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 | 811-5245 |
Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
c/o The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Michael A. Rosenberg, 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: | 9/30 |
Date of reporting period: | 3/31/10 |
FORM N-CSR
Item 1. | Reports to Stockholders. |
Contents |
|
THE FUND |
|
2 |
A Letter from the Chairman and CEO |
3 |
Discussion of Fund Performance |
6 |
Statement of Investments |
25 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
26 |
Statement of Operations |
27 |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets |
28 |
Financial Highlights |
30 |
Notes to Financial Statements |
40 |
Information About the Review and Approval of the Funds Management Agreement |
49 |
Officers and Directors |
FOR MORE INFORMATION |
|
Back Cover |
Dreyfus
Strategic Municipals, Inc.
The Fund
A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Dear Shareholder:
We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc., covering the six-month period from October 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010.
The municipal markets continued to show resiliency despite budgetary constraints and revenue shortfalls, due in part to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009s positive impact on credit conditions and supply-and-demand factors. In addition, taxable-equivalent yield differences which have been favorable to municipals for most of the past 10 years along with near-zero percent yields on money market funds have also helped buoy demand for municipal securities through this recent market cycle.
Considering the political risk that potentially might affect many investors, we believe tax efficiency will be an important consideration for investors over the next few years.As for the municipal bond market outlook, we believe there will be challenges faced by lower-rated municipalities, but that the overall market remains solvent and sound. With that said, investors may benefit from active management processes that employ fundamental and independent credit analysis of the securities in which they invest. If you have questions about municipals, talk to your financial advisor, who can help you navigate through the current market environment and recommend appropriate ways to seek potential opportunities while maintaining your long-term goals within the appropriate level of risk youre willing to accept.
For information about how the fund performed during the reporting period, as well as market perspectives, we have provided a Discussion of Fund Performance.
Thank you for your continued confidence and support.
Jonathan R. Baum
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Dreyfus Corporation
April 15, 2010
2
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
For the period of October 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010, as provided by James Welch, Senior Portfolio Manager
Fund and Market Performance Overview
For the six-month period ended March 31, 2010, Dreyfus Strategic Municipals achieved a total return of 1.37% on a net-asset-value basis.1 Over the same period, the fund provided aggregate income dividends of $0.28 per share, which reflects an annualized distribution rate of 6.59%.2
Municipal bonds generally rallied over the reporting period amid an economic recovery and robust demand for a limited supply of securities. The funds higher yielding, corporate-backed holdings helped drive its performance, as did its leveraging strategy.
The Funds Investment Approach
The funds investment objective is to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal obligations. Generally, the fund invests at least 50% of its net assets in municipal bonds considered investment grade or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus in the case of bonds, and in the two highest-rating categories or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus in the case of short-term obligations having or deemed to have maturities of less than one year.
To this end, we have constructed a portfolio derived from seeking income opportunities through analysis of each bonds structure, including paying close attention to each bonds yield, maturity and early redemption features.When making new investments, 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 and attractiveness of various sectors and securities and to exploit pricing inefficiencies in the municipal bond market.We actively trade among various sectors, such as escrowed, general obligation and revenue, based on their apparent relative values.
The Fund 3
DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)
Municipal Bonds Rebounded with U.S. Economy
The reporting period began in the midst of a global recovery from a severe recession and financial crisis. Although the U.S. unemployment rate remained stubbornly high, evidence of economic improvement included rising manufacturing activity and an apparent bottoming of housing prices. Indeed, U.S. GDP returned to growth over the second half of 2009, but the pace of economic improvement proved to be slower than historical averages. In addition, most states continued to struggle with budget deficits due to tax revenue shortfalls and intensifying demand for services. In light of the sub-par economic recovery, the Federal Reserve Board left short-term interest rates unchanged in a historically low range between 0% and 0.25%.
As has been the case since early 2009, the municipal bond rally during the reporting period was fueled by positive investor sentiment while the economic recovery gained traction. In addition, the municipal bond market was supported by favorable supply-and-demand dynamics. Issuance of new tax-exempt bonds moderated significantly due to the federally subsidized Build America Bonds program, a part of the federal stimulus package that shifted a substantial portion of new issuance to the taxable bond market. Meanwhile, demand intensified as investors sought alternatives to low yielding money market funds.
In this environment, municipal bond yields trended downward and prices rose. Performance was particularly strong among lower-rated municipal bonds that had been punished severely during the downturn.
Security Selection Strategy Supported Fund Returns
The fund benefited over the reporting period from its holdings of lower-rated bonds backed by revenues from airlines, nursing homes and the states settlements of litigation with U.S. tobacco companies. The market rally was particularly pronounced in these areas. However, as the rally aged, valuations of lower-rated bonds climbed to less attractive levels. We sold or trimmed the funds holdings of municipal bonds rated BBB and lower, and we increased its exposure to A-rated bonds issued on behalf of health care facilities, airports, transportation projects and educational institutions.
The fund increased its dividend distribution rate in December 2009, primarily due to the benefits of steeper-than-average yield differences
4
along the markets maturity range, which enabled seasoned holdings to gain more value as they moved closer to final maturity. In addition, the fund received positive contributions to performance from its leveraging strategy, which benefited from historically low interest rates. During the reporting period, the fund called for the partial redemption of its auction-rate preferred shares, at par value and on a pro rata basis by series, in specified amounts.The fund intends to utilize tender option bonds as a replacement for the leverage provided by redeemed auction rate preferred shares.
Supply-and-Demand Factors May Remain Favorable
Although municipal bonds appeared to be fairly valued as of the reporting periods end, we remain optimistic regarding their long-term prospects. Demand seems likely to remain robust as investors grow increasingly concerned about potential increases in state and federal income taxes. In addition, the Build America Bonds program may be extended beyond its current expiration date at the end of this year, which could keep the supply of new tax-exempt bonds relatively low. Consequently, we have retained our focus on higher-quality bonds. Of course, we are prepared to adjust our strategies as market conditions change.
April 15, 2010
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. | |
High yield bonds are subject to increased credit risk and are considered speculative in terms of the | |
issuers perceived ability to continue making interest payments on a timely basis and to repay | |
principal upon maturity. | |
