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. 66 |
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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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Scott C. Goebel, 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 (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
®
Commodity Strategy Central
Fund
Part A of the Registration Statement
August 24, 2009
(fidelity_logo_graphic)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
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
Commodity Strategy Central Fund seeks to provide investment returns that correspond to the performance of the commodities market.
Principal Investment Strategies
Geode Capital Management, LLC (Geode ® ) normally expects to invest the fund's assets in commodity-linked notes, other commodity-linked derivative instruments, short-term investment-grade debt securities, cash, and cash equivalents. Commodities are assets that have physical properties, such as oil and other energy products, metals, and agricultural products. Commodity-linked derivative instruments include commodity-linked notes; total return swaps, options, or forward contracts based on the value of commodities or commodities indices; and commodity futures. The fund intends to provide exposure to the commodities market but will not be managed to take delivery of physical commodities. The fund may divest of commodity-linked derivative instruments to avoid delivery.
The fund seeks to track the performance of an index chosen by Geode to represent the commodities market, as well as short-term investment-grade debt securities. As of the fund's inception, Geode was using the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index Total Return to represent the commodities market.
Geode may invest up to 25% of the fund's assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Subsidiary). The Subsidiary is expected to invest directly in commodity-linked derivative instruments, in particular total return swaps, options, or forward contracts based on the value of commodities or commodities indices, and commodity futures. The Subsidiary will not be managed to take delivery of physical commodities, and may divest of certain commodity-linked derivative instruments (namely commodity futures) to avoid delivery.
Geode may invest the fund's assets in securities of foreign issuers in addition to securities of domestic issuers.
Because the fund is considered non-diversified, Geode may invest a significant percentage of the fund's assets in a single issuer.
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed above, the fund may also lend securities to broker-dealers or other institutions to earn income. When Geode believes that suitable commodity-linked derivative instruments are not available, or during other unusual market conditions, Geode may leave all or a significant portion of the fund's assets invested in cash, cash equivalents, or short-term investment-grade debt securities. If Geode'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, usually 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, mortgage and other asset-backed securities, loans and loan participations, and other securities that Geode believes have debt-like characteristics, including hybrids and synthetic 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.
Commodity-linked notes and related investments are indexed to all or part of a commodities index or to a single commodity. Commodity-linked notes and related investments include debt securities whose maturity values or interest rates are determined by reference to a commodities index and are designed to provide exposure to the entire index and may include other investments that provide exposure to less than the entire commodities index or to a single commodity. Commodity-linked notes and investments may be positively or negatively indexed, meaning their maturity value may be structured to increase or decrease as commodity values change.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
Derivatives are investments whose values are tied to an underlying asset, instrument, or index. Derivatives include futures, options, and swaps, such as interest rate swaps (exchanging a floating rate for a fixed rate), total return swaps (exchanging a floating rate for the total return of a security or index) and credit default swaps (buying or selling credit default protection).
Forward-settling securities involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities when issued, or at a predetermined price or yield. Payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement period.
Central funds are special types of investment vehicles created by Fidelity for use by the Fidelity funds and other advisory clients. Central funds incur certain costs related to their investment activity (such as custodial fees and expenses), but do not pay additional management fees to Fidelity. The investment results of the portions of the fund's assets invested in the central funds will be based upon the investment results of those funds.
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. Because Geode may invest a significant percentage of the fund's assets in a single issuer, the fund's performance could be closely tied to that one issuer and could be more volatile than the performance of more diversified funds. 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. Commodity-linked instruments may react differently from other types of debt securities because the payment at maturity is based on the movement of all or part of the commodities index.
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. These risks include fluctuations in foreign currencies; withholding or other taxes; trading, settlement, custodial, and other operational risks; and the less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some foreign markets. All of these factors can make foreign investments more volatile than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can perform differently from the U.S. market.
The commodities industries can be significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices; world events including international monetary and political developments; import controls and worldwide competition; exploration and production spending; and tax and other government regulations and economic conditions.
