N-CSR 1 lp1-085.htm ANNUAL REPORT lp1-085.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)

 

 

 

 

 

Bennett MacDougall, 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:

 

8/31

 

Date of reporting period:

8/31/15

 

             

 

 

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 Conservative Allocation Fund

Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund

Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund

 


 

 

FORM N-CSR

Item 1.                         Reports to Stockholders.

 


 

Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund

     

 

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2015

   
 

 

 

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.

 

Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value

 

Contents

T H E F U N D

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

 

Back Cover

 

       
 


Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund

 

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this annual report for Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund, covering the 12-month period from September 1, 2014, through August 31, 2015. 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.

Financial markets proved volatile over the reporting period. For much of the year, a recovering U.S. economy enabled stocks to advance, but those gains were more than erased in August when economic concerns in China, falling commodity prices and a stronger U.S. dollar sparked sharp corrections in equity markets throughout the world. The emerging markets were especially hard hit in this environment. U.S. bonds generally fared better, rallying in late 2014 due to robust investor demand before reversing course in the spring as the domestic economy strengthened. Global economic instability in August hurt corporate-backed and inflation-linked bonds, but U.S. government securities held up relatively well.

We expect market uncertainty and volatility to persist over the near term as investors vacillate between hopes that current market turmoil represents a healthy correction and fears that further disappointments could trigger a full-blown bear market. Our investment strategists and portfolio managers are monitoring developments carefully, keeping a close watch on Chinese fiscal and monetary policy, liquidity factors affecting various asset classes, and other developments that could influence investor sentiment. Over the longer term, we remain confident that financial markets are likely to stabilize as the world adjusts to slower Chinese economic growth, abundant energy resources and the anticipated eventual normalization of monetary policy. In our view, investors will continue to be well served under these circumstances by a long-term perspective and a disciplined investment approach.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,

J. Charles Cardona

President

The Dreyfus Corporation

September 15, 2015

2

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of September 1, 2014, through August 31, 2015, as provided by Keith L. Stransky, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended August 31, 2015, Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund produced a total return of -2.94%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index, produced a total return of 0.48% for the same period.2 The fund also utilizes a customized blended index composed of 40% Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index and 60% Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which returned 1.06% for the same period.3

U.S. stocks produced roughly flat returns amid heightened volatility over the reporting period, while U.S. fixed income markets fared slightly better. The fund lagged its benchmarks, mainly due to its investment in international securities, which significantly lagged, and are not reflected in the U.S. only indices’ results.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund seeks current income with some consideration for capital appreciation. In pursuing its goal, the fund normally allocates 40% of its assets to equity securities and 60% of its assets to fixed income securities.

The fund achieves its targeted asset allocation mix by investing in other mutual funds that are advised by The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus). In turn, the underlying funds invest in a wide range of equity and fixed income securities, including U.S. large-, mid- and small-cap equities; international, global, and emerging-market equities; and U.S. and international fixed income securities.

The fund’s portfolio manager selects the underlying funds based on their investment objectives and management policies, portfolio holdings, risk/reward profiles, historical performance and other factors. The fund may invest in a variety of underlying equity and fixed income funds identified by the Dreyfus Investment Committee. The underlying fund options are subject to change at any given time by the fund’s board of directors.

Global Economic Concerns Sparked Market Turmoil

The reporting period began in the midst of a U.S. stock market downturn stemming from disappointing global economic data, but domestic employment gains, better consumer confidence, and improved business sentiment prompted a quick market recovery. Consequently, some broad U.S. market indices climbed to record highs through the end of February 2015. Investors responded negatively in March to sluggish domestic economic growth stemming from severe winter weather and an appreciating U.S. dollar. However, the U.S. economy regained traction in the spring, and stocks resumed their advance until a debt crisis in Greece and slowing economic growth in China again sent stock prices lower over the summer.

In the U.S. bond market, long-term interest rates fluctuated as investors reacted to global economic developments and shifting expectations of higher short-term interest rates in the United States. Nonetheless, U.S. bonds generally produced higher returns than U.S. stocks for the reporting period overall.

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

In contrast, an appreciating U.S. dollar against most other currencies substantially undermined international investment returns for U.S. residents. In addition, stocks in the emerging markets lost considerable value amid slowing economic growth in China.

Overseas Exposure Undercut Relative Performance

The fund’s performance compared to its U.S.-centric benchmarks was constrained by exposure to international markets. Most notably, Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund was hurt by general weakness in developing countries. While some of the more defensively positioned international equity investments, such as Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, fared better than international market averages, they nonetheless underperformed the S&P 500 Index.

The fund’s relative performance was dampened to a lesser degree by security selection shortfalls within some of its underlying stock funds. Dreyfus Appreciation Fund was hurt by overweighted exposure to the struggling energy sector, Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund struggled with disappointments in the materials and industrials sectors, and Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund underperformed in the energy, financials and industrials sectors. Among fixed income investments, results were hindered by exposure to lower rated high yield and emerging market debt securities.

The fund’s allocation strategy helped offset some of the relative weakness produced by its underlying mutual funds. The fund benefited from underweighted exposure compared to its neutral allocation targets among international equities and fixed income securities. Overweighted positions in U.S. bonds also supported relative performance.

Allocation changes during the reporting period were limited to two moves in February, when we moved assets from Dreyfus International Value Fund to the better performing Dreyfus International Equity Fund, and we reduced alternative exposure by shifting assets from Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund to the Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund.

Positioned for Continued U.S. Economic Growth

We expect market volatility to persist over the near term, but we remain optimistic about the markets’ longer term prospects. The U.S. economy has continued to grow, aggressively accommodative monetary policies are at work in several international markets, and equity valuations throughout the world have become more attractive. Still, until we see greater evidence of global economic stability, we have maintained a target weight exposure to bonds, and we have continued to favor U.S. investments over their international counterparts.

September 15, 2015

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. Stocks of small- and/or mid-cap companies often experience sharper price fluctuations than stocks of large-cap companies.

Asset allocation and diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss.

The ability of the fund to achieve its investment goal depends, in part, on the ability of the Dreyfus Investment Committee to allocate effectively the fund’s assets among the asset classes and the underlying funds. There can be no assurance that the actual allocations will be effective in achieving the fund’s investment goal.

Bond funds are subject generally to interest rate, credit, liquidity, and market risks, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus. Generally, all other factors being equal, bond prices are inversely related to interest-rate changes, and rate increases can cause price declines.

4

 

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. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries.

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. 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 figure provided reflects the absorption of certain fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an agreement in effect through January 1, 2016, at which time it may be extended, terminated, or modified. Had these expenses not been absorbed, the fund’s return would have been lower.

2 SOURCE: LIPPER INC. – Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of U.S. stock market performance.

3 SOURCE: FACTSET – Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged total return index of corporate, U.S. government and U.S. government agency debt instruments, mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of 1-10 years. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.

5

 

FUND PERFORMANCE

Comparison of change in value of $10,000 investment in Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund with the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, and the Customized Blended Index

           

Average Annual Total Returns as of 8/31/15

     
 

Inception

   

From

 

 

Date

1 Year

5 Years

Inception

 

Fund

10/1/09

-2.94%

6.05%

5.94%

 

Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index

9/30/09

0.48%

15.86%

13.47%

†††

Customized Blended Index

9/30/09

1.06%

8.17%

7.86%

†††

 Source: Lipper Inc.

††  Source: Factset

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 above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund on 10/1/09 (inception date) to a $10,000 investment made in two different indices: (1) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the “S&P 500 Index”) and (2) the Customized Blended Index. The Customized Blended Index is calculated on a year-to-date basis and rebalanced monthly. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account all applicable fees and expenses. The S&P 500 Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of U.S. stock market performance. The Customized Blended Index is composed of the S&P 500 Index, 40% and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Barclays Index”), 60%. The Barclays Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of corporate, government and government agency debt instruments, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of 1-10 years. Unlike a mutual fund, the indices are 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.

†††  For comparative purposes, the value of each index on 9/30/09 is used as the beginning value on 10/1/09.

6

 

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 Conservative Allocation Fund from March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. 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 August 31, 2015

   
                 

Expenses paid per $1,000

   

$ 1.58

     

Ending value (after expenses)

   

$ 959.60

     

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 August 31, 2015

                 

Expenses paid per $1,000

   

$ 1.63

     

Ending value (after expenses)

   

$ 1,023.59

     

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .32%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

7

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

August 31, 2015

||ANAME||

                     

Registered Investment Companies - 100.2% (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value ($)

 

Domestic Equity - 34.6% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Cl. Y

 

37,640

a

1,851,158

 

Dreyfus Disciplined Stock Fund

 

35,770

a

1,208,684

 

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund, Cl. Y

 

18,497

a

683,084

 

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

 

174,983

a

2,441,010

 

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

 

24,516

a

692,825

 

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

 

49,301

a

1,902,020

 

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

 

24,028

a

690,800

 

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

86,492

a

1,627,774

 

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

 

41,022

a

701,065

 
       

11,798,420

 

Domestic Fixed Income - 48.9% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

 

347,026

a

3,619,479

 

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

 

332,072

a

2,072,126

 

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund, Cl. Y

 

479,228

a

6,546,252

 

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

 

431,290

a

4,403,464

 
       

16,641,321

 

Foreign Equity - 7.5% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

 

34,652

a

273,057

 

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

 

37,831

a

325,345

 

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

15,607

a

530,964

 

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

 

31,218

a

483,568

 

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

29,312

a

561,326

 

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

 

26,174

a

368,276

 
       

2,542,536

 

Foreign Fixed Income - 9.2% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

 

124,455

a

1,359,048

 

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

 

114,166

a

1,767,291

 
       

3,126,339

 

Total Investments (cost $32,625,096)

 

100.2%

 

34,108,616

 

Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables

 

(.2%)

 

(65,915)

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

 

34,042,701

 

a Investment in affiliated mutual fund.

