semiforms-852.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

811-5877

 

 

 

Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

 

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

c/o The Dreyfus Corporation

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

 

 

Janette E. Farragher, Esq.

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166

 

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

(212) 922-6000

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

 

11/30

 

Date of reporting period:

5/31/12

 

             

 

 


 

 

 

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

22     

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

23     

Statement of Operations

24     

Statement of Cash Flows

25     

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

26     

Financial Highlights

28     

Notes to Financial Statements

41     

Officers and Directors

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover



Dreyfus
Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

The Fund


A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to present this semiannual report for Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., covering the six-month period from December 1, 2011, through May 31, 2012. For information about how the fund performed during the reporting period, as well as general market perspectives, we provide a Discussion of Fund Performance on the pages that follow.

Municipal bonds have continued to represent one of the better performing asset classes in U.S. financial markets. Prices have been supported by a number of positive influences, including steady demand for a relatively tight supply of newly issued securities, attractive after-tax current yields compared to government-guaranteed U.S. Treasury securities and improved fiscal conditions for many state and local issuers.

Despite recent weakness in employment data, we believe that U.S. economic trends remain favorable, as evidenced by signs of strength in some of the domestic economy’s more economically sensitive areas. For example, in the automobile industry, new cars offer improved gas mileage, the average age of the auto fleet is old, and credit is widely available at a time when household debt-service ratios have dropped sharply. Even residential construction has moved into a sustainable uptrend, in our opinion, as homebuilders have seen a rise in orders. On the other hand, net exports may prove to be a slight drag on domestic growth since the economy in the United States is stronger than in many of its trading partners. On the whole, we expect near-trend growth in the U.S. economy for the remainder of 2012.

As always, we encourage you to discuss our observations with your financial advisor.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support.

Jonathan R. Baum
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Dreyfus Corporation
June 15, 2012

2




DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

For the period of December 1, 2011, through May 31, 2012, as provided by Daniel Barton and Steven Harvey, Portfolio Managers

Fund and Market Performance Overview

For the six-month period ended May 31, 2012, Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund achieved a total return of 12.56% on a net-asset-value basis.1 Over the same period, the fund provided aggregate income dividends of $0.285 per share, which reflects a distribution rate of 6.26%.2

Falling long-term interest rates and favorable supply-and-demand dynamics fueled strong performance among municipal bonds over the reporting period. The fund’s returns benefited from a longer-than-average duration posture and its holdings of lower rated securities.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax to the extent believed by Dreyfus to be consistent with the preservation of capital. In pursuing this goal, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in municipal bonds. Under normal market conditions, the weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio is expected to exceed 10 years. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds considered investment grade or the unrated equivalent as determined by Dreyfus.

The fund also has issued auction-rate preferred stock (ARPS), a percentage of which remains outstanding from its initial public offering, and has invested the proceeds in a manner consistent with its investment objective. This, along with the fund’s participation in secondary inverse floater structures, has the effect of “leveraging” the portfolio, which can magnify gain and loss potential depending on market conditions.

Over time, many of the fund’s older, higher yielding bonds have matured or were redeemed by their issuers.We have attempted to replace those bonds with investments consistent with the fund’s investment policies. We have also sought to upgrade the fund with newly issued bonds that, in our opinion, have better structural or income characteristics than

The Fund  3 

 



DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (continued)

existing holdings.When such opportunities arise, we usually look to sell bonds that are close to their optional redemption date or maturity.

Municipal Bonds Rallied as Economic Concerns Eased

Most U.S. financial markets were in the midst of a rally at the start of the reporting period, as investors responded positively to improved employment data in a recovering U.S. economy and efforts by European policymakers to address the region’s sovereign debt crisis. Investors grew more tolerant of risks, and they shifted their attention away from traditional safe havens and toward riskier assets. As a result, lower rated municipal bonds that had been punished earlier in 2011 led the market rebound, while higher quality municipal bonds trailed market averages.

However, new developments in the spring of 2012 called the sustainability of these positive macroeconomic influences into question.The U.S. labor market’s recovery slowed as the public sector shed jobs and the private sector’s employment gains proved more anemic than expected, and austerity measures in Europe encountered political resistance, endangering the region’s economic prospects.

Positive supply-and-demand forces also supported municipal bond prices, as political pressure led to reduced borrowing among states and municipalities for capital projects. Meanwhile, demand for tax-exempt securities remained robust from individual and institutional investors seeking competitive after-tax yields in a low interest-rate environment. From a credit quality perspective, the fiscal condition of most states has continued to improve.Tax receipts generally have increased, and many state and local governments have taken steps to rein in spending.

Longer Maturities Buoyed Relative Performance

The search by investors for high current yields led them to focus on municipal bonds with longer maturities, and the fund benefited from this development when a relatively long average duration and our leveraging strategy boosted its exposure to falling long-term yields. In addition, the fund’s focus on revenue-backed municipal bonds buoyed relative results, with particularly strong contributions from securities issued on behalf of hospitals and industrial development projects. The fund also received

4



above-average results from Puerto Rico bonds and bonds backed by the states’ settlement of litigation with U.S. tobacco companies. Finally, overweighted exposure to BBB-rated and high yield bonds fared well when investors’ risk appetites increased early in the reporting period.

The fund achieved less attractive results from its ongoing efforts to upgrade its overall credit quality, which proved counterproductive during the reporting period when lower quality securities continued to rally. Investments in traditionally defensive, high-quality bonds from municipal water and sewer facilities ranked among the fund’s weaker areas.