Financial Services Exposure. Financial services companies are highly dependent on the supply of short-term financing and can be sensitive to changes in government regulation and interest rates and to economic downturns in the United States and abroad. These events can significantly affect the price of issuers' securities as well as their ability to make payments of principal or interest or otherwise meet obligations on securities or instruments for which they serve as guarantors or counterparties.
Prospectus
Subsidiary Risk. The investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the fund and, therefore, the Subsidiary is subject to risks similar to those of the fund, including the risks associated with investing in derivatives and commodity-linked investing in general. Because the Subsidiary is organized under Cayman Islands law and is not registered under the 1940 Act, the Subsidiary is not subject to the investor protections of the 1940 Act. The fund relies on a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to its investment in the Subsidiary. Changes in U.S. or Cayman Islands laws could result in the inability of the fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus.
Prepayment. Many types of debt securities, including mortgage securities, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk 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 security or 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.
Leverage Risk. Derivatives and forward-settling securities involve leverage because they can provide investment exposure in an amount exceeding the initial investment. Leverage can magnify investment risks and cause losses to be realized more quickly. A small change in the underlying asset, instrument, or index can lead to a significant loss. Assets segregated to cover these transactions may decline in value and are not available to meet redemptions. Forward-settling securities also involve the risk that a security will not be issued, delivered, or paid for when anticipated.
Commodity-Linked Investing. The performance of commodity-linked notes and related investments may depend on the performance of the overall commodities markets and on other factors that affect the value of commodities, including weather, disease, and political, tax, and other regulatory developments. Commodity-linked notes may be leveraged. For example, a three-times leveraged note will change by a magnitude of three for every percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying index. Commodity-linked investments may be hybrid instruments that can have substantial risk of loss with respect to both principal and interest. Commodity-linked investments may be more volatile and less liquid than the underlying commodity, instruments, or measures, are subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. As a result, returns of commodity-linked investments may deviate significantly from the return of the underlying commodity, instruments, or measures.
In response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, Geode may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. If Geode does so, different factors could affect the fund's performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder approval.
Commodity Strategy Central Fund seeks to provide investment returns that correspond to the performance of the commodities market.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
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. The fund's assets normally are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
NAV is not calculated and the fund will not process purchase and redemption requests submitted on days when the fund is not open for business. The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
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 market quotations, official closing prices, or on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. If market quotations, official closing prices, 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 before the fund's pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, that security will be valued by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value in accordance with the Board's fair value pricing policies. For example, arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security or securities is halted and does not resume before the fund calculates its NAV. These arbitrage opportunities may enable short-term traders to dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Securities trading in overseas markets present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting portfolio security values occur after the close of the overseas market but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair value pricing will be used for high yield debt and floating rate loans when available pricing information is determined to be stale or for other reasons not to accurately reflect fair value. To the extent the fund invests in other open-end funds, the fund will calculate its NAV using the NAV of the underlying funds in which it invests as described in the underlying funds' prospectuses. The fund may invest in other Fidelity funds that use the same fair value pricing policies as the fund or in Fidelity money market funds. A security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. Fair valuation of a fund's portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the fund's NAV by short-term traders.
Prospectus
The fund may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase orders, including transactions deemed to represent excessive trading, at any time.
Excessive trading of fund shares can harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the fund (such as brokerage commissions), disrupting portfolio management strategies, and diluting the value of the shares in cases in which fluctuations in markets are not fully priced into the fund's NAV.
Because the fund is only offered for investment to certain other registered investment companies managed by Fidelity Management and Research Company (FMR) or an affiliate, the potential for excessive or short-term disruptive purchases and sales is reduced. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive trading of fund shares and the fund accommodates frequent trading.
The fund may in its discretion restrict, reject, or cancel any purchases that, in FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC)'s opinion, may be disruptive to the management of the fund or otherwise not be in the fund's interests.
The fund has no exchange privilege with any other fund. The fund has no limit on purchase transactions, but is only offered for investment to certain other registered investment companies managed by FMR or an affiliate, which in turn have in place FMR's policies and procedures concerning frequent trading. The fund reserves the right at any time to restrict purchases or impose conditions that are more restrictive on excessive or disruptive trading than those stated in this prospectus.