   

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

Mutual Funds: Domestic

83.5

Mutual Funds: Foreign

16.7

 

100.2

Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

8

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

August 31, 2015

             

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

Assets ($):

 

 

 

Investments in affliated issuers—See Statement of Investments

 

32,625,096

 

34,108,616

Receivable for investment securities sold

 

 

 

 

2,000

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

11,752

 

 

 

 

 

34,122,368

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(b)

 

 

 

 

5,923

Cash overdraft due to Custodian

 

 

 

 

1,178

Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed

 

 

 

 

28,591

Accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

43,975

 

 

 

 

 

79,667

Net Assets ($)

 

 

34,042,701

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

31,716,618

Accumulated undistributed investment income—net

 

 

 

 

340,750

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

 

 

 

501,813

Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments

 

 

 

 

1,483,520

Net Assets ($)

 

 

34,042,701

Shares Outstanding

 

 

(100 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock authorized)

 

2,238,720

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

 

15.21

 

See notes to financial statements.

9

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended August 31, 2015

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Income:

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends from affiliated issuers

 

 

819,882

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b)

 

 

113,643

 

Professional fees

 

 

41,585

 

Registration fees

 

 

18,761

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

9,189

 

Directors' fees and expenses—Note 3(c)

 

 

3,695

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

3,576

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

301

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

16,028

 

Total Expenses

 

 

206,778

 

Less—reduction in expenses due to undertaking—Note 3(a)

 

 

(83,047)

 

Less—waiver of shareholder servicing fees—Note 3(b)

 

(3,305)

 

Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(b)

 

 

(34)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

120,392

 

Investment Income—Net

 

 

699,490

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments:

 

 

 

 

Affiliated issuers

 

 

 

 

(187,823)

 

Capital gain distributions from affiliated issuers

 

 

1,112,797

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

 

 

924,974

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments:

 

 

 

 

Affiliated issuers

 

 

 

 

(2,666,776)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

(1,741,802)

 

Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

(1,042,312)

 

See notes to financial statements.

10

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

                   
                   

 

 

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

2014

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

699,490

 

 

 

557,435

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

924,974

 

 

 

531,522

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments

 

(2,666,776)

 

 

 

2,642,084

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

(1,042,312)

 

 

 

3,731,041

 

Dividends to Shareholders from ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

(845,104)

 

 

 

(580,065)

 

Net realized gain on investments

 

 

(540,964)

 

 

 

(276,232)

 

Total Dividends

 

 

(1,386,068)

 

 

 

(856,297)

 

Capital Stock Transactions ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from shares sold

 

 

4,267,066

 

 

 

12,056,165

 

Dividends reinvested

 

 

1,362,145

 

 

 

839,174

 

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

(8,525,484)

 

 

 

(4,519,062)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Capital Stock Transactions

(2,896,273)

 

 

 

8,376,277

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

(5,324,653)

 

 

 

11,251,021

 

Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

39,367,354

 

 

 

28,116,333

 

End of Period

 

 

34,042,701

 

 

 

39,367,354

 

Undistributed investment income—net

340,750

 

 

 

301,741

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

267,069

 

 

 

769,409

 

Shares issued for dividends reinvested

 

 

87,824

 

 

 

54,351

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(542,059)

 

 

 

(288,495)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(187,166)

 

 

 

535,265

 

See notes to financial statements.

11

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

             
         
   

Year Ended August 31,

   

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Per Share Data ($):

           

Net asset value, beginning of period

16.23

14.87

14.52

13.91

12.99

Investment Operations:

           

Investment income—neta

.29

.26

.30

.23

.25

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

(.75)

1.53

.45

.71

1.00

Total from Investment Operations

(.46)

1.79

.75

.94

1.25

Distributions:

           

Dividends from investment income—net

(.34)

(.29)

(.29)

(.26)

(.28)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

(.22)

(.14)

(.11)

(.07)

(.05)

Total Distributions

(.56)

(.43)

(.40)

(.33)

(.33)

Net asset value, end of period

15.21

16.23

14.87

14.52

13.91

Total Return (%)

(2.94)

12.13

5.19

6.89

9.61

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

           

Ratio of total expenses to average net assetsb

.54

.59

.68

.84

1.06

Ratio of net expenses to average net assetsb

.32

.22

.31

.71

.73

Ratio of net investment income to average net assetsb

1.84

1.65

1.99

1.64

1.79

Portfolio Turnover Rate

16.34

20.38

37.15

25.89

20.04

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

34,043

39,367

28,116

20,810

16,877

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amounts do not include the expenses of the underlying funds.

See notes to financial statements.

12

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus Conservative Allocation 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 current income with some consideration for 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. MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge.

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 (“ASC”) 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).

13

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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.

Investments are valued at the net asset value of each underlying fund determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date and are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of August 31, 2015 in valuing the fund’s investments:

         

Assets ($)

Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices

Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs

Level 3 -Significant Unobservable Inputs

Total

Investments in Securities:

 

 

 

 

Mutual Funds

34,108,616

-

-

34,108,616

See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

At August 31, 2015, 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

14

 

income, including, where applicable, accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is recognized on the accrual basis.

(c) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by Dreyfus are defined as “affiliated” under the Act. Investments in affiliated investment companies during the period ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:

         

Affiliated Investment

Value

   

Net Realized

Company

8/31/2014 ($)

Purchases ($)

Sales ($)

Gain (Loss) ($)

Dreyfus Appreciation
Fund Cl. Y

2,196,407

356,179

433,445

(10,289)

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

4,005,891

491,401

806,996

(179)

Dreyfus Disciplined Stock Fund

1,341,616

272,376

261,643

(13,484)

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency
Fund, Cl. Y

2,053,259

213,711

417,684

(91,382)

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

439,588

44,941

86,689

(3,815)

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

850,699

103,981

619,072

63,955

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

2,397,776

360,323

480,730

(25,735)

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund, Cl. Y

7,342,241

875,060

1,486,323

(31,967)

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

2,120,577

284,643

431,081

(20,722)

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y††

384,196

269,086

84,584

(3,339)

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

596,297

70,132

122,153

(5,893)

Dreyfus International Value Fund, Cl. I

328,086

34,174

338,661

21,253

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund, Cl. Y

799,190

158,419

157,616

(7,528)

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

2,632,361

394,759

517,770

(2,443)

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

4,487,560

951,351

907,871

(16,802)

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

761,321

126,164

148,948

(2,037)

Dreyfus Strategic Value
Fund, Cl. Y

2,138,481

425,210

418,472

(15,548)

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

789,593

172,066

150,524

(7,719)

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

1,876,588

270,386

370,399

(3,621)

15

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

         

Affiliated Investment

Value

   

Net Realized

Company

8/31/2014 ($)

Purchases ($)

Sales ($)

Gain (Loss) ($)

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

598,572

138,048

124,353

(4,850)

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

768,971

143,374

149,736

(3,321)

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

456,811

48,306

92,206

(2,357)

TOTAL

39,366,081

6,204,090

8,606,956

(187,823)

         
 

Change in Net

     

Affiliated Investment

Unrealized Appreciation

Value

Net

Dividends/

Company

( Depreciation) ($)

8/31/2015 ($)

Assets (%)

Distributions ($)

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund Cl. Y

(257,694)

1,851,158

5.4

161,196

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

(70,638)

3,619,479

10.6

128,381

Dreyfus Disciplined
Stock Fund

(130,181)

1,208,684

3.6

154,678

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

(398,856)

1,359,048

4.0

25,819

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

(120,968)

273,057

0.8

5,945

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

(74,218)

325,345

1.0

25,989

Dreyfus High Yield
Fund, Cl. I

(179,508)

2,072,126

6.1

144,071

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income
Fund, Cl. Y

(152,759)

6,546,252

19.2

206,451

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

(186,126)

1,767,291

5.2

90,724

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y††

(34,395)

530,964

1.6

5,349

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

(54,815)

483,568

1.4

15,183

Dreyfus International Value Fund, Cl. I

(44,852)

-

-

5,490

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value
Fund, Cl. Y

(109,381)

683,084

2.0

87,517

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

(65,897)

2,441,010

7.2

161,846

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

(110,774)

4,403,464

12.9

97,259

16

 

         
 

Change in Net

     

Affiliated Investment

Unrealized Appreciation

Value

Net

Dividends/

Company

( Depreciation) ($)

8/31/2015 ($)

Assets (%)

Distributions ($)

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

(43,675)

692,825

2.0

59,161

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

(227,651)

1,902,020

5.7

236,805

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

(112,616)

690,800

2.0

104,354

Dreyfus U.S. Equity
Fund, Cl. Y

(145,180)

1,627,774

4.8

103,764

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

(46,091)

561,326

1.6

29,850

Dreyfus/The Boston
Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

(58,223)

701,065

2.0

76,017

International Stock
Fund, Cl. Y

(42,278)

368,276

1.1

6,830

TOTAL

(2,666,776)

34,108,616

100.2

1,932,679

 Includes reinvested dividends/distributions.

†† During the period ended August 31, 2015, investments were exchanged in the same fund from Class I to Class Y shares.

(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 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 August 31, 2015, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

17

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Each tax year in the four-year period ended August 31, 2015 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At August 31, 2015, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $346,087, undistributed capital gains $698,411 and unrealized appreciation $1,281,585.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 were as follows: ordinary income $905,048 and $662,062, and long-term capital gains $481,020 and $194,235, respectively.

