BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund N-CSRCertified annual shareholder report (management investment company)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

FORM N-CSR

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc.

Contents

T H E F U N D

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

Back Cover

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

For the period from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, as provided portfolio managers Alan Christensen, Catherine Crain, Gentry Lee, Christopher Sarofim, and Charles Sheedy of Fayez Sarofim & Co., sub- adviser.

Market and Fund Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2022, BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc.’s (the “fund”) Investor shares produced a total return of −17.95%, its Class I shares returned −17.77%, and its Class Y shares returned −17.70%.¹ In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500^® Index (the “Index”), produced a total return of −18.10% for the same period.²

The reporting period was characterized by a significant shift from positive to negative investor sentiment that led to steep declines in the equity market. The fund outperformed the benchmark, driven by stock selection and allocation effects.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks long-term capital growth consistent with the preservation of capital. Its secondary goal is current income. To pursue these goals, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in common stocks. The fund focuses on blue-chip companies with total market capitalizations of more than $5 billion at the time of purchase, including multinational companies. These are established companies that have demonstrated sustained patterns of profitability, strong balance sheets, an expanding global presence and the potential to achieve predictable, above-average earnings growth.

In choosing stocks, we identify economic sectors we believe will expand over the next three-to-five years or longer. Using fundamental analysis, we then seek companies within these sectors that have proven track records and dominant positions in their industries. The fund employs a “buy-and-hold” investment strategy, which generally has resulted in an annual portfolio turnover rate of below 15%. A low portfolio turnover rate helps reduce the fund’s trading costs and can help minimize tax liability by limiting the distribution of capital gains generated due to portfolio turnover.³

Inflation, Interest Rates and Geopolitics Hindered the Market

The Index reached new all-time highs in early January before concerns over high inflation and central bank policy turned investor sentiment negative. Inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”) monetary tightening policies dominated the market narrative in 2022. Inflation continued to rise and reached a multi-decade high of 9.1% in June of 2022 as measured by the annual headline CPI, worrying consumers and investors alike. The adverse impact of the sanctions against Russia and China’s stringent “Zero COVID” policies on global supply chains put upward pressure on prices across the globe. U.S. consumers continued to exhibit strong demand for goods and services, anchored by robust savings and low unemployment.

In response, the Fed shifted its policy from helping the economy recover from the pandemic to fighting inflation by raising the federal funds rate and reducing its balance sheet. Higher rates are intended to help tame inflation as consumers and businesses cut back on

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consumption and investments due to higher borrowing costs, but an overly aggressive increase could go too far and tip the economy into a recession. At year-end, data indicated inflation had consistently slowed from its mid-year peak to 6.5%. The ultimate result of the Fed’s monetary tightening policy continues to be debated, with a recession as the worst-case scenario and a “soft landing” as the best-case scenario.

While the first three quarters delivered losses, the market posted a fourth-quarter gain to reduce losses for the year. Investor sentiment was boosted by a slower pace of interest rate increases, China’s loosening its Zero COVID policy and corporate earnings holding up against a tougher macroeconomic environment. As inflation decelerated, the Fed downshifted and raised the federal funds rate by 50 basis points (bps) in December after six hikes earlier in the year, including four consecutive hikes of 75 bps. While the last increase of the year was lower, the Fed reiterated its outlook that rates need to remain higher for longer to tame inflation. Investors weighed both the Fed’s hawkishness against data showing inflation had peaked and economic activity was beginning to slow, which supported a Fed pivot to a narrative of rate cuts.

Taken together, the prospects of slower growth and higher interest rates dampened the growth outlook and negatively impacted stock valuation. Within the S&P 500, strong demand from economic reopening and high energy prices drove the energy sector’s standout 66% gain for the year. Every other sector in the Index struggled, with notable underperformance from the communication services, consumer discretionary and information technology sectors.

Energy Allocation and Selections Drove Performance

The fund outperformed the Index in the period, driven by the dual impact of a positive sector allocation and stock selection. The fund benefited from both a strategic overweight in the energy sector, which contributed to a positive allocation effect, and a smaller, positive stock selection effect stemming from the fund’s holdings. In the consumer discretionary sector, the fund’s performance benefited from a positive stock selection effect. Within the information technology sector, positive stock selection also supported fund results. The top contributors to relative performance included Chevron Corp., Hess Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Exxon Mobil Corp. and UnitedHealth Group Inc.