The fund offers its shares to other investment companies and accounts managed by FMR or an affiliate. 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 (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 has authorized certain intermediaries to accept orders to buy shares on its behalf. When authorized intermediaries receive an order in proper form, the order is considered as being placed with the fund, and shares will be bought at the next NAV calculated after the order is received by the authorized intermediary. Orders by funds of funds for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment manager will be treated as received by the fund at the same time that the corresponding orders are received in proper form by the funds of funds.
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. Normally, redemptions will be processed by the next business day, but it may take up to seven days to pay the redemption proceeds if making immediate payment would adversely affect the fund.
Prospectus
The fund has authorized certain intermediaries to accept orders to sell shares on its behalf. When authorized intermediaries receive an order in proper form, the order is considered as being placed with the fund, and shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after the order is received by the authorized intermediary. Orders by funds of funds for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment manager will be treated as received by the fund at the same time that the corresponding orders are received in proper form by the funds of funds.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
The following policy applies to you as a shareholder.
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.
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 pays dividends and capital gain distributions in September and December.
As a non-publicly offered registered investment company, the fund may be required to report distributions of "phantom income" to affected shareholders.
The fund only processes purchase and redemption requests on days it's open for business.
Shares generally 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. A percentage of certain distributions of dividends may qualify for taxation at long-term capital gains rates (provided certain holiday period requirements are met). However, because the fund's income is primarily derived from interest and its investment in the subsidiary dividends from the fund generally will not qualify for the long-term capital gains tax rates available to individuals.
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
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; however, 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
The fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
FMRC is the fund's manager. The address of FMRC and its affiliates unless otherwise indicated below, is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
As of December 31, 2008, FMRC had approximately $433.3 billion in discretionary assets under management.
As the manager, FMRC is responsible for choosing the fund's investments and handling its business affairs.
Geode, at One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. Geode chooses the fund's investments and places orders to buy and sell the fund's investments.
As of February 27, 2009, Geode had approximately $43.8 billion in discretionary assets under management.
The fund is managed by Geode, a sub-adviser to the fund. Jeffrey Adams is lead portfolio manager of the the fund. Premkumar Narasimhan, Bobe Simon, and Patrick Waddell are portfolio managers of the fund, and Lou Bottari is the assistant portfolio manager of the fund.
Jeffrey Adams has been a Senior Portfolio Manager with Geode since 2003. He has served as the Lead Portfolio Manager of Commodity Strategy Central Fund since its inception. He also acts as Lead Portfolio Manager for other registered investment companies. Mr. Adams has oversight responsibility for all index funds managed by Geode and is responsible for quantitative research and new product development. Mr. Adams was employed by State Street Global Advisors from June 1989 to June 2003 where he served as a Portfolio Manager for over seven years before joining Geode.
Premkumar Narasimhan has been a Portfolio Manager with Geode since June 2008. He serves as a Portfolio Manager of Commodity Strategy Central Fund, which he has managed since its inception. He also serves as a Portfolio Manager for other registered investment companies. In addition to his portfolio management responsibilities, Mr. Narasimhan is responsible for quantitative research and new product development. Prior to joining Geode, Mr. Narasimhan was a Vice President at Morgan Stanley from 2003 to 2008.
Bobe Simon has been a Portfolio Manager with Geode since April 2005. He has served as a Portfolio Manager of Commodity Strategy Central Fund since its inception. He also serves as a Portfolio Manager for other registered investment companies. In addition to his portfolio management responsibilities, Mr. Simon is responsible for quantitative research and new product development. Prior to joining Geode, Mr. Simon worked as a Quantitative Analyst at Putnam Investments from July 1995 to April 2005.
Patrick Waddell has been a Portfolio Manager with Geode since July 2006. He has served as a Portfolio Manager of Commodity Strategy Central Fund since its inception as well as for other registered investment companies. Prior to July 2006, Mr. Waddell was an Assistant Portfolio Manager with Geode since 2004. In addition to his portfolio management responsibilities, Mr. Waddell is responsible for quantitative research and new product development. Prior to joining Geode, Mr. Waddell was employed by Fidelity in 1997 and served as a Senior Portfolio Assistant from 2002 to 2004.