During the period ended August 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for short-term capital gain distributions from regulated investment company holdings, the fund increased accumulated undistributed investment income-net by $184,623 and decreased 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.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $430 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 8, 2014, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A. was $265 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 August 31, 2015, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with Dreyfus, there is no management fee paid to Dreyfus. The fund invests in other mutual funds advised by Dreyfus. All fees and expenses of the underlying funds are reflected in the underlying funds’ net asset values. Dreyfus has contractually agreed, from September 1, 2014 through January 1, 2016 to assume the expenses of the fund so that the total annual fund’s and

18

 

underlying funds’ operating expenses (excluding taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed .93% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. The reduction in expenses, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $83,047 during the period ended August 31, 2015.

(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the fund pays the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s 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’s 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. Fees paid to the Distributor will be waived to the extent that the fund invests in an underlying affiliated fund with a Shareholder Services Plan. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $95,104 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan of which $3,305 was waived due to the fund's investment in certain of the underlying funds.

The fund has arrangements with the transfer agent and the custodian whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset transfer agency and custody fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes net earnings credits as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, under a transfer agency agreement for providing transfer agency and cash management services for the fund. The majority of transfer agency fees are comprised of amounts paid on a per account basis, while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $13,012 for transfer agency services and $841 for cash management services. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. Cash management fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $34.

The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets, geographic region and transaction activity. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $3,576 pursuant to the custody agreement.

19

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $8,772 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: Shareholder Services Plan fees $7,421, custodian fees $1,740, Chief Compliance Officer fees $1,390 and transfer agency fees $2,385, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $7,013.

(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds within the Dreyfus complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended August 31, 2015, amounted to $6,204,090 and $8,606,956, respectively.

At August 31, 2015, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $32,827,031; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $1,281,585, consisting of $2,394,585 gross unrealized appreciation and $1,113,000 gross unrealized depreciation.

20

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund (one of the series comprising Strategic Funds, Inc.) as of August 31, 2015, 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 August 31, 2015 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 Conservative Allocation Fund at August 31, 2015, 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
October 28, 2015

21

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

For federal tax purposes, the fund hereby reports 92.29% of the ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 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, $856,185 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income. The fund also hereby reports $.0244 per share as a short-term capital gain distribution and $.1958 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 31, 2014. Shareholders will receive notification in early 2016 of the percentage applicable to the preparation of their 2015 income tax returns.

22

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph S. DiMartino (71)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Corporate Director and Trustee (1995-present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director (1997-present)

· The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 144

———————

Joni Evans (73)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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: 25

———————

Ehud Houminer (75)

Board Member (1994)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Executive-in-Residence at the Columbia Business School, Columbia

University (1992-present)

Other Public Company Board Membership During Past 5 Years:

·  Avnet, Inc., an electronics distributor, Director (1993-2012)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 62

———————

Hans C. Mautner (77)

Board Member (1984)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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, a real estate company (1999-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

23

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS (continued)

Robin A. Melvin (51)

Board Member (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Co-chairman, Illinois Mentoring Partnership, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois; (2014-present; a board member since 2013)

· Director, Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports

youth-serving organizations that promote the self sufficiency of youth from

disadvantaged circumstances (1995-2012)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 114

———————

Burton N. Wallack (64)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· President and Co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management

company (1987-present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

John E. Zuccotti (78)

Board Member (1984)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Chairman of Brookfield Properties, Inc. (1996-present)

· Senior Counsel of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (1997-present)

Other Public Company Board Membership During Past 5 Years:

· Wellpoint, Inc., a health benefits company, Director (2005-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

24

 

INTERESTED BOARD MEMBER

Gordon J. Davis (74)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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 (1997-2014)

· The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company, Director (2000-2014)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 63

Gordon J. Davis is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined under the Act) of the Company as a result of his affiliation with Venable LLP, which provides legal services to the Company.

———————

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, New York, New York 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.

Arnold S. Hiatt, Emeritus Board Member
William Hodding Carter III, Emeritus Board Member

25

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

BRADLEY J. SKAPYAK, President since January 2010.

Chief Operating Officer and a director of the Manager since June 2009, Chairman of Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., an affiliate of the Manager and the transfer agent of the funds, since May 2011 and Executive Vice President of the Distributor since June 2007. From April 2003 to June 2009, Mr. Skapyak was the head of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager. He is an officer of 69 investment companies (comprised of 144 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1988.

BENNETT A. MACDOUGALL, Chief Legal Officer since October 2015

Chief Legal Officer of the Manager since June 2015; from June 2005 to June 2015, Director and Associate General Counsel of Deutsche Bank – Asset & Wealth Management Division, and Chief Legal Officer of Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. He is an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2015.

JANETTE E. FARRAGHER, Vice President and Secretary since December 2011.

Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1984.

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon and Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since December 1996.

JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 59 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2000.

JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1991.

MAUREEN E. KANE, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2015.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since July 2014; from October 2004 until July 2014, General Counsel, and from May 2009 until July 2014, Chief Compliance Officer of Century Capital Management. She is an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since July 2014.

SARAH S. KELLEHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2014.

Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager; from August 2005 to March 2013, Associate General Counsel of Third Avenue Management. She is 39 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since March 2013.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 50 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1990.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001.

Director – Mutual Fund Accounting of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1985.

26

 

RICHARD CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008.

Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since September 1982.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1991.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager – Fixed Income Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007.

Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 1990.

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004.

Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (70 investment companies, comprised of 169 portfolios). He is 58 years old and has served in various capacities with the Manager since 1980, including manager of the firm’s Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.

27

 

NOTES

28

 

NOTES

29

 

For More Information

Dreyfus Conservative Allocation Fund
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Manager

The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon
225 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10286

Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent

Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Distributor

MBSC Securities Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

   

Ticker Symbols:

SCALX

Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS

Mail The Dreyfus Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

E-mail Send your request to info@dreyfus.com

Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.dreyfus.com

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. (phone 1-800-SEC-0330 for information).

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.dreyfus.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-DREYFUS.

   

© 2015 MBSC Securities Corporation

6268AR0815

 


 

Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund

     

 

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2015

   
 

 

 

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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of Dreyfus or any other person in the Dreyfus organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Dreyfus disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Dreyfus fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Dreyfus fund.

 

Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value

 

Contents

T H E F U N D

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

 

Back Cover

 

       
 


Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund

 

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this annual report for Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund, covering the 12-month period from September 1, 2014, through August 31, 2015. 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.

Financial markets proved volatile over the reporting period. For much of the year, a recovering U.S. economy enabled stocks to advance, but those gains were more than erased in August when economic concerns in China, falling commodity prices and a stronger U.S. dollar sparked sharp corrections in equity markets throughout the world. The emerging markets were especially hard hit in this environment. U.S. bonds generally fared better, rallying in late 2014 due to robust investor demand before reversing course in the spring as the domestic economy strengthened. Global economic instability in August hurt corporate-backed and inflation-linked bonds, but U.S. government securities held up relatively well.

We expect market uncertainty and volatility to persist over the near term as investors vacillate between hopes that current market turmoil represents a healthy correction and fears that further disappointments could trigger a full-blown bear market. Our investment strategists and portfolio managers are monitoring developments carefully, keeping a close watch on Chinese fiscal and monetary policy, liquidity factors affecting various asset classes, and other developments that could influence investor sentiment. Over the longer term, we remain confident that financial markets are likely to stabilize as the world adjusts to slower Chinese economic growth, abundant energy resources, and the anticipated eventual normalization of monetary policy. In our view, investors will continue to be well served under these circumstances by a long-term perspective and a disciplined investment approach.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,

J. Charles Cardona

President

The Dreyfus Corporation

September 15, 2015

2

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of September 1, 2014, through August 31, 2015, as provided by Keith L. Stransky, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended August 31, 2015, Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund produced a total return of -2.93%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Composite Stock Price Index, produced a total return of 0.48% for the same period.2 The fund also utilizes a customized blended index composed of 80% Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index and 20% Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which returned 0.79% for the same period.3

U.S. stocks produced roughly flat returns amid heightened volatility over the reporting period, while U.S. fixed income markets fared slightly better. The fund lagged its benchmarks, mainly due to its investment in international securities, which significantly lagged, and are not reflected in the U.S.-only indices’ results.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with some consideration for current income. In pursuing its goal, the fund normally allocates 80% of its assets to equity securities and 20% of its assets to fixed income securities.

The fund achieves its targeted asset allocation mix by investing in other mutual funds that are advised by The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus). In turn, the underlying funds invest in a wide range of equity and fixed income securities, including U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap equities; international, global, and emerging-market equities; and U.S. and international fixed income securities.

The fund’s portfolio manager selects the underlying funds based on their investment objectives and management policies, portfolio holdings, risk/reward profiles, historical performance, and other factors. The fund may invest in a variety of underlying equity and fixed income funds identified by the Dreyfus Investment Committee. The underlying fund options are subject to change at any given time by the fund’s board of directors.

Global Economic Concerns Sparked Market Turmoil

The reporting period began in the midst of a U.S. stock market downturn triggered by disappointing global economic data, but domestic employment gains, better consumer confidence, and improved business sentiment prompted a quick market recovery. Consequently, some broad U.S. market indices climbed to record highs through the end of February 2015. Investors responded negatively in March to sluggish domestic economic growth stemming from severe winter weather and an appreciating U.S. dollar. However, the U.S. economy regained traction in the spring, and stocks resumed their advance until a debt crisis in Greece and slowing economic growth in China again sent stock prices lower over the summer.

