N-CSRS 1 lp1-064.htm SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT lp1-064.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 - 4906

 

 

 

Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds

 

 

(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)

 

 

 

 

 

John Pak, 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:

 

4/30

 

Date of reporting period:

10/31/13

 

             

 

 


 

 

 

FORM N-CSR

Item 1.      Reports to Stockholders.

 


 

Dreyfus State 
Municipal Bond Funds, 
Dreyfus Connecticut Fund 

 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT October 31, 2013




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

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

 



 

Contents

 

THE FUND

2     

A Letter from the President

3     

Discussion of Fund Performance

6     

Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses

6     

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses With Those of Other Funds

7     

Statement of Investments

18     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

19     

Statement of Operations

20     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

23     

Financial Highlights

28     

Notes to Financial Statements

37     

Information About the Renewal of the Fund’s Management Agreement

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



Dreyfus State
Municipal Bond Funds,
Dreyfus Connecticut Fund

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Connecticut Fund, a series of Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds, covering the six-month period from May 1, 2013, through October 31, 2013. 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.

The reporting period produced a relatively challenging environment for most fixed-income securities, as a gradually strengthening U.S. economy and expectations of more moderately stimulative monetary policies drove longer term interest rates higher and bond prices lower. Municipal bonds proved particularly sensitive to these developments, as the negative effects of rising rates were exacerbated by selling pressure among investors seeking safer havens.

We currently expect U.S. economic conditions to continue to improve in 2014, with accelerating growth and credit conditions supported by the fading drags of tighter federal fiscal policies and downsizing on the state and local levels. Moreover, inflation is likely to remain muted, so monetary policy can remain stimulative. Globally, we anticipate stronger growth in developed countries due to past and continuing monetary ease, while emerging markets seem poised for moderate economic expansion despite recently negative investor sentiment. For more information on how these observations may affect your investments, we encourage you to speak with your financial advisor.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.


J. Charles Cardona
President
The Dreyfus Corporation
November 15, 2013

2



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of May 1, 2013, through October 31, 2013, as provided by Daniel Barton and Jeffrey Burger, Portfolio Managers

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the six-month period ended October 31, 2013, Class A shares of Dreyfus Connecticut Fund, a series of Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds, produced a total return of –5.91%, Class C shares returned –6.29%, Class I shares returned –5.80%, ClassY shares from inception (9/3/13) returned 3.45%, and Class Z shares returned –5.80%.1 In comparison, the Barclays Municipal Bond Index, the fund’s benchmark index, which is composed of bonds issued nationally and not solely within Connecticut, achieved a total return of –3.44% for the same period.2

Selling pressure stemming from concerns about actual and anticipated interest rate changes sent municipal bonds into negative territory during the reporting period. The fund lagged its benchmark, mainly due to overweighted exposure to longer dated revenue bonds and weakness among Puerto Rico municipal bonds.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal and Connecticut state income taxes, without undue risk.To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal and Connecticut state income taxes.The fund invests at least 70% of its assets in investment-grade municipal bonds or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. For additional yield, the fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio normally exceeds 10 years, but the fund may invest without regard to maturity.

In managing the fund, we focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities, and we minimize the use of interest rate forecasting.We select municipal bonds by using fundamental credit analysis to estimate the relative value of various sectors and securities and to exploit pricing inefficiencies in the municipal bond market. Additionally, we trade among the market’s various sectors, such as the pre-refunded,

The Fund  3 

 



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

general obligation and revenue sectors, based on their apparent relative values.The fund generally will invest simultaneously in several of these sectors.

Selling Pressure Sparked Declines Among Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds encountered heightened volatility over the reporting period. The robust investor demand that had characterized much of 2012 failed to rematerialize in 2013, sending municipal bond yields higher despite a relatively meager supply of newly issued securities.Yields of U.S.Treasury securities also generally climbed in response to improved economic trends, putting additional pressure on municipal bond prices.

In late May, remarks by Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) Chairman Ben Bernanke were widely interpreted as a signal that the central bank would back away from its ongoing quantitative easing program sooner than expected. This development sent longer term interest rates sharply higher, further eroding returns from municipal bonds. In July, a bankruptcy filing by the city of Detroit also intensified selling pressure, and in September, municipal bonds issued by Puerto Rico contributed to market weakness after media reports detailed the U.S. territory’s fiscal and economic problems. Yet, municipal bonds generally rallied over the final weeks of September and during October when the Fed refrained from tapering its quantitative easing program.

Despite the fiscal problems facing Detroit and Puerto Rico, credit conditions continued to improve for most states and municipalities. Connecticut also has experienced improved credit conditions, as evidenced by a budget surplus for its 2013 fiscal year. However, the state’s unemployment rate has stayed higher than national averages, and unfunded pension liabilities remain a concern.

Long Average Duration Dampened Fund Performance

The fund was undermined over the reporting period by a relatively long average duration and an emphasis on longer term securities, which magnified the impact of rising long-term interest rates. Relative performance also was hurt by a position in Puerto Rico bonds, which we believe were punished more severely than warranted by underlying credit fundamentals. In addition, the fund’s emphasis on revenue bonds proved counterproductive, as they lagged Connecticut general obligation bonds. Overweighted exposure to the lower end of the investment-grade spectrum also weighed on results compared to the benchmark.

4



Our security selection strategy achieved better results in other areas, especially among bonds backed by educational institutions and essential municipal facilities, such as sewer districts and waterworks.

Finding Attractive Values in a Dislocated Market

Although market volatility may persist over the near term, we believe that improved economic conditions and restored investor demand will help lift municipal bond valuations toward historical norms over the longer term.

In the meantime, we have continued to emphasize attractive relative values, including longer dated revenue bonds with credit ratings toward the bottom of the investment-grade spectrum.We also have retained the fund’s Puerto Rico holdings for income and diversification purposes. In light of steep yield differences along the market’s maturity range, the fund’s average duration remains in a position that is slightly longer than market averages.

November 15, 2013

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.

The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes, and state and local economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the fund’s investments in municipal bonds. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Changes in economic, business or political conditions relating to a particular municipal project, municipality, or state in which the fund invests may have an impact on the fund’s share price.

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid, and does not take into consideration the 
maximum initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge imposed 
on redemptions in the case of Class C shares. Had these charges been reflected, returns would have been lower. Class 
Z, ClassY and Class I shares are not subject to any initial or deferred sales charge. Past performance is no guarantee 
of future results. Share price, yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be 
worth more or less than their original cost. Income may be subject to state and local taxes for non-Connecticut 
residents, and some income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain investors. 
Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Returns for ClassY are from inception date of 9/3/2013. 
2 SOURCE: LIPPER INC. — Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. 
The Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged total return performance benchmark for the 
long-term, investment-grade, tax-exempt bond market. Index returns do not reflect fees and expenses associated with 
operating a mutual fund. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. 

 

The Fund  5 

 



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 State Municipal Bond Funds, Dreyfus Connecticut Fund from May 1, 2013 to October 31, 2013. 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 October 31, 2013

    Class A    Class C    Class I    Class Y    Class Z 
Expenses paid per $1,000††  $ 4.35  $ 8.11  $ 3.13  $ 1.15  $ 3.28 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 940.90  $ 937.10  $ 942.00  $ 1,034.50  $ 942.00 

 

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 October 31, 2013

    Class A    Class C    Class I    Class Y    Class Z 
Expenses paid per $1,000††††  $ 4.53  $ 8.44  $ 3.26  $ 3.62  $ 3.41 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,020.72  $ 1,016.84  $ 1,021.98  $ 1,021.63  $ 1,021.83 

 

  From September 3, 2013 (commencement of initial offering) to October 31, 2013 for ClassY shares. 
††  Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .89% for Class A, 1.66% for Class C , .64% for 
  Class I and .67% for Class Z, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to 
  reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .71% for ClassY, 
  multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 58/365 (to reflect the actual days in the period) 
†††  Please note that while ClassY shares commenced operations on September 3, 2013, the hypothetical expenses paid 
  during the period reflect projected activity for the full six month period for purposes of comparability.This projection 
  assumes that annualized expense ratios were in effect during the period May 1, 2013 to October 31, 2013. 
††††  Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .89% for Class A, 1.66% for Class C, .64% for 
  Class I, .71% for ClassY and .67% for Class Z, multiplied by the average account value over the period, 
  multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). 

 

6



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS 
October 31, 2013 (Unaudited) 

 

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments—98.6%  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Connecticut—81.8%           
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  11/1/18  5,000,000   5,916,150 
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  12/15/22  1,855,000   2,082,367 
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  4/15/24  2,500,000   2,840,700 
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  11/1/27  2,000,000   2,251,660 
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  11/1/27  5,000,000   5,617,650 
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  11/1/28  3,000,000   3,365,760 
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  11/1/28  5,000,000   5,571,050 
Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  11/1/31  5,000,000   5,439,350 
Connecticut,           
Special Tax Obligation           
Revenue (Transportation           
Infrastructure Purposes)  5.00  12/1/21  5,000,000   5,976,900 
Connecticut,           
Special Tax Obligation           
Revenue (Transportation           
Infrastructure Purposes)  5.00  11/1/22  5,000,000   5,800,400 
Connecticut,           
Special Tax Obligation Revenue           
(Transportation Infrastructure           
Purposes) (Insured; AMBAC)  5.25  7/1/19  3,395,000   4,084,219 
Connecticut,           
State Revolving Fund           
General Revenue  5.00  1/1/19  5,275,000   6,267,491 
Connecticut,           
State Revolving Fund           
General Revenue  5.00  1/1/23  1,250,000   1,470,875 
Connecticut Development Authority,           
Airport Facility Revenue           
(Learjet Inc. Project)  7.95  4/1/26  2,300,000   2,428,432 
Connecticut Development Authority,           
First Mortgage Gross Revenue           
(The Elim Park Baptist Home, Inc.           
Project) (Prerefunded)  5.25  12/1/15  1,765,000 a  1,959,521 

 

The Fund  7 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Connecticut (continued)         
Connecticut Development Authority,         
PCR (The Connecticut Light and         
Power Company Project)  4.38  9/1/28  3,900,000  3,989,427 
Connecticut Development Authority,         
Water Facilities Revenue         
(Aquarion Water Company of         
Connecticut Project)  5.50  4/1/21  4,500,000  5,071,725 
Connecticut Development Authority,         
Water Facilities Revenue (Aquarion         
Water Company of Connecticut         
Project) (Insured; XLCA)  5.10  9/1/37  6,550,000  6,576,658 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Ascension Health Senior         
Credit Group)  5.00  11/15/40  10,000,000  10,277,600 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Bridgeport Hospital Issue)  5.00  7/1/25  3,625,000  3,875,778 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Connecticut State University         
System Issue)  5.00  11/1/18  1,320,000  1,560,808 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Fairfield University Issue)  5.00  7/1/25  1,340,000  1,480,928 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Fairfield University Issue)  5.00  7/1/27  1,420,000  1,546,763 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Fairfield University Issue)  5.00  7/1/34  4,000,000  4,130,360 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Fairfield University Issue)  5.00  7/1/35  2,000,000  2,065,060 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Fairfield University Issue)  5.00  7/1/40  2,500,000  2,563,925 

 

8



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Connecticut (continued)         
Connecticut Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue         
(Greenwich Academy Issue)         
(Insured; Assured Guaranty         
Municipal Corp.)  5.25  3/1/32  10,880,000  13,331,482 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Hartford HealthCare Issue)  5.00  7/1/32  1,000,000  1,006,580 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Hartford HealthCare Issue)  5.00  7/1/41  2,000,000  1,980,620 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Hospital for Special Care         
Issue) (Insured; Radian)  5.25  7/1/32  2,000,000  2,006,780 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Lawrence and Memorial         
Hospital Issue)  5.00  7/1/31  1,000,000  1,034,350 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Loomis Chaffee School Issue)         
(Insured; AMBAC)  5.25  7/1/28  1,760,000  2,103,042 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Quinnipiac University Issue)         
(Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  7/1/19  2,000,000  2,218,220 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Quinnipiac University Issue)         
(Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.75  7/1/33  5,000,000  5,533,550 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Sacred Heart University Issue)  5.38  7/1/31  1,000,000  1,037,420 

 

The Fund  9 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Connecticut (continued)         
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Salisbury School Issue) (Insured;         
Assured Guaranty Corp.)  5.00  7/1/33  5,000,000  5,177,700 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Stamford Hospital Issue)  5.00  7/1/30  6,750,000  6,908,895 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(The William W. Backus Hospital         
Issue) (Insured; Assured Guaranty         
Municipal Corp.)  5.25  7/1/23  2,000,000  2,183,620 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Trinity College Issue)         
(Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  7/1/22  1,000,000  1,028,130 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(University of Hartford Issue)         
(Insured; Radian)  5.00  7/1/17  1,220,000  1,309,609 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(University of Hartford Issue)         
(Insured; Radian)  5.25  7/1/36  5,070,000  4,922,514 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Wesleyan University Issue)  5.00  7/1/35  5,000,000  5,253,950 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Wesleyan University Issue)  5.00  7/1/39  6,500,000  6,764,745 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Western Connecticut Health         
Network Issue)  5.38  7/1/41  1,000,000  1,029,020 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Yale University Issue)  5.00  7/1/40  5,000,000  5,376,050 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Yale-New Haven Hospital Issue)  5.75  7/1/34  4,000,000  4,361,840 

 

10



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Connecticut (continued)         
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Yale-New Haven Hospital         
Issue) (Insured; AMBAC)  5.00  7/1/31  2,500,000  2,534,075 
Connecticut Health and Educational         
Facilities Authority, State         
Supported Child Care Revenue  5.00  7/1/25  1,490,000  1,633,860 
Connecticut Higher Education         
Supplemental Loan Authority,         
Senior Revenue (Connecticut         
Family Education Loan Program)         
(Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  4.50  11/15/20  1,535,000  1,536,443 
Connecticut Higher Education         
Supplemental Loan Authority,         
Senior Revenue (Connecticut         
Family Education Loan Program)         
(Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  4.80  11/15/22  3,255,000  3,356,165 
Connecticut Housing Finance         
Authority, Revenue (Housing         
Mortgage Finance Program)         
(Insured; AMBAC)  5.10  11/15/33  2,155,000  2,180,968 
Connecticut Municipal Electric         
Energy Cooperative, Power         
Supply System Revenue  5.00  1/1/38  3,000,000  3,100,080 
Connecticut Resources Recovery         
Authority, RRR (American         
Ref-Fuel Company of Southeastern         
Connecticut Project)  5.50  11/15/15  1,000,000  1,000,070 
Connecticut Resources Recovery         
Authority, RRR (American         
Ref-Fuel Company of Southeastern         
Connecticut Project)  5.50  11/15/15  3,250,000  3,250,227 
Connecticut Transmission Municipal         
Electric Energy Cooperative,         
Transmission System Revenue  5.00  1/1/42  3,000,000  3,103,470 
Eastern Connecticut Resource         
Recovery Authority, Solid         
Waste Revenue (Wheelabrator         
Lisbon Project)  5.50  1/1/14  910,000  910,919 

