisers, and recommending whether a sub-adviser should be terminated; and (c) Dreyfus’ separate Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements with each of Thomson, Siegel and Walmsley, LLC, Walthausen & Co., LLC, Neuberger Berman Management, LLC, Lombardia Capital Partners, LLC, and Iridian Asset Management, LLC (collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), pursuant to which each Sub-Adviser serves as sub-investment adviser and provides day-today management of a percentage of the fund’s portfolio (collectively, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”).The Board members, none of whom are “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 and EACM. 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 previously provided to them in presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and Dreyfus representatives confirmed that there had been no material changes in this information. 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

The Fund 45



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT,
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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, Dreyfus’ supervisory activities over EACM and the Sub-Advisers, and EACM’s evaluations and recommendations to Dreyfus regarding the Sub-Advisers and EACM’s supervisory activities over the Sub-Advisers. The Board also considered the brokerage policies and practices (including policies and practices regarding soft dollars) of the respective Sub-Advisers and the respective 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 Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), 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, 2012, 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 Lipper as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.

46



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 the results of the comparisons and noted that the fund’s total return performance was above the Performance Group median and the Performance Universe median for the reported time periods. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s actual total return for its three calendar years of existence to the return of the fund’s benchmark index, and the Board noted the fund’s return was higher in each calendar year.

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 noted that the fund’s contractual management fee was above the Expense Group median, the fund’s actual management fee was above the Expense Group median and the Expense Universe median, and the fund’s actual total expenses approximated the Expense Group median and were below the Expense Universe median.

Dreyfus representatives noted that Dreyfus has contractually agreed to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund, until April 1, 2013, so that annual direct fund operating expenses (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 1.15% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

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, EACM, or one of the respective Sub-Advisers 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

The Fund 47



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT,
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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 and reasonableness of the fund’s management fee.

The Board considered the fee paid to EACM and to each Sub-Adviser in relation to the fee paid to Dreyfus by the fund and the respective services provided by the Sub-Adviser and Dreyfus. The Board also reviewed and considered the individual performance of the respective Sub-Advisers as to the portion of the fund’s assets under their man-agement.The Board also noted that EACM’s and each Sub-Adviser’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 the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus of 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 noted the expense limitation arrangement and its effect on Dreyfus’ profitability.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’s counsel stated that the Board should consider the profitability analysis (1) as part of the evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreements bear a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus, EACM, and the Sub-Advisers, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, 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,

48



pays EACM and each Sub-Adviser pursuant to respective Agreements, the Board did not consider EACM’s or any Sub-Adviser’s profitability to be relevant to its deliberations. Dreyfus representatives also noted 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 members also considered potential benefits to Dreyfus and each Sub-Adviser from acting as investment adviser and sub-investment adviser, respectively, and EACM from acting as portfolio allocation manager, and noted 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 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 Sub-Advisers are adequate and appropriate.

  • The Board was satisfied with the fund’s performance, in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board concluded that the respective fees paid to Dreyfus, EACM, and the Sub-Advisers were reasonable in light of the con- siderations described 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.

The Fund 49



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT,
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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 and the Sub-Adviser, of the fund and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus and the Sub-Adviser.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, it should be noted that the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of prior or similar agreements 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 same or similar arrangements in prior years.The Board determined that renewal of the Agreements for the ensuing year was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

APPROVAL OF AN ADDITONAL SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISER

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors held on July 30, 2012, the Board considered the approval of a Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement with Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser would serve as an additional sub-investment adviser and provide day-to-day management of a percentage of the fund’s portfolio (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The Board members, none of whom are “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 and EACM. In considering approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board considered all factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below.

50



Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services to be Provided to the Fund.The Board considered information previously provided to them in a presentation from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and representatives of Dreyfus confirmed that there had been no material changes in this information. Dreyfus also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the Dreyfus fund complex and Dreyfus’ corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each distribution channel, including the distribution channel(s) for the fund.

The Board considered the portfolio management and research capabilities of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio brokerage policies and practices (including policies and practices regarding soft dollars) and the standards applied in seeking best execution, and that Dreyfus and EACM would supervise the Sub-Adviser’s activities with respect to the fund.

Comparative Analysis of Performance and Fees. Representatives of Dreyfus and EACM reviewed the investment strategies to be employed by the Sub-Adviser in managing its portion of the fund’s assets. The Board considered EACM’s presentation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio management and research resources and capabilities, experience in managing small cap equity funds, historical investment performance in the strategy to be employed for the fund, reputation and financial condition, brokerage and trading policies and practices, and internal compliance programs, as well as Dreyfus’ and EACM’s recommendation and supervision of, and relationship with, the Sub-Adviser.

Dreyfus representatives reviewed with the Board members the advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser for funds in the same Lipper category as the fund, or by separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios managed by the Sub-Adviser considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund (the “Similar Accounts”), and

The Fund 51



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT,
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

explained the nature of the Similar Accounts. Dreyfus representatives noted that neither Dreyfus nor EACM advise any separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund. 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 fee to the Sub-Adviser in relation to the fee paid to Dreyfus by the fund and the respective services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser and Dreyfus.The Board noted the Sub-Adviser’s fee would be paid by Dreyfus (out of its fee from the fund) and not the fund and would be at the same rate as that payable to the fund’s other sub-advisers. The Board also reviewed and considered the Sub-Adviser’s composite performance record.

Analysis of Profitability. Since Dreyfus, and not the fund, would pay the Sub-Adviser, the Board did not consider the Sub-Adviser’s profitability to be relevant to its deliberations.

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 approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement. 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 ser- vices to be provided by the Sub-Adviser are adequate and appropri- ate, in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board concluded that the fee to be paid to the Sub-Adviser is reasonable, in light of the considerations described above, and that consideration of total expense ratios, profitability, and economics of scale were not relevant to the determination.

The Board considered these conclusions and determinations and, without any one factor being dispositive, determined that approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

52



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Joseph S. DiMartino (69) 
Chairman of the Board (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Corporate Director and Trustee 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small 
and medium size companies, Director (1997-present) 
• Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of certain outdoor-related services to homes and 
businesses, Director (2005-2009) 
• The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard 
mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 157 
——————— 
William Hodding Carter III (77) 
Board Member (1988) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Professor of Leadership & Public Policy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Gordon J. Davis (71) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Partner in the law firm of Venable, LLP (2012-present) 
• Partner in the law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf, LLP (1994-2012) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Consolidated Edison, Inc., a utility company, Director (1997-present) 
• The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company, Director (2000-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 50 
——————— 
Joni Evans (70) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chief Executive Officer, www.wowOwow.com an online community dedicated to women’s 
conversations and publications (2007-present) 
• Principal, Joni Evans Ltd. (publishing) (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 

 

The Fund 53



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Ehud Houminer (72) 
Board Member (1994) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Executive-in-Residence at the Columbia Business School, Columbia University (1992-present) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Avnet Inc., an electronics distributor, Director (1993-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 73 
——————— 
Richard C. Leone (72) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Senior Fellow and former President of The Century Foundation (formerly,The Twentieth 
Century Fund, Inc.), a tax exempt research foundation engaged in the study of economic, 
foreign policy and domestic issues 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Partnership for a Secure America, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Hans C. Mautner (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President—International Division and an Advisory Director of Simon Property Group, a real 
estate investment company (1998-2010) 
• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Simon Global Limited (1999-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Robin A. Melvin (49) 
Board Member (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Director, Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports youth-serving orga- 
nizations that promote the self sufficiency of youth from disadvantaged circumstances (1995-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 100 

 

54



Burton N.Wallack (62) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President and Co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
John E. Zuccotti (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chairman of Brookfield Properties, Inc. 
• Senior Counsel of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP 
• Emeritus Chairman of the Real Estate Board of New York 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Emigrant Savings Bank, Director (2004-present) 
• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation,Trustee (2006-present) 
• New York Private Bank & Trust, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Once elected all Board Members serve for an indefinite term, but achieve Emeritus status upon reaching age 80.The 
address of the Board Members and Officers is c/o The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue, NewYork, NewYork 
10166.Additional information about the Board Members is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information 
which can be obtained from Dreyfus free of charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-DREYFUS. 
David W. Burke, Emeritus Board Member 
Arnold S. Hiatt, Emeritus Board Member 

 

The Fund 55



OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)


56




The Fund 57








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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.




 

Contents

 

THE FUND

2     

A Letter from the President

3     

Discussion of Fund Performance

6     

Fund Performance

8     

UnderstandingYour Fund’s Expenses

8     

ComparingYour Fund’s Expenses With Those of Other Funds

9     

Statement of Investments

13     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

14     

Statement of Operations

15     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

17     

Financial Highlights

20     

Notes to Financial Statements

30     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31     

Important Tax Information

32     

Information About the Renewal of the Fund’s Management and Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements

37     

Board Members Information

40     

Officers of the Fund

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



Dreyfus
U.S. Equity Fund

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this annual report for Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, covering the 12-month period from December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012. 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.

Despite pronounced stock market weakness during the spring of 2012, equities generally advanced over the reporting period as investors responded to encouraging macroeconomic developments throughout the world. Employment gains in the United States, credible measures to prevent a more severe banking crisis in Europe, and the likelihood of a “soft landing” for China’s economy buoyed investor sentiment, as did aggressively accommodative monetary policies from central banks in the United States, Europe, Japan and China. Consequently, U.S. stocks across all capitalization ranges posted respectable returns, on average, for the reporting period.

In light of the easy monetary policies adopted by many countries, we expect global growth to be slightly more robust in 2013 than in 2012.The U.S. economic recovery is likely to persist at subpar levels, as growth early in the new year may remain constrained by uncertainties surrounding fiscal policy and tax reforms. However, resolution of these issues may prompt corporate decision-makers to increase capital spending later in the year, which could have positive implications for the U.S. economy and domestic equity markets.As always, we encourage you to stay in touch with your financial advisor as new developments unfold.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,


J. Charles Cardona
President
The Dreyfus Corporation
December 17, 2012

2



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012, as provided by Charlie Macquaker and Roy Leckie of Walter Scott & Partners Limited (Walter Scott), Sub-investment adviser

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended November 30, 2012, Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund’s Class A shares achieved a return of 8.80%, Class C shares returned 7.85% and Class I shares returned 9.23%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International USA Index (“MSCI USA Index”), achieved a 15.36% return over the same period.2

Despite heightened volatility, U.S. stocks generally rallied over the reporting period as investors responded to aggressively accommodative monetary policies from the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) and other central banks. The fund produced lower returns than its benchmark, primarily due to its lack of exposure to some of the market’s better performers.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks long-term real returns by investing in stocks of companies that are located in the United States.When selecting stocks,Walter Scott seeks companies with fundamental strengths that indicate the potential for sustainable growth. The firm focuses on individual stock selection through extensive fundamental research. Candidates are initially selected for research if they meet certain broad absolute and trend criteria. Financial statements are analyzed in an effort to identify the nature of their cash generation and to understand the variables that add value to their businesses. Companies meeting the financial criteria are subjected to a detailed investigation of their products, costs and pricing, competition, industry position and outlook.

Economic Optimism Lifted U.S. Equities

The reporting period began in the aftermath of pronounced stock market weakness, resulting in attractive valuations across a number of market sectors in December 2011. Indeed, by the first quarter of 2012, stocks generally were rallying amid stronger U.S. employment and manufacturing gains, as well as a quantitative easing

The Fund 3



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

program in Europe that forestalled a more severe banking crisis in the region. Meanwhile, corporate earnings generally remained strong, and many companies had shored up their balance sheets. Investors grew more tolerant of risks, focusing more intently on business fundamentals and less on news headlines.

These positive influences were called into question during the spring, when the U.S. labor market’s rebound and measures designed to relieve fiscal pressures in Europe encountered political resistance. However, investor sentiment soon improved when several central banks announced measures to stimulate their economies. The Fed extended Operation Twist in June and embarked on a third round of quantitative easing in September. In July, the European Central Bank signaled its commitment to supporting the euro, which was followed by plans to buy distressed debt from the European Union’s more troubled members. U.S. stocks rallied over the summer, enabling the benchmark to end the reporting period with double-digit gains.

Defensive Posture Dampened Relative Performance

Our cautious investment approach generally beats market averages during market downturns, but lags during rallies.The reporting period proved to be no exception. This was particularly evident in the financials sector, an area we have avoided for some time due, in part, to ongoing deleveraging pressures. As a result, the fund did not participate in gains posted by major U.S. banks. In addition, the fund did not hold some of the reporting period’s top performers, such as electronics innovator Apple, Internet retailer Amazon.com and industrial conglomerate General Electric.

Several holdings also disappointed during the reporting period. Semiconductors giant Intel struggled to adjust its product mix amid an industry-wide transition from personal computers to mobile devices. Investors responded negatively to acquisitions made by thermal imaging specialist FLIR Systems. In the energy sector, demand from drillers for ceramic proppant from CARBO Ceramics was hurt by low natural gas prices, and Occidental Petroleum and Apache struggled when declining oil prices limited production growth.

