SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
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Washington, D.C. 20549 |
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FORM N-1A |
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT No. (811-04861) |
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UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
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Amendment No. 51 |
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Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) |
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82 Devonshire St., Boston, Massachusetts 02109 |
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(Address Of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) |
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Registrant's Telephone Number: 617-563-7000 |
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Eric D. Roiter, Secretary |
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82 Devonshire Street |
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Boston, Massachusetts 02109 |
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
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This registration statement has been filed pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, the fund's shares are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act), because these shares will be issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including investment companies, banks, insurance companies, and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
Fidelity ®
Fund
Part A of the Registration
Statement
<R>May 28, 2004
(fidelity_logo_graphic)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109</R>
Fund Basics |
Investment Details |
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Valuing Shares |
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Shareholder Information |
Buying and Selling Shares |
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Account Policies |
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Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions |
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Tax Consequences |
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Fund Services |
Fund Management |
Prospectus
Investment Objective
Money Market Central Fund seeks to obtain a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.
Principal Investment Strategies
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) invests the fund's assets in U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities of domestic and foreign issuers and repurchase agreements. FIMM also may enter into reverse repurchase agreements for the fund.
FIMM will invest more than 25% of the fund's total assets in the financial services industries.
<R>In buying and selling securities for the fund, FIMM complies with industry-standard regulatory requirements for money market funds regarding the quality, maturity, and diversification of the fund's investments. FIMM stresses maintaining a stable $1.00 share price, liquidity, and income.</R>
Description of Principal Security Types
Money market securities are high-quality, short-term securities that pay a fixed, variable, or floating interest rate. Securities are often specifically structured so that they are eligible investments for a money market fund. For example, in order to satisfy the maturity restrictions for a money market fund, some money market securities have demand or put features, which have the effect of shortening the security's maturity. Money market securities include bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, bank time deposits, notes, commercial paper, and U.S. Government securities.
A repurchase agreement is an agreement to buy a security at one price and a simultaneous agreement to sell it back at an agreed-upon price.
Principal Investment Risks
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's yield will change daily based on changes in interest rates and other market conditions. Although the fund is managed to maintain a stable $1.00 share price, there is no guarantee that the fund will be able to do so. For example, a major increase in interest rates or a decrease in the credit quality of the issuer of one of the fund's investments could cause the fund's share price to decrease.
The following factors can significantly affect the fund's performance:
Interest Rate Changes. Money market securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a money market security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and the securities of issuers in the financial services sector can be more sensitive to interest rate changes. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates.
Foreign Exposure. Issuers located in foreign countries and entities providing credit support or a maturity-shortening structure that are located in foreign countries can involve increased risks. Extensive public information about the issuer or provider may not be available and unfavorable political, economic, or governmental developments could affect the value of the security.
Financial Services Exposure. Financial services companies are highly dependent on the supply of short-term financing. The value of securities of issuers in the financial services sector can be sensitive to changes in government regulation and interest rates and to economic downturns in the United States and abroad.
Issuer-Specific Changes. Changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect a security's or instrument's credit quality or value. Entities providing credit support or a maturity-shortening structure also can be affected by these types of changes. If the structure of a security fails to function as intended, the security could decline in value.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
Fundamental Investment Policies
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder approval.
Money Market Central Fund seeks to obtain a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single share. Fidelity normally calculates the fund's NAV as of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. However, NAV may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund's assets are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on days when the fund is not open for business, the value of the fund's assets may be affected on those days. In addition, trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the fund is open for business.
The fund's assets are valued on the basis of amortized cost.
Prospectus
The fund offers its shares to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or its affiliates. Shares of the fund are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors including investment companies, banks, insurance companies, and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's NAV. The fund's shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be bought at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form.
The fund may reject or cancel any specific purchase order for any reason. For example, purchase orders may be refused if, in FIMM's opinion, they would disrupt management of the fund.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
The price to sell one share of the fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
The following policy applies to you as a shareholder.
<R>You may be asked to provide additional information in order for Fidelity to verify your identity in accordance with requirements under anti-money laundering regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as otherwise required under these and other federal regulations.</R>
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions
The fund earns interest, dividends, and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The fund may also realize capital gains from its investments, and distributes these gains (less losses), if any, to shareholders as capital gain distributions.
Distributions you receive from the fund consist primarily of dividends. The fund normally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly.
As a non-publicly offered registered investment company, the fund may be required to report distributions of "phantom income" to affected shareholders.
Earning Dividends
Shares begin to earn dividends on the day of purchase.
Shares earn dividends through the day prior to the day of redemption.
Your dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, will be paid in cash or, at your election, automatically reinvested in additional shares of the fund.
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax consequences for you.
Distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, certain of each fund's distributions, including dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income, while certain of each fund's distributions, including distributions of long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you generally as capital gains. Because the fund's income is primarily derived from interest, dividends from the fund generally will not qualify for the long-term capital gains tax rates available to individuals.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be taxable to you when you receive them; however, you will receive certain December distributions in January, but those distributions will be taxable as if you received them on December 31.
Prospectus
Money Market Central Fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
FIMM is the fund's manager. The address of FIMM is One Spartan Way, Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054.
As of March 31, 2003, FIMM had approximately $277.6 billion in discretionary assets under management.
As the manager, FIMM is responsible for choosing the fund's investments and handling its business affairs.
Affiliates assist FIMM with foreign investments:
From time to time a manager, analyst, or other Fidelity employee may express views regarding a particular company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Pursuant to the fund's management contract with FIMM, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FIMM a management fee. The management fee is calculated and paid to FIMM every month.
For each fund (other than a fund for which FIMM serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FIMM a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FIMM pays FIIA for providing sub-advisory services, and FIIA in turn pays FIIA(U.K.)L.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the fund for other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the ability to be repaid by the fund if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement arrangements, which may be discontinued by FMR at any time, can decrease the fund's expenses and boost its performance.
As of September 30, 2003, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by mutual funds managed by FMR or an FMR affiliate.
Prospectus
<R> IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT ACT), requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account. For individual investors opening an account: When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow Fidelity to identify you. You may also be asked to provide documents that may help to establish your identity, such as your driver's license. For investors other than individuals: When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account such as name, residential address, date of birth and social security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as driver's licenses, articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Fidelity identify the entity.</r> |
Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design are registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
<R>1.742274.107 CFM-pro-0504</R>
Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design are registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
1.742274.<R>106</R> CFM-pro-1103
FIDELITY ® MONEY MARKET CENTRAL FUND
A Fund of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust
PART B OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<R>May 28, 2004</R>
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Portions of the fund's annual report are incorporated herein. The annual report is supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of Part A of the Registration Statement, dated <R>May 28, 2004</R>, or an annual report, please call Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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Investment Policies and Limitations |
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Portfolio Transactions |
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Valuation |
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Performance |
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Buying and Selling Information |
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Distributions and Taxes |
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Trustees and Officers |
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Control of Investment Advisers |
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Management Contract |
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Board Approval of the Existing Investment Advisory Contracts |
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Proxy Voting Guidelines |
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Transfer and Service Agent Agreements |
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Description of the Trust |
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Financial Statements |
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Appendix |
(fidelity_logo_graphic) 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
<R>CFM-ptb-0504
1.742284.107</R>
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in Part A of the registration statement. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations described in this Part B of the registration statement are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
The following are the fund's fundamental investment limitations set forth in their entirety.
Diversification
The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer, if, as a result, the fund would not comply with any applicable diversification requirements for a money market fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder, as such may be amended from time to time.
Senior Securities
The fund may not issue senior securities, except in connection with the insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Borrowing
The fund may not borrow money, except that the fund may (i) borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) and (ii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements for any purpose; provided that (i) and (ii) in combination do not exceed 33 1/3% of the fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed this amount will be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation.
Underwriting
The fund may not underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies.
Concentration
The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry, except that the fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in the financial services industry.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) deems the financial services industry to include the group of industries within the financial services sector.
Real Estate
The fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
Commodities
The fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments.
Loans
The fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
Diversification
The fund does not currently intend to purchase a security (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other money market funds) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in securities of a single issuer; provided that the fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the first tier securities of a single issuer for up to three business days.
For purposes of the fund's diversification limitation discussed above, certain securities subject to guarantees (including insurance letters of credit and demand features) are not considered securities of their issuer, but are subject to separate diversification requirements, in accordance with industry standard requirements for money market funds.
Short Sales
The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
Margin Purchases
The fund does not currently intend to purchase securities on margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
Borrowing
The fund may borrow money only (a) from a bank or from a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with any party.
Illiquid Securities
The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a result, more than 10% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.
For purposes of the fund's illiquid securities limitation discussed above, if through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more than 10% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
Loans
The fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than securities to other parties, except by lending money (up to 15% of the fund's net assets) to a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser. (This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements.)
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of instruments in which the fund may invest, strategies FIMM may employ in pursuit of the fund's investment objective, and a summary of related risks. FIMM may not buy all of these instruments or use all of these techniques unless it believes that doing so will help the fund achieve its goal.
Affiliated Bank Transactions. A fund may engage in transactions with financial institutions that are, or may be considered to be, "affiliated persons" of the fund under the 1940 Act. These transactions may involve repurchase agreements with custodian banks; short-term obligations of, and repurchase agreements with, the 50 largest U.S. banks (measured by deposits); municipal securities; U.S. Government securities with affiliated financial institutions that are primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency transactions; and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Trustees has established and periodically reviews procedures applicable to transactions involving affiliated financial institutions.
Asset-Backed Securities represent interests in pools of mortgages, loans, receivables, or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements. Asset-backed security values may also be affected by other factors including changes in interest rates, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or receivables, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. In addition, these securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
Borrowing. The fund may borrow from banks or from other funds advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or its affiliates, or through reverse repurchase agreements, and may make additional investments while borrowings are outstanding.
Cash Management. A fund can hold uninvested cash.
Central Funds are money market or short-term bond funds managed by FMR or its affiliates. The money market central funds seek to earn a high level of current income (free from federal income tax in the case of a municipal money market fund) while maintaining a stable $1.00 share price. The money market central funds comply with industry-standard requirements for money market funds regarding the quality, maturity, and diversification of their investments. The short-term bond central funds seek to obtain a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.
Domestic and Foreign Investments include U.S. dollar-denominated time deposits, certificates of deposit, and bankers' acceptances of U.S. banks and their branches located outside of the United States, U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks, and foreign branches of foreign banks. Domestic and foreign investments may also include U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued or guaranteed by other U.S. or foreign issuers, including U.S. and foreign corporations or other business organizations, foreign governments, foreign government agencies or instrumentalities, and U.S. and foreign financial institutions, including savings and loan institutions, insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and real estate investment trusts, as well as banks.
The obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks may not be obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, and may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by governmental regulation. Payment of interest and repayment of principal on these obligations may also be affected by governmental action in the country of domicile of the branch (generally referred to as sovereign risk) or by war or civil conflict. In addition, evidence of ownership of portfolio securities may be held outside of the United States and a fund may be subject to the risks associated with the holding of such property overseas. Various provisions of federal law governing the establishment and operation of U.S. branches do not apply to foreign branches of U.S. banks.
Obligations of U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state regulation, as well as by governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office.
Obligations of foreign issuers involve certain additional risks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, withholding taxes, seizures of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions that might affect repayment of principal or payment of interest, or the ability to honor a credit commitment. Additionally, there may be less public information available about foreign entities. Foreign issuers may be subject to less governmental regulation and supervision than U.S. issuers. Foreign issuers also generally are not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
Illiquid Securities cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, FIMM determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and, through reports from FIMM, the Board monitors investments in illiquid securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, FIMM may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security).
Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program. Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates. A fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the cost of bank loans, and will lend through the program only when the returns are higher than those available from an investment in repurchase agreements. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Money Market Securities are high-quality, short-term obligations. Money market securities may be structured to be, or may employ a trust or other form so that they are, eligible investments for money market funds. For example, put features can be used to modify the maturity of a security or interest rate adjustment features can be used to enhance price stability. If a structure fails to function as intended, adverse tax or investment consequences may result. Neither the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) nor any other regulatory authority has ruled definitively on certain legal issues presented by certain structured securities. Future tax or other regulatory determinations could adversely affect the value, liquidity, or tax treatment of the income received from these securities or the nature and timing of distributions made by the fund.
Municipal Securities are issued to raise money for a variety of public or private purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for specific projects or public facilities. They may be issued in anticipation of future revenues and may be backed by the full taxing power of a municipality, the revenues from a specific project, or the credit of a private organization. The value of some or all municipal securities may be affected by uncertainties in the municipal market related to legislation or litigation involving the taxation of municipal securities or the rights of municipal securities holders. A municipal security may be owned directly or through a participation interest.
Put Features entitle the holder to sell a security back to the issuer or a third party at any time or at specified intervals. In exchange for this benefit, a fund may accept a lower interest rate. Securities with put features are subject to the risk that the put provider is unable to honor the put feature (purchase the security). Put providers often support their ability to buy securities on demand by obtaining letters of credit or other guarantees from other entities. Demand features, standby commitments, and tender options are types of put features.
Repurchase Agreements involve an agreement to purchase a security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by FIMM.
Restricted Securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be costly to a fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act), or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at an agreed-upon price and time. The fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by FIMM. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets and a fund's yield and may be viewed as a form of leverage.
Short Sales "Against the Box" are short sales of securities that a fund owns or has the right to obtain (equivalent in kind or amount to the securities sold short). Short sales against the box could be used to protect the net asset value per share (NAV) of the fund in anticipation of increased interest rates, without sacrificing the current yield of the securities sold short. If a fund enters into a short sale against the box, it will be required to set aside securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The fund will incur transaction costs in connection with opening and closing short sales against the box.
Sources of Liquidity or Credit Support. Issuers may employ various forms of credit and liquidity enhancements, including letters of credit, guarantees, puts, and demand features, and insurance provided by domestic or foreign entities such as banks and other financial institutions. FIMM may rely on its evaluation of the credit of the liquidity or credit enhancement provider in determining whether to purchase a security supported by such enhancement. In evaluating the credit of a foreign bank or other foreign entities, FIMM will consider whether adequate public information about the entity is available and whether the entity may be subject to unfavorable political or economic developments, currency controls, or other government restrictions that might affect its ability to honor its commitment. Changes in the credit quality of the entity providing the enhancement could affect the value of the security or a fund's share price.
Stripped Securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped securities are similar to those of other money market securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile. U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Privately stripped government securities are created when a dealer deposits a U.S. Treasury security or other U.S. Government security with a custodian for safekeeping. The custodian issues separate receipts for the coupon payments and the principal payment, which the dealer then sells.
Because the SEC does not consider privately stripped government securities to be U.S. Government securities for purposes of Rule 2a-7, a fund must evaluate them as it would non-government securities pursuant to regulatory guidelines applicable to money market funds.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that change whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark rate or the issuer's credit quality. Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with put features that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries.
When-Issued and Forward Purchase or Sale Transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered.
When purchasing securities pursuant to one of these transactions, the purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security will not be issued as anticipated. Because payment for the securities is not required until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with a fund's investments. If a fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when a purchase is outstanding, the purchases may result in a form of leverage. When a fund has sold a security pursuant to one of these transactions, the fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, a fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or suffer a loss.
A fund may renegotiate a when-issued or forward transaction and may sell the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital gains or losses for the fund.
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf of the fund by FIMM pursuant to authority contained in the management contract. FIMM may also be responsible for the placement of portfolio transactions for other investment companies and investment accounts for which it has or its affiliates have investment discretion. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of FIMM), FIMM generally considers: the execution price; the size and type of the transaction; the nature and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold; the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial condition of the firm; the execution services rendered on a continuing basis; the reasonableness of any compensation paid; and the provision of additional brokerage and research products and services.
If FMR grants investment management authority to a sub-adviser (see the section entitled "Management Contract"), that sub-adviser is authorized to provide the services described in the sub-advisory agreement, and will do so in accordance with the policies described in this section.
Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who receive compensation for their services. Compensation may also be paid in connection with riskless principal transactions (in both over-the-counter (OTC) securities and securities listed on an exchange) and agency OTC transactions executed with an electronic communications network (ECN) or an alternative trading system.
Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers that provide products and services. These products and services may include: economic, industry, or company research reports or investment recommendations; subscriptions to financial publications or research data compilations; compilations of securities prices, earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized databases; quotation equipment and services; research or analytical computer software and services; products or services that assist in effecting transactions, including services of third-party computer systems developers directly related to research and brokerage activities; and effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement). The receipt of these products and services has not reduced FIMM's normal research activities in providing investment advice to the fund. FIMM's expenses could be increased, however, if it attempted to generate these additional products and services through its own efforts.
Certain of the products and services FIMM receives from brokers or dealers are furnished by brokers or dealers on their own initiative, either in connection with a particular transaction or as part of their overall services. In addition, FIMM may request a broker or dealer to provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. While FIMM takes into account the products and services provided by a broker or dealer in determining whether compensation paid is reasonable, neither FIMM nor the fund incurs an obligation to the broker, dealer, or third party to pay for any product or service (or portion thereof) by generating a certain amount of compensation or otherwise.
Brokers or dealers that execute transactions for the fund may receive compensation that is in excess of the amount of compensation that other brokers or dealers might have charged, in recognition of the products and services they have provided. Before causing the fund to pay such higher compensation, FIMM will make a good faith determination that the compensation is reasonable in relation to the value of the products and services provided viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or FIMM's overall responsibilities to the fund or other investment companies and investment accounts. Typically, these products and services assist FIMM or its affiliates in terms of its overall investment responsibilities to the fund and other investment companies and investment accounts; however, each product or service received may not benefit the fund.
FIMM may place trades with certain brokers with which it is under common control, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), provided it determines that this affiliate's products, services, and costs are comparable to those of non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms. FIMM may also place trades with Archipelago ECN (Archipelago), an ECN in which a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. has an equity ownership interest, if the compensation is fair, reasonable, and comparable to compensation charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms for similar services.
FIMM may allocate brokerage transactions to brokers or dealers (including affiliates of FIMM) who have entered into arrangements with FIMM under which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the compensation paid by a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses.
The Trustees of the fund periodically review FIMM's performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund and review the compensation paid by the fund over representative periods of time to determine if they are reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
The fund may pay compensation including both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2002, and 2001, the fund paid no brokerage commissions.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the fund paid no brokerage commissions to firms for providing research services.
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby a fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of FMR participates. These procedures prohibit the fund from directly or indirectly benefiting an FMR affiliate in connection with such underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where an FMR affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that the fund could purchase in the underwritings.
From time to time the Trustees will review whether the recapture for the benefit of the fund of some portion of the compensation paid by the fund on portfolio transactions is legally permissible and advisable. The Trustees intend to continue to review whether recapture opportunities are available and are legally permissible and, if so, to determine in the exercise of their business judgment whether it would be advisable for the fund to participate, or continue to participate, in the commission recapture program.
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the same as those of other funds managed by FMR or its affiliates, investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of other funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts) managed by FMR or its affiliates. The same security is often held in the portfolio of more than one of these funds or investment accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds and investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objective of more than one fund or investment account.
When two or more funds or investment accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with procedures believed to be appropriate and equitable to each fund or investment account. In some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security as far as the fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that the desirability of retaining FIMM as investment adviser to the fund outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
The fund's NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of the fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities and other assets are valued on the basis of amortized cost. This technique involves initially valuing an instrument at its cost as adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount rather than its current market value. The amortized cost value of an instrument may be higher or lower than the price the fund would receive if it sold the instrument.
Securities of other open-end investment companies are valued at their respective NAVs.
At such intervals as they deem appropriate, the Trustees consider the extent to which NAV calculated by using market valuations would deviate from the $1.00 per share calculated using amortized cost valuation. If the Trustees believe that a deviation from the fund's amortized cost per share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Trustees have agreed to take such corrective action, if any, as they deem appropriate to eliminate or reduce, to the extent reasonably practicable, the dilution or unfair results. Such corrective action could include selling portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends; redeeming shares in kind; establishing NAV by using available market quotations; and such other measures as the Trustees may deem appropriate.
The fund may quote performance in various ways. The fund's share price, yield, and return fluctuate in response to market conditions and other factors.
Yield Calculations. To compute the yield for the fund for a period, the net change in value of a hypothetical investment in one share reflects the value of additional shares purchased with dividends from the one original share and dividends declared on both the original share and any additional shares. The net change is then divided by the value of the investment at the beginning of the period to obtain a base period return. This base period return is annualized to obtain a current annualized yield. The fund also may calculate an effective yield by compounding the base period return over a one-year period. In addition to the current yield, the fund may quote yields in advertising based on any historical seven-day period. Yields for the fund are calculated on the same basis as other money market funds, as required by applicable regulation.
Yield information may be useful in reviewing the fund's performance and in providing a basis for comparison with other investment alternatives. However, the fund's yield fluctuates, unlike investments that pay a fixed interest rate over a stated period of time. When comparing investment alternatives, investors should also note the quality and maturity of the portfolio securities of respective investment companies they have chosen to consider.
Investors should recognize that in periods of declining interest rates the fund's yield will tend to be somewhat higher than prevailing market rates, and in periods of rising interest rates the fund's yield will tend to be somewhat lower. Also, when interest rates are falling, the inflow of net new money to the fund from the continuous sale of its shares will likely be invested in instruments producing lower yields than the balance of the fund's holdings, thereby reducing the fund's current yield. In periods of rising interest rates, the opposite can be expected to occur.