 

The Fund  11 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Connecticut (continued)           
Eastern Connecticut Resource           
Recovery Authority, Solid           
Waste Revenue (Wheelabrator           
Lisbon Project)  5.50  1/1/20  7,000,000   7,007,070 
Greater New Haven Water Pollution           
Control Authority, Regional           
Wastewater System Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  11/15/37  1,800,000   1,845,684 
Greater New Haven Water Pollution           
Control Authority, Regional           
Wastewater System Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  11/15/30  5,000,000   5,222,200 
Greater New Haven Water Pollution           
Control Authority, Regional           
Wastewater System Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  8/15/35  2,000,000   2,082,140 
Hamden,           
GO (Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)           
(Escrowed to Maturity)  5.25  8/15/14  5,000   5,202 
Hartford,           
GO  5.00  7/15/16  1,775,000   1,974,528 
Hartford,           
GO  5.00  4/1/24  1,000,000   1,137,920 
Hartford,           
GO (Escrowed to Maturity)  5.00  4/1/17  1,325,000   1,518,251 
Hartford,           
GO (Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  4/1/32  595,000   619,014 
Hartford,           
GO (Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Municipal Corp.)           
(Prerefunded)  5.00  4/1/22  255,000 a  309,045 
Hartford County Metropolitan           
District, Clean Water           
Project Revenue  5.00  4/1/31  3,510,000   3,769,003 

 

12



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Connecticut (continued)         
Meriden,         
GO (Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  8/1/16  2,090,000  2,345,607 
New Britain,         
GO (Insured; Assured         
Guaranty Corp.)  5.00  4/1/24  4,500,000  5,386,815 
New Haven,         
GO  5.00  3/1/17  1,425,000  1,585,455 
New Haven,         
GO (Insured; Assured         
Guaranty Corp.)  5.00  3/1/29  1,000,000  1,028,670 
Norwalk,         
GO  5.00  7/15/24  1,000,000  1,177,020 
South Central Connecticut         
Regional Water Authority,         
Water System Revenue  5.00  8/1/31  3,940,000  4,186,605 
South Central Connecticut         
Regional Water Authority,         
Water System Revenue  5.00  8/1/32  1,370,000  1,458,762 
South Central Connecticut         
Regional Water Authority,         
Water System Revenue  5.00  8/1/33  4,000,000  4,244,080 
South Central Connecticut Regional         
Water Authority, Water System         
Revenue (Insured; National         
Public Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  8/1/24  2,000,000  2,411,120 
South Central Connecticut Regional         
Water Authority, Water System         
Revenue (Insured; National         
Public Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  8/1/31  2,000,000  2,161,480 
Stamford,         
GO  5.00  7/1/21  4,410,000  5,335,659 
Stamford,         
Water Pollution         
Control System and         
Facility Revenue  5.50  8/15/38  400,000  435,660 
University of Connecticut,         
GO  5.00  2/15/25  1,000,000  1,134,820 

 

The Fund  13 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Connecticut (continued)           
University of Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  2/15/27  1,000,000    1,116,600 
University of Connecticut,           
GO  5.00  2/15/28  1,000,000    1,107,260 
University of Connecticut,           
GO (Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.) (Prerefunded)  5.00  2/15/15  1,225,000  a  1,300,276 
University of Connecticut,           
Special Obligation           
Student Fee Revenue  5.00  11/15/24  5,000,000    5,822,050 
U.S. Related—16.8%           
Children’s Trust Fund of Puerto           
Rico, Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  5.50  5/15/39  3,000,000    2,679,690 
Children’s Trust Fund of Puerto           
Rico, Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  0.00  5/15/50  12,000,000  b  707,400 
Guam,           
LOR (Section 30)  5.63  12/1/29  1,000,000    1,048,410 
Guam Economic Development           
Authority, Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds (Escrowed           
to Maturity)  5.45  5/15/16  1,445,000    1,616,189 
Guam Power Authority,           
Revenue  5.50  10/1/30  1,750,000    1,787,222 
Guam Power Authority,           
Revenue  5.00  10/1/34  2,000,000    1,954,260 
Guam Waterworks Authority,           
Water and Wastewater           
System Revenue  5.50  7/1/16  750,000    753,607 
Guam Waterworks Authority,           
Water and Wastewater           
System Revenue  5.63  7/1/40  2,000,000    1,900,660 
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer           
Authority, Senior Lien Revenue  5.13  7/1/37  620,000    456,345 
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer           
Authority, Senior Lien Revenue  6.00  7/1/38  2,500,000    1,969,400 

 

14



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
U.S. Related (continued)           
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,           
Public Improvement GO           
(Insured; FGIC)  5.50  7/1/16  3,270,000   3,054,834 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,           
Public Improvement GO           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  7/1/14  2,925,000   2,923,216 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.25  7/1/28  5,000,000   3,778,600 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.00  7/1/32  3,550,000   2,572,472 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.25  7/1/40  3,000,000   2,204,340 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.00  7/1/42  380,000   269,321 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  7/1/19  1,525,000   1,423,359 
Puerto Rico Highways and           
Transportation Authority,           
Highway Revenue           
(Prerefunded)  5.50  7/1/16  5,000,000 a  5,672,100 
Puerto Rico Highways and           
Transportation Authority,           
Transportation Revenue  5.50  7/1/22  3,025,000   2,384,365 
Puerto Rico Highways and           
Transportation Authority,           
Transportation Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  7/1/33  3,000,000   2,381,370 
Puerto Rico Infrastructure           
Financing Authority, Special           
Tax Revenue (Insured; AMBAC)  0.00  7/1/35  5,500,000 b  958,210 
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing           
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue           
(First Subordinate Series)  5.38  8/1/39  1,500,000   1,198,815 

 

The Fund  15 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
U.S. Related (continued)           
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing           
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue           
(First Subordinate Series)  6.00  8/1/42  7,450,000   6,450,061 
Virgin Islands Public Finance           
Authority, Revenue (Virgin Islands           
Matching Fund Loan Note)  5.00  10/1/25  5,000,000   5,263,850 
 
Total Investments (cost $324,946,287)      98.6 %  324,522,043 
Cash and Receivables (Net)      1.4 %  4,720,155 
Net Assets      100.0 %  329,242,198 

 

a These securities are prerefunded; the date shown represents the prerefunded date. Bonds which are prerefunded are 
collateralized by U.S. Government securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and interest on 
the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date. 
b Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount. 

 

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)     
 
  Value (%)    Value (%) 
Education  20.8  Transportation Services  3.4 
Health Care  15.1  City  3.0 
Utility-Water and Sewer  13.2  Housing  1.3 
State/Territory  12.5  Asset-Backed  1.0 
Special Tax  8.8  Resource Recovery  .6 
Utility-Electric  8.0  Other  3.4 
Pre-Refunded  3.8     
Industrial  3.7    98.6 
 
† Based on net assets.       
See notes to financial statements.       

 

16



Summary of Abbreviations     
 
ABAG  Association of Bay Area  ACA  American Capital Access 
  Governments     
AGC  ACE Guaranty Corporation  AGIC  Asset Guaranty Insurance Company 
AMBAC  American Municipal Bond  ARRN  Adjustable Rate 
  Assurance Corporation    Receipt Notes 
BAN  Bond Anticipation Notes  BPA  Bond Purchase Agreement 
CIFG  CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty  COP  Certificate of Participation 
CP  Commercial Paper  DRIVERS  Derivative Inverse 
      Tax-Exempt Receipts 
EDR  Economic Development  EIR  Environmental Improvement 
  Revenue    Revenue 
FGIC  Financial Guaranty  FHA  Federal Housing 
  Insurance Company    Administration 
FHLB  Federal Home  FHLMC  Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
  Loan Bank    Corporation 
FNMA  Federal National  GAN  Grant Anticipation Notes 
  Mortgage Association     
GIC  Guaranteed Investment  GNMA  Government National Mortgage 
  Contract    Association 
GO  General Obligation  HR  Hospital Revenue 
IDB  Industrial Development Board  IDC  Industrial Development Corporation 
IDR  Industrial Development  LIFERS  Long Inverse Floating 
  Revenue    Exempt Receipts 
LOC  Letter of Credit  LOR  Limited Obligation Revenue 
LR  Lease Revenue  MERLOTS  Municipal Exempt Receipts 
      Liquidity Option Tender 
MFHR  Multi-Family Housing Revenue  MFMR  Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue 
PCR  Pollution Control Revenue  PILOT  Payment in Lieu of Taxes 
P-FLOATS  Puttable Floating Option  PUTTERS  Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts 
  Tax-Exempt Receipts     
RAC  Revenue Anticipation Certificates  RAN  Revenue Anticipation Notes 
RAW  Revenue Anticipation Warrants  RIB  Residual Interest Bonds 
ROCS  Reset Options Certificates  RRR  Resources Recovery Revenue 
SAAN  State Aid Anticipation Notes  SBPA  Standby Bond Purchase Agreement 
SFHR  Single Family Housing Revenue  SFMR  Single Family Mortgage Revenue 
SONYMA  State of New York  SPEARS  Short Puttable Exempt 
  Mortgage Agency    Adjustable Receipts 
SWDR  Solid Waste Disposal Revenue  TAN  Tax Anticipation Notes 
TAW  Tax Anticipation Warrants  TRAN  Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes 
XLCA  XL Capital Assurance     

 

The Fund  17 

 



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
October 31, 2013 (Unaudited) 

 

        Cost  Value  
Assets ($):             
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments  324,946,287  324,522,043  
Cash          133,713  
Interest receivable          5,100,737  
Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed      10,000  
Prepaid expenses          29,559  
          329,796,052  
Liabilities ($):             
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c)      244,285  
Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed      261,371  
Accrued expenses          48,198  
          553,854  
Net Assets ($)          329,242,198  
Composition of Net Assets ($):           
Paid-in capital          330,252,360  
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net      8,057  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments      (593,975 ) 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation           
(depreciation) on investments        (424,244 ) 
Net Assets ($)          329,242,198  
 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share           
  Class A  Class C  Class I  Class Y  Class Z  
Net Assets ($)  204,068,932  11,747,082  9,023,367  1,029  104,401,788  
Shares Outstanding  17,791,739  1,025,784  786,609  89.69  9,103,790  
Net Asset Value             
Per Share ($)  11.47  11.45  11.47  11.47  11.47  
 
See notes to financial statements.             

 

18



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended October 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

Investment Income ($):     
Interest Income  7,215,271  
Expenses:     
Management fee—Note 3(a)  966,893  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)  369,920  
Distribution fees—Note 3(b)  50,951  
Professional fees  27,854  
Registration fees  18,641  
Custodian fees—Note 3(c)  16,252  
Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)  9,771  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports  6,216  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2  1,590  
Miscellaneous  21,827  
Total Expenses  1,489,915  
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c)  (114 ) 
Net Expenses  1,489,801  
Investment Income—Net  5,725,470  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (255,698 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments  (28,118,131 ) 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  (28,373,829 ) 
Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  (22,648,359 ) 
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

The Fund  19 

 



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Six Months Ended      
  October 31, 2013   Year Ended  
  (Unaudited)a   April 30, 2013  
Operations ($):         
Investment income—net  5,725,470   12,070,470  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (255,698 )  420,757  
Net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments  (28,118,131 )  5,400,756  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
Resulting from Operations  (22,648,359 )  17,891,983  
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):         
Investment income—net:         
Class A  (3,507,222 )  (7,360,932 ) 
Class C  (164,711 )  (386,785 ) 
Class I  (182,230 )  (440,751 ) 
Class Y  (6 )   
Class Z  (1,863,244 )  (3,859,875 ) 
Net realized gain on investments:         
Class A    (569,762 ) 
Class C    (40,438 ) 
Class I    (35,345 ) 
Class Z    (275,082 ) 
Total Dividends  (5,717,413 )  (12,968,970 ) 
Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):         
Net proceeds from shares sold:         
Class A  2,562,319   26,531,322  
Class C  141,306   2,198,197  
Class I  1,516,444   7,784,011  
Class Y  1,000    
Class Z  1,342,427   6,045,162  

 

20



  Six Months Ended      
  October 31, 2013   Year Ended  
  (Unaudited)a   April 30, 2013  
Beneficial Interest Transactions ($) (continued):         
Dividends reinvested:         
Class A  2,708,763   5,838,337  
Class C  129,350   315,905  
Class I  92,541   261,740  
Class Z  1,460,750   3,142,328  
Cost of shares redeemed:         
Class A  (23,169,918 )  (23,202,561 ) 
Class C  (3,866,782 )  (2,037,144 ) 
Class I  (3,768,973 )  (9,047,573 ) 
Class Z  (6,378,631 )  (9,026,854 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from         
Beneficial Interest Transactions  (27,229,404 )  8,802,870  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  (55,595,176 )  13,725,883  
Net Assets ($):         
Beginning of Period  384,837,374   371,111,491  
End of Period  329,242,198   384,837,374  
Undistributed investment income—net  8,057    

 

The Fund  21 

 



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

  Six Months Ended      
  October 31, 2013   Year Ended  
  (Unaudited)a   April 30, 2013  
Capital Share Transactions:         
Class Ab         
Shares sold  217,077   2,140,455  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  234,226   470,956  
Shares redeemed  (1,999,797 )  (1,872,114 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (1,548,494 )  739,297  
Class Cb         
Shares sold  12,070   177,520  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  11,198   25,519  
Shares redeemed  (331,482 )  (165,401 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (308,214 )  37,638  
Class I         
Shares sold  130,242   626,623  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  7,980   21,107  
Shares redeemed  (327,477 )  (735,171 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (189,255 )  (87,441 ) 
Class Y         
Shares sold  89.69    
Class Z         
Shares sold  116,209   488,690  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  126,361   253,555  
Shares redeemed  (552,798 )  (728,279 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (310,228 )  13,966  