The use of leverage may magnify the funds gains or losses. For derivatives with a leveraging | |
component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset can result in a loss that is | |
much greater than the original investment in the derivative. | |
1 | Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid, based upon net asset |
value per share. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Market price per share, net asset | |
value per share and investment return fluctuate. Income may be subject to state and local taxes, | |
and some income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain | |
investors. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Return figure provided reflects the absorption of | |
certain fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an agreement in effect until | |
November 30, 2010, at which time it may be extended, modified or terminated. Had these | |
expenses not been absorbed, the funds return would have been lower. | |
2 | Annualized distribution rate per share is based upon dividends per share paid from net investment |
income during the period, divided by the market price per share at the end of the period, adjusted | |
for any capital gain distributions. |
The Fund 5
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS |
March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) |
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments153.7% | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
Arizona8.2% | |||||
Arizona Housing Finance Authority, | |||||
SFMR (Mortgage-Backed | |||||
Securities Program) | |||||
(Collateralized: FHLMC, | |||||
FNMA and GNMA) | 5.55 | 12/1/41 | 5,565,000 | 5,735,734 | |
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust | |||||
Receipts (Salt River Project | |||||
Agricultural Improvement and | |||||
Power District, Salt River Project | |||||
Electric System Revenue) | 5.00 | 1/1/38 | 17,210,000 | a,b | 17,943,920 |
Glendale Western Loop 101 Public | |||||
Facilities Corporation, Third | |||||
Lien Excise Tax Revenue | 6.25 | 7/1/38 | 5,000,000 | 5,245,650 | |
Maricopa County Pollution Control | |||||
Corporation, PCR (Public | |||||
Service Company of New Mexico | |||||
Palo Verde Project) | 5.75 | 11/1/22 | 6,000,000 | 5,952,540 | |
Scottsdale Industrial Development | |||||
Authority, HR (Scottsdale | |||||
Healthcare) (Prerefunded) | 5.80 | 12/1/11 | 6,000,000 | c | 6,550,080 |
Arkansas.4% | |||||
Arkansas Development Finance | |||||
Authority, SFMR (Mortgage | |||||
Backed Securities Program) | |||||
(Collateralized: FNMA and GNMA) | 6.25 | 1/1/32 | 1,895,000 | 1,968,981 | |
California19.2% | |||||
Beverly Hills Unified School | |||||
District, GO | 0.00 | 8/1/30 | 10,850,000 | d | 3,650,265 |
California, | |||||
GO (Various Purpose) | 5.75 | 4/1/31 | 10,800,000 | 11,214,828 | |
California, | |||||
GO (Various Purpose) | 6.50 | 4/1/33 | 10,000,000 | 10,985,300 | |
California, | |||||
GO (Various Purpose) | 6.00 | 11/1/35 | 7,500,000 | 7,959,600 | |
California Pollution Control | |||||
Financing Authority, SWDR | |||||
(Keller Canyon Landfill | |||||
Company Project) | 6.88 | 11/1/27 | 2,000,000 | 2,002,060 | |
California Statewide Communities | |||||
Development Authority, Revenue | |||||
(Bentley School) | 6.75 | 7/1/32 | 1,925,000 | 1,747,496 |
6
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
California (continued) | |||||
California Statewide Communities | |||||
Development Authority, | |||||
Revenue (Daughters of | |||||
Charity Health System) | 5.25 | 7/1/30 | 3,000,000 | 2,702,250 | |
California Statewide Communities | |||||
Development Authority, | |||||
Revenue (Daughters of | |||||
Charity Health System) | 5.00 | 7/1/39 | 5,000,000 | 4,147,400 | |
California Statewide Communities | |||||
Development Authority, | |||||
Student Housing Revenue | |||||
(CHF-Irvine, LLC-UCI | |||||
East Campus Apartments, | |||||
Phase II) | 5.75 | 5/15/32 | 2,500,000 | 2,514,300 | |
Golden State Tobacco | |||||
Securitization Corporation, | |||||
Tobacco Settlement | |||||
Asset-Backed Bonds | 4.50 | 6/1/27 | 5,000,000 | 4,622,050 | |
Golden State Tobacco | |||||
Securitization Corporation, | |||||
Tobacco Settlement | |||||
Asset-Backed Bonds | 5.00 | 6/1/33 | 12,275,000 | 9,584,075 | |
Golden State Tobacco | |||||
Securitization Corporation, | |||||
Tobacco Settlement | |||||
Asset-Backed Bonds | 5.75 | 6/1/47 | 7,050,000 | 4,994,502 | |
Golden State Tobacco | |||||
Securitization Corporation, | |||||
Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed | |||||
Bonds (Prerefunded) | 7.80 | 6/1/13 | 8,100,000 | c | 9,684,117 |
Golden State Tobacco | |||||
Securitization Corporation, | |||||
Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed | |||||
Bonds (Prerefunded) | 7.90 | 6/1/13 | 2,000,000 | c | 2,397,040 |
Sacramento County, | |||||
Airport System Subordinate and | |||||
Passenger Facility Charges | |||||
Grant Revenue | 6.00 | 7/1/35 | 6,250,000 | 6,751,000 | |
San Diego Public Facilities | |||||
Financing Authority, Senior | |||||
Sewer Revenue | 5.25 | 5/15/34 | 2,500,000 | 2,642,725 |
The Fund 7
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
California (continued) | |||||
San Francisco City and County | |||||
Public Utilities Commission, | |||||
San Francisco Water Revenue | 5.00 | 11/1/29 | 5,000,000 | 5,252,300 | |
Tuolumne Wind Project Authority, | |||||
Revenue (Tuolumne | |||||
Company Project) | 5.88 | 1/1/29 | 3,500,000 | 3,799,810 | |
Colorado4.2% | |||||
Beacon Point Metropolitan | |||||
District, GO | 6.25 | 12/1/35 | 2,000,000 | 1,698,820 | |
Colorado Educational and Cultural | |||||
Facilities Authority, Charter | |||||
School Revenue (American | |||||
Academy Project) | 8.00 | 12/1/40 | 3,500,000 | 4,134,795 | |
Colorado Housing and Finance | |||||
Authority, Single Family | |||||
Program Senior and Subordinate | |||||
Bonds (Collateralized; FHA) | 6.60 | 8/1/32 | 1,235,000 | 1,305,025 | |
Northwest Parkway Public Highway | |||||
Authority, Revenue (Prerefunded) | 7.13 | 6/15/11 | 10,455,000 | c | 11,450,211 |
Southlands Metropolitan District | |||||
Number 1, GO (Prerefunded) | 7.13 | 12/1/14 | 2,000,000 | c | 2,474,580 |
Florida4.1% | |||||
Clearwater, | |||||
Water and Sewer Revenue | 5.25 | 12/1/39 | 5,000,000 | 5,164,250 | |
Greater Orlando Aviation | |||||
Authority, Airport | |||||
Facilities Revenue | 6.25 | 10/1/20 | 8,000,000 | 8,953,760 | |
Orange County School Board, | |||||
COP (Master Lease | |||||
Purchase Agreement) | |||||
(Insured; Assured Guaranty | |||||
Municipal Corp.) | 5.50 | 8/1/34 | 6,000,000 | 6,354,240 | |
Georgia6.1% | |||||
Atlanta, | |||||
Water and Wastewater Revenue | 6.00 | 11/1/27 | 6,000,000 | 6,349,080 | |
Atlanta, | |||||
Water and Wastewater Revenue | |||||
(Insured; Assured Guaranty | |||||
Municipal Corp.) | 5.25 | 11/1/34 | 6,000,000 | 6,228,540 |
8
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
Georgia (continued) | |||||
Brooks County Development | |||||
Authority, Senior Health and | |||||
Housing Facilities Revenue | |||||
(Presbyterian Home, Quitman, | |||||
Inc.) (Collateralized; GNMA) | 5.70 | 1/20/39 | 4,445,000 | 4,604,575 | |
Fulton County Development | |||||
Authority, Revenue (Georgia | |||||
Tech North Avenue Apartments | |||||
Project) (Insured; XLCA) | 5.00 | 6/1/32 | 2,500,000 | 2,560,300 | |
Georgia Higher Education | |||||
Facilities Authority, Revenue | |||||
(USG Real Estate Foundation I, | |||||
LLC Project) (Insured; Assured | |||||
Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 5.63 | 6/15/38 | 6,000,000 | 6,311,220 | |
Milledgeville-Baldwin County | |||||
Development Authority, | |||||
Revenue (Georgia College | |||||
and State Foundation) | 6.00 | 9/1/13 | 2,090,000 | 2,416,751 | |
Milledgeville-Baldwin County | |||||
Development Authority, Revenue | |||||
(Georgia College and State | |||||
Foundation) (Prerefunded) | 6.00 | 9/1/14 | 2,000,000 | c | 2,384,280 |
Hawaii1.0% | |||||
Hawaii, | |||||
Airports System Revenue | 5.25 | 7/1/26 | 3,500,000 | e | 3,704,540 |
Hawaii Department of Transportation, | |||||
Special Facility Revenue (Caterair | |||||
International Corporation) | 10.13 | 12/1/10 | 1,200,000 | 1,184,316 | |
Idaho1.0% | |||||
Power County Industrial | |||||
Development Corporation, SWDR | |||||
(FMC Corporation Project) | 6.45 | 8/1/32 | 5,000,000 | 5,004,400 | |
Illinois2.4% | |||||
Chicago, | |||||
SFMR (Collateralized: FHLMC, | |||||
FNMA and GNMA) | 6.55 | 4/1/33 | 1,840,000 | 1,945,469 | |
Illinois Health Facilities | |||||
Authority, Revenue (Swedish | |||||