In the U.S. bond market, long-term interest rates fluctuated as investors reacted to global economic developments and shifting expectations of higher short-term interest rates in the

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

United States. Nonetheless, U.S. bonds generally produced higher returns than U.S. stocks for the reporting period overall.

In contrast, an appreciating U.S. dollar against most other currencies substantially undermined international investment returns for U.S. residents. In addition, stocks in the emerging markets lost considerable value amid slowing economic growth in China.

Overseas Exposure Undercut Relative Performance

The fund’s performance compared to its U.S.-centric benchmarks was constrained by exposure to international markets. Most notably, Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund was hurt by general weakness in developing countries. While some of the more defensively positioned international equity investments, such as Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, fared better than international market averages, they nonetheless underperformed the S&P 500 Index.

The fund’s relative performance was dampened to a lesser degree by security selection shortfalls within some of its underlying stock funds. Dreyfus Appreciation Fund was hurt by overweighted exposure to the struggling energy sector, Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund struggled with disappointments in the materials and industrials sectors, and Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund underperformed in the energy, financials, and industrials sectors. Among fixed income investments, results were hindered by exposure to lower-rated high yield and emerging market debt securities.

The fund’s allocation strategy helped offset some of the relative weakness produced by its underlying mutual funds. The fund benefited from underweighted exposure compared to its neutral allocation targets among international equities and fixed income securities. Overweighted positions in U.S. bonds also supported relative performance.

Allocation changes during the reporting period were limited to two moves in February, when we moved assets from Dreyfus International Value Fund to the better-performing Dreyfus International Equity Fund, and we reduced alternative exposure by shifting assets from Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund to the Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund.

Positioned for Continued U.S. Economic Growth

We expect market volatility to persist over the near term, but we remain optimistic about the markets’ longer term prospects. The U.S. economy has continued to grow, aggressively accommodative monetary policies are at work in several international markets, and equity valuations throughout the world have become more attractive. Still, until we see greater evidence of global economic stability, we have maintained overweighted exposure to bonds, and we have continued to favor U.S. investments over their international counterparts.

September 15, 2015

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. Stocks of small- and/or mid-cap companies often experience sharper price fluctuations than stocks of large-cap companies.

Asset allocation and diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss.

The ability of the fund to achieve its investment goal depends, in part, on the ability of the Dreyfus Investment Committee to allocate effectively the fund’s assets among the asset classes and the underlying funds. There can be no assurance that the actual allocations will be effective in achieving the fund’s investment goal. The underlying funds may not achieve their investment objectives, and their performance may be lower than that of the asset class the underlying funds were selected to represent.

4

 

 

Bond funds are subject generally to interest rate, credit, liquidity, and market risks, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus. Generally, all other factors being equal, bond prices are inversely related to interest-rate changes, and rate increases can cause price declines.

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. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries.

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. 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 figure provided reflects the absorption of certain fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an agreement in effect through January 1, 2016, at which time it may be extended, terminated, or modified. Had these expenses not been absorbed, the fund’s return would have been lower.

2 SOURCE: LIPPER INC. – Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of U.S. stock market performance.

3 SOURCE: FactSet – Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged total return index of corporate, U.S. government and U.S. government agency debt instruments, mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of 1-10 years. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.

5

 

FUND PERFORMANCE

Comparison of change in value of $10,000 investment in Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund with the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, and the Customized Blended Index

           

Average Annual Total Returns as of 8/31/15

       

 

Inception Date

1 Year

5 Years

From Inception

 

Fund

10/1/09

-2.93%

9.07%

8.20%

 

Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index

9/30/09

0.48%

15.86%

13.47%

†††

Customized Blended Index

9/30/09

0.79%

13.32%

11.66%

†††

Source: Lipper Inc.

†† Source: Factset

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 above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund on 10/1/09 (inception date) to a $10,000 investment made in two different indices: (1) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the “S&P 500 Index”) and (2) the Customized Blended Index. The Customized Blended Index is calculated on a year-to-date basis and rebalanced monthly. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account all applicable fees and expenses. The S&P 500 Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of U.S. stock market performance. The Customized Blended Index is composed of the S&P 500 Index, 80%, and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Barclays Index”), 20%. The Barclays Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of corporate, government and government agency debt instruments, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of 1-10 years. Unlike a mutual fund, the indices are 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.

††† For comparative purposes, the value of each index on 9/30/09 is used as the beginning value on 10/1/09.

6

 

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 Growth Allocation Fund from March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. 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 August 31, 2015

   
                 

Expenses paid per $1,000

   

$ 2.31

     

Ending value (after expenses)

   

$948.70

     

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 August 31, 2015

                 

Expenses paid per $1,000

   

$ 2.40

     

Ending value (after expenses)

   

$1,022.84

     

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .47%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

7

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

August 31, 2015

||ANAME||

                     

Registered Investment Companies - 100.3% (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value ($)

 

Domestic Equity - 55.8% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Cl. Y

 

39,848

a

1,959,701

 

Dreyfus Disciplined Stock Fund

 

37,286

a

1,259,895

 

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund, Cl. Y

 

22,751

a

840,178

 

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

 

204,166

a

2,848,114

 

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

 

25,659

a

725,115

 

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

 

49,932

a

1,926,364

 

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

 

25,194

a

724,322

 

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

90,147

a

1,696,570

 

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

 

43,061

a

735,913

 
       

12,716,172

 

Domestic Fixed Income - 26.5% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

 

42,131

a

439,429

 

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

 

68,443

a

427,085

 

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund, Cl. Y

 

96,417

a

1,317,055

 

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

 

376,779

a

3,846,910

 
       

6,030,479

 

Foreign Equity - 15.2% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

 

56,639

a

446,315

 

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

 

72,461

a

623,167

 

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

19,156

a

651,686

 

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

 

38,511

a

596,531

 

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

35,992

a

689,256

 

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

 

32,149

a

452,340

 
       

3,459,295

 

Foreign Fixed Income - 2.8% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

 

25,517

a

278,650

 

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

 

23,068

a

357,090

 
       

635,740

 

Total Investments (cost $20,104,700)

 

100.3%

 

22,841,686

 

Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables

 

(0.3%)

 

(69,693)

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

 

22,771,993

 

a Investment in affiliated mutual fund.

8

 

   

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

Mutual Funds: Domestic

82.3

Mutual Funds: Foreign

18.0

 

100.3

Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

9

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

August 31, 2015

             

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

Assets ($):

 

 

 

Investments in affliated issuers—See Statement of Investments

 

20,104,700

 

22,841,686

Receivable for investment securities sold

 

 

 

 

222,000

Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed

 

 

 

 

26

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

11,447

 

 

 

 

 

23,075,159

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(b)

 

 

 

 

6,183

Cash overdraft due to Custodian

 

 

 

 

220,021

Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed

 

 

 

 

33,561

Accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

43,401

 

 

 

 

 

303,166

Net Assets ($)

 

 

22,771,993

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

19,266,335

Accumulated undistributed investment income—net

 

 

 

 

87,856

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

 

 

 

680,816

Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments

 

 

 

 

2,736,986

Net Assets ($)

 

 

22,771,993

Shares Outstanding

 

 

(100 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock authorized)

 

1,323,965

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

 

17.20

 

See notes to financial statements.

10

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended August 31, 2015

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Income:

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends from affiliated issuers

 

 

388,355

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b)

 

 

76,623

 

Professional fees

 

 

42,335

 

Registration fees

 

 

17,841

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

8,455

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

3,287

 

Directors' fees and expenses—Note 3(c)

 

 

1,715

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

242

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

15,453

 

Total Expenses

 

 

165,951

 

Less—reduction in expenses due to undertaking—Note 3(a)

 

 

(50,540)

 

Less—waiver of shareholder servicing fees—Note 3(b)

 

(3,537)

 

Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(b)

 

 

(30)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

111,844

 

Investment Income—Net

 

 

276,511

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments:

 

 

 

 

Affiliated issuers

 

 

 

 

123,274

 

Capital gain distributions from affiliated issuers

 

 

1,018,943

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

 

 

1,142,217

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments:

 

 

 

 

Affiliated issuers

 

 

 

 

(2,098,264)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

(956,047)

 

Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

(679,536)

 

See notes to financial statements.

11

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

                   
                   

 

 

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

2014

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

276,511

 

 

 

227,619

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

1,142,217

 

 

 

845,030

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments

 

(2,098,264)

 

 

 

2,447,740

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

(679,536)

 

 

 

3,520,389

 

Dividends to Shareholders from ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

(380,089)

 

 

 

(307,054)

 

Net realized gain on investments

 

 

(826,691)

 

 

 

(268,414)

 

Total Dividends

 

 

(1,206,780)

 

 

 

(575,468)

 

Capital Stock Transactions ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from shares sold

 

 

2,811,862

 

 

 

5,093,415

 

Dividends reinvested

 

 

1,190,173

 

 

 

559,823

 

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

(3,807,098)

 

 

 

(5,046,444)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Capital Stock Transactions

194,937

 

 

 

606,794

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

(1,691,379)

 

 

 

3,551,715

 

Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

24,463,372

 

 

 

20,911,657

 

End of Period

 

 

22,771,993

 

 

 

24,463,372

 

Undistributed investment income—net

87,856

 

 

 

55,853

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

156,884

 

 

 

288,864

 

Shares issued for dividends reinvested

 

 

67,585

 

 

 

31,700

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(211,504)

 

 

 

(286,990)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

12,965

 

 

 

33,574

 

See notes to financial statements.