Prepared for a Changing Market Environment

Municipal bonds ended the reporting period attractively valued compared to U.S.Treasury securities, and most issuers’ fiscal conditions have improved. However, the U.S. economy remains vulnerable to unexpected shocks, and higher yielding and longer maturity bonds have become more richly valued after recent rallies. Consequently, while we have continued to maintain our duration, credit quality and leveraging strategies, we may adjust the fund’s composition as economic conditions, supply-and-demand dynamics and other market forces evolve.

June 15, 2012

  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 
  issuer’s perceived ability to continue making interest payments on a timely basis and to repay 
  principal upon maturity. 
  The use of leverage may magnify the fund’s 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. 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 figures provided reflect the 
  absorption of certain fund expenses by The Dreyfus Corporation pursuant to an undertaking in 
  effect through November 30, 2012, at which time it may be extended, terminated or modified. 
  Had these expenses not been absorbed, the fund’s returns would have been lower. 
2  Distribution rate per share is based upon dividends per share paid from net investment income 
  during the period, annualized, 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 
May 31, 2012 (Unaudited) 

 

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments—143.8%  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Alabama—.7%           
Jefferson County,           
Limited Obligation           
School Warrants  5.25  1/1/17  2,000,000    2,003,840 
Jefferson County,           
Limited Obligation           
School Warrants  5.00  1/1/24  1,000,000    967,510 
Alaska—2.2%           
Northern Tobacco Securitization           
Corporation of Alaska, Tobacco           
Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds  5.00  6/1/32  2,500,000    2,127,525 
Northern Tobacco Securitization           
Corporation of Alaska,           
Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  5.00  6/1/46  9,465,000    7,147,873 
Arizona—7.5%           
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (Salt River Project           
Agricultural Improvement           
and Power District,           
Salt River Project Electric           
System Revenue)  5.00  1/1/38  13,198,367  a,b  14,570,705 
Glendale Western Loop 101 Public           
Facilities Corporation, Third           
Lien Excise Tax Revenue  7.00  7/1/33  6,010,000    6,517,785 
Pima County Industrial Development           
Authority, Education Revenue           
(American Charter Schools           
Foundation Project)  5.50  7/1/26  4,000,000    3,764,320 
Pima County Industrial Development           
Authority, IDR (Tucson           
Electric Power Company Project)  5.75  9/1/29  6,000,000    6,382,080 
Salt Verde Financial Corporation,           
Senior Gas Revenue  5.00  12/1/37  1,000,000    1,023,310 
California—16.0%           
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (Los Angeles           
Department of Airports, Senior           
Revenue (Los Angeles           
International Airport))  5.00  5/15/31  5,247,500  a,b,c  5,963,416 
California,           
GO (Various Purpose)  5.75  4/1/31  7,800,000    9,113,442 

 

6



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
California (continued)           
California,           
GO (Various Purpose)  6.00  3/1/33  2,250,000    2,714,423 
California,           
GO (Various Purpose)  6.50  4/1/33  5,000,000    6,089,250 
California,           
GO (Various Purpose)  6.00  11/1/35  5,000,000    5,948,550 
California State Public Works           
Board, LR (The Regents of the           
University of California)           
(Various University of           
California Projects)  5.00  4/1/34  3,000,000    3,277,920 
California Statewide Communities           
Development Authority, Revenue           
(Front Porch Communities and           
Services Project)  5.13  4/1/37  4,975,000  b  5,045,844 
Golden State Tobacco           
Securitization Corporation,           
Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  4.50  6/1/27  2,000,000    1,646,820 
Los Angeles Department of Water           
and Power, Power System Revenue  5.00  7/1/34  2,885,000    3,206,360 
Los Angeles Department of Water           
and Power, Water System Revenue  5.00  7/1/43  5,000,000    5,616,650 
Sacramento City Unified School           
District, GO (Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Municipal Corp.)  0.00  7/1/24  5,220,000  d  3,164,625 
Sacramento County,           
Airport System Subordinate and           
Passenger Facility Charges           
Grant Revenue  6.00  7/1/35  4,000,000  c  4,594,280 
San Buenaventura,           
Revenue (Community Memorial           
Health System)  7.50  12/1/41  1,500,000    1,782,105 
San Diego Public Facilities           
Financing Authority, Senior           
Sewer Revenue  5.25  5/15/34  2,500,000    2,849,875 
Santa Margarita/Dana Point           
Authority, Revenue (Santa           
Margarita Water District           
Improvement Districts           
Numbers 2,3 and 4)  5.13  8/1/38  5,000,000    5,471,600 

 

The Fund  7 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
California (continued)           
Tuolumne Wind Project Authority,           
Revenue (Tuolumne           
Company Project)  5.88  1/1/29  2,000,000    2,370,660 
Colorado—.2%           
Colorado Housing and Finance           
Authority, Single Family           
Program Senior and Subordinate           
Bonds (Collateralized; FHA)  6.60  8/1/32  830,000    891,022 
Connecticut—1.2%           
Connecticut Resources Recovery           
Authority, Special Obligation           
Revenue (American REF-FUEL           
Company of Southeastern           
Connecticut Project)  6.45  11/15/22  4,985,000    4,992,328 
Florida—4.6%           
Mid-Bay Bridge Authority,           
Springing Lien Revenue  7.25  10/1/34  5,000,000  c  5,904,150 
Palm Beach County Health           
Facilities Authority,           
Retirement Community Revenue           
(Adult Communities Total           
Services, Inc. Retirement—           
Life Communities, Inc.           
Obligated Group)  5.50  11/15/33  6,825,000    7,327,730 
Saint Johns County Industrial           
Development Authority, Revenue           
(Presbyterian Retirement           
Communities Project)  6.00  8/1/45  3,500,000    3,836,455 
South Lake County Hospital           
District, Revenue (South Lake           
Hospital, Inc.)  6.25  4/1/39  2,500,000    2,740,100 
Georgia—3.7%           
Atlanta,           
Airport General Revenue  5.00  1/1/26  3,500,000  c  3,868,480 
Atlanta,           
Water and Wastewater Revenue  6.00  11/1/28  4,865,000    5,809,248 
Atlanta,           
Water and Wastewater Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.25  11/1/34  1,000,000    1,129,790 