Conversely, the fund’s performance was hindered by certain selection and allocation decisions. Within the communication services sector, the fund’s selection of holdings lagged sector peers and negatively contributed to results. Within the health care sector, the dual impact of a negative allocation effect and a negative selection effect also detracted from relative results. In addition, the fund’s underweight allocation and holdings in the industrials sector hampered relative results. The top detractors from relative performance included Meta Platforms Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp., Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.

Volatility Creates Opportunities

A volatile market environment is one that is rich with opportunities for investors with a long-term focus on high-quality companies. The fund remains focused on companies with solid pricing power, high margins and strong balance sheets. Corporate stewardship, evidenced by prudent capital allocation, always matters, but more so in uncertain times. Therefore, we remain intensely focused on how the businesses we own deploy capital for the

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DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

benefit of their shareholders. Capital allocation and operational excellence remain paramount, with missteps quickly punished in the current market environment. While we do not see reasons to be overly aggressive, as the Fed is raising interest rates, we are beginning to see more attractive valuations in companies that we believe may have unique competitive advantages. On behalf of our clients, we remain dedicated to identifying the best businesses and management teams at attractive prices.

January 17, 2023

¹  Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost.

²  Source: Lipper Inc. — The S&P 500^® Index is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. The Index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.

³ Achieving tax efficiency is not a part of the fund’s investment objective, and there can be no guarantee that the fund will achieve any particular level of taxable distributions in future years. In periods when the manager has to sell significant amounts of securities (e.g., during periods of significant net redemptions or changes in index components), funds can be expected to be less tax efficient than during periods of more stable market conditions and asset flows.

Please note: the position in any security highlighted with italicized typeface was sold during the reporting period.

Equities are subject generally to market, market sector, market liquidity, issuer and investment style risks, among other factors, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus.

Recent market risks include pandemic risks related to COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 have contributed to increased volatility in global markets and will likely affect certain countries, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others. To the extent the fund may overweight its investments in certain countries, companies, industries or market sectors, such positions will increase the fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, companies, industries or sectors.

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FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Investor shares and Class I shares of BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc. with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in the S&P 500^® Index (the “Index”).

^†  Source: Lipper Inc.

^††  The total return figures presented for Class I shares of the fund reflect the performance of the fund’s Investor shares for the period prior to 8/31/16 (the inception date for Class I shares).

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graphs compare a hypothetical $10,000 investment made in each of the Investor shares and Class I shares of BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc. on 12/31/12 to a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account all applicable fees and expenses on Investor shares and Class I shares. The Index is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. The Index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

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FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

Comparison of change in value of a $1,000,000 investment in Class Y shares of BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc. with a hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 made in the S&P 500^® Index (the “Index”).

^†  Source: Lipper Inc.

^††  The total return figures presented for Class Y shares of the fund reflect the performance of the fund’s Investor shares for the period prior to 7/1/13 (the inception date for Class Y shares).

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graphs compare a hypothetical $1,000,000 investment made in Class Y shares of BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc. on 12/31/12 to a hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account all applicable fees and expenses on Class Y shares. The Index is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. The Index includes 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

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^†  The total return performance figures presented for Class Y shares of the fund reflect the performance of the fund’s Investor shares for the period prior to 7/1/13 (the inception date for Class Y shares).

^††  The total return performance figures presented for Class I shares of the fund reflect the performance of the fund’s Investor shares for the period prior to 8/31/16 (the inception date for Class I shares).

The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment return fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than original cost upon redemption. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Go to www.im.bnymellon.com for the fund’s most recent month-end returns.

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

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES (Unaudited)

As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees and other expenses. Using the information below, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You also may pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial adviser.

Review your fund’s expenses

The table below shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc. from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.

COMPARING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES WITH THOSE OF OTHER FUNDS (Unaudited)

Using the SEC’s method to compare expenses

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the table below shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total cost) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.