The fund achieved better results in other areas. In the health care sector,Australia-based sleep apnea specialist maker ResMed benefited from a weak Australian dollar and robust demand for its devices.Among consumer discretionary companies, discount retailerThe

4



TJX Companies posted higher profits, sales and same-store comparisons, and clothing chain Urban Outfitters reported substantial sales and earnings growth in 2012 after weathering bouts of weakness in 2011. Information technology company Amphenol, Cl.A, gained market share amid the increasing popularity of mobile devices containing its connectors. Payment processing firm MasterCard, Cl. A, saw higher transaction volumes as more consumers used credit and debit cards instead of cash.

Macroeconomic Uncertainty Persists

We expect market volatility to persist over the near term as subpar global economic recoveries continue. Signs of early economic recovery in the U.S. are amongst the most encouraging but political uncertainties are likely to continue to fuel market volatility domestically.That said, the investment focus remains unchanged; a focus on high-quality companies that, in our analysis, have healthy balance sheets, profitable businesses, strong management teams, and favorable long-term growth prospects.

December 17, 2012

Please note, the position in any security highlighted with italicized typeface was sold during the reporting period. 
Equity funds 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. 
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 for the fund provided reflect the 
absorption of certain fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an undertaking in effect through April 
1, 2013, 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. – Reflects reinvestment of net dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. 
The Morgan Stanley Capital International USA (MSCI USA) Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization 
weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of publicly traded stocks issued by companies in the 
United States. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. 

 

The Fund 5



FUND PERFORMANCE


Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in each of the Class A, Class C and Class I shares of Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund on 5/30/08 (inception date) to a $10,000 investment made in the Morgan Stanley Capital International USA Index (the “Index”) on that date.All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account the maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares and all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes.The Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of publicly traded stocks issued by companies in the United States. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

6



Average Annual Total Returns as of 11/30/12         
 
  Inception      From  
  Date  1 Year  Inception  
Class A shares           
with maximum sales charge (5.75%)  5/30/08  2.52 %  3.66 % 
without sales charge  5/30/08  8.80 %  5.03 % 
Class C shares           
with applicable redemption charge  5/30/08  6.85 %  4.19 % 
without redemption  5/30/08  7.85 %  4.19 % 
Class I shares  5/30/08  9.23 %  5.36 % 
Morgan Stanley Capital           
International USA Index  5/31/08  15.36 %  1.87 % 

 

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.The fund’s performance shown in the graph and table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

† The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the 
date of purchase. 

 

The Fund 7



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 U.S. Equity Fund from June 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. 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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 6.11  $ 10.64  $ 4.15 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,071.40  $ 1,066.20  $ 1,073.40 

 

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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 5.96  $ 10.38  $ 4.04 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,019.10  $ 1,014.70  $ 1,021.00 

 

† Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.18% for Class A, 2.06% for Class C and .80% 
for Class I, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half 
year period). 

 

8



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

November 30, 2012

Common Stocks—97.2%  Shares      Value ($) 
Capital Goods—16.5%         
Boeing  152,900      11,357,412 
Donaldson  293,900      9,869,162 
Emerson Electric  217,200      10,909,956 
Fastenal  244,100      10,205,821 
Flowserve  93,200      12,912,860 
MSC Industrial Direct, Cl. A  139,800      10,157,868 
Precision Castparts  62,060      11,381,183 
Rockwell Collins  203,800 a    11,653,284 
        88,447,546 
Consumer Durables & Apparel—3.7%         
Coach  172,500      9,977,400 
NIKE, Cl. B  104,300      10,167,164 
        20,144,564 
Consumer Services—5.6%         
McDonald’s  128,900      11,219,456 
Panera Bread, Cl. A  54,700  b   8,779,350 
Starbucks  194,400      10,083,528 
        30,082,334 
Energy—9.8%         
Apache  113,300      8,734,297 
CARBO Ceramics  161,700  a   12,381,369 
EOG Resources  101,460      11,933,725 
Occidental Petroleum  121,100      9,107,931 
Schlumberger  149,450      10,703,609 
        52,860,931 
Food & Staples Retailing—2.3%         
Wal-Mart Stores  173,000      12,459,460 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco—1.9%         
Coca-Cola  269,400      10,215,648 

 

The Fund 9



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Health Care Equipment & Services—9.9%       
C.R. Bard  51,650   5,113,867 
Meridian Bioscience  566,900 a  11,355,007 
ResMed  356,800 a  14,660,912 
Stryker  185,600   10,052,096 
Varian Medical Systems  174,400 b  12,061,504 
      53,243,386 
Household & Personal Products—2.1%       
Colgate-Palmolive  101,900   11,056,150 
Materials—6.2%       
Monsanto  139,100   12,740,169 
Praxair  95,100   10,195,671 
Sigma-Aldrich  139,900   10,145,548 
      33,081,388 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotech &       
Life Sciences—3.9%       
Celgene  139,400 b  10,955,446 
Johnson & Johnson  146,700   10,229,391 
      21,184,837 
Retailing—9.2%       
Family Dollar Stores  176,900 a  12,595,280 
The TJX Companies  315,300   13,980,402 
Tractor Supply  104,400   9,356,328 
Urban Outfitters  354,200 b  13,353,340 
      49,285,350 
Semiconductors &       
Semiconductor Equipment—2.0%       
Intel  555,000   10,861,350 

 

10



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Software & Services—14.5%       
Adobe Systems  291,300 b  10,081,893 
Automatic Data Processing  175,800   9,978,408 
Google, Cl. A  16,960 b  11,844,355 
MasterCard, Cl. A  28,370   13,863,852 
Microsoft  388,100   10,331,222 
Oracle  351,100   11,270,310 
Paychex  326,000   10,608,040 
      77,978,080 
Technology Hardware &       
Equipment—5.6%       
Amphenol, Cl. A  123,300   7,634,736 
Cisco Systems  592,700   11,207,957 
QUALCOMM  174,100   11,076,242 
      29,918,935 
Transportation—4.0%       
C.H. Robinson Worldwide  185,600   11,458,944 
Expeditors International of Washington  268,400   10,043,528 
      21,502,472 
Total Common Stocks       
(cost $451,956,371)      522,322,431 
 
Other Investment—3.5%       
Registered       
Investment Company;       
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred       
Plus Money Market Fund       
(cost $18,726,000)  18,726,000 c  18,726,000 

 

The Fund 11



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Investment of Cash Collateral         
for Securities Loaned—.8%  Shares   Value ($)  
Registered Investment Company;         
Dreyfus Institutional Cash Advantage Fund         
(cost $4,361,023)  4,361,023 c  4,361,023  
Total Investments (cost $475,043,394)  101.5 %  545,409,454  
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables  (1.5 %)  (8,303,138 ) 
Net Assets  100.0 %  537,106,316  

 

a Security, or portion thereof, on loan.At November 30, 2012, the value of the fund’s securities on loan was 
$12,504,917 and the value of the collateral held by the fund was $12,736,137, consisting of cash collateral of 
$4,361,023 and U.S. Government and Agency securities valued at $8,375,114. 
b Non-income producing security. 
c Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. 

 

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)     
 
  Value (%)    Value (%) 
Capital Goods  16.5  Pharmaceuticals,   
Software & Services  14.5  Biotech & Life Sciences  3.9 
Health Care Equipment & Services  9.9  Consumer Durables & Apparel  3.7 
Energy  9.8  Food & Staples Retailing  2.3 
Retailing  9.2  Household & Personal Products  2.1 
Materials  6.2  Semiconductors &   
Consumer Services  5.6  Semiconductor Equipment  2.0 
Technology Hardware & Equipment  5.6  Food, Beverage & Tobacco  1.9 
Money Market Investments  4.3     
Transportation  4.0    101.5 
 
† Based on net assets.       
See notes to financial statements.       

 

12



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

November 30, 2012

    Cost  Value  
Assets ($):         
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments (including       
       securities on loan, valued at $12,504,917)—Note 1(b):       
Unaffiliated issuers    451,956,371  522,322,431  
Affiliated issuers    23,087,023  23,087,023  
Cash      229,126  
Dividends and securities lending income receivable      1,038,568  
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed      75,000  
Prepaid expenses      19,899  
      546,772,047  
Liabilities ($):         
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c)    338,887  
Payable for investment securities purchased      4,739,040  
Liability for securities on loan—Note 1(b)      4,361,023  
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed      142,850  
Accrued expenses      83,931  
      9,665,731  
Net Assets ($)      537,106,316  
Composition of Net Assets ($):         
Paid-in capital      465,701,468  
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net      4,443,355  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments      (3,404,567 ) 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments      70,366,060  
Net Assets ($)      537,106,316  
 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share         
  Class A  Class C  Class I  
Net Assets ($)  1,809,805  277,522  535,018,989  
Shares Outstanding  117,165  18,543  34,491,720  
Net Asset Value Per Share ($)  15.45  14.97  15.51  
 
See notes to financial statements.         

 

The Fund 13



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended November 30, 2012

Investment Income ($):     
Income:     
Cash dividends:     
Unaffiliated issuers  7,509,171  
Affiliated issuers  16,082  
Income from securities lending—Note 1(b)  874,551  
Total Income  8,399,804  
Expenses:     
Management fee—Note 3(a)  3,587,124  
Professional fees  66,015  
Registration fees  58,374  
Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)  54,262  
Custodian fees—Note 3(c)  40,658  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports  12,172  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)  9,929  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2  3,869  
Distribution fees—Note 3(b)  2,145  
Miscellaneous  18,131  
Total Expenses  3,852,679  
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c)  (15 ) 
Net Expenses  3,852,664  
Investment Income—Net  4,547,140  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (733,670 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments  36,376,747  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  35,643,077  
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  40,190,217  
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

14



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Operations ($):         
Investment income—net  4,547,140   1,851,998  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (733,670 )  (2,670,897 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments  36,376,747   25,300,645  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
Resulting from Operations  40,190,217   24,481,746  
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):         
Investment income—net:         
Class I Shares  (1,914,449 )  (274,865 ) 
Net realized gain on investments:         
Class A Shares    (11,303 ) 
Class C Shares    (1,516 ) 
Class I Shares    (752,726 ) 
Total Dividends  (1,914,449 )  (1,040,410 ) 
Capital Stock Transactions ($):         
Net proceeds from shares sold:         
Class A Shares  1,520,589   460,558  
Class C Shares  119,955   150,798  
Class I Shares  200,047,673   249,266,465  
Dividends reinvested:         
Class A Shares    1,717  
Class C Shares    322  
Class I Shares  606,842   668,490  
Cost of shares redeemed:         
Class A Shares  (782,606 )  (2,101,246 ) 
Class C Shares  (75,248 )  (281,394 ) 
Class I Shares  (80,298,753 )  (41,422,323 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
from Capital Stock Transactions  121,138,452   206,743,387  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  159,414,220   230,184,723  
Net Assets ($):         
Beginning of Period  377,692,096   147,507,373  
End of Period  537,106,316   377,692,096  
Undistributed investment income—net  4,443,355   1,810,664  

 

The Fund 15



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Capital Share Transactions:         
Class A         
Shares sold  101,027   33,007  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested    127  
Shares redeemed  (53,436 )  (152,404 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  47,591   (119,270 ) 
Class C         
Shares sold  8,430   11,125  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested    24  
Shares redeemed  (5,290 )  (20,449 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  3,140   (9,300 ) 
Class I         
Shares sold  13,460,380   18,119,105  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  42,645   49,481  
Shares redeemed  (5,385,690 )  (3,038,221 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  8,117,335   15,130,365  
 
See notes to financial statements.         

 

16



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.

    Year Ended November 30,      
Class A Shares  2012  2011   2010   2009   2008 a 
Per Share Data ($):                   
Net asset value, beginning of period  14.20  12.83   11.68   9.14   12.50  
Investment Operations:                   
Investment income—netb  .08  .04   .01   .04   .02  
Net realized and unrealized                   
gain (loss) on investments  1.17  1.39   1.16   2.53   (3.38 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.25  1.43   1.17   2.57   (3.36 ) 
Distributions:                   
Dividends from investment income—net      (.02 )  (.03 )   
Dividends from net realized                   
gain on investments    (.06 )       
Total Distributions    (.06 )  (.02 )  (.03 )   
Net asset value, end of period  15.45  14.20   12.83   11.68   9.14  
Total Return (%)c  8.80  11.17   10.01   28.19   (26.88 )d 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                   
Ratio of total expenses                   
to average net assets  1.22  1.15   1.76   4.65   5.54 e 
Ratio of net expenses                   
to average net assets  1.22  1.15   1.40   1.40   1.40 e 
Ratio of net investment income                   
to average net assets  .57  .29   .04   .42   .33 e 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  5.73  10.61   13.62   31.79   7.98 d 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  1,810  988   2,424   3,884   2,618  

 

a  From May 30, 2008 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2008. 
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.