 

8



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Georgia (continued)           
Augusta,           
Airport Revenue  5.45  1/1/31  2,500,000  c  2,441,950 
Savannah Economic Development           
Authority, EIR (International           
Paper Company Project)  6.20  8/1/27  2,670,000    2,794,796 
Hawaii—1.2%           
Hawaii Department of Budget and           
Finance, Special Purpose           
Revenue (Hawai’i Pacific           
Health Obligated Group)  5.63  7/1/30  2,500,000    2,742,850 
Hawaii Department of Budget and           
Finance, Special Purpose           
Revenue (Hawaiian Electric           
Company, Inc. and           
Subsidiary Projects)  6.50  7/1/39  2,000,000    2,321,740 
Idaho—.0%           
Idaho Housing and Finance           
Association, SFMR           
(Collateralized; FNMA)  6.35  1/1/30  185,000    185,335 
Illinois—2.4%           
Chicago,           
General Airport Third Lien           
Revenue (Chicago O’Hare           
International Airport)  5.63  1/1/35  3,000,000  c  3,482,310 
Illinois Finance Authority,           
Recovery Zone Facility Revenue           
(Navistar International           
Corporation Project)  6.50  10/15/40  2,000,000    2,212,120 
Illinois Finance Authority,           
Revenue (Sherman           
Health Systems)  5.50  8/1/37  1,020,000    1,054,853 
Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement           
Authority, Tobacco           
Settlement Revenue  6.00  6/1/28  3,000,000    3,448,530 
Indiana—.7%           
Indianapolis Local Public           
Improvement Bond Bank,           
Revenue (Indianapolis           
Airport Authority Project)           
(Insured; AMBAC)  5.00  1/1/36  3,000,000  c  3,111,330 

 

The Fund  9 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Iowa—.4%           
Tobacco Settlement Authority of           
Iowa, Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  5.60  6/1/34  2,000,000    1,782,320 
Kentucky—.3%           
Louisville/Jefferson County Metro           
Government, Health Facilities           
Revenue (Jewish Hospital and           
Saint Mary’s HealthCare, Inc.           
Project) (Prerefunded)  6.13  2/1/18  1,000,000  e  1,272,530 
Louisiana—1.9%           
Lakeshore Villages Master           
Community Development           
District, Special           
Assessment Revenue  5.25  7/1/17  1,987,000  f  795,038 
Louisiana Local Government           
Environmental Facilities and           
Community Development           
Authority, Revenue (Westlake           
Chemical Corporation Projects)  6.75  11/1/32  4,000,000    4,452,760 
Louisiana Public Facilities           
Authority, Revenue (Belle           
Chasse Educational           
Foundation Project)  6.50  5/1/31  2,750,000    3,098,508 
Maine—.6%           
Maine Health and Higher           
Educational Facilities           
Authority, Revenue           
(MaineGeneral Medical           
Center Issue)  7.50  7/1/32  2,000,000    2,431,540 
Maryland—.4%           
Maryland Economic Development           
Corporation, Senior Student           
Housing Revenue (University of           
Maryland, Baltimore Project)  5.75  10/1/33  2,550,000    1,723,188 
Massachusetts—12.2%           
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (Massachusetts Health           
and Educational Facilities           
Authority, Revenue           
(Massachusetts Institute of           
Technology Issue))  5.00  7/1/38  10,200,000  a,b  11,669,208 

 

10



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Massachusetts (continued)           
JPMorgan Chase Putters/Drivers           
Trust (Massachusetts,           
Consolidated Loan)  5.00  4/1/19  6,400,000  a,b  7,629,056 
JPMorgan Chase Putters/Drivers           
Trust (Massachusetts Development           
Finance Agency, Revenue           
(Harvard University Issue))  5.25  2/1/34  10,000,000  a,b  12,039,800 
Massachusetts Development Finance           
Agency, Revenue (Tufts Medical           
Center Issue)  7.25  1/1/32  2,500,000    3,031,575 
Massachusetts Health and           
Educational Facilities           
Authority, Revenue (Civic           
Investments Issue)           
(Prerefunded)  9.00  12/15/12  1,300,000  e  1,378,559 
Massachusetts Health and           
Educational Facilities           
Authority, Revenue (Suffolk           
University Issue)  6.25  7/1/30  5,000,000    5,759,350 
Massachusetts Housing Finance           
Agency, Housing Revenue  7.00  12/1/38  4,575,000    5,235,584 
Massachusetts Housing Finance           
Agency, SFHR  5.00  12/1/31  5,575,000    5,728,814 
Michigan—8.5%           
Detroit,           
Sewage Disposal System           
Senior Lien Revenue           
(Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Municipal Corp.)  7.50  7/1/33  3,500,000    4,420,360 
Detroit,           
Water Supply System Senior           
Lien Revenue  5.00  7/1/31  3,780,000    3,915,211 
Detroit,           
Water Supply System Senior           
Lien Revenue  5.00  7/1/36  3,290,000    3,329,381 
Kent Hospital Finance Authority,           
Revenue (Metropolitan           
Hospital Project)  6.00  7/1/35  2,000,000    2,063,300 
Michigan Finance Authority,           
Clean Water Revolving           
Fund Revenue  5.00  10/1/31  2,000,000    2,371,640 