Return Calculations. Returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects of the fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the fund's NAV over a stated period. A cumulative return reflects actual performance over a stated period of time. Average annual returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical historical investment in the fund over a stated period, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. For example, a cumulative return of 100% over ten years would produce an average annual return of 7.18%, which is the steady annual rate of return that would equal 100% growth on a compounded basis in ten years. While average annual returns are a convenient means of comparing investment alternatives, investors should realize that the fund's performance is not constant over time, but changes from year to year, and that average annual returns represent averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual returns, the fund may quote unaveraged or cumulative returns reflecting the simple change in value of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and cumulative returns may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar amount, and may be calculated for a single investment, a series of investments, or a series of redemptions, over any time period. Returns may be broken down into their components of income and capital (including capital gains and changes in share price) to illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions to return. Returns, yields and other performance information may be quoted numerically or in a table, graph, or similar illustration.
Historical Fund Results. The following tables show the fund's returns for the fiscal periods ended September 30, 2003.
|
Average Annual Returns |
|
Fund |
One
|
Life of
|
Money Market Central |
1.43% |
3.27% |
* From July 24, 2000 (commencement of operations).
|
Cumulative Returns |
|
Fund |
One
|
Life of
|
Money Market Central |
1.43% |
10.79% |
* From July 24, 2000 (commencement of operations).
BUYING AND SELLING INFORMATION
Shares of the fund are not offered to the public and are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including investment companies, banks, insurance companies, and certain other entities that are "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security" within the meaning of the 1933 Act.
The fund may make redemption payments in whole or in part in readily marketable securities or other property pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees if FIMM determines it is in the best interests of the fund. Such securities or other property will be valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing the fund's NAV. Shareholders that receive securities or other property will realize, upon receipt, a gain or loss for tax purposes, and will incur additional costs and be exposed to market risk prior to and upon sale of such securities or other property.
Dividends. Because the fund's income is primarily derived from interest, dividends from the fund generally will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders or the long-term capital gains tax rates available to individuals. Short-term capital gains are taxable at ordinary income tax rates, but do not qualify for the dividends-received deduction. A portion of the fund's dividends derived from certain U.S. Government securities and securities of certain other investment companies may be exempt from state and local taxation.
Capital Gain Distributions. The fund may distribute any net realized capital gains once a year or more often, as necessary.
As of September 30, 2003, the fund had an aggregate capital loss carryforward of approximately $10,000. This loss carryforward, all of which will expire on September 30, 2011, is available to offset future capital gains.
Tax Status of the Fund. The fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies.
Other Tax Information. The information above is only a summary of some of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or loss or other tax consequence to you. In addition to federal income taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on fund distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers to determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax situation.
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for William O. McCoy, each of the Trustees oversees 289 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Mr. McCoy oversees 291 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. In any event, each non-interested Trustee shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The executive officers and Advisory Board Members hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
Interested Trustees *:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) may be sent to 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
|
Edward C. Johnson 3d (73)** |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1986 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR Corp.; a Director and Chairman of the Board and of the Executive Committee of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc.; Chairman (1998) and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman (2001) and a Director (2000) of FMR Co., Inc. |
Abigail P. Johnson (41)** |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Senior Vice President of Money Market Central (2001). Ms. Johnson also serves as Senior Vice President of other Fidelity funds (2001). She is President and a Director of FMR (2001), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2001), FMR Co., Inc. (2001), and a Director of FMR Corp. Previously, Ms. Johnson managed a number of Fidelity funds. |
Laura B. Cronin (49) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Ms. Cronin is an Executive Vice President (2002) and Chief Financial Officer (2002) of FMR Corp. and is a member of the Fidelity Management Committee (2003). Previously, Ms. Cronin served as Vice President of Finance of FMR (1997-1999), and Chief Financial Officer of FMR (1999-2001), Fidelity Personal Investments (2001), and Fidelity Brokerage Company (2001-2002). |
Robert L. Reynolds (51) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Mr. Reynolds is a Director (2003) and Chief Operating Officer (2002) of FMR Corp. and is the head of the Fidelity Management Committee (2003). He also serves on the Board at Fidelity Investments Canada, Ltd. (2000). Previously, Mr. Reynolds served as President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Retirement Group (1996-2000). |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR.
** Edward C. Johnson 3d, Trustee, is Abigail P. Johnson's father.
Non-Interested Trustees :
Correspondence intended for each non-interested Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
|
J. Michael Cook (61) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Prior to Mr. Cook's retirement in May 1999, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte & Touche LLP (accounting/consulting), Chairman of the Deloitte & Touche Foundation, and a member of the Board of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. He currently serves as a Director of Comcast (telecommunications, 2002), International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (2000), Rockwell Automation (2000) and The Dow Chemical Company (2000). He is a Member of the Diversity Advisory Council of Marakon (2003) and the Advisory Board of the Directorship Search Group, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Catalyst (a leading organization for the advancement of women in business), and is Chairman of the Accountability Advisory Council to the Comptroller General of the United States. He also serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Business of the University of Florida, his alma mater. |
Ralph F. Cox (71) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1991
Mr. Cox is President of RABAR Enterprises (management consulting for the petroleum industry). Prior to
February 1994, he was President of Greenhill Petroleum Corporation (petroleum exploration and
production). Until March 1990, Mr. Cox was President and Chief Operating Officer of Union Pacific
Resources Company (exploration and production). He is a Director of CH2M Hill Companies (engineering),
and Abraxas Petroleum (petroleum exploration and production, 1999). In addition, he is a member of
advisory boards of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin.
|
Robert M. Gates (60) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1997 Dr. Gates is President of Texas A&M University (2002). He was Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1991 to 1993. From 1989 to 1991, Dr. Gates served as Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy National Security Advisor. Dr. Gates is a Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (mining and manufacturing), and Parker Drilling Co., Inc. (drilling and rental tools for the energy industry, 2001). He also serves as a member of the Advisory Board of VoteHere.net (secure internet voting, 2001). Previously, Dr. Gates served as a Director of LucasVarity PLC (automotive components and diesel engines), a Director of TRW Inc. (automotive, space, defense, and information technology), and Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University (1999-2001). Dr. Gates also is a Trustee of the Forum for International Policy. |
<R>George H. Heilmeier (67)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Dr. Heilmeier is Chairman Emeritus of Telcordia Technologies (communication software and systems), where prior to his retirement, he served as company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of The Mitre Corporation (systems engineering and information technology support for the government), INET Technologies Inc. (telecommunications network surveillance, 2001) and Teletech Holdings (customer management services, 1998). He is Chairman of the General Motors Technology Advisory Committee and a Life Fellow of the IEEE (2000). Dr. Heilmeier is a member of the Defense Science Board and the National Security Agency Advisory Board. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and The Board of Overseers of the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, Dr. Heilmeier served as a Director of TRW Inc. (automotive, space, defense, and information technology, 1992-2002) and Compaq (1994-2002).</r> |
Donald J. Kirk (70) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1987 Mr. Kirk is a Governor of the American Stock Exchange (2001), a Trustee and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital Association, a Director of the Yale-New Haven Health Services Corp. (1998), and a Director Emeritus and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Arts Strategies Inc. Mr. Kirk was an Executive-in-Residence (1995-2000) and a Professor (1987-1995) at Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Prior to 1987, he was Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Previously, Mr. Kirk served as a Governor of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (1996-2002), a member and Vice Chairman of the Public Oversight Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' SEC Practice Section (1995-2002), a Director of General Re Corporation (reinsurance, 1987-1998) and as a Director of Valuation Research Corp. (appraisals and valuations). |
Marie L. Knowles (56) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Prior to Ms. Knowles' retirement in June 2000, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) (diversified energy, 1996-2000). From 1993 to 1996, she was a Senior Vice President of ARCO and President of ARCO Transportation Company. She served as a Director of ARCO from 1996 to 1998. She currently serves as a Director of Phelps Dodge Corporation (copper mining and manufacturing), URS Corporation (multidisciplinary engineering, 1999), and McKesson Corporation (healthcare service, 2002). Ms. Knowles is a Trustee of the Brookings Institution and the Catalina Island Conservancy and also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the School of Engineering of the University of Southern California. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (59) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach has been a partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm) since September 1998. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. He was most recently Senior Vice President and Group Executive of Worldwide Sales and Services. From 1993 to 1995, he was Chairman of IBM World Trade Corporation, and from 1994 to 1998 was a member of IBM's Corporate Executive Committee. Mr. Lautenbach serves as Chairman and as a Director (1998) of Acterna Corporation (communications test equipment). He is also Co-Chairman of Covansys, Inc. (global provider of business and technology solutions, 2000). In addition, he is a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) and the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida (1999). He also is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. |
Marvin L. Mann (70) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1993 Mr. Mann is Chairman of the non-interested Trustees (2001). He is Chairman Emeritus of Lexmark International, Inc. (computer peripherals) where he served as CEO until April 1998 and retired as Chairman May 1999, and remains a member of the Board. Prior to 1991, he held the positions of Vice President of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and President and General Manager of various IBM divisions and subsidiaries. Mr. Mann is a Board member of Imation Corp. (imaging and information storage) and Acterna Corporation (communications test equipment, 1999). He is also a member of the Director Services Committee of the Investment Company Institute. In addition, Mr. Mann is a member of the President's Cabinet at the University of Alabama and the Board of Visitors of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration at the University of Alabama. |
William O. McCoy (69) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1997 Prior to his retirement in December 1994, Mr. McCoy was Vice Chairman of the Board of BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications) and President of BellSouth Enterprises. He is currently a Director of Liberty Corporation (holding company), Duke Realty Corporation (real estate), Progress Energy, Inc. (electric utility), and Acterna Corporation (communications test equipment, 1999). He is also a partner of Franklin Street Partners (private investment management firm) and a member of the Research Triangle Foundation Board. In addition, Mr. McCoy served as the Interim Chancellor (1999-2000) and a member of the Board of Visitors (1994-1998) for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the University of North Carolina Health Care System and the Board of Visitors of the Kenan-Flagler Business School (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). He also served as Vice President of Finance for the University of North Carolina (16-school system, 1995-1998). |
William S. Stavropoulos (64) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO (2002), and Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000) and a Director of The Dow Chemical Company. Since joining The Dow Chemical Company in 1967, Mr. Stavropoulos served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000) and Chief Executive Officer (1995-2000). Currently, he is a Director of NCR Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions), BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications), Chemical Financial Corporation, and Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate, 2002). He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of The Business Council, J.P. Morgan International Council, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
Advisory Board Members and Executive Officers :
Correspondence intended for Dr. Heilmeier may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235. Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation
|
|
Peter S. Lynch (60) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust. Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001) and a Director (2000) of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). Prior to May 31, 1990, he was a Director of FMR and Executive Vice President of FMR (a position he held until March 31, 1991), Vice President of Fidelity ® Magellan ® Fund and FMR Growth Group Leader, and Managing Director of FMR Corp. Mr. Lynch was also Vice President of Fidelity Investments Corporate Services. In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Historic Deerfield, John F. Kennedy Library, and the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston. |
<R>Cornelia M. Small (59)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust. Ms. Small is a member (2000) and Chairperson (2002) of the Investment Committee, and a member (2002) of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Previously, she served as Chief Investment Officer (1999-2000), Director of Global Equity Investments (1996-1999), and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark (1990-1997) and Scudder Kemper Investments (1997-1998). In addition, Ms. Small served as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.</r> |
Dwight D. Churchill (49) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Vice President of Money Market Central. He serves as Head of Fidelity's Fixed-Income Division (2000), Vice President of Fidelity's Money Market Funds (2000), Vice President of Fidelity's Bond Funds (1997), and Senior Vice President of FIMM (2000) and FMR (1997). Mr. Churchill joined Fidelity in 1993 as Vice President and Group Leader of Taxable Fixed-Income Investments. |
David L. Murphy (55) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2002 Vice President of Money Market Central. Mr. Murphy also serves as Vice President of Fidelity's Money Market Funds (2002) and Vice President of certain Asset Allocation Funds (2003). He serves as Senior Vice President (2000) and Money Market Group Leader (2002) of the Fidelity Investments Fixed Income Division. Mr. Murphy is also a Senior Vice President of FIMM (2003) and a Vice President of FMR (2000). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Bond Group Leader (2000-2002) and Vice President of Fidelity's Taxable Bond Funds (2000-2002) and Fidelity's Municipal Bond Funds (2001-2002). Mr. Murphy joined Fidelity in 1989 as a portfolio manager in the Bond Group. |
Eric D. Roiter (54) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Secretary of Money Market Central. He also serves as Secretary of other Fidelity funds (1998); Vice President, General Counsel, and Clerk of FMR Co., Inc. (2001) and FMR (1998); Vice President and Clerk of FDC (1998); Assistant Clerk of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2001) and Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (2001); and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Investments Money Management Inc. (2001). Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was with the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, as an associate (1981-1984) and as a partner (1985-1997), and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981). Mr. Roiter is an Adjunct Member, Faculty of Law, at Boston College Law School (2003). |
Stuart Fross (44) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2003
Assistant Secretary of Money Market Central. Mr. Fross also serves as Assistant Secretary of other Fidelity
funds (2003) and is an employee of FMR.
|
<R>Christine Reynolds (45)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) officer of Money Market Central. Ms. Reynolds also serves as President, Treasurer, and AML officer of other Fidelity funds (2004) and is a Vice President (2003) and an employee (2002) of FMR. Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was most recently an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice.</r> |
Timothy F. Hayes (52) |
|
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2002
Chief Financial Officer of Money Market Central. Mr. Hayes also serves as Chief Financial Officer of other
Fidelity funds (2002). Recently he was appointed President of Fidelity Service Company (2003) where he
also serves as a Director. Mr. Hayes also serves as President of Fidelity Investments Operations Group
(FIOG, 2002), which includes Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services Group (FPCMS), where he
was appointed President in 1998. Previously, Mr. Hayes served as Chief Financial Officer of Fidelity
Investments Corporate Systems and Service Group (1998) and Fidelity Systems Company (1997-1998).
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John R. Hebble (45) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Deputy Treasurer of Money Market Central. Mr. Hebble also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2003), and is an employee of FMR. Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Hebble worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Director of Fund Accounting (2002-2003) and Assistant Treasurer of the Scudder Funds (1998-2003). |
<R>Kimberley H. Monasterio (40)</R> |
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<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Deputy Treasurer of Money Market Central. Ms. Monasterio also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2004) and is an employee of FMR (2004). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Monasterio served as Treasurer (2000-2004) and Chief Financial Officer (2002-2004) of the Franklin Templeton Funds and Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (2000-2004).</r> |
John H. Costello (57) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Assistant Treasurer of Money Market Central. Mr. Costello also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR. |
Francis V. Knox, Jr. (56) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2002 Assistant Treasurer of Money Market Central. Mr. Knox also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2002), and is a Vice President and an employee of FMR. Previously, Mr. Knox served as Vice President of Investment & Advisor Compliance (1990-2001), and Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (1992-2002), Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (1991-2002), and FMR Corp. (1995-2002). |
<R>Peter L. Lydecker (50)</R> |
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<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Assistant Treasurer of Money Market Central. Mr. Lydecker also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2004) and is an employee of FMR.</r> |
Mark Osterheld (48) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2002 Assistant Treasurer of Money Market Central. Mr. Osterheld also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2002) and is an employee of FMR. |
Thomas J. Simpson (45) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Assistant Treasurer of Money Market Central. Mr. Simpson is Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2000) and an employee of FMR (1996). Prior to joining FMR, Mr. Simpson was Vice President and Fund Controller of Liberty Investment Services (1987-1995). |
Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established various committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to non-interested Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board of Trustees has eight standing committees.
The Operations Committee is composed of all of the non-interested Trustees, with Mr. Mann currently serving as Chairman. The committee normally meets monthly (except August), or more frequently as called by the Chair, and serves as a forum for consideration of issues of importance to, or calling for particular determinations by, the non-interested Trustees. The committee also considers matters involving potential conflicts of interest between the funds and FMR and its affiliates and reviews proposed contracts and the proposed continuation of contracts between the Fidelity funds and FMR and its affiliates, and annually reviews and makes recommendations regarding transfer agent and other service agreements, insurance coverage, and custody agreements. The committee also monitors additional issues including the nature, levels and quality of services provided to shareholders, significant litigation, and the voting of proxies of portfolio companies. The committee also has oversight of compliance issues not specifically in the scope of the charters of the Audit Committee or Fund Oversight Committees and considers other operating matters not specifically within the scope of oversight of any other committee. The committee is also responsible for definitive action on all compliance matters involving the potential for significant reimbursement by FMR. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held 12 meetings.
The Fair Value Oversight Committee is composed of all of the non-interested Trustees, with Mr. Mann serving as Chairman. The committee normally meets quarterly, or more frequently as called by the Chair, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Fair Value Oversight Committee monitors and establishes policies concerning procedures and controls regarding the valuation of fund investments and their classification as liquid or illiquid and monitors matters of disclosure to the extent required to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. The committee provides oversight regarding the investment policies relating to, and Fidelity funds' investment in, non-traditional securities. The committee also reviews actions taken by FMR's Fair Value Committee. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held five meetings.
The Board of Trustees has established three Fund Oversight Committees: the Equity Committee (composed of Messrs. Lautenbach (Chairman), Kirk, and Stavropoulos), the Fixed-Income/International Committee (composed of Messrs. Gates (Chairman), Cook and Cox), and the Select Committee (composed of Mses. Davis (Chairman) and Knowles and Mr. McCoy). Each committee normally meets monthly (except August) or more frequently as called by the Chair of the respective committee. Each committee oversees investment advisory services provided by FMR to the relevant funds and develops an understanding of and monitors the investment objectives, policies, and practices of the relevant Fidelity funds. Each committee also monitors compliance by each relevant Fidelity fund with its investment policies and restrictions and reviews appropriate benchmarks, competitive universes, investment performance, unusual or exceptional investment matters and the personnel and other resources devoted to the management of each fund. The Fixed-Income/International Committee also receives reports required under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act and has oversight of research bearing on credit quality, investment structures and other fixed-income issues, and of international research. The Select Committee has oversight of FMR's equity investment research. Each committee will review and recommend any required action to the Board in respect of specific funds, including new funds, changes in fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions, partial or full closing to new investors, fund mergers, fund name changes, and liquidations of funds. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Equity Committee held 10 meetings, the Fixed-Income/International Committee held 11 meetings, and the Select Committee held 10 meetings.
The Shareholder Services, Brokerage and Distribution Committee is composed of Messrs. Cox (Chairman), Cook, Lautenbach, and Stavropoulos and Ms. Davis. The committee normally meets in conjunction with in-person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the Chair. Regarding shareholder services, the committee considers the structure and amount of the Fidelity funds' transfer agency fees and direct fees to investors (other than sales loads), and the nature and quality of services rendered by FMR and its affiliates in consideration of these fees. The committee also considers other non-investment management services rendered to the Fidelity funds by FMR and its affiliates, including pricing and bookkeeping services and fees. Regarding brokerage, the committee monitors and recommends policies concerning the securities transactions of the Fidelity funds. The committee periodically reviews the policies and practices with respect to efforts to achieve best execution and commissions paid to firms supplying research and brokerage services, providing sales support, or paying fund expenses. The committee also monitors brokerage and other similar relationships between the Fidelity funds and firms affiliated with FMR which participate in the execution of securities transactions. Regarding the distribution of fund shares, the committee considers issues bearing on the various distribution channels employed by the Fidelity funds, including issues regarding Rule 18f-3 plans and related consideration of classes of shares, sales load structures (including breakpoints), load waivers, selling concessions and service charges paid to intermediaries, Rule 12b-1 plans, contingent deferred sales charges, and finders' fees. The committee also oversees and receives reports on the preparation and use of advertisements and sales literature for the Fidelity funds. Prior to January 2003, the Shareholder Services, Brokerage and Distribution Committee was broken out into three separate committees: the Committee on Service Fees and the Committee on Distribution Channels, both of which conferred periodically and met at least annually, and the Brokerage Committee, which normally met four times a year, or more often as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Shareholder Services, Brokerage and Distribution Committee held seven meetings.
The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Kirk (Chairman), Gates, and McCoy and Ms. Knowles. The committee normally meets in conjunction with in-person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The committee meets separately at least four times a year with the Fidelity funds' Treasurer, with personnel responsible for the internal audit function of FMR Corp., and with the Fidelity funds' outside auditors. The committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the outside auditors employed by the Fidelity funds. The committee assists the Trustees in overseeing and monitoring: i) the systems of internal accounting and financial controls of the Fidelity funds and the funds' service providers, ii) the financial reporting processes of the Fidelity funds, iii) the independence, objectivity and qualification of the auditors to the Fidelity funds, iv) the annual audits of the Fidelity funds' financial statements, and v) the accounting policies and disclosures of the Fidelity funds. The committee considers and acts upon (i) the provision by any outside auditor of any non-audit services for any Fidelity fund, and (ii) the provision by any outside auditor of certain non-audit services to Fidelity fund service providers and their affiliates to the extent that such approval (in the case of this clause (ii)) is required under applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In furtherance of the foregoing, the committee has adopted (and may from time to time amend or supplement) and provides oversight of policies and procedures for non-audit engagements by outside auditors of the Fidelity funds. It is responsible for approving all audit engagement fees and terms for the Fidelity funds, resolving disagreements between a fund and any outside auditor regarding any fund's financial reporting, and has sole authority to hire and fire any auditor. The committee will obtain assurance of independence and objectivity from the outside auditors, including a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Fidelity funds and any service providers consistent with Independent Standards Board Standard No. 1. The committee will receive reports of compliance with provisions of the Auditor Independence Regulations relating to the hiring of employees or former employees of the outside auditors. It oversees and receives reports on the Fidelity funds' service providers' internal controls and reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the service providers' accounting and financial controls. The committee reviews at least annually a report from each outside auditor describing any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control, peer review, or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board examination of the auditing firm and any material issues raised by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities of the auditing firm and in each case any steps taken to deal with such issues. The committee will oversee and receive reports on the Fidelity funds' financial reporting process, will discuss with FMR, the Fidelity funds' Treasurer, outside auditors and, if appropriate, internal audit personnel of FMR Corp. their qualitative judgments about the appropriateness and acceptability of accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed for adoption by the Fidelity funds, and will review with FMR, the Fidelity funds' Treasurer, outside auditor, and internal auditor personnel of FMR Corp. (to the extent relevant) the results of audits of the Fidelity funds' financial statements. The committee will review periodically the Fidelity fund's major internal controls exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures. The committee also plays an oversight role in respect of each Fidelity fund's compliance with its name test and investment restrictions, the code of ethics relating to personal securities transactions, the code of ethics applicable to certain senior officers of the Fidelity funds, and anti-money laundering requirements. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held 11 meetings.