 

a Effective September 3, 2013, the fund commenced offering ClassY shares. 
b During the period ended October 31, 2013, 16,378 Class C shares representing $201,623 were exchanged for 
16,365 Class A shares. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

22



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated.All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share.Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions.These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class A Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  12.39   12.23   11.32   11.68   11.16   11.55  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .19   .38   .44   .45   .47   .47  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (.92 )  .19   .91   (.36 )  .52   (.39 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  (.73 )  .57   1.35   .09   .99   .08  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.19 )  (.38 )  (.44 )  (.45 )  (.47 )  (.47 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.03 )         
Total Distributions  (.19 )  (.41 )  (.44 )  (.45 )  (.47 )  (.47 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.47   12.39   12.23   11.32   11.68   11.16  
Total Return (%)b  (5.91 )c  4.74   12.07   .75   8.98   .86  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  .89 d  .90   .91   .91   .90   .93  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  .89 d  .90   .91   .91   .90   .93  
Ratio of interest and expense                         
related to floating rate notes                         
issued to average net assets            .02  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  3.21 d  3.10   3.69   3.90   4.07   4.29  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.67 c  19.13   13.77   17.05   11.42   26.41  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  204,069   239,626   227,398   215,132   246,190   238,183  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Exclusive of sales charge. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund  23 

 



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class C Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  12.37   12.21   11.30   11.66   11.14   11.53  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .14   .29   .35   .36   .38   .39  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (.92 )  .19   .91   (.36 )  .52   (.39 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  (.78 )  .48   1.26     .90    
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.14 )  (.29 )  (.35 )  (.36 )  (.38 )  (.39 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.03 )         
Total Distributions  (.14 )  (.32 )  (.35 )  (.36 )  (.38 )  (.39 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.45   12.37   12.21   11.30   11.66   11.14  
Total Return (%)b  (6.29 )c  3.94   11.25   (.01 )  8.17   .09  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  1.66 d  1.66   1.67   1.67   1.66   1.69  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  1.66 d  1.66   1.67   1.66   1.66   1.68  
Ratio of interest and expense                         
related to floating rate notes                         
issued to average net assets            .02  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  2.43 d  2.34   2.94   3.14   3.30   3.53  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.67 c  19.13   13.77   17.05   11.42   26.41  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  11,747   16,502   15,823   16,322   18,466   15,045  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Exclusive of sales charge. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

24



Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class I Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009 a 
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  12.39   12.22   11.31   11.68   11.16   10.13  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—netb  .20   .41   .46   .48   .44   .19  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (.92 )  .21   .92   (.37 )  .58   1.03  
Total from Investment Operations  (.72 )  .62   1.38   .11   1.02   1.22  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.20 )  (.42 )  (.47 )  (.48 )  (.50 )  (.19 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.03 )         
Total Distributions  (.20 )  (.45 )  (.47 )  (.48 )  (.50 )  (.19 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.47   12.39   12.22   11.31   11.68   11.16  
Total Return (%)  (5.80 )c  5.09   12.38   .92   9.27   12.10 c 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  .64 d  .64   .65   .63   .70   .64 d 
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  .64 d  .63   .65   .63   .65   .63 d 
Ratio of interest and expense                         
related to floating rate notes                         
issued to average net assets            .02  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  3.44 d  3.34   3.90   4.16   4.30   4.70 d 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.67 c  19.13   13.77   17.05   11.42   26.41  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  9,023   12,092   12,999   6,309   5,441   11  

 

a  From December 15, 2008 (commencement of initial offering) to April 30, 2009. 
b  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund  25 

 



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

  Period Ended  
Class Y Shares  October 31, 2013 a  
Per Share Data ($):     
Net asset value, beginning of period  11.15  
Investment Operations:     
Investment income—netb  .06  
Net realized and unrealized     
gain (loss) on investments  .32  
Total from Investment Operations  .38  
Distributions:     
Dividends from investment income—net  (.06 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.47  
Total Return (%)  3.45 c 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):     
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets  .71 d 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets  .71 d 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets  3.59 d 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.67 c 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)  1  

 

a  From September 3, 2013 (commencement of initial offering) to October 31, 2013. 
b  Based on average shares outstanding. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

26



Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class Z Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  12.39   12.22   11.31   11.67   11.16   11.55  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .20   .41   .46   .48   .49   .49  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (.92 )  .20   .91   (.37 )  .51   (.39 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  (.72 )  .61   1.37   .11   1.00   .10  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.20 )  (.41 )  (.46 )  (.47 )  (.49 )  (.49 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.03 )         
Total Distributions  (.20 )  (.44 )  (.46 )  (.47 )  (.49 )  (.49 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.47   12.39   12.22   11.31   11.67   11.16  
Total Return (%)  (5.80 )b  5.04   12.31   .97   9.11   1.03  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  .67 c  .69   .71   .70   .70   .76  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  .67 c  .69   .71   .70   .70   .76  
Ratio of interest and expense                         
related to floating rate notes                         
issued to average net assets            .02  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  3.43 c  3.32   3.89   4.11   4.27   4.46  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.67 b  19.13   13.77   17.05   11.42   26.41  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  104,402   116,617   114,892   106,076   112,728   108,416  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Not annualized. 
c  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund  27 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a non-diversified open-end management investment company, and operates as a series company that offers three series including the Dreyfus Connecticut Fund (the “fund”).The fund’s investment objective is to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Connecticut state income tax, without undue risk. The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager” or “Dreyfus”), a wholly-owned subsidiary ofThe Bank of NewYork Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser.

At a meeting held on May 7, 2013, the Company’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approved effective September 3, 2013, for the fund to offer Class Y shares.

MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, is the distributor of the fund’s shares. The fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class I, ClassY and Class Z. Class A shares generally are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class I shares are sold at net asset value per share only to institutional investors. Class Y shares are sold at net asset value per share to certain investors, including certain institutional investors. Class Z shares are sold at net asset value per share generally only to shareholders of the fund who received Class Z shares in exchange for their shares of a Dreyfus-managed fund as a result of the reorganization of such Dreyfus-managed fund, and who continue to maintain accounts with the fund at the time of purchase. Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses

28



attributable to a specific class) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

As of October 31, 2013, MBC Investments Corp., an indirect subsidiary of BNY Mellon, held all of the Class Y shares of the fund.

The Company accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions.Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown.The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.

(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

The Fund  29 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (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.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:

Investments in securities are valued each business day by an independent pricing service (the “Service”) approved by the Board. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). Other investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of the following: yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and

30



type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. All of the preceding securities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Service’s procedures are reviewed by Dreyfus under the general supervision of the Board.

When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect accurately fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers.These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2013 in valuing the fund’s investments:

    Level 2—Other  Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant  Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable  Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs  Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)         
Investments in Securities:       
Municipal Bonds    324,522,043    324,522,043 

 

  See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. 

 

The Fund  31 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

At October 31, 2013, 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 gain and loss from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest income, adjusted for accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when issued or delayed delivery basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.

The fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay principal of, municipal obligations held by the fund.

(c) Dividends to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly. Dividends from net realized capital 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.

(d) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax-exempt dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.

As of and during the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions.The fund recognizes

32



interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the three-year period ended April 30, 2013 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013 was as follows: tax-exempt income $12,049,889, ordinary income $205,699 and long-term capital gains $713,382. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $265 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 9, 2013, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A. was $210 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 October 31, 2013, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Manager, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .55% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly.

The Fund  33 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the Distributor retained $2,736 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $355 from CDSCs on redemptions of the fund’s Class C shares.

(b) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing its shares at an annual rate of .75% of the value of its average daily net assets. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class C shares were charged $50,951, pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of their shares for the provision of certain services.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts.The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services.The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class A and Class C shares were charged $273,383 and $16,984, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class Z shares reimburse the Distributor an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value of Class Z shares’ average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholders accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding Class Z shares and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class Z shares were charged $17,000 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

The fund has arrangements with the transfer agent and the custodian whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset transfer agency and

34



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

The fund compensates DreyfusTransfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, 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 October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $42,325 for transfer agency services and $1,482 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 $114.

The fund compensates The Bank of NewYork 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 October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $16,252 pursuant to the custody agreement.

The fund compensated The Bank of New York Mellon for performing certain cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions, including shareholder redemption draft processing, under a cash management agreement that was in effect until September 30, 2013 and, beginning October 1, 2013, compensates The Bank of New York Mellon for processing shareholder redemption drafts under a shareholder draft processing agreement. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $567 pursuant to the agreements, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $4,445 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer and his staff.

The components of “Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees $153,218, Distribution Plan fees $7,486, Shareholder Services Plan fees $45,745, custodian fees $10,604, Chief Compliance Officer fees $7,445 and transfer agency fees $19,787.

The Fund  35 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended October 31, 2013, amounted to $9,212,640 and $31,985,040, respectively.

At October 31, 2013, accumulated net unrealized depreciation on investments was $424,244 consisting of $11,129,925 gross unrealized appreciation and $11,554,169 gross unrealized depreciation.

At October 31, 2013, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).

36



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE 
FUND’S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) 

 

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Trustees held on July 23, 2013, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement pursuant to which Dreyfus provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”). The Board members, none of whom are “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from Dreyfus representatives. In considering the renewal of the Agreement, the Board considered all factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below.The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.

Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to them at the meeting and in previous presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex. Dreyfus provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. Dreyfus also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the Dreyfus fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or Dreyfus) and Dreyfus’ corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.

The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that Dreyfus also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered Dreyfus’ extensive administrative, accounting, and compliance infrastructures.

The Fund  37 

 



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S 
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) 

 

Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of investment company data, which included information comparing (1) the fund’s performance with the performance of a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended May 31, 2013, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of a group of comparable funds (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Lipper as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.

Dreyfus representatives stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds.The Board discussed the results of the comparisons and noted that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group median, except for the two- and three-year periods, and above the Performance Universe median for all periods.The Board noted that there were only three other funds in the Performance Group.The Board also noted that the fund’s yield performance was at or above the Performance Group median for five of the ten one-year periods ended May 31st and above the Performance Universe median for eight of the ten one-year periods ended May 31st. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s Lipper category average.

The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.The Board noted that the fund’s contractual management fee was above the Expense

38



Group median and the fund’s actual management fee and total expenses were above the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians.

Dreyfus representatives reviewed with the Board the management or investment advisory fees (1) paid by funds advised or administered by Dreyfus that are in the same Lipper category as the fund and (2) paid to Dreyfus or the Dreyfus affiliated primary employer of the fund’s primary portfolio manager(s) for advising any separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios that are considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund (the “Similar Clients”), and explained the nature of the Similar Clients.They discussed differences in fees paid and the relationship of the fees paid in light of any differences in the services provided and other relevant factors. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Clients to evaluate the appropriateness and reasonableness of the fund’s management fee.

Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Dreyfus representatives reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by Dreyfus and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus of managing the funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not unreasonable, given the services rendered and service levels provided by Dreyfus. The Board also had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding Dreyfus’ approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire Dreyfus fund complex.The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.

The Board considered on the advice of its counsel the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreement bear a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus, including the nature, extent and quality of such

The Fund  39 

 



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S 
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) 

 

services, and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Dreyfus representatives noted that a discussion of economies of scale is predicated on a fund having achieved a substantial size with increasing assets and that, if a fund’s assets had been stable or decreasing, the possibility that Dreyfus may have realized any economies of scale would be less. Dreyfus representatives also noted that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to Dreyfus from acting as investment adviser and noted that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.

At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Agreement. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.

  • The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Dreyfus are adequate and appropriate.

  • The Board generally was satisfied with the fund’s overall performance.

  • The Board concluded that the fee paid to Dreyfus was reasonable in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to Dreyfus and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by Dreyfus in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.

40



In evaluating the Agreement, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with Dreyfus and its affiliates, of the fund and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus. The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreement, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of prior or similar agreements during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and Dreyfus representatives. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of the same or similar arrangements in prior years.The Board determined that renewal of the Agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

The Fund  41 

 



For More Information


Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS

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

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

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



Dreyfus State 
Municipal Bond Funds, 
Dreyfus Massachusetts Fund 

 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT October 31, 2013




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

 

THE FUND

2     

A Letter from the President

3     

Discussion of Fund Performance

6     

Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses

6     

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses With Those of Other Funds

7     

Statement of Investments

17     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

18     

Statement of Operations

19     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

21     

Financial Highlights

24     

Notes to Financial Statements

33     

Information About the Renewal of the Fund’s Management Agreement

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



Dreyfus State
Municipal Bond Funds,
Dreyfus Massachusetts Fund

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Massachusetts Fund, a series of Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds, covering the six-month period from May 1, 2013, through October 31, 2013. 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.

The reporting period produced a relatively challenging environment for most fixed-income securities, as a gradually strengthening U.S. economy and expectations of more moderately stimulative monetary policies drove longer term interest rates higher and bond prices lower. Municipal bonds proved particularly sensitive to these developments, as the negative effects of rising rates were exacerbated by selling pressure among investors seeking safer havens.

We currently expect U.S. economic conditions to continue to improve in 2014, with accelerating growth and credit conditions supported by the fading drags of tighter federal fiscal policies and downsizing on the state and local levels. Moreover, inflation is likely to remain muted, so monetary policy can remain stimulative. Globally, we anticipate stronger growth in developed countries due to past and continuing monetary ease, while emerging markets seem poised for moderate economic expansion despite recently negative investor sentiment. For more information on how these observations may affect your investments, we encourage you to speak with your financial advisor.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.


J. Charles Cardona
President
The Dreyfus Corporation
November 15, 2013

2



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of May 1, 2013, through October 31, 2013, as provided by Thomas Casey and David Belton, Portfolio Managers

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the six-month period ended October 31, 2013, Class A shares of Dreyfus Massachusetts Fund, a series of Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds, produced a total return of –5.24%, Class C shares returned –5.60%, and Class Z shares returned –5.13%.1 In comparison, the Barclays Municipal Bond Index, the fund’s benchmark index, which is composed of bonds issued nationally and not solely within Massachusetts, achieved a total return of –3.44% for the same period.2

Selling pressure stemming from concerns about actual and anticipated interest rate changes sent municipal bonds into negative territory during the reporting period. The fund lagged its benchmark, mainly due to a relatively long duration posture and weakness among Puerto Rico municipal bonds.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal and Massachusetts state income taxes, without undue risk. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal and Massachusetts state income taxes.The fund invests at least 70% of its assets in investment-grade municipal bonds or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. For additional yield, the fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus.The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio is not restricted, but normally exceeds 10 years.