The Fund 17



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

      Year Ended November 30,      
Class C Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 a 
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  13.88   12.65   11.58   9.11   12.50  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment (loss)—netb  (.05 )  (.06 )  (.09 )  (.03 )  (.02 ) 
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.14   1.35   1.16   2.50   (3.37 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.09   1.29   1.07   2.47   (3.39 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments    (.06 )       
Net asset value, end of period  14.97   13.88   12.65   11.58   9.11  
Total Return (%)c  7.85   10.22   9.24   27.11   (27.12 )d 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  2.08   1.94   2.52   5.83   6.30 e 
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  2.08   1.94   2.15   2.15   2.14 e 
Ratio of net investment (loss)                     
to average net assets  (.33 )  (.47 )  (.71 )  (.27 )  (.41 )e 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  5.73   10.61   13.62   31.79   7.98 d 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  278   214   312   497   374  

 

a  From May 30, 2008 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2008. 
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.

18



      Year Ended November 30,      
Class I Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008 a 
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  14.27   12.88   11.70   9.16   12.50  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income—netb  .14   .09   .07   .05   .03  
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.17   1.38   1.15   2.54   (3.37 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.31   1.47   1.22   2.59   (3.34 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.07 )  (.02 )  (.04 )  (.05 )   
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments    (.06 )       
Total Distributions  (.07 )  (.08 )  (.04 )  (.05 )   
Net asset value, end of period  15.51   14.27   12.88   11.70   9.16  
Total Return (%)  9.23   11.46   10.47   28.36   (26.72 )c 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  .80   .82   .94   3.77   5.25 d 
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  .80   .82   .94   1.15   1.14 d 
Ratio of net investment income                     
to average net assets  .95   .67   .56   .54   .59 d 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  5.73   10.61   13.62   31.79   7.98 c 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  535,019   376,490   144,771   1,870   366  

 

a  From May 30, 2008 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2008. 
b  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund 19



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund (the “fund”) is a separate 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 nine series, including the fund.The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term total return. 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. Walter Scott & Partners Limited (“Walter Scott”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the fund’s sub-investment adviser.

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 100 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class I. Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class I shares are sold at net asset value per share only to institutional investors. 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 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

20



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).

The Fund 21



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (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. 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, except for open short positions, where the asked price is 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 categorized within Level 1 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 American Depository Receipts and financial 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 not to reflect accurately 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

22



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 depending on the relevant inputs used.

For restricted securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of November 30, 2012 in valuing the fund’s investments:

    Level 2—Other  Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant  Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable  Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs  Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)         
Investments in Securities:       
Equity Securities—         
Domestic         
Common Stocks  522,322,431      522,322,431 
Mutual Funds  23,087,023      23,087,023 
 
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.   

 

At November 30, 2012, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

(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

The Fund 23



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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, U.S. Government and Agency securities or letters of credit.The fund is entitled to receive all income on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Although each security loaned is fully collateralized, the fund bears the risk of delay in recovery of, or loss of rights in, the securities loaned should a borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner. During the period ended November 30, 2012,The Bank of New York Mellon earned $374,808 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” in the Act. Investments in affiliated investment companies for the period ended November 30, 2012 were as follows:

Affiliated         
Investment  Value   Value  Net 
Company  11/30/2011($)  Purchases ($)  Sales ($)  11/30/2012 ($)   Assets (%) 
Dreyfus         
Institutional         
Preferred         
Plus Money         
Market         
Fund  19,448,000  148,716,000 149,438,000  18,726,000  3.5 
Dreyfus         
Institutional         
Cash         
Advantage         
Fund   95,965,411 91,604,388  4,361,023  .8 
Total  19,448,000  244,681,411 241,042,388  23,087,023  4.3 

 

(d) Dividends to shareholders: Dividends 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

24



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, 2012, 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, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended November 30, 2012 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At November 30, 2012, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $4,443,355, accumulated capital losses $1,790,028 and unrealized appreciation $70,358,362. In addition, the fund had $1,606,841 of capital losses realized after October 31, 2012, which were deferred for tax purposes to the first day of the following fiscal year.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “2010 Act”), the fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-enactment losses”) for an unlimited period. Furthermore, post-enactment capital loss carryovers retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than short-term as they were under previous statute.The 2010 Act requires post-enactment losses to

The Fund 25



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

be utilized before the utilization of losses incurred in taxable years prior to the effective date of the 2010 Act (“pre-enactment losses”).As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment losses may be more likely to expire unused.

The accumulated capital loss carryover is available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net realized capital gains, if any, realized subsequent to November 30, 2012. If not applied, the carryover expires in fiscal year 2019.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 were as follows: ordinary income $1,914,449 and $1,040,410, respectively.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $210 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 10, 2012, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A., was $225 million. In 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, 2012, 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 .75% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. Dreyfus has contractually agreed, until April 1, 2013, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund so that the expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees, taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions,

26



commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed 1.15% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. During the period ended November 30, 2012, there were no reduction in expenses pursuant to the undertaking.

Pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between Dreyfus and Walter Scott, Dreyfus pays Walter Scott a monthly fee at an annual percentage of the fund’s average daily net assets.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, the Distributor retained $4,638 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 the average daily net assets of Class C shares. During the period ended November 30, 2012, Class C shares were charged $2,145 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 Class A and Class C shares 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, 2012, Class A and Class C shares were charged $3,102 and $715, 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 27



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, under a transfer agency agreement for providing transfer agency services for the fund and, since May 29, 2012, cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $2,835 for transfer agency services and $82 for cash management services. Cash management fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $10. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensatesThe Bank of NewYork Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $40,658 pursuant to the custody agreement.

Prior to May 29, 2012, the fund compensated The Bank of NewYork Mellon under a cash management agreement for performing cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $122 pursuant to the cash management agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $5.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $8,650 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 $321,169, Distribution Plan fees $170, Shareholder Services Plan fees $384, custodian fees $13,132, Chief Compliance Officer fees $3,318 and transfer agency fees $714.

28



(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, 2012, amounted to $158,067,203 and $26,399,056, respectively.

At November 30, 2012, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $475,051,092; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $70,358,362, consisting of $81,357,900 gross unrealized appreciation and $10,999,538 gross unrealized depreciation.

The Fund 29



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund (one of the series comprising Strategic Funds, Inc.) as of November 30, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian and others. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund at November 30, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the indicated periods, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

NewYork, NewYork
January 28, 2013

30



IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

For federal tax purposes, the fund hereby reports 100% of the ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012 as qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction.Also, certain dividends paid by the fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions paid during the fiscal year, $1,914,449 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income. Shareholders will receive notification in early 2013 of the percentage applicable to the preparation of their 2012 income tax returns.

The Fund 31



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 November 5-6, 2012, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement, pursuant to which Dreyfus provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”), and the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (together, the “Agreements”), between Dreyfus and Walter Scott & Partners Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”), pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser provides day-to-day management of the fund’s investments. The Board members, none of whom are “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 and the Sub-Adviser. 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 previously provided to them in presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and Dreyfus representatives confirmed that there had been no material changes in this information. 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

32



legal and regulatory requirements.The Board also considered Dreyfus’ extensive administrative, accounting, and compliance infrastructures, as well as Dreyfus’ supervisory activities over the Sub-Adviser.The Board also 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 Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), 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, 2012, 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 Lipper as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper 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 the results of the comparisons and noted that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for the one-year period and above the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for each other time period. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the fund’s benchmark index and noted that the fund’s returns were higher in two of the three years and lower in one year than those of the benchmark index.

The Fund 33



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND
SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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 noted that the fund’s contractual management fee was below the Expense Group median, the fund’s actual management fee was above the Expense Group median and the Expense Universe median, and the fund’s total expenses were above the Expense Group median and below the Expense Universe median.

Dreyfus representatives noted that Dreyfus has contractually agreed to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund, until April 1, 2013, so that annual direct fund operating expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings, acquired fund fees and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.15% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

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 Sub-Adviser or its affiliates 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 and reasonableness of the fund’s management fee.

The Board considered the fee to the Sub-Adviser in relation to the fee paid to Dreyfus by the fund and the respective services provided by the Sub-Adviser and Dreyfus.The Board also noted the Sub-Adviser’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 the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and

34



the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus of 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’s counsel stated that the Board should consider the profitability analysis (1) as part of the evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreements bear a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus and the Sub-Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, 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 the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board did not consider the Sub-Adviser’s profitability to be relevant to its deliberations. Dreyfus representatives also noted 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 the Sub-Adviser from acting as investment adviser and sub-investment adviser, respectively, and noted 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 renewal of the Agreements.

The Fund 35



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND
SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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 and the Sub-Adviser are adequate and appropriate.

  • The Board was satisfied with the fund’s performance, in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board concluded that the fees paid to Dreyfus and the Sub- Adviser were reasonable in light of the considerations described 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 and the Sub-Adviser, of the fund and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus and the Sub-Adviser.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, it should be noted that the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of prior or similar agreements 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 same or similar arrangements in prior years.The Board determined that renewal of the Agreements for the ensuing year was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

36



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Joseph S. DiMartino (69) 
Chairman of the Board (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Corporate Director and Trustee 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small 
and medium size companies, Director (1997-present) 
• Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of certain outdoor-related services to homes and 
businesses, Director (2005-2009) 
• The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard 
mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 157 
——————— 
William Hodding Carter III (77) 
Board Member (1988) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Professor of Leadership & Public Policy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Gordon J. Davis (71) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Partner in the law firm ofVenable, LLP (2012-present) 
• Partner in the law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf, LLP (1994-2012) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Consolidated Edison, Inc., a utility company, Director (1997-present) 
• The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company, Director (2000-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 50 
——————— 
Joni Evans (70) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chief Executive Officer, www.wowOwow.com an online community dedicated to women’s 
conversations and publications (2007-present) 
• Principal, Joni Evans Ltd. (publishing) (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 

 

The Fund 37



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Ehud Houminer (72) 
Board Member (1994) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Executive-in-Residence at the Columbia Business School, Columbia University (1992-present) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Avnet Inc., an electronics distributor, Director (1993-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 73 
——————— 
Richard C. Leone (72) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Senior Fellow and former President of The Century Foundation (formerly,The Twentieth 
Century Fund, Inc.), a tax exempt research foundation engaged in the study of economic, 
foreign policy and domestic issues 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Partnership for a Secure America, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Hans C. Mautner (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President—International Division and an Advisory Director of Simon Property Group, a real 
estate investment company (1998-2010) 
• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Simon Global Limited (1999-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Robin A. Melvin (49) 
Board Member (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Director, Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports youth-serving orga- 
nizations that promote the self sufficiency of youth from disadvantaged circumstances (1995-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 100 

 

38



Burton N.Wallack (62) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President and Co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
John E. Zuccotti (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chairman of Brookfield Properties, Inc. 
• Senior Counsel of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP 
• Emeritus Chairman of the Real Estate Board of NewYork 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Emigrant Savings Bank, Director (2004-present) 
• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation,Trustee (2006-present) 
• NewYork Private Bank & Trust, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Once elected all Board Members serve for an indefinite term, but achieve Emeritus status upon reaching age 80.The 
address of the Board Members and Officers is c/o The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue, NewYork, NewYork 
10166.Additional information about the Board Members is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information 
which can be obtained from Dreyfus free of charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-DREYFUS. 
David W. Burke, Emeritus Board Member 
Arnold S. Hiatt, Emeritus Board Member 

 

The Fund 39



OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)


40




The Fund 41








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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.




 

Contents

 

THE FUND

2     

A Letter from the President

3     

Discussion of Fund Performance

6     

Fund Performance

8     

UnderstandingYour Fund’s Expenses

8     

ComparingYour Fund’s Expenses With Those of Other Funds

9     

Statement of Investments

12     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

13     

Statement of Operations

14     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

16     

Financial Highlights

19     

Notes to Financial Statements

32     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

33     

Important Tax Information

34     

Information About the Renewal of the Fund’s Management and Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements

39     

Board Members Information

42     

Officers of the Fund

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



Global Stock Fund

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this annual report for Global Stock Fund, covering the 12-month period from December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012. 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.

Despite pronounced stock market weakness during the spring of 2012, international equities generally advanced over the reporting period as investors responded to encouraging macroeconomic developments throughout the world. Employment gains in the United States, credible measures to prevent a more severe banking crisis in Europe, and the likelihood of a “soft landing” for China’s economy buoyed investor sentiment, as did aggressively accommodative monetary policies from central banks in the United States, Europe, Japan and China. Consequently, global markets rose over the second half of the reporting period, offsetting previous bouts of weakness and enabling international stocks to post respectable gains, on average, for the reporting period.

In light of the easy monetary policies adopted by many countries, we expect global growth to be slightly more robust in 2013 than in 2012 as uncertainties surrounding U.S. fiscal policy ease, further healing of the European financial crisis occurs, and the emerging markets achieve a modestly stronger pace of growth.As always, we encourage you to stay in touch with your financial advisor as new developments unfold.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,


J. Charles Cardona
President
The Dreyfus Corporation
December 17, 2012

2



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012, as provided by Charlie Macquaker and Roy Leckie of Walter Scott & Partners Limited (Walter Scott), Sub-investment adviser

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended November 30, 2012, Global Stock Fund’s Class A shares produced a total return of 13.08%, Class C shares returned 12.21% and Class I shares returned 13.49%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index (the “MSCI World Index”), achieved a 13.62% return over the same period.2

Amid heightened volatility, global stock markets generally rallied over the reporting period as investors responded to aggressively accommodative monetary policies in many parts of the world.The fund lagged its benchmark, primarily due to its defensive investment posture, particularly in the financials sector.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks long-term real returns by investing in high-quality companies capable of sustainable growth and wealth creation over a long time horizon.The fund focuses on individual stock selection through extensive fundamental research. Candidates are initially selected for research if they meet certain broad absolute and trend criteria. Financial statements are analyzed in an effort to identify the nature of the cash generation that is looked for in any investment and to understand the variables that demonstrate robust financial health and define long-term competitive advantage. Companies meeting the financial criteria are then subjected to a detailed investigation of products, costs and pricing, competition, industry position and outlook.