 

The Fund  11 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Michigan (continued)           
Michigan Strategic Fund,           
LOR (State of Michigan           
Cadillac Place Office           
Building Project)  5.25  10/15/31  4,500,000    5,030,955 
Michigan Strategic Fund,           
SWDR (Genesee Power           
Station Project)  7.50  1/1/21  6,620,000    6,561,810 
Royal Oak Hospital Finance           
Authority, HR (William           
Beaumont Hospital           
Obligated Group)  8.00  9/1/29  5,000,000    6,390,150 
Wayne County Airport Authority,           
Airport Revenue (Detroit           
Metropolitan Wayne County           
Airport) (Insured; National           
Public Finance Guarantee Corp.)  5.00  12/1/34  2,450,000  c  2,473,863 
Minnesota—.6%           
Tobacco Securitization Authority           
of Minnesota, Tobacco           
Settlement Revenue Bonds  5.25  3/1/31  2,500,000    2,789,675 
Nevada—1.3%           
Clark County,           
Passenger Facility Charge           
Revenue (Las Vegas-McCarran           
International Airport)  5.00  7/1/30  5,000,000  c  5,466,000 
New Hampshire—1.3%           
New Hampshire Industrial           
Development Authority, PCR           
(Connecticut Light and Power           
Company Project)  5.90  11/1/16  5,400,000    5,416,470 
New Jersey—5.1%           
New Jersey Economic Development           
Authority, School Facilities           
Construction Revenue  5.50  12/15/29  5,000,000    5,680,800 
New Jersey Economic Development           
Authority, Water Facilities           
Revenue (New Jersey—           
American Water           
Company, Inc. Project)  5.70  10/1/39  3,000,000    3,322,590 

 

12



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
New Jersey (continued)           
Tobacco Settlement Financing           
Corporation of New Jersey,           
Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  4.50  6/1/23  1,500,000    1,412,880 
Tobacco Settlement Financing           
Corporation of New Jersey,           
Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds  5.00  6/1/41  1,000,000    779,600 
Tobacco Settlement Financing           
Corporation of New Jersey,           
Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds           
(Prerefunded)  7.00  6/1/13  10,095,000  e  10,775,706 
New Mexico—1.3%           
Farmington,           
PCR (Public Service           
Company of New Mexico           
San Juan Project)  5.90  6/1/40  5,000,000    5,453,650 
New York—14.2%           
Austin Trust           
(Port Authority of New York           
and New Jersey, Consolidated           
Bonds, 151st Series)  6.00  9/15/28  10,000,000  a,b,c  12,017,100 
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (New York City           
Transitional Finance Authority,           
Future Tax Secured Revenue)  5.00  5/1/30  4,488,203  a,b  5,103,580 
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (New York City           
Transitional Finance           
Authority, Future Tax Secured           
Subordinate Revenue)  5.50  11/1/27  5,000,000  a,b  6,129,950 
JPMorgan Chase Putters/Drivers           
Trust (New York City           
Transitional Finance Authority,           
Future Tax Secured           
Subordinate Revenue)  5.25  11/1/18  5,000,000  a,b  6,076,250 
Long Island Power Authority,           
Electric System General Revenue  6.25  4/1/33  3,000,000    3,631,200 

 

The Fund  13 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
New York (continued)           
Metropolitan Transportation           
Authority, Transportation           
Revenue  6.25  11/15/23  9,425,000  c  12,016,404 
Metropolitan Transportation           
Authority, Transportation           
Revenue  5.00  11/1/28  1,500,000  c  1,733,940 
New York City Educational           
Construction Fund, Revenue  6.50  4/1/28  2,785,000    3,515,338 
New York City Industrial           
Development Agency, Special           
Facility Revenue (American           
Airlines, Inc. John F. Kennedy           
International Airport Project)  7.75  8/1/31  5,000,000  c,f  5,145,950 
New York State Dormitory           
Authority, Revenue (Suffolk           
County Judicial Facility)  9.50  4/15/14  605,000    666,147 
Port Authority of New York and New           
Jersey, Special Project Bonds           
(JFK International Air           
Terminal LLC Project)  6.00  12/1/36  4,710,000  c  5,294,699 
North Carolina—2.5%           
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (North Carolina           
Medical Care Commission,           
Health Care Facilities           
Revenue (Duke University           
Health System))  5.00  6/1/42  10,000,000  a,b  10,918,500 
Ohio—5.4%           
Buckeye Tobacco Settlement           
Financing Authority, Tobacco           
Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds  5.88  6/1/47  2,500,000    1,911,150 
Butler County,           
Hospital Facilities Revenue           
(UC Health)  5.50  11/1/40  3,000,000    3,220,080 
Cleveland,           
Airport System Revenue  5.00  1/1/30  2,000,000  c  2,160,320 
Ohio Air Quality Development           
Authority, Air Quality Revenue           
(Ohio Valley Electric           
Corporation Project)  5.63  10/1/19  4,200,000    4,851,924 

 