Lou Bottari has been an Assistant Portfolio Manager with Geode since May 2008. He serves as an Assistant Portfolio Manager of Commodity Strategy Central Fund, which he has managed since its inception. He also serves as an Assistant Portfolio Manager for other registered investment companies. In addition to his portfolio management responsibilities, Mr. Bottari is responsible for quantitative research and new product development. Prior to joining Geode, Mr. Bottari was employed by Fidelity in 1991 and served as an Assistant Portfolio Manager with Pyramis Global Advisors from 2005 to 2008.
The statement of additional information (SAI) provides additional information about the compensation of, any other accounts managed by, and any fund shares held by Messrs. Adams, Narasimhan, Simon, Waddell, and Bottari.
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.
Prospectus
Pursuant to the fund's management contract with FMRC, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FMRC a management fee. The management fee is calculated and paid to FMRC every month.
For each fund (other than a fund for which FMRC serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FMRC 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. 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 has contracted to pay the fund's operating expenses (excluding custody fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees and extraordinary expenses). This agreement may be modified by mutual consent of the fund's Board of Trustees, FMR and FMRC.
FMRC pays Geode for providing investment management services.
The basis for the Board of Trustees approving the management contract and sub-advisory agreements for the fund will be included in the fund's semiannual report for the fiscal period ended January 31, 2010, when available.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse a fund for other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the ability to be repaid by a 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 a fund's expenses and boost its performance.
Prospectus
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 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 drivers' licenses, articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Fidelity identify the entity. |
A description of the fund's policies and procedures for disclosing its holdings is available in Part B of its registration statement.
Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design are registered trademarks of FMR LLC.
Geode is a registered trademark of Geode Capital Management LLC.
1.901055.100 CRC-pro-0809
Fidelity ® Commodity Strategy Central Fund
A Fund of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust
PART B OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 24, 2009
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus. An annual report for the fund will be available once the fund has completed its first annual period.
To obtain a free additional copy of Part A of the Registration Statement, dated August 24, 2009, 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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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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Proxy Voting Guidelines |
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Transfer and Service Agent Agreements |
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Description of the Trust |
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Fund Holdings Information |
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Appendix |
CRC-ptb-0809
1.901089.100
(fidelity_logo_graphic)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
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 (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.
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 borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its 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 generally 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.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, with respect to any investment in Fidelity ® Money Market Central Fund and/or any non-money market central fund, FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC) looks through to the holdings of the central fund.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, FMRC may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry or sector classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that the third party classification provider used by FMRC does not assign a classification.
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.
Diversification
In order to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the fund currently intends to comply with certain diversification limits imposed by Subchapter M.
For purposes of the fund's diversification limitation discussed above, Subchapter M generally requires the fund to invest no more than 25% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer and to invest at least 50% of its total assets so that (a) no more than 5% of the fund's total assets are invested in securities of any one issuer, and (b) the fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. However, Subchapter M allows unlimited investments in cash, cash items, government securities (as defined in Subchapter M) and securities of other regulated investment companies. These tax requirements are generally applied at the end of each quarter of the fund's taxable year.
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, options, and swaps 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 Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with any party (reverse repurchase agreements are treated as borrowings for purposes of the fundamental borrowing investment limitation).
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:
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of instruments in which the fund may invest, strategies Geode Capital Management, LLC (Geode ® ) may employ in pursuit of the fund's investment objective, and a summary of related risks. FMRC or Geode, as applicable, 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 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 special types of investment vehicles created by Fidelity for use by the Fidelity funds and other advisory clients. FMR uses central funds to invest in particular security types or investment disciplines, or for cash management. Central funds incur certain costs related to their investment activity (such as custodial fees and expenses), but do not pay additional management fees to Fidelity. The investment results of the portions of the fund's assets invested in the central funds will be based upon the investment results of those funds.
Common Stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
Convertible Securities are bonds, debentures, notes, or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at prices above their "conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.
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.