Central Bank Actions Lifted Global Equities

The reporting period began in the aftermath of pronounced weakness in global stock markets, resulting in attractive valuations across a number of market sectors in December 2011. Indeed, by the first quarter of 2012, many markets were rallying amid stronger U.S. employment gains, a quantitative easing program in Europe that forestalled a more severe banking crisis in the region, and less restrictive monetary and

The Fund 3



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

fiscal policies in China. Meanwhile, corporate earnings generally remained strong, and many companies had shored up their balance sheets. Investors grew more tolerant of risks, focusing more intently on business fundamentals and less on news headlines.

These positive influences were called into question during the spring, when the U.S. labor market’s rebound slowed, measures designed to relieve fiscal pressures in Europe encountered political resistance, and the Chinese economy remained under pressure. However, investor sentiment soon improved when several central banks adopted aggressively accommodative monetary policies. In the United States, the Federal Reserve Board extended Operation Twist in June and embarked on a third round of quantitative easing in September. In a July speech, the head of the European Central Bank signaled the central bank’s commitment to supporting the euro, which was followed by plans to buy distressed debt from the European Union’s more troubled members. In China, industrial production improved, supporting exporters and commodities producers, and investors responded positively to expectations that new government leadership would adopt more stimulative fiscal policies.

Cautious Posture Dampened Relative Performance

Our relatively cautious investment approach generally beats market averages during market downturns, but lags during rallies.The reporting period proved to be no exception. This was particularly evident in the financials sector, an area we have regarded skeptically for some time due, in part, to ongoing deleveraging pressures. Consequently, the fund did not participate significantly in the sector’s gains when investors responded positively to various governments’ efforts to shore up their troubled banking systems. The fund’s relative results also were undercut by overweighted exposure to Japan, which continued to struggle with deflationary pressures and a weak domestic economy.

A number of individual holdings also disappointed during the reporting period. In the energy sector, U.K.-based BG Group encountered production problems in a number of its natural gas fields, and government intervention prevented Petroleo Brasileiro,ADR from passing along higher input costs to its customers. Proliferation of devices and uses of those devices has fundamentally changed many of the markets in which Canon operates, and concerns about how the company will fare in this new landscape has weighed on the share price of Japanese electronics company, Canon. U.S. semiconductors giant Intel struggled with an industry-wide transition from personal computers to mobile devices.

4



The fund achieved better results in the health care sector, where Australian blood plasma specialist CSL benefited from a weaker Australian dollar, strong sales and positive news regarding new products under development. Spain-based retailer Inditex reported higher gross margins and favorable same-store-sales comparisons. In the United States, discount apparel retailer The TJX Companies posted higher profits, sales and same-store comparisons. Denmark’s Novo Nordisk saw sales of its diabetes drugs increase. U.S. connectors manufacturer Amphenol gained market share amid the increasing popularity of mobile devices containing its products.

Global Uncertainty Persists

With valuations higher than they were a year ago and economic recovery in many parts of the world muted at best, a degree of caution is warranted.That said, the investment focus remains unchanged; a continued focus on companies that, in our analysis, have low debt levels, robust long-term growth prospects and strong market leading positions, companies with the attributes to deliver profitable growth regardless of broader economic conditions.

December 17, 2012

Equity funds 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. 
Investing internationally involves special risks, including changes in currency exchange rates, political, economic and 
social instability, a lack of comprehensive company information, differing auditing and legal standards and less market 
liquidity.These risks generally are greater with emerging market countries than with more economically and politically 
established foreign countries. 
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, yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon 
redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. 
2 SOURCE: LIPPER INC. — Reflects reinvestment of net dividends and, where applicable, capital gain 
distributions.The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index is an unmanaged index of global stock 
market performance, including the United States, Canada, Europe,Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. 
Investors cannot invest directly in any index. 

 

The Fund 5



FUND PERFORMANCE


Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in each of the Class A, Class C and Class I shares of Global Stock Fund on 12/29/06 (inception date) to a $10,000 investment made in the Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index (the “Index”) on that date.All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account the maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares and all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes.The Index is an unmanaged index of global stock market performance, including the United States, Canada,Australia, New Zealand and the Far East and includes net dividends reinvested. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

6



Average Annual Total Returns as of 11/30/12             
 
  Inception          From  
  Date  1 Year  5 Years   Inception  
Class A shares               
with maximum sales charge (5.75%)  12/29/06  6.61 %  1.50 %  2.90 % 
without sales charge  12/29/06  13.08 %  2.71 %  3.93 % 
Class C shares               
with applicable redemption charge   12/29/06  11.21 %  1.95 %  3.15 % 
without redemption  12/29/06  12.21 %  1.95 %  3.15 % 
Class I shares  12/29/06  13.49 %  3.10 %  4.29 % 
Morgan Stanley Capital               
International World Index  12/31/06  13.62 %  –1.80 %  0.14 % 

 

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.The fund’s performance shown in the graph and table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

† The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the 
date of purchase. 

 

The Fund 7



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 Global Stock Fund from June 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. 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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 6.73  $ 10.73  $ 4.93 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,119.20  $ 1,114.40  $ 1,121.40 

 

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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 6.41  $ 10.23  $ 4.70 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,018.65  $ 1,014.85  $ 1,020.35 

 

† Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.27% for Class A, 2.03% for Class C and .93% 
for Class I, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half 
year period). 

 

8



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

November 30, 2012

Common Stocks—97.6%  Shares  Value ($) 
Australia—4.1%     
CSL  305,300  16,472,219 
Woodside Petroleum  398,000  14,038,947 
    30,511,166 
Brazil—1.5%     
Petroleo Brasileiro, ADR, Cl. A  631,800  11,088,090 
Canada—1.9%     
Suncor Energy  431,100  14,087,186 
China—3.1%     
China Shenhua Energy, Cl. H  1,888,000  7,734,510 
CNOOC  7,184,000  15,368,729 
    23,103,239 
Denmark—1.9%     
Novo Nordisk, Cl. B  90,900  14,436,117 
France—3.5%     
Cie Generale d’Optique Essilor International  115,000  11,105,006 
L’Oreal  110,000  14,928,275 
    26,033,281 
Hong Kong—5.1%     
China Mobile  1,255,500  14,352,830 
CLP Holdings  940,500  8,245,849 
Hong Kong & China Gas  5,590,668  15,148,516 
    37,747,195 
Japan—14.0%     
Canon  416,500  14,566,258 
Chugai Pharmaceutical  371,100  7,355,825 
Daikin Industries  183,200  5,760,349 
Denso  419,100  13,772,571 
FANUC  84,300  14,214,472 
Honda Motor  435,900  14,446,277 
Keyence  22,957  6,410,750 
Komatsu  334,300  7,490,169 
Mitsubishi Estate  337,000  6,495,942 
Shin-Etsu Chemical  239,600  14,096,682 
    104,609,295 

 

The Fund 9



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
Singapore—1.2%       
DBS Group Holdings  771,074   9,128,313 
Spain—2.4%       
Inditex  130,500   17,888,569 
Sweden—1.6%       
Hennes & Mauritz, Cl. B  374,000   12,136,232 
Switzerland—6.2%       
Nestle  216,000   14,136,614 
Novartis  100,600   6,225,758 
SGS  5,000   11,217,222 
Syngenta  37,300   14,953,005 
      46,532,599 
Taiwan—1.1%       
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, ADR  458,800   7,923,476 
United Kingdom—10.2%       
BG Group  672,000   11,520,123 
HSBC Holdings  1,520,000   15,529,736 
Reckitt Benckiser Group  242,200   15,230,630 
Standard Chartered  594,041   13,847,886 
Tesco  2,823,000   14,703,879 
WM Morrison Supermarkets  1,200,500   5,170,059 
      76,002,313 
United States—39.8%       
Adobe Systems  415,800 a  14,390,838 
Amphenol, Cl. A  165,400   10,241,568 
Automatic Data Processing  246,700   14,002,692 
C.R. Bard  79,700   7,891,097 
Cisco Systems  798,000   15,090,180 
Colgate-Palmolive  123,900   13,443,150 
EOG Resources  142,500   16,760,850 
Fastenal  210,000   8,780,100 
Google, Cl. A  19,800 a  13,827,726 
Intel  677,900   13,266,503 
Johnson & Johnson  186,100   12,976,753 
MasterCard, Cl. A  30,300   14,807,004 
Microsoft  503,200   13,395,184 
NIKE, Cl. B  143,800   14,017,624 

 

10



Common Stocks (continued)  Shares   Value ($) 
United States (continued)       
Oracle  447,400   14,361,540 
Praxair  128,600   13,787,206 
Precision Castparts  85,000   15,588,150 
QUALCOMM  245,600   15,625,072 
Schlumberger  203,700   14,588,994 
Sigma-Aldrich  166,400   12,067,328 
The TJX Companies  326,800   14,490,312 
Wal-Mart Stores  185,200   13,338,104 
      296,737,975 
Total Common Stocks       
(cost $596,112,303)      727,965,046 
 
Other Investment—2.1%       
Registered Investment Company;       
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred       
Plus Money Market Fund       
(cost $15,460,000)  15,460,000 b  15,460,000 
Total Investments (cost $611,572,303)  99.7 %  743,425,046 
Cash and Receivables (Net)  .3 %  2,326,446 
Net Assets  100.0 %  745,751,492 

 

ADR—American Depository Receipts 
a  Non-income producing security. 
b  Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund. 

 

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)     
 
  Value (%)    Value (%) 
Information Technology  22.5  Materials  7.4 
Energy  14.1  Financial  6.0 
Consumer Staples  12.2  Utilities  3.1 
Consumer Discretionary  11.6  Money Market Investment  2.1 
Health Care  10.3  Telecommunication Services  1.9 
Industrial  8.5    99.7 

 

† Based on net assets. 
See notes to financial statements. 

 

The Fund 11



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

November 30, 2012

    Cost  Value  
Assets ($):         
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments:       
Unaffiliated issuers    596,112,303  727,965,046  
Affiliated issuers    15,460,000  15,460,000  
Cash      79,536  
Cash denominated in foreign currencies    193,915  192,624  
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed      1,871,307  
Dividends receivable      1,526,335  
Prepaid expenses      59,241  
      747,154,089  
Liabilities ($):         
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c)    585,819  
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed      686,244  
Accrued expenses      130,534  
      1,402,597  
Net Assets ($)      745,751,492  
Composition of Net Assets ($):         
Paid-in capital      612,211,513  
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net      6,631,320  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments      (4,944,331 ) 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)       
on investments and foreign currency transactions      131,852,990  
Net Assets ($)      745,751,492  
 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share         
  Class A  Class C  Class I  
Net Assets ($)  61,805,864  15,882,682  668,062,946  
Shares Outstanding  4,113,904  1,079,409  43,849,653  
Net Asset Value Per Share ($)  15.02  14.71  15.24  
 
See notes to financial statements.         