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STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2022

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STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

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ADR—American Depository Receipt

^a Security, or portion thereof, on loan. At December 31, 2022, the value of the fund’s securities on loan was $84,390,219 and the value of the collateral was $86,198,570, consisting of cash collateral of $20,080,200 and U.S. Government & Agency securities valued at $66,118,370. In addition, the value of collateral may include pending sales that are also on loan.

^b Non-income producing security.

^c Investment in affiliated issuer. The investment objective of this investment company is publicly available and can be found within the investment company’s prospectus.

^† Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

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STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

^† Includes reinvested dividends/distributions.

^†† Represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

See notes to financial statements.

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STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2022

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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31, 2022

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STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated. All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share. Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. Net asset value total return includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

^a Based on average shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.

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^a Based on average shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

^a Based on average shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc. (the “fund”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), is a diversified open-end management investment company. The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth consistent with the preservation of capital. Its secondary goal is current income. BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser. Fayez Sarofim & Co. (the “Sub-Adviser” or “Sarofim & Co.”) serves as the sub-adviser to the fund, pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement with Sarofim & Co. effective October 25, 2022 (the “New Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement”). Due to a change in the ownership and organizational structure of Sarofim & Co. that occurred on May 28, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), the then-existing sub-investment advisory agreement with Sarofim & Co. (the “Prior Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement”) terminated in accordance with its terms and the Act.

To enable Sarofim & Co. to continue to provide sub-advisory services to the fund after the Effective Date, the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approved an interim sub-investment advisory agreement on June 6, 2022, which did not require shareholder approval before it went into effect on the Effective Date, and the New Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between the fund and Sarofim & Co. on July 21, 2022, which required approval by a majority of the fund’s outstanding voting securities before it could go into effect. The New Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by the fund shareholders on October 4, 2022. See “Proxy Results (Unaudited)”.

The sub-advisory fee payable under the New Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement is the same as the sub-advisory fee under the Prior Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement. The fund’s investment strategy and management policies did not change in connection with the implementation of the New Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement. The Adviser continues to serve as the fund’s investment adviser. Please refer to the Subsequent Event below for additional information.

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge. The fund is authorized to issue 500 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock. The fund currently has authorized three classes of shares: Investor (300 million shares authorized), Class I (100 million shares authorized) and Class Y (100

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

million shares authorized). Investor shares are sold primarily to retail investors through financial intermediaries and bear Shareholder Services Plan fees. Class I shares are sold primarily to bank trust departments and other financial service providers (including BNY Mellon and its affiliates), acting on behalf of customers having a qualified trust or an investment account or relationship at such institution, and bear no Shareholder Services Plan fees. Class Y shares are sold at net asset value per share generally to institutional investors, and bear no Shareholder Services Plan fees. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs, and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

The 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 SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund is an investment company and applies the accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Board has designated the Adviser as the fund’s valuation designee, effective September 8, 2022, to make all fair value determinations with respect to the fund’s portfolio investments, subject to the Board’s oversight and pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act.

Investments in equity securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities are primarily traded. Securities listed on the National Market System for which market quotations are available are valued at the official closing price or, if there is no official closing price that day, at the last sales price. For open short positions, asked prices are used for valuation purposes. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Registered investment companies that are not traded on an exchange are valued at their net asset value. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Securities not listed on an exchange or the national securities market, or securities for which there were no transactions, are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices. These securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fair valuing of securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using calculations based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as prices of relevant ADRs and

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

futures. Utilizing these techniques may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2022 in valuing the fund’s investments:

^† See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations, if any.

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

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized on securities transactions between trade and settlement date, and the difference between the

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amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments resulting from changes in exchange rates. Foreign currency gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are also included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Foreign taxes: The fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, realized and unrealized capital gains on investments or certain foreign currency transactions. Foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the fund and are reflected in the Statement of Operations, if applicable. Foreign taxes payable or deferred or those subject to reclaims as of December 31, 2022, if any, are disclosed in the fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(c) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income, including, where applicable, accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is recognized on the accrual basis.