The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Mann (Chairman), Cox, and Gates. The committee meets as called by the Chair. The committee makes nominations for the appointment or election of non-interested Trustees and non-management Members of any Advisory Board, and for membership on committees. The committee periodically reviews procedures and policies of the Board of Trustees and its committees (including committee charters) and periodically reviews compensation of non-interested Trustees. It acts as the administrative committee under the Retirement Plan for non-interested Trustees who retired prior to December 30, 1996 and under the fee deferral plan for non-interested Trustees. It monitors the performance of legal counsel employed by the Fidelity funds and the non-interested Trustees. On behalf of the non-interested Trustees, the committee will make such findings and determinations as to the independence of counsel for the non-interested Trustees as may be necessary or appropriate under applicable regulations or otherwise. The committee monitors compliance with, acts as the administrator of, and makes determinations in respect of, the provisions of the code of ethics and any supplemental policies regarding personal securities transactions applicable to the non-interested Trustees. The committee also oversees the annual self-evaluation of the non-interested Trustees. The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees to the Board of Trustees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the committee in care of the Secretary of the Fidelity funds. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held nine meetings.
The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the fund and in all funds in the aggregate within the same fund family overseen by the Trustee for the calendar year ended December 31, 2002.
Interested Trustees |
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DOLLAR RANGE OF
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Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Abigail P. Johnson |
Laura B. Cronin |
Robert L. Reynolds |
Money Market Central |
none |
none |
none |
none |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation of each Trustee for his or her services for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, or calendar year ended December 31, 2002, as applicable.
* Edward C. Johnson 3d, Abigail P. Johnson, Laura B. Cronin, Peter S. Lynch, and Robert L. Reynolds are interested persons and are compensated by FMR.
** Effective March 1, 2003, Dr. Heilmeier serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust.
A Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 2002 for 271 funds of 57 trusts in the fund complex. Compensation figures include cash, amounts required to be deferred, and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2002, the Trustees accrued required deferred compensation from the funds as follows: J. Michael Cook, $111,000; Ralph F. Cox, $111,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $111,000; Robert M. Gates, $111,000; Donald J. Kirk, $111,000; Marie L. Knowles, $111,000; Ned C. Lautenbach, $111,000; Marvin L. Mann, $141,000; William O. McCoy, $111,000; and William S. Stavropoulos, $100,579.95. Certain of the non-interested Trustees elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their compensation as follows: J. Michael Cook, $40,014.95; Ralph F. Cox, $40,014.95; Phyllis Burke Davis, $50,879.70; Ned C. Lautenbach, $50,879.70; and William O. McCoy, $86,879.70.
B Compensation figures include cash and may include amounts deferred at Mr. McCoy's election under a deferred compensation plan adopted by the other open-end registered investment companies in the fund complex (Other Open-End Funds). Pursuant to the deferred compensation plan, Mr. McCoy, as a non-interested Trustee, may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his annual fees. Amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan are credited to an account established for Mr. McCoy on the books of the Other Open-End Funds. Interest is accrued on amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2002, Mr. McCoy voluntarily elected to defer $36,000.
Under a deferred compensation plan adopted in September 1995 and amended in November 1996 and January 2000 (the Plan), non-interested Trustees must defer receipt of a portion of, and may elect to defer receipt of an additional portion of, their annual fees. Amounts deferred under the Plan are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of Fidelity funds including funds in each major investment discipline and representing a majority of Fidelity's assets under management (the Reference Funds). The amounts ultimately received by the non-interested Trustees under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan will have a negligible effect on a fund's assets, liabilities, and net income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services of any non-interested Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the non-interested Trustee. A fund may invest in the Reference Funds under the Plan without shareholder approval.
As of September 30, 2003, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by mutual funds managed by FMR or an FMR affiliate.
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR Corp., organized in 1972, is the ultimate parent company of FIMM. The voting common stock of FMR Corp. is divided into two classes. Class B is held predominantly by members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d family and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter acted upon by the voting common stock. Class A is held predominantly by non-Johnson family member employees of FMR Corp. and its affiliates and is entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson family group and all other Class B shareholders have entered into a shareholders' voting agreement under which all Class B shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares. Under the 1940 Act, control of a company is presumed where one individual or group of individuals owns more than 25% of the voting stock of that company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting common stock and the execution of the shareholders' voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the 1940 Act, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
At present, the primary business activities of FMR Corp. and its subsidiaries are: (i) the provision of investment advisory, management, shareholder, investment information and assistance and certain fiduciary services for individual and institutional investors; (ii) the provision of securities brokerage services; (iii) the management and development of real estate; and (iv) the investment in and operation of a number of emerging businesses.
Fidelity International Limited (FIL), a Bermuda company formed in 1968, is the ultimate parent company of Fidelity International Investment Advisors (FIIA) and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (FIIA(U.K.)L). Edward C. Johnson 3d, Johnson family members, and various trusts for the benefit of the Johnson family own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting common stock of FIL. At present, the primary business activities of FIL and its subsidiaries are the provision of investment advisory services to non-U.S. investment companies and private accounts investing in securities throughout the world.
FIMM, FIIA, FIIA(U.K.)L (the Investment Advisers), and the fund have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that set forth employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the fund, establish procedures for personal investing, and restrict certain transactions. Employees subject to the codes of ethics, including Fidelity investment personnel, may invest in securities for their own investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund.
The fund has entered into a management contract with FIMM, pursuant to which FIMM furnishes investment advisory and other services.
Management Services. Under the terms of its management contract with the fund, FIMM acts as investment adviser and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, directs the investments of the fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations. FIMM also provides the fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments, compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are "interested persons" of the trust or of FIMM, and all personnel of the fund or FIMM performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FIMM or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization; supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and, if necessary, the registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.
Management-Related Expenses. Under the terms of the fund's management contract, the fund pays all of its expenses other than those specifically payable by FIMM. FIMM, either itself or through an affiliate, pays all fees associated with transfer agent and pricing and bookkeeping services. Expenses payable by the fund include interest and taxes, brokerage commissions (if any), fees and expenses of the non-interested Trustees, legal expenses, fees of the custodian and auditor, costs of registering shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws, expenses for typesetting, printing, and mailing proxy materials to shareholders and all other expenses of proxy solicitations and shareholder meetings, the fund's proportionate share of insurance premiums, if any, and Investment Company Institute dues, and such non-recurring expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which the fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect to litigation.
Management Fees. For the services of FIMM under the management contract, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FIMM a monthly management fee. For each fund (other than a fund for which FIMM serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FIMM a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision or discontinuance. FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fund's returns and yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower its returns and yield.
Sub-Advisers - FIIA and FIIA(U.K.)L. On behalf of the fund, FIMM has entered into a master international fixed-income research agreement with FIIA. On behalf of the fund, FIIA, in turn, has entered into a fixed-income sub-research agreement with FIIA(U.K.)L. Pursuant to the fixed-income research agreements, FIMM may receive investment advice and research services concerning issuers and countries outside the United States. In particular, FIIA and FIIA(U.K.)L will make minimal credit risk and comparable quality determinations for foreign issuers that issue U.S. dollar-denominated securities.
Under the terms of the master international fixed-income research agreement, FIMM pays FIIA an amount based on the fund's net assets relative to the assets of other registered investment companies with which FMR or FIMM has management contracts. Under the terms of the fixed-income sub-research agreement, FIIA pays FIIA(U.K.)L an amount equal to the administrative costs incurred in providing investment advice and research services for a fund.
For the past three fiscal years, no fees were paid to FIIA and FIIA(U.K.)L on behalf of the fund for providing investment advice and research services pursuant to the fixed-income research agreements.
BOARD APPROVAL OF THE EXISTING INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACTS
Matters Considered by the Board. The mutual funds for which the members of the Board of Trustees serve as Trustees are referred to herein as the "Fidelity funds." The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet 11 times a year. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, believes that matters bearing on the fund's advisory contracts are considered at most, if not all, of its meetings. While the full Board of Trustees or the non-interested Trustees, as appropriate, act on all major matters, a significant portion of the activities of the Board of Trustees (including certain of those described herein) is conducted through committees. The non-interested Trustees meet frequently in executive session and are advised by independent legal counsel selected by the non-interested Trustees.
Information Received by the Board of Trustees. In connection with their meetings, the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, received materials specifically relating to the existing management contract and sub-advisory agreements (the Investment Advisory Contracts). These materials included (i) information on the investment performance of the fund, a peer group of funds and an appropriate index or combination of indices, (ii) sales and redemption data in respect of the fund, and (iii) the economic outlook and the general investment outlook in the markets in which the fund invests. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considers periodically other material facts such as (1) the Investment Advisers' results and financial condition, (2) arrangements in respect of the distribution of the fund's shares, (3) the procedures employed to determine the value of the fund's assets, (4) the allocation of the fund's brokerage, if any, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay fund expenses and to pay for research and other similar services, and the allocation of brokerage to firms that sell Fidelity fund shares, (5) the Investment Advisers' management of the relationships with the fund's custodians and subcustodians, (6) the resources devoted to and the record of compliance with the fund's investment policies and restrictions and with policies on personal securities transactions, and (7) the nature, cost and character of non-investment management services provided by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates.
Additional information was furnished by the Investment Advisers including, among other items, information on and analysis of (a) the overall organization of the Investment Advisers, (b) investment performance, (c) the choice of performance indices and benchmarks, (d) the composition of peer groups of funds, (e) transfer agency and bookkeeping fees paid to affiliates of the Investment Advisers, (f) investment management staffing, (g) the potential for achieving further economies of scale, (h) operating expenses paid to third parties, and (i) the information furnished to investors, including the fund's shareholders.
In considering the Investment Advisory Contract, the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, did not identify any single factor as all-important or controlling, and the following summary does not detail all the matters considered. Matters considered by the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, in connection with its approval of the Investment Advisory Contract include the following:
Benefits to Shareholders. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the benefit to shareholders of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of fund and shareholder services.
Investment Compliance and Performance. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective and its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's investment performance as well as the performance of a peer group of mutual funds, and the performance of an appropriate index or combination of indices.
The Investment Advisers' Personnel and Methods. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, reviews at least annually the background of the fund's portfolio manager and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The non-interested Trustees have also had discussions with senior management of the Investment Advisers responsible for investment operations and the senior management of Fidelity's money market group. Among other things they considered the size, education and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, its use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel.
Nature and Quality of Other Services. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the nature, quality, cost and extent of administrative and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and affiliated companies, under the existing Investment Advisory Contract and under separate agreements covering transfer agency functions and pricing, bookkeeping and securities lending services, if any. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, has also considered the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians.
Expenses. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the fund's expense ratio, and expense ratios of a peer group of funds. It also considered the amount and nature of fees paid by shareholders.
Profitability. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the level of the Investment Advisers' profits in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, including the fund. This consideration included an extensive review of the Investment Advisers' methodology in allocating their costs to the management of the fund. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, has concluded that the cost allocation methodology employed by the Investment Advisers has a reasonable basis and is appropriate in light of all of the circumstances. It considered the profits realized by the Investment Advisers in connection with the operation of the fund and whether the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund. It also considered the profits realized from non-fund businesses which may benefit from or be related to the fund's business. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considered the Investment Advisers' profit margins in comparison with available industry data.
Economies of Scale. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefitted from any economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, has concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and the Investment Advisers in an appropriate manner.
Other Benefits to the Investment Advisers. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considered the character and amount of fees paid by the fund and the fund's shareholders for services provided by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates, including fees for services like transfer agency, fund accounting, and direct shareholder services. It also considered the allocation of fund brokerage to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the receipt of sales loads and payments under Rule 12b-1 plans in respect of certain of the Fidelity funds, and benefits to the Investment Advisers from the use of "soft" dollar commissions to pay for research and other similar services. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considered the revenues and profitability of the Investment Advisers' businesses other than their mutual fund business, including the Investment Advisers' retail brokerage, correspondent brokerage, capital markets, trust, investment advisory, pension record keeping, insurance, publishing, real estate, international research and investment funds, and others. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the intangible benefits that accrue to the Investment Advisers and their affiliates by virtue of their relationship with the fund.
Conclusion. Based on its evaluation of all material factors and assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, concluded that the existing advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the existing Investment Advisory Contracts should be approved.
The following Proxy Voting Guidelines were established by the Board of Trustees of the funds, after consultation with Fidelity. (The guidelines are reviewed periodically by Fidelity and by the non-interested Trustees of the Fidelity funds, and, accordingly, are subject to change.)
I. General Principles
A. Except as set forth herein, portfolio securities should generally be voted in favor of incumbent directors and in favor of routine management proposals.
B. Non-routine proposals covered by the following guidelines should generally be voted in accordance with the guidelines.
C. Non-routine proposals not covered by the following guidelines or other special circumstances should be evaluated by the appropriate FMR analyst or portfolio manager, subject to review by the President or General Counsel of FMR or the General Counsel of FMR Corp. A significant pattern of such non-routine proposals or other special circumstances should be referred to the Committee on Operations or its designee.
II. Portfolio shares should generally be voted against anti-takeover proposals, including:
A. Fair Price Amendments, except those that consider only a two year price history and are not accompanied by other anti-takeover measures.
B. Classified Boards. FMR will generally vote in favor of proposals to declassify a board of directors. FMR will consider voting against such a proposal if the issuer's Articles of Incorporation or applicable statute includes a provision whereby a majority of directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by written consent, or other reasonable procedures, by a majority of shareholders entitled to vote for the election of directors.
C. Authorization of "Blank Check" Preferred Stock.
D. Golden Parachutes:
1. Accelerated options and/or employment contracts that will result in a lump sum payment of more than three times annual compensation (salary and bonus) in the event of termination.
2. Compensation contracts for outside directors.
3. Tin Parachutes that cover a group beyond officers and directors and permit employees to voluntarily terminate employment and receive payment.
4. Adoption of a Golden or Tin Parachute will result in our withholding authority in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors.
E. Supermajority Provisions.
F. Poison Pills:
1. Introduction of a Poison Pill without shareholder approval will result in FMR withholding authority in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors. In addition, extension of an existing Poison Pill or the adoption of a new Poison Pill without shareholder approval upon the expiration of an existing Pill will result in FMR withholding authority in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors.
2. FMR will consider not withholding its authority on the election of directors if (a) the board has adopted a Poison Pill with a sunset provision; (b) the Pill is linked to a business strategy that will result in greater value for the shareholders; (c) the term is less than 5 years; and (d) shareholder approval is required to reinstate the expired Pill. In addition, the Funds will consider not withholding authority on the election of directors if company management indicates that the board is willing to strongly consider seeking shareholder ratification of, or adding a sunset provision meeting the above conditions to, an existing Pill. In such a case, if the company does not take appropriate action prior to the next annual shareholder meeting, the Funds would withhold their vote from the election of directors at that next meeting.
3. FMR will generally withhold authority on the election of directors if a company refuses, upon request by FMR, to amend a Poison Pill Plan to allow the Fidelity funds to hold an aggregate position of up to 20% of a company's total voting securities and of any class of voting securities. On a case-by-case basis, FMR may determine not to withhold authority on the election of directors if a company's Poison Pill Plan, although imposing an aggregate ownership position limit of less than 20%, in the judgment of FMR provides the funds with sufficient investment flexibility.
4. Portfolio shares will be voted for shareholder proposals requiring or recommending that shareholders be given an opportunity to vote on the adoption of poison pills.
5. If shareholders are requested to approve adoption of a Poison Pill plan, the Funds will, in general, consider voting in favor of the Poison Pill plan if: (a) the board has adopted a Poison Pill with a sunset provision; (b) the Pill is determined to be linked to a business strategy that will result in greater value for the shareholders; (c) the term is generally not longer than 5 years; (d) shareholder approval is required to reinstate an expired Pill; (e) the Pill contains a provision suspending its application, by shareholder referendum, in the event a potential acquirer announces a bona fide offer, made for all outstanding shares; and (f) the Pill allows the Fidelity funds to hold an aggregate position of up to 20% of a company's total voting securities and of any class of voting securities. On a case-by-case basis, FMR may determine to vote in favor of a company's Poison Pill Plan if the Plan, although imposing an aggregate ownership position limit of less than 20%, in the judgment of FMR provides the funds with sufficient investment flexibility.
G. Elimination of, or limitation on, shareholder rights (e.g., action by written consent, ability to call meetings, or remove directors).
H. Transfer of authority from shareholders to directors.
I. Reincorporation in another state (when accompanied by anti-takeover provisions).
III. Stock Option Plans
A. Stock Option plans should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Portfolio shares should generally be voted against Stock Option Plan adoptions or amendments to authorize additional shares if:
1. The dilution effect of the shares authorized under the plan, plus the shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all other stock plans, is greater than 10%. However, for companies with a smaller market capitalization, the dilution effect may not be greater than 15%. If the plan fails this test, the dilution effect may be evaluated relative to any unusual factor involving the company.
2. The offering price of options is less than 100% of fair market value on the date of grant, except that the offering price may be as low as 85% of fair market value if the discount is expressly granted in lieu of salary or cash bonus.
3. The Board may, without shareholder approval, (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the plan, (ii) materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the plan, or (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the plan.
4. The granting of options to non-employee directors is subject to management discretion, the plan is administered by a compensation committee not comprised entirely of non-employee directors or the plan is administered by a board of directors not comprised of a majority of non-employee directors, versus non-discretionary grants specified by the plan's terms.
5. However, a modest number of shares may be available for grant to employees and non-employee directors without complying with Guidelines 2, 3 and 4 immediately above if such shares meet both of two conditions:
a. They are granted by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.
b. They are limited to 5% (large capitalization company) and 10% (small capitalization company) of the shares authorized for grant under the plan.
6. The plan's terms allow repricing of underwater options, or the Board/Committee has repriced options outstanding under the plan in the past 2 years. However, option repricing may be acceptable if all of the following conditions, as specified by the plan's express terms, or board resolution, are met:
a. The repricing is authorized by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors to fulfill a legitimate corporate purpose such as retention of a key employee;
b. The repricing is rarely used and then only to maintain option value due to extreme circumstances beyond management's control; and
c. The repricing is limited to no more than 5% (large capitalization company) or 10% (small capitalization company) of the shares currently authorized for grant under the plan.
7. Furthermore, if a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors determines that options need to be granted to employees other than the company's executive officers, that no shares are currently available for such options under the company's existing plans, and that such options need to be granted before the company's next shareholder meeting, then the company may reprice options in an amount not to exceed an additional 5% or 10%, as applicable, if such company seeks authorization of at least that amount at the very next shareholders' meeting.
8. For purposes of this Guideline III, a large capitalization company generally means a company in the Russell 1000; the small capitalization company category generally includes all companies outside the Russell 1000.
B. FMR will generally withhold its authority on the election of directors if, within the last year and without shareholder approval, the company's board of directors or compensation committee has repriced outstanding options held by officers or directors which, together with all other options repriced under the same stock option plan (whether held by officers, directors or other employees) exceed 5% (for a large capitalization company) or 10% (for a small capitalization company) of the shares authorized for grant under the plan.
C. Proposals to reprice outstanding stock options should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. FMR will consider supporting a management proposal to reprice outstanding options based upon whether the proposed repricing is consistent with the interests of shareholders, taking into account such factors as:
1. Whether the repricing proposal excludes senior management and directors;
2. Whether the options proposed to be repriced exceeded FMR's dilution thresholds when initially granted;
3. Whether the repricing proposal is value neutral to shareholders based upon an acceptable options pricing model;
4. The company's relative performance compared to other companies within the relevant industry or industries;
5. Economic and other conditions affecting the relevant industry or industries in which the company competes and;
6. Any other facts or circumstances relevant to determining whether a repricing proposal is consistent with the interests of shareholders.
IV. Restricted Stock Awards ("RSA") should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Portfolio shares should generally be voted against RSA adoptions or amendments to authorize additional shares if:
A. The dilution effect of the shares authorized under the plan, plus the shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all other stock plans, is greater than 10%. However, for companies with a smaller market capitalization, the dilution effect may not be greater than 15%. If the plan fails this test, the dilution effect may be evaluated relative to any unusual factor involving the company.
B. The Board may materially alter the RSA without shareholder approval, including a provision that allows the Board to lapse or waive restrictions at its discretion.