Duration of a bond is a measure of the approximate sensitivity of a bond's price to changes in interest rates. Duration is expressed in years. Except for zero coupon bonds, duration is generally shorter than maturity because much of a bond's return consists of interest paid prior to the maturity date. Bonds with longer durations usually have more interest rate sensitivity and price volatility than bonds with shorter durations. Typically, if a bond had a duration of 5 years and interest rates rose 1%, the market value of the bond would decline 5%.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are shares of other investment companies, commodity pools, or other entities that are traded on an exchange. Typically, assets underlying the ETF shares are stocks, though they may also be commodities or other instruments, selected to track a particular index.
Typically, shares of the ETF are expected to increase in value as the value of the index increases. However, in the case of inverse ETFs (also called "short ETFs" or "bear ETFs"), ETF shares are expected to increase in value as the value of the underlying index decreases. Inverse ETFs seek to deliver the opposite of the performance of the index they track and are often marketed as a way for investors to profit from, or at least hedge their exposure to, downward moving markets. Investments in inverse ETFs are similar to holding short positions in the underlying index.
Shares of an ETF are only redeemable in large blocks (typically, 50,000 shares) called "creation units" by persons other than a fund, and are redeemed principally in-kind at each day's next calculated net asset value. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by a fund. A fund's purchase of ETFs results in the layering of expenses, such that the fund would indirectly bear a proportionate share of any ETF's operating expenses. Further, while traditional investment companies are continuously offered at NAV, ETFs are traded in the secondary market (e.g., on a stock exchange) on an intra-day basis at prices above or below the value of their underlying portfolios.
Some of the risks of investing in an ETF are similar to those of investing in an indexed mutual fund, including tracking error risk (the risk of errors in matching the ETF's underlying assets to the index); and the risk that because an ETF is not actively managed, it cannot sell stocks as long as they are represented in the index. Other ETF risks include the risk that ETFs may trade in the secondary market at a discount from their NAV and the risk that the ETFs may not be liquid. ETFs also may be leveraged. Leveraged ETFs seek to deliver multiples of the performance of the index they track and use derivatives in an effort to amplify the returns of the underlying index. While leveraged ETFs may offer the potential for greater return, the potential for loss and speed at which losses can be realized also are greater. Most leveraged and inverse ETFs "reset" daily, meaning they are designed to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis. Leveraged and inverse ETFs can deviate substantially from the performance of their underlying index over longer periods of time, particularly in volatile periods.
Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) are a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines both aspects of bonds and ETFs. An ETN's returns are based on the performance of a market index minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN's maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments and principal is not protected.
An ETN that is tied to a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities, or other components in the applicable index. ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index. Additionally, certain components comprising the index tracked by an ETN may, at times, be temporarily unavailable, which may impede an ETN's ability to track its index. Additional losses may be incurred if the investment loses value because, in addition to the money lost on the investment, the loan still needs to be repaid.
The market value of an ETN is determined by supply and demand, the current performance of the index, and the credit rating of the ETN issuer. The market value of ETN shares may differ from their NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities underlying the index that the ETN seeks to track. The value of an ETN may also change due to a change in the issuer's credit rating. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV. Some ETNs that use leverage in an effort to amplify the returns of an underlying index can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs may offer the potential for greater return, but the potential for loss and speed at which losses can be realized also are greater.
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 FMRC or Geode 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.
It is anticipated that in most cases the best available market for foreign securities will be on an exchange or in over-the-counter (OTC) markets located outside of the United States. Foreign stock markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign security trading, settlement and custodial practices (including those involving securities settlement where fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment) are often less developed than those in U.S. markets, and may result in increased risk or substantial delays in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of, or breach of duty by, a foreign broker-dealer, securities depository, or foreign subcustodian. In addition, the costs associated with foreign investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. Adequate public information on foreign issuers may not be available, and it may be difficult to secure dividends and information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. OTC markets tend to be less regulated than stock exchange markets and, in certain countries, may be totally unregulated. Regulatory enforcement may be influenced by economic or political concerns, and investors may have difficulty enforcing their legal rights in foreign countries.
Some foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to such transfer restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other "hybrid" forms of ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the underlying issuer's country.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in emerging markets. Security prices in emerging markets can be significantly more volatile than those in more developed markets, reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times.