In managing the fund, we focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities, and we minimize the use of interest rate forecasting.We select municipal bonds by using fundamental credit analysis to estimate the relative value of various sectors and securities and to exploit pricing inefficiencies in the municipal bond market. Additionally, we trade among the market’s various sectors, such as the pre-refunded, general obligation, and revenue sectors, based on their apparent relative values.The fund generally will invest simultaneously in several of these sectors.

The Fund  3 

 



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Selling Pressure Sparked Declines Among Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds encountered heightened volatility over the reporting period.The robust investor demand that had characterized much of 2012 failed to rematerialize in 2013, and municipal bond yields rose despite a relatively meager supply of newly issued securities.Yields of U.S.Treasury securities also generally climbed in response to improved economic trends, putting additional pressure on municipal bond prices.

In late May, remarks by Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) Chairman Ben Bernanke were widely interpreted as a signal that the central bank would back away from its ongoing quantitative easing program sooner than expected. This development sent longer term interest rates sharply higher, further eroding returns from municipal bonds. In July, a bankruptcy filing by the city of Detroit also intensified selling pressure, and in September, municipal bonds issued by Puerto Rico contributed to market weakness after media reports detailed the U.S. territory’s fiscal and economic problems. Yet, municipal bonds generally rallied over the final weeks of September and during October after the Fed refrained from tapering its quantitative easing program.

Despite the fiscal problems facing Detroit and Puerto Rico, credit conditions continued to improve for most states and municipalities. Massachusetts weathered the economic downturn relatively well, as evidenced by a balanced budget for its current fiscal year and an unemployment rate that has stayed below national averages.

Long Average Duration Dampened Fund Performance

The fund was undermined over the reporting period by a relatively long average duration and an emphasis on longer term securities, which magnified the impact of rising long-term interest rates. Relative performance also was hurt by a position in Puerto Rico bonds, which we believe were punished more severely than warranted by underlying credit fundamentals. In addition, the fund’s emphasis on revenue bonds proved counterproductive, particularly among those backed by hospitals, electric utilities, and special tax districts.

Our security selection strategy achieved better results in other areas, especially among bonds backed by housing projects and the state’s settlement of litigation with U.S. tobacco companies. Overweighted exposure to high-quality escrow bonds also supported relative performance, as did an underweighted position in bonds backed by municipal water and sewer facilities.

4



Finding Attractive Values in a Dislocated Market

Although market volatility may persist over the near term, we believe that improved economic conditions and restored investor demand will help lift municipal bond valuations toward historical norms over the longer term.

In the meantime, we have continued to emphasize attractive relative values, including revenue bonds that, in our analysis, have solid underlying credit fundamentals.We also have retained the fund’s Puerto Rico holdings for income and diversification purposes. In light of steep yield differences along the market’s maturity range, the fund’s average duration remains in a position that is slightly longer than market averages.

November 15, 2013

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.

The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes, and state and local economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the fund’s investments in municipal bonds. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Changes in economic, business or political conditions relating to a particular municipal project, municipality, or state in which the fund invests may have an impact on the fund’s share price.

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid, and does not take into consideration the 
maximum initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares, or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge imposed 
on redemptions in the case of Class C shares. Had these charges been reflected, returns would have been lower. Class 
Z is not subject to any initial or deferred sales charge. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price, 
yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their 
original cost. Income may be subject to state and local taxes for non-Massachusetts residents, and some income may be 
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are taxable. 
2 SOURCE: LIPPER INC. — Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. 
The Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged total return performance benchmark for the 
long-term, investment-grade, tax-exempt bond market. Index returns do not reflect fees and expenses associated with 
operating a mutual fund. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. 

 

The Fund  5 

 



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 State Municipal Bond Funds, Dreyfus Massachusetts Fund from May 1, 2013 to October 31, 2013. 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 October 31, 2013

    Class A    Class C    Class Z 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 4.56  $ 8.33  $ 3.49 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 946.60  $ 944.00  $ 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 October 31, 2013

    Class A    Class C    Class Z 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 4.74  $ 8.64  $ 3.62 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,020.52  $ 1,016.64  $ 1,021.63 

 

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .93% for Class A, 1.70% for Class C and .71% for 
Class Z, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half 
year period). 

 

6



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS 
October 31, 2013 (Unaudited) 

 

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments—98.3%  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Massachusetts—86.1%           
Boston Housing Authority,           
Capital Program Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  4/1/24  1,900,000    2,020,441 
Boston Industrial Development           
Financing Authority, Sewage           
Facility Revenue (Harbor Electric           
Energy Company Project)  7.38  5/15/15  640,000    643,072 
Boston Water and Sewer Commission,           
Revenue (Prerefunded)  5.00  11/1/14  2,000,000  a  2,096,780 
Cambridge,           
GO  5.00  1/1/20  2,000,000    2,402,960 
Marblehead,           
GO (Prerefunded)  5.00  8/15/14  1,835,000  a  1,905,446 
Massachusetts,           
GO  5.00  8/1/22  2,000,000    2,420,740 
Massachusetts,           
GO  5.25  8/1/22  2,650,000    3,259,633 
Massachusetts,           
GO  5.25  8/1/23  1,000,000    1,233,450 
Massachusetts,           
GO  0.73  11/1/25  5,000,000  b  4,515,200 
Massachusetts,           
GO (Consolidated Loan)  5.50  8/1/20  1,000,000    1,233,550 
Massachusetts,           
GO (Insured; AMBAC)  5.50  8/1/30  1,750,000    2,154,180 
Massachusetts,           
GO (Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.25  9/1/23  2,500,000    3,086,150 
Massachusetts,           
Special Obligation Dedicated           
Tax Revenue (Insured; National           
Public Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.50  1/1/23  3,000,000    3,562,650 
Massachusetts Bay Transportation           
Authority, Assessment Revenue  5.25  7/1/34  2,500,000    2,739,175 
Massachusetts Bay Transportation           
Authority, Assessment           
Revenue (Prerefunded)  5.00  7/1/15  2,400,000  a  2,588,424 

 

The Fund  7 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Massachusetts (continued)           
Massachusetts Bay Transportation           
Authority, GO (General           
Transportation System)  7.00  3/1/21  425,000   537,740 
Massachusetts Bay Transportation           
Authority, GO (General           
Transportation System)           
(Escrowed to Maturity)  7.00  3/1/21  425,000   474,083 
Massachusetts Bay Transportation           
Authority, Senior Sales           
Tax Revenue  5.00  7/1/21  1,000,000   1,202,820 
Massachusetts Bay Transportation           
Authority, Senior Sales Tax           
Revenue (Insured; National           
Public Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.50  7/1/27  3,000,000   3,656,370 
Massachusetts Clean Energy           
Cooperative Corporation,           
Massachusetts Clean Energy           
Cooperative Revenue  5.00  7/1/24  2,580,000   2,989,007 
Massachusetts College Building           
Authority, Project Revenue  5.00  5/1/27  2,000,000   2,234,520 
Massachusetts College Building           
Authority, Project Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)           
(Escrowed to Maturity)  0.00  5/1/26  5,385,000 c  3,550,654 
Massachusetts College Building           
Authority, Project Revenue           
(Insured; XLCA)  5.50  5/1/28  1,450,000   1,679,912 
Massachusetts Department of           
Transportation, Metropolitan           
Highway System Senior Revenue  5.00  1/1/27  4,000,000   4,275,080 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Higher Education           
Revenue (Emerson College Issue)  5.00  1/1/22  1,000,000   1,058,400 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Berklee           
College of Music Issue)  5.00  10/1/31  1,000,000   1,052,000 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Brandeis           
University Issue)  5.00  10/1/26  1,250,000   1,380,588 

 

8



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Massachusetts (continued)           
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Brandeis           
University Issue)  5.00  10/1/29  1,475,000   1,591,953 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Milton           
Academy Issue)  5.00  9/1/30  2,000,000   2,171,980 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Noble and           
Greenough School Issue)  5.00  4/1/21  600,000   706,764 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (North Hill           
Communities Issue)  6.50  11/15/43  2,000,000   1,908,800 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Partners           
HealthCare System Issue)  5.38  7/1/41  4,000,000   4,150,400 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Suffolk           
University Issue)  5.00  7/1/30  1,000,000   1,006,690 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Tufts Medical           
Center Issue)  5.50  1/1/22  1,500,000   1,661,070 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (UMass           
Memorial Issue)  5.50  7/1/31  500,000   521,055 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Wheelock           
College Issue)  5.25  10/1/37  2,500,000   2,479,700 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Whitehead           
Institute for Biomedical           
Research Issue)  5.00  6/1/23  1,350,000   1,568,065 
Massachusetts Development           
Finance Agency, SWDR           
(Dominion Energy Brayton           
Point Issue) (Prerefunded)  5.00  8/1/16  2,000,000 a  2,235,160 
Massachusetts Educational           
Financing Authority, Education           
Loan Revenue (Issue E)           
(Insured; AMBAC)  4.70  1/1/27  4,750,000   4,582,325 

 

The Fund  9 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Massachusetts (continued)         
Massachusetts Educational         
Financing Authority, Education         
Loan Revenue (Issue K)  5.25  7/1/29  2,000,000  1,960,120 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Community         
Colleges Program Issue)         
(Insured; AMBAC)  5.25  10/1/26  2,845,000  2,846,764 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities Authority,         
Revenue (Dana-Farber Cancer         
Institute Issue)  5.25  12/1/27  1,000,000  1,091,030 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Harvard         
University Issue)  5.00  12/15/24  2,350,000  2,736,669 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue         
(Massachusetts Eye and         
Ear Infirmary Issue)  5.00  7/1/20  1,000,000  1,106,940 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue         
(Massachusetts Eye and         
Ear Infirmary Issue)  5.38  7/1/35  1,000,000  1,002,140 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue         
(Massachusetts Institute of         
Technology Issue)  5.25  7/1/33  4,000,000  4,832,360 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Partners         
HealthCare System Issue)  5.00  7/1/19  1,000,000  1,177,280 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Partners         
HealthCare System Issue)  5.25  7/1/29  1,000,000  1,067,990 

 

10



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Massachusetts (continued)         
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Partners         
HealthCare System Issue)  5.00  7/1/47  3,950,000  4,061,666 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Suffolk         
University Issue)  6.00  7/1/24  1,000,000  1,130,740 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Tufts         
University Issue)  5.50  8/15/18  1,625,000  1,944,069 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Tufts         
University Issue)  5.38  8/15/38  3,000,000  3,298,620 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (UMass         
Memorial Issue)  5.25  7/1/25  1,895,000  1,986,491 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (UMass         
Memorial Issue)  5.00  7/1/33  1,070,000  1,070,524 
Massachusetts Health and         
Educational Facilities         
Authority, Revenue (Wheaton         
College Issue)  5.00  1/1/30  2,405,000  2,503,124 
Massachusetts Housing Finance         
Agency, Housing Revenue  5.00  12/1/24  1,160,000  1,166,809 
Massachusetts Housing Finance         
Agency, Housing Revenue  5.00  12/1/26  1,200,000  1,205,376 
Massachusetts Housing Finance         
Agency, Housing Revenue  5.00  12/1/28  2,000,000  2,017,620 
Massachusetts Housing Finance         
Agency, Housing Revenue  5.00  6/1/30  350,000  351,295 
Massachusetts Housing Finance         
Agency, Housing Revenue  5.25  12/1/33  1,350,000  1,350,040 

 

The Fund  11 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Massachusetts (continued)           
Massachusetts Housing Finance           
Agency, Housing Revenue  5.10  12/1/37  2,130,000   2,131,981 
Massachusetts Housing Finance           
Agency, Housing Revenue  5.20  12/1/37  1,905,000   1,906,143 
Massachusetts Housing Finance           
Agency, SFHR  4.75  12/1/30  1,205,000   1,205,651 
Massachusetts Port Authority,           
Revenue  5.00  7/1/25  1,500,000   1,718,190 
Massachusetts Port Authority,           
Revenue  5.00  7/1/27  5,475,000   6,100,081 
Massachusetts School Building           
Authority, Senior Dedicated           
Sales Tax Revenue  5.00  8/15/21  6,610,000   7,936,230 
Massachusetts School Building           
Authority, Senior Dedicated           
Sales Tax Revenue  5.00  8/15/22  2,000,000   2,406,360 
Massachusetts School Building           
Authority, Senior Dedicated           
Sales Tax Revenue  5.00  10/15/35  4,000,000   4,253,360 
Massachusetts Water Pollution           
Abatement Trust, State           
Revolving Fund Bonds  5.00  8/1/27  1,535,000   1,735,624 
Massachusetts Water Resources           
Authority, General Revenue  5.00  8/1/25  2,000,000   2,293,680 
Massachusetts Water Resources           
Authority, General Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  8/1/21  1,405,000   1,613,952 
Massachusetts Water Resources           
Authority, General Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  8/1/26  1,875,000   2,126,512 
Massachusetts Water Resources           
Authority, General Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)           
(Prerefunded)  5.25  8/1/17  95,000 a  110,945 

 

12



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Massachusetts (continued)           
Metropolitan Boston Transit           
Parking Corporation,           
Systemwide Senior Lien           
Parking Revenue  5.00  7/1/24  1,320,000   1,485,132 
Sandwich,           
GO (Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)           
(Prerefunded)  5.00  7/15/15  1,000,000 a  1,090,220 
U.S. Related—12.2%           
Children’s Trust Fund of Puerto           
Rico, Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  5.38  5/15/33  1,515,000   1,423,433 
Children’s Trust Fund of Puerto           
Rico, Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  5.50  5/15/39  1,245,000   1,112,071 
Children’s Trust Fund of Puerto           
Rico, Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  0.00  5/15/50  5,000,000 c  294,750 
Guam,           
Business Privilege           
Tax Revenue  5.13  1/1/42  1,000,000   1,000,920 
Guam,           
Hotel Occupancy           
Tax Revenue  5.00  11/1/17  1,000,000   1,096,850 
Guam Power Authority,           
Revenue  5.50  10/1/30  1,000,000   1,021,270 
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer           
Authority, Senior Lien Revenue  5.13  7/1/37  310,000   228,172 
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer           
Authority, Senior Lien Revenue  6.00  7/1/38  1,000,000   787,760 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,           
Public Improvement GO           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  6.00  7/1/27  1,000,000   897,330 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,           
Public Improvement GO           
(Insured; XLCA)  5.25  7/1/17  1,460,000   1,323,636 

 

The Fund  13 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
U.S. Related (continued)           
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.25  7/1/27  2,500,000   1,886,700 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.00  7/1/32  1,000,000   724,640 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.25  7/1/40  1,000,000   734,780 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue  5.00  7/1/42  190,000   134,661 
Puerto Rico Electric Power           
Authority, Power Revenue           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  7/1/30  1,000,000   839,720 
Puerto Rico Infrastructure           
Financing Authority, Special           
Tax Revenue (Insured; AMBAC)  0.00  7/1/35  6,840,000 c  1,191,665 
Puerto Rico Infrastructure           
Financing Authority, Special           
Tax Revenue (Insured; FGIC)  5.50  7/1/19  1,225,000   1,019,531 
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing           
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue           
(First Subordinate Series)  5.38  8/1/39  1,000,000   799,210 
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing           
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue           
(First Subordinate Series)  6.00  8/1/42  4,500,000   3,896,010 
Virgin Islands Public Finance           
Authority, Revenue (Virgin           
Islands Matching Fund Loan Note)  5.00  10/1/25  2,500,000   2,631,925 
Total Long-Term Municipal Investments         
(cost $184,156,301)          185,603,749 

 

14



Short-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investment—.3%  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Massachusetts;           
Massachusetts Health and           
Educational Facilities           
Authority, Revenue (Baystate           
Medical Center Issue) (LOC;           
Wells Fargo Bank)           
(cost $500,000)  0.04  11/1/13  500,000 d  500,000 
 
Total Investments (cost $184,656,301)      98.6 %  186,103,749 
Cash and Receivables (Net)      1.4 %  2,634,643 
Net Assets      100.0 %  188,738,392 

 

a These securities are prerefunded; the date shown represents the prerefunded date. Bonds which are prerefunded are 
collateralized by U.S. Government securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and interest on 
the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date. 
b Variable rate security—interest rate subject to periodic change. 
c Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount. 
d Variable rate demand note—rate shown is the interest rate in effect at October 31, 2013. Maturity date represents 
the next demand date, or the ultimate maturity date if earlier. 