C. The granting of RSAs to non-employee directors is subject to management discretion, versus non-discretionary grants specified by the plan's terms.
D. The restriction period is less than 3 years. RSAs with a restriction period of less than 3 years but at least 1 year are acceptable if the RSA is performance based.
E. However, a modest number of shares may be available for grant to employees and non-employee directors without complying with Guidelines B, C and D immediately above if such shares meet both of two conditions:
1. They are granted by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.
2. They are limited to 5% (large capitalization company) and 10% (small capitalization company) of the shares authorized for grant under the plan.
F. For purposes of this Guideline IV, a large capitalization company generally means a company in the Russell 1000; the small capitalization company category generally includes all companies outside the Russell 1000.
V. Other Stock-Related Plans should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis:
A. Omnibus Stock Plans - vote against entire plan if one or more component violates any of the criteria in parts III or IV above, except if the component is de minimus. In the case of an omnibus stock plan, the 5% and 10% limits in Guidelines III and IV will be measured against the total number of shares under all components of such plan.
B. Employee Stock Purchase Plans - vote against if the plan violates any of the criteria in parts III and IV above, except that the minimum stock purchase price may be equal to or greater than 85% of the stock's fair market value if the plan constitutes a reasonable effort to encourage broad based participation in the company's equity. In the case of non-U.S. company stock purchase plans, the minimum stock purchase price may be equal to the prevailing "best practices," as articulated by the research or recommendations of the relevant proxy research or corporate governance services, provided that the minimum stock purchase price must be at least 75% of the stock's fair market value.
C. Stock Awards (other than stock options and RSAs) - generally vote against unless they are identified as being granted to officers/directors in lieu of salary or cash bonus, subject to number of shares being reasonable.
VI. Unusual Increases in Common Stock:
A. An increase of up to 3 times outstanding and scheduled to be issued, including stock options, is acceptable; any increase in excess of 3 times would be voted against except in the case of real estate investment trusts, where an increase of 5 times is, in general, acceptable.
B. Measured as follows: requested increased authorization plus stock authorized to be issued under Poison Pill divided by current stock outstanding plus any stock scheduled to be issued (not including Poison Pill authority). (If the result is greater than 3, Portfolio shares should be voted against.)
VII. Portfolio shares should, in general, be voted against the introduction of new classes of Stock with Differential Voting Rights.
VIII. With regard to Cumulative Voting Rights, Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of introduction or against elimination on a case-by-case basis where this is determined to enhance Portfolio interests as minority shareholders.
IX. Greenmail - Portfolio shares should be voted for anti-greenmail proposals so long as they are not part of anti-takeover provisions.
X. Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of charter by-law amendments expanding the Indemnification of Directors and/or limiting their liability for Breaches of Care.
A. Portfolio shares should be voted against such proposals if FMR is otherwise dissatisfied with the performance of management or the proposal is accompanied by anti-takeover measures.
XI. Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of proposals to adopt Confidential Voting and Independent Vote Tabulation practices.
XII. Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of proposed amendments to a company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws that enable the company to Opt Out of the Control Shares Acquisition Statutes.
XIII. Employee Stock Ownership Plans ("ESOPs") should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Portfolio shares should usually be voted for non-leveraged ESOPs. For leveraged ESOPs, FMR may examine the company's state of incorporation, existence of supermajority vote rules in the charter, number of shares authorized for the ESOP, and number of shares held by insiders. FMR may also examine where the ESOP shares are purchased and the dilution effect of the purchase. Portfolio shares should be voted against leveraged ESOPs if all outstanding loans are due immediately upon change in control.
XIV. Voting of shares in securities of any U.S. banking organization shall be conducted in a manner consistent with conditions that may be specified by the Federal Reserve Board for a determination under federal banking law that no Fund or group of Funds has acquired control of such banking organization.
XV. Avoidance of Potential Conflicts of Interest
Voting of shares shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the best interests of mutual fund shareholders as follows: (i) securities of a portfolio company shall be voted solely in a manner consistent with the Proxy Voting Guidelines; and (ii) voting shall be done without regard to any other Fidelity Companies' relationship, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company.
FMR applies the following policies and follows the procedures set forth below:
A. FMR has placed responsibility for the Funds' proxy voting in the FMR Legal Department.
B. The FMR Legal Department votes proxies according to the Proxy Voting Guidelines that are approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees.
C. The FMR Legal Department consults with the appropriate analysts or portfolio managers regarding the voting decisions of non-routine proposals that are not addressed by the Proxy Voting Guidelines. Each of the President or General Counsel of FMR or the General Counsel of FMR Corp is authorized to take a final decision.
D. When a Fidelity Fund invests in an underlying fund in reliance on any one of Sections 12(d)(1)(E), (F) or (G) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or to the extent disclosed in the Fund's registrations statement, FMR will use pass through voting or echo voting procedures.
XVI. Executive Compensation
FMR will consider withholding authority for the election of directors and voting against management proposals on stock-based compensation plans or other compensation plans based on whether the proposals are consistent with the interests of shareholders, taking into account such factors as: (i) whether the company has an independent compensation committee; and (ii) whether the compensation committee has authority to engage independent compensation consultants.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FIMM. Under the terms of the agreement, FIIOC performs transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder services for the fund.
FIIOC receives no fees for providing transfer agency services to the fund.
FIIOC pays out-of-pocket expenses associated with providing transfer agent services. In addition, FIIOC bears the expense of typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, and all other reports, notices, and statements to existing shareholders, with the exception of proxy statements.
The fund has entered into a service agent agreement with Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FIMM. Under the terms of the agreements, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends for the fund and maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting records.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
FIMM, either itself or through an affiliate, bears the cost of pricing and bookkeeping services under the terms of its management contract with the fund.
Trust Organization. Fidelity Money Market Central Fund is a fund of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust, an open-end management investment company created under an initial declaration of trust dated April 23, 1986. On April 20, 2000, Fidelity Garrison Street Trust changed its name from Fidelity Advisor Series V to Fidelity Garrison Street Trust. Currently, there are two funds offered in the trust: Fidelity Money Market Central Fund and Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund . The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds in the trust and to create additional classes of the fund.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund, and constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying assets of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the trust shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds.
Shareholder Liability. The trust is an entity commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses of the trust or fund. The Declaration of Trust provides that the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the trust or the Trustees relating to the trust or to a fund shall include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust or to one or more funds and its or their assets. The Declaration of Trust further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each fund's property of any shareholder or former shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the fund solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Declaration of Trust also provides that each fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is remote.
Voting Rights. Each fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value you own. The voting rights of shareholders can be changed only by a shareholder vote. Shares may be voted in the aggregate, by fund, and by class.
The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading "Shareholder Liability" above.
<R>The trust or a fund or a class may be terminated upon the sale of its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management investment company, series, or class thereof, or upon liquidation and distribution of its assets. The Trustees may reorganize, terminate, merge, or sell all or a portion of the assets of the trust or a fund or a class without prior shareholder approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the trust, shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund or a class, shareholders of that fund or that class are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund or class available for distribution.</R>
Custodians. JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the fund's assets and the appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. The Bank of New York, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, Members of the Advisory Board, and Members of the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, conduct transactions with various banks, including banks serving as custodians for certain funds advised by FMR. Transactions that have occurred to date include mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of FMR, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund relationships.
Auditor. Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts, serves as independent accountant for the fund. The auditor examines financial statements for the fund and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, and report of the auditor, are included in the fund's annual report and are incorporated herein by reference.
Fidelity, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, and Magellan are registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
This registration statement has been filed pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, the fund's shares are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act), because these shares will be issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including investment companies, banks, insurance companies, and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
Fidelity ®
Fund
Part A of the Registration
Statement
<R>May 28, 2004
(fidelity_logo_graphic)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109</r>
Fund Basics |
Investment Details |
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Valuing Shares |
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Shareholder Information |
Buying and Selling Shares |
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Account Policies |
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Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions |
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Tax Consequences |
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Fund Services |
Fund Management |
Prospectus
Investment Objective
Ultra-Short Central Fund seeks to obtain a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.
Principal Investment Strategies
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) normally invests the fund's assets in U.S. dollar-denominated money market and investment-grade debt securities (those of medium and high quality) and repurchase agreements. The fund normally maintains a dollar-weighted average maturity of less than 2 years. In determining a security's maturity for purposes of calculating the fund's average maturity, an estimate of the average time for its principal to be paid may be used. This can be substantially shorter than its stated maturity.
FIMM allocates the fund's assets among different market sectors (for example, corporate or government securities) and different maturities based on its view of the relative value of each sector or maturity.
FIMM will invest more than 25% of the fund's total assets in the financial services industries.
In buying and selling securities for the fund, FIMM analyzes a security's structural features and current price compared to its estimated long-term value, any short-term trading opportunities resulting from market inefficiencies, and the credit quality of its issuer.
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed above, FIMM may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures contracts, swaps, and exchange traded funds, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing security prices, interest rates, or other factors that affect security values. If FIMM's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not achieve its objective.
Description of Principal Security Types
Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds, government securities, repurchase agreements, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities.
Money market securities are high-quality, short-term securities that pay a fixed, variable, or floating interest rate. Money market securities include bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, bank time deposits, notes, commercial paper, and U.S. Government securities.
A repurchase agreement is an agreement to buy a security at one price and a simultaneous agreement to sell it back at an agreed-upon price.
Principal Investment Risks
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's yield and share price change daily based on changes in interest rates and market conditions and in response to other economic, political, or financial developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be affected by the types and maturities of securities in which the fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector, and geographic location of an issuer, and the fund's level of investment in the securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you could lose money.
The following factors can significantly affect the fund's performance:
Interest Rate Changes. Debt and money market securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt or money market security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities, mortgage securities , and the securities of issuers in the financial services sector can be more sensitive to interest rate changes. In other words, the longer the maturity of a security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates, and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
Foreign Exposure. Foreign securities, securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations, and entities providing credit support or a maturity-shortening structure that are located in foreign countries can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions in foreign countries. All of these factors can make foreign investments more volatile than U.S. investments.
Financial Services Exposure. Financial services companies are highly dependent on the supply of short-term financing. The value of securities of issuers in the financial services sector can be sensitive to changes in government regulation and interest rates and to economic downturns in the United States and abroad.
Prepayment. Many types of debt securities, including mortgage securities, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security's maturity. Securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a debt security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility.
Issuer-Specific Changes. Changes in the financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect a security's or instrument's credit quality or value. Entities providing credit support or a maturity-shortening structure also can be affected by these types of changes. If the structure of a security fails to function as intended, the security could decline in value.
In response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, FIMM may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. If FIMM does so, different factors could affect the fund's performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Fundamental Investment Policies
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder approval.
Ultra-Short Central Fund seeks to obtain a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single share. Fidelity normally calculates the fund's NAV as of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. However, NAV may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund's assets are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on days when the fund is not open for business, the value of the fund's assets may be affected on those days. In addition, trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the fund is open for business.
The fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service or market quotations. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. If market quotations or information furnished by a pricing service is not readily available or does not accurately reflect fair value for a security or if a security's value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market), that security may be valued by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. A security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value.
Prospectus
The fund offers its shares to other investment companies and accounts managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or its affiliates. Shares of the fund are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors including investment companies, banks, insurance companies, and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's NAV. The fund's shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be bought at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form.
The fund may reject or cancel any specific purchase order for any reason. For example, purchase orders may be refused if, in FIMM's opinion, they would disrupt management of the fund.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
The price to sell one share of the fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
The following policy applies to you as a shareholder.
<R>You may be asked to provide additional information in order for Fidelity to verify your identity in accordance with requirements under anti-money laundering regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as otherwise required under these and other federal regulations.</R>
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions
The fund earns interest, dividends, and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to shareholders as capital gain distributions.
The fund normally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. The fund normally pays capital gain distributions in December.
As a non-publicly offered registered investment company, the fund may be required to report distributions of "phantom income" to affected shareholders.
Earning Dividends
Shares begin to earn dividends on the first business day following the day of purchase.
Shares earn dividends until, but not including, the next business day following the day of redemption.
Your dividends and capital gain distributions will be paid in cash or, at your election, automatically reinvested in additional shares of the fund.
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax consequences for you.
Taxes on distributions. Distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, certain of the fund's distributions, including dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income, while certain of the fund's distributions, including distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you generally as capital gains. Because the fund's income is primarily derived from interest, dividends from the fund generally will not qualify for the long-term capital gains tax rates available to individuals.
If a fund's distributions exceed its income and capital gains realized in any year, all or a portion of those distributions may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders for tax purposes. A return of capital generally will not be taxable to you but will reduce the cost basis of your shares and result in a higher reported capital gain or a lower reported capital loss when you sell your shares.
If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be taxable to you when you receive them; how-ever, you will receive certain December distributions in January, but those distributions will be taxable as if you received them on December 31.
Taxes on transactions. Your redemptions may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment in the fund generally is the difference between the cost of your shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
Prospectus
Ultra-Short Central Fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
FIMM is the fund's manager. The address of FIMM is One Spartan Way, Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054.
As of March 31, 2003, FIMM had approximately $277.6 billion in discretionary assets under management.
As the manager, FIMM is responsible for choosing the fund's investments and handling its business affairs.
Affiliates assist FIMM with foreign investments:
Andrew Dudley is vice president and manager of Ultra-Short Central Fund, which he has managed since July 2001. He also manages other Fidelity funds. Mr. Dudley joined Fidelity Investments in 1996 as a portfolio manager.
From time to time a manager, analyst, or other Fidelity employee may express views regarding a particular company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Pursuant to the fund's management contract with FIMM, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FIMM a management fee. The management fee is calculated and paid to FIMM every month.
For each fund (other than a fund for which FIMM serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FIMM a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FIMM pays FIIA for providing sub-advisory services, and FIIA in turn pays FIIA(U.K.)L.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the fund for other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the ability to be repaid by the fund if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement arrangements, which may be discontinued by FMR at any time, can decrease the fund's expenses and boost its performance.
As of September 30, 2003, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by mutual funds managed by FMR or an FMR affiliate.
Prospectus
<R> IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT ACT), requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account. For individual investors opening an account: When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow Fidelity to identify you. You may also be asked to provide documents that may help to establish your identity, such as your driver's license. For investors other than individuals: When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account such as name, residential address, date of birth and social security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as driver's licenses, articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Fidelity identify the entity.</r> |
Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design are registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
<R>1.757556.104 USC-pro-</R>0504
FIDELITY ® ULTRA-SHORT CENTRAL FUND
A Fund of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust
PART B OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<R>May 28, 2004</R>
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Portions of the fund's annual report are incorporated herein. The annual report is supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of Part A of the Registration Statement, dated <R>May 28, 2004</R>, or an annual report, please call Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
PAGE |
Investment Policies and Limitations |
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Portfolio Transactions |
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Valuation |
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Performance |
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Buying and Selling Information |
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Distributions and Taxes |
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Trustees and Officers |
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Control of Investment Advisers |
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Management Contract |
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Board Approval of the Existing Investment Advisory Contracts |
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Proxy Voting Guidelines |
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Transfer and Service Agent Agreements |
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Description of the Trust |
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Financial Statements |
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Appendix |
(fidelity_logo_graphic) 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
USC-ptb-<R>0504</R>
1.757557.104
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in Part A of the registration statement. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations described in this Part B of the registration statement are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
The following are the fund's fundamental investment limitations set forth in their entirety.
Diversification
The fund may not with respect to 75% of the fund's total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
Senior Securities
The fund may not issue senior securities, except in connection with the insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Borrowing
The fund may not borrow money, except that the fund may (i) borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) and (ii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements for any purpose; provided that (i) and (ii) in combination do not exceed 33 1/3% of the fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed this amount will be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation.
Underwriting
The fund may not underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies.
Concentration
The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry, except that the fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in the financial services industry.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) deems the financial services industry to include the group of industries within the financial services sector.
Real Estate
The fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
Commodities
The fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
Loans
The fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
Short Sales
The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
Margin Purchases
The fund does not currently intend to purchase securities on margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
Borrowing
The fund may borrow money only (a) from a bank or from a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with any party, provided that the fund does not currently intend to engage in reverse repurchase agreements for leveraging or investment.
Illiquid Securities
The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a result, more than 10% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.
For purposes of the fund's illiquid securities limitation discussed above, if through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more than 10% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
Loans
The fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than securities to other parties, except by (a) lending money (up to 15% of the fund's net assets) to a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) assuming any unfunded commitments in connection with the acquisition of loans, loan participations, or other forms of debt instruments. (This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities, to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.)
In addition to the fund's fundamental and non-fundamental limitations discussed above:
For the fund's limitations on futures, options, and swap transactions, see the section entitled "Limitations on Futures, Options, and Swap Transactions" on page <Click Here> .
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of instruments in which the fund may invest, strategies FIMM may employ in pursuit of the fund's investment objective, and a summary of related risks. FIMM may not buy all of these instruments or use all of these techniques unless it believes that doing so will help the fund achieve its goal.
Affiliated Bank Transactions. A fund may engage in transactions with financial institutions that are, or may be considered to be, "affiliated persons" of the fund under the 1940 Act. These transactions may involve repurchase agreements with custodian banks; short-term obligations of, and repurchase agreements with, the 50 largest U.S. banks (measured by deposits); municipal securities; U.S. Government securities with affiliated financial institutions that are primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency transactions; and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Trustees has established and periodically reviews procedures applicable to transactions involving affiliated financial institutions.
Asset-Backed Securities represent interests in pools of mortgages, loans, receivables, or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements. Asset-backed security values may also be affected by other factors including changes in interest rates, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or receivables, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. In addition, these securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
Borrowing. The fund may borrow from banks or from other funds advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or its affiliates, or through reverse repurchase agreements. If the fund borrows money, its share price may be subject to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If the fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this may be considered a form of leverage.
Cash Management. A fund can hold uninvested cash or can invest it in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase agreements, or shares of money market or short-term bond funds. Generally, these securities offer less potential for gains than other types of securities.
Central Funds are money market or short-term bond funds managed by FMR or its affiliates. The money market central funds seek to earn a high level of current income (free from federal income tax in the case of a municipal money market fund) while maintaining a stable $1.00 share price. The money market central funds comply with industry-standard requirements for money market funds regarding the quality, maturity, and diversification of their investments. The short-term bond central funds seek to obtain a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.
Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity is derived by multiplying the value of each investment by the time remaining to its maturity, adding these calculations, and then dividing the total by the value of the fund's portfolio. An obligation's maturity is typically determined on a stated final maturity basis, although there are some exceptions to this rule.
For example, if it is probable that the issuer of an instrument will take advantage of a maturity-shortening device, such as a call, refunding, or redemption provision, the date on which the instrument will probably be called, refunded, or redeemed may be considered to be its maturity date. Also, the maturities of mortgage securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations, and some asset-backed securities are determined on a weighted average life basis, which is the average time for principal to be repaid. For a mortgage security, this average time is calculated by estimating the timing of principal payments, including unscheduled prepayments, during the life of the mortgage. The weighted average life of these securities is likely to be substantially shorter than their stated final maturity.
Exposure to Foreign Markets. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
Foreign investments involve risks relating to local political, economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments, and may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors. Such actions may include expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S. dollars, or other government intervention. Additionally, governmental issuers of foreign debt securities may be unwilling to pay interest and repay principal when due and may require that the conditions for payment be renegotiated. There is no assurance that FIMM will be able to anticipate these potential events or counter their effects. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in emerging markets, which may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities markets that trade a small number of securities.
Foreign Currency Transactions. A fund may conduct foreign currency transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward contracts are customized transactions that require a specific amount of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a specific date or range of dates in the future. Forward contracts are generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and complete the contemplated currency exchange.
Successful use of currency management strategies will depend on FIMM's skill in analyzing currency values. Currency management strategies may substantially change a fund's investment exposure to changes in currency exchange rates and could result in losses to a fund if currencies do not perform as FIMM anticipates. For example, if a currency's value rose at a time when FIMM had hedged a fund by selling that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not participate in the currency's appreciation. If FIMM hedges currency exposure through proxy hedges, a fund could realize currency losses from both the hedge and the security position if the two currencies do not move in tandem. Similarly, if FIMM increases a fund's exposure to a foreign currency and that currency's value declines, a fund will realize a loss. There is no assurance that FIMM's use of currency management strategies will be advantageous to a fund or that it will hedge at appropriate times.
Fund's Rights as an Investor. The fund does not intend to direct or administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund, however, may exercise its rights as a shareholder or lender and may communicate its views on important matters of policy to management, the Board of Directors, shareholders of a company, and holders of other securities of the company when FIMM determines that such matters could have a significant effect on the value of the fund's investment in the company. The activities in which a fund may engage, either individually or in conjunction with others, may include, among others, supporting or opposing proposed changes in a company's corporate structure or business activities; seeking changes in a company's directors or management; seeking changes in a company's direction or policies; seeking the sale or reorganization of the company or a portion of its assets; supporting or opposing third-party takeover efforts; supporting the filing of a bankruptcy petition; or foreclosing on collateral securing a security. This area of corporate activity is increasingly prone to litigation and it is possible that a fund could be involved in lawsuits related to such activities. FIMM will monitor such activities with a view to mitigating, to the extent possible, the risk of litigation against a fund and the risk of actual liability if a fund is involved in litigation. No guarantee can be made, however, that litigation against a fund will not be undertaken or liabilities incurred. The fund's proxy voting guidelines are included in this SAI.