 

12



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended November 30, 2012

Investment Income ($):     
Income:     
Cash dividends (net of $681,823 foreign taxes withheld at source):     
Unaffiliated issuers  12,886,201  
Affiliated issuers  16,218  
Total Income  12,902,419  
Expenses:     
Management fee—Note 3(a)  5,296,230  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)  310,732  
Custodian fees—Note 3(c)  131,097  
Distribution fees—Note 3(b)  112,354  
Professional fees  94,742  
Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)  71,936  
Registration fees  52,958  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports  25,123  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2  5,743  
Miscellaneous  36,242  
Total Expenses  6,137,157  
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c)  (96 ) 
Net Expenses  6,137,061  
Investment Income—Net  6,765,358  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions  (1,759,796 ) 
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts  (46,299 ) 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)  (1,806,095 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on     
investments and foreign currency transactions  73,505,019  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on     
forward foreign currency exchange contracts  5,785  
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)  73,510,804  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  71,704,709  
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  78,470,067  
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

The Fund 13



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Operations ($):         
Investment income—net  6,765,358   5,368,888  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (1,806,095 )  1,843,441  
Net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments  73,510,804   11,848,076  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
Resulting from Operations  78,470,067   19,060,405  
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):         
Investment income—net:         
Class A Shares  (361,165 )  (217,775 ) 
Class C Shares  (5,282 )  (10,303 ) 
Class I Shares  (5,003,982 )  (2,828,840 ) 
Net realized gain on investments:         
Class A Shares  (446,761 )  (121,894 ) 
Class C Shares  (130,675 )  (33,756 ) 
Class I Shares  (4,313,537 )  (1,159,738 ) 
Total Dividends  (10,261,402 )  (4,372,306 ) 
Capital Stock Transactions ($):         
Net proceeds from shares sold:         
Class A Shares  25,765,348   22,110,809  
Class C Shares  3,753,627   6,607,448  
Class I Shares  281,322,507   183,142,487  
Dividends reinvested:         
Class A Shares  778,549   326,342  
Class C Shares  91,613   32,739  
Class I Shares  4,912,548   1,452,989  
Cost of shares redeemed:         
Class A Shares  (19,549,231 )  (12,193,628 ) 
Class C Shares  (3,380,751 )  (3,247,869 ) 
Class I Shares  (151,541,785 )  (89,612,012 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
from Capital Stock Transactions  142,152,425   108,619,305  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  210,361,090   123,307,404  
Net Assets ($):         
Beginning of Period  535,390,402   412,082,998  
End of Period  745,751,492   535,390,402  
Undistributed investment income—net  6,631,320   5,364,574  

 

14



  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Capital Share Transactions:         
Class A         
Shares sold  1,825,152   1,631,287  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  59,567   24,013  
Shares redeemed  (1,387,430 )  (898,291 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  497,289   757,009  
Class C         
Shares sold  270,088   487,100  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  7,107   2,439  
Shares redeemed  (245,232 )  (243,895 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  31,963   245,644  
Class I         
Shares sold  19,533,004   13,282,493  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  371,881   105,749  
Shares redeemed  (10,561,836 )  (6,619,481 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  9,343,049   6,768,761  
 
See notes to financial statements.         

 

The Fund 15



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.

      Year Ended November 30,      
Class A Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  13.51   12.99   12.23   8.91   13.73  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income—neta  .11   .11   .07   .06   .05  
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.62   .52   .75   3.28   (4.70 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.73   .63   .82   3.34   (4.65 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.10 )  (.07 )  (.06 )  (.02 )  (.08 ) 
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments  (.12 )  (.04 )      (.09 ) 
Total Distributions  (.22 )  (.11 )  (.06 )  (.02 )  (.17 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  15.02   13.51   12.99   12.23   8.91  
Total Return (%)b  13.08   4.86   6.70   37.57   (34.32 ) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  1.28   1.27   1.32   1.38   1.59  
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  1.28   1.27   1.32   1.38   1.47  
Ratio of net investment income                     
to average net assets  .80   .80   .56   .53   .44  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  6.05   8.54   7.50   12.75   15.54  
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  61,806   48,872   37,152   8,212   3,329  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Exclusive of sales charge. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

16



      Year Ended November 30,      
Class C Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  13.24   12.78   12.07   8.83   13.64  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income (loss)—neta  .01   .01   (.02 )  (.01 )  (.04 ) 
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.59   .50   .73   3.25   (4.68 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.60   .51   .71   3.24   (4.72 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.01 )  (.01 )  (.00 )b     
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments  (.12 )  (.04 )      (.09 ) 
Total Distributions  (.13 )  (.05 )  (.00 )b    (.09 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  14.71   13.24   12.78   12.07   8.83  
Total Return (%)c  12.21   4.01   5.90   36.69   (34.82 ) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  2.05   2.03   2.09   2.12   2.36  
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  2.05   2.03   2.09   2.09   2.22  
Ratio of net investment income                     
(loss) to average net assets  .05   .05   (.17 )  (.11 )  (.29 ) 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  6.05   8.54   7.50   12.75   15.54  
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  15,883   13,872   10,243   1,873   695  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
c  Exclusive of sales charge. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund 17



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

      Year Ended November 30,      
Class I Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  13.70   13.15   12.36   8.99   13.76  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income—neta  .16   .16   .12   .11   .10  
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.64   .53   .76   3.31   (4.76 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.80   .69   .88   3.42   (4.66 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.14 )  (.10 )  (.09 )  (.05 )  (.02 ) 
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments  (.12 )  (.04 )      (.09 ) 
Total Distributions  (.26 )  (.14 )  (.09 )  (.05 )  (.11 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  15.24   13.70   13.15   12.36   8.99  
Total Return (%)  13.49   5.23   7.12   38.22   (34.12 ) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  .93   .93   .96   .99   1.17  
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  .93   .93   .96   .99   1.15  
Ratio of net investment income                     
to average net assets  1.14   1.13   .94   1.05   .83  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  6.05   8.54   7.50   12.75   15.54  
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  668,063   472,646   364,688   263,694   72,656  
a Based on average shares outstanding at each month end.                  
See notes to financial statements.                     

 

18



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Global Stock Fund (the “fund”) is a separate 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 nine series, including the fund.The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term total return. 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. Walter Scott & Partners Limited (“Walter Scott”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the fund’s sub-investment adviser.

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 100 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class I. Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class I shares are sold at net asset value per share only to institutional investors. 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 Fund 19



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The Company accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to 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.

20



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).

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. 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, except for open short positions, where the asked price is 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 categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Fund 21



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 financial 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 not to reflect accurately 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 depending on the relevant inputs used.

For restricted securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) are valued at the forward rate. These securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

22



The following is a summary of the inputs used as of November 30, 2012 in valuing the fund’s investments:

    Level 2—Other  Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant  Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable  Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs  Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)         
Investments in Securities:       
Equity Securities—         
Domestic         
Common Stocks  296,737,975      296,737,975 
Equity Securities—         
Foreign         
Common Stocks  431,227,071      431,227,071 
Mutual Funds  15,460,000      15,460,000 
 
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.   

 

At November 30, 2011, $149,495,704 of exchange traded foreign equity securities were classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy pursuant to the fund’s fair valuation procedures.

(b) Foreign currency transactions: The fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized on securities transactions between trade and settlement date, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts

The Fund 23



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments resulting from changes in exchange rates. Foreign currency gains and losses on investments are also included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

(c) 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.

(d) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by Dreyfus are defined as “affiliated” in the Act. Investments in affiliated investment companies for the period ended November 30, 2012 were as follows:

Affiliated         
Investment  Value   Value  Net 
Company  11/30/2011($) Purchases ($)  Sales ($) 11/30/2012 ($) Assets (%)  
Dreyfus         
Institutional         
Preferred         
Plus Money         
Market         
Fund  9,200,000  249,925,000 243,665,000  15,460,000  2.1 

 

(e) Risk: Investing in foreign markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S.These risks include revaluation of currencies, high rates of inflation, repatriation restrictions on income and capital, and adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities issued in these markets may be less liquid, subject to government ownership controls and delayed settlements, and their prices may be more volatile than those of comparable securities in the U.S.

(f) Dividends to shareholders: Dividends 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,

24



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.

(g) 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, 2012, 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, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended November 30, 2012 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At November 30, 2012, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $6,631,320, accumulated capital losses $4,741,012 and unrealized appreciation $131,649,671.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “2010 Act”), the fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-enactment losses”) for an unlimited period. Furthermore, post-enactment capital loss carryovers retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than short-term as they were under previous statute.

The Fund 25



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The accumulated capital loss carryover is available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net realized capital gains, if any, realized subsequent to November 30, 2012.The fund has $239,900 of post-enactment short-term capital losses and $4,501,112 of post-enactment long-term capital losses which can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 were as follows: ordinary income $7,714,574 and $3,941,459 and long-term capital gains $2,546,828 and $430,847, respectively.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for foreign currency gains and losses and dividend reclassification, the fund decreased accumulated undistributed investment income-net by $128,183 and increased accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments by the same amount. Net assets and net asset value per share were not affected by this reclassification.

(h) New Accounting Pronouncement: In December 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). These disclosure requirements are intended to help investors and other financial statement users to better assess the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a company’s financial position. They also improve transparency in the reporting of how companies mitigate credit risk, including disclosure of related collateral pledged or received. In addition, ASU 2011-11 facilitates comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).ASU 2011-11 requires entities to: disclose both gross and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the financial statements; and disclose instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a

26



master netting agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods.At this time, management is evaluating the implications of ASU 2011-11 and its impact on the fund’s financial statement disclosures.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $210 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by The Bank of New York Mellon, a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus (each, a “Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions. Prior to October 10, 2012, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A., was $225 million. In 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, 2012, 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 .85% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. Dreyfus had contractually agreed, from December 1, 2011 through April 1, 2012, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund so that the direct expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees, taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed an annual rate of 1.25% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. During the period ended November 30, 2012, there was no reduction in expenses pursuant to the undertaking.

The Fund 27



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between Dreyfus and Walter Scott, Dreyfus pays Walter Scott a monthly fee at an annual percentage of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, the Distributor retained $7,896 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $1,769 from CDSCs on redemptions of the fund’s Class C 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 the average daily net assets of Class C shares. During the period ended November 30, 2012, Class C shares were charged $112,354, 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, 2012, Class A and Class C shares were charged $138,672 and $37,451, 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

28



transfer agency services for the fund and, since May 29, 2012, cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $14,737 for transfer agency services and $483 for cash management services. Cash management fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $61. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $131,097 pursuant to the custody agreement.

Prior to May 29, 2012, the fund compensated The Bank of NewYork Mellon under a cash management agreement for performing cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $951 pursuant to the cash management agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $35.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $8,650 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 $505,933, Distribution Plan fees $9,522, Shareholder Services Plan fees $15,662, custodian fees $48,174, Chief Compliance Officer fees $3,318 and transfer agency fees $3,210.

(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.

The Fund 29



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and forward contracts, during the period ended November 30, 2012, amounted to $175,508,359 and $36,785,202, respectively.

Derivatives: A derivative is a financial instrument whose performance is derived from the performance of another asset. Each type of derivative instrument that was held by the fund during the period ended November 30, 2012 is discussed below.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The fund enters into forward contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to settle foreign currency transactions or as a part of its investment strategy. When executing forward contracts, the fund is obligated to buy or sell a foreign currency at a specified rate on a certain date in the future. With respect to sales of forward contracts, the fund incurs a loss if the value of the contract increases between the date the forward contract is opened and the date the forward contract is closed.The fund realizes a gain if the value of the contract decreases between those dates.With respect to purchases of forward contracts, the fund incurs a loss if the value of the contract decreases between the date the forward contract is opened and the date the forward contract is closed.The fund realizes a gain if the value of the contract increases between those dates. Any realized or unrealized gains or losses which occurred during the period are reflected in the Statement of Operations. The fund is exposed to foreign currency risk as a result of changes in value of underlying financial instruments.The fund is also exposed to credit risk associated with counterparty nonperformance on these forward contracts, which is typically limited to the unrealized gain on each open contract. At November 30, 2012, there were no forward contracts outstanding.

30



The following summarizes the average market value of derivatives outstanding during the period ended November 30, 2012:

  Average Market Value ($) 
Forward contracts  2,065,324 

 

At November 30, 2012, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $611,775,622; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $131,649,424, consisting of $142,721,526 gross unrealized appreciation and $11,072,102 gross unrealized depreciation.

The Fund 31



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Global Stock Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Global Stock Fund (one of the series comprising Strategic Funds, Inc.) as of November 30, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended.These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian and others.We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Stock Fund at November 30, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

NewYork, NewYork
January 28, 2013

32



IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

In accordance with federal tax law, the fund elects to provide each shareholder with their portion of the fund’s foreign taxes paid and the income sourced from foreign countries. Accordingly, the fund hereby reports the following information regarding its fiscal year ended November 30, 2012:

—the total amount of taxes paid to foreign countries was $609,280

—the total amount of income sourced from foreign countries was $9,514,444.

Where required by federal tax law rules, shareholders will receive notification of their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid and foreign sourced income for the 2012 calendar year with Form 1099-DIV which will be mailed in early 2013.

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012, certain dividends paid by the fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions paid during the fiscal year, $7,714,574 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income. Also, the fund hereby reports $.0592 per share as a short-term capital gain distribution paid and also reports $.0645 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 30, 2011.

The Fund 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 November 5-6, 2012, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement, pursuant to which Dreyfus provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”), and the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (together, the “Agreements”), between Dreyfus and Walter Scott & Partners Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”), pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser provides day-to-day management of the fund’s investments. The Board members, none of whom are “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 and the Sub-Adviser. 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 previously provided to them in presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and Dreyfus representatives confirmed that there had been no material changes in this information. 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

34



legal and regulatory requirements.The Board also considered Dreyfus’ extensive administrative, accounting, and compliance infrastructures, as well as Dreyfus’ supervisory activities over the Sub-Adviser.The Board also 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 Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), 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, 2012, 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 Lipper as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper 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 the results of the comparisons and noted that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for the one-year period and above the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for each other time period. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year returns to the fund’s benchmark index and noted that the fund’s returns were higher in four years and lower in one year than those of the benchmark index.

The Fund 35



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND
SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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 noted that the fund’s contractual management fee was below the Expense Group median, the fund’s actual management fee was below the Expense Group median and at the Expense Universe median, and the fund’s total expenses were below the Expense Group median and the Expense Universe median.

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 Sub-Adviser or its affiliates 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 and reasonableness of the fund’s management fee.