Pursuant to a securities lending agreement with BNY Mellon, the fund may lend securities to qualified institutions. It is the fund’s policy that, at origination, all loans are secured by collateral of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned and 105% of the value of foreign securities loaned. Collateral equivalent to at least 100% of the market value of securities on loan is maintained at all times. Collateral is either in the form of cash, which can be invested in certain money market mutual funds managed by the Adviser, or U.S. Government and Agency securities. The fund is entitled to receive all dividends, interest and distributions on securities loaned, in addition to income earned as a result of the lending transaction. Should a borrower fail to return the securities in a timely manner, BNY Mellon is required to replace the securities for the benefit of the fund or credit the fund with the market value of the unreturned securities and is subrogated to the fund’s rights against the borrower and the collateral. Additionally, the contractual maturity of security lending transactions are on an overnight and continuous basis. During the period ended December 31, 2022, BNY Mellon earned $15,718 from the lending

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

of the fund’s portfolio securities, pursuant to the securities lending agreement.

(d) Affiliated issuers: Investments in other investment companies advised by the Adviser are considered “affiliated” under the Act.

(e) Market Risk: The value of the securities in which the fund invests may be affected by political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market. The value of a security may also decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates, changes to inflation, adverse changes to credit markets or adverse investor sentiment generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the fund. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies world-wide. Recent examples include pandemic risks related to COVID-19 and aggressive measures taken world-wide in response by governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff.

(f) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income are normally declared and paid quarterly. 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.

(g) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of taxable income and

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net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.

As of and during the period ended December 31, 2022, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended December 31, 2022, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the four-year period ended December 31, 2022 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At December 31, 2022, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed ordinary income $1,561,359, undistributed capital gains $42,885,876 and unrealized appreciation $1,231,133,508.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows: ordinary income $13,198,951 and $10,106,840, and long-term capital gains $159,742,782 and $92,564,509, respectively.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other long-term open-end funds managed by the Adviser in a $823.5 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. (the “Citibank Credit Facility”) and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by BNY Mellon (the “BNYM Credit Facility”), each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions (each, a “Facility”). The Citibank Credit Facility is available in two tranches: (i) Tranche A is in an amount equal to $688.5 million and is available to all long-term open-ended funds, including the fund, and (ii) Tranche B is an amount equal to $135 million and is available only to BNY Mellon Floating Rate Income Fund, a series of BNY Mellon Investment Funds IV, Inc. In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay its pro rata portion of commitment fees for Tranche A of the Citibank Credit Facility and the BNYM Credit Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on rates determined pursuant to the terms of the respective Facility at the time of borrowing. During the period ended December 31, 2022, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee, Sub-Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .3325% of the value of

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

the fund’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement with the Sub-Adviser, the fund pays the Sub-Adviser a monthly sub-advisory fee at the annual rate of ..2175% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. Both fees are payable monthly.

(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Investor shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of its average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended December 31, 2022, the fund was charged $4,112,236 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

The fund has an arrangement with BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc., (the “Transfer Agent”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset Transfer Agent fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes transfer agent net earnings credits, if any, as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.

The fund has an arrangement with The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund will receive interest income or be charged overdraft fees when cash balances are maintained. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes this interest income and overdraft fees, if any, as interest income in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates the Transfer Agent, under a transfer agency agreement, for providing transfer agency and cash management services for the fund. The majority of Transfer Agent fees are comprised of amounts paid on a per account basis, while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended December 31, 2022, the fund was charged $269,131 for transfer agency services. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $21,342.

The fund compensates the Custodian, under a custody agreement, for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets, geographic region and transaction activity. During the period

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ended December 31, 2022, the fund was charged $54,964 pursuant to the custody agreement.

During the period ended December 31, 2022, the fund was charged $17,082 for services performed by the fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and his staff. These fees are included in Chief Compliance Officer fees in the Statement of Operations.

The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fee of $570,093, Shareholder Services Plan fees of $327,047, Custodian fees of $24,330, Chief Compliance Officer fees of $4,082 and Transfer Agent fees of $37,780.

(c) Each board member also serves as a board member of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities during the period ended December 31, 2022, amounted to $196,200,971 and $391,901,182, respectively.

At December 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $773,806,957; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $1,231,130,080, consisting of $1,239,546,600 gross unrealized appreciation and $8,416,520 gross unrealized depreciation.