Futures, Options, and Swaps. The following paragraphs pertain to futures, options, and swaps: Combined Positions, Correlation of Price Changes, Futures Contracts, Futures Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures, Options, and Swap Transactions, Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts, Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies, OTC Options, Purchasing Put and Call Options, Writing Put and Call Options, and Swap Agreements.
Combined Positions involve purchasing and writing options in combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
Correlation of Price Changes. Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options and futures contracts, it is likely that the standardized contracts available will not match a fund's current or anticipated investments exactly. A fund may invest in options and futures contracts based on securities with different issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in which the fund typically invests, which involves a risk that the options or futures position will not track the performance of the fund's other investments.
Options and futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a fund's investments well. Options and futures prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. A fund may purchase or sell options and futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a fund's options or futures positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by gains in other investments.
Futures Contracts. In purchasing a futures contract, the buyer agrees to purchase a specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. In selling a futures contract, the seller agrees to sell a specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer and seller enter into the contract. Some currently available futures contracts are based on specific securities, such as U.S. Treasury bonds or notes, some are based on indices of securities prices, and some are based on Eurodollars. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a liquid secondary market is available.
Positions in Eurodollar futures reflect market expectations of forward levels of three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) rates.
The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of its underlying instrument. Therefore, purchasing futures contracts will tend to increase a fund's exposure to positive and negative price fluctuations in the underlying instrument, much as if it had purchased the underlying instrument directly. When a fund sells a futures contract, by contrast, the value of its futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to the market. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the underlying instrument had been sold.
Futures Margin Payments. The purchaser or seller of a futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument unless the contract is held until the delivery date. However, both the purchaser and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), when the contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically equal to a percentage of the contract's value. If the value of either party's position declines, that party will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to settle the change in value on a daily basis. The party that has a gain may be entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. Initial and variation margin payments do not constitute purchasing securities on margin for purposes of a fund's investment limitations. In the event of the bankruptcy of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of a fund, the fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM's other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the fund.
Limitations on Futures, Options, and Swap Transactions. The fund has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association, which regulate trading in the futures markets. The fund intends to comply with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, which limits the extent to which the fund can commit assets to initial margin deposits and option premiums.
The fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase put options, write call options, or enter into swap agreements if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and/or options and/or swap agreements under normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts, write put options, or enter into swap agreements (other than swaps entered into for hedging purposes under (a)) if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options plus the notional amount of any such swaps would exceed 25% of its total assets; or (c) purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying securities, and do not apply to securities that incorporate features similar to futures, options, or swaps.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts, options, and swaps, and the fund's policies regarding futures contracts, options, and swaps discussed elsewhere in this SAI may be changed as regulatory agencies permit.
Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts. There is no assurance a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular options or futures contract at any particular time. Options may have relatively low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close to the underlying instrument's current price. In addition, exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options and futures contracts, and may halt trading if a contract's price moves upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the secondary market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require a fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a fund's access to other assets held to cover its options or futures positions could also be impaired.
Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies. Currency futures contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The underlying instrument of a currency option may be a foreign currency, which generally is purchased or delivered in exchange for U.S. dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a currency call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to options and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed above. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the fund's investments exactly over time.
OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of over-the-counter (OTC) options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally are less liquid and involve greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
Purchasing Put and Call Options. By purchasing a put option, the purchaser obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the purchaser pays the current market price for the option (known as the option premium). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific securities, indices of securities prices, and futures contracts. The purchaser may terminate its position in a put option by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. If the option is allowed to expire, the purchaser will lose the entire premium. If the option is exercised, the purchaser completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. A purchaser may also terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if security prices fall substantially. However, if the underlying instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option's strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
Writing Put and Call Options. The writer of a put or call option takes the opposite side of the transaction from the option's purchaser. In return for receipt of the premium, the writer assumes the obligation to pay the strike price for the option's underlying instrument if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. The writer may seek to terminate a position in a put option before exercise by closing out the option in the secondary market at its current price. If the secondary market is not liquid for a put option, however, the writer must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes. When writing an option on a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin payments to an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
Swap Agreements can be individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may increase or decrease a fund's exposure to long- or short-term interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names, including interest rate swaps (where the parties exchange a floating rate for a fixed rate), total return swaps (where the parties exchange a floating rate for the total return of a security or index), and credit default swaps (where one party pays a fixed rate and the other agrees to buy a specific issuer's debt at par upon the occurrence of certain agreed events, including for example, if the issuer is bankrupt, defaults on any of its debt obligations or makes arrangements with a creditor to modify a debt obligation).
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund's investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if the fund agreed to exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the fund's exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's investments and its share price and yield.
Swap agreements also may allow a fund to acquire or reduce credit exposure to a particular issuer. The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is the change in the factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In the case of a physically settled credit default swap written by the fund, the fund must be prepared to pay par for and take possession of eligible debt of a defaulted issuer. If a swap counterparty's creditworthiness declines, the risk that they may not perform may increase, potentially resulting in a loss to the fund. In the case of a credit default swap written by the fund, the fund will experience a loss if a credit event occurs and the credit of the underlying referenced entity (the debt issuer as to which credit protection has been written) has deteriorated. Although there can be no assurance that the fund will be able to do so, the fund may be able to reduce or eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. The fund may have limited ability to eliminate its exposure under a credit default swap if the credit of the underlying referenced entity has declined.
Illiquid Securities cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, FIMM determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and, through reports from FIMM, the Board monitors investments in illiquid securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, FIMM may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security).
Indexed Securities are instruments whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.
Mortgage-indexed securities, for example, could be structured to replicate the performance of mortgage securities and the characteristics of direct ownership.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government agencies.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program. Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates. A fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the cost of bank loans, and will lend through the program only when the returns are higher than those available from an investment in repurchase agreements. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Investment-Grade Debt Securities. Investment-grade debt securities include all types of debt instruments that are of medium and high-quality. Investment-grade debt securities include repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities as well as repurchase agreements collateralized by equity securities, non-investment-grade debt, and all other instruments in which a fund can perfect a security interest, provided the repurchase agreement counterparty has an investment-grade rating. Some investment-grade debt securities may possess speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to changes in the financial conditions of issuers. An investment-grade rating means the security or issuer is rated investment-grade by Moody's ® Investors Service, Standard & Poor's ® (S&P ® ), Fitch Inc., Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited, or another credit rating agency designated as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) by the SEC, or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by FIMM.
Lower-Quality Debt Securities. Lower-quality debt securities include all types of debt instruments that have poor protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of principal, or may be in default. These securities are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss or price changes due to changes in the issuer's capacity to pay. The market prices of lower-quality debt securities may fluctuate more than those of higher-quality debt securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of rising interest rates.
The market for lower-quality debt securities may be thinner and less active than that for higher-quality debt securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the liquidity of lower-quality debt securities and the ability of outside pricing services to value lower-quality debt securities.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
Money Market Securities are high-quality, short-term obligations. Money market securities may be structured to be, or may employ a trust or other form so that they are, eligible investments for money market funds. For example, put features can be used to modify the maturity of a security or interest rate adjustment features can be used to enhance price stability. If a structure fails to function as intended, adverse tax or investment consequences may result. Neither the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) nor any other regulatory authority has ruled definitively on certain legal issues presented by certain structured securities. Future tax or other regulatory determinations could adversely affect the value, liquidity, or tax treatment of the income received from these securities or the nature and timing of distributions made by the fund.
Mortgage Securities are issued by government and non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A mortgage security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some mortgage securities, such as collateralized mortgage obligations (or "CMOs"), make payments of both principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Stripped mortgage securities are created when the interest and principal components of a mortgage security are separated and sold as individual securities. In the case of a stripped mortgage security, the holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the "interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same underlying mortgage.
Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which guarantee payment of interest and repayment of principal on Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs, respectively, are federally chartered corporations supervised by the U.S. Government that act as governmental instrumentalities under authority granted by Congress. Fannie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations. Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
The value of mortgage securities may change due to shifts in the market's perception of issuers and changes in interest rates. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government mortgage securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than government issues. Mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that early principal payments made on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction in interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the investor, causing it to be invested subsequently at a lower current interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate environment, mortgage security values may be adversely affected when prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated, resulting in the extension of the security's effective maturity and the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term instrument. The prices of stripped mortgage securities tend to be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped mortgage securities.
To earn additional income for a fund, FIMM may use a trading strategy that involves selling (or buying) mortgage securities and simultaneously agreeing to purchase (or sell) mortgage securities on a later date at a set price. This trading strategy may increase interest rate exposure and result in an increased portfolio turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable gains.
Municipal Securities are issued to raise money for a variety of public or private purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for specific projects or public facilities. They may be issued in anticipation of future revenues and may be backed by the full taxing power of a municipality, the revenues from a specific project, or the credit of a private organization. The value of some or all municipal securities may be affected by uncertainties in the municipal market related to legislation or litigation involving the taxation of municipal securities or the rights of municipal securities holders. A municipal security may be owned directly or through a participation interest.
Preferred Securities represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred securities and common stock.
Put Features entitle the holder to sell a security back to the issuer or a third party at any time or at specified intervals. In exchange for this benefit, a fund may accept a lower interest rate. Securities with put features are subject to the risk that the put provider is unable to honor the put feature (purchase the security). Put providers often support their ability to buy securities on demand by obtaining letters of credit or other guarantees from other entities. Demand features, standby commitments, and tender options are types of put features.
Repurchase Agreements involve an agreement to purchase a security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by FIMM.
Restricted Securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be costly to a fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act), or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at an agreed-upon price and time. The fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by FIMM. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets and a fund's yield and may be viewed as a form of leverage.
Securities Lending. A fund may lend securities to parties such as broker-dealers or other institutions, including Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (FBS LLC). FBS LLC is a member of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and an indirect subsidiary of FMR Corp.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. The borrower provides the fund with collateral in an amount at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. The fund maintains the ability to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving material events affecting securities loaned. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, a fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment is purchased. Loans will be made only to parties deemed by FIMM to be in good standing and when, in FIMM's judgment, the income earned would justify the risks.
Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be invested in other eligible securities, including shares of a money market fund. Investing this cash subjects that investment, as well as the securities loaned, to market appreciation or depreciation.
Sources of Liquidity or Credit Support. Issuers may employ various forms of credit and liquidity enhancements, including letters of credit, guarantees, puts, and demand features, and insurance provided by domestic or foreign entities such as banks and other financial institutions. FIMM may rely on its evaluation of the credit of the liquidity or credit enhancement provider in determining whether to purchase a security supported by such enhancement. In evaluating the credit of a foreign bank or other foreign entities, FIMM will consider whether adequate public information about the entity is available and whether the entity may be subject to unfavorable political or economic developments, currency controls, or other government restrictions that might affect its ability to honor its commitment. Changes in the credit quality of the entity providing the enhancement could affect the value of the security or a fund's share price.
Stripped Securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped securities are similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile, and the value of certain types of stripped securities may move in the same direction as interest rates. U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Privately stripped government securities are created when a dealer deposits a U.S. Treasury security or other U.S. Government security with a custodian for safekeeping. The custodian issues separate receipts for the coupon payments and the principal payment, which the dealer then sells.
Temporary Defensive Policies. The fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in investment-grade money market or short-term debt instruments for temporary, defensive purposes.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that change whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark rate or the issuer's credit quality. Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with put features that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries.
When-Issued and Forward Purchase or Sale Transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered.
When purchasing securities pursuant to one of these transactions, the purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security will not be issued as anticipated. Because payment for the securities is not required until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with a fund's investments. If a fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when a purchase is outstanding, the purchases may result in a form of leverage. When a fund has sold a security pursuant to one of these transactions, the fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, a fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or suffer a loss.
A fund may renegotiate a when-issued or forward transaction and may sell the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital gains or losses for the fund.
Zero Coupon Bonds do not make interest payments; instead, they are sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at face value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay current income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf of the fund by FIMM pursuant to authority contained in the management contract. FIMM may also be responsible for the placement of portfolio transactions for other investment companies and investment accounts for which it has or its affiliates have investment discretion. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of FIMM), FIMM generally considers: the execution price; the size and type of the transaction; the nature and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold; the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial condition of the firm; the execution services rendered on a continuing basis; the reasonableness of any compensation paid; and the provision of additional brokerage and research products and services.
For futures transactions, the selection of a futures commission merchant (FCM) is generally based on the overall quality of execution and other services, including research, provided by the FCM.
If FMR grants investment management authority to a sub-adviser (see the section entitled "Management Contract"), that sub-adviser is authorized to provide the services described in the sub-advisory agreement, and will do so in accordance with the policies described in this section.
Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who receive compensation for their services. Compensation may also be paid in connection with riskless principal transactions (in both (OTC) securities and securities listed on an exchange) and agency OTC transactions executed with an electronic communications network (ECN) or an alternative trading system.
Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.
Generally, compensation relating to investments traded on foreign exchanges will be higher than for investments traded on U.S. exchanges and may not be subject to negotiation.
Futures transactions are executed and cleared through FCMs who receive compensation for their services.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers that provide products and services. These products and services may include: economic, industry, or company research reports or investment recommendations; subscriptions to financial publications or research data compilations; compilations of securities prices, earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized databases; quotation equipment and services; research or analytical computer software and services; products or services that assist in effecting transactions, including services of third-party computer systems developers directly related to research and brokerage activities; and effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement). The receipt of these products and services has not reduced FIMM's normal research activities in providing investment advice to the fund. FIMM's expenses could be increased, however, if it attempted to generate these additional products and services through its own efforts.
Certain of the products and services FIMM receives from brokers or dealers are furnished by brokers or dealers on their own initiative, either in connection with a particular transaction or as part of their overall services. In addition, FIMM may request a broker or dealer to provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. While FIMM takes into account the products and services provided by a broker or dealer in determining whether compensation paid is reasonable, neither FIMM nor the fund incurs an obligation to the broker, dealer, or third party to pay for any product or service (or portion thereof) by generating a certain amount of compensation or otherwise.
Brokers or dealers that execute transactions for the fund may receive compensation that is in excess of the amount of compensation that other brokers or dealers might have charged, in recognition of the products and services they have provided. Before causing the fund to pay such higher compensation, FIMM will make a good faith determination that the compensation is reasonable in relation to the value of the products and services provided viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or FIMM's overall responsibilities to the fund or other investment companies and investment accounts. Typically, these products and services assist FIMM or its affiliates in terms of its overall investment responsibilities to the fund and other investment companies and investment accounts; however, each product or service received may not benefit the fund.
FIMM may place trades with certain brokers with which it is under common control, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), provided it determines that this affiliate's products, services, and costs are comparable to those of non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms. FIMM may also place trades with Archipelago ECN (Archipelago), an ECN in which a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. has an equity ownership interest, if the compensation is fair, reasonable, and comparable to compensation charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms for similar services.
FIMM may allocate brokerage transactions to brokers or dealers (including affiliates of FIMM) who have entered into arrangements with FIMM under which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the compensation paid by a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses.
The Trustees of the fund periodically review FIMM's performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund and review the compensation paid by the fund over representative periods of time to determine if they are reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
For the fiscal periods ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, the fund's portfolio turnover rates were 58% and 167%, respectively. Variations in turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, or changes in FMR's investment outlook.
The fund may pay compensation including both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2002, and 2001, the fund paid brokerage commissions of $13,152, $8,442, and $0, respectively. Significant changes in brokerage commissions paid by the fund from year to year may result from changing asset levels throughout the year.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the fund paid no brokerage commissions to firms for providing research services.
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby a fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of FMR participates. These procedures prohibit the fund from directly or indirectly benefiting an FMR affiliate in connection with such underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where an FMR affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that the fund could purchase in the underwritings.
From time to time the Trustees will review whether the recapture for the benefit of the fund of some portion of the compensation paid by the fund on portfolio transactions is legally permissible and advisable. The Trustees intend to continue to review whether recapture opportunities are available and are legally permissible and, if so, to determine in the exercise of their business judgment whether it would be advisable for the fund to participate, or continue to participate, in the commission recapture program.
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the same as those of other funds managed by FMR or its affiliates, investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of other funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts) managed by FMR or its affiliates. The same security is often held in the portfolio of more than one of these funds or investment accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds and investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objective of more than one fund or investment account.
When two or more funds or investment accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, including a futures contract, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with procedures believed to be appropriate and equitable to each fund or investment account. In some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security as far as the fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that the desirability of retaining FIMM as investment adviser to the fund outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of the fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Debt securities and other assets for which market quotations are readily available may be valued at market values determined by such securities' most recent bid prices (sales prices if the principal market is an exchange) in the principal market in which they normally are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or assets. Or, debt securities and convertible securities may be valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Use of pricing services has been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of pricing services are available, and the fund may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market quotations, if available. Securities of other open-end investment companies are valued at their respective NAVs.
Independent brokers or quotation services provide prices of foreign securities in their local currency. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC) gathers all exchange rates daily at the close of the NYSE using the last quoted price on the local currency and then translates the value of foreign securities from their local currencies into U.S. dollars. Any changes in the value of forward contracts due to exchange rate fluctuations and days to maturity are included in the calculation of NAV. If an event that is expected to materially affect the value of a portfolio security occurs after the close of an exchange or market on which that security is traded, then that security will be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of which approximate current value.
The procedures set forth above need not be used to determine the value of the securities owned by the fund if, in the opinion of a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method would more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For example, securities and other assets for which there is no readily available market value may be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith determination of the value of a security, the committee may review price movements in futures contracts and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), market and trading trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional trading.
The fund may quote performance in various ways. The fund's yield and return fluctuate in response to market conditions and other factors.
Yield Calculations. Yields for the fund are computed by dividing the fund's interest and income for a given 30-day or one-month period, net of expenses, by the average number of shares entitled to receive distributions during the period, dividing this figure by the fund's NAV at the end of the period, and annualizing the result (assuming compounding of income) in order to arrive at an annual percentage rate. Income is calculated for purposes of yield quotations in accordance with standardized methods applicable to all stock and bond funds. In general, interest income is reduced with respect to bonds trading at a premium over their par value by subtracting a portion of the premium from income on a daily basis, and is increased with respect to bonds trading at a discount by adding a portion of the discount to daily income. For the fund's investments denominated in foreign currencies, income and expenses are calculated first in their respective currencies, and then are converted to U.S. dollars, either when they are actually converted or at the end of the 30-day or one month period, whichever is earlier. Income is adjusted to reflect gains and losses from principal repayments received by a fund with respect to mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities. Other capital gains and losses generally are excluded from the calculation as are gains and losses from currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Income calculated for the purposes of calculating the fund's yield differs from income as determined for other accounting purposes. Because of the different accounting methods used, and because of the compounding of income assumed in yield calculations, the fund's yield may not equal its distribution rate, the income paid to an investor's account, or the income reported in the fund's financial statements.
Yield information may be useful in reviewing the fund's performance and in providing a basis for comparison with other investment alternatives. However, the fund's yield fluctuates, unlike investments that pay a fixed interest rate over a stated period of time. When comparing investment alternatives, investors should also note the quality and maturity of the portfolio securities of respective investment companies they have chosen to consider.
Investors should recognize that in periods of declining interest rates the fund's yield will tend to be somewhat higher than prevailing market rates, and in periods of rising interest rates the fund's yield will tend to be somewhat lower. Also, when interest rates are falling, the inflow of net new money to the fund from the continuous sale of its shares will likely be invested in instruments producing lower yields than the balance of the fund's holdings, thereby reducing the fund's current yield. In periods of rising interest rates, the opposite can be expected to occur.
Return Calculations. Returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects of the fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the fund's NAV over a stated period. A cumulative return reflects actual performance over a stated period of time. Average annual returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical historical investment in the fund over a stated period, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. For example, a cumulative return of 100% over ten years would produce an average annual return of 7.18%, which is the steady annual rate of return that would equal 100% growth on a compounded basis in ten years. While average annual returns are a convenient means of comparing investment alternatives, investors should realize that the fund's performance is not constant over time, but changes from year to year, and that average annual returns represent averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual returns, the fund may quote unaveraged or cumulative returns reflecting the simple change in value of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and cumulative returns may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar amount, and may be calculated for a single investment, a series of investments, or a series of redemptions, over any time period. Returns may be broken down into their components of income and capital (including capital gains and changes in share price) to illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions to return. Returns may be quoted on a before-tax and an after-tax basis. Returns, yields and other performance information may be quoted numerically or in a table, graph or similar illustration.
Net Asset Value. Charts and graphs using the fund's NAVs, adjusted NAVs, and benchmark indexes may be used to exhibit performance. An adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid by the fund and reflects all elements of its return. Unless otherwise indicated, the fund's adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales charges, if any.
Historical Fund Results. The following tables show the fund's returns for the fiscal periods ended September 30, 2003.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, but do not reflect the impact of state or local taxes. Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other returns for the same period due to a tax benefit of realizing a capital loss upon the sale of fund shares. Actual after-tax returns may differ depending upon individual circumstances. After-tax returns are not relevant if shares are held in a retirement account or in another tax-deferred arrangement.
|
Average Annual Returns |
|
Fund |
One
|
Life of
|
Ultra-Short Central |
|
|
Return Before Taxes |
2.36% |
2.57% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions |
1.61% |
1.50% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
1.50% |
1.53% |
* From July 16, 2001 (commencement of operations).
|
Cumulative Returns |
|
Fund |
One
|
Life of
|
Ultra-Short Central |
2.36% |
5.76% |
* From July 16, 2001 (commencement of operations).