 

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)     
 
  Value (%)    Value (%) 
Education  24.6  Utility-Water and Sewer  3.7 
Special Tax  16.8  Asset-Backed  1.5 
Transportation Services  11.5  City  1.3 
Health Care  9.4  Pollution Control  .9 
State/Territory  8.2  Industrial  .3 
Pre-Refunded  7.5  Other  1.4 
Housing  7.1     
Utility-Electric  4.4    98.6 
 
† Based on net assets.       
See notes to financial statements.       

 

The Fund  15 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Summary of Abbreviations     
 
ABAG  Association of Bay Area  ACA  American Capital Access 
  Governments     
AGC  ACE Guaranty Corporation  AGIC  Asset Guaranty Insurance Company 
AMBAC  American Municipal Bond  ARRN  Adjustable Rate 
  Assurance Corporation    Receipt Notes 
BAN  Bond Anticipation Notes  BPA  Bond Purchase Agreement 
CIFG  CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty  COP  Certificate of Participation 
CP  Commercial Paper  DRIVERS  Derivative Inverse 
      Tax-Exempt Receipts 
EDR  Economic Development  EIR  Environmental Improvement 
  Revenue    Revenue 
FGIC  Financial Guaranty  FHA  Federal Housing 
  Insurance Company    Administration 
FHLB  Federal Home  FHLMC  Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
  Loan Bank    Corporation 
FNMA  Federal National  GAN  Grant Anticipation Notes 
  Mortgage Association     
GIC  Guaranteed Investment  GNMA  Government National Mortgage 
  Contract    Association 
GO  General Obligation  HR  Hospital Revenue 
IDB  Industrial Development Board  IDC  Industrial Development Corporation 
IDR  Industrial Development  LIFERS  Long Inverse Floating 
  Revenue    Exempt Receipts 
LOC  Letter of Credit  LOR  Limited Obligation Revenue 
LR  Lease Revenue  MERLOTS  Municipal Exempt Receipts 
      Liquidity Option Tender 
MFHR  Multi-Family Housing Revenue  MFMR  Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue 
PCR  Pollution Control Revenue  PILOT  Payment in Lieu of Taxes 
P-FLOATS  Puttable Floating Option  PUTTERS  Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts 
  Tax-Exempt Receipts     
RAC  Revenue Anticipation Certificates  RAN  Revenue Anticipation Notes 
RAW  Revenue Anticipation Warrants  RIB  Residual Interest Bonds 
ROCS  Reset Options Certificates  RRR  Resources Recovery Revenue 
SAAN  State Aid Anticipation Notes  SBPA  Standby Bond Purchase Agreement 
SFHR  Single Family Housing Revenue  SFMR  Single Family Mortgage Revenue 
SONYMA  State of New York  SPEARS  Short Puttable Exempt 
  Mortgage Agency    Adjustable Receipts 
SWDR  Solid Waste Disposal Revenue  TAN  Tax Anticipation Notes 
TAW  Tax Anticipation Warrants  TRAN  Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes 
XLCA  XL Capital Assurance     

 

16



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

    Cost  Value 
Assets ($):       
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments  184,656,301  186,103,749 
Cash      344,065 
Interest receivable      2,518,806 
Prepaid expenses      18,128 
      188,984,748 
Liabilities ($):       
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c)    123,102 
Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed      74,743 
Accrued expenses      48,511 
      246,356 
Net Assets ($)      188,738,392 
Composition of Net Assets ($):       
Paid-in capital      186,879,934 
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net      7,510 
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments      403,500 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation       
  (depreciation) on investments      1,447,448 
Net Assets ($)      188,738,392 
 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share       
  Class A  Class C  Class Z 
Net Assets ($)  34,960,852  3,663,097  150,114,443 
Shares Outstanding  3,094,932  323,995  13,290,026 
Net Asset Value Per Share ($)  11.30  11.31  11.30 
 
See notes to financial statements.       

 

The Fund  17 

 



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
Six Months Ended October 31, 2013 (Unaudited) 

 

Investment Income ($):     
Interest Income  4,004,883  
Expenses:     
Management fee—Note 3(a)  551,592  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)  125,640  
Professional fees  26,570  
Distribution fees—Note 3(b)  14,644  
Registration fees  14,477  
Custodian fees—Note 3(c)  11,167  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports  7,404  
Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)  6,842  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2  1,058  
Miscellaneous  18,262  
Total Expenses  777,656  
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c)  (80 ) 
Net Expenses  777,576  
Investment Income—Net  3,227,307  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (45,793 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments  (14,643,521 ) 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  (14,689,314 ) 
Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  (11,462,007 ) 
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

18



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Six Months Ended      
  October 31, 2013   Year Ended  
  (Unaudited)   April 30, 2013  
Operations ($):         
Investment income—net  3,227,307   6,668,956  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (45,793 )  505,218  
Net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments  (14,643,521 )  2,624,519  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
Resulting from Operations  (11,462,007 )  9,798,693  
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):         
Investment income—net:         
Class A  (580,857 )  (1,204,038 ) 
Class C  (44,645 )  (93,309 ) 
Class Z  (2,594,295 )  (5,357,064 ) 
Net realized gain on investments:         
Class A    (15,966 ) 
Class C    (1,706 ) 
Class Z    (66,820 ) 
Total Dividends  (3,219,797 )  (6,738,903 ) 
Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):         
Net proceeds from shares sold:         
Class A  1,660,205   4,574,778  
Class C  68,989   497,831  
Class Z  1,849,885   11,717,343  
Dividends reinvested:         
Class A  476,809   945,516  
Class C  16,976   37,607  
Class Z  2,098,009   4,202,677  
Cost of shares redeemed:         
Class A  (6,021,103 )  (4,131,502 ) 
Class C  (527,228 )  (257,433 ) 
Class Z  (13,413,367 )  (13,435,538 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from         
Beneficial Interest Transactions  (13,790,825 )  4,151,279  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  (28,472,629 )  7,201,069  
Net Assets ($):         
Beginning of Period  217,211,021   210,009,952  
End of Period  188,738,392   217,211,021  
Undistributed investment income—net  7,510    

 

The Fund  19 

 



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

  Six Months Ended      
  October 31, 2013   Year Ended  
  (Unaudited)   April 30, 2013  
Capital Share Transactions:         
Class Aa         
Shares sold  142,751   377,532  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  41,975   78,152  
Shares redeemed  (530,497 )  (340,946 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (345,771 )  114,738  
Class Ca         
Shares sold  6,101   40,941  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  1,494   3,106  
Shares redeemed  (45,717 )  (21,262 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (38,122 )  22,785  
Class Z         
Shares sold  160,177   968,273  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  184,749   347,463  
Shares redeemed  (1,186,504 )  (1,111,998 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (841,578 )  203,738  

 

a During the period ended October 31, 2013, 19,810 Class C shares representing $238,914 were exchanged for 
19,843 Class A shares. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

20



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated.All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share.Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions.These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class A Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  12.11   11.94   11.05   11.44   10.91   11.29  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .18   .36   .41   .43   .45   .46  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (.81 )  .17   .94   (.33 )  .54   (.36 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  (.63 )  .53   1.35   .10   .99   .10  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.18 )  (.36 )  (.41 )  (.43 )  (.45 )  (.46 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.00 )b  (.05 )  (.06 )  (.01 )  (.02 ) 
Total Distributions  (.18 )  (.36 )  (.46 )  (.49 )  (.46 )  (.48 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.30   12.11   11.94   11.05   11.44   10.91  
Total Return (%)c  (5.24 )d  4.51   12.40   .94   9.16   1.07  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  .93 e  .93   .95   .94   .94   .94  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  .93 e  .93   .95   .94   .94   .94  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  3.06 e  2.97   3.56   3.84   4.00   4.25  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  4.45 d  14.28   11.44   15.03   12.60   9.04  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  34,961   41,675   39,705   36,232   41,909   39,079  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
c  Exclusive of sales charge. 
d  Not annualized. 
e  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund  21 

 



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class C Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  12.12   11.95   11.06   11.45   10.92   11.30  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .13   .27   .32   .35   .36   .38  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (.81 )  .17   .94   (.33 )  .54   (.36 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  (.68 )  .44   1.26   .02   .90   .02  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.13 )  (.27 )  (.32 )  (.35 )  (.36 )  (.38 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.00 )b  (.05 )  (.06 )  (.01 )  (.02 ) 
Total Distributions  (.13 )  (.27 )  (.37 )  (.41 )  (.37 )  (.40 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.31   12.12   11.95   11.06   11.45   10.92  
Total Return (%)c  (5.60 )d  3.72   11.54   .20   8.33   .32  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  1.70 e  1.69   1.71   1.68   1.70   1.69  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  1.70 e  1.69   1.71   1.68   1.70   1.69  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  2.29 e  2.21   2.79   3.09   3.21   3.51  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  4.45 d  14.28   11.44   15.03   12.60   9.04  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  3,663   4,390   4,054   3,377   3,362   3,163  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
c  Exclusive of sales charge. 
d  Not annualized. 
e  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

22



Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class Z Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  12.11   11.94   11.05   11.44   10.91   11.29  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .19   .38   .44   .46   .47   .48  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (.81 )  .17   .94   (.33 )  .54   (.36 ) 
Total from Investment Operations  (.62 )  .55   1.38   .13   1.01   .12  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.19 )  (.38 )  (.44 )  (.46 )  (.47 )  (.48 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.00 )b  (.05 )  (.06 )  (.01 )  (.02 ) 
Total Distributions  (.19 )  (.38 )  (.49 )  (.52 )  (.48 )  (.50 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  11.30   12.11   11.94   11.05   11.44   10.91  
Total Return (%)  (5.13 )c  4.73   12.64   1.16   9.39   1.28  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  .71 d  .72   .74   .73   .73   .73  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  .71 d  .72   .74   .73   .73   .73  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  3.28 d  3.18   3.78   4.05   4.18   4.46  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  4.45 c  14.28   11.44   15.03   12.60   9.04  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  150,114   171,146   166,251   153,513   167,326   160,394  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund  23 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a non-diversified open-end management investment company, and operates as a series company that offers three series, including the Dreyfus Massachusetts Fund (the “fund”).The fund’s investment objective is to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Massachusetts state income tax, without undue risk.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 the Manager, is the distributor of the fund’s shares. The fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class Z. Class A shares generally are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class Z shares are sold at net asset value per share generally only to shareholders of the fund who received Class Z shares in exchange for their shares of a Dreyfus-managed fund as a result of the reorganization of such Dreyfus-managed fund, and who continue to maintain accounts with the fund at the time of purchase. Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

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

24



charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions.Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown.The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.

(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.

The Fund  25 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements.These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:

Investments in securities are valued each business day by an independent pricing service (the “Service”) approved by the Company’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). Other investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of the following: yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. All of the preceding securities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Service’s procedures are reviewed by Dreyfus under the general supervision of the Board.

26



When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect accurately fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers.These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2013 in valuing the fund's investments:

    Level 2—Other  Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant  Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable  Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs  Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)         
Investments in Securities:       
Municipal Bonds    186,103,749    186,103,749 
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.   

 

At October 31, 2013, 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. Interest income, adjusted for accretion of discount and amortization of

The Fund  27 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

premium on investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when issued or delayed delivery basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.

The fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay principal of, municipal obligations held by the fund.

(c) Dividends to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly. Dividends from net realized capital 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.

(d) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax-exempt dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.

As of and during the period ended October 31, 2013, 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 October 31, 2013, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the three-year period ended April 30, 2013 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

28



The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013 was as follows: tax-exempt income $6,654,411, ordinary income $2,956 and long-term capital gains $81,536. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $265 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 9, 2013, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A. was $210 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 October 31, 2013, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Manager, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .55% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly.

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the Distributor retained $1,737 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $1,084 from CDSCs on redemptions of the fund’s Class C shares.

(b) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing its shares at an annual rate of .75% of the value of its average daily net assets. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class C shares were charged $14,644 pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

The Fund  29 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of their average daily net assets for the provision of certain services.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts.The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services.The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class A and Class C shares were charged $47,613 and $4,881, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class Z shares reimburse the Distributor an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value of Class Z shares’ average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses for providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding Class Z shares and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class Z shares were charged $33,000 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

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

The fund compensates DreyfusTransfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, 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

30



basis, while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $27,806 for transfer agency services and $1,043 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 $80.

The fund compensates The Bank of NewYork 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 October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $11,167 pursuant to the custody agreement.