American Hospital) (Prerefunded) | 6.88 | 5/15/10 | 4,940,000 | c | 5,025,610 |
The Fund 9
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | |
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) |
Illinois (continued) | ||||
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition | ||||
Authority, State Tax Revenue | ||||
(McCormick Place Expansion | ||||
Project) (Insured; National | ||||
Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) | 5.25 | 6/15/42 | 5,325,000 | 5,385,545 |
Indiana.8% | ||||
Petersburg, | ||||
SWDR (Indianapolis Power and | ||||
Light Company Project) | 6.38 | 11/1/29 | 4,150,000 | 4,250,098 |
Iowa.3% | ||||
Tobacco Settlement Authority of | ||||
Iowa, Tobacco Settlement | ||||
Asset-Backed Bonds | 5.60 | 6/1/34 | 2,000,000 | 1,702,740 |
Kansas2.6% | ||||
Kansas Development Finance | ||||
Authority, Health Facilities | ||||
Revenue (Sisters of Charity | ||||
of Leavenworth Health | ||||
Services Corporation) | 6.25 | 12/1/28 | 3,000,000 | 3,036,420 |
Sedgwick and Shawnee Counties, | ||||
SFMR (Mortgage-Backed | ||||
Securities Program) | ||||
(Collateralized: FNMA and GNMA) | 6.30 | 12/1/32 | 2,680,000 | 2,726,337 |
Sedgwick and Shawnee Counties, | ||||
SFMR (Mortgage-Backed | ||||
Securities Program) | ||||
(Collateralized: FNMA and GNMA) | 6.45 | 12/1/33 | 5,300,000 | 5,590,069 |
Sedgwick and Shawnee Counties, | ||||
SFMR (Mortgage-Backed | ||||
Securities Program) | ||||
(Collateralized: FNMA and GNMA) | 5.70 | 12/1/35 | 1,520,000 | 1,564,293 |
Kentucky1.9% | ||||
Kentucky Area Development | ||||
Districts Financing Trust, COP | ||||
(Lease Acquisition Program) | 5.50 | 5/1/27 | 2,000,000 | 2,029,820 |
Louisville/Jefferson County | ||||
Metro Government, Health | ||||
Facilities Revenue (Jewish | ||||
Hospital and Saint Mary's | ||||
HealthCare, Inc. Project) | 6.13 | 2/1/37 | 2,300,000 | 2,384,364 |
10
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
Kentucky (continued) | |||||
Paducah Electric Plant Board, | |||||
Revenue (Insured; Assured | |||||
Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 5.25 | 10/1/35 | 5,000,000 | 5,196,200 | |
Louisiana1.8% | |||||
Lakeshore Villages Master | |||||
Community Development District, | |||||
Special Assessment Revenue | 5.25 | 7/1/17 | 2,979,000 | 1,790,409 | |
Louisiana Local Government | |||||
Environmental Facilities and | |||||
Community Development | |||||
Authority, Revenue (Westlake | |||||
Chemical Corporation Projects) | 6.75 | 11/1/32 | 7,000,000 | 7,302,680 | |
Maine.6% | |||||
Maine Housing Authority, | |||||
Mortgage Purchase Bonds | 5.30 | 11/15/23 | 2,825,000 | 2,856,132 | |
Maryland2.0% | |||||
Maryland Community Development | |||||
Administration, Department of | |||||
Housing and Community | |||||
Development, Residential Revenue | 5.75 | 9/1/37 | 2,010,000 | 2,131,766 | |
Maryland Economic Development | |||||
Corporation, EDR (Transportation | |||||
Facilities Project) | 5.75 | 6/1/35 | 1,500,000 | 1,529,955 | |
Maryland Economic Development | |||||
Corporation, Senior Student | |||||
Housing Revenue (University of | |||||
Maryland, Baltimore Project) | 5.75 | 10/1/33 | 4,590,000 | 3,135,291 | |
Maryland Economic Development | |||||
Corporation, Student Housing | |||||
Revenue (University of | |||||
Maryland, College Park | |||||
Project) (Prerefunded) | 6.50 | 6/1/13 | 3,000,000 | c | 3,493,350 |
Massachusetts6.1% | |||||
Barclays Capital Municipal | |||||
Trust Receipts (Massachusetts | |||||
Health and Educational | |||||
Facilities Authority, Revenue | |||||
(Massachusetts Institute | |||||
of Technology Issue)) | 5.00 | 7/1/38 | 13,110,000 | a,b | 13,821,742 |
The Fund 11
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | |
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) |
Massachusetts (continued) | ||||
Massachusetts Health and | ||||
Educational Facilities Authority, | ||||
Revenue (Civic Investments | ||||
Issue) (Prerefunded) | 9.00 | 12/15/12 | 1,500,000 c | 1,780,875 |
Massachusetts Health and | ||||
Educational Facilities | ||||
Authority, Revenue (Partners | ||||
HealthCare System Issue) | 5.75 | 7/1/32 | 185,000 | 189,425 |
Massachusetts Health and | ||||
Educational Facilities | ||||
Authority, Revenue (Suffolk | ||||
University Issue) | 6.25 | 7/1/30 | 5,500,000 | 5,865,200 |
Massachusetts Housing Finance | ||||
Agency, Rental Housing Mortgage | ||||
Revenue (Insured; AMBAC) | 5.50 | 7/1/40 | 4,000,000 | 3,262,080 |
Massachusetts Industrial Finance | ||||
Agency, RRR (Ogden | ||||
Haverhill Project) | 5.60 | 12/1/19 | 6,000,000 | 5,690,460 |
Michigan11.3% | ||||
Charyl Stockwell Academy, | ||||
COP | 5.90 | 10/1/35 | 2,580,000 | 2,047,952 |
Detroit, | ||||
Sewage Disposal System Senior | ||||
Lien Revenue (Insured; Assured | ||||
Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 7.00 | 7/1/27 | 2,500,000 | 2,902,650 |
Detroit, | ||||
Sewage Disposal System Senior | ||||
Lien Revenue (Insured; Assured | ||||
Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 7.50 | 7/1/33 | 5,700,000 | 6,833,388 |
Detroit School District, | ||||
School Building and Site | ||||
Improvement Bonds (GO | ||||
Unlimited Tax) (Insured; FGIC) | 5.00 | 5/1/28 | 6,930,000 | 6,808,309 |
Kent Hospital Finance Authority, | ||||
Revenue (Metropolitan | ||||
Hospital Project) | 6.00 | 7/1/35 | 5,930,000 | 5,112,668 |
Kent Hospital Finance Authority, | ||||
Revenue (Metropolitan | ||||
Hospital Project) | 6.25 | 7/1/40 | 3,000,000 | 2,637,090 |
Michigan Hospital Finance | ||||
Authority, HR (Henry Ford | ||||
Health System) | 5.63 | 11/15/29 | 5,000,000 | 4,961,500 |
12
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | |
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) |
Michigan (continued) | ||||
Michigan Strategic Fund, | ||||
LOR (The Detroit Edison | ||||
Company Exempt Facilities | ||||
Project) (Insured; XLCA) | 5.25 | 12/15/32 | 3,000,000 | 2,995,800 |
Michigan Strategic Fund, | ||||
SWDR (Genesee Power | ||||
Station Project) | 7.50 | 1/1/21 | 11,800,000 | 10,646,786 |
Royal Oak Hospital Finance | ||||
Authority, HR (William Beaumont | ||||
Hospital Obligated Group) | 8.25 | 9/1/39 | 5,500,000 | 6,487,415 |
Wayne County Airport Authority, | ||||
Airport Revenue (Detroit | ||||
Metropolitan Wayne County | ||||
Airport) (Insured; National | ||||
Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) | 5.00 | 12/1/34 | 7,000,000 | 5,883,080 |
Minnesota4.0% | ||||
Dakota County Community | ||||
Development Agency, SFMR | ||||
(Mortgage-Backed Securities | ||||
Program) (Collateralized: | ||||
FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA) | 5.15 | 12/1/38 | 2,147,356 | 2,157,556 |
Dakota County Community | ||||
Development Agency, SFMR | ||||
(Mortgage-Backed Securities | ||||
Program) (Collateralized: | ||||
FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA) | 5.30 | 12/1/39 | 2,208,899 | 2,284,488 |
Minneapolis, | ||||
Health Care System Revenue | ||||
(Fairview Health Services) | ||||
(Insured; Assured Guaranty | ||||
Municipal Corp.) | 6.50 | 11/15/38 | 5,000,000 | 5,594,050 |
North Oaks, | ||||
Senior Housing Revenue | ||||
(Presbyterian Homes of North | ||||
Oaks, Inc. Project) | 6.25 | 10/1/47 | 5,265,000 | 5,085,885 |
Winona, | ||||
Health Care Facilities Revenue | ||||
(Winona Health Obligated Group) | 6.00 | 7/1/26 | 5,000,000 | 5,012,450 |
Mississippi3.7% | ||||
Clairborne County, | ||||
PCR (System Energy | ||||
Resources, Inc. Project) | 6.20 | 2/1/26 | 4,545,000 | 4,544,682 |
The Fund 13
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | |
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) |
Mississippi (continued) | ||||
Mississippi Business Finance | ||||
Corporation, PCR (System | ||||
Energy Resources, Inc. Project) | 5.88 | 4/1/22 | 14,310,000 | 14,283,240 |
Missouri1.7% | ||||
Missouri Development Finance Board, | ||||
Infrastructure Facilities Revenue | ||||
(Branson Landing Project) | 5.38 | 12/1/27 | 2,000,000 | 1,980,720 |
Missouri Development Finance | ||||
Board, Infrastructure | ||||
Facilities Revenue (Branson | ||||
Landing Project) | 5.50 | 12/1/32 | 4,500,000 | 4,470,795 |
Missouri Development Finance | ||||
Board, Infrastructure Facilities | ||||
Revenue (Independence, | ||||
Crackerneck Creek Project) | 5.00 | 3/1/28 | 2,000,000 | 1,962,780 |
Montana.2% | ||||
Montana Board of Housing, | ||||
SFMR | 6.45 | 6/1/29 | 845,000 | 859,585 |
Nevada2.2% | ||||
Clark County, | ||||
IDR (Nevada Power | ||||
Company Project) | 5.60 | 10/1/30 | 6,800,000 | 6,352,560 |
Clark County, | ||||
Passenger Facility Charge | ||||
Revenue (Las Vegas-McCarran | ||||