BUYING AND SELLING INFORMATION
Shares of the fund are not offered to the public and are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including investment companies, banks, insurance companies, and certain other entities that are "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security" within the meaning of the 1933 Act.
The fund may make redemption payments in whole or in part in readily marketable securities or other property pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees if FIMM determines it is in the best interests of the fund. Such securities or other property will be valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing the fund's NAV. Shareholders that receive securities or other property will realize, upon receipt, a gain or loss for tax purposes, and will incur additional costs and be exposed to market risk prior to and upon sale of such securities or other property.
Dividends. Because the fund's income is primarily derived from interest, dividends from the fund generally will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders or the long-term capital gains tax rates available to individuals. Short-term capital gains are taxable at ordinary income tax rates, but do not qualify for the dividends-received deduction. A portion of the fund's dividends derived from certain U.S. Government securities and securities of certain other investment companies may be exempt from state and local taxation.
Capital Gain Distributions. The fund's long-term capital gain distributions are federally taxable to shareholders generally as capital gains.
As of September 30, 2003, the fund had an aggregate capital loss carryforward of approximately $9,072,000. This loss carryforward, of which $362,000 and $8,710,000 will expire on September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively, is available to offset future capital gains.
Returns of Capital. If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.
Foreign Tax Credit or Deduction. Foreign governments may withhold taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund with respect to foreign securities. Foreign governments may also impose taxes on other payments or gains with respect to foreign securities. Because the fund does not currently anticipate that securities of foreign issuers will constitute more than 50% of its total assets at the end of its fiscal year, shareholders should not expect to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes withheld.
Tax Status of the Fund. The fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies.
Other Tax Information. The information above is only a summary of some of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or loss or other tax consequence to you. In addition to federal income taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on fund distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers to determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax situation.
<R>The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for William O. McCoy, each of the Trustees oversees 289 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Mr. McCoy oversees 291 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.</R>
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. In any event, each non-interested Trustee shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The executive officers and Advisory Board Members hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
Interested Trustees *:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) may be sent to 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
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Edward C. Johnson 3d (73)** |
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|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1986 Mr. Johnson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR Corp.; a Director and Chairman of the Board and of the Executive Committee of FMR; Chairman and a Director of Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc.; Chairman (1998) and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.; and Chairman (2001) and a Director (2000) of FMR Co., Inc. |
Abigail P. Johnson (41)** |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Senior Vice President of Ultra-Short Central (2001). Ms. Johnson also serves as Senior Vice President of other Fidelity funds (2001). She is President and a Director of FMR (2001), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2001), FMR Co., Inc. (2001), and a Director of FMR Corp. Previously, Ms. Johnson managed a number of Fidelity funds. |
Laura B. Cronin (49) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Ms. Cronin is an Executive Vice President (2002) and Chief Financial Officer (2002) of FMR Corp. and is a member of the Fidelity Management Committee (2003). Previously, Ms. Cronin served as Vice President of Finance of FMR (1997-1999), and Chief Financial Officer of FMR (1999-2001), Fidelity Personal Investments (2001), and Fidelity Brokerage Company (2001-2002). |
Robert L. Reynolds (51) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Mr. Reynolds is a Director (2003) and Chief Operating Officer (2002) of FMR Corp. and is the head of the Fidelity Management Committee (2003). He also serves on the Board at Fidelity Investments Canada, Ltd. (2000). Previously, Mr. Reynolds served as President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Retirement Group (1996-2000). |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the trust or various entities under common control with FMR.
** Edward C. Johnson 3d, Trustee, is Abigail P. Johnson's father.
Non-Interested Trustees :
Correspondence intended for each non-interested Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
|
J. Michael Cook (61) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Prior to Mr. Cook's retirement in May 1999, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte & Touche LLP (accounting/consulting), Chairman of the Deloitte & Touche Foundation, and a member of the Board of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. He currently serves as a Director of Comcast (telecommunications, 2002), International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (2000), Rockwell Automation (2000) and The Dow Chemical Company (2000). He is a Member of the Diversity Advisory Council of Marakon (2003) and the Advisory Board of the Directorship Search Group, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Catalyst (a leading organization for the advancement of women in business), and is Chairman of the Accountability Advisory Council to the Comptroller General of the United States. He also serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Business of the University of Florida, his alma mater. |
Ralph F. Cox (71) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1991
Mr. Cox is President of RABAR Enterprises (management consulting for the petroleum industry). Prior to
February 1994, he was President of Greenhill Petroleum Corporation (petroleum exploration and
production). Until March 1990, Mr. Cox was President and Chief Operating Officer of Union Pacific
Resources Company (exploration and production). He is a Director of CH2M Hill Companies (engineering),
and Abraxas Petroleum (petroleum exploration and production, 1999). In addition, he is a member of
advisory boards of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin.
|
Robert M. Gates (60) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1997 Dr. Gates is President of Texas A&M University (2002). He was Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1991 to 1993. From 1989 to 1991, Dr. Gates served as Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy National Security Advisor. Dr. Gates is a Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (mining and manufacturing), and Parker Drilling Co., Inc. (drilling and rental tools for the energy industry, 2001). He also serves as a member of the Advisory Board of VoteHere.net (secure internet voting, 2001). Previously, Dr. Gates served as a Director of LucasVarity PLC (automotive components and diesel engines), a Director of TRW Inc. (automotive, space, defense, and information technology), and Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University (1999-2001). Dr. Gates also is a Trustee of the Forum for International Policy. |
<R>George H. Heilmeier (67)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Dr. Heilmeier is Chairman Emeritus of Telcordia Technologies (communication software and systems), where prior to his retirement, he served as company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of The Mitre Corporation (systems engineering and information technology support for the government), INET Technologies Inc. (telecommunications network surveillance, 2001) and Teletech Holdings (customer management services, 1998). He is Chairman of the General Motors Technology Advisory Committee and a Life Fellow of the IEEE (2000). Dr. Heilmeier is a member of the Defense Science Board and the National Security Agency Advisory Board. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and The Board of Overseers of the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, Dr. Heilmeier served as a Director of TRW Inc. (automotive, space, defense, and information technology, 1992-2002) and Compaq (1994-2002).</r> |
Donald J. Kirk (70) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1987 Mr. Kirk is a Governor of the American Stock Exchange (2001), a Trustee and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital Association, a Director of the Yale-New Haven Health Services Corp. (1998), and a Director Emeritus and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Arts Strategies Inc. Mr. Kirk was an Executive-in-Residence (1995-2000) and a Professor (1987-1995) at Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Prior to 1987, he was Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Previously, Mr. Kirk served as a Governor of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (1996-2002), a member and Vice Chairman of the Public Oversight Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' SEC Practice Section (1995-2002), a Director of General Re Corporation (reinsurance, 1987-1998) and as a Director of Valuation Research Corp. (appraisals and valuations). |
Marie L. Knowles (56) |
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|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Prior to Ms. Knowles' retirement in June 2000, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) (diversified energy, 1996-2000). From 1993 to 1996, she was a Senior Vice President of ARCO and President of ARCO Transportation Company. She served as a Director of ARCO from 1996 to 1998. She currently serves as a Director of Phelps Dodge Corporation (copper mining and manufacturing), URS Corporation (multidisciplinary engineering, 1999), and McKesson Corporation (healthcare service, 2002). Ms. Knowles is a Trustee of the Brookings Institution and the Catalina Island Conservancy and also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the School of Engineering of the University of Southern California. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (59) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach has been a partner of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment firm) since September 1998. Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from 1968 until his retirement in 1998. He was most recently Senior Vice President and Group Executive of Worldwide Sales and Services. From 1993 to 1995, he was Chairman of IBM World Trade Corporation, and from 1994 to 1998 was a member of IBM's Corporate Executive Committee. Mr. Lautenbach serves as Chairman and as a Director (1998) of Acterna Corporation (communications test equipment). He is also Co-Chairman of Covansys, Inc. (global provider of business and technology solutions, 2000). In addition, he is a Director of Eaton Corporation (diversified industrial) and the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida (1999). He also is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. |
Marvin L. Mann (70) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1993 Mr. Mann is Chairman of the non-interested Trustees (2001). He is Chairman Emeritus of Lexmark International, Inc. (computer peripherals) where he served as CEO until April 1998 and retired as Chairman May 1999, and remains a member of the Board. Prior to 1991, he held the positions of Vice President of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and President and General Manager of various IBM divisions and subsidiaries. Mr. Mann is a Board member of Imation Corp. (imaging and information storage) and Acterna Corporation (communications test equipment, 1999). He is also a member of the Director Services Committee of the Investment Company Institute. In addition, Mr. Mann is a member of the President's Cabinet at the University of Alabama and the Board of Visitors of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration at the University of Alabama. |
William O. McCoy (69) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 1997 Prior to his retirement in December 1994, Mr. McCoy was Vice Chairman of the Board of BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications) and President of BellSouth Enterprises. He is currently a Director of Liberty Corporation (holding company), Duke Realty Corporation (real estate), Progress Energy, Inc. (electric utility), and Acterna Corporation (communications test equipment, 1999). He is also a partner of Franklin Street Partners (private investment management firm) and a member of the Research Triangle Foundation Board. In addition, Mr. McCoy served as the Interim Chancellor (1999-2000) and a member of the Board of Visitors (1994-1998) for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the University of North Carolina Health Care System and the Board of Visitors of the Kenan-Flagler Business School (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). He also served as Vice President of Finance for the University of North Carolina (16-school system, 1995-1998). |
William S. Stavropoulos (64) |
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|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO (2002), and Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000) and a Director of The Dow Chemical Company. Since joining The Dow Chemical Company in 1967, Mr. Stavropoulos served in numerous senior management positions, including President (1993-2000) and Chief Executive Officer (1995-2000). Currently, he is a Director of NCR Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions), BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications), Chemical Financial Corporation, and Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate, 2002). He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of The Business Council, J.P. Morgan International Council, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
Advisory Board Members and Executive Officers :
Correspondence intended for Dr. Heilmeier may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235. Correspondence intended for each executive officer and Mr. Lynch may be sent to 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation
|
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Peter S. Lynch (60) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust. Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR, and Vice Chairman (2001) and a Director (2000) of FMR Co., Inc. Previously, Mr. Lynch served as a Trustee of the Fidelity funds (1990-2003). Prior to May 31, 1990, he was a Director of FMR and Executive Vice President of FMR (a position he held until March 31, 1991), Vice President of Fidelity ® Magellan ® Fund and FMR Growth Group Leader, and Managing Director of FMR Corp. Mr. Lynch was also Vice President of Fidelity Investments Corporate Services. In addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Historic Deerfield, John F. Kennedy Library, and the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston. |
<R>Cornelia M. Small (59)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust. Ms. Small is a member (2000) and Chairperson (2002) of the Investment Committee, and a member (2002) of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. Previously, she served as Chief Investment Officer (1999-2000), Director of Global Equity Investments (1996-1999), and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark (1990-1997) and Scudder Kemper Investments (1997-1998). In addition, Ms. Small served as Co-Chair (2000-2003) of the Annual Fund for the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.</r> |
Charles S. Morrison (42) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2002 Vice President of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Morrison also serves as Vice President of Fidelity's Bond Funds (2002), and Vice President of certain Asset Allocation and Balanced Funds (2002). He serves as Vice President (2002) and Bond Group Leader (2002) of Fidelity Investments Fixed Income Division. Mr. Morrison is also Vice President of FIMM (2002) and FMR (2002). Mr. Morrison joined Fidelity in 1987 as a Corporate Bond Analyst in the Fixed Income Research Division. |
Andrew Dudley (38) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Vice President of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Dudley is also Vice President of other funds advised by FMR. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Dudley managed a variety of other Fidelity funds. |
Eric D. Roiter (54) |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 </R> <r>Secretary of Ultra-Short Central. He also serves as Secretary of other Fidelity funds (1998); Vice President, General Counsel, and Clerk of FMR Co., Inc. (2001) and FMR (1998); Vice President and Clerk of FDC (1998); Assistant Clerk of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2001) and Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (2001); and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Investments Money Management Inc. (2001). Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was with the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, as an associate (1981-1984) and as a partner (1985-1997), and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981). Mr. Roiter is an Adjunct Member, Faculty of Law, at Boston College Law School (2003).</r> |
Stuart Fross (44) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2003
Assistant Secretary of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Fross also serves as Assistant Secretary of other Fidelity funds
(2003) and is an employee of FMR.
|
<R>Christine Reynolds (45)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) officer of Ultra-Short Central. Ms. Reynolds also serves as President, Treasurer, and AML officer of other Fidelity funds (2004) and is a Vice President (2003) and an employee (2002) of FMR. Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Reynolds worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) (1980-2002), where she was most recently an audit partner with PwC's investment management practice.</r> |
Timothy F. Hayes (52) |
|
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2002
Mr. Hayes also serves as Chief Financial Officer of other Fidelity funds (2002). Recently he was appointed
President of Fidelity Service Company (2003) where he also serves as a Director. Mr. Hayes also serves as
President of Fidelity Investments Operations Group (FIOG, 2002), which includes Fidelity Pricing and Cash
Management Services Group (FPCMS), where he was appointed President in 1998. Previously, Mr. Hayes
served as Chief Financial Officer of Fidelity Investments Corporate Systems and Service Group (1998) and
Fidelity Systems Company (1997-1998).
|
John R. Hebble (45) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Deputy Treasurer of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Hebble also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2003), and is an employee of FMR. Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Hebble worked at Deutsche Asset Management where he served as Director of Fund Accounting (2002-2003) and Assistant Treasurer of the Scudder Funds (1998-2003). |
<R>Kimberley H. Monasterio (40)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Deputy Treasurer of Ultra-Short Central. Ms. Monasterio also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2004) and is an employee of FMR (2004). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Monasterio served as Treasurer (2000-2004) and Chief Financial Officer (2002-2004) of the Franklin Templeton Funds and Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (2000-2004).</r> |
John H. Costello (57) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Assistant Treasurer of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Costello also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR. |
Francis V. Knox, Jr. (56) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2002 Assistant Treasurer of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Knox also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2002), and is a Vice President and an employee of FMR. Previously, Mr. Knox served as Vice President of Investment & Advisor Compliance (1990-2001), and Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (1992-2002), Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (1991-2002), and FMR Corp. (1995-2002). |
<R>Peter L. Lydecker (50)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 </R> <r>Assistant Treasurer of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Lydecker also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2004) and is an employee of FMR.</r> |
Mark Osterheld (48) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2002 Assistant Treasurer of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Osterheld also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2002) and is an employee of FMR. |
Thomas J. Simpson (45) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Assistant Treasurer of Ultra-Short Central. Mr. Simpson is Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2000) and an employee of FMR (1996). Prior to joining FMR, Mr. Simpson was Vice President and Fund Controller of Liberty Investment Services (1987-1995). |
Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established various committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to non-interested Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board of Trustees has eight standing committees.
The Operations Committee is composed of all of the non-interested Trustees, with Mr. Mann currently serving as Chairman. The committee normally meets monthly (except August), or more frequently as called by the Chair, and serves as a forum for consideration of issues of importance to, or calling for particular determinations by, the non-interested Trustees. The committee also considers matters involving potential conflicts of interest between the funds and FMR and its affiliates and reviews proposed contracts and the proposed continuation of contracts between the Fidelity funds and FMR and its affiliates, and annually reviews and makes recommendations regarding transfer agent and other service agreements, insurance coverage, and custody agreements. The committee also monitors additional issues including the nature, levels and quality of services provided to shareholders, significant litigation, and the voting of proxies of portfolio companies. The committee also has oversight of compliance issues not specifically in the scope of the charters of the Audit Committee or Fund Oversight Committees and considers other operating matters not specifically within the scope of oversight of any other committee. The committee is also responsible for definitive action on all compliance matters involving the potential for significant reimbursement by FMR. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held 12 meetings.
The Fair Value Oversight Committee is composed of all of the non-interested Trustees, with Mr. Mann serving as Chairman. The committee normally meets quarterly, or more frequently as called by the Chair, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Fair Value Oversight Committee monitors and establishes policies concerning procedures and controls regarding the valuation of fund investments and their classification as liquid or illiquid and monitors matters of disclosure to the extent required to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. The committee provides oversight regarding the investment policies relating to, and Fidelity funds' investment in, non-traditional securities. The committee also reviews actions taken by FMR's Fair Value Committee. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held five meetings.
The Board of Trustees has established three Fund Oversight Committees: the Equity Committee (composed of Messrs. Lautenbach (Chairman), Kirk, and Stavropoulos), the Fixed-Income/International Committee (composed of Messrs. Gates (Chairman), Cook and Cox), and the Select Committee (composed of Mses. Davis (Chairman) and Knowles and Mr. McCoy). Each committee normally meets monthly (except August) or more frequently as called by the Chair of the respective committee. Each committee oversees investment advisory services provided by FMR to the relevant funds and develops an understanding of and monitors the investment objectives, policies, and practices of the relevant Fidelity funds. Each committee also monitors compliance by each relevant Fidelity fund with its investment policies and restrictions and reviews appropriate benchmarks, competitive universes, investment performance, unusual or exceptional investment matters and the personnel and other resources devoted to the management of each fund. The Fixed-Income/International Committee also receives reports required under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act and has oversight of research bearing on credit quality, investment structures and other fixed-income issues, and of international research. The Select Committee has oversight of FMR's equity investment research. Each committee will review and recommend any required action to the Board in respect of specific funds, including new funds, changes in fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions, partial or full closing to new investors, fund mergers, fund name changes, and liquidations of funds. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Equity Committee held 10 meetings, the Fixed-Income/International Committee held 11 meetings, and the Select Committee held 10 meetings.
The Shareholder Services, Brokerage and Distribution Committee is composed of Messrs. Cox (Chairman), Cook, Lautenbach, and Stavropoulos and Ms. Davis. The committee normally meets in conjunction with in-person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the Chair. Regarding shareholder services, the committee considers the structure and amount of the Fidelity funds' transfer agency fees and direct fees to investors (other than sales loads), and the nature and quality of services rendered by FMR and its affiliates in consideration of these fees. The committee also considers other non-investment management services rendered to the Fidelity funds by FMR and its affiliates, including pricing and bookkeeping services and fees. Regarding brokerage, the committee monitors and recommends policies concerning the securities transactions of the Fidelity funds. The committee periodically reviews the policies and practices with respect to efforts to achieve best execution and commissions paid to firms supplying research and brokerage services, providing sales support, or paying fund expenses. The committee also monitors brokerage and other similar relationships between the Fidelity funds and firms affiliated with FMR which participate in the execution of securities transactions. Regarding the distribution of fund shares, the committee considers issues bearing on the various distribution channels employed by the Fidelity funds, including issues regarding Rule 18f-3 plans and related consideration of classes of shares, sales load structures (including breakpoints), load waivers, selling concessions and service charges paid to intermediaries, Rule 12b-1 plans, contingent deferred sales charges, and finders' fees. The committee also oversees and receives reports on the preparation and use of advertisements and sales literature for the Fidelity funds. Prior to January 2003, the Shareholder Services, Brokerage and Distribution Committee was broken out into three separate committees: the Committee on Service Fees and the Committee on Distribution Channels, both of which conferred periodically and met at least annually, and the Brokerage Committee, which normally met four times a year, or more often as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Shareholder Services, Brokerage and Distribution Committee held seven meetings, the Committee on Service Fees held one meeting, the Committee on Distribution Channels held no meetings, and the Brokerage Committee held one meeting.
The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Kirk (Chairman), Gates, and McCoy and Ms. Knowles. The committee normally meets in conjunction with in-person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The committee meets separately at least four times a year with the Fidelity funds' Treasurer, with personnel responsible for the internal audit function of FMR Corp., and with the Fidelity funds' outside auditors. The committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the outside auditors employed by the Fidelity funds. The committee assists the Trustees in overseeing and monitoring: i) the systems of internal accounting and financial controls of the Fidelity funds and the funds' service providers, ii) the financial reporting processes of the Fidelity funds, iii) the independence, objectivity and qualification of the auditors to the Fidelity funds, iv) the annual audits of the Fidelity funds' financial statements, and v) the accounting policies and disclosures of the Fidelity funds. The committee considers and acts upon (i) the provision by any outside auditor of any non-audit services for any Fidelity fund, and (ii) the provision by any outside auditor of certain non-audit services to Fidelity fund service providers and their affiliates to the extent that such approval (in the case of this clause (ii)) is required under applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In furtherance of the foregoing, the committee has adopted (and may from time to time amend or supplement) and provides oversight of policies and procedures for non-audit engagements by outside auditors of the Fidelity funds. It is responsible for approving all audit engagement fees and terms for the Fidelity funds, resolving disagreements between a fund and any outside auditor regarding any fund's financial reporting, and has sole authority to hire and fire any auditor. The committee will obtain assurance of independence and objectivity from the outside auditors, including a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Fidelity funds and any service providers consistent with Independent Standards Board Standard No. 1. The committee will receive reports of compliance with provisions of the Auditor Independence Regulations relating to the hiring of employees or former employees of the outside auditors. It oversees and receives reports on the Fidelity funds' service providers' internal controls and reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the service providers' accounting and financial controls. The committee reviews at least annually a report from each outside auditor describing any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control, peer review, or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board examination of the auditing firm and any material issues raised by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities of the auditing firm and in each case any steps taken to deal with such issues. The committee will oversee and receive reports on the Fidelity funds' financial reporting process, will discuss with FMR, the Fidelity funds' Treasurer, outside auditors and, if appropriate, internal audit personnel of FMR Corp. their qualitative judgments about the appropriateness and acceptability of accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed for adoption by the Fidelity funds, and will review with FMR, the Fidelity funds' Treasurer, outside auditor, and internal auditor personnel of FMR Corp. (to the extent relevant) the results of audits of the Fidelity funds' financial statements. The committee will review periodically the Fidelity fund's major internal controls exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures. The committee also plays an oversight role in respect of each Fidelity fund's compliance with its name test and investment restrictions, the code of ethics relating to personal securities transactions, the code of ethics applicable to certain senior officers of the Fidelity funds, and anti-money laundering requirements. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held 11 meetings.