Floating Rate Loans and Other Debt Securities. Floating rate loans consist generally of obligations of companies or other entities (collectively, "borrowers") incurred for the purpose of reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a borrower (recapitalization); acquiring another company (acquisition); taking over control of a company (leveraged buyout); temporary financing (bridge loan); or refinancings, internal growth, or other general business purposes. Floating rate loans are often obligations of borrowers who are highly leveraged.
Floating rate loans may be structured to include both term loans, which are generally fully funded at the time of the making of the loan, and revolving credit facilities, which would require additional investments upon the borrower's demand. A revolving credit facility may require a purchaser to increase its investment in a floating rate loan at a time when it would not otherwise have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it unlikely that the amount will ever be repaid.
Floating rate loans may be acquired by direct investment as a lender, as a participation interest (which represents a fractional interest in a floating rate loan) issued by a lender or other financial institution, or as an assignment of the portion of a floating rate loan previously attributable to a different lender.
A floating rate loan offered as part of the original lending syndicate typically is purchased at par value. As part of the original lending syndicate, a purchaser generally earns a yield equal to the stated interest rate. In addition, members of the original syndicate typically are paid a commitment fee. In secondary market trading, floating rate loans may be purchased or sold above, at, or below par, which can result in a yield that is below, equal to, or above the stated interest rate, respectively. At certain times when reduced opportunities exist for investing in new syndicated floating rate loans, floating rate loans may be available only through the secondary market. There can be no assurance that an adequate supply of floating rate loans will be available for purchase.
Historically, floating rate loans have not been registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any securities exchange. As a result, the amount of public information available about a specific floating rate loan historically has been less extensive than if the floating rate loan were registered or exchange-traded.
Purchasers of floating rate loans and other forms of debt securities depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of interest and repayment of principal. If scheduled interest or principal payments are not made, the value of the security may be adversely affected. Floating rate loans and other debt securities that are fully secured provide more protections than unsecured securities in the event of failure to make scheduled interest or principal payments. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Some floating rate loans and other debt securities are not rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization. In connection with the restructuring of a floating rate loan or other debt security outside of bankruptcy court in a negotiated work-out or in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, equity securities or junior debt securities may be received in exchange for all or a portion of an interest in the security.
From time to time FMR and its affiliates may borrow money from various banks in connection with their business activities. These banks also may sell floating rate loans to a Fidelity fund or acquire floating rate loans from a Fidelity fund, or may be intermediate participants with respect to floating rate loans owned by a Fidelity fund. These banks also may act as agents for floating rate loans that a Fidelity fund owns.
The following paragraphs pertain to floating rate loans: Agents, Participation Interests, Collateral, Floating Interest Rates, Maturity, Floating Rate Loan Trading, Supply of Floating Rate Loans, Restrictive Covenants, Fees, and Other Types of Floating Rate Debt Securities.
Agents. Floating rate loans typically are originated, negotiated, and structured by a bank, insurance company, finance company, or other financial institution (the "agent") for a lending syndicate of financial institutions. The borrower and the lender or lending syndicate enter into a loan agreement. In addition, an institution (typically, but not always, the agent) holds any collateral on behalf of the lenders.
In a typical floating rate loan, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement and is responsible for the collection of principal and interest and fee payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to all lenders that are parties to the loan agreement. Purchasers will rely on the agent to use appropriate creditor remedies against the borrower. Typically, under loan agreements, the agent is given broad discretion in monitoring the borrower's performance and is obligated to use the same care it would use in the management of its own property. Upon an event of default, the agent typically will enforce the loan agreement after instruction from the lenders. The borrower compensates the agent for these services. This compensation may include special fees paid on structuring and funding the floating rate loan and other fees paid on a continuing basis. The typical practice of an agent or a lender in relying exclusively or primarily on reports from the borrower may involve a risk of fraud by the borrower.