International Airport) | 5.00 | 7/1/30 | 5,000,000 | 4,968,150 |
New Hampshire2.8% | ||||
New Hampshire Business Finance | ||||
Authority, PCR (Public Service | ||||
Company of New Hampshire) | ||||
(Insured; AMBAC) | 6.00 | 5/1/21 | 7,000,000 | 7,109,760 |
New Hampshire Health and | ||||
Educational Facilities Authority, | ||||
Revenue (Exeter Project) | 6.00 | 10/1/24 | 1,000,000 | 1,023,860 |
New Hampshire Health and | ||||
Educational Facilities Authority, | ||||
Revenue (Exeter Project) | 5.75 | 10/1/31 | 1,000,000 | 1,017,680 |
14
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | |
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) |
New Hampshire (continued) | ||||
New Hampshire Industrial | ||||
Development Authority, PCR | ||||
(Connecticut Light and Power | ||||
Company Project) | 5.90 | 11/1/16 | 5,000,000 | 5,006,500 |
New Jersey3.4% | ||||
New Jersey Economic Development | ||||
Authority, Cigarette Tax Revenue | 5.75 | 6/15/34 | 5,500,000 | 5,217,630 |
New Jersey Higher Education | ||||
Student Assistance Authority, | ||||
Student Loan Revenue | ||||
(Insured; Assured Guaranty | ||||
Municipal Corp.) | 6.13 | 6/1/30 | 5,000,000 | 5,276,900 |
Tobacco Settlement Financing | ||||
Corporation of New Jersey, | ||||
Tobacco Settlement | ||||
Asset-Backed Bonds | ||||
(Prerefunded) | 7.00 | 6/1/13 | 5,640,000 c | 6,627,338 |
New Mexico1.3% | ||||
New Mexico Hospital Equipment | ||||
Loan Council, Hospital System | ||||
Revenue (Presbyterian | ||||
Healthcare Services) | 5.00 | 8/1/39 | 5,500,000 | 5,474,480 |
New Mexico Mortgage Finance | ||||
Authority, Single Family | ||||
Mortgage Program Revenue | ||||
(Collateralized: FHLMC, FNMA | ||||
and GNMA) | 6.15 | 7/1/35 | 945,000 | 1,009,562 |
New York4.1% | ||||
New York City Industrial | ||||
Development Agency, Liberty | ||||
Revenue (7 World Trade | ||||
Center Project) | 6.25 | 3/1/15 | 3,275,000 | 3,301,953 |
New York City Industrial | ||||
Development Agency, PILOT | ||||
Revenue (Yankee Stadium | ||||
Project) (Insured; Assured | ||||
Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 7.00 | 3/1/49 | 5,000,000 | 5,757,150 |
The Fund 15
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
New York (continued) | |||||
New York City Industrial | |||||
Development Agency, Special | |||||
Facility Revenue (American | |||||
Airlines, Inc. John F. Kennedy | |||||
International Airport Project) | 8.00 | 8/1/28 | 1,000,000 | 1,033,340 | |
Tobacco Settlement Financing | |||||
Corporation of New York, | |||||
Asset-Backed Revenue Bonds | |||||
(State Contingency Contract | |||||
Secured) (Insured; AMBAC) | 5.25 | 6/1/21 | 5,000,000 | 5,303,650 | |
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel | |||||
Authority, Revenue | 5.25 | 11/15/30 | 5,220,000 | 5,439,553 | |
North Carolina.6% | |||||
North Carolina Housing | |||||
Finance Agency, Home | |||||
Ownership Revenue | 5.88 | 7/1/31 | 2,940,000 | 2,941,764 | |
North Dakota.0% | |||||
North Dakota Housing Finance | |||||
Agency, Home Mortgage Revenue | |||||
(Housing Finance Program) | 6.15 | 7/1/31 | 220,000 | 229,491 | |
Ohio3.2% | |||||
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement | |||||
Financing Authority, Tobacco | |||||
Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds | 5.88 | 6/1/30 | 3,000,000 | 2,521,740 | |
Canal Winchester Local School | |||||
District, School Facilities | |||||
Construction and Improvement | |||||
and Advance Refunding Bonds | |||||
(GOUnlimited Tax) (Insured; | |||||
National Public Finance | |||||
Guarantee Corp.) | 0.00 | 12/1/29 | 3,955,000 | d | 1,419,133 |
Canal Winchester Local School | |||||
District, School Facilities | |||||
Construction and Improvement | |||||
and Advance Refunding Bonds | |||||
(GOUnlimited Tax) (Insured; | |||||
National Public Finance | |||||
Guarantee Corp.) | 0.00 | 12/1/31 | 3,955,000 | d | 1,250,927 |
Ohio Air Quality Development | |||||
Authority, Air Quality Revenue | |||||
(Ohio Valley Electric | |||||
Corporation Project) | 5.63 | 10/1/19 | 5,900,000 | 6,135,469 |
16
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | |
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) |
Ohio (continued) | ||||
Port of Greater Cincinnati | ||||
Development Authority, Tax | ||||
Increment Development Revenue | ||||
(Fairfax Village Red Bank | ||||
Infrastructure Project) | 5.63 | 2/1/36 | 3,000,000 b | 2,160,870 |
Toledo Lucas County Port | ||||
Authority, Airport Revenue | ||||
(Baxter Global Project) | 6.25 | 11/1/13 | 2,900,000 | 2,746,039 |
Oklahoma.1% | ||||
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, | ||||
SFMR (Homeownership | ||||
Loan Program) | 7.55 | 9/1/28 | 580,000 | 590,231 |
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, | ||||
SFMR (Homeownership Loan | ||||
Program) (Collateralized: FNMA | ||||
and GNMA) | 7.55 | 9/1/27 | 80,000 | 82,802 |
Oregon1.2% | ||||
Multnomah County Hospital | ||||
Facilities Authority, Revenue | ||||
(Adventist Health System/West) | 5.13 | 9/1/40 | 3,500,000 | 3,454,675 |
Warm Springs Reservation | ||||
Confederated Tribes, | ||||
Hydroelectric Revenue (Pelton | ||||
Round Butte Project) | 6.38 | 11/1/33 | 2,500,000 | 2,526,775 |
Pennsylvania1.4% | ||||
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, | ||||
Turnpike Subordinate Revenue | 5.25 | 6/1/39 | 5,000,000 | 5,109,100 |
Philadelphia Authority for | ||||
Industrial Development, Revenue | ||||
(Please Touch Museum Project) | 5.25 | 9/1/31 | 2,500,000 | 2,120,825 |
Rhode Island1.1% | ||||
Rhode Island Health and | ||||
Educational Building | ||||
Corporation, Hospital | ||||
Financing Revenue (Lifespan | ||||
Obligated Group Issue) | ||||
(Insured; Assured Guaranty | ||||
Municipal Corp.) | 7.00 | 5/15/39 | 5,000,000 | 5,747,100 |
South Carolina2.1% | ||||
South Carolina Public Service | ||||
Authority, Revenue Obligations | 5.50 | 1/1/38 | 10,000,000 | 10,840,100 |
The Fund 17
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
Tennessee6.2% | |||||
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust | |||||
Receipts (Rutherford County | |||||
Health and Educational | |||||
Facilities Board, Revenue | |||||
(Ascension Health Senior | |||||
Credit Group)) | 5.00 | 11/15/40 | 10,000,000 | a,b | 10,106,100 |
Johnson City Health and | |||||
Educational Facilities Board, | |||||
Hospital First Mortgage | |||||
Revenue (Mountain States | |||||
Health Alliance) (Prerefunded) | 7.50 | 7/1/12 | 5,000,000 | c | 5,637,150 |
Johnson City Health and | |||||
Educational Facilities Board, | |||||
Hospital First Mortgage | |||||
Revenue (Mountain States | |||||
Health Alliance) (Prerefunded) | 7.50 | 7/1/12 | 3,000,000 | c | 3,361,140 |
Memphis Center City Revenue | |||||
Finance Corporation, Sports | |||||
Facility Revenue (Memphis Redbirds | |||||
Baseball Foundation Project) | 6.50 | 9/1/28 | 10,000,000 | f | 4,644,000 |
Metropolitan Government of | |||||
Nashville and Davidson County | |||||
Health and Educational | |||||
Facilities Board, Revenue (The | |||||
Vanderbilt University) | 5.50 | 10/1/34 | 7,000,000 | 7,744,380 | |
Texas15.7% | |||||
Austin Convention Enterprises | |||||
Inc., Convention Center Hotel | |||||
First Tier Revenue | |||||
(Prerefunded) | 6.70 | 1/1/11 | 4,000,000 | c | 4,187,400 |
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust | |||||
Receipts (Leander Independent | |||||
School District, School Building | |||||
Bonds (Permanent School Fund | |||||
Guarantee Program)) | 5.00 | 8/15/40 | 8,510,000 | a,b,e | 8,968,476 |
Brazos River Authority, | |||||
PCR (TXU Electric | |||||
Company Project) | 8.25 | 5/1/33 | 5,000,000 | b | 3,113,750 |
18
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
Texas (continued) | |||||
Cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, | |||||
Dallas/Fort Worth International | |||||
Airport, Joint Revenue (Insured; | |||||
National Public Finance | |||||
Guarantee Corp.) | 6.25 | 11/1/28 | 3,000,000 | 3,010,830 | |
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, | |||||
Senior Lien Sales Tax Revenue | 5.25 | 12/1/48 | 10,000,000 | 10,418,300 | |
Harris County Health Facilities | |||||
Development Corporation, HR | |||||
(Memorial Hermann | |||||
Healthcare System) | 7.25 | 12/1/35 | 2,000,000 | 2,251,720 | |
Harris County Health Facilities | |||||
Development Corporation, HR | |||||
(Memorial Hermann Healthcare | |||||
System) (Prerefunded) | 6.38 | 6/1/11 | 3,500,000 | c | 3,769,150 |
Houston, | |||||
Combined Utility System First | |||||
Lien Revenue (Insured; Assured | |||||
Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 6.00 | 11/15/36 | 5,000,000 | 5,710,550 | |