12

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

             
       
 

Year Ended August 31,

   

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Per Share Data ($):

           

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

18.66

16.37

15.08

14.21

12.78

Investment Operations:

           

Investment income—neta

 

.21

.18

.21

.12

.10

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

 

(.74)

2.56

1.52

1.03

1.51

Total from Investment Operations

 

(.53)

2.74

1.73

1.15

1.61

Distributions:

           

Dividends from investment income—net

 

(.29)

(.24)

(.20)

(.18)

(.11)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

 

(.64)

(.21)

(.24)

(.10)

(.07)

Total Distributions

 

(.93)

(.45)

(.44)

(.28)

(.18)

Net asset value, end of period

 

17.20

18.66

16.37

15.08

14.21

Total Return (%)

 

(2.93)

16.87

11.64

8.29

12.56

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

           

Ratio of total expenses to average net assetsb

 

.69

.73

.81

1.01

1.26

Ratio of net expenses to average net assetsb

 

.46

.28

.31

.58

.63

Ratio of net investment income to average net assetsb

 

1.14

.99

1.30

.82

.65

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

18.54

27.19

39.25

30.83

21.83

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

 

22,772

24,463

20,912

15,033

12,156

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amounts do not include the expenses of the underlying funds.

See notes to financial statements.

13

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus Growth Allocation 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 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. MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge.

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 (“ASC”) 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).

14

 

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.

Investments are valued at the net asset value of each underlying fund determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date and are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of August 31, 2015 in valuing the fund’s investments:

         
 

Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices

Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs

Level 3 -Significant Unobservable Inputs

Total

Assets ($)

       

Investments in Securities:

 

 

 

 

Mutual Funds

22,841,686

-

-

22,841,686

See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

At August 31, 2015, 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.

15

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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.

(c) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by Dreyfus are defined as “affiliated” under the Act. Investments in affiliated investment companies during the period ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:

         

Affiliated Investment Company

Value 8/31/2014 ($)

Purchases ($)

Sales ($)

Net Realized Gain (Loss) ($)

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund Cl. Y

2,171,306

355,843

296,940

(2,903)

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund,
BASIC Shares

454,521

56,632

63,243

(102)

Dreyfus Disciplined
Stock Fund

1,309,794

260,864

177,217

(992)

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

383,888

40,835

54,112

(9,618)

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

658,564

69,390

91,314

(274)

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

1,427,778

175,011

955,161

122,208

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

459,605

70,251

63,582

(2,525)

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund,
Cl. Y

1,378,750

167,214

193,112

(3,850)

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

398,258

54,225

56,141

(2,067)

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y ††

449,170

316,986

70,071

(1,233)

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

681,525

80,676

96,049

(1,457)

Dreyfus International Value Fund, Cl. I

361,879

34,019

372,071

34,824

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund,
Cl. Y

920,551

178,993

125,810

(857)

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

2,876,320

435,952

391,635

870

16

 

         

Affiliated Investment Company

Value
8/31/2014 ($)

Purchases ($)

Sales ($)

Net Realized Gain (Loss) ($)

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

3,267,756

1,138,369

459,276

(10,270)

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

747,665

124,181

101,798

(303)

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

2,028,729

395,204

274,619

1,399

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

776,357

165,146

102,813

591

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

1,829,003

264,054

249,592

525

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

681,534

163,733

99,384

(800)

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

757,919

140,497

102,474

78

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

520,951

55,905

72,713

30

Total

24,541,823

4,743,980

4,469,127

123,274

         

Affiliated Investment Company

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) ($)

Value 8/31/2015 ($)

Net
Assets (%)

Dividends/
Distributions ($)

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund Cl. Y

(267,605)

1,959,701

8.6

158,336

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

(8,379)

439,429

1.9

14,567

Dreyfus Disciplined Stock Fund

(132,554)

1,259,895

5.5

142,990

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

(82,343)

278,650

1.2

4,843

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

(190,051)

446,315

2.0

8,654

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

(146,669)

623,167

2.7

42,291

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

(36,664)

427,085

1.9

27,959

17

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

         

Affiliated Investment Company

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) ($)

Value 8/31/2015 ($)

Net
Assets (%)

Dividends/ Distributions ($)

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund,
Cl. Y

(31,947)

1,317,055

5.8

38,768

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

(37,185)

357,090

1.6

16,884

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y††

(43,166)

651,686

2.9

6,066

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

(68,164)

596,531

2.6

16,790

Dreyfus International Value Fund, Cl. I

(58,651)

-

-

5,694

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund,
Cl. Y

(132,699)

840,178

3.7

95,312

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

(73,393)

2,848,114

12.5

175,461

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

(89,669)

3,846,910

16.9

77,263

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

(44,630)

725,115

3.2

56,471

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

(224,349)

1,926,364

8.5

212,489

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

(114,959)

724,322

3.2

96,761

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

(147,420)

1,696,570

7.4

98,041

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

(55,827)

689,256

3.0

31,781

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

(60,107)

735,913

3.2

72,337

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

(51,833)

452,340

2.0

7,540

Total

(2,098,264)

22,841,686

100.3

1,407,298

 Includes reinvested dividends/distributions.

†† During the period ended August 31, 2015, investments were exchanged in the same fund from Class I to Class Y shares.

(d) Dividends to shareholders: Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from investment income-net and dividends from

18

 

net realized capital gains, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To the extent that net realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryovers, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gains. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(e) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.

As of and during the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the four-year period ended August 31, 2015 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At August 31, 2015, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $101,448, undistributed capital gains $744,272 and unrealized appreciation $2,659,938.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 were as follows: ordinary income $615,659 and $407,902, and long-term capital gains $591,121 and $167,566, respectively.

During the period ended August 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for short-term capital gain distributions from regulated investment company holdings, the fund increased accumulated undistributed investment income-net by $135,581 and decreased 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.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $430 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

19

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 8, 2014, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A. was $265 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 August 31, 2015, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with Dreyfus, there is no management fee paid to Dreyfus. The fund invests in other mutual funds advised by Dreyfus. All fees and expenses of the underlying funds are reflected in the underlying funds' net asset values. Dreyfus has contractually agreed, from September 1, 2014 through January 1, 2016 to assume the expenses of the fund so that the total annual fund’s and underlying funds’ operating expenses (excluding taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.17% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. The reduction in expenses, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $50,540 during the period ended August 31, 2015.

(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the fund pays the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s 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’s 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. Fees paid to the Distributor will be waived to the extent that the fund invests in an underlying affiliated fund with a Shareholder Services Plan. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $60,480 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan of which $3,537 was waived due to the fund's investment in certain of the underlying funds.

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.

20

 

For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes net earnings credits as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, under a transfer agency agreement for providing transfer agency and cash management services for the fund. The majority of transfer agency fees are comprised of amounts paid on a per account basis, while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $12,765 for transfer agency services and $756 for cash management services. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. Cash management fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $30.

The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets, geographic region and transaction activity. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $3,287 pursuant to the custody agreement.

During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $8,772 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: Shareholder Services Plan fees $5,020, custodian fees $1,942, Chief Compliance Officer fees $1,390 and transfer agency fees $2,152, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $4,321.

(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds within the Dreyfus complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended August 31, 2015, amounted to $4,743,980 and $4,469,127, respectively.

At August 31, 2015, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $20,181,748; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $2,659,938, consisting of $3,041,603 gross unrealized appreciation and $381,665 gross unrealized depreciation.

21

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund (one of the series comprising Strategic Funds, Inc.) as of August 31, 2015, 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 August 31, 2015 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 Growth Allocation Fund at August 31, 2015, 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
October 28, 2015

22

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

For federal tax purposes, the fund hereby reports 74.17% of the ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 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, $381,845 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income. The fund also hereby reports $.1824 per share as a short-term capital gain distribution and $.4577 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 31, 2014. Shareholders will receive notification in early 2016 of the percentage applicable to the preparation of their 2015 income tax returns.

23

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph S. DiMartino (71)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Corporate Director and Trustee (1995-present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director (1997-present)

· The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 144

———————

Joni Evans (73)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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: 25

———————

Ehud Houminer (75)

Board Member (1994)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Executive-in-Residence at the Columbia Business School, Columbia

University (1992-present)

Other Public Company Board Membership During Past 5 Years:

·  Avnet, Inc., an electronics distributor, Director (1993-2012)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 62

———————

Hans C. Mautner (77)

Board Member (1984)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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, a real estate company (1999-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

24

 

Robin A. Melvin (51)

Board Member (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Co-chairman, Illinois Mentoring Partnership, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois; (2014-present; a board member since 2013)

· Director, Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports

youth-serving organizations that promote the self sufficiency of youth from

disadvantaged circumstances (1995-2012)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 114

———————

Burton N. Wallack (64)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· President and Co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management

company (1987-present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

John E. Zuccotti (78)

Board Member (1984)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Chairman of Brookfield Properties, Inc. (1996-present)

· Senior Counsel of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (1997-present)

Other Public Company Board Membership During Past 5 Years:

· Wellpoint, Inc., a health benefits company, Director (2005-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

25

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
INTERESTED BOARD MEMBER

Gordon J. Davis (74)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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 (1997-2014)

· The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company, Director (2000-2014)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 63

Gordon J. Davis is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined under the Act) of the Company as a result of his affiliation with Venable LLP, which provides legal services to the Company.

———————

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, New York, New York 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.

Arnold S. Hiatt, Emeritus Board Member
William Hodding Carter III, Emeritus Board Member

26

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

BRADLEY J. SKAPYAK, President since January 2010.