The fund compensated The Bank of New York Mellon for performing certain cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions, including shareholder redemption draft processing, under a cash management agreement that was in effect until September 30, 2013 and, beginning October 1, 2013, compensates The Bank of New York Mellon for processing shareholder redemption drafts under a shareholder draft processing agreement. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $399 pursuant to the agreements, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $4,445 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer and his staff.

The components of “Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees $87,840, Distribution Plan fees $2,309, Shareholder Services Plan fees $8,209, custodian fees $7,350, Chief Compliance Officer fees $7,445 and transfer agency fees $9,949.

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

The Fund  31 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended October 31, 2013, amounted to $8,781,840 and $23,336,384, respectively.

At October 31, 2013, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $1,447,448, consisting of $7,379,556 gross unrealized appreciation and $5,932,108 gross unrealized depreciation.

At October 31, 2013, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).

32



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE 
FUND’S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) 

 

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Trustees held on July 23, 2013, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement pursuant to which Dreyfus provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”). The Board members, none of whom are “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from Dreyfus representatives. In considering the renewal of the Agreement, the Board considered all factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below.The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.

Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to them at the meeting and in previous presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex. Dreyfus provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. Dreyfus also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the Dreyfus fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or Dreyfus) and Dreyfus’ corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.

The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that Dreyfus also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered Dreyfus’ extensive administrative, accounting, and compliance infrastructures.

The Fund  33 

 



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S 
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) 

 

Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of investment company data, which included information comparing (1) the fund’s performance with the performance of a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended May 31, 2013, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of a group of comparable funds (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Lipper as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.

Dreyfus representatives stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds.The Board discussed the results of the comparisons and noted that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group median and variously above and below the Performance Universe medians. The Board also noted that the fund’s yield performance was below the Performance Group median for all of the one-year periods ended May 31st and at or above the Performance Universe median for six of the ten one-year periods ended May 31st. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s Lipper category average and noted that the fund’s calendar year total returns were above the Lipper category average for six of the ten calendar years.

The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.The Board noted that the fund’s contractual management fee was above the Expense

34



Group median and the fund’s actual management fee and total expenses were above the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians.

Dreyfus representatives reviewed with the Board the management or investment advisory fees (1) paid by funds advised or administered by Dreyfus that are in the same Lipper category as the fund and (2) paid to Dreyfus or the Dreyfus affiliated primary employer of the fund’s primary portfolio manager(s) for advising any separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios that are considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund (the “Similar Clients”), and explained the nature of the Similar Clients.They discussed differences in fees paid and the relationship of the fees paid in light of any differences in the services provided and other relevant factors. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Clients to evaluate the appropriateness and reasonableness of the fund’s management fee.

Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Dreyfus representatives reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by Dreyfus and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus of managing the funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit.The Board concluded that the profitability results were not unreasonable, given the services rendered and service levels provided by Dreyfus.The Board also had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding Dreyfus’ approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire Dreyfus fund complex.The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.

The Board considered on the advice of its counsel the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreement bear a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus, including the nature, extent and quality of such

The Fund  35 

 



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S 
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) 

 

services, and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Dreyfus representatives noted that a discussion of economies of scale is predicated on a fund having achieved a substantial size with increasing assets and that, if a fund’s assets had been stable or decreasing, the possibility that Dreyfus may have realized any economies of scale would be less. Dreyfus representatives also noted that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to Dreyfus from acting as investment adviser and noted that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.

At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Agreement. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.

  • The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Dreyfus are adequate and appropriate.

  • The Board generally was satisfied with the fund’s overall performance.

  • The Board concluded that the fee paid to Dreyfus was reasonable in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to Dreyfus and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by Dreyfus in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.

36



In evaluating the Agreement, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with Dreyfus and its affiliates, of the fund and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus.The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreement, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of prior or similar agreements during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and Dreyfus representatives. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of the same or similar arrangements in prior years.The Board determined that renewal of the Agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

The Fund  37 

 



For More Information


Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS

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

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

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



Dreyfus State 
Municipal Bond Funds, 
Dreyfus Pennsylvania Fund 

 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT October 31, 2013




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

 

THE FUND

2     

A Letter from the President

3     

Discussion of Fund Performance

6     

Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses

6     

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses With Those of Other Funds

7     

Statement of Investments

17     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

18     

Statement of Operations

19     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

21     

Financial Highlights

24     

Notes to Financial Statements

33     

Information About the Renewal of the Fund’s Management Agreement

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



Dreyfus State
Municipal Bond Funds,
Dreyfus Pennsylvania Fund

The Fund

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Pennsylvania Fund, a series of Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds, covering the six-month period from May 1, 2013, through October 31, 2013. 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.

The reporting period produced a relatively challenging environment for most fixed-income securities, as a gradually strengthening U.S. economy and expectations of more moderately stimulative monetary policies drove longer term interest rates higher and bond prices lower. Municipal bonds proved particularly sensitive to these developments, as the negative effects of rising rates were exacerbated by selling pressure among investors seeking safer havens.

We currently expect U.S. economic conditions to continue to improve in 2014, with accelerating growth and credit conditions supported by the fading drags of tighter federal fiscal policies and downsizing on the state and local levels. Moreover, inflation is likely to remain muted, so monetary policy can remain stimulative. Globally, we anticipate stronger growth in developed countries due to past and continuing monetary ease, while emerging markets seem poised for moderate economic expansion despite recently negative investor sentiment. For more information on how these observations may affect your investments, we encourage you to speak with your financial advisor.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.


J. Charles Cardona
President
The Dreyfus Corporation
November 15, 2013

2



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of May 1, 2013, through October 31, 2013, as provided by Steven Harvey and Daniel Rabasco, Portfolio Managers

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the six-month period ended October 31, 2013, Class A shares of Dreyfus Pennsylvania Fund, a series of Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds, produced a total return of –4.44%, Class C shares returned –4.81%, and Class Z shares returned –4.34%.1 In comparison, the Barclays Municipal Bond Index, the fund’s benchmark index, which is composed of bonds issued nationally and not solely within Pennsylvania, achieved a total return of –3.44% for the same period.2

Selling pressure stemming from investors’ concerns about actual and anticipated interest rate changes sent the municipal bond market’s returns into negative territory during the reporting period.The fund lagged its benchmark, mainly due to weakness among Puerto Rico municipal bonds and overweighted exposure to revenue bonds.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and Pennsylvania state income tax, without undue risk.To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests substantially all of its assets in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal income tax and Pennsylvania state income tax.The fund invests at least 70% of its assets in investment-grade municipal bonds or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus. For additional yield, the fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus.The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio normally exceeds 10 years, but the fund may invest without regard to maturity.

In managing the fund, we focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities, and we minimize the use of interest rate forecasting.We select municipal bonds by using fundamental credit analysis to estimate the relative value of various sectors and securities and to exploit pricing inefficiencies in the municipal bond market. Additionally, we trade among various sectors, such as pre-refunded, general obligation and revenue sectors, based on their apparent relative values. The fund generally will invest simultaneously in several of these sectors.

The Fund  3 

 



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Selling Pressure Sparked Declines Among Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds encountered heightened volatility over the reporting period. The robust investor demand that had characterized much of 2012 failed to rematerialize in 2013, sending municipal bond yields higher despite a relatively meager supply of newly issued securities.Yields of U.S.Treasury securities also generally climbed in response to improved economic trends, putting additional pressure on municipal bond prices.

In late May, remarks by Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) Chairman Ben Bernanke were widely interpreted as a signal that the central bank would back away from its ongoing quantitative easing program sooner than expected. This development sent longer term interest rates sharply higher, further eroding returns from municipal bonds. In July, a bankruptcy filing by the city of Detroit also intensified selling pressure, and in September, municipal bonds issued by Puerto Rico contributed to market weakness after media reports detailed the U.S. territory’s fiscal and economic problems. Yet, municipal bonds generally rallied over the final weeks of September and during October when the Fed refrained from tapering its quantitative easing program.

Despite the fiscal problems facing Detroit and Puerto Rico, credit conditions continued to improve for most states and municipalities. Pennsylvania generally weathered the economic downturn well. The state’s unemployment rate has remained higher than national averages, but its economy has benefited from strength in the energy, technology, and health care industries.

Puerto Rico Bonds Dampened Fund Performance

The fund’s returns over the reporting period were undermined by Puerto Rico bonds, which we believe were punished more severely than warranted by underlying credit fundamentals. In addition, we responded to market declines early in the reporting period by selling some of the fund’s high-grade holdings and redeploying the proceeds into longer-term, higher yielding revenue bonds that we regarded as more attractively valued. However, bonds with these characteristics generally weighed on relative results.

The fund achieved better results in other areas.A relatively short average duration early in the reporting period helped cushion the brunt of heightened market volatility at the time. From a security selection standpoint, bonds backed by hospitals and airports fared relatively well.

4



Finding Attractive Values in a Recovering Economy

Although market volatility may persist over the near term, we believe that improved economic conditions and restored investor demand will help lift municipal bond valuations toward historical norms over the longer term.Therefore, we have continued to emphasize longer dated revenue bonds with credit ratings in the middle of the investment-grade spectrum, and we have set the fund’s average duration in a position that is roughly in line with market averages. In our view, these strategies position the fund appropriately for any upcoming market rebounds.

November 15, 2013

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.

The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes, and state and local economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the funds investments in municipal bonds. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Changes in economic, business or political conditions relating to a particular municipal project, municipality, or state in which the fund invests may have an impact on the funds share price.

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid, and does not take into consideration the 
maximum initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares, or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge imposed on 
redemptions in the case of Class C shares. Had these charges been reflected, returns would have been lower. Class Z is 
not subject to any initial or deferred sales charge. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price, yield 
and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original 
cost. Income may be subject to state and local taxes for non-Pennsylvania residents, and some income may be subject to 
the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are taxable. 
2 SOURCE: LIPPER INC. — Reflects reinvestment of dividends and, where applicable, capital gain distributions. 
The Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a widely accepted, unmanaged total return performance benchmark for the 
long-term, investment-grade, tax-exempt bond market. Index returns do not reflect fees and expenses associated with 
operating a mutual fund. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. 

 

The Fund  5 

 



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 State Municipal Bond Funds, Dreyfus Pennsylvania Fund from May 1, 2013 to October 31, 2013. 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 October 31, 2013 

 

    Class A    Class C    Class Z 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 4.58  $ 8.36  $ 3.50 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 955.60  $ 951.90  $ 956.60 

 

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 October 31, 2013 

 

    Class A    Class C    Class Z 
Expenses paid per $1,000  $ 4.74  $ 8.64  $ 3.62 
Ending value (after expenses)  $ 1,020.52  $ 1,016.64  $ 1,021.63 

 

† Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .93% for Class A, 1.70% for Class C and .71% for 
Class Z, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half 
year period). 

 

6



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS 
October 31, 2013 (Unaudited) 

 

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments—97.7%  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Pennsylvania—86.3%           
Adams County Industrial           
Development Authority, Revenue           
(Gettysburg College)  5.00  8/15/25  1,000,000   1,085,350 
Adams County Industrial           
Development Authority, Revenue           
(Gettysburg College)  5.00  8/15/26  1,000,000   1,075,370 
Allegheny County Airport           
Authority, Airport Revenue           
(Pittsburgh International           
Airport) (Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Municipal Corp.)  5.00  1/1/17  1,000,000   1,117,380 
Allegheny County Higher Education           
Building Authority, Revenue           
(Carnegie Mellon University)  5.00  3/1/24  3,150,000   3,647,448 
Allegheny County Hospital           
Development Authority, HR           
(South Hills Health System)  5.13  5/1/29  1,100,000   1,083,819 
Allegheny County Port Authority,           
Special Transportation Revenue  5.25  3/1/22  1,305,000   1,502,708 
Allegheny County Sanitary           
Authority, Sewer Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  12/1/19  1,500,000   1,763,160 
Beaver County Hospital Authority,           
Revenue (Heritage Valley           
Health System, Inc.)  5.00  5/15/28  1,575,000   1,636,063 
Bucks County Water and Sewer           
Authority, Water System           
Revenue (Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Municipal Corp.)  5.00  12/1/29  1,250,000   1,344,513 
Butler County Industrial           
Development Authority, Health           
Care Facilities Revenue (Saint           
John Lutheran Care Center           
Project) (Collateralized; GNMA)  5.80  4/20/29  4,945,000   4,951,874 
Centre County Hospital Authority,           
HR (Mount Nittany Medical Center           
Project) (Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Corp.) (Prerefunded)  6.13  11/15/14  2,000,000 a  2,123,520 

 

The Fund  7 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Pennsylvania (continued)           
Charleroi Area School Authority,           
School Revenue (Insured;           
National Public Finance           
Guarantee Corp.)  0.00  10/1/20  2,000,000  b  1,599,960 
Chester County Industrial           
Development Authority,           
Revenue (Avon Grove           
Charter School Project)  6.38  12/15/37  1,600,000    1,621,776 
Chester County School Authority,           
School LR (Chester County           
Intermediate Unit Project)           
(Insured; AMBAC)  5.00  4/1/25  2,195,000    2,359,186 
Clairton Municipal Authority,           
Sewer Revenue  5.00  12/1/37  2,000,000    1,937,320 
Commonwealth Financing Authority           
of Pennsylvania, Revenue  5.00  6/1/19  500,000    585,385 
Dauphin County General Authority,           
Health System Revenue           
(Pinnacle Health System Project)  5.00  6/1/42  1,500,000    1,465,365 
Delaware County Industrial           
Development Authority, Water           
Facilities Revenue (Aqua           
Pennsylvania, Inc. Project)           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  11/1/37  3,165,000    3,182,629 
Delaware River Port Authority,           
Revenue  5.00  1/1/30  1,500,000    1,587,060 
Donegal School District,           
GO (Limited Tax Obligations)  5.00  6/1/23  2,080,000    2,305,243 
Erie Higher Education Building           
Authority, College Revenue           
(Mercyhurst College Project)  5.35  3/15/28  1,000,000    1,033,230 
Harrisburg Redevelopment           
Authority, Guaranteed Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  0.00  11/1/16  1,000,000  b  850,780 
Harrisburg Redevelopment           
Authority, Guaranteed Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  0.00  5/1/18  2,750,000  b  2,135,485 

 