14



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  2,530,000  b  2,080,040 
Toledo-Lucas County Port           
Authority, Special Assessment           
Revenue (Crocker Park Public           
Improvement Project)  5.38  12/1/35  3,000,000    3,074,370 
University of Akron,           
General Receipts Bonds           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  1/1/22  5,000,000    5,924,900 
Oregon—.4%           
Warm Springs Reservation           
Confederated Tribes,           
Hydroelectric Revenue (Pelton           
Round Butte Project)  6.38  11/1/33  1,500,000    1,573,485 
Pennsylvania—2.1%           
JPMorgan Chase Putters/Drivers           
Trust (Geisinger Authority,           
Health System Revenue           
(Geisinger Health System))  5.13  6/1/35  3,000,000  a,b  3,301,800 
Philadelphia,           
GO  6.50  8/1/41  4,700,000    5,673,370 
Rhode Island—1.4%           
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    5,983,650 
Tennessee—1.5%           
Metropolitan Government of           
Nashville and Davidson County           
Health and Educational           
Facilities Board, Revenue           
(The Vanderbilt University)  5.50  10/1/29  2,500,000    3,007,950 

 

The Fund  15 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Tennessee (continued)           
Metropolitan Government of           
Nashville and Davidson County           
Health and Educational           
Facilities Board, Revenue (The           
Vanderbilt University)  5.50  10/1/34  3,000,000    3,541,140 
Texas—20.1%           
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (Leander Independent           
School District, Unlimited Tax           
School Building Bonds           
(Permanent School Fund           
Guarantee Program))  5.00  8/15/40  9,997,299  a,b  11,122,849 
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (Texas A&M University           
System Board of Regents,           
Financing System Revenue)  5.00  5/15/39  13,160,000  a,b  14,777,627 
Dallas-Fort Worth International           
Airport Facility Improvement           
Corporation, Revenue           
(Learjet Inc. Project)  6.15  1/1/16  3,000,000  c  3,004,800 
Harris County Health Facilities           
Development Corporation, HR           
(Memorial Hermann           
Healthcare System)  7.25  12/1/35  9,290,000    11,176,985 
Harris County Health Facilities           
Development Corporation,           
Revenue (CHRISTUS Health)           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.00  7/1/15  1,500,000    1,664,070 
Houston,           
Combined Utility System First           
Lien Revenue (Insured; Assured           
Guaranty Municipal Corp.)  6.00  11/15/36  5,000,000    6,031,100 
Matagorda County Navigation           
District Number One, Revenue           
(Houston Lighting and           
Power Company Project)           
(Insured; AMBAC)  5.13  11/1/28  4,295,000    4,806,148 
North Texas Tollway Authority,           
First Tier System Revenue           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  5.75  1/1/40  14,705,000  c  16,773,258 

 

16



Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal     
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)    Value ($) 
Texas (continued)           
North Texas Tollway Authority,           
Second Tier System Revenue  5.75  1/1/38  6,650,000  c  7,239,057 
Texas Department of Housing and           
Community Affairs, Home           
Mortgage Revenue           
(Collateralized: FHLMC,           
FNMA and GNMA)  13.30  7/2/24  650,000  g  696,280 
Texas Department of Housing           
and Community Affairs,           
Residential Mortgage Revenue           
(Collateralized: FHLMC,           
FNMA and GNMA)  5.35  7/1/33  4,300,000    4,304,042 
Texas Turnpike Authority,           
Central Texas Turnpike System           
Revenue (Insured; AMBAC)  5.25  8/15/42  5,375,000  c  5,383,170 
Virginia—4.8%           
Henrico County Industrial           
Development Authority, Revenue           
(Bon Secours Health System)           
(Insured; Assured Guaranty           
Municipal Corp.)  11.15  8/23/27  7,200,000  g  9,425,376 
Virginia Housing Development           
Authority, Commonwealth           
Mortgage Revenue  6.25  7/1/31  5,140,000    5,847,932 
Virginia Small Business Financing           
Authority, Senior Lien Revenue           
(Elizabeth River Crossing           
Opco, LLC Project)  5.50  1/1/42  1,500,000  c  1,576,965 
Washington County Industrial           
Development Authority,           
HR (Mountain States           
Health Alliance)  7.75  7/1/38  3,000,000    3,699,090 
Washington—3.9%           
Barclays Capital Municipal Trust           
Receipts (King County,           
Sewer Revenue)  5.00  1/1/29  8,577,246  a,b  10,068,622 
Washington Health Care           
Facilities Authority,           
Mortgage Revenue           
(Highline Medical Center)           
(Collateralized; FHA)  6.25  8/1/36  5,975,000    6,949,104 

 

The Fund  17 

 



STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Long-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments (continued)  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
West Virginia—1.9%           
The County Commission of Harrison           
County, SWDR (Allegheny Energy           
Supply Company, LLC Harrison           
Station Project)  5.50  10/15/37  7,920,000   8,186,904 
Wisconsin—5.2%           
Badger Tobacco Asset           
Securitization Corporation,           
Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds           
(Prerefunded)  6.13  6/1/12  3,865,000 e  3,865,000 
Badger Tobacco Asset           
Securitization Corporation,           
Tobacco Settlement           
Asset-Backed Bonds           
(Prerefunded)  7.00  6/1/12  14,570,000 e  14,570,000 
Wisconsin Health and Educational           
Facilities Authority, Revenue           
(Aurora Health Care, Inc.)  6.40  4/15/33  4,000,000   4,092,160 
U.S. Related—6.1%           
Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer           
Authority, Senior Lien Revenue  5.13  7/1/37  5,000,000   5,023,250 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,           
Public Improvement GO  5.50  7/1/32  1,500,000   1,614,930 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,           
Public Improvement GO  6.00  7/1/39  1,610,000   1,750,440 
Puerto Rico Commonwealth,           
Public Improvement GO  6.50  7/1/40  2,390,000   2,775,005 
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing           
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue           
(First Subordinate Series)  5.38  8/1/39  2,500,000   2,678,000 
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing           
Corporation, Sales Tax Revenue           
(First Subordinate Series)  6.00  8/1/42  10,000,000   11,278,000 
Virgin Islands Public Finance           
Authority, Revenue (Virgin Islands           
Matching Fund Loan Notes)           
(Senior Lien/Capital Projects)  5.00  10/1/39  1,250,000   1,288,200 
Total Long-Term Municipal Investments         
(cost $558,041,090)          619,559,357 