North Texas Tollway Authority, | |||||
First Tier System Revenue | |||||
(Insured; Assured Guaranty | |||||
Municipal Corp.) | 5.75 | 1/1/40 | 10,300,000 | 11,029,343 | |
North Texas Tollway Authority, | |||||
Second Tier System Revenue | 5.75 | 1/1/38 | 5,500,000 | 5,644,595 | |
Sabine River Authority, PCR (TXU | |||||
Electric Company Project) | 6.45 | 6/1/21 | 11,300,000 | 6,807,233 | |
Sam Rayburn Municipal Power | |||||
Agency, Power Supply | |||||
System Revenue | 5.75 | 10/1/21 | 6,000,000 | 6,128,520 | |
Texas Department of Housing and | |||||
Community Affairs, Home Mortgage | |||||
Revenue (Collateralized: FHLMC, | |||||
FNMA and GNMA) | 12.63 | 7/2/24 | 700,000 | g | 778,099 |
Texas Turnpike Authority, | |||||
Central Texas Turnpike System | |||||
Revenue (Insured; AMBAC) | 5.75 | 8/15/38 | 7,100,000 | 7,193,507 |
The Fund 19
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
Vermont.1% | |||||
Vermont Housing Finance Agency, | |||||
SFHR (Insured; Assured | |||||
Guaranty Municipal Corp.) | 6.40 | 11/1/30 | 590,000 | 602,467 | |
Virginia4.1% | |||||
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust | |||||
Receipts (Virginia Small | |||||
Business Financing Authority, | |||||
Health Care Facilities Revenue | |||||
(Sentara Healthcare)) | 5.00 | 11/1/40 | 10,000,000 | a,b | 10,118,200 |
Greater Richmond Convention Center | |||||
Authority, Hotel Tax Revenue | |||||
(Convention Center Expansion | |||||
Project) (Prerefunded) | 6.25 | 6/15/10 | 10,500,000 | c | 10,734,360 |
Washington2.7% | |||||
Washington Health Care Facilities | |||||
Authority, Mortgage Revenue | |||||
(Highline Medical Center) | |||||
(Collateralized; FHA) | 6.25 | 8/1/36 | 6,000,000 | 6,442,140 | |
Washington Higher Education | |||||
Facilities Authority, Revenue | |||||
(Seattle University Project) | |||||
(Insured; AMBAC) | 5.25 | 11/1/37 | 4,210,000 | 4,264,941 | |
Washington Housing Finance | |||||
Commission, Revenue | |||||
(Single-Family Program) | |||||
(Collateralized: FHLMC, FNMA | |||||
and GNMA) | 5.15 | 6/1/37 | 3,000,000 | 3,044,670 | |
West Virginia1.8% | |||||
The County Commission of Harrison | |||||
County, SWDR (Allegheny Energy | |||||
Supply Company, LLC Harrison | |||||
Station Project) | 5.50 | 10/15/37 | 2,000,000 | 1,853,340 | |
The County Commission of Pleasants | |||||
County, PCR (Allegheny Energy | |||||
Supply Company, LLC Pleasants | |||||
Station Project) | 5.25 | 10/15/37 | 5,000,000 | 4,809,900 | |
West Virginia Water Development | |||||
Authority, Water Development | |||||
Revenue (Insured; AMBAC) | 6.38 | 7/1/39 | 2,250,000 | 2,276,798 |
20
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
Wisconsin7.8% | |||||
Badger Tobacco Asset | |||||
Securitization Corporation, | |||||
Tobacco Settlement | |||||
Asset-Backed Bonds | 6.13 | 6/1/27 | 8,425,000 | 9,048,787 | |
Badger Tobacco Asset | |||||
Securitization Corporation, | |||||
Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed | |||||
Bonds (Prerefunded) | 7.00 | 6/1/12 | 22,995,000 | c | 25,851,669 |
Madison, | |||||
IDR (Madison Gas and Electric | |||||
Company Projects) | 5.88 | 10/1/34 | 2,390,000 | 2,412,609 | |
Wisconsin Health and Educational | |||||
Facilities Authority, Revenue | |||||
(Aurora Health Care, Inc.) | 6.40 | 4/15/33 | 2,000,000 | 2,041,280 | |
Wyoming1.9% | |||||
Sweetwater County, | |||||
SWDR (FMC Corporation Project) | 5.60 | 12/1/35 | 4,500,000 | 4,229,010 | |
Wyoming Municipal Power Agency, | |||||
Power Supply System Revenue | 5.50 | 1/1/33 | 2,360,000 | 2,475,026 | |
Wyoming Municipal Power Agency, | |||||
Power Supply System Revenue | 5.38 | 1/1/42 | 2,750,000 | 2,824,250 | |
U.S. Related6.3% | |||||
Government of Guam, | |||||
LOR (Section 30) | 5.75 | 12/1/34 | 2,000,000 | 2,044,460 | |
Guam Housing Corporation, | |||||
SFMR (Guaranteed | |||||
Mortgage-Backed Securities | |||||
Program) (Collateralized; FHLMC) | 5.75 | 9/1/31 | 965,000 | 1,054,079 | |
Puerto Rico Commonwealth, | |||||
Public Improvement GO | 5.50 | 7/1/32 | 2,000,000 | 2,010,340 | |
Puerto Rico Commonwealth, | |||||
Public Improvement GO | 6.00 | 7/1/39 | 3,500,000 | 3,658,760 | |
Puerto Rico Electric Power | |||||
Authority, Power Revenue | 5.25 | 7/1/40 | 2,500,000 | e | 2,481,050 |
Puerto Rico Highways and | |||||
Transportation Authority, | |||||
Transportation Revenue | |||||
(Prerefunded) | 6.00 | 7/1/10 | 6,000,000 | c | 6,144,780 |
The Fund 21
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Long-Term Municipal | Coupon | Maturity | Principal | ||
Investments (continued) | Rate (%) | Date | Amount ($) | Value ($) | |
U.S. Related (continued) | |||||
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing | |||||
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue | |||||
(First Subordinate Series) | 5.38 | 8/1/39 | 2,500,000 | 2,570,000 | |
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing | |||||
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue | |||||
(First Subordinate Series) | 6.00 | 8/1/42 | 11,000,000 | 11,845,570 | |
Total Long-Term Municipal Investments | |||||
(cost $764,431,176) | 776,710,741 | ||||
Short-Term Municipal | |||||
Investments2.8% | |||||
California1.7% | |||||
California, | |||||
Economic Recovery Bonds (LOC; | |||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank) | 0.27 | 4/1/10 | 8,500,000 | h | 8,500,000 |
Massachusetts.1% | |||||
Massachusetts Health and Educational | |||||
Facilities Authority, Revenue | |||||
(Harvard University Issue) | 0.27 | 4/1/10 | 500,000 | h | 500,000 |
New York1.0% | |||||
New York City, | |||||
GO Notes (LOC; JPMorgan | |||||
Chase Bank) | 0.28 | 4/1/10 | 5,000,000 | h | 5,000,000 |
Total Short-Term Municipal Investments | |||||
(cost $14,000,000) | 14,000,000 | ||||
Total Investments (cost $778,431,176) | 156.5% | 790,710,741 | |||
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables | (3.4%) | (16,943,088) | |||
Preferred Stock, at redemption value | (53.1%) | (268,400,000) | |||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | 100.0% | 505,367,653 |
a Collateral for floating rate borrowings. |
b Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.These securities may be resold in |
transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At March 31, 2010, these securities |
had a total market value of $66,233,058 or 13.1% of net assets applicable to Common Shareholders. |
c 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. |
d Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount. |
e Purchased on a delayed delivery basis. |
f Non-income producingsecurity in default. |
g Inverse floater securitythe interest rate is subject to change periodically. |
h Variable rate demand noterate shown is the interest rate in effect at March 31, 2010. Maturity date represents the |
next demand date, or the ultimate maturity date if earlier. |
22
Summary of Abbreviations | |||
ABAG | Association of Bay Area Governments | ACA | American Capital Access |
AGC | ACE Guaranty Corporation | AGIC | Asset Guaranty Insurance Company |
AMBAC | American Municipal Bond | ARRN | Adjustable Rate Receipt Notes |
Assurance Corporation | |||
BAN | Bond Anticipation Notes | BPA | Bond Purchase Agreement |
CIFG | CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty | COP | Certificate of Participation |
CP | Commercial Paper | EDR | Economic Development Revenue |
EIR | Environmental Improvement Revenue | FGIC | Financial Guaranty Insurance |
Company | |||
FHA | Federal Housing Administration | FHLB | Federal Home Loan Bank |
FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage | FNMA | Federal National |
Corporation | Mortgage Association | ||
GAN | Grant Anticipation Notes | GIC | Guaranteed Investment Contract |
GNMA | Government National | GO | General Obligation |
Mortgage Association | |||
HR | Hospital Revenue | IDB | Industrial Development Board |
IDC | Industrial Development Corporation | IDR | Industrial Development Revenue |
LOC | Letter of Credit | LOR | Limited Obligation Revenue |
LR | Lease Revenue | MFHR | Multi-Family Housing Revenue |
MFMR | Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue | PCR | Pollution Control Revenue |
PILOT | Payment in Lieu of Taxes | RAC | Revenue Anticipation Certificates |
RAN | Revenue Anticipation Notes | RAW | Revenue Anticipation Warrants |
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 Mortgage Agency | |
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 23
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
Summary of Combined Ratings (Unaudited) | |||||