The Board considered the fee to the Sub-Adviser in relation to the fee paid to Dreyfus by the fund and the respective services provided by the Sub-Adviser and Dreyfus.The Board also noted the Sub-Adviser’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 the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus of 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

36



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’s counsel stated that the Board should consider the profitability analysis (1) as part of the evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreements bear a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus and the Sub-Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, 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 the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board did not consider the Sub-Adviser’s profitability to be relevant to its deliberations. Dreyfus representatives also noted 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 the Sub-Adviser from acting as investment adviser and sub-investment adviser, respectively, and noted 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 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 and the Sub-Adviser are adequate and appropriate.

The Fund 37



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND
SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

  • The Board was satisfied with the fund’s performance, in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board concluded that the fees paid to Dreyfus and the Sub- Adviser were reasonable in light of the considerations described 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 and the Sub-Adviser, of the fund and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus and the Sub-Adviser.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, it should be noted that the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of prior or similar agreements 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 same or similar arrangements in prior years.The Board determined that renewal of the Agreements for the ensuing year was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

38



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Joseph S. DiMartino (69) 
Chairman of the Board (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Corporate Director and Trustee 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small 
and medium size companies, Director (1997-present) 
• Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of certain outdoor-related services to homes and 
businesses, Director (2005-2009) 
• The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard 
mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 157 
——————— 
William Hodding Carter III (77) 
Board Member (1988) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Professor of Leadership & Public Policy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Gordon J. Davis (71) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Partner in the law firm ofVenable, LLP (2012-present) 
• Partner in the law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf, LLP (1994-2012) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Consolidated Edison, Inc., a utility company, Director (1997-present) 
• The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company, Director (2000-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 50 
——————— 
Joni Evans (70) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chief Executive Officer, www.wowOwow.com an online community dedicated to women’s 
conversations and publications (2007-present) 
• Principal, Joni Evans Ltd. (publishing) (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 

 

The Fund 39



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Ehud Houminer (72) 
Board Member (1994) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Executive-in-Residence at the Columbia Business School, Columbia University (1992-present) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Avnet Inc., an electronics distributor, Director (1993-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 73 
——————— 
Richard C. Leone (72) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Senior Fellow and former President of The Century Foundation (formerly,The Twentieth 
Century Fund, Inc.), a tax exempt research foundation engaged in the study of economic, 
foreign policy and domestic issues 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Partnership for a Secure America, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Hans C. Mautner (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President—International Division and an Advisory Director of Simon Property Group, a real 
estate investment company (1998-2010) 
• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Simon Global Limited (1999-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Robin A. Melvin (49) 
Board Member (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Director, Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports youth-serving orga- 
nizations that promote the self sufficiency of youth from disadvantaged circumstances (1995-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 100 

 

40



Burton N.Wallack (62) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President and Co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
John E. Zuccotti (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chairman of Brookfield Properties, Inc. 
• Senior Counsel of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP 
• Emeritus Chairman of the Real Estate Board of NewYork 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Emigrant Savings Bank, Director (2004-present) 
• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation,Trustee (2006-present) 
• NewYork Private Bank & Trust, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Once elected all Board Members serve for an indefinite term, but achieve Emeritus status upon reaching age 80.The 
address of the Board Members and Officers is c/o The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue, NewYork, NewYork 
10166.Additional information about the Board Members is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information 
which can be obtained from Dreyfus free of charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-DREYFUS. 
David W. Burke, Emeritus Board Member 
Arnold S. Hiatt, Emeritus Board Member 

 

The Fund 41



OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)


42




The Fund 43



NOTES










Save time. Save paper. View your next shareholder report online as soon as it’s available. Log into www.dreyfus.com and sign up for Dreyfus eCommunications. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes.

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.




 

Contents

 

THE FUND

2     

A Letter from the President

3     

Discussion of Fund Performance

6     

Fund Performance

8     

Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses

8     

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses With Those of Other Funds

9     

Statement of Investments

12     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

13     

Statement of Operations

14     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

16     

Financial Highlights

19     

Notes to Financial Statements

32     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

33     

Important Tax Information

34     

Information About the Renewal of the Fund’s Management and Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements

39     

Board Members Information

42     

Officers of the Fund

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



International
Stock Fund

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this annual report for International Stock Fund, covering the 12-month period from December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012. 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.

Despite pronounced stock market weakness during the spring of 2012, international equities generally advanced over the reporting period as investors responded to encouraging macroeconomic developments throughout the world. Employment gains in the United States, credible measures to prevent a more severe banking crisis in Europe, and the likelihood of a “soft landing” for China’s economy buoyed investor sentiment, as did aggressively accommodative monetary policies from central banks in the United States, Europe, Japan and China. Consequently, global markets rose over the second half of the reporting period, offsetting previous bouts of weakness and enabling international stocks to post respectable gains, on average, for the reporting period.

In light of the easy monetary policies adopted by many countries, we expect global growth to be slightly more robust in 2013 than in 2012 as uncertainties surrounding U.S. fiscal policy ease, further healing of the European financial crisis occurs, and the emerging markets achieve a modestly stronger pace of growth.As always, we encourage you to stay in touch with your financial advisor as new developments unfold.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,


J. Charles Cardona
President
The Dreyfus Corporation
December 17, 2012

2



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2012, as provided by Charlie Macquaker and Roy Leckie of Walter Scott & Partners Limited (Walter Scott), Sub-investment adviser

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended November 30, 2012, International Stock Fund’s Class A shares achieved a return of 13.40%, Class C shares returned 12.58% and Class I shares returned 13.74%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark index, the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East Index (the “MSCI EAFE Index”), achieved a 12.61% return over the same period.2

Amid heightened volatility, international stock markets generally rallied over the reporting period as investors responded to aggressively accommodative monetary policies in many parts of the world.The fund’s Class A and Class I shares produced higher returns than its benchmark, primarily due to the success of our stock selection strategy in the health care and information technology sectors.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks long-term real return by investing in high-quality companies capable of sustainable growth and wealth creation over a long time horizon.The fund invests in stocks of foreign companies that are predominantly located in the world’s developed markets outside of the United States.When selecting stocks,Walter Scott seeks companies with fundamental strengths that indicate the potential for sustainable growth.The firm focuses on individual stock selection through extensive fundamental research. Candidates are initially selected for research if they meet certain broad absolute and trend criteria. Financial statements are analyzed in an effort to identify the nature of their cash generation and to understand the variables that add value to their businesses. Companies meeting the financial criteria are subjected to a detailed investigation of products, costs and pricing, competition, industry position and outlook.

The Fund 3



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Central Bank Actions Lifted Global Equities

The reporting period began in the aftermath of pronounced weakness in international stock markets, resulting in attractive valuations across a number of market sectors in December 2011. Indeed, by the first quarter of 2012, many markets were rallying amid a quantitative easing program in Europe that forestalled a more severe banking crisis in the region, less restrictive monetary and fiscal policies in China, and stronger U.S. employment gains. Meanwhile, corporate earnings generally remained strong, and many companies had shored up their balance sheets. Investors grew more tolerant of risks, focusing more intently on business fundamentals and less on news headlines.

These positive influences were called into question during the spring, when measures designed to relieve fiscal pressures in Europe encountered political resistance, the Chinese economy remained under pressure, and the U.S. labor market’s rebound slowed. However, investor sentiment soon improved when several central banks announced measures to stimulate their economies. In a July speech, the head of the European Central Bank signaled the central bank’s commitment to supporting the euro, which was followed by plans to buy distressed debt from the European Union’s more troubled members. In China, industrial production improved, supporting exporters and commodities producers, and investors responded positively to expectations that new government leadership would adopt more stimulative fiscal policies. In the United States, the Federal Reserve Board extended Operation Twist in June and embarked on a third round of quantitative easing in September.

Stock Selections Buoyed Relative Performance

The fund achieved relatively strong results in the health care sector, where Australian blood plasma specialist CSL benefited from a weaker Australian dollar, strong sales and positive news regarding new products under development, and Denmark’s Novo Nordisk, Cl. B, saw sales of its diabetes drugs increase. Moreover, Australian hearing implants producer Cochlear rebounded from depressed levels after the company responded decisively to a 2011 product recall. In other areas, Spain-based retailer Inditex reported higher gross margins and favorable same-store sales comparisons as the company’s international and online presence continues to expand. Finnish elevator manufacturer Kone, Cl. B, posted strong results, particularly in China, enabling management to increase sales and earnings guidance to investors.

4



Disappointments during the reporting period included U.K. supermarket chain Tesco, which following a period of disappointing sales growth within its U.K. store base saw expenses rise as it pursued an extensive investment program to refurbish stores and improve customer service. In the energy sector, U.K.-based BG Group encountered production problems in a number of its natural gas fields, government intervention prevented Petroleo Brasileiro, ADR from passing along higher input costs to its customers, and French pipe producer Vallourec struggled with operational issues. Finally, Japanese electronics company Canon was undermined by competitive pressures in its product markets exacerbated by the strong yen.

Global Uncertainty Persists

With valuations higher than they were a year ago and economic recovery in many parts of the world muted at best, a degree of caution is warranted. That said, the investment focus remains unchanged; a continued focus on companies that, in our analysis, have low debt levels, robust long term growth prospects and strong market leading positions, companies with the attributes to deliver profitable growth regardless of broader economic conditions.

December 17, 2012

Please note, the position in any security highlighted with italicized typeface was sold during the reporting period. 
Equity funds 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. 
Investing internationally involves special risks, including changes in currency exchange rates, political, economic and 
social instability, a lack of comprehensive company information, differing auditing and legal standards and less 
market liquidity. 
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. 
2 SOURCE: LIPPER INC. – Reflects reinvestment of net dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. 
The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe,Australasia, Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index is an unmanaged 
index composed of a sample of companies representative of the market structure of European and Pacific Basin 
countries. Returns are calculated on a month-end basis. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. 

 

The Fund 5



FUND PERFORMANCE


Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in each of the Class A, Class C and Class I shares of International Stock Fund on 12/29/06 (inception date) to a $10,000 investment made in the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe,Australasia, Far East Index (the “Index”) on that date.All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account the maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares and all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes.The Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of publicly traded stocks issued by companies in developed markets excluding the U.S. and Canada. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

6



Average Annual Total Returns as of 11/30/12             
 
  Inception          From  
  Date  1 Year  5 Years   Inception  
Class A shares               
with maximum sales charge (5.75%)  12/29/06  6.86 %  0.21 %  1.78 % 
without sales charge  12/29/06  13.40 %  1.41 %  2.80 % 
Class C shares               
with applicable redemption charge   12/29/06  11.58 %  0.65 %  2.03 % 
without redemption  12/29/06  12.58 %  0.65 %  2.03 % 
Class I shares  12/29/06  13.74 %  1.79 %  3.17 % 
Morgan Stanley Capital               
International Europe,               
    Australasia, Far East Index  12/31/06  12.61 %  –4.73 %  –1.90 % 

 

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.The fund’s performance shown in the graph and table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

† The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the 
date of purchase. 

 

The Fund 7



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 International Stock Fund from June 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. 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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 7.03  $ 10.98  $ 4.94 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,145.10  $ 1,141.70  $ 1,147.20 

 

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, 2012

    Class A    Class C    Class I 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 6.61  $ 10.33  $ 4.65 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,018.45  $ 1,014.75  $ 1,020.40 

 

† Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.31% for Class A, 2.05% for Class C and .92% 
for Class I, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half 
year period). 