NOTE 5—Subsequent Event:

On January 11, 2023, the Board approved, effective February 27, 2023, an amended sub-investment advisory agreement (the “Amended Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement”), which reflects a change in Sarofim & Co.’s corporate form, from a Texas corporation to a Delaware limited liability company, and a new name, Fayez Sarofim & Co., LLC. The sub-advisory fee payable under the Amended Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement is the same as the sub-advisory fee under the Prior Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (see Note 1). The fund’s investment strategy and management policies did not change in connection with the implementation of the Amended Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement. The Adviser continues to serve as the fund’s investment adviser.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the statement of investments, as of December 31, 2022, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund at December 31, 2022, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2022, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and others; when replies were not received from brokers and others, we performed other auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds since at least 1957, but we are unable to determine the specific year.

New York, New York
February 22, 2023

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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

In accordance with federal tax law, the fund hereby reports 100% of the ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 as qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, certain dividends paid by the fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions paid during the fiscal year, $13,198,951 represents the maximum amount that may be considered qualified dividend income. Shareholders will receive notification in early 2023 of the percentage applicable to the preparation of their 2022 income tax returns. Also, the fund hereby reports $.3789 and $2.7106 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on March 31, 2022 and December 21, 2022, respectively.

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PROXY RESULTS (Unaudited)

A special meeting of the fund’s shareholders was held on October 4, 2022. The proposal considered at the meeting and the results were as follows:

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

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors held on July 27, 2022, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement, pursuant to which the Adviser provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services, and, at a meeting held on July 21, 2022, the Board considered and approved a new Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (together with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the “Agreements”), pursuant to which Fayez Sarofim & Co (the “Sub-Adviser”) provides day-to-day management of the fund’s investments. The new Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement was considered and approved in order to enable the Sub-Adviser to continue to provide sub-investment advisory services to the Fund after the passing of Fayez Sarofim, the founder and controlling shareholder of the Sub-Adviser at the time of his death, which caused a “change in control” of the Sub-Adviser and triggered an assignment and automatic termination of the fund’s then-existing sub-investment advisory agreement with the Sub-Adviser. The new Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by fund shareholders on October 4, 2022. 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 sessions separate from representatives of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. In considering the approval of the Agreements, the Board considered several factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below. The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.

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

The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that the Adviser also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered the Adviser’s extensive administrative, accounting and compliance infrastructures, as well as the Adviser’s supervisory activities over the Sub-Adviser. The Board also considered portfolio management’s brokerage policies and practices

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

(including policies and practices regarding soft dollars) and the standards applied in seeking best execution.

At the July 21, 2022 meeting, the Board received and considered information regarding the fact that the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the fund by the Sub-Adviser under the new Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement would not change as a result of the Sub-Adviser’s new ownership structure. The Board members discussed with management the portfolio management strategies of the fund’s portfolio managers and noted that there were currently no long-term or short-term plans to make changes to the management or investment policies, strategies or objective of the fund as a result of the Sub-Adviser’s new ownership structure. The Board members considered the specific responsibilities in all aspects of the day-to-day management of the fund by the Sub-Adviser, and the fact that the persons responsible for portfolio management (with the exception of Mr. Fayez Sarofim) were anticipated to remain the same. The Board also considered that the division of responsibilities between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser would remain the same as it was under the prior sub-investment advisory agreement with the Sub-Adviser. The Board members also considered the financial resources available to the Sub-Adviser. The fund’s Chief Compliance Officer discussed the compliance infrastructure of the Sub-Adviser. The Board also discussed the acceptability of the terms of the new Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement.

Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data based on classifications provided by Thomson Reuters Lipper, which included information comparing (1) the performance of the fund’s Investor shares with the performance of a group of retail no-load large-cap core funds selected by Broadridge as comparable to the fund (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds consisting of all retail and institutional large-cap core funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended May 31, 2022, with respect to the Board’s consideration of the new Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement at the July 21^st meeting, and June 30, 2022, with respect to the Board’s consideration of the Investment Advisory Agreement at the July 27^th meeting, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of the same group of funds in the Performance Group (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of all other retail no-load large-cap core funds, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Broadridge as of the date of its analysis. The Adviser previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.