 

18



Short-Term Municipal  Coupon  Maturity  Principal    
Investments–1.5%  Rate (%)  Date  Amount ($)   Value ($) 
California—.5%           
California,           
GO Notes           
(Kindergarten-University)           
(LOC: California State           
Teachers Retirement System           
and Citibank NA)  0.16  6/1/12  2,200,000 h  2,200,000 
New York—1.0%           
New York City,           
GO Notes (LOC; JPMorgan           
Chase Bank)  0.19  6/1/12  1,100,000 h  1,100,000 
New York City,           
GO Notes (LOC; JPMorgan           
Chase Bank)  0.19  6/1/12  2,100,000 h  2,100,000 
New York City,           
GO Notes (LOC; JPMorgan           
Chase Bank)  0.19  6/1/12  1,100,000 h  1,100,000 
Total Short-Term Municipal Investments         
(cost $6,500,000)          6,500,000 
 
Total Investments (cost $564,541,090)    145.3%    626,059,357 
Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables      (12.9%)    (55,572,777) 
Preferred Stock, at redemption value      (32.4%)    (139,500,000) 
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders    100.0%    430,986,580 

 

a Collateral for floating rate borrowings. 
b Securities exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.These securities may be 
resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.At May 31, 2012, these 
securities were valued at $138,514,347 or 32.1% of net assets applicable to Common Shareholders. 
c At May 31, 2012, the fund had $109,651,442 or 25.4% of net assets applicable to Common Shareholders invested 
in securities whose payment of principal and interest is dependent upon revenues generated from transportation. 
d Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount. 
e 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. 
f Non-income producing—security in default. 
g Inverse floater security—the interest rate is subject to change periodically. Rate shown is the interest rate in effect at 
May 31, 2012. 
h Variable rate demand note—rate shown is the interest rate in effect at May 31, 2012. Maturity date represents the 
next demand date, or the ultimate maturity date if earlier. 

 

The Fund  19 

 



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 Receipt 
      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  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 Mortgage Agency 
SPEARS  Short Puttable Exempt  SWDR  Solid Waste Disposal Revenue 
  Adjustable Receipts     
TAN  Tax Anticipation Notes  TAW  Tax Anticipation Warrants 
TRAN  Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes  XLCA  XL Capital Assurance 

 

20



Summary of Combined Ratings (Unaudited)   
 
Fitch  or  Moody’s  or  Standard & Poor’s  Value (%) 
AAA    Aaa    AAA  12.0 
AA    Aa    AA  27.5 
A    A    A  31.7 
BBB    Baa    BBB  19.7 
BB    Ba    BB  3.4 
B    B    B  1.5 
F1    MIG1/P1    SP1/A1  .6 
Not Ratedi    Not Ratedi    Not Ratedi  3.6 
          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. 

 

The Fund  21 

 



STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 
May 31, 2012 (Unaudited) 

 

  Cost  Value 
Assets ($):     
Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments  564,541,090  626,059,357 
Interest receivable    9,775,068 
Prepaid expenses    39,393 
    635,873,818 
Liabilities ($):     
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates—Note 2(a)    305,972 
Cash overdraft due to Custodian    2,093,055 
Payable for floating rate notes issued—Note 3    57,128,615 
Payable for investment securities purchased    5,595,700 
Interest and expense payable related     
to floating rate notes issued—Note 3    109,450 
Commissions payable    13,850 
Dividends payable to Preferred Shareholders    2,817 
Accrued expenses    137,779 
    65,387,238 
Auction Preferred Stock, Series A, B and C, par value     
$.001 per share (5,580 shares issued and outstanding     
at $25,000 per share liquidation value)—Note 1    139,500,000 
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders ($)    430,986,580 
Composition of Net Assets ($):     
Common Stock, par value, $.001 per share     
(48,883,799 shares issued and outstanding)    48,884 
Paid-in capital    424,618,459 
Accumulated undistributed investment income—net    8,491,468 
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments    (63,690,498) 
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation     
(depreciation) on investments    61,518,267 
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders ($)    430,986,580 
Shares Outstanding     
(110 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock authorized)    48,883,799 
Net Asset Value, per share of Common Stock ($)    8.82 
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

22



STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
Six Months Ended May 31, 2012 (Unaudited) 

 

Investment Income ($):   
Interest Income  15,894,419 
Expenses:   
Investment advisory fee—Note 2(a)  1,394,088 
Administration fee—Note 2(a)  697,044 
Interest and expense related to floating rate notes issued—Note 3  193,892 
Commission fees—Note 1  117,290 
Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 2(b)  51,443 
Professional fees  49,236 
Shareholders’ reports  43,420 
Registration fees  25,288 
Shareholder servicing costs  12,605 
Custodian fees—Note 2(a)  1,004 
Miscellaneous  27,390 
Total Expenses  2,612,700 
Less—reduction in investment advisory fee   
due to undertaking—Note 2(a)  (278,818) 
Less—reduction in administration fee—Note 2(a)  (63,501) 
Net Expenses  2,270,381 
Investment Income—Net  13,624,038 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 3 ($):   
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  1,088,125 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments  34,266,324 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  35,354,449 
Dividends to Preferred Shareholders  (166,994) 
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to   
Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations  48,811,493 
 
See notes to financial statements.   