Chief Operating Officer and a director of the Manager since June 2009, Chairman of Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., an affiliate of the Manager and the transfer agent of the funds, since May 2011 and Executive Vice President of the Distributor since June 2007. From April 2003 to June 2009, Mr. Skapyak was the head of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager. He is an officer of 69 investment companies (comprised of 144 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1988.

BENNETT A. MACDOUGALL, Chief Legal Officer since October 2015

Chief Legal Officer of the Manager since June 2015; from June 2005 to June 2015, Director and Associate General Counsel of Deutsche Bank – Asset & Wealth Management Division, and Chief Legal Officer of Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. He is an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2015.

JANETTE E. FARRAGHER, Vice President and Secretary since December 2011.

Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1984.

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon and Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since December 1996.

JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 59 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2000.

JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1991.

MAUREEN E. KANE, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2015.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since July 2014; from October 2004 until July 2014, General Counsel, and from May 2009 until July 2014, Chief Compliance Officer of Century Capital Management. She is an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since July 2014.

SARAH S. KELLEHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2014.

Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager; from August 2005 to March 2013, Associate General Counsel of Third Avenue Management. She is 39 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since March 2013.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 50 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1990.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001.

Director – Mutual Fund Accounting of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1985.

27

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited) (continued)

RICHARD CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008.

Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since September 1982.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1991.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager – Fixed Income Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007.

Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 1990.

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004.

Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (70 investment companies, comprised of 169 portfolios). He is 58 years old and has served in various capacities with the Manager since 1980, including manager of the firm’s Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.

28

 

NOTES

29

 

For More Information

Dreyfus Growth Allocation Fund
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Manager

The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon
225 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10286

Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent

Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Distributor

MBSC Securities Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

   

Ticker Symbols:

SGALX

Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS

Mail The Dreyfus Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

E-mail Send your request to info@dreyfus.com

Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.dreyfus.com

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. (phone 1-800-SEC-0330 for information).

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.dreyfus.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-DREYFUS.

   

© 2015 MBSC Securities Corporation

6270AR0815

 


 

Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund

     

 

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2015

   
 

 

 

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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of Dreyfus or any other person in the Dreyfus organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Dreyfus disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Dreyfus fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Dreyfus fund.

 

Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value

 

Contents

T H E F U N D

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

 

Back Cover

 

       
 


Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund

 

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this annual report for Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund, covering the 12-month period from September 1, 2014, through August 31, 2015. 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.

Financial markets proved volatile over the reporting period. For much of the year, a recovering U.S. economy enabled stocks to advance, but those gains were more than erased in August when economic concerns in China, falling commodity prices and a stronger U.S. dollar sparked sharp corrections in equity markets throughout the world. The emerging markets were especially hard hit in this environment. U.S. bonds generally fared better, rallying in late 2014 due to robust investor demand before reversing course in the spring as the domestic economy strengthened. Global economic instability in August hurt corporate-backed and inflation-linked bonds, but U.S. government securities held up relatively well.

We expect market uncertainty and volatility to persist over the near term as investors vacillate between hopes that current market turmoil represents a healthy correction and fears that further disappointments could trigger a full-blown bear market. Our investment strategists and portfolio managers are monitoring developments carefully, keeping a close watch on Chinese fiscal and monetary policy, liquidity factors affecting various asset classes, and other developments that could influence investor sentiment. Over the longer term, we remain confident that financial markets are likely to stabilize as the world adjusts to slower Chinese economic growth, abundant energy resources, and the anticipated eventual normalization of monetary policy. In our view, investors will continue to be well served under these circumstances by a long-term perspective and a disciplined investment approach.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Sincerely,

J. Charles Cardona

President

The Dreyfus Corporation

September 15, 2015

2

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of September 1, 2014, through August 31, 2015, as provided by Keith L. Stransky, CFA, Senior Portfolio Managers

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended August 31, 2015, Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund produced a total return of -3.00%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s 500® Composite Stock Price Index, produced a total return of 0.48% for the same period.2 The fund also utilizes a customized blended index composed of 60% Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index and 40% Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which returned 1.27% for the same period.3

U.S. stocks produced roughly flat returns amid heightened volatility over the reporting period, while U.S. fixed-income markets fared slightly better. The fund lagged its benchmarks, mainly due to shortfalls among international investments that are not reflected in the indices’ results.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund seeks a balance of current income and capital appreciation. In pursuing its goal, the fund normally allocates 60% of its assets to equity securities and 40% of its assets to fixed income securities.

The fund achieves its targeted asset allocation mix by investing in other mutual funds that are advised by The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus). In turn, the underlying funds invest in a wide range of equity and fixed income securities, including U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap equities; international, global and emerging-market equities; and U.S. and international fixed income securities.

The fund’s portfolio managers, who comprise the Dreyfus Investment Committee, select the underlying funds based on their investment objectives and management policies, portfolio holdings, risk/reward profiles, historical performance and other factors. The fund may invest in a variety of underlying equity and fixed income funds identified by the Dreyfus Investment Committee. The underlying fund options are subject to change at any given time by the fund’s board of directors.

Global Economic Concerns Sparked Market Turnmoil

The reporting period began in the midst of a U.S. stock market downturn stemming from disappointing global economic data, but domestic employment gains, better consumer confidence, and improved business sentiment prompted a quick market recovery. Consequently, some broad U.S. market indices climbed to record highs through the end of February 2015. Investors responded negatively in March to sluggish domestic economic growth stemming from severe winter weather and an appreciating U.S. dollar. However, the U.S. economy regained traction in the spring, and stocks resumed their advance until a debt crisis in Greece and slowing economic growth in China again sent stock prices lower over the summer.

In the U.S. bond market, long-term interest rates fluctuated as investors reacted to global economic developments and shifting expectations of higher short-term interest rates in the

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

United States. Nonetheless, U.S. bonds generally produced higher returns than U.S. stocks for the reporting period overall.

In contrast, an appreciating U.S. dollar against most other currencies substantially undermined international investment returns for U.S. residents. In addition, stocks in the emerging markets lost considerable value amid slowing economic growth in China.

Overseas Exposure Undercut Relative Performance

The fund’s performance compared to its U. S.-centric benchmarks was constrained by exposure to international markets. Most notably, Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund was hurt by general weakness in developing countries. While some of the fund’s more defensively positioned international equity investments—such as Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund and International Stock Fund—fared better than international market averages, they nonetheless underperformed the S&P 500 Index.

The fund’s relative performance was dampened to a lesser degree by security selection shortfalls within some of its underlying stock funds. Dreyfus Appreciation Fund was hurt by overweighted exposure to the struggling energy sector, Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund struggled with disappointments in the materials and industrials sectors, and Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund underperformed in the energy, financials, and industrials sectors. Among fixed-income investments, results were hindered by exposure to lower rated high yield securities. The fund’s allocation strategy helped offset some of the relative weakness produced by its underlying mutual funds. The fund benefited from underweighted exposure compared to its neutral allocation targets among international equities and fixed-income securities. Overweighted positions in U.S. bonds also supported relative performance.

Allocation changes during the reporting period were limited to two moves in February, when we moved assets from Dreyfus International Value Fund to the better performing Dreyfus International Equity Fund, and we reduced international equity exposure by shifting assets from Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund to the Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund.

Positioned for Continued U.S. Economic Growth

We expect market volatility to persist over the near term, but we remain optimistic about the markets’ longer term prospects. The U.S. economy has continued to grow, aggressively accommodative monetary policies are at work in several international markets, and equity valuations throughout the world have become more attractive. Still, until we see greater evidence of global economic stability, we have maintained overweighted exposure to bonds, and we have continued to favor U.S. investments over their international counterparts.

September 15, 2015

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. Stocks of small- and/or mid-cap companies often experience sharper price fluctuations than stocks of large-cap companies.

Asset allocation and diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss.

The ability of the fund to achieve its investment goal depends, in part, on the ability of the Dreyfus Investment Committee to allocate effectively the fund’s assets among the asset classes and the underlying funds. There can be no assurance that the actual allocations will be effective in achieving the fund’s investment goal.

4

 

Bond funds are subject generally to interest rate, credit, liquidity, and market risks, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus. Generally, all other factors being equal, bond prices are inversely related to interest-rate changes, and rate increases can cause price declines.

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. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries.

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment ret urn fluctuate such that upon redemption fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost, Return figure provided reflects the absorption of certain fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an agreement in effect through January 1, 2016, at which time it may be extended, terminated, or modified. Had these expenses not been absorbed, the fund’s return would have been lower.

2  SOURCE: LIPPER, INC. — Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of US. stock market performance.

3  Factset — The Bonded Index is sourced to Factset (both definition are fine).

5

 

FUND PERFORMANCE

Comparison of change in value of $10,000 investment in Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund with the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, and the Customized Blended Index

           

Average Annual Total Returns as of 8/31/15

     
 

Inception

   

From

 

 

Date

1 Year

5 Years

Inception

 

Fund

10/1/09

-3.00%

7.48%

7.06%

 

Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index

9/30/09

0.48%

15.86%

13.47%

†††

Customized Blended Index

9/30/09

1.27%

10.75%

9.78%

†††

Source: Lipper Inc.

†† Source: Factset

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 above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund on 10/1/09 (inception date) to a $10,000 investment made in two different indices: (1) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the “S&P 500 Index”) and (2) the Customized Blended Index. The Customized Blended Index is calculated on a year-to-date basis and rebalanced monthly. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account all applicable fees and expenses. The S&P 500 Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of U.S. stock market performance. The Customized Blended Index is composed of the S&P 500 Index, 60%, and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (“Barclays Index”), 40%. The Barclays Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged index of corporate, government and government agency debt instruments, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of 1-10 years. Unlike a mutual fund, the indices are 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.