Performance Comparisons. Representatives of the Adviser stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations and policies that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds and the end date selected. The Board discussed with representatives of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser the results of the comparisons in light of overall financial

32

market conditions and considered that the fund’s total return performance was above the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for all periods, except the one- and ten- year periods when the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group median and the one-, two-, and ten-year periods when the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Universe median. The Adviser also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s benchmark index. Where the fund’s total return performance was below the median during one or more specified periods, the Board noted the explanations from the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser concerning the fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Group or Performance Universe for such periods. The Board also noted that the fund had a four star rating for each of the three- and five-year periods from Morningstar based on Morningstar’s risk-adjusted return measures.

Management Fee and Expense Ratio Comparisons. The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee rate (i.e., the aggregate investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser and the sub-investment advisory fee payable to the Sub-Adviser) payable by the fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management services and the sub-advisory services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, respectively. In addition, the Board reviewed and considered the actual management fee rate paid by the fund over the fund’s last fiscal year. The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses as a percentage of average net assets of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.

The Board considered that the fund’s contractual management fee was equal to the Expense Group median contractual management fee, the fund’s actual management fee was equal to the Expense Group median and lower than the Expense Universe median actual management fee and the fund’s total expenses were higher than the Expense Group median and slightly higher than the Expense Universe median total expenses.

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

The Board considered the fee payable to the Sub-Adviser by the fund in relation to the fee payable to the Adviser by the fund and the respective services provided by the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser.

Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Representatives of the Adviser reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by the Adviser and its affiliates and

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

the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to the Adviser and its affiliates for managing the funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not excessive, given the services rendered and service levels provided by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding the Adviser’s approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire BNY Mellon fund complex. The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund. At the July 21^st meeting, the Board received and considered a profitability analysis of the Sub-Adviser in providing services to the fund and concluded that the profitability results were not excessive, given the services and service levels expected to be provided by the Sub-Adviser under new Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The Board considered, on the advice of its counsel, the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreements, considered in relation to the mix of services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, supported the approval of the Agreements and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Representatives of the Adviser also stated that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser from acting as investment adviser and sub-investment adviser, respectively, and took into consideration the soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.

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

· The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are adequate and appropriate.

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

· The Board concluded that the fees paid to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser continued to be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the factors and the totality of the services provided as discussed above.

· The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by the Adviser in connection with the fee rate

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charged to the fund pursuant to the Agreements and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.

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

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BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Independent Board Members

Joseph S. DiMartino (79)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Director or Trustee of funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and certain other entities (as described in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information) (1995-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· CBIZ, Inc., a public company providing professional business services, products and solutions, Director (1997-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 92

———————

Francine J. Bovich (71)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· The Bradley Trusts, private trust funds, Trustee (2011-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Annaly Capital Management, Inc., a real estate investment trust, Director (2014-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 53

———————

Peggy C. Davis (79)

Board Member (1990)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Shad Professor of Law, New York University School of Law (1983-present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 32

———————

Nathan Leventhal (79)

Board Member (1989)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, President Emeritus (2001-Present)

· Palm Beach Opera, President (2016-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Movado Group, Inc., a public company that designs, sources, markets and distributes watches Director (2003-2020)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 32

———————

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Robin A. Melvin (59)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Westover School, a private girls’ boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut, Trustee (2019-Present)

· Mentor Illinois, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois, Co-Chair (2014-2020); Board Member, Mentor Illinois (2013-2020)

· JDRF, a non-profit juvenile diabetes research foundation, Board Member (June 2021-June 2022)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· HPS Corporate Lending Fund, a closed-end management investment company regulated as a business development company, Trustee (August 2021-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 71

———————

The address of the Board Members and Officers is c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286. Additional information about each Board Member is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information which can be obtained from the Adviser free of charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-373-9387.

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OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

DAVID DIPETRILLO, President since January 2021.

Vice President and Director of the Adviser since February 2021; Head of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; and Director of Product Strategy, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2016 to December 2017. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 107 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since 2005.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001.

Vice President of the Adviser since September 2020; and Director–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 64 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since April 1985.

PETER M. SULLIVAN, Chief Legal Officer since July 2021 and Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.