The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Mann (Chairman), Cox, and Gates. The committee meets as called by the Chair. The committee makes nominations for the appointment or election of non-interested Trustees and non-management Members of any Advisory Board, and for membership on committees. The committee periodically reviews procedures and policies of the Board of Trustees and its committees (including committee charters) and periodically reviews compensation of non-interested Trustees. It acts as the administrative committee under the Retirement Plan for non-interested Trustees who retired prior to December 30, 1996 and under the fee deferral plan for non-interested Trustees. It monitors the performance of legal counsel employed by the Fidelity funds and the non-interested Trustees. On behalf of the non-interested Trustees, the committee will make such findings and determinations as to the independence of counsel for the non-interested Trustees as may be necessary or appropriate under applicable regulations or otherwise. The committee monitors compliance with, acts as the administrator of, and makes determinations in respect of, the provisions of the code of ethics and any supplemental policies regarding personal securities transactions applicable to the non-interested Trustees. The committee also oversees the annual self-evaluation of the non-interested Trustees. The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees to the Board of Trustees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the committee in care of the Secretary of the Fidelity funds. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the committee held nine meetings.
The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the fund and in all funds in the aggregate within the same fund family overseen by the Trustee for the calendar year ended December 31, 2002.
Interested Trustees |
||||
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Abigail P. Johnson |
Laura B. Cronin |
Robert L. Reynolds |
Ultra-Short Central |
none |
none |
none |
none |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
Non-Interested Trustees |
|||||
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
J. Michael Cook |
Ralph F. Cox |
Phyllis Burke Davis |
Robert M. Gates |
Donald J. Kirk |
Ultra-Short Central |
none |
none |
none |
none |
none |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
Marie L. Knowles |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Marvin L. Mann |
William O. McCoy |
William S. Stavropoulos |
Ultra-Short Central |
none |
none |
none |
none |
none |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board for his or her services for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 or calendar year ended December 31, 2002, as applicable.
* Edward C. Johnson 3d, Abigail P. Johnson, Laura B. Cronin, Peter S. Lynch, and Robert L. Reynolds are interested persons and are compensated by FMR.
** Effective March 1, 2003, Dr. Heilmeier serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust.
A Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 2002 for 271 funds of 57 trusts in the fund complex. Compensation figures include cash, amounts required to be deferred, and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2002, the Trustees accrued required deferred compensation from the funds as follows: J. Michael Cook, $111,000; Ralph F. Cox, $111,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $111,000; Robert M. Gates, $111,000; Donald J. Kirk, $111,000; Marie L. Knowles, $111,000; Ned C. Lautenbach, $111,000; Marvin L. Mann, $141,000; William O. McCoy, $111,000; and William S. Stavropoulos, $100,579.95. Certain of the non-interested Trustees elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their compensation as follows: J. Michael Cook, $40,014.95; Ralph F. Cox, $40,014.95; Phyllis Burke Davis, $50,879.70; Ned C. Lautenbach, $50,879.70; and William O. McCoy, $86,879.70.
B Compensation figures include cash and may include amounts deferred at Mr. McCoy's election under a deferred compensation plan adopted by the other open-end registered investment companies in the fund complex (Other Open-End Funds). Pursuant to the deferred compensation plan, Mr. McCoy, as a non-interested Trustee, may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his annual fees. Amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan are credited to an account established for Mr. McCoy on the books of the Other Open-End Funds. Interest is accrued on amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2002, Mr. McCoy voluntarily elected to defer $36,000.
Under a deferred compensation plan adopted in September 1995 and amended in November 1996 and January 2000 (the Plan), non-interested Trustees must defer receipt of a portion of, and may elect to defer receipt of an additional portion of, their annual fees. Amounts deferred under the Plan are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of Fidelity funds including funds in each major investment discipline and representing a majority of Fidelity's assets under management (the Reference Funds). The amounts ultimately received by the non-interested Trustees under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan will have a negligible effect on a fund's assets, liabilities, and net income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services of any non-interested Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the non-interested Trustee. A fund may invest in the Reference Funds under the Plan without shareholder approval.
As of September 30, 2003, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by mutual funds managed by FMR or an FMR affiliate.
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR Corp., organized in 1972, is the ultimate parent company of FIMM. The voting common stock of FMR Corp. is divided into two classes. Class B is held predominantly by members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d family and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter acted upon by the voting common stock. Class A is held predominantly by non-Johnson family member employees of FMR Corp. and its affiliates and is entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson family group and all other Class B shareholders have entered into a shareholders' voting agreement under which all Class B shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares. Under the 1940 Act, control of a company is presumed where one individual or group of individuals owns more than 25% of the voting stock of that company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting common stock and the execution of the shareholders' voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the 1940 Act, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
At present, the primary business activities of FMR Corp. and its subsidiaries are: (i) the provision of investment advisory, management, shareholder, investment information and assistance and certain fiduciary services for individual and institutional investors; (ii) the provision of securities brokerage services; (iii) the management and development of real estate; and (iv) the investment in and operation of a number of emerging businesses.
Fidelity International Limited (FIL), a Bermuda company formed in 1968, is the ultimate parent company of Fidelity International Investment Advisors (FIIA), Fidelity Investments Japan Limited (FIJ), and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (FIIA(U.K.)L). Edward C. Johnson 3d, Johnson family members, and various trusts for the benefit of the Johnson family own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting common stock of FIL. At present, the primary business activities of FIL and its subsidiaries are the provision of investment advisory services to non-U.S. investment companies and private accounts investing in securities throughout the world.
FIMM, FIIA, FIIA(U.K.)L (the Investment Advisers), and the fund have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that set forth employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the fund, establish procedures for personal investing, and restrict certain transactions. Employees subject to the codes of ethics, including Fidelity investment personnel, may invest in securities for their own investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund.
The fund has entered into a management contract with FIMM, pursuant to which FIMM furnishes investment advisory and other services.
Management Services. Under the terms of its management contract with the fund, FIMM acts as investment adviser and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, directs the investments of the fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations. FIMM also provides the fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments, compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are "interested persons" of the trust or of FIMM, and all personnel of the fund or FIMM performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FIMM or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization; supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and, if necessary, the registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.
Management-Related Expenses. Under the terms of the fund's management contract, the fund pays all of its expenses other than those specifically payable by FIMM. FIMM, either itself or through an affiliate, pays all fees associated with transfer agent and pricing and bookkeeping services. Expenses payable by the fund include interest and taxes, brokerage commissions (if any), fees and expenses of the non-interested Trustees, legal expenses, fees of the custodian and auditor, costs of registering shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws, expenses for typesetting, printing, and mailing proxy materials to shareholders and all other expenses of proxy solicitations and shareholder meetings, the fund's proportionate share of insurance premiums, if any, and Investment Company Institute dues, and such non-recurring expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which the fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect to litigation.
Management Fees. For the services of FIMM under the management contract, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FIMM a monthly management fee. For each fund (other than a fund for which FIMM serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FIMM a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, certain securities lending costs, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision or discontinuance. FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fund's returns and yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower its returns and yield.
<R> Sub-Advisers - FIIA and FIIA(U.K.)L. On behalf of the fund, FIMM has entered into a master international fixed-income research agreement with FIIA. On behalf of the fund, FIIA, in turn, has entered into a fixed-income sub-research agreement with FIIA(U.K.)L. Pursuant to the fixed-income research agreements, FIMM may receive investment advice and research services concerning issuers and countries outside the United States. In particular, FIIA and FIIA(U.K.)L will make minimal credit risk and comparable quality determinations for foreign issuers that issue U.S. dollar-denominated securities.</R>
Under the terms of the master international fixed-income research agreement, FIMM pays FIIA an amount based on the fund's net assets relative to the assets of other registered investment companies with which FMR or FIMM has management contracts. Under the terms of the fixed-income sub-research agreement, FIIA pays FIIA(U.K.)L an amount equal to the administrative costs incurred in providing investment advice and research services for a fund.
For the past three fiscal years, no fees were paid to FIIA and FIIA(U.K.)L on behalf of the fund for providing investment advice and research services pursuant to the fixed-income research agreements.
BOARD APPROVAL OF THE EXISTING INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACTS
Matters Considered by the Board. The mutual funds for which the members of the Board of Trustees serve as Trustees are referred to herein as the "Fidelity funds." The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet 11 times a year. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, believes that matters bearing on the fund's advisory contracts are considered at most, if not all, of its meetings. While the full Board of Trustees or the non-interested Trustees, as appropriate, act on all major matters, a significant portion of the activities of the Board of Trustees (including certain of those described herein) is conducted through committees. The non-interested Trustees meet frequently in executive session and are advised by independent legal counsel selected by the non-interested Trustees.
Information Received by the Board of Trustees. In connection with their meetings, the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, received materials specifically relating to the existing management contract and sub-advisory agreements (the Investment Advisory Contracts). These materials included (i) information on the investment performance of the fund, a peer group of funds and an appropriate index or combination of indices, (ii) sales and redemption data in respect of the fund, and (iii) the economic outlook and the general investment outlook in the markets in which the fund invests. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considers periodically other material facts such as (1) the Investment Advisers' results and financial condition, (2) arrangements in respect of the distribution of the fund's shares, (3) the procedures employed to determine the value of the fund's assets, (4) the allocation of the fund's brokerage, if any, including allocations to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay fund expenses and to pay for research and other similar services, and the allocation of brokerage to firms that sell Fidelity fund shares, (5) the Investment Advisers' management of the relationships with the fund's custodian and subcustodians, (6) the resources devoted to and the record of compliance with the fund's investment policies and restrictions and with policies on personal securities transactions, and (7) the nature, cost and character of non-investment management services provided by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates.
Additional information was furnished by the Investment Advisers including, among other items, information on and analysis of (a) the overall organization of the Investment Advisers, (b) investment performance, (c) the choice of performance indices and benchmarks, (d) the composition of peer groups of funds, (e) transfer agency and bookkeeping fees paid to affiliates of the Investment Advisers, (f) investment management staffing, (g) the potential for achieving further economies of scale, (h) operating expenses paid to third parties, and (i) the information furnished to investors, including the fund's shareholders.
In considering the Investment Advisory Contracts, the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, did not identify any single factor as all-important or controlling, and the following summary does not detail all the matters considered. Matters considered by the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, in connection with its approval of the Investment Advisory Contracts include the following:
Benefits to Shareholders. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the benefit to shareholders of investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment disciplines and providing for a large variety of fund and shareholder services.
Investment Compliance and Performance. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered whether the fund has operated within its investment objective and its record of compliance with its investment restrictions. It also reviewed the fund's investment performance as well as the performance of a peer group of mutual funds, and the performance of an appropriate index or combination of indices.
The Investment Advisers' Personnel and Methods. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, reviews at least annually the background of the fund's portfolio manager and the fund's investment objective and discipline. The non-interested Trustees have also had discussions with senior management of the Investment Advisers responsible for investment operations and the senior management of Fidelity's bond group. Among other things they considered the size, education and experience of the Investment Advisers' investment staff, its use of technology, and the Investment Advisers' approach to recruiting, training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel.
Nature and Quality of Other Services. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the nature, quality, cost and extent of administrative and shareholder services performed by the Investment Advisers and affiliated companies, under the existing Investment Advisory Contracts and under separate agreements covering transfer agency functions and pricing, bookkeeping and securities lending services, if any. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, has also considered the nature and extent of the Investment Advisers' supervision of third party service providers, principally custodians and subcustodians.
Expenses. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the fund's expense ratio, and expense ratios of a peer group of funds. It also considered the amount and nature of fees paid by shareholders.
Profitability. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the level of the Investment Advisers' profits in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, including the fund. This consideration included an extensive review of the Investment Advisers' methodology in allocating their costs to the management of the fund. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, has concluded that the cost allocation methodology employed by the Investment Advisers has a reasonable basis and is appropriate in light of all of the circumstances. It considered the profits realized by the Investment Advisers in connection with the operation of the fund and whether the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit for the management of the fund. It also considered the profits realized from non-fund businesses which may benefit from or be related to the fund's business. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considered the Investment Advisers' profit margins in comparison with available industry data.
Economies of Scale. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fidelity funds, whether the Fidelity funds (including the fund) have appropriately benefitted from any economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, has concluded that any potential economies of scale are being shared between fund shareholders and the Investment Advisers in an appropriate manner.
Other Benefits to the Investment Advisers. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considered the character and amount of fees paid by the fund and the fund's shareholders for services provided by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates, including fees for services like transfer agency, fund accounting, and direct shareholder services. It also considered the allocation of fund brokerage to brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisers, the receipt of sales loads and payments under Rule 12b-1 plans in respect of certain of the Fidelity funds, and benefits to the Investment Advisers from the use of "soft" dollar commissions to pay for research and other similar services. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, also considered the revenues and profitability of the Investment Advisers' businesses other than their mutual fund business, including the Investment Advisers' retail brokerage, correspondent brokerage, capital markets, trust, investment advisory, pension record keeping, insurance, publishing, real estate, international research and investment funds, and others. The Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, considered the intangible benefits that accrue to the Investment Advisers and their affiliates by virtue of their relationship with the fund.
Conclusion. Based on its evaluation of all material factors and assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board of Trustees, including the non-interested Trustees, concluded that the existing advisory fee structures are fair and reasonable, and that the existing Investment Advisory Contracts should be approved.
The following Proxy Voting Guidelines were established by the Board of Trustees of the funds, after consultation with Fidelity. (The guidelines are reviewed periodically by Fidelity and by the non-interested Trustees of the Fidelity funds, and, accordingly, are subject to change.)
I. General Principles
A. Except as set forth herein, portfolio securities should generally be voted in favor of incumbent directors and in favor of routine management proposals.
B. Non-routine proposals covered by the following guidelines should generally be voted in accordance with the guidelines.
C. Non-routine proposals not covered by the following guidelines or other special circumstances should be evaluated by the appropriate FMR analyst or portfolio manager, subject to review by the President or General Counsel of FMR or the General Counsel of FMR Corp. A significant pattern of such non-routine proposals or other special circumstances should be referred to the Committee on Operations or its designee.
II. Portfolio shares should generally be voted against anti-takeover proposals, including:
A. Fair Price Amendments, except those that consider only a two year price history and are not accompanied by other anti-takeover measures.
B. Classified Boards. FMR will generally vote in favor of proposals to declassify a board of directors. FMR will consider voting against such a proposal if the issuer's Articles of Incorporation or applicable statute includes a provision whereby a majority of directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by written consent, or other reasonable procedures, by a majority of shareholders entitled to vote for the election of directors.
C. Authorization of "Blank Check" Preferred Stock.
D. Golden Parachutes:
1. Accelerated options and/or employment contracts that will result in a lump sum payment of more than three times annual compensation (salary and bonus) in the event of termination.
2. Compensation contracts for outside directors.
3. Tin Parachutes that cover a group beyond officers and directors and permit employees to voluntarily terminate employment and receive payment.
4. Adoption of a Golden or Tin Parachute will result in our withholding authority in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors.
E. Supermajority Provisions.
F. Poison Pills:
1. Introduction of a Poison Pill without shareholder approval will result in FMR withholding authority in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors. In addition, extension of an existing Poison Pill or the adoption of a new Poison Pill without shareholder approval upon the expiration of an existing Pill will result in FMR withholding authority in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors.
2. FMR will consider not withholding its authority on the election of directors if (a) the board has adopted a Poison Pill with a sunset provision; (b) the Pill is linked to a business strategy that will result in greater value for the shareholders; (c) the term is less than 5 years; and (d) shareholder approval is required to reinstate the expired Pill. In addition, the Funds will consider not withholding authority on the election of directors if company management indicates that the board is willing to strongly consider seeking shareholder ratification of, or adding a sunset provision meeting the above conditions to, an existing Pill. In such a case, if the company does not take appropriate action prior to the next annual shareholder meeting, the Funds would withhold their vote from the election of directors at that next meeting.
3. FMR will generally withhold authority on the election of directors if a company refuses, upon request by FMR, to amend a Poison Pill Plan to allow the Fidelity funds to hold an aggregate position of up to 20% of a company's total voting securities and of any class of voting securities. On a case-by-case basis, FMR may determine not to withhold authority on the election of directors if a company's Poison Pill Plan, although imposing an aggregate ownership position limit of less than 20%, in the judgment of FMR provides the funds with sufficient investment flexibility.
4. Portfolio shares will be voted for shareholder proposals requiring or recommending that shareholders be given an opportunity to vote on the adoption of poison pills.
5. If shareholders are requested to approve adoption of a Poison Pill plan, the Funds will, in general, consider voting in favor of the Poison Pill plan if: (a) the board has adopted a Poison Pill with a sunset provision; (b) the Pill is determined to be linked to a business strategy that will result in greater value for the shareholders; (c) the term is generally not longer than 5 years; (d) shareholder approval is required to reinstate an expired Pill; (e) the Pill contains a provision suspending its application, by shareholder referendum, in the event a potential acquirer announces a bona fide offer, made for all outstanding shares; and (f) the Pill allows the Fidelity funds to hold an aggregate position of up to 20% of a company's total voting securities and of any class of voting securities. On a case-by-case basis, FMR may determine to vote in favor of a company's Poison Pill Plan if the Plan, although imposing an aggregate ownership position limit of less than 20%, in the judgment of FMR provides the funds with sufficient investment flexibility.
G. Elimination of, or limitation on, shareholder rights (e.g., action by written consent, ability to call meetings, or remove directors).
H. Transfer of authority from shareholders to directors.
I. Reincorporation in another state (when accompanied by anti-takeover provisions).
III. Stock Option Plans
A. Stock Option plans should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Portfolio shares should generally be voted against Stock Option Plan adoptions or amendments to authorize additional shares if:
1. The dilution effect of the shares authorized under the plan, plus the shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all other stock plans, is greater than 10%. However, for companies with a smaller market capitalization, the dilution effect may not be greater than 15%. If the plan fails this test, the dilution effect may be evaluated relative to any unusual factor involving the company.
2. The offering price of options is less than 100% of fair market value on the date of grant, except that the offering price may be as low as 85% of fair market value if the discount is expressly granted in lieu of salary or cash bonus.
3. The Board may, without shareholder approval, (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the plan, (ii) materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the plan, or (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the plan.
4. The granting of options to non-employee directors is subject to management discretion, the plan is administered by a compensation committee not comprised entirely of non-employee directors or the plan is administered by a board of directors not comprised of a majority of non-employee directors, versus non-discretionary grants specified by the plan's terms.
5. However, a modest number of shares may be available for grant to employees and non-employee directors without complying with Guidelines 2, 3 and 4 immediately above if such shares meet both of two conditions:
a. They are granted by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.
b. They are limited to 5% (large capitalization company) and 10% (small capitalization company) of the shares authorized for grant under the plan.
6. The plan's terms allow repricing of underwater options, or the Board/Committee has repriced options outstanding under the plan in the past 2 years. However, option repricing may be acceptable if all of the following conditions, as specified by the plan's express terms, or board resolution, are met:
a. The repricing is authorized by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors to fulfill a legitimate corporate purpose such as retention of a key employee;
b. The repricing is rarely used and then only to maintain option value due to extreme circumstances beyond management's control; and
c. The repricing is limited to no more than 5% (large capitalization company) or 10% (small capitalization company) of the shares currently authorized for grant under the plan.
7. Furthermore, if a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors determines that options need to be granted to employees other than the company's executive officers, that no shares are currently available for such options under the company's existing plans, and that such options need to be granted before the company's next shareholder meeting, then the company may reprice options in an amount not to exceed an additional 5% or 10%, as applicable, if such company seeks authorization of at least that amount at the very next shareholders' meeting.
8. For purposes of this Guideline III, a large capitalization company generally means a company in the Russell 1000; the small capitalization company category generally includes all companies outside the Russell 1000.
B. FMR will generally withhold its authority on the election of directors if, within the last year and without shareholder approval, the company's board of directors or compensation committee has repriced outstanding options held by officers or directors which, together with all other options repriced under the same stock option plan (whether held by officers, directors or other employees) exceed 5% (for a large capitalization company) or 10% (for a small capitalization company) of the shares authorized for grant under the plan.
C. Proposals to reprice outstanding stock options should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. FMR will consider supporting a management proposal to reprice outstanding options based upon whether the proposed repricing is consistent with the interests of shareholders, taking into account such factors as:
1. Whether the repricing proposal excludes senior management and directors;
2. Whether the options proposed to be repriced exceeded FMR's dilution thresholds when initially granted;
3. Whether the repricing proposal is value neutral to shareholders based upon an acceptable options pricing model;
4. The company's relative performance compared to other companies within the relevant industry or industries;
5. Economic and other conditions affecting the relevant industry or industries in which the company competes and;
6. Any other facts or circumstances relevant to determining whether a repricing proposal is consistent with the interests of shareholders.