 

8



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

November 30, 2012

Common Stocks—97.4%  Shares  Value ($) 
Australia—9.0%     
Coca-Cola Amatil  2,918,000  41,841,456 
Cochlear  280,800  22,095,468 
CSL  877,400  47,339,421 
Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group  268,000  405,544 
Woodside Petroleum  1,122,000  39,577,132 
Woolworths  1,340,000  40,945,920 
    192,204,941 
Belgium—1.8%     
Colruyt  849,000  39,065,196 
Brazil—1.6%     
Petroleo Brasileiro, ADR, Cl. A  1,895,900  33,273,045 
Canada—2.0%     
Suncor Energy  1,326,900  43,359,515 
China—3.2%     
China Shenhua Energy, Cl. H  5,297,000  21,700,053 
CNOOC  21,889,000  46,827,130 
    68,527,183 
Denmark—2.0%     
Novo Nordisk, Cl. B  265,000  42,085,491 
Finland—1.1%     
Kone, Cl. B  318,000  23,821,773 
France—7.6%     
Air Liquide  331,300  40,462,971 
Danone  656,700  41,657,076 
Essilor International  364,000  35,149,757 
L’Oreal  333,000  45,191,960 
    162,461,764 
Germany—4.5%     
Adidas  541,000  47,576,985 
SAP  610,000  47,631,582 
    95,208,567 
Hong Kong—6.2%     
China Mobile  3,890,500  44,476,052 
CLP Holdings  4,863,000  42,636,429 
Hong Kong & China Gas  16,866,206  45,700,798 
    132,813,279 

 

The Fund 9



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Common Stocks (continued)  Shares  Value ($) 
Italy—.7%     
Tenaris, ADR  388,800  15,528,672 
Japan—21.9%     
AEON Mall  866,900  22,399,430 
Canon  1,302,900  45,566,333 
Chugai Pharmaceutical  628,000  12,448,014 
Daito Trust Construction  411,700  39,903,961 
Denso  1,309,100  43,019,978 
FANUC  250,400  42,221,872 
Honda Motor  1,333,700  44,200,502 
INPEX  7,665  41,098,199 
Keyence  83,820  23,406,762 
Komatsu  1,944,500  43,567,556 
Mitsubishi Estate  1,186,000  22,861,091 
Shimamura  204,300  20,644,374 
Shin-Etsu Chemical  748,700  44,049,190 
Tokio Marine Holdings  899,000  23,054,358 
    468,441,620 
Singapore—1.9%     
DBS Group Holdings  1,681,305  19,904,028 
Oversea-Chinese Banking  2,715,061  20,931,283 
    40,835,311 
Spain—2.6%     
Inditex  398,300  54,597,833 
Sweden—1.9%     
Hennes & Mauritz, Cl. B  1,242,000  40,302,675 
Switzerland—8.6%     
Nestle  665,000  43,522,445 
Novartis  652,000  40,349,843 
Roche Holding  164,000  32,279,702 
SGS  8,290  18,598,155 
Syngenta  120,500  48,306,626 
    183,056,771 
Taiwan—2.4%     
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, ADR  2,910,500  50,264,335 

 

10



Common Stocks (continued)    Shares   Value ($) 
United Kingdom—18.4%         
BG Group    2,380,000   40,800,436 
Burberry Group    2,229,000   45,961,340 
Centrica    8,085,000   42,215,161 
HSBC Holdings    4,736,000   48,387,388 
Reckitt Benckiser Group    734,000   46,157,235 
SABMiller    924,000   41,858,017 
Smith & Nephew    4,000,000   42,136,631 
Standard Chartered    1,905,990   44,431,163 
Tesco    7,761,000   40,423,947 
        392,371,318 
Total Common Stocks         
   (cost $1,821,409,061)        2,078,219,289 
 
Other Investment—2.2%         
Registered Investment Company;         
Dreyfus Institutional Preferred         
   Plus Money Market Fund         
   (cost $47,720,000)    47,720,000 a  47,720,000 
Total Investments (cost $1,869,129,061)  99.6 %  2,125,939,289 
Cash and Receivables (Net)    .4 %  7,921,855 
Net Assets    100.0 %  2,133,861,144 
 
ADR—American Depository Receipts         
a Investment in affiliated money market mutual fund.       
 
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)       
  Value (%)      Value (%) 
Consumer Staples  17.9  Materials   6.2 
Consumer Discretionary  13.9  Utilities   6.1 
Energy  13.2  Industrial   6.0 
Health Care  12.8  Money Market Investment   2.2 
Financial  11.4  Telecommunication Services   2.1 
Information Technology  7.8      99.6 
 
† Based on net assets.         
See notes to financial statements.         

 

The Fund 11



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

November 30, 2012

    Cost  Value  
Assets ($):         
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments:       
Unaffiliated issuers    1,821,409,061  2,078,219,289  
Affiliated issuers    47,720,000  47,720,000  
Cash      2,143,118  
Cash denominated in foreign currencies    1,348,124  1,337,787  
Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed    4,961,181  
Dividends receivable      3,445,232  
Prepaid expenses      56,894  
      2,137,883,501  
Liabilities ($):         
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c)    1,684,172  
Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed      2,053,395  
Accrued expenses      284,790  
      4,022,357  
Net Assets ($)      2,133,861,144  
Composition of Net Assets ($):         
Paid-in capital      1,913,398,796  
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net      29,866,773  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments    (66,121,372 ) 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)       
on investments and foreign currency transactions    256,716,947  
Net Assets ($)      2,133,861,144  
 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share         
  Class A  Class C  Class I  
Net Assets ($)  174,825,039  23,962,045  1,935,074,060  
Shares Outstanding  12,374,662  1,729,478  135,655,313  
Net Asset Value Per Share ($)  14.13  13.86  14.26  
 
See notes to financial statements.         

 

12



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended November 30, 2012

Investment Income ($):     
Income:     
Cash dividends (net of $3,432,206 foreign taxes withheld at source):     
Unaffiliated issuers  49,282,744  
Affiliated issuers  49,781  
Total Income  49,332,525  
Expenses:     
Management fee—Note 3(a)  14,484,528  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)  948,887  
Custodian fees—Note 3(c)  465,587  
Distribution fees—Note 3(b)  168,480  
Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)  165,856  
Professional fees  163,992  
Registration fees  158,048  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports  70,817  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2  15,392  
Miscellaneous  103,383  
Total Expenses  16,744,970  
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c)  (455 ) 
Net Expenses  16,744,515  
Investment Income—Net  32,588,010  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions  (25,668,274 ) 
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts  (939,489 ) 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)  (26,607,763 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on     
investments and foreign currency transactions  229,678,449  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on     
forward foreign currency exchange contracts  14,241  
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)  229,692,690  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  203,084,927  
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  235,672,937  
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

The Fund 13



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Operations ($):         
Investment income—net  32,588,010   15,717,906  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (26,607,763 )  (19,894,512 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments  229,692,690   (41,774,228 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
Resulting from Operations  235,672,937   (45,950,834 ) 
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):         
Investment income—net:         
Class A Shares  (1,727,130 )  (891,065 ) 
Class C Shares  (33,444 )  (62,687 ) 
Class I Shares  (14,304,931 )  (5,951,410 ) 
Total Dividends  (16,065,505 )  (6,905,162 ) 
Capital Stock Transactions ($):         
Net proceeds from shares sold:         
Class A Shares  69,431,573   141,281,526  
Class C Shares  6,334,328   15,822,744  
Class I Shares  952,851,615   597,266,958  
Dividends reinvested:         
Class A Shares  1,702,274   878,594  
Class C Shares  23,020   42,711  
Class I Shares  7,414,889   2,081,783  
Cost of shares redeemed:         
Class A Shares  (108,468,076 )  (64,098,053 ) 
Class C Shares  (8,328,062 )  (4,950,839 ) 
Class I Shares  (338,580,321 )  (130,894,151 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
from Capital Stock Transactions  582,381,240   557,431,273  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  801,988,672   504,575,277  
Net Assets ($):         
Beginning of Period  1,331,872,472   827,297,195  
End of Period  2,133,861,144   1,331,872,472  
Undistributed investment income—net  29,866,773   13,815,202  

 

14



  Year Ended November 30,  
  2012   2011  
Capital Share Transactions:         
Class A         
Shares sold  5,272,552   10,369,700  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  140,566   64,508  
Shares redeemed  (8,325,957 )  (4,837,020 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (2,912,839 )  5,597,188  
Class C         
Shares sold  485,056   1,171,466  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  1,923   3,178  
Shares redeemed  (648,380 )  (387,816 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (161,401 )  786,828  
Class I         
Shares sold  72,715,136   44,375,224  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  608,776   151,955  
Shares redeemed  (25,572,016 )  (9,928,482 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  47,751,896   34,598,697  
 
See notes to financial statements.         

 

The Fund 15



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.

      Year Ended November 30,      
Class A Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  12.58   12.83   11.97   8.43   13.72  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income—neta  .21   .15   .09   .05   .09  
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.46   (.31 )  .86   3.58   (5.28 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.67   (.16 )  .95   3.63   (5.19 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.12 )  (.09 )  (.09 )  (.09 )  (.02 ) 
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments          (.08 ) 
Total Distributions  (.12 )  (.09 )  (.09 )  (.09 )  (.10 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  14.13   12.58   12.83   11.97   8.43  
Total Return (%)b  13.40   (1.32 )  7.99   43.33   (38.07 ) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  1.31   1.27   1.34   1.43   1.43  
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  1.31   1.27   1.34   1.42   1.41  
Ratio of net investment income                     
to average net assets  1.62   1.08   .69   .50   .79  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  5.47   5.07   5.91   21.67   13.18  
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  174,825   192,351   124,347   18,059   1,126  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Exclusive of sales charge. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

16



      Year Ended November 30,      
Class C Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  12.33   12.64   11.83   8.32   13.64  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income (loss)—neta  .12   .04   (.02 )  (.01 )  .00 b 
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.43   (.30 )  .87   3.53   (5.24 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.55   (.26 )  .85   3.52   (5.24 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.02 )  (.05 )  (.04 )  (.01 )   
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments          (.08 ) 
Total Distributions  (.02 )  (.05 )  (.04 )  (.01 )  (.08 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  13.86   12.33   12.64   11.83   8.32  
Total Return (%)c  12.58   (2.08 )  7.18   42.31   (38.58 ) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  2.06   2.05   2.13   2.25   2.24  
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  2.06   2.05   2.13   2.22   2.20  
Ratio of net investment income                     
(loss) to average net assets  .90   .33   (.12 )  (.13 )  .03  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  5.47   5.07   5.91   21.67   13.18  
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  23,962   23,319   13,959   1,224   197  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
c  Exclusive of sales charge. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund 17



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

      Year Ended November 30,      
Class I Shares  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period  12.70   12.93   12.04   8.47   13.76  
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income—neta  .26   .19   .14   .12   .14  
Net realized and unrealized                     
gain (loss) on investments  1.46   (.31 )  .86   3.57   (5.30 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  1.72   (.12 )  1.00   3.69   (5.16 ) 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.16 )  (.11 )  (.11 )  (.12 )  (.05 ) 
Dividends from net realized                     
gain on investments          (.08 ) 
Total Distributions  (.16 )  (.11 )  (.11 )  (.12 )  (.13 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  14.26   12.70   12.93   12.04   8.47  
Total Return (%)  13.74   (1.01 )  8.38   43.98   (37.82 ) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses                     
to average net assets  .93   .93   .97   1.01   1.03  
Ratio of net expenses                     
to average net assets  .93   .93   .97   1.01   1.02  
Ratio of net investment income                     
to average net assets  1.96   1.41   1.11   1.18   1.19  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  5.47   5.07   5.91   21.67   13.18  
Net Assets, end of period                     
($ x 1,000)  1,935,074   1,116,202   688,992   339,535   119,650  
 
a Based on average shares outstanding at each month end.                  
See notes to financial statements.                     

 

18



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

International Stock Fund (the “fund”) is a separate 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 nine series, including the fund.The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term total return. The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager” or “Dreyfus”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of NewYork Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser. Walter Scott & Partners Limited (“Walter Scott”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the fund’s sub-investment adviser.

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 400 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock.The fund currently offers three classes of shares: Class A (100 million shares authorized), Class C (100 million shares authorized) and Class I (200 million shares authorized). Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class I shares are sold at net asset value per share only to institutional investors. 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

The Fund 19



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

charged to 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.

20



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).

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. 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, except for open short positions, where the asked price is 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 categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Fund 21



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 financial 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 not to reflect accurately 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 depending on the relevant inputs used.

For restricted securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) are valued at the forward rate. These securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

22



The following is a summary of the inputs used as of November 30, 2012 in valuing the fund’s investments:

    Level 2—Other  Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant  Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable  Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs  Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)         
Investments in Securities:       
Equity Securities—         
Foreign         
Common         
Stocks  2,078,219,289      2,078,219,289 
Mutual Funds  47,720,000      47,720,000 
 
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.   

 

At November 30, 2011, $582,080,078 of exchange traded foreign equity securities were classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy pursuant to the fund’s fair valuation procedures.

(b) Foreign currency transactions: The fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized on securities transactions between trade and settlement date, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than

The Fund 23



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

investments resulting from changes in exchange rates. Foreign currency gains and losses on investments are also included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

(c) 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.

(d) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by Dreyfus are defined as “affiliated” in the Act. Investments in affiliated investment companies for the period ended November 30, 2012 were as follows:

Affiliated         
Investment  Value   Value  Net 
Company  11/30/2011($) Purchases ($)  Sales ($) 11/30/2012 ($)   Assets (%) 
Dreyfus         
Institutional         
Preferred         
Plus Money         
Market         
Fund  25,700,000   733,300,000 711,280,000 47,720,000  2.2 

 

(e) Risk: Investing in foreign markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S.These risks include revaluation of currencies, high rates of inflation, repatriation restrictions on income and capital, and adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities issued in these markets may be less liquid, subject to government ownership controls and delayed settlements, and their prices may be more volatile than those of comparable securities in the U.S.

(f) Dividends to shareholders: Dividends 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 com-

24



ply 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.

(g) 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, 2012, 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, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended November 30, 2012 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At November 30, 2012, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $34,713,695, accumulated capital losses $63,186,457 and unrealized appreciation $248,935,110.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “2010 Act”), the fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-enactment losses”) for an unlimited period. Furthermore, post-enactment capital loss carryovers retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than short-term as they were under previous statute.The 2010 Act requires post-enactment losses to be utilized before the utilization of losses incurred in taxable years

The Fund 25



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

prior to the effective date of the 2010 Act (“pre-enactment losses”).As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment losses may be more likely to expire unused.