Fitch | or | Moodys | or | Standard & Poors | Value (%) |
AAA | Aaa | AAA | 31.9 | ||
AA | Aa | AA | 14.7 | ||
A | A | A | 19.4 | ||
BBB | Baa | BBB | 19.5 | ||
BB | Ba | BB | 2.8 | ||
B | B | B | 3.4 | ||
F1 | MIG1/P1 | SP1/A1 | 1.8 | ||
Not Ratedi | Not Ratedi | Not Ratedi | 6.5 | ||
100.0 |
| Based on total investments. |
i | Securities which, while not rated by Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's, have been determined by the Manager to |
be of comparable quality to those rated securities in which the fund may invest. | |
See notes to financial statements. |
24
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) |
Cost | Value | |
Assets ($): | ||
Investments in securitiesSee Statement of Investments | 778,431,176 | 790,710,741 |
Cash | 10,612,444 | |
Interest receivable | 13,472,519 | |
Prepaid expenses | 10,942 | |
814,806,646 | ||
Liabilities ($): | ||
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliatesNote 2(b) | 499,807 | |
Payable for floating rate notes issuedNote 3 | 29,415,000 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | 10,814,368 | |
Interest and expense payable related | ||
to floating rate notes issuedNote 3 | 72,079 | |
Commissions payable | 43,956 | |
Dividends payable to Preferred Shareholders | 12,817 | |
Accrued expenses | 180,966 | |
41,038,993 | ||
Auction Preferred Stock, Series M,T,W,Th and F, | ||
par value $.001 per share (10,736 shares issued | ||
and outstanding at $25,000 per share | ||
liquidation preference)Note 1 | 268,400,000 | |
Net Assets applicable to Common Shareholders ($) | 505,367,653 | |
Composition of Net Assets ($): | ||
Common Stock, par value, $.001 per share | ||
(60,856,295 shares issued and outstanding) | 60,856 | |
Paid-in capital | 573,724,057 | |
Accumulated undistributed investment incomenet | 9,473,205 | |
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments | (90,170,030) | |
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation | ||
(depreciation) on investments | 12,279,565 | |
Net Assets applicable to Common Shareholders ($) | 505,367,653 | |
Shares Outstanding | ||
(500 million shares authorized) | 60,856,295 | |
Net Asset Value, per share of Common Stock ($) | 8.30 | |
See notes to financial statements. |
The Fund 25
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS |
Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) |
Investment Income ($): | |
Interest Income | 22,305,905 |
Expenses: | |
Management feeNote 2(a) | 2,941,332 |
Commission feesNote 1 | 234,131 |
Interest and expense related to floating rate notes issuedNote 3 | 72,079 |
Custodian feesNote 2(b) | 70,168 |
Shareholder servicing costsNote 2(b) | 48,586 |
Professional fees | 39,414 |
Shareholders' report | 34,839 |
Directors' fees and expensesNote 2(c) | 32,599 |
Registration fees | 17,949 |
Miscellaneous | 34,984 |
Total Expenses | 3,526,081 |
Lessreduction in management fee due to undertakingNote 2(a) | (392,178) |
Net Expenses | 3,133,903 |
Investment IncomeNet | 19,172,002 |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on InvestmentsNote 3 ($): | |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (760,578) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | (11,017,108) |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | (11,777,686) |
Dividends to Preferred Shareholders | (537,920) |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 6,856,396 |
See notes to financial statements. |
26
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Six Months Ended | ||
March 31, 2010 | Year Ended | |
(Unaudited) | September 30, 2009 | |
Operations ($): | ||
Investment incomenet | 19,172,002 | 40,898,461 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (760,578) | (33,619,710) |
Net unrealized appreciation | ||
(depreciation) on investments | (11,017,108) | 63,210,009 |
Dividends to Preferred Shareholders | (537,920) | (3,662,757) |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | ||
Resulting from Operations | 6,856,396 | 66,826,003 |
Dividends to Common Shareholders from ($): | ||
Investment incomenet | (17,016,935) | (30,626,523) |
Capital Stock Transactions ($): | ||
Dividends reinvested | 742,240 | |
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | (9,418,299) | 36,199,480 |
Net Assets ($): | ||
Beginning of Period | 514,785,952 | 478,586,472 |
End of Period | 505,367,653 | 514,785,952 |
Undistributed investment incomenet | 9,473,205 | 7,856,058 |
Capital Share Transactions (Shares): | ||
Increase in Shares Outstanding | ||
as a Result of Dividends Reinvested | 89,374 | |
See notes to financial statements. |
The Fund 27
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated.Total return shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions.These figures have been derived from the funds financial statements, and with respect to common stock, market price data for the funds common shares.
Six Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, 2010 | Year Ended September 30, | |||||
(Unaudited) | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |
Per Share Data ($): | ||||||
Net asset value, | ||||||
beginning of period | 8.47 | 7.88 | 9.12 | 9.46 | 9.38 | 9.18 |
Investment Operations: | ||||||
Investment incomeneta | .32 | .67 | .68 | .69 | .66 | .66 |
Net realized and unrealized | ||||||
gain (loss) on investments | (.20) | .48 | (1.25) | (.36) | .09 | .21 |
Dividends on Preferred | ||||||
Stock from investment | ||||||
incomenet | (.01) | (.06) | (.17) | (.17) | (.15) | (.10) |
Total from | ||||||
Investment Operations | .11 | 1.09 | (.74) | .16 | .60 | .77 |
Distributions to | ||||||
Common Shareholders: | ||||||
Dividends from | ||||||
investment incomenet | (.28) | (.50) | (.50) | (.50) | (.52) | (.57) |
Net asset value, end of period | 8.30 | 8.47 | 7.88 | 9.12 | 9.46 | 9.38 |
Market value, end of period | 8.50 | 7.91 | 6.75 | 8.74 | 9.18 | 8.87 |
Total Return (%)b | 11.16c | 26.05 | (18.00) | .46 | 9.74 | 6.87 |
28
Six Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, 2010 | Year Ended September 30, | |||||
(Unaudited) | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%): | ||||||
Ratio of total expenses | ||||||
to average net assets | ||||||
applicable to Common Stockd | 1.41e | 1.50 | 1.58 | 1.63 | 1.55 | 1.47 |
Ratio of net expenses to average | ||||||
net assets applicable | ||||||
to Common Stockd | 1.25e | 1.34 | 1.42 | 1.48 | 1.40 | 1.33 |
Ratio of interest and expense | ||||||
related to floating rate notes | ||||||
issued to average net assets | ||||||
applicable to Common Stockd | .03e | | .17 | .28 | .18 | .10 |
Ratio of net investment income | ||||||
to average net assets applicable | ||||||
to Common Stockd | 7.64e | 9.09 | 7.79 | 7.38 | 7.15 | 7.03 |
Ratio of total expenses | ||||||
to total average net assets | .90e | .92 | 1.03 | 1.09 | 1.03 | .98 |
Ratio of net expenses | ||||||
to total average net assets | .80e | .82 | .92 | .99 | .93 | .89 |
Ratio of interest and expense related | ||||||
to floating rate notes issued | ||||||
to total average net assets | .02e | | .11 | .19 | .12 | .07 |
Ratio of net investment income | ||||||
to total average net assets | 4.89e | 5.57 | 5.07 | 4.92 | 4.75 | 4.67 |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 13.65c | 28.72 | 48.60 | 34.75 | 31.44 | 27.96 |
Asset coverage of Preferred Stock, | ||||||
end of period | 288 | 281 | 268 | 294 | 301 | 299 |
Net Assets, net of | ||||||
Preferred Stock, | ||||||
end of period ($ x 1,000) | 505,368 | 514,786 | 478,586 | 553,598 | 573,391 | 568,264 |
Preferred Stock outstanding, | ||||||
end of period ($ x 1,000) | 268,400 | 285,000 | 285,000 | 285,000 | 285,000 | 285,000 |
a | Based on average common shares outstanding at each month end. |
b | Calculated based on market value. |
c | Not annulized. |
d | Does not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Shareholders. |
e | Annualized. |
See notes to financial statements. |
The Fund 29
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTE 1Significant Accounting Policies:
Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc. (the fund) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act), as a diversified closed-end management investment company.The funds investment objective is to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. The Dreyfus Corporation (the Manager or Dreyfus), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of NewYork Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon), serves as the funds investment adviser.The funds Common Stock trades on the NewYork Stock Exchange (the NYSE) under the ticker symbol LEO.