If an agent becomes insolvent, or has a receiver, conservator, or similar official appointed for it by the appropriate bank or other regulatory authority, or becomes a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, the agent's appointment may be terminated, and a successor agent would be appointed. If an appropriate regulator or court determines that assets held by the agent for the benefit of the purchasers of floating rate loans are subject to the claims of the agent's general or secured creditors, the purchasers might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a floating rate loan or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. Furthermore, in the event of the borrower's bankruptcy or insolvency, the borrower's obligation to repay a floating rate loan may be subject to certain defenses that the borrower can assert as a result of improper conduct by the agent.
Participation Interests. Purchasers of participation interests do not have any direct contractual relationship with the borrower. Purchasers rely on the lender who sold the participation interest not only for the enforcement of the purchaser's rights against the borrower but also for the receipt and processing of payments due under the floating rate loan.
Purchasers of participation interests may be subject to delays, expenses, and risks that are greater than those that would be involved if the purchaser could enforce its rights directly against the borrower. In addition, under the terms of a participation interest, the purchaser may be regarded as a creditor of the intermediate participant (rather than of the borrower), so that the purchaser also may be subject to the risk that the intermediate participant could become insolvent. The agreement between the purchaser and lender who sold the participation interest may also limit the rights of the purchaser to vote on changes that may be made to the loan agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant.
The fund limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any one issuer or in issuers within the same industry (see the fund's investment limitations). For purposes of these limitations, a fund generally will treat the borrower as the "issuer" of indebtedness held by the fund. In the case of participation interests where a bank or other lending institution serves as intermediate participant between a fund and the borrower, if the participation interest does not shift to the fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC interpretations require a fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as "issuers" for these purposes. Treating an intermediate participant as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single intermediate participant, or a group of intermediate participants engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
Collateral. Most floating rate loans are secured by specific collateral of the borrower and are senior to most other securities of the borrower. The collateral typically has a market value, at the time the floating rate loan is made, that equals or exceeds the principal amount of the floating rate loan. The value of the collateral may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower, or be difficult to liquidate. As a result, a floating rate loan may not be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value.
Floating rate loan collateral may consist of various types of assets or interests. Collateral may include working capital assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory; tangible or intangible assets; or assets or other types of guarantees of affiliates of the borrower. Inventory is the goods a company has in stock, including finished goods, goods in the process of being manufactured, and the supplies used in the process of manufacturing. Accounts receivable are the monies due to a company for merchandise or securities that it has sold, or for the services it has provided. Tangible fixed assets include real property, buildings, and equipment. Intangible assets include trademarks, copyrights and patent rights, and securities of subsidiaries or affiliates.
Generally, floating rate loans are secured unless (i) the purchaser's security interest in the collateral is invalidated for any reason by a court, or (ii) the collateral is fully released with the consent of the agent bank and lenders or under the terms of a loan agreement as the creditworthiness of the borrower improves. Collateral impairment is the risk that the value of the collateral for a floating rate loan will be insufficient in the event that a borrower defaults. Although the terms of a floating rate loan generally require that the collateral at issuance have a value at least equal to 100% of the amount of such floating rate loan, the value of the collateral may decline subsequent to the purchase of a floating rate loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. There is no guarantee that the sale of collateral would allow a borrower to meet its obligations should the borrower be unable to repay principal or pay interest or that the collateral could be sold quickly or easily.
In addition, most borrowers pay their debts from the cash flow they generate. If the borrower's cash flow is insufficient to pay its debts as they come due, the borrower may seek to restructure its debts rather than sell collateral. Borrowers may try to restructure their debts by filing for protection under the federal bankruptcy laws or negotiating a work-out. If a borrower becomes involved in bankruptcy proceedings, access to the collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws. In the event that a court decides that access to the collateral is limited or void, it is unlikely that purchasers could recover the full amount of the principal and interest due.
There may be temporary periods when the principal asset held by a borrower is the stock of a related company, which may not legally be pledged to secure a floating rate loan. On occasions when such stock cannot be pledged, the floating rate loan will be temporarily unsecured until the stock can be pledged or is exchanged for, or replaced by, other assets.
Some floating rate loans are unsecured. If the borrower defaults on an unsecured floating rate loan, there is no specific collateral on which the purchaser can foreclose.