The accumulated capital loss carryover is available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net realized capital gains, if any, realized subsequent to November 30, 2012. If not applied, $598,805 of the carryover expires in fiscal year 2016, $15,114,500 expires in fiscal year 2017 and $16,297,830 expires in fiscal year 2019. The fund has $4,753,073 of post-enactment short-term capital losses and $26,422,249 of post-enactment long-term capital losses which can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 were as follows: ordinary income $16,065,505 and $6,905,162, respectively.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for foreign currency gains and losses, the fund decreased accumulated undistributed investment income-net by $470,934 and increased accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments by the same amount. Net assets and net asset value per share were not affected by this reclassification.

(h) New Accounting Pronouncement: In December 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). These disclosure requirements are intended to help investors and other financial statement users to better assess the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a company’s financial position.They also improve transparency in the reporting of how companies mitigate credit risk, including disclosure of related collateral pledged or received. In addition,ASU 2011-11 facilitates comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).ASU 2011-11 requires entities to: disclose both gross

26



and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the financial statements; and disclose instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of ASU 2011-11 and its impact on the fund’s financial statement disclosures.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $210 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by The Bank of New York Mellon, a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus (each, a “Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions. Prior to October 10, 2012, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A., was $225 million. In 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, 2012, 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 .85% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. Dreyfus had contractually agreed, from December 1, 2011 through April 1, 2012, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund so that the direct expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees, taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary

The Fund 27



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

expenses) exceed an annual rate of 1.25% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. During the period ended November 30, 2012, there was no reduction in expenses pursuant to the undertaking.

Pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between Dreyfus and Walter Scott, Dreyfus pays Walter Scott a monthly fee at an annual percentage of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, the Distributor retained $15,764 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $6,621 from CDSCs on redemptions of the fund’s Class C 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 the average daily net assets of Class C shares. During the period ended November 30, 2012, Class C shares were charged $168,480, 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, 2012, Class A and Class C shares were charged $428,505 and $56,160, 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.

28



The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, under a transfer agency agreement for providing transfer agency services for the fund and, since May 29, 2012, cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $50,946 for transfer agency services and $2,350 for cash management services. Cash management fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $293.These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $465,587 pursuant to the custody agreement.

Prior to May 29, 2012, the fund compensated The Bank of New York Mellon under a cash management agreement for performing cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $4,363 pursuant to the cash management agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $162.

During the period ended November 30, 2012, the fund was charged $8,650 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 $1,448,360, Distribution Plan fees $14,223, Shareholder Services Plan fees $40,648, custodian fees $166,583, Chief Compliance Officer fees $3,318 and transfer agency fees $11,040.

(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.

The Fund 29



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and forward contracts, during the period ended November 30, 2012, amounted to $666,870,501 and $90,481,273, respectively.

Derivatives: A derivative is a financial instrument whose performance is derived from the performance of another asset. Each type of derivative instrument that was held by the fund during the period ended November 30, 2012 is discussed below.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The fund enters into forward contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings, to settle foreign currency transactions or as a part of its investment strategy. When executing forward contracts, the fund is obligated to buy or sell a foreign currency at a specified rate on a certain date in the future. With respect to sales of forward contracts, the fund incurs a loss if the value of the contract increases between the date the forward contract is opened and the date the forward contract is closed.The fund realizes a gain if the value of the contract decreases between those dates.With respect to purchases of forward contracts, the fund incurs a loss if the value of the contract decreases between the date the forward contract is opened and the date the forward contract is closed.The fund realizes a gain if the value of the contract increases between those dates. Any realized or unrealized gains or losses which occurred during the period are reflected in the Statement of Operations. The fund is exposed to foreign currency risk as a result of changes in value of underlying financial instruments.The fund is also exposed to credit risk associated with counterparty nonperformance on these forward contracts, which is typically limited to the unrealized gain on each open contract. At November 30, 2012, there were no forward contracts outstanding.

30



The following summarizes the average market value of derivatives outstanding during the period ended November 30, 2012:

  Average Market Value ($) 
Forward contracts  8,713,963 

 

At November 30, 2012, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,876,910,898; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $249,028,391, consisting of $304,991,187 gross unrealized appreciation and $55,962,796 gross unrealized depreciation.

The Fund 31



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors
International Stock Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of International Stock Fund (one of the series comprising Strategic Funds, Inc.) as of November 30, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended.These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian and others. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of International Stock Fund at November 30, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

New York, New York
January 28, 2013

32



IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

In accordance with federal tax law, the fund elects to provide each shareholder with their portion of the fund’s foreign taxes paid and the income sourced from foreign countries. Accordingly, the fund hereby reports the following information regarding its fiscal year ended November 30, 2012:

—the total amount of taxes paid to foreign countries was $2,991,761

—the total amount of income sourced from foreign countries was $52,715,435.

Where required by federal tax law rules, shareholders will receive notification of their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid and foreign sourced income for the 2012 calendar year with Form 1099-DIV which will be mailed in early 2013.

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012, certain dividends paid by the fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions paid during the fiscal year, $16,065,505 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income.

The Fund 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 November 5-6, 2012, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement, pursuant to which Dreyfus provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”), and the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (together, the “Agreements”), between Dreyfus and Walter Scott & Partners Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”), pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser provides day-to-day management of the fund’s investments.The Board members, none of whom are “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 and the Sub-Adviser. 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 previously provided to them in presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and Dreyfus representatives confirmed that there had been no material changes in this information. 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,

34



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 the Sub-Adviser.The Board also 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 Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), 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, 2012, 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 Lipper as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper 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 the results of the comparisons and noted that the fund’s total return performance was variously above, at and below the Performance Group median and the Performance Universe median for the various time periods. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year returns to the fund’s benchmark index and noted that the fund’s returns were higher in four years and lower in one year than those of the benchmark index.

The Fund 35



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND
SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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 noted that the fund’s contractual management fee was below the Expense Group median, the fund’s actual management fee was below the Expense Group median and at the Expense Universe median, and the fund’s total expenses were below the Expense Group median and the Expense Universe median.

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 Sub-Adviser or its affiliates 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 and reasonableness of the fund’s management fee.

The Board considered the fee to the Sub-Adviser in relation to the fee paid to Dreyfus by the fund and the respective services provided by the Sub-Adviser and Dreyfus.The Board also noted the Sub-Adviser’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 the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus of 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

36



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’s counsel stated that the Board should consider the profitability analysis (1) as part of the evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreements bear a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus and the Sub-Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, 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 the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board did not consider the Sub-Adviser’s profitability to be relevant to its deliberations. Dreyfus representatives also noted 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 the Sub-Adviser from acting as investment adviser and sub-investment adviser, respectively, and noted 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 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 and the Sub-Adviser are adequate and appropriate.

The Fund 37



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND
SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

  • The Board was satisfied with the fund’s performance, in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board concluded that the fees paid to Dreyfus and the Sub- Adviser were reasonable in light of the considerations described 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 and the Sub-Adviser, of the fund and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus and the Sub-Adviser.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, it should be noted that the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of prior or similar agreements 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 same or similar arrangements in prior years.The Board determined that renewal of the Agreements for the ensuing year was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

38



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Joseph S. DiMartino (69) 
Chairman of the Board (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Corporate Director and Trustee 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small 
and medium size companies, Director (1997-present) 
• Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of certain outdoor-related services to homes and 
businesses, Director (2005-2009) 
• The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard 
mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 157 
——————— 
William Hodding Carter III (77) 
Board Member (1988) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Professor of Leadership & Public Policy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Gordon J. Davis (71) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Partner in the law firm of Venable, LLP (2012-present) 
• Partner in the law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf, LLP (1994-2012) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years: 
• Consolidated Edison, Inc., a utility company, Director (1997-present) 
• The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company, Director (2000-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 50 
——————— 
Joni Evans (70) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chief Executive Officer, www.wowOwow.com an online community dedicated to women’s 
conversations and publications (2007-present) 
• Principal, Joni Evans Ltd. (publishing) (2006-present) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 

 

The Fund 39



BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Ehud Houminer (72) 
Board Member (1994) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Executive-in-Residence at the Columbia Business School, Columbia University (1992-present) 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Avnet Inc., an electronics distributor, Director (1993-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 73 
——————— 
Richard C. Leone (72) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Senior Fellow and former President of The Century Foundation (formerly,The Twentieth 
Century Fund, Inc.), a tax exempt research foundation engaged in the study of economic, 
foreign policy and domestic issues 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Partnership for a Secure America, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Hans C. Mautner (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President—International Division and an Advisory Director of Simon Property Group, a real 
estate investment company (1998-2010) 
• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Simon Global Limited (1999-2010) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Robin A. Melvin (49) 
Board Member (1995) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Director, Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports youth-serving orga- 
nizations that promote the self sufficiency of youth from disadvantaged circumstances (1995-2012) 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 100 

 

40



Burton N.Wallack (62) 
Board Member (2006) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• President and Co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
John E. Zuccotti (75) 
Board Member (1984) 
Principal Occupation During Past 5Years: 
• Chairman of Brookfield Properties, Inc. 
• Senior Counsel of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP 
• Emeritus Chairman of the Real Estate Board of New York 
Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5Years: 
• Emigrant Savings Bank, Director (2004-present) 
• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation,Trustee (2006-present) 
• New York Private Bank & Trust, Director 
No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 27 
——————— 
Once elected all Board Members serve for an indefinite term, but achieve Emeritus status upon reaching age 80.The 
address of the Board Members and Officers is c/o The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue, NewYork, NewYork 
10166.Additional information about the Board Members is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information 
which can be obtained from Dreyfus free of charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-DREYFUS. 
David W. Burke, Emeritus Board Member 
Arnold S. Hiatt, Emeritus Board Member 

 

The Fund 41



OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)


42




The Fund 43



NOTES






 

 

Item 2.                        Code of Ethics.

The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.  There have been no amendments to, or waivers in connection with, the Code of Ethics during the period covered by this Report.

Item 3.                        Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The Registrant's Board has determined that Ehud Houminer, a member of the Audit Committee of the Board, is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").   Ehud Houminer is "independent" as defined by the SEC for purposes of audit committee financial expert determinations.

Item 4.                        Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)  Audit Fees.  The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years (the "Reporting Periods") for professional services rendered by the Registrant's principal accountant (the "Auditor") for the audit of the Registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $142,464 in 2011 and $144,962 in 2012.

 

(b)  Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 were $24,000 in 2011 and $48,000 in 2012. These services consisted of one or more of the following: (i) agreed upon procedures related to compliance with Internal Revenue Code section 817(h), (ii) security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (iii) advisory services as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of Registrant transactions or events and (iv) advisory services to the accounting or disclosure treatment of the actual or potential impact to the Registrant of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies.

 

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for non-audit assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-investment adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant ("Service Affiliates"), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the Service Affiliate, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2011 and $0 in 2012.

 

(c)  Tax Fees.  The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning ("Tax Services") were $11,489 in 2011 and $19,386 in 2012. These services consisted of: (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments; (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held, and (iv) determination of Passive Foreign Investment Companies. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Tax Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2011 and $0 in 2012. 

 

 


 

 

(d)  All Other Fees.  The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item, were $766 in 2011 and $444 in 2012. [These services consisted of a review of the Registrant's anti-money laundering program].

 

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Non-Audit Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, other than the services reported in paragraphs (b) through (c) of this Item, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee, were  $0 in 2011 and $200,000 in 2012. 

 

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Registrant's Audit Committee has established policies and procedures (the "Policy") for pre-approval (within specified fee limits) of the Auditor's engagements for non-audit services to the Registrant and Service Affiliates without specific case-by-case consideration. The pre-approved services in the Policy can include pre-approved audit services, pre-approved audit-related services, pre-approved tax services and pre-approved all other services.  Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence.  Pre-approvals pursuant to the Policy are considered annually.

(e)(2) Note: None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item 4 were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f) None of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal account's full-time, permanent employees.

Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to Service Affiliates, for the Reporting Periods were $19,415,177 in 2011 and $50,505,978 in 2012. 

 

Auditor Independence. The Registrant's Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence.

 

Item 5.                        Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

                        Not applicable.  [CLOSED-END FUNDS ONLY]

Item 6.                        Investments.

(a)                    Not applicable.

Item 7.            Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management            Investment Companies.

                        Not applicable.  [CLOSED-END FUNDS ONLY]

Item 8.                        Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.  [CLOSED-END FUNDS ONLY, beginning with reports for periods ended on and after December 31, 2005]

Item 9.                        Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and             Affiliated Purchasers.

 


 

 

                        Not applicable.  [CLOSED-END FUNDS ONLY]

Item 10.          Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures applicable to Item 10.

Item 11.          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 12.          Exhibits.

(a)(1)   Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.

(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.

 


 

 

SIGNATURES

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.

STRATEGIC FUNDS, INC

By: /s/ Bradley J. Skapyak

Bradley J. Skapyak,

President

 

Date:

January 24, 2013

 

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/ Bradley J. Skapyak

Bradley J. Skapyak,

President

 

Date:

January 24, 2013

 

By: /s/ James Windels

James Windels,

Treasurer

 

Date:

January 24, 2013

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

(a)(1)   Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.

(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)