††† For comparative purposes, the value of each index on 9/30/09 is used as the beginning value on 10/1/09.

6

 

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 Moderate Allocation Fund from March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. 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 August 31, 2015

   
                 

Expenses paid per $1,000

 

$ 1.97

       

Ending value (after expenses)

 

$ 954.40

       

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 August 31, 2015

                 

Expenses paid per $1,000

 

$ 2.04

       

Ending value (after expenses)

 

$1,023.19

       

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .40%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

7

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

August 31, 2015

||ANAME||

                     

Registered Investment Companies - 100.1% (continued)

 

Shares

 

Value ($)

 

Domestic Equity - 44.5% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Cl. Y

 

97,475

a

4,793,833

 

Dreyfus Disciplined Stock Fund

 

91,561

a

3,093,837

 

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund, Cl. Y

 

43,478

a

1,605,622

 

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

 

473,211

a

6,601,289

 

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

 

61,170

a

1,728,665

 

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

 

124,494

a

4,802,986

 

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

 

60,492

a

1,739,133

 

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

218,517

a

4,112,481

 

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

 

102,095

a

1,744,806

 
       

30,222,652

 

Domestic Fixed Income - 38.1% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

 

388,579

a

4,052,876

 

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

 

422,625

a

2,637,176

 

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund, Cl. Y

 

619,397

a

8,460,969

 

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

 

1,045,746

a

10,677,061

 
       

25,828,082

 

Foreign Equity - 11.6% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

 

140,099

a

1,103,982

 

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

 

133,258

a

1,146,022

 

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

45,632

a

1,552,395

 

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

 

90,734

a

1,405,469

 

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

 

84,409

a

1,616,437

 

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

 

75,615

a

1,063,904

 
       

7,888,209

 

Foreign Fixed Income - 5.9% (continued)

         

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

 

159,412

a

1,740,782

 

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

 

147,086

a

2,276,895

 
       

4,017,677

 

Total Investments (cost $63,180,365)

 

100.1%

 

67,956,620

 

Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables

 

(.1%)

 

(61,513)

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

 

67,895,107

 

a Investment in affiliated mutual fund.

   

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

Mutual Funds: Domestic

82.6

Mutual Funds: Foreign

17.5

 

100.1

Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

8

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

August 31, 2015

             

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

Assets ($):

 

 

 

Investments in affliated issuers—See Statement of Investments

 

63,180,365

 

67,956,620

Receivable for investment securities sold

 

 

 

 

157,290

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

12,438

 

 

 

 

 

68,126,348

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(b)

 

 

 

 

20,274

Cash overdraft due to Custodian

 

 

 

 

155,976

Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed

 

 

 

 

7,521

Accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

47,470

 

 

 

 

 

231,241

Net Assets ($)

 

 

67,895,107

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

60,728,692

Accumulated undistributed investment income—net

 

 

 

 

464,898

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

 

 

 

1,925,262

Accumulated net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments

 

 

 

 

4,776,255

Net Assets ($)

 

 

67,895,107

Shares Outstanding

 

 

(100 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock authorized)

 

4,158,592

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

 

16.33

 

See notes to financial statements.

9

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended August 31, 2015

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Income:

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends from affiliated issuers

 

 

1,472,024

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b)

 

 

228,524

 

Professional fees

 

 

42,671

 

Registration fees

 

 

20,276

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

9,357

 

Directors' fees and expenses—Note 3(c)

 

 

6,319

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

3,461

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

814

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

15,667

 

Total Expenses

 

 

327,089

 

Less—reduction in expenses due to undertaking—Note 3(a)

 

 

(20,305)

 

Less—waiver of shareholder servicing fees—Note 3(b)

 

(8,962)

 

Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(b)

 

 

(57)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

297,765

 

Investment Income—Net

 

 

1,174,259

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments:

 

 

 

 

Affiliated issuers

 

 

 

 

2,774

 

Capital gain distributions from affiliated issuers

 

 

2,781,434

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

 

 

2,784,208

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments:

 

 

 

 

Affiliated issuers

 

 

 

 

(6,049,857)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

(3,265,649)

 

Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

(2,091,390)

 

See notes to financial statements.

10

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

                   
                   

 

 

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

2014

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

1,174,259

 

 

 

947,649

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

2,784,208

 

 

 

1,743,863

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments

 

(6,049,857)

 

 

 

6,699,476

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

(2,091,390)

 

 

 

9,390,988

 

Dividends to Shareholders from ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

(1,524,930)

 

 

 

(1,045,194)

 

Net realized gain on investments

 

 

(1,713,924)

 

 

 

(521,576)

 

Total Dividends

 

 

(3,238,854)

 

 

 

(1,566,770)

 

Capital Stock Transactions ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from shares sold

 

 

3,601,118

 

 

 

24,977,590

 

Dividends reinvested

 

 

3,192,635

 

 

 

1,538,683

 

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

(17,159,083)

 

 

 

(9,164,931)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Capital Stock Transactions

(10,365,330)

 

 

 

17,351,342

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

(15,695,574)

 

 

 

25,175,560

 

Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

83,590,681

 

 

 

58,415,121

 

End of Period

 

 

67,895,107

 

 

 

83,590,681

 

Undistributed investment income—net

464,898

 

 

 

410,316

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

210,538

 

 

 

1,490,050

 

Shares issued for dividends reinvested

 

 

191,405

 

 

 

92,469

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(1,010,581)

 

 

 

(542,629)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(608,638)

 

 

 

1,039,890

 

See notes to financial statements.

11

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

             
         
 

Year Ended August 31,

   

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Per Share Data ($):

           

Net asset value, beginning of period

17.53

15.67

14.85

14.12

12.93

Investment Operations:

           

Investment income—neta

.26

.22

.26

.18

.18

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

(.76)

2.03

.94

.86

1.25

Total from Investment Operations

(.50)

2.25

1.20

1.04

1.43

Distributions:

           

Dividends from investment income—net

 

(.33)

(.26)

(.25)

(.22)

(.20)

Dividends from net realized gain on investments

(.37)

(.13)

(.13)

(.09)

(.04)

Total Distributions

(.70)

(.39)

(.38)

(.31)

(.24)

Net asset value, end of period

16.33

17.53

15.67

14.85

14.12

Total Return (%)

(3.00)

14.45

8.16

7.57

11.02

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

         

Ratio of total expenses to average net assetsb

.42

.43

.51

.63

.74

Ratio of net expenses to average net assetsb

 

.39

.25

.29

.59

.63

Ratio of net investment income to average net assetsb

1.52

1.30

1.68

1.27

1.25

Portfolio Turnover Rate

10.58

17.81

31.25

28.82

17.48

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

67,895

83,591

58,415

35,389

27,840

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amounts do not include the expenses of the underlying funds.

See notes to financial statements.

12

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus Moderate Allocation 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 a balance of current income and 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. MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge.

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 (“ASC”) 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).

13

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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.

Investments are valued at the net asset value of each underlying fund determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date and are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of August 31, 2015 in valuing the fund’s investments:

         
 

Level 1 - Unadjusted Quoted Prices

Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs

Level 3 -Significant Unobservable Inputs

Total

Assets ($)

       

Investments in Securities:

Mutual Funds

67,956,620

-

-

67,956,620

See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

At August 31, 2015, 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.

14

 

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.

(c) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by Dreyfus are defined as “affiliated” under the Act. Investments in affiliated investment companies during the period ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:

         

Affiliated Investment

Value

   

Net Realized

Company

8/31/2014 ($)

Purchases ($)

Sales ($)

Gain (Loss) ($)

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Cl. Y

6,069,595

529,953

1,113,100

5,570

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

4,788,897

230,442

886,759

2,072

Dreyfus Disciplined Stock Fund

3,657,718

462,376

663,519

(29,877)

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

2,838,008

85,340

536,396

(122,284)

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund, Cl. Y

1,902,658

56,964

341,061

(7,553)

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

3,257,919

152,603

2,232,745

256,323

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

3,263,391

244,060

606,159

(28,020)

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund,
Cl. Y

10,151,667

450,907

1,903,742

(34,867)

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

2,929,192

171,782

551,899

(30,328)

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y††

1,201,840

702,166

239,088

(7,589)

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

1,858,936

78,453

350,363

(15,172)

Dreyfus International Value Fund, Cl. I

1,028,196

33,892

988,681

66,251

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund,
Cl. Y

2,003,652

242,773

365,865

(8,785)

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

7,580,101

576,437

1,384,398

16,942

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

11,009,321

2,059,687

2,086,674

(41,462)

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

2,022,360

185,609

367,416

(545)

15

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

         

Affiliated Investment

Value

   

Net Realized

Company

8/31/2014 ($)

Purchases ($)

Sales ($)

Gain (Loss) ($)

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

5,753,161

704,638

1,044,888

(2,251)

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

2,113,161

300,086

373,617

373

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

5,054,216

355,353

925,516

6,490

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

1,847,715

269,622

352,548

(10,033)

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

2,036,695

229,163

367,416

(7,515)

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

1,413,218

45,177

263,547

(4,966)

TOTAL

83,781,617

8,167,483

17,945,397

2,774

         

Affiliated Investment Company

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) ($)

Value 8/31/2015 ($)

Net
Assets (%)

Dividends/ Distributions ($)

Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Cl. Y

(698,185)

4,793,833

7.1

424,328

Dreyfus Bond Market Index Fund, BASIC Shares

(81,776)

4,052,876

6.0

146,296

Dreyfus Disciplined Stock Fund

(332,861)