 

The Fund  23 

 



STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
May 31, 2012 (Unaudited) 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities ($):       
Interest received  16,144,482    
Operating expenses paid  (2,101,079 )   
Dividends paid to Preferred Shareholders  (167,343 )   
Purchases of portfolio securities  (39,256,297 )   
Net purchases of short-term portfolio securities  (1,200,000 )   
Proceeds from sales of portfolio securities  39,530,161    
      12,949,924 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities ($):       
Dividends paid to Common Shareholders  (12,780,323 )   
Interest and expense related to       
floating rate notes issued paid  (199,772 )  (12,980,095) 
Decrease in cash      (30,171) 
Cash overdraft at beginning of period      (2,062,884) 
Cash overdraft at end of period      (2,093,055) 
Reconciliation of Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to       
Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations to       
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ($):       
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common       
Shareholders Resulting From Operations      48,811,493 
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets applicable to    
Common Shareholders resulting from operations to       
net cash provided by operating activities ($):       
Increase in investments in securities, at cost      (6,692,242) 
Increase in payable for investment securities purchased      4,679,728 
Increase in interest receivable      (32,454) 
Decrease in commissions payable and accrued expenses      (14,747) 
Increase in prepaid expenses      (24,173) 
Increase in Due to The Dreyfus Corporation and affiliates      13,603 
Decrease in dividends payable to Preferred Shareholders      (351) 
Interest and expense related to floating rate notes issued      193,892 
Net unrealized appreciation on investments      (34,266,324) 
Net amortization of premiums on investments      281,499 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities      12,949,924 
Supplemental disclosure cash flow information ($):       
Non-cash financing activities:       
Reinvestment of dividends      1,129,938 
 
See notes to financial statements.       

 

24



STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

  Six Months Ended   
  May 31, 2012  Year Ended 
  (Unaudited)  November 30, 2011 
Operations ($):     
Investment income—net  13,624,038  27,805,189 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  1,088,125  (21,888,260) 
Net unrealized appreciation     
(depreciation) on investments  34,266,324  33,481,801 
Dividends to Preferred Shareholders  (166,994)  (436,571) 
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable     
to Common Shareholders     
Resulting from Operations  48,811,493  38,962,159 
Dividends to Common Shareholders from ($):     
Investment income—net  (13,910,261)  (27,730,629) 
Capital Stock Transactions ($):     
Dividends reinvested  1,129,938  1,430,458 
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets     
Applicable to Common Shareholders  36,031,170  12,661,988 
Net Assets Applicable to     
Common Shareholders ($):     
Beginning of Period  394,955,410  382,293,422 
End of Period  430,986,580  394,955,410 
Undistributed investment income—net  8,491,468  8,944,685 
Capital Share Transactions (Shares):     
Increase in Common Shares Outstanding     
as a Result of Dividends Reinvested  131,976  185,781 
 
See notes to financial statements.     

 

The Fund  25 

 



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 dis-tributions.These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements, and with respect to common stock, market price data for the fund’s common shares.

Six Months Ended           
  May 31, 2012    Year Ended November 30,   
  (Unaudited)  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007 
Per Share Data ($):             
Net asset value,             
beginning of period  8.10  7.87  7.93  6.76  8.60  9.21 
Investment Operations:             
Investment income—neta  .28  .57  .59  .64  .63  .62 
Net realized and unrealized             
gain (loss) on investments  .74  .24  (.10)  1.02  (1.86)  (.59) 
Dividends to Preferred             
Shareholders from             
investment income—net  (.01)  (.01)  (.01)  (.03)  (.14)  (.14) 
Total from             
Investment Operations  1.01  .80  .48  1.63  (1.37)  (.11) 
Distributions to             
Common Shareholders:             
Dividends from             
investment income—net  (.29)  (.57)  (.54)  (.46)  (.47)  (.50) 
Net asset value, end of period  8.82  8.10  7.87  7.93  6.76  8.60 
Market value, end of period  9.10  8.39  7.94  7.58  5.53  7.77 
Total Return (%)b  12.12c  13.67  11.95  46.74  (24.12)  (1.17) 

 

26



Six Months Ended            
May 31, 2012     Year Ended November 30,   
(Unaudited)   2011  2010  2009  2008  2007 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):               
Ratio of total expenses               
to average net assets               
applicable to Common Stockd  1.25 e  1.30  1.30  1.37  1.44  1.43 
Ratio of net expenses               
to average net assets               
applicable to Common Stockd  1.09 e  1.16  1.16  1.21  1.30  1.28 
Ratio of interest and expense               
related to floating rate notes               
issued to average net assets               
applicable to Common Stockd  .09 e  .10  .07  .01  .12  .17 
Ratio of net investment income               
to average net assets               
applicable to Common Stockd  6.52 e  7.36  7.30  8.65  7.89  7.01 
Ratio of total expenses               
to total average net assets  .94 e  .95  .91  .90  .98  1.00 
Ratio of net expenses               
to total average net assets  .81 e  .85  .81  .80  .88  .90 
Ratio of interest and expense               
related to floating rate notes               
issued to total average net assets .                                  07 e  .07  .05  .01  .08  .12 
Ratio of net investment income               
to total average net assets  4.89 e  5.36  5.11  5.68  5.34  4.90 
Portfolio Turnover Rate  7.22 c  20.50  25.94  31.59  53.01  55.89 
Asset coverage of Preferred Stock,               
end of period  409   383  356  307  276  324 
Net Assets, net of Preferred Stock,               
end of period ($ x 1,000)  430,987   394,955  382,293  384,457  327,879  417,177 
Preferred Stock outstanding,               
end of period ($ x 1,000)  139,500   139,500  149,475  186,000  186,000  186,000 

 

a  Based on average common shares outstanding at each month end. 
b  Calculated based on market value. 
c  Not annualized. 
d  Does not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Shareholders. 
e  Annualized. 
See notes to financial statements. 