8



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Pennsylvania (continued)           
Harrisburg Redevelopment           
Authority, Guaranteed Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  0.00  11/1/18  2,750,000  b  2,076,305 
Harrisburg Redevelopment           
Authority, Guaranteed Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  0.00  11/1/19  2,750,000  b  1,951,400 
Harrisburg Redevelopment           
Authority, Guaranteed Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  0.00  5/1/20  2,750,000  b  1,890,433 
Harrisburg Redevelopment           
Authority, Guaranteed Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  0.00  11/1/20  2,500,000  b  1,669,725 
McKeesport Area School District,           
GO (Insured; AMBAC)           
(Escrowed to Maturity)  0.00  10/1/21  2,915,000  b  2,398,724 
McKeesport Municipal Authority,           
Sewer Revenue (Insured;           
Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)  5.00  12/15/20  1,230,000    1,424,844 
Montgomery County Higher Education           
and Health Authority, HR           
(Abington Memorial Hospital           
Obligated Group)  5.00  6/1/31  1,000,000    1,030,570 
Montgomery County Industrial           
Development Authority, Health           
System Revenue (Jefferson           
Health System)  5.00  10/1/41  2,000,000    2,021,820 
Neshaminy School District,           
GO (Insured; National Public Finance           
Guarantee Corp.) (Prerefunded)  5.00  4/15/14  1,250,000  a  1,277,712 
Norristown,           
GO (Insured; Radian)  0.00  12/15/13  735,000  b  734,530 
Pennsylvania Economic Development           
Financing Authority, Sewage           
Sludge Disposal Revenue           
(Philadelphia Biosolids           
Facility Project)  6.25  1/1/32  1,000,000    1,001,460 

 

The Fund  9 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Pennsylvania (continued)         
Pennsylvania Economic Development         
Financing Authority, Unemployment         
Compensation Revenue  5.00  7/1/21  5,000,000  5,704,200 
Pennsylvania Higher Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Carnegie Mellon University)  5.00  8/1/21  3,000,000  3,387,120 
Pennsylvania Higher Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Temple University)  5.00  4/1/24  1,100,000  1,249,842 
Pennsylvania Higher Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(The Trustees of the         
University of Pennsylvania)  5.00  9/1/19  2,000,000  2,403,140 
Pennsylvania Higher Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(The Trustees of the         
University of Pennsylvania)  5.00  9/1/31  1,300,000  1,406,860 
Pennsylvania Higher Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(Thomas Jefferson University)  5.00  3/1/40  1,000,000  1,027,230 
Pennsylvania Higher Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(University of Pennsylvania         
Health System)  5.25  8/15/25  1,000,000  1,108,110 
Pennsylvania Higher Educational         
Facilities Authority, Revenue         
(University of Pennsylvania         
Health System)  6.00  8/15/26  2,500,000  2,890,650 
Pennsylvania Housing Finance         
Agency, Capital Fund         
Securitization Revenue         
(Insured; Assured Guaranty         
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  12/1/25  2,285,000  2,345,507 
Pennsylvania Housing Finance         
Agency, SFMR  4.70  10/1/25  745,000  749,276 
Pennsylvania Housing Finance         
Agency, SFMR  4.60  10/1/27  5,000,000  5,033,400 
Pennsylvania Housing Finance         
Agency, SFMR  4.88  10/1/31  2,960,000  2,972,225 
Pennsylvania Housing Finance         
Agency, SFMR  4.70  10/1/37  1,450,000  1,399,453 

 

10



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Pennsylvania (continued)           
Pennsylvania Industrial           
Development Authority, EDR  5.50  7/1/23  900,000   1,008,729 
Pennsylvania Industrial           
Development Authority,           
EDR (Prerefunded)  5.50  7/1/18  100,000 a  120,444 
Pennsylvania State University,           
Revenue  5.00  3/1/35  2,000,000   2,119,760 
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,           
Motor License Fund-Enhanced           
Turnpike Subordinate           
Special Revenue  5.00  12/1/37  5,325,000   5,481,715 
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,           
Turnpike Revenue           
(Insured; AMBAC)  5.00  12/1/22  1,815,000   1,947,695 
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,           
Turnpike Subordinate Revenue  5.25  6/1/39  1,030,000   1,050,909 
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,           
Turnpike Subordinate           
Revenue (Insured;           
Assured Guaranty Corp.)  6.00  6/1/28  3,000,000   3,394,980 
Philadelphia,           
Airport Revenue  5.25  6/15/25  2,500,000   2,674,800 
Philadelphia,           
Airport Revenue (Insured;           
National Public Finance           
Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  6/15/25  510,000   538,045 
Philadelphia,           
Gas Works Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.25  8/1/22  2,000,000   2,006,700 
Philadelphia,           
GO (Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.25  12/15/23  1,500,000   1,719,195 
Philadelphia,           
Water and Wastewater Revenue  5.00  1/1/23  2,180,000   2,532,767 
Philadelphia,           
Water and Wastewater           
Revenue (Insured;           
National Public Finance           
Guarantee Corp.)           
(Escrowed to Maturity)  5.60  8/1/18  800,000   941,648 

 

The Fund  11 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
Pennsylvania (continued)         
Philadelphia Authority for         
Industrial Development,         
Revenue (Independence         
Charter School Project)  5.50  9/15/37  1,700,000  1,560,515 
Philadelphia Authority for         
Industrial Development,         
Revenue (Russell Byers         
Charter School Project)  5.15  5/1/27  1,230,000  1,171,341 
Philadelphia Authority for         
Industrial Development,         
Revenue (Russell Byers         
Charter School Project)  5.25  5/1/37  1,715,000  1,503,300 
Philadelphia Hospitals and Higher         
Education Facilities Authority,         
HR (The Children’s Hospital of         
Philadelphia Project)  5.00  7/1/25  1,800,000  1,994,148 
Philadelphia Housing Authority,         
Capital Fund Program Revenue         
(Insured; Assured Guaranty         
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  12/1/21  1,685,000  1,690,442 
Philadelphia Municipal Authority,         
LR (Insured; Assured Guaranty         
Municipal Corp.)  5.25  11/15/15  2,115,000  2,119,039 
Philadelphia School District,         
GO  5.25  9/1/23  1,000,000  1,118,160 
Philadelphia School District,         
GO  6.00  9/1/38  1,000,000  1,074,770 
Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment         
Authority, MFHR         
(West Park Court Project)         
(Collateralized; GNMA)  4.90  11/20/47  1,245,000  1,252,358 
Reading Area Water Authority,         
Water Revenue  5.00  12/1/31  2,000,000  2,076,680 
Schuylkill County Industrial         
Development Authority, Revenue         
(Charity Obligation Group)  5.00  11/1/14  790,000  792,931 
State Public School Building         
Authority, Community College         
Revenue (Community College of         
Philadelphia Project)  6.00  6/15/28  3,000,000  3,421,200 

 

12



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Pennsylvania (continued)           
State Public School Building           
Authority, Revenue (Central           
Montgomery County Area           
Vocational Technical School)           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)           
(Prerefunded)  5.25  5/15/14  1,055,000 a  1,084,076 
State Public School Building           
Authority, Revenue (Central           
Montgomery County Area           
Vocational Technical School)           
(Insured; National Public           
Finance Guarantee Corp.)           
(Prerefunded)  5.25  5/15/14  1,110,000 a  1,140,592 
State Public School Building           
Authority, School Revenue           
(School District of           
Haverford Township           
Project) (Insured; XLCA)  5.25  3/15/25  3,360,000   3,624,432 
University Area Joint Authority,           
Sewer Revenue (Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Municipal Corp.)  5.00  11/1/19  1,500,000   1,743,375 
West Mifflin Area School District,           
GO (Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  10/1/22  710,000   768,767 
West Shore Area Authority,           
HR (Holy Spirit Hospital of           
the Sisters of Christian           
Charity Project)  6.00  1/1/26  2,000,000   2,187,660 
Westmoreland County Industrial           
Development Authority,           
Health System Revenue           
(Excela Health Project)  5.00  7/1/25  2,390,000   2,490,882 
U.S. Related—11.4%           
Guam,           
Business Privilege Tax Revenue  5.00  1/1/42  1,000,000   983,600 
Guam,           
Business Privilege Tax Revenue  5.13  1/1/42  1,000,000   1,000,920 
Guam Power Authority,           
Revenue  5.50  10/1/30  1,000,000   1,021,270 

 

The Fund  13 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal   
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)  Value ($) 
U.S. Related (continued)         
Guam Waterworks Authority,         
Water and Wastewater         
System Revenue  5.50  7/1/16  320,000  321,539 
Guam Waterworks Authority,         
Water and Wastewater         
System Revenue  6.00  7/1/25  1,000,000  1,011,100 
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer         
Authority, Senior Lien Revenue  6.00  7/1/44  2,500,000  1,935,675 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,         
Public Improvement GO  5.25  7/1/23  1,000,000  767,210 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,         
Public Improvement GO  6.00  7/1/28  1,500,000  1,206,975 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,         
Public Improvement GO         
(Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  6.00  7/1/27  1,000,000  897,330 
Puerto Rico Electric Power         
Authority, Power Revenue  5.25  7/1/27  2,000,000  1,509,360 
Puerto Rico Electric Power         
Authority, Power Revenue  5.50  7/1/38  1,185,000  870,039 
Puerto Rico Electric Power         
Authority, Power Revenue  5.25  7/1/40  1,500,000  1,102,170 
Puerto Rico Electric Power         
Authority, Power Revenue         
(Insured; National Public         
Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.25  7/1/30  1,170,000  982,472 
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing         
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue         
(First Subordinate Series)  6.00  8/1/42  3,200,000  2,770,496 
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing         
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue         
(First Subordinate Series)  6.50  8/1/44  2,500,000  2,298,575 
Virgin Islands Public Finance         
Authority, Revenue (Virgin Islands         
Matching Fund Loan Note)  5.00  10/1/25  1,000,000  1,052,770 
Total Long-Term Municipal Investments       
(cost $167,506,672)        169,232,716 

 

14



Short-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investment—.6%  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
Pennsylvania;           
Geisinger Authority,           
Health System Revenue           
(Geisinger Health System)           
(Liquidity Facility;           
JPMorgan Chase Bank)           
(cost $1,000,000)  0.05  11/1/13  1,000,000 c  1,000,000 
 
Total Investments (cost $168,506,672)      98.3 %  170,232,716 
Cash and Receivables (Net)      1.7 %  2,908,966 
Net Assets      100.0 %  173,141,682 

 

a These securities are prerefunded; the date shown represents the prerefunded date. Bonds which are prerefunded are 
collateralized by U.S. Government securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and interest on 
the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date. 
b Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount. 
c Variable rate demand note—rate shown is the interest rate in effect at October 31, 2013. Maturity date represents 
the next demand date, or the ultimate maturity date if earlier. 

 

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)     
 
  Value (%)    Value (%) 
Education  21.4  Utility-Electric  4.3 
Health Care  14.2  City  3.4 
Transportation Services  11.1  Industrial  2.4 
Special Tax  10.3  Lease  1.2 
Utility-Water and Sewer  10.2  State/Territory  1.0 
Housing  8.9  Other  4.6 
Pre-Refunded  5.3    98.3 
 
† Based on net assets.       
See notes to financial statements.       

 

The Fund  15 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Summary of Abbreviations     
 
ABAG  Association of Bay Area  ACA  American Capital Access 
  Governments     
AGC  ACE Guaranty Corporation  AGIC  Asset Guaranty Insurance Company 
AMBAC  American Municipal Bond  ARRN  Adjustable Rate 
  Assurance Corporation    Receipt Notes 
BAN  Bond Anticipation Notes  BPA  Bond Purchase Agreement 
CIFG  CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty  COP  Certificate of Participation 
CP  Commercial Paper  DRIVERS  Derivative Inverse 
      Tax-Exempt Receipts 
EDR  Economic Development  EIR  Environmental Improvement 
  Revenue    Revenue 
FGIC  Financial Guaranty  FHA  Federal Housing 
  Insurance Company    Administration 
FHLB  Federal Home  FHLMC  Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
  Loan Bank    Corporation 
FNMA  Federal National  GAN  Grant Anticipation Notes 
  Mortgage Association     
GIC  Guaranteed Investment  GNMA  Government National Mortgage 
  Contract    Association 
GO  General Obligation  HR  Hospital Revenue 
IDB  Industrial Development Board  IDC  Industrial Development Corporation 
IDR  Industrial Development  LIFERS  Long Inverse Floating 
  Revenue    Exempt Receipts 
LOC  Letter of Credit  LOR  Limited Obligation Revenue 
LR  Lease Revenue  MERLOTS  Municipal Exempt Receipts 
      Liquidity Option Tender 
MFHR  Multi-Family Housing Revenue  MFMR  Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue 
PCR  Pollution Control Revenue  PILOT  Payment in Lieu of Taxes 
P-FLOATS  Puttable Floating Option  PUTTERS  Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts 
  Tax-Exempt Receipts     
RAC  Revenue Anticipation Certificates  RAN  Revenue Anticipation Notes 
RAW  Revenue Anticipation Warrants  RIB  Residual Interest Bonds 
ROCS  Reset Options Certificates  RRR  Resources Recovery Revenue 
SAAN  State Aid Anticipation Notes  SBPA  Standby Bond Purchase Agreement 
SFHR  Single Family Housing Revenue  SFMR  Single Family Mortgage Revenue 
SONYMA  State of New York  SPEARS  Short Puttable Exempt 
  Mortgage Agency    Adjustable Receipts 
SWDR  Solid Waste Disposal Revenue  TAN  Tax Anticipation Notes 
TAW  Tax Anticipation Warrants  TRAN  Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes 
XLCA  XL Capital Assurance     

 

16



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
October 31, 2013 (Unaudited) 

 

    Cost  Value 
Assets ($):       
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments  168,506,672  170,232,716 
Cash      883,914 
Interest receivable      2,316,012 
Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed    244 
Prepaid expenses      11,516 
      173,444,402 
Liabilities ($):       
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 3(c)    135,300 
Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed      127,555 
Accrued expenses      39,865 
      302,720 
Net Assets ($)      173,141,682 
Composition of Net Assets ($):       
Paid-in capital      171,252,169 
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net      15,375 
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments    148,094 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation       
(depreciation) on investments      1,726,044 
Net Assets ($)      173,141,682 
 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share       
  Class A  Class C  Class Z 
Net Assets ($)  114,924,704  4,556,409  53,660,569 
Shares Outstanding  7,249,078  287,264  3,385,252 
Net Asset Value Per Share ($)  15.85  15.86  15.85 
 
See notes to financial statements.       