The fund has outstanding 2,120 shares of Series M, Series T and Series F and 2,188 shares of Series W and Series TH for a total of 10,736 shares of Auction Preferred Stock (APS), with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends upon liquidation).APS dividend rates are determined pursuant to periodic auctions or by reference to a market rate. Deutsche Bank Trust Company America, as Auction Agent, receives a fee from the fund for its services in connection with such auctions.The fund also compensates broker-dealers generally at an annual rate of .15%-.25% of the purchase price of the shares of APS.
The fund is subject to certain restrictions relating to the APS. Failure to comply with these restrictions could preclude the fund from declaring any distributions to common shareholders or repurchasing common shares and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of APS at liquidation value. Thus, redemptions of APS may be deemed to be outside of the control of the fund.
The holders of the APS, voting as a separate class, have the right to elect at least two directors. The holders of the APS will vote as a separate class on certain other matters, as required by law. The fund has designated Robin A. Melvin and John E. Zuccotti as directors to be elected by the holders of APS.
On November 9, 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the fund to redeem up to 25% of the funds APS, subject to market, regulatory
30
and other conditions and factors, over a period of up to approximately twelve months.
During the period ended March 31, 2010, the fund announced the following redemptions of APS at a price of $25,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends through the redemption date.
Shares | Amount | Redemption | |
Series | Redeemed | Redeemed ($) | Date |
M | 92 | 2,300,000 | March 9, 2010 |
T | 92 | 2,300,000 | March 10, 2010 |
W | 92 | 2,300,000 | March 11, 2010 |
TH | 92 | 2,300,000 | March 12, 2010 |
F | 92 | 2,300,000 | March 8, 2010 |
M | 68 | 1,700,000 | March 30, 2010 |
T | 68 | 1,700,000 | March 31, 2010 |
F | 68 | 1,700,000 | March 29, 2010 |
Total | 664 | 16,600,000 |
On March 10, 2010, the fund announced the following additional redemptions of APS at a price of $25,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends through the redemption date.
Shares | Amount | Redemption | |
Series | Redeemed | Redeemed ($) | Date |
W | 68 | 1,700,000 | April 1, 2010 |
TH | 68 | 1,700,000 | April 5, 2010 |
Total | 136 | 3,400,000 |
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities.Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The funds 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 Fund 31
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
The fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown.The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.
(a) Portfolio valuation: Investments in municipal debt securities are valued on the last business day of each week and month by an independent pricing service (the Service) approved by the Board of Directors. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). Other investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. Options and financial futures on municipal and U.S.Treasury securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded or at the last sales price on the national securities market on the last business day of each week and month.
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
32
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 funds investments relating to fair value measurements.These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.
Level 2other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3significant unobservable inputs (including the funds 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.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of March 31, 2010 in valuing the funds investments:
Level 2Other | Level 3 | |||
Level 1 | Significant | Significant | ||
Unadjusted | Observable | Unobservable | ||
Quoted Prices | Inputs | Inputs | Total | |
Assets ($) | ||||
Investments in Securities: | ||||
Municipal Bonds | | 790,710,741 | | 790,710,741 |
In January 2010, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06 Improving Disclosures about FairValue Measurements. ASU 2010-06 will require reporting entities to make new disclosures about amounts and reasons for significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements as well as inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecur-ring fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3, and information on purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross
The Fund 33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
basis in the reconciliation of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. The new and revised disclosures are required to be implemented for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009 except for the disclosures surrounding purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU No. 2010-06 may have on the funds financial statement disclosures.
(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 has an arrangement with the custodian bank whereby the fund receives earnings credits from the custodian when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset custody fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes net earnings credits, as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.
(c) Dividends to shareholders of Common Stock (Common Shareholders(s)): Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from investment income-net are declared and 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.
For Common Shareholders who elect to receive their distributions in additional shares of the fund, in lieu of cash, such distributions will be reinvested at the lower of the market price or net asset value per share
34
(but not less than 95% of the market price) based on the record dates respective prices. If the net asset value per share on the record date is lower than the market price per share, shares will be issued by the fund at the record dates net asset value on the payable date of the distribution. If the net asset value per share is less than 95% of the market value, shares will be issued by the fund at 95% of the market value. If the market price is lower than the net asset value per share on the record date, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, will purchase fund shares in the open market commencing on the payable date and reinvest those shares accordingly. As a result of purchasing fund shares in the open market, fund shares outstanding will not be affected by this form of reinvestment.
On March 30, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.049 per share from investment income-net, payable on April 30, 2010 to Common Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2010.
(d) Dividends to shareholders of APS: Dividends, which are cumulative, are generally reset every 7 days for each Series of APS pursuant to a process specified in related fund charter documents. Dividends rates as of March 31, 2010, for each Series of APS were as follows: Series M-0.442%, Series T-0.442%, Series W-0.457%, Series TH-0.457% and Series F-0.457%.These rates reflect the maximum rates under the governing instruments as a result of failed auctions in which sufficient clearing bids are not received. The average dividend rates for the period ended March 31, 2010 for each Series of APS were as follows: Series M-0.38%, Series T-0.38%, Series W-0.38%, Series TH-0.38% and Series F-0.38%.
(e) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax exempt dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code and to make distributions of income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.
The Fund 35
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
As of and during the period ended March 31, 2010, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions.The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
Each of the tax years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2009 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.
The fund has an unused capital loss carryover of $56,981,037 available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net securities profits, if any, realized subsequent to September 30, 2009. If not applied, $19,582,677 of the carryover expires in fiscal 2011, $27,258,106 expires in fiscal 2012, $264,789 expires in fiscal 2016 and $9,875,465 expires in fiscal 2017.
The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 was as follows: tax exempt income $34,279,700 and ordinary income $9,580.The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
NOTE 2Management Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates:
(a) Pursuant to a management agreement (Agreement) with the Manager, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .75% of the value of the funds average weekly net assets, inclusive of the outstanding auction preferred stock, and is payable monthly. The Agreement provides for an expense reimbursement from the Manager should the funds aggregate expenses, exclusive of taxes, interest on borrowings, brokerage and extraordinary expenses, in any full fiscal year exceed the lesser of (1) the expense limitation of any state having jurisdiction over the fund or (2) 2% of the first $10 million, 1 1 / 2 % of the next $20 million and 1% of the excess over $30 million of the average value of the funds net assets.The Manager has currently undertaken for the period from October 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010, to waive
36
receipt of a portion of the funds management fee, in the amount of .10% of the value of the funds average weekly net assets (including net assets representing auction preferred stock outstanding).The reduction in management fee, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $392,178 during the period ended March 31, 2010.
(b) The fund compensates BNY Mellon Shareowner Services under a transfer agency agreement for providing personnel and facilities to perform transfer agency services for the fund. During the period ended March 31, 2010, the fund was charged $48,586 pursuant to the transfer agency agreement, which is included in shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.
The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon, a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, under a custody agreement for providing custodial services to the fund. During the period ended March 31, 2010, the fund was charged $70,168 pursuant to the custody agreement.
During the period ended March 31, 2010, the fund was charged $2,742 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer.
The components of Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees $498,615, custodian fees $44,632, transfer agency per account fees $20,300 and chief compliance officer fees $2,742, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $66,482.
(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds within the Dreyfus complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.
NOTE 3Securities Transactions:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended March 31, 2010, amounted to $103,763,727 and $127,179,412, respectively.
The Fund 37
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)
The fund adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging which requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The fund held no derivatives during the period ended March 31, 2010. These disclosures did not impact the notes to the financial statements.
Inverse Floater Securities: The fund may participate in secondary inverse floater structures in which fixed-rate, tax-exempt municipal bonds purchased by the fund are transferred to a trust.The trust subsequently issues two or more variable rate securities that are collateralized by the cash flows of the fixed-rate, tax-exempt municipal bonds. One or more of these variable rate securities pays interest based on a short-term floating rate set by a remarketing agent at predetermined intervals. A residual interest tax-exempt security is also created by the trust, which is transferred to the fund, and is paid interest based on the remaining cash flow of the trust, after payment of interest on the other securities and various expenses of the trust.