 

The Fund  27 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, 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 fund’s 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 New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser. The fund’s Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange Amex (the “NYSE”) under the ticker symbol DSM.

The fund has outstanding 1,860 shares of Series A, Series B and Series C, for a total of 5,580 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

28



designated Robin A. Melvin and John E. Zuccotti as directors to be elected by the holders of APS.

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 fund 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  29 

 



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 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. All of the preceding securities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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

30



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 of Directors. 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 as Level 2 or 3 depending on the relevant inputs used.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of May 31, 2012 in valuing the fund’s investments:

    Level 2—Other  Level 3—   
  Level 1—  Significant  Significant   
  Unadjusted  Observable  Unobservable   
  Quoted Prices  Inputs  Inputs  Total 
Assets ($)         
Investments in Securities:       
Municipal Bonds    626,059,357    626,059,357 

 

In May 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04 “Amendments to Achieve Common FairValue Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)” (“ASU 2011-04”). ASU 2011-04 includes common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between GAAP and IFRS. ASU 2011-04 will require reporting entities to disclose the following information for fair value

The Fund  31 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy: quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement, the valuation processes used by the reporting entity and a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs. In addition, ASU 2011-04 will require reporting entities to make disclosures about amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements.The new and revised disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of ASU 2011-04 and its impact on the financial statements.

(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.

(c) Dividends to shareholders of Common Stock (“Common Shareholder(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

32



(but not less than 95% of the market price) based on the record date’s 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 date’s net asset value on the payable date of the distribution. If 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, Computershare Shareowner Services LLC, the fund’s transfer agent, 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 May 30, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.0475 per share from investment income net, payable on June 29, 2012 to Common Shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 13, 2012.

(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. Dividend rates as of May 31, 2012, for each Series of APS were as follows: Series A-0.320%, Series B-0.289% and Series C-0.320%.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 May 31, 2012 for each Series of APS were as follows: Series A-0.243%, Series B-0.238% and Series C-0.237%.

(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  33 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

As of and during the period ended May 31, 2012, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions.The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each of the tax years in the three-year period ended November 30, 2011 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

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

The fund has an unused capital loss carryover of $65,116,962 available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net realized capital gains, if any, realized subsequent to November 30, 2011. If not applied, $10,957,023 of the carryover expires in fiscal 2012, $1,427,978 expires in fiscal 2015, $5,522,685 expires in fiscal 2016, $20,261,695 expires in fiscal 2017, $5,075,623 expires in fiscal 2018 and $21,871,958 expires in fiscal 2019.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011 was as follows: tax exempt income $28,038,726 and ordinary income $128,474.The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

34



NOTE 2—Investment Advisory Fee, Administration Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates:

(a) The fee payable by the fund, pursuant to the provisions of an Investment Advisory Agreement with Dreyfus, is payable monthly based on an annual rate of .50% of the value of the fund’s average weekly net assets (including net assets representing APS outstanding).The fund also has an Administration Agreement with Dreyfus, a Custody Agreement with the Custodian and a Transfer Agency and Registrar Agreement with Computershare Shareowner Services LLC. The fund pays in the aggregate for administration, custody and transfer agency services a monthly fee based on an annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s average weekly net assets (including net assets representing APS outstanding). All out of pocket transfer agency and custody expenses, including custody transaction expenses, are paid separately by the fund.

Dreyfus has agreed, until November 30, 2012, to waive receipt of a portion of the fund’s investment advisory fee, in the amount of .10% of the value of the fund’s average weekly net assets (including net assets representing APS outstanding). The reduction in investment advisory fee, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $278,818 during the period ended May 31, 2012.

Dreyfus has also agreed, until November 30, 2012, to waive a receipt of a portion of the fund’s administration fee.The reduction in administration fee, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $63,501 during the period ended May 31, 2012.

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.

The Fund  35 

 



NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

The fund compensates The Bank of NewYork Mellon, a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of Dreyfus, under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. During the period ended May 31, 2012, the fund was charged $1,004 for out-of-pocket and custody transaction expenses, pursuant to the custody agreement.

During the period ended May 31, 2012, the fund was charged $3,183 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: investment advisory fees $240,908, administration fees $120,454, custodian fees $897 and chief compliance officer fees $2,652, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $58,939.

(b) 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 3—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended May 31, 2012, amounted to $43,936,025 and $39,530,161, respectively.

Inverse Floater Securities: The fund participates in secondary inverse floater structures in which fixed-rate, tax-exempt municipal bonds 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.

36



The fund accounts for the transfer of bonds to the trust as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the fund’s investments, and the related floating rate certificate securities reflected as fund liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the inverse floater structure during the period ended May 31, 2012, was approximately $57,128,600, with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of .68%.

At May 31, 2012, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $61,518,267, consisting of $64,406,545 gross unrealized appreciation and $2,888,278 gross unrealized depreciation.

At May 31, 2012, 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).

The Fund  37 

 



NOTES

38



TheFund

39



NOTES

40







 

 

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 Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

By: /s/ Bradley J. Skapyak

Bradley J. Skapyak,

President

 

Date:

July 24, 2012

 

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:

July 24, 2012

 

By: /s/ James Windels

James Windels,

Treasurer

 

Date:

July 24, 2012

 

 

 


 

 

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)