IV. Restricted Stock Awards ("RSA") should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Portfolio shares should generally be voted against RSA adoptions or amendments to authorize additional shares if:
A. The dilution effect of the shares authorized under the plan, plus the shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all other stock plans, is greater than 10%. However, for companies with a smaller market capitalization, the dilution effect may not be greater than 15%. If the plan fails this test, the dilution effect may be evaluated relative to any unusual factor involving the company.
B. The Board may materially alter the RSA without shareholder approval, including a provision that allows the Board to lapse or waive restrictions at its discretion.
C. The granting of RSAs to non-employee directors is subject to management discretion, versus non-discretionary grants specified by the plan's terms.
D. The restriction period is less than 3 years. RSAs with a restriction period of less than 3 years but at least 1 year are acceptable if the RSA is performance based.
E. However, a modest number of shares may be available for grant to employees and non-employee directors without complying with Guidelines B, C and D immediately above if such shares meet both of two conditions:
1. They are granted by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.
2. They are limited to 5% (large capitalization company) and 10% (small capitalization company) of the shares authorized for grant under the plan.
F. For purposes of this Guideline IV, a large capitalization company generally means a company in the Russell 1000; the small capitalization company category generally includes all companies outside the Russell 1000.
V. Other Stock-Related Plans should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis:
A. Omnibus Stock Plans - vote against entire plan if one or more component violates any of the criteria in parts III or IV above, except if the component is de minimus. In the case of an omnibus stock plan, the 5% and 10% limits in Guidelines III and IV will be measured against the total number of shares under all components of such plan.
B. Employee Stock Purchase Plans - vote against if the plan violates any of the criteria in parts III and IV above, except that the minimum stock purchase price may be equal to or greater than 85% of the stock's fair market value if the plan constitutes a reasonable effort to encourage broad based participation in the company's equity. In the case of non-U.S. company stock purchase plans, the minimum stock purchase price may be equal to the prevailing "best practices," as articulated by the research or recommendations of the relevant proxy research or corporate governance services, provided that the minimum stock purchase price must be at least 75% of the stock's fair market value.
C. Stock Awards (other than stock options and RSAs) - generally vote against unless they are identified as being granted to officers/directors in lieu of salary or cash bonus, subject to number of shares being reasonable.
VI. Unusual Increases in Common Stock:
A. An increase of up to 3 times outstanding and scheduled to be issued, including stock options, is acceptable; any increase in excess of 3 times would be voted against except in the case of real estate investment trusts, where an increase of 5 times is, in general, acceptable.
B. Measured as follows: requested increased authorization plus stock authorized to be issued under Poison Pill divided by current stock outstanding plus any stock scheduled to be issued (not including Poison Pill authority). (If the result is greater than 3, Portfolio shares should be voted against.)
VII. Portfolio shares should, in general, be voted against the introduction of new classes of Stock with Differential Voting Rights.
VIII. With regard to Cumulative Voting Rights, Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of introduction or against elimination on a case-by-case basis where this is determined to enhance Portfolio interests as minority shareholders.
IX. Greenmail - Portfolio shares should be voted for anti-greenmail proposals so long as they are not part of anti-takeover provisions.
X. Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of charter by-law amendments expanding the Indemnification of Directors and/or limiting their liability for Breaches of Care.
A. Portfolio shares should be voted against such proposals if FMR is otherwise dissatisfied with the performance of management or the proposal is accompanied by anti-takeover measures.
XI. Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of proposals to adopt Confidential Voting and Independent Vote Tabulation practices.
XII. Portfolio shares should be voted in favor of proposed amendments to a company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws that enable the company to Opt Out of the Control Shares Acquisition Statutes.
XIII. Employee Stock Ownership Plans ("ESOPs") should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Portfolio shares should usually be voted for non-leveraged ESOPs. For leveraged ESOPs, FMR may examine the company's state of incorporation, existence of supermajority vote rules in the charter, number of shares authorized for the ESOP, and number of shares held by insiders. FMR may also examine where the ESOP shares are purchased and the dilution effect of the purchase. Portfolio shares should be voted against leveraged ESOPs if all outstanding loans are due immediately upon change in control.
XIV. Voting of shares in securities of any U.S. banking organization shall be conducted in a manner consistent with conditions that may be specified by the Federal Reserve Board for a determination under federal banking law that no Fund or group of Funds has acquired control of such banking organization.
XV. Avoidance of Potential Conflicts of Interest
Voting of shares shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the best interests of mutual fund shareholders as follows: (i) securities of a portfolio company shall be voted solely in a manner consistent with the Proxy Voting Guidelines; and (ii) voting shall be done without regard to any other Fidelity Companies' relationship, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company.
FMR applies the following policies and follows the procedures set forth below:
A. FMR has placed responsibility for the Funds' proxy voting in the FMR Legal Department.
B. The FMR Legal Department votes proxies according to the Proxy Voting Guidelines that are approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees.
C. The FMR Legal Department consults with the appropriate analysts or portfolio managers regarding the voting decisions of non-routine proposals that are not addressed by the Proxy Voting Guidelines. Each of the President or General Counsel of FMR or the General Counsel of FMR Corp is authorized to take a final decision.
D. When a Fidelity Fund invests in an underlying fund in reliance on any one of Sections 12(d)(1)(E), (F) or (G) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or to the extent disclosed in the Fund's registrations statement, FMR will use pass through voting or echo voting procedures.
XVI. Executive Compensation
FMR will consider withholding authority for the election of directors and voting against management proposals on stock-based compensation plans or other compensation plans based on whether the proposals are consistent with the interests of shareholders, taking into account such factors as: (i) whether the company has an independent compensation committee; and (ii) whether the compensation committee has authority to engage independent compensation consultants.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FIMM. Under the terms of the agreement, FIIOC performs transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder services for the fund.
FIIOC receives no fees for providing transfer agency services to the fund.
FIIOC pays out-of-pocket expenses associated with providing transfer agent services. In addition, FIIOC bears the expense of typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, and all other reports, notices, and statements to existing shareholders, with the exception of proxy statements.
The fund has entered into a service agent agreement with FSC, an affiliate of FIMM. Under the terms of the agreements, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends for the fund and maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting records.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC is paid based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, the fund did not pay FSC for securities lending.
FIMM, either itself or through an affiliate, bears the cost of pricing and bookkeeping services under the terms of its management contract with the fund.
Trust Organization. Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund is a fund of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust, an open-end management investment company created under an initial declaration of trust dated April 23, 1986. On April 20, 2000, Fidelity Garrison Street Trust changed its name from Fidelity Advisor Series V to Fidelity Garrison Street Trust. Currently, there are two funds offered in the trust: Fidelity Money Market Central Fund and Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund . The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds in the trust and to create additional classes of the fund.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund, and constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying assets of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the trust shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds.
Shareholder Liability. The trust is an entity commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses of the trust or fund. The Declaration of Trust provides that the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the trust or the Trustees relating to the trust or to a fund shall include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust or to one or more funds and its or their assets. The Declaration of Trust further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each fund's property of any shareholder or former shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the fund solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Declaration of Trust also provides that each fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is remote.
Voting Rights. Each fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value you own. The voting rights of shareholders can be changed only by a shareholder vote. Shares may be voted in the aggregate, by fund, and by class.
The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading "Shareholder Liability" above.
<R>The trust or a fund or a class may be terminated upon the sale of its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management investment company, series, or class thereof, or upon liquidation and distribution of its assets. The Trustees may reorganize, terminate, merge, or sell all or a portion of the assets of the trust or a fund or a class without prior shareholder approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the trust, shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund or a class, shareholders of that fund or that class are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund or class available for distribution.</R>
Custodians. JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the fund's assets and the appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. The Bank of New York, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, Members of the Advisory Board, and Members of the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, conduct transactions with various banks, including banks serving as custodians for certain funds advised by FMR. Transactions that have occurred to date include mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of FMR, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund relationships.
Auditor. Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts serves as independent accountant for the fund. The auditor examines financial statements for the fund and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, and report of the auditor, are included in the fund's annual report and are incorporated herein by reference.
Fidelity, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, and Magellan are registered trademarks of of FMR Corp.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust
PEA No. 51
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) (1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated July 18, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 46.
(2) Certificate of Amendment of the Declaration of Trust, dated May 19, 2004, is filed herein as Exhibit (a)(2).
(b) Bylaws of the Trust, as amended and dated November 27, 2002, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Fidelity Puritan Trust's (File No. 2-11884) Post-Effective Amendment No. 124.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) (1) Management Contract between Fidelity Garrison Street Trust, on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., dated April 20, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 44.
(2) Management Contract between Fidelity Garrison Street Trust, on behalf of Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., dated June 14, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 46.
(3) Master International Fixed-Income Research Agreement, dated October 1, 2003, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity International Investment Advisors, on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(33) of Fidelity Charles Street Trust's (File No. 2-73133) Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(4) Schedule A, dated October 1, 2003, to the Master International Fixed-Income Research Agreement, dated October 1, 2003, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity International Investment Advisors, on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Colchester Street Trust's (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(5) Fixed-Income Sub-Research Agreement, dated October 1, 2003, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited, on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(35) of Fidelity Charles Street Trust's (File No. 2-73133) Post-Effective Amendment No. 74.
(6) Schedule A, dated October 1, 2003, to the Fixed-Income Sub-Research Agreement, dated October 1, 2003, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited, on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) of Colchester Street Trust's (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) The Fee Deferral Plan for Non-Interested Person Directors and Trustees of the Fidelity Funds, effective as of September 15, 1995 and amended through January 1, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (f)(1) of Fidelity Massachusetts Municipal Trust's (File No. 2-75537) Post-Effective Amendment No. 39.
(g) (1) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, dated July 1, 2001, between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (currently known as JPMorgan Chase Bank) and the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) of Fidelity Advisor Series VII's (File No. 2-67004) Post-Effective Amendment No. 46.
(2) Appendix A, dated March 8, 2004 to the Custodian Agreement, dated July 1, 2001, between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (currently known as JPMorgan Chase Bank) and the Registrant is filed herein as Exhibit (g)(2).
(3) Appendix B, dated October 10, 2003, to the Custodian Agreement, dated July 1, 2001, between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (currently known as JPMorgan Chase Bank) and the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(11) of Variable Insurance Products Fund II's (File No. 033-20773) Post-Effective Amendment No. 42.
(4) Appendix D, dated February 20, 2002, to the Custodian Agreement, dated July 1, 2001, between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (currently known as JPMorgan Chase Bank) and the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(7) of Variable Insurance Products Fund's (File No. 2-75010) Post-Effective No. 52.
(5) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among The Bank of New York, J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and the Registrant, dated February 12, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(d) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(6) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, dated February 12, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(e) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(7) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among Chemical Bank, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and the Registrant, dated November 13, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(f) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(8) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement between Chemical Bank and the Registrant, dated November 13, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(g) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(9) Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, dated May 11, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(h) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(10) First Amendment to Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, dated July 14, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(i) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(11) Schedule A-1, dated December 12, 2003, to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreements, Schedule 1s to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreements, Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement, and First Amendment to the Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement, between the respective parties and the Registran, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(19) of Fidelity Devonshire Trust's (File No. 002-24389) Post Effective Amendment No. 107.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Not applicable.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) Not applicable.
(n) Not applicable.
(p) (1) Code of Ethics, dated February 1, 2004, adopted by each fund and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Phillips Street Trust's (File No. 811-2890) Post-Effective Amendment No. 50.
(2) Code of Ethics, dated January 1, 2003, adopted by Fidelity International Limited (FIL) pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of Phillips Street Trust's (File No. 811-2890) Post-Effective Amendment No. 50.
Item 23. Trusts Controlled by or under Common Control with this Trust
The Board of Trustees of the Trust is the same as the board of other Fidelity funds, each of which has Fidelity Management & Research Company, or an affiliate, as its investment adviser. In addition, the officers of the Trust are substantially identical to those of the other Fidelity funds. Nonetheless, the Trust takes the position that it is not under common control with other Fidelity funds because the power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the result of an official position with the respective trusts.
Item 24. Indemnification
Article XI, Section 2 of the Declaration of Trust sets forth the reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification shall be provided to any past or present Trustee or officer. It states that the Trust shall indemnify any present or past trustee or officer to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability, and all expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she is involved by virtue of his or her service as a trustee or officer and against any amount incurred in settlement thereof. Indemnification will not be provided to a person adjudged by a court or other adjudicatory body to be liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties (collectively, "disabling conduct"), or not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Trust. In the event of a settlement, no indemnification may be provided unless there has been a determination, as specified in the Declaration of Trust, that the officer or trustee did not engage in disabling conduct.
Pursuant to the agreement by which Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. ("FIIOC") is appointed transfer agent, the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold FIIOC harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from:
(1) any claim, demand, action or suit brought by any person other than the Registrant, including by a shareholder, which names FIIOC and/or the Registrant as a party and is not based on and does not result from FIIOC's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties, and arises out of or in connection with FIIOC's performance under the Transfer Agency Agreement; or
(2) any claim, demand, action or suit (except to the extent contributed to by FIIOC's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties) which results from the negligence of the Registrant, or from FIIOC's acting upon any instruction(s) reasonably believed by it to have been executed or communicated by any person duly authorized by the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC's acting in reliance upon advice reasonably believed by FIIOC to have been given by counsel for the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC's acting in reliance upon any instrument or stock certificate reasonably believed by it to have been genuine and signed, countersigned or executed by the proper person.
Item 25. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
(1) FIDELITY INVESTMENTS MONEY MANAGEMENT, INC. (FIMM)
FIMM provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Chairman of the Board and Director of FIMM, FMR, FMRC, and FMR Far East; Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director of FMR Corp.; Trustee of funds advised by FMR. |
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Abigail P. Johnson |
President and Director of FIMM, FMR, and FMRC;
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Dwight D. Churchill |
Senior Vice President of FIMM and FMR and Vice President of Fixed-Income funds advised by FMR. |
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Jay Freedman |
Secretary of FIMM and FMR Corp.; Assistant Clerk of FMR, FMRC and FDC; Clerk of FMR U.K., FMR Far East, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. |
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Stanley N. Griffith |
Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FIMM, and Assistant Vice President of Fixed-Income funds advised by FMR (2003). |
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Karen Hammond |
Assistant Treasurer of FIMM, FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., and FMR Far East (2003); Vice President of FIMM, FMR U.K., FMR Far East, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2003); Treasurer of Strategic Advisers, Inc. and FMR Corp. (2003). |
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Charles S. Morrison |
Senior Vice President of FIMM (2003); Vice President of FMR; Previously served as Vice President of FIMM and Bond funds advised by FMR (2003). |
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David L. Murphy |
Senior Vice President of FIMM (2003); Vice President of FMR and Money Market funds advised by FMR; Previously served as Vice President of FIMM (2003). |
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Eric D. Roiter |
Assistant Secretary of FIMM; Vice President, General Counsel, and Clerk of FMR and FMRC; Secretary of funds advised by FMR; Vice President and Clerk of FDC; Assistant Clerk of FMR U.K. and FMR Far East. |
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Susan Sturdy |
Assistant Secretary of FIMM and FMR Corp.; Assistant Clerk of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FMR Far East, Strategic Advisers, Inc. and FDC. |
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Jennifer Taub |
Assistant Secretary of FIMM (2003). |
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J. Gregory Wass |
Assistant Treasurer of FIMM, FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FMR Far East, Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC and FMR Corp. (2003); Vice President, Taxation, of FMR Corp. |
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JS Wynant |
Treasurer of FIMM, FMR, FMRC, FMR U. K., and FMR Far East; Vice President of FMR and FMRC. |
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(2) FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (FIIA)
The directors and officers of FIIA have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
(3) FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (U.K.) LIMITED (FIIA(U.K.)L)
The directors and officers of FIIA(U.K.)L have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
Gareth Adams |
Previously served as Director of FIIA(U.K.)L (2003). |
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Simon Fraser |
Director and Chief Executive Officer of FIIA(U.K.)L; Director and President of FIIA; Director, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of FMR U.K.; Previously served as Senior Vice President of FMR U.K. (2003). |
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Andrew Steward |
Director of FIIA(U.K.)L and Chief Financial Officer of FIIA. |
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Ann Stock |
Director of FIIA(U.K.)L (2003). |
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Richard Wane |
Director of FIIA(U.K.)L (2003). |
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Principal business addresses of the investment adviser, sub-advisers and affiliates.
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM)
One Spartan Way
Merrimack, NH 03054
Fidelity International Investment Advisors (FIIA)
Pembroke Hall,
42 Crow Lane,
Pembroke HM19, Bermuda
Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (FIIA(U.K.)L)
Beech Gate, Millfield Lane,
Lower Kingswood, Tadworth
Surrey, KT20 6RB, UK
Item 26. Principal Underwriters
Not applicable.
Item 27. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are maintained by Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Service Company, Inc. or Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc., 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109, or the funds' custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY. The Bank of New York, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.
Item 28. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 29. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 28th day of May 2004.
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust
By:
/s/ Eric D. Roiter
Eric D. Roiter, Secretary
Exhibit (a)(2)
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WILLIAM GALVIN
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
STATE HOUSE - BOSTON, MA
AMENDMENT TO THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
We, Christine Reynolds, President, and Eric D. Roiter, Secretary,
of
FIDELITY GARRISON STREET TRUST
82 DEVONSHIRE STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
hereby certify that, in accordance with ARTICLE XII, SECTION 7 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust (dated July 18, 2001), the following Amendment to said Declaration of Trust was duly adopted by a majority shareholder vote at a meeting duly called and held on May 19, 2004, such Amendment being effective as of that date:
VOTED: That the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated July 18, 2001, be and hereby is, amended as follows:
1. That Article XII, Section 4.3 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
shall be, and it hereby is, amended to read as follows:
Section 4.3. Merger, Consolidation, and Sale of Assets. Subject to applicable Federal and state law and except as otherwise provided in Section 4.4 below, the Trust or any Series or Class thereof may merge or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust, or other organization or may sell, lease, or exchange all or a portion of the Trust property or Trust property allocated or belonging to such Series or Class, including its good will, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration when and as authorized by the Trustees without the vote or consent of Shareholders. Such transactions may be effected through share-for-share exchanges, transfers or sale of assets, shareholder in-kind redemptions and purchases, exchange offers, or any other method approved by the Trustees.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF AND UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, we have hereunto signed our names this 19th day of May, 2004.
/s/Christine Reynolds |
/s/Eric D. Roiter |
Christine Reynolds |
Eric D. Roiter |
President |
Secretary |
Exhibit (g)(2)
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
AND EACH OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES
DATED AS OF March 8, 2004
The following is a list of the Funds and their respective Portfolios for which the Custodian shall serve under a Custodian Agreement dated as of July 1, 2001:
Fund |
Portfolio |
Effective as of: |
Fidelity Advisor Series I |
Fidelity Advisor Balanced Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Equity Growth Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Equity Income Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Growth & Income Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Leveraged Company Stock Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Strategic Growth Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Advisor Series II |
|
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Advisor Series III |
|
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Advisor Series VII |
Fidelity Advisor Consumer Industries Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Cyclical Industries Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Financial Services Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Health Care Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Technology Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Telecommunications & Utilities Growth Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII |
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund |
March 11, 2004 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Income Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Capital Trust |
Fidelity Focused Stock Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Charles Street Trust |
Fidelity Asset Manager |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Asset Manager: Growth |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Asset Manager: Aggressive |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Asset Manager: Income |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust |
Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity NASDAQ Composite Index Fund |
September 5, 2003 |
|
Fidelity NASDAQ Composite Tracking Stock Fund |
September 5, 2003 |
Fidelity Devonshire Trust |
Fidelity Equity-Income Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Financial Trust |
Fidelity Equity-Income II Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
Fidelity Money Market Central Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
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Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund |
July 16, 2001 |
Fidelity Hastings Street Trust |
Fidelity Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Growth & Income II Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Investment Trust |
Fidelity Aggressive International Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Diversified International Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Europe Capital Appreciation Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Europe Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity International Growth & Income Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Japan Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Overseas Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Pacific Basin Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Southeast Asia Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Worldwide Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust |
Fidelity New Millennium Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Puritan Trust |
Fidelity Puritan Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Revere Street Trust |
Fidelity Cash Central Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity School Street Trust |
Fidelity New Markets Income Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Securities Fund |
Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Fidelity Leveraged Company Stock Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Trend Fund |
Fidelity Trend Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Fidelity Union Street Trust |
Fidelity Export and Multinational Fund |
July 1, 2001 |
Variable Insurance Products Fund |
Equity-Income Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Overseas Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
Variable Insurance Products Fund II |
Asset Manager Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
Variable Insurance Products Fund III |
Aggressive Growth Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Balanced Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
|
Growth & Income Portfolio |
July 1, 2001 |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
Consumer Industries Portfolio |
July 18, 2001 |
|
Cyclical Industries Portfolio |
July 18, 2001 |
|
Financial Services Portfolio |
July 18, 2001 |
|
Healthcare Portfolio |
July 19, 2001 |
|
Technology Portfolio |
July 19, 2001 |
|
Telecommunications & Utilities Growth
|
July 19, 2001 |
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(1) The addition of Fidelity Advisor Series VIII: Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Fund effective 3/11/04.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and behalf as of the day and year first set forth opposite each such Portfolio. |
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E ACH OF THE I NVESTMENT C OMPANIES |
JPM ORGAN C HASE B ANK |
L ISTED ON THIS A PPENDIX "A", ON BEHALF |
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OF EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE P ORTFOLIOS |
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B Y : / S /J OHN C OSTELLO N AME : J OHN C OSTELLO T ITLE :: A SST . T REASURER |
B Y : / S /M ATTHEW G OAD N AME : M ATTHEW G OAD T ITLE : V ICE P RESIDENT |