The fund accounts for the transfer of bonds to the trust as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the funds investments, and the related floating rate certificate securities reflected as fund liabilities under the caption, Payable for floating rate notes issued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the inverse floater structure during the period ended March 31, 2010, was approximately $10,188,300, with related weighted average annualized interest rate of 1.43%.
38
At March 31, 2010, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $12,279,565, consisting of $36,438,523 gross unrealized appreciation and $24,158,958 gross unrealized depreciation.
At March 31, 2010, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
NOTE 4Subsequent Events Evaluation:
Dreyfus has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.This evaluation did not result in any subsequent events that necessitated disclosures and/or adjustments other than the following:
On April 8, 2010, the fund announced the following redemptions of APS at a price of $25,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends through the redemption date.
Shares | Amount | Redemption | |
Series | Redeemed | Redeemed ($) | Date |
M | 154 | 3,850,000 | April 27, 2010 |
T | 154 | 3,850,000 | April 28, 2010 |
W | 154 | 3,850,000 | April 29, 2010 |
TH | 154 | 3,850,000 | April 30, 2010 |
F | 154 | 3,850,000 | April 26, 2010 |
Total | 770 | 19,250,000 |
The Fund 39
INFORMATION ABOUT THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL |
OF THE FUNDS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) |
At a Meeting of the funds Board of Directors held on November 9-10, 2009, the Board considered the re-approval for an annual period of the funds Management Agreement, pursuant to which the Manager provides the fund with investment advisory services, and the funds separate Administration Agreement, pursuant to which the Manager provides the fund with administrative services. The Board members, none of whom are interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from representatives of the Manager.
Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board members considered information previously provided to them in a presentation from representatives of the Manager regarding services provided to the fund and other funds in the Dreyfus complex, and representatives of the Manager confirmed that there had been no material changes in the information. The Board also discussed the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the fund pursuant to the funds Management Agreement. The Managers representatives noted the funds closed-end structure, the relationships the Manager has with various intermediaries, the different needs of each intermediary, and the Managers corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to fund shareholders.The Board noted the funds asset size and considered that a closed-end fund is not subject to the inflows and outflows of assets as an open-end fund would be that would increase or decrease its asset size.
The Board members also considered the Managers research and portfolio management capabilities and that the Manager also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board members also considered the Managers extensive administrative, accounting, and compliance infrastructure.
40
Comparative Analysis of the Funds Management Fee and Expense Ratio and Performance. The Board members reviewed reports prepared by Lipper, Inc., an independent provider of investment company data, which included information comparing the funds management fee and expense ratio with a group of comparable leveraged funds (the Expense Group) and with a broader group of funds (the Expense Universe) that were selected by Lipper. Included in the funds reports were comparisons of contractual and actual management fee rates and total operating expenses.
The Board members also reviewed the reports prepared by Lipper that presented the funds performance on an net asset value and market price basis, as well as comparisons of total return performance for various periods ended September 30, 2009 and yield performance for one-year periods ended September 30th for the fund to the same group of funds as the Expense Group (the Performance Group) and to a group of funds that was broader than the Expense Universe (the Performance Universe) that also were selected by Lipper. The Manager previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Lipper used to select the funds Expense Group and Expense Universe, and Performance Group and Performance Universe.The Manager also provided a comparison of the funds total return on a net asset value basis to the funds Lipper category average return for the past 10 calendar years.
The Board reviewed the results of the Expense Group and Expense Universe comparisons that were prepared based on financial statements currently available to Lipper as of September 30, 2009. The Board reviewed the range of management fees and expense ratios of the funds in the Expense Group and Expense Universe, and noted that the funds contractual management fee (based on net assets attributable to common stock only) was higher than the Expense Group median and that the funds actual management fee (based on net assets attrib-
The Fund 41
INFORMATION ABOUT THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE |
FUNDS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) |
utable to common and leveraged shares and to common shares only) was higher than the respective Expense Group and Expense Universe medians.The Board also noted that the funds total expense ratio (also based on net assets attributable to common and leveraged shares and to common shares only) was lower than the Expense Group and Expense Universe medians.The Board noted the undertaking in effect by the Manager over the past year to waive receipt of .10% of the funds management fee and the Managers commitment to continue such waiver through May 31, 2010.
With respect to the funds performance on a net asset value basis, the Board noted that the funds total return performance was lower than the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for each reported time period up to 10 years.
On a yield performance basis, the Board noted that the funds 1-year yields for the past 10 annual periods were higher than the Performance Group median for 8 of the 10 annual periods (and at or lower than the median for the other two time periods), and higher than the Performance Universe median for 8 of the 10 annual periods (lower in each of the other two periods).
With respect to the funds performance on a market price basis, the Board noted that the fund achieved total return results lower than the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for each reported time period up to 5 years (higher than the Performance Group median for the 10-year period and at the Performance Universe median for the 10-year period). On a yield performance basis, the Board noted that the funds 1-year yields for the past 10 annual periods were higher than the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for 8 of the 10 reported annual periods (lower in the two oldest annual periods).
The Board received a presentation from the funds portfolio manager on the funds investment decision-making process and strategy over the past year, and the material factors that affected the funds relative total return performance on a net asset value basis over the past year.
42
The Board also noted the funds stronger relative total return performance record in previous years and the portfolio managers long-term track record in managing municipal bond funds generally, including closed-end funds, and the funds consistently strong yield performance results.
Representatives of the Manager reviewed with the Board members the fees paid to the Manager or its affiliates by investment companies managed by the Manager or its affiliates that were reported in the same Lipper category as the fund (the Similar Funds). It was noted that each Similar Fund also was a closed-end fund, for which similar services to be provided by the Manager are required.The Board members analyzed differences in fees paid to the Manager and discussed the relationship of the management fees in light of the services provided.The Board members considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Funds to evaluate the appropriateness and reasonableness of the funds management fee.The Managers representatives noted that there were no similarly managed institutional separate accounts or wrap fee accounts managed by the Manager or its affiliates with similar investment objectives, policies, and strategies as the fund.
Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale.The Managers representatives reviewed the dollar amount of expenses allocated and profit received by the Manager for the fund and the method used to determine such expenses and profit.The Board considered information, previously provided and discussed, prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding the Managers approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire Dreyfus mutual fund complex.The Board also had been informed that the methodology had also been reviewed by an independent registered public accounting firm which, like the consultant, found the methodology to be reasonable.The consulting firm also analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund. The Board members evaluated the profitability analysis in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund, including the extent to which economies of
The Fund 43
INFORMATION ABOUT THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE |
FUNDS MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued) |
scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders.The Board members also considered potential benefits to the Manager from acting as investment adviser to the fund and noted that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect with respect to trading the funds portfolio.
It was noted that the Board members should consider the Managers profitability with respect to the fund as part of their evaluation of whether the fees under the Management Agreement bears a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by the Manager, including the nature, extent, and quality of such services and that a discussion of economies of scale is predicated on increasing assets and that, if a funds assets had been decreasing, the possibility that the Manager may have realized any economies of scale would be less. It was noted that the profitability percentage for managing the fund was within the range determined by appropriate court cases to be reasonable given the services rendered and that the profitability percentage for managing the fund was reasonable given the generally superior service levels provided. The Board also noted the Managers waiver of receipt of a portion of the management fee over the past year and its effect on the profitability of the Manager.
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 continuation of the funds Management Agreement. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board reached the following conclusions and determinations.
The Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Manager are adequate and appropriate.
The Board was satisfied with the funds competitive yield perfor- mance and the portfolio managers overall experience and expertise in managing closed-end municipal bond funds.The Board also noted the portfolio strategy that impacted the funds relative total return performance over the past year and the portfolio managers expecta- tions for improvement.
44
The Board concluded that the fee paid to the Manager by the fund was reasonable in light of the services provided, comparative perfor- mance and expense and management fee information, including the Managers undertaking to waive receipt of 0.10% of the funds man- agement fee through May 31, 2010, costs of the services provided and profits to be realized and benefits derived or to be derived by the Manager from its relationship with the fund.
The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by the Manager in con- nection with the management fee rate charged to the fund, and that, to the extent in the future it were to be determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.
The Board members considered these conclusions and determinations, along with the information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year, and, without any one factor being dispositive, the Board determined that re-approval of the funds Management Agreement for a shorter six-month period, through May 31, 2010, was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders, noting that the six-month re-approval period offered the Board the opportunity to re-assess the funds current portfolio strategy and the impact on relative total return performance.
The Fund 45
NOTES
46
The Fund 47
NOTES
48
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 Strategic Municipals, Inc.
By: | /s/ Bradley J. Skapyak |
Bradley J. Skapyak, | |
President | |
Date: | May 24, 2010 |
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: | May 24, 2010 |
By: | /s/ James Windels |
James Windels, | |
Treasurer | |
Date: | May 24, 2010 |
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)