Chief Legal Officer of the Adviser and Associate General Counsel of BNY Mellon since July 2021; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2020 to July 2021; and Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2009 to December 2020. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 54 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since April 2004.

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President since August 2005 and Secretary since February 2018.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2019; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from April 2014 to December 2019; and Secretary of the Adviser. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since December 1996.

DEIRDRE CUNNANE, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2021, Counsel of BNY Mellon from August 2018 to December 2021; and Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from February 2016 to August 2018. She is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 32 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since August 2018.

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

Vice President of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser; LLC since February 2020; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since September 2021; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2017 to September 2021; and Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2013 to December 2017. She is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since March 2013.

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

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 57 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since October 1990.

AMANDA QUINN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2020.

Counsel of BNY Mellon since June 2019; Regulatory Administration Manager at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from September 2018 to May 2019; and Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from April 2015 to August 2018. She is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 37 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 2019.

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NATALYA ZELENSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2017.

Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President since February 2020 of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President and Assistant Secretary since February 2020 of BNY Mellon ETF Trust; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2019 to August 2021; Counsel of BNY Mellon from May 2016 to December 2019; and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser from April 2018 to August 2021. She is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 37 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since May 2016.

DANIEL GOLDSTEIN, Vice President since March 2022.

Vice President and Head of Product Development of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Co-Head of Product Management, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2010 to January 2018; and Senior Vice President, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since 2010. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 107 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1991.

JOSEPH MARTELLA, Vice President since March 2022.

Vice President of the Adviser since December 2022, Head of Product Management of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Director of Product Research and Analytics of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2010 to January 2018; and Senior Vice President of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since 2010. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 107 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1999.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 54 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since April 1991.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 55 investment companies (comprised of 127 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since November 1990.

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

Chief Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust since 2004; and Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser from 2004 until June 2021. He is the Chief Compliance Officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 112 portfolios) managed by the Adviser. He is 65 years old.

CARIDAD M. CAROSELLA, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since January 2016.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust. She is an officer of 48 investment companies (comprised of 120 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 54 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1997.

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BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Adviser

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Sub-Adviser

Fayez Sarofim & Co.
Two Houston Center
Suite 2907
Houston, TX 77010

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent

BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Distributor

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-373-9387

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

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

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

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the fund voted these proxies for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.im.bnymellon.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-373-9387.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

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

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

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

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years (the "Reporting Periods") for professional services rendered by the Registrant's principal accountant (the "Auditor") for the audit of the Registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $34,853 in 2021 and $35,550 in 2022.

(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 were $10,295 in 2021 and $10,572 in 2022. These services consisted of one or more of the following: (i) agreed upon procedures related to compliance with Internal Revenue Code section 817(h), (ii) security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (iii) advisory services as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of Registrant transactions or events and (iv) advisory services to the accounting or disclosure treatment of the actual or potential impact to the Registrant of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies.

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for non-audit assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-investment adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant ("Service Affiliates"), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the Service Affiliate, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2021 and $0 in 2022.

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning ("Tax Services") were $5,222 in 2021 and $4,763 in 2022. These services consisted of: (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments; (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held, and (iv) determination of Passive Foreign Investment Companies. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Tax Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $6,737 in 2021 and $6,737 in 2022.

(d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item, $12,377 in 2021 and $6,464 in 2022. These services consisted of a review of the Registrant's anti-money laundering program.

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Non-Audit Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, other than the services reported in paragraphs (b) through (c) of this Item, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee, were $0 in 2021 and $0 in 2022.

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

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

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

Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to Service Affiliates, for the Reporting Periods $3,095,435 in 2021 and $1,803,830 in 2022.

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

(j) Not applicable.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

(a) Not applicable.

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

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

(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 period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Not applicable.

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

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

(a)(3) Not applicable.

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

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BNY Mellon Appreciation Fund, Inc.

By: /s/ David J. DiPetrillo

      David J. DiPetrillo

      President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: February 19, 2023

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/ David J. DiPetrillo

      David J. DiPetrillo

      President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: February 19, 2023

By: /s/ James Windels

      James Windels

      Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: February 17, 2023

EXHIBIT INDEX

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

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

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