3,093,837

4.6

399,413

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund, Cl. Y

(523,886)

1,740,782

2.5

34,441

Dreyfus Emerging Markets Fund,
Cl. Y

(507,026)

1,103,982

1.6

24,601

Dreyfus Global Real Estate Securities Fund, Cl. Y

(288,078)

1,146,022

1.7

95,231

Dreyfus High Yield Fund, Cl. I

(236,096)

2,637,176

3.9

186,541

Dreyfus Intermediate Term Income Fund, Cl. Y

(202,996)

8,460,969

12.4

270,258

Dreyfus International Bond Fund, Cl. Y

(241,852)

2,276,895

3.3

119,411

Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Cl. Y††

(104,934)

1,552,395

2.3

15,981

16

 

         

Affiliated Investment Company

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) ($)

Value 8/31/2015 ($)

Net
Assets (%)

Dividends/ Distributions ($)

Dreyfus International Stock Index Fund

(166,385)

1,405,469

2.1

45,206

Dreyfus International Value Fund, Cl. I

(139,658)

-

-

16,224

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value Fund, Cl. Y

(266,153)

1,605,622

2.4

208,056

Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Cl. Y

(187,793)

6,601,289

9.7

445,068

Dreyfus Short Duration Bond Fund, Cl. Y

(263,811)

10,677,061

15.7

233,543

Dreyfus Smallcap Stock Index Fund

(111,343)

1,728,665

2.5

150,745

Dreyfus Strategic Value Fund, Cl. Y

(607,674)

4,802,986

7.1

605,161

Dreyfus Structured Midcap Fund, Cl. Y

(300,870)

1,739,133

2.6

264,633

Dreyfus U.S. Equity Fund, Cl. Y

(378,062)

4,112,481

6.0

267,530

Dreyfus/Newton International Equity Fund, Cl. Y

(138,319)

1,616,437

2.4

86,324

Dreyfus/The Boston Company Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, Cl. Y

(146,121)

1,744,806

2.6

194,298

International Stock Fund, Cl. Y

(125,978)

1,063,904

1.6

20,169

TOTAL

(6,049,857)

67,956,620

100.1

4,253,458

† Includes reinvested dividends/distributions.

†† During the period ended August 31, 2015, investments were exchanged in the same fund from Class I to Class Y shares.

(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.

17

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(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 August 31, 2015, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the four-year period ended August 31, 2015 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At August 31, 2015, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $471,294, undistributed capital gains $2,124,478 and unrealized appreciation $4,570,643.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 were as follows: ordinary income $1,864,472 and $1,185,697, and long-term capital gains $1,374,382 and $381,073, respectively.

During the period ended August 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for short-term capital gain distributions from regulated investment company holdings, the fund increased accumulated undistributed investment income-net by $405,253 and decreased 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.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $430 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 8, 2014, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A. was $265 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

18

 

of borrowing. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with Dreyfus, there is no management fee paid to Dreyfus. The fund invests in other mutual funds advised by Dreyfus. All fees and expenses of the underlying funds are reflected in the underlying funds' net asset values. Dreyfus has contractually agreed, from September 1, 2014 through January 1, 2016 to assume the expenses of the fund so that the total annual fund’s and underlying funds’ operating expenses (excluding taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.05% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. The reduction in expenses, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $20,305 during the period ended August 31, 2015.

(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the fund pays the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s 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’s 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. Fees paid to the Distributor will be waived to the extent that the fund invests in an underlying affiliated fund with a Shareholder Services Plan. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $193,109 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan of which $8,962 was waived due to the fund's investment in certain of the underlying funds.

The fund has arrangements with the transfer agent and the custodian whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset transfer agency and custody fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes net earnings credits as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, under a transfer agency agreement for providing transfer agency and cash management services for the fund. The majority of transfer agency fees are comprised of amounts paid on a per account basis,

19

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $21,586 for transfer agency services and $1,427 for cash management services. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. Cash management fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $57.

The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets, geographic region and transaction activity. During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $3,461 pursuant to the custody agreement.

During the period ended August 31, 2015, the fund was charged $8,772 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: Shareholder Services Plan fees $14,859, custodian fees $1,787, Chief Compliance Officer fees $1,390 and transfer agency fees $3,977, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $1,739.

(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds within the Dreyfus complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended August 31, 2015, amounted to $8,167,483 and $17,945,397, respectively.

At August 31, 2015, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $63,385,977; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized apreciation on investments was $4,570,643, consisting of $6,281,129 gross unrealized appreciation and $1,710,486 gross unrealized depreciation.

20

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund (one of the series comprising Strategic Funds, Inc.) as of August 31, 2015, 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 August 31, 2015 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 Moderate Allocation Fund at August 31, 2015, 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
October 28, 2015

21

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

For federal tax purposes, the fund hereby reports 86.99% of the ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 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, $1,553,659 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income. The fund also hereby reports $.0733 per share as a short-term capital gain distribution and $.2967 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 31, 2014. Shareholders will receive notification in early 2016 of the percentage applicable to the preparation of their 2015 income tax returns.

22

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph S. DiMartino (71)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Corporate Director and Trustee (1995-present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions for small and medium size companies, Director (1997-present)

· The Newark Group, a provider of a national market of paper recovery facilities, paperboard mills and paperboard converting plants, Director (2000-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 144

———————

Joni Evans (73)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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: 25

———————

Ehud Houminer (75)

Board Member (1994)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Executive-in-Residence at the Columbia Business School, Columbia

University (1992-present)

Other Public Company Board Membership During Past 5 Years:

·  Avnet, Inc., an electronics distributor, Director (1993-2012)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 62

———————

Hans C. Mautner (77)

Board Member (1984)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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, a real estate company (1999-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

23

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS (continued)

Robin A. Melvin (51)

Board Member (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Co-chairman, Illinois Mentoring Partnership, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois; (2014-present; a board member since 2013)

· Director, Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports

youth-serving organizations that promote the self sufficiency of youth from

disadvantaged circumstances (1995-2012)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 114

———————

Burton N. Wallack (64)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· President and Co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management

company (1987-present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

John E. Zuccotti (78)

Board Member (1984)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Chairman of Brookfield Properties, Inc. (1996-present)

· Senior Counsel of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (1997-present)

Other Public Company Board Membership During Past 5 Years:

· Wellpoint, Inc., a health benefits company, Director (2005-2010)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 25

———————

24

 

INTERESTED BOARD MEMBER

Gordon J. Davis (74)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· 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 (1997-2014)

· The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company, Director (2000-2014)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 63

Gordon J. Davis is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined under the Act) of the Company as a result of his affiliation with Venable LLP, which provides legal services to the Company.

———————

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, New York, New York 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.

Arnold S. Hiatt, Emeritus Board Member
William Hodding Carter III, Emeritus Board Member

25

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

BRADLEY J. SKAPYAK, President since January 2010.

Chief Operating Officer and a director of the Manager since June 2009, Chairman of Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., an affiliate of the Manager and the transfer agent of the funds, since May 2011 and Executive Vice President of the Distributor since June 2007. From April 2003 to June 2009, Mr. Skapyak was the head of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager. He is an officer of 69 investment companies (comprised of 144 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1988.

BENNETT A. MACDOUGALL, Chief Legal Officer since October 2015

Chief Legal Officer of the Manager since June 2015; from June 2005 to June 2015, Director and Associate General Counsel of Deutsche Bank – Asset & Wealth Management Division, and Chief Legal Officer of Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. He is an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2015.

JANETTE E. FARRAGHER, Vice President and Secretary since December 2011.

Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1984.

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon and Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since December 1996.

JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 59 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2000.

JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1991.

MAUREEN E. KANE, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2015.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since July 2014; from October 2004 until July 2014, General Counsel, and from May 2009 until July 2014, Chief Compliance Officer of Century Capital Management. She is an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since July 2014.

SARAH S. KELLEHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2014.

Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager; from August 2005 to March 2013, Associate General Counsel of Third Avenue Management. She is 39 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since March 2013.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 50 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1990.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001.

Director – Mutual Fund Accounting of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1985.

26

 

RICHARD CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008.

Senior Accounting Manager – Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since September 1982.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1991.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager – Fixed Income Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007.

Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager – Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 70 investment companies (comprised of 169 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 1990.

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004.

Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (70 investment companies, comprised of 169 portfolios). He is 58 years old and has served in various capacities with the Manager since 1980, including manager of the firm’s Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.

27

 

NOTES

28

 

NOTES

29

 

For More Information

Dreyfus Moderate Allocation Fund

200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Manager

The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon
225 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10286

Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent

Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

Distributor

MBSC Securities Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166

   

Ticker Symbols:

SMDAX

Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS

Mail The Dreyfus Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

E-mail Send your request to info@dreyfus.com

Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.dreyfus.com

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. (phone 1-800-SEC-0330 for information).

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.dreyfus.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-DREYFUS.

   

© 2015 MBSC Securities Corporation

6269AR0815

 


 

 

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 $96,678 in 2014 and $99,093 in 2015.

 

(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 $ 36,360 in 2014 and $18,819 in 2015.  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 2014 and $0 in 2015.

 

(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 $9,894 in 2014 and $11,120 in 2015.  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 2014 and $0 in 2015. 

 

(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 $507 in 2014 and $1,327 in 2015. [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 2014 and $0 in 2015. 

 

(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 $32,746,283 in 2014 and $21,000,680 in 2015. 

 

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:    October 22, 2015

 

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:    October 22, 2015

 

By:       /s/James Windels

            James Windels,

            Treasurer

 

Date:    October 22, 2015

 

 

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)