 

The Fund  17 

 



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
Six Months Ended October 31, 2013 (Unaudited) 

 

Investment Income ($):     
Interest Income  4,046,561  
Expenses:     
Management fee—Note 3(a)  505,527  
Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)  213,048  
Professional fees  24,198  
Distribution fees—Note 3(b)  18,359  
Registration fees  10,535  
Custodian fees—Note 3(c)  10,243  
Prospectus and shareholders’ reports  5,530  
Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)  5,320  
Loan commitment fees—Note 2  830  
Miscellaneous  19,113  
Total Expenses  812,703  
Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(c)  (70 ) 
Net Expenses  812,633  
Investment Income—Net  3,233,928  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (220,677 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments  (11,756,998 ) 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  (11,977,675 ) 
Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  (8,743,747 ) 
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

18



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Six Months Ended      
  October 31, 2013   Year Ended  
  (Unaudited)   April 30, 2013  
Operations ($):         
Investment income—net  3,233,928   6,779,867  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (220,677 )  1,929,117  
Net unrealized appreciation         
(depreciation) on investments  (11,756,998 )  1,966,811  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets         
Resulting from Operations  (8,743,747 )  10,675,795  
Dividends to Shareholders from ($):         
Investment income—net:         
Class A  (2,127,553 )  (4,494,571 ) 
Class C  (65,756 )  (146,849 ) 
Class Z  (1,025,244 )  (2,109,120 ) 
Net realized gain on investments:         
Class A    (450,351 ) 
Class C    (19,426 ) 
Class Z    (198,289 ) 
Total Dividends  (3,218,553 )  (7,418,606 ) 
Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):         
Net proceeds from shares sold:         
Class A  1,904,287   10,576,088  
Class C  402,284   762,703  
Class Z  1,662,160   3,030,411  
Dividends reinvested:         
Class A  1,777,089   3,898,116  
Class C  56,062   140,452  
Class Z  865,565   1,832,481  
Cost of shares redeemed:         
Class A  (14,452,415 )  (12,631,404 ) 
Class C  (975,348 )  (1,183,352 ) 
Class Z  (4,234,035 )  (4,678,814 ) 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from         
Beneficial Interest Transactions  (12,994,351 )  1,746,681  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets  (24,956,651 )  5,003,870  
Net Assets ($):         
Beginning of Period  198,098,333   193,094,463  
End of Period  173,141,682   198,098,333  
Undistributed investment income—net  15,375    

 

The Fund  19 

 



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

  Six Months Ended      
  October 31, 2013   Year Ended  
  (Unaudited)   April 30, 2013  
Capital Share Transactions:         
Class Aa         
Shares sold  118,066   627,164  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  111,089   231,298  
Shares redeemed  (901,731 )  (750,448 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (672,576 )  108,014  
Class Ca         
Shares sold  24,423   45,352  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  3,503   8,329  
Shares redeemed  (59,958 )  (70,411 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (32,032 )  (16,730 ) 
Class Z         
Shares sold  104,275   180,463  
Shares issued for dividends reinvested  54,141   108,751  
Shares redeemed  (267,462 )  (278,713 ) 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding  (109,046 )  10,501  

 

a During the period ended October 31, 2013, 9,447 Class C shares representing $159,153 were exchanged for 
9,457 Class A shares. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

20



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated.All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share.Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions.These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class A Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  16.88   16.60   15.51   15.96   15.28   15.67  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .28   .57   .63   .65   .66   .65  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (1.03 )  .34   1.11   (.46 )  .67   (.40 ) 
Total from                         
Investment Operations  (.75 )  .91   1.74   .19   1.33   .25  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.28 )  (.57 )  (.63 )  (.64 )  (.65 )  (.64 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.06 )  (.02 )       
Total Distributions  (.28 )  (.63 )  (.65 )  (.64 )  (.65 )  (.64 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  15.85   16.88   16.60   15.51   15.96   15.28  
Total Return (%)b  (4.44 )c  5.53   11.40   1.21   8.85   1.75  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  .93 d  .94   .95   .96   .94   .96  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  .93 d  .94   .95   .96   .94   .96  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  3.47 d  3.40   3.91   4.09   4.17   4.27  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.27 c  15.27   10.69   18.40   10.93   16.60  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  114,925   133,727   129,697   124,286   137,969   130,611  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Exclusive of sales charge. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund  21 

 



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class C Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  16.89   16.61   15.52   15.97   15.29   15.68  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .22   .44   .51   .53   .54   .53  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (1.03 )  .34   1.11   (.45 )  .67   (.39 ) 
Total from                         
Investment Operations  (.81 )  .78   1.62   .08   1.21   .14  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.22 )  (.44 )  (.51 )  (.53 )  (.53 )  (.53 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.06 )  (.02 )       
Total Distributions  (.22 )  (.50 )  (.53 )  (.53 )  (.53 )  (.53 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  15.86   16.89   16.61   15.52   15.97   15.29  
Total Return (%)b  (4.81 )c  4.73   10.56   .46   8.03   1.00  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  1.70 d  1.70   1.71   1.70   1.69   1.70  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  1.70 d  1.70   1.71   1.70   1.69   1.69  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  2.70 d  2.64   3.16   3.34   3.41   3.54  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.27 c  15.27   10.69   18.40   10.93   16.60  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  4,556   5,393   5,580   5,127   6,087   4,983  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Exclusive of sales charge. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

22



Six Months Ended                      
October 31, 2013       Year Ended April 30,      
Class Z Shares  (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009  
Per Share Data ($):                         
Net asset value,                         
beginning of period  16.88   16.60   15.51   15.96   15.28   15.67  
Investment Operations:                         
Investment income—neta  .30   .61   .67   .68   .69   .68  
Net realized and unrealized                         
gain (loss) on investments  (1.03 )  .34   1.10   (.45 )  .68   (.40 ) 
Total from                         
Investment Operations  (.73 )  .95   1.77   .23   1.37   .28  
Distributions:                         
Dividends from                         
investment income—net  (.30 )  (.61 )  (.66 )  (.68 )  (.69 )  (.67 ) 
Dividends from net realized                         
gain on investments    (.06 )  (.02 )       
Total Distributions  (.30 )  (.67 )  (.68 )  (.68 )  (.69 )  (.67 ) 
Net asset value, end of period  15.85   16.88   16.60   15.51   15.96   15.28  
Total Return (%)  (4.34 )b  5.75   11.64   1.41   9.10   1.96  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                         
Ratio of total expenses                         
to average net assets  .71 c  .73   .74   .75   .72   .78  
Ratio of net expenses                         
to average net assets  .71 c  .73   .74   .75   .72   .77  
Ratio of net investment income                         
to average net assets  3.69 c  3.61   4.13   4.29   4.40   4.48  
Portfolio Turnover Rate  2.27 b  15.27   10.69   18.40   10.93   16.60  
Net Assets, end of period                         
($ x 1,000)  53,661   58,978   57,818   54,006   57,175   55,649  

 

a  Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Not annualized. 
c  Annualized. 

 

See notes to financial statements.

The Fund  23 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a non-diversified open-end management investment company, and operates as a series company currently offering three series including the Dreyfus Pennsylvania Fund (the “fund”). The fund’s investment objective is to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Pennsylvania state income tax, without undue risk.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 the Manager, is the distributor of the fund’s shares. The fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class Z. Class A shares generally are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class Z shares are sold at net asset value per share generally only to shareholders of the fund who received Class Z shares in exchange for their shares of a Dreyfus-managed fund as a result of the reorganization of such Dreyfus-managed fund, and who continue to maintain accounts with the fund at the time of purchase. Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

24



The Company accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions.Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown.The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.

(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not

The Fund  25 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements.These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:

Investments in securities are valued each business day by an independent pricing service (the “Service”) approved by the Company’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). Other investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of the following: yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. All of the preceding securities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

26



The Service’s procedures are reviewed by Dreyfus under the general supervision of the Board.

When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect accurately fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers.These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2013 in valuing the fund’s investments:

    Level 2—Other  Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant  Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable  Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs  Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)         
Investments in Securities:       
Municipal Bonds    170,232,716    170,232,716 
† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.   

 

At October 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Fund  27 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

(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. Interest income, adjusted for accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when issued or delayed delivery basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.

The fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay principal of, municipal obligations held by the fund.

(c) Dividends to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly. Dividends from net realized capital 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.

(d) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax-exempt dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.

As of and during the period ended October 31, 2013, 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 October 31, 2013, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

28



Each tax year in the three-year period ended April 30, 2013 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013 was as follows: tax-exempt income $6,750,540 and long-term capital gains $668,066. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other Dreyfus-managed funds in a $265 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 9, 2013, the unsecured credit facility with Citibank, N.A. was $210 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 October 31, 2013, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Manager, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .55% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly.

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the Distributor retained $1,149 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $52 from CDSCs on redemptions of the fund’s Class C shares.

The Fund  29 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

(b) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing its shares at an annual rate of .75% of the value of its average daily net assets. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class C shares were charged $18,359 pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of their average daily net assets for the provision of certain services.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts.The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services.The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class A and Class C shares were charged $153,882 and $6,120, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class Z shares reimburse the Distributor an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value of Class Z shares’ average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses for providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts.The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding Class Z shares and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended October 31, 2013, Class Z shares were charged $11,000 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

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

30



The fund compensates DreyfusTransfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, 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 October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $26,619 for transfer agency services and $910 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 $70.

The fund compensates The Bank of NewYork 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 October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $10,243 pursuant to the custody agreement.

The fund compensated The Bank of New York Mellon for performing certain cash management services related to fund subscriptions and redemptions, including shareholder redemption draft processing, under a cash management agreement that was in effect until September 30, 2013 and, beginning October 1, 2013, compensates The Bank of New York Mellon for processing shareholder redemption drafts under a shareholder draft processing agreement. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $348 pursuant to the agreements, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund was charged $4,445 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer and his staff.

The components of “Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees $80,268, Distribution Plan fees $2,889, Shareholder Services Plan fees $25,310, custodian fees $6,133, Chief Compliance Officer fees $7,445 and transfer agent fees $13,255.

The Fund  31 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

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

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended October 31, 2013, amounted to $4,069,495 and $15,444,766, respectively.

At October 31, 2013, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $1,726,044, consisting of $6,781,374 gross unrealized appreciation and $5,055,330 gross unrealized depreciation.

At October 31, 2013, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).

32



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE 
FUND’S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) 

 

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Trustees held on July 23, 2013, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement pursuant to which Dreyfus provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services (the “Agreement”). The Board members, none of whom are “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from Dreyfus representatives. In considering the renewal of the Agreement, the Board considered all factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below.The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.

Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to them at the meeting and in previous presentations from Dreyfus representatives regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the Dreyfus fund complex. Dreyfus provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. Dreyfus also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the Dreyfus fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or Dreyfus) and Dreyfus’ corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.

The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that Dreyfus also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered Dreyfus’ extensive administrative, accounting, and compliance infrastructures.

The Fund  33 

 



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S 
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) 

 

Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of investment company data, which included information comparing (1) the fund’s performance with the performance of a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended May 31, 2013, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of a group of comparable funds (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of funds (the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Lipper as of the date of its analysis. Dreyfus previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.

Dreyfus representatives stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds.The Board discussed the results of the comparisons and noted that the fund’s total return performance was variously above and below the Performance Group median and above the Performance Universe median. The Board also noted that the fund’s yield performance was below the Performance Group median for all of the one-year periods ended May 31st and at or above the Performance Universe median for five of the ten one-year periods ended May 31st. Dreyfus also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s Lipper category average.

The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.The Board noted that the fund’s contractual management fee was above the Expense Group median and the fund’s actual management fee and total expenses were above the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians.

34



Dreyfus representatives reviewed with the Board the management or investment advisory fees (1) paid by funds advised or administered by Dreyfus that are in the same Lipper category as the fund and (2) paid to Dreyfus or the Dreyfus affiliated primary employer of the fund’s primary portfolio manager(s) for advising any separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios that are considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund (the “Similar Clients”), and explained the nature of the Similar Clients.They discussed differences in fees paid and the relationship of the fees paid in light of any differences in the services provided and other relevant factors. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Clients to evaluate the appropriateness and reasonableness of the fund’s management fee.

Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Dreyfus representatives reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by Dreyfus and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to Dreyfus of managing the funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not unreasonable, given the services rendered and service levels provided by Dreyfus. The Board also had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding Dreyfus’ approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire Dreyfus fund complex.The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.

The Board considered on the advice of its counsel the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreement bear a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by Dreyfus, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and

The Fund  35 

 



INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S 
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) 

 

whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Dreyfus representatives noted that a discussion of economies of scale is predicated on a fund having achieved a substantial size with increasing assets and that, if a fund’s assets had been stable or decreasing, the possibility that Dreyfus may have realized any economies of scale would be less. Dreyfus representatives also noted that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the Dreyfus fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to Dreyfus from acting as investment adviser and noted that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.

At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Agreement. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.

  • The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Dreyfus are adequate and appropriate.

  • The Board generally was satisfied with the fund’s overall performance.

  • The Board concluded that the fee paid to Dreyfus was reasonable in light of the considerations described above.

  • The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to Dreyfus and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by Dreyfus in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.

36



In evaluating the Agreement, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with Dreyfus and its affiliates, of the fund and the services provided to the fund by Dreyfus. The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreement, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for this fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of prior or similar agreements during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and Dreyfus representatives. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of the same or similar arrangements in prior years.The Board determined that renewal of the Agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

The Fund  37 

 



For More Information


Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-DREYFUS

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

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

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


 

 

Item 2.      Code of Ethics.

                  Not applicable.

Item 3.      Audit Committee Financial Expert.

                  Not applicable.

Item 4.      Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

                  Not applicable.

Item 5.      Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

                  Not applicable.

Item 6.      Investments.

(a)              Not applicable.

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

                  Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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)    Not applicable.

(a)(2)    Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(a)(3)    Not applicable.

(b)        Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 


 

 

 

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.

Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds

By: /s/ Bradley J. Skapyak

Bradley J. Skapyak,

President

 

Date:

December 18, 2013

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By: /s/ Bradley J. Skapyak

Bradley J. Skapyak,

President

 

Date:

December 18, 2013

 

By: /s/ James Windels

James Windels,

Treasurer

 

Date:

December 18, 2013

 

 

 


 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

(a)(2)    Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  (EX-99.CERT)

(b)        Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  (EX-99.906CERT)