Floating Interest Rates. The rate of interest payable on floating rate loans is the sum of a base lending rate plus a specified spread. Base lending rates are generally the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), the Certificate of Deposit ("CD") Rate of a designated U.S. bank, the Prime Rate of a designated U.S. bank, the Federal Funds Rate, or another base lending rate used by commercial lenders. A borrower usually has the right to select the base lending rate and to change the base lending rate at specified intervals. The applicable spread may be fixed at time of issuance or may adjust upward or downward to reflect changes in credit quality of the borrower.
The interest rate on LIBOR-based and CD Rate-based floating rate loans is reset periodically at intervals ranging from 30 to 180 days, while the interest rate on Prime Rate- or Federal Funds Rate-based floating rate loans floats daily as those rates change. Investment in floating rate loans with longer interest rate reset periods can increase fluctuations in the floating rate loans' values when interest rates change.
The yield on a floating rate loan will primarily depend on the terms of the underlying floating rate loan and the base lending rate chosen by the borrower. The relationship between LIBOR, the CD Rate, the Prime Rate, and the Federal Funds Rate will vary as market conditions change.
Maturity. Floating rate loans typically will have a stated term of five to nine years. However, because floating rate loans are frequently prepaid, their average maturity is expected to be two to three years. The degree to which borrowers prepay floating rate loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the borrower's financial condition, and competitive conditions among lenders. Prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Prepayments of principal to the purchaser of a floating rate loan may result in the principal's being reinvested in floating rate loans with lower yields.
Floating Rate Loan Trading. Floating rate loans are generally subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Floating rate loans are not currently listed on any securities exchange or automatic quotation system. As a result, no active market may exist for some floating rate loans, and to the extent a secondary market exists for other floating rate loans, such market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads, and extended trade settlement periods.
Supply of Floating Rate Loans. The supply of floating rate loans may be limited from time to time due to a lack of sellers in the market for existing floating rate loans or the number of new floating rate loans currently being issued. As a result, the floating rate loans available for purchase may be lower quality or higher priced.
Restrictive Covenants. A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in the loan agreement. In addition to requiring the scheduled payment of interest and principal, these covenants may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to stockholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific financial ratios, and limits on total debt. The loan agreement may also contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the floating rate loan with any free cash flow. A breach of a covenant that is not waived by the agent (or by the lenders directly) is normally an event of default, which provides the agent or the lenders the right to call the outstanding floating rate loan.
Fees. Purchasers of floating rate loans may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions, and prepayment penalty fees. When a purchaser buys a floating rate loan, it may receive a facility fee; and when it sells a floating rate loan, it may pay a facility fee. A purchaser may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a floating rate loan or a prepayment penalty fee on the prepayment of a floating rate loan. A purchaser may also receive other fees, including covenant waiver fees and covenant modification fees.
Other Types of Floating Rate Debt Securities. Floating rate debt securities include other forms of indebtedness of borrowers such as notes and bonds, securities with fixed rate interest payments in conjunction with a right to receive floating rate interest payments, and shares of other investment companies. These instruments are generally subject to the same risks as floating rate loans but are often more widely issued and traded.
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.
The following discussion summarizes the principal currency management strategies involving forward contracts that could be used by a fund. A fund may also use swap agreements, indexed securities, and options and futures contracts relating to foreign currencies for the same purposes.
A "settlement hedge" or "transaction hedge" is designed to protect a fund against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the date a security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. Entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in an underlying security transaction for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars "locks in" the U.S. dollar price of the security. Forward contracts to purchase or sell a foreign currency may also be used by a fund in anticipation of future purchases or sales of securities denominated in foreign currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected by FMRC or Geode.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For example, if a fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it could enter into a forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible declines in the pound's value. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a "position hedge," would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations, but would not offset changes in security values caused by other factors. A fund could also hedge the position by selling another currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling. This type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a direct hedge into U.S. dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged securities are denominated.
A fund may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency, or from one foreign currency to another foreign currency. This type of strategy, sometimes known as a "cross-hedge," will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that is purchased, much as if a fund had sold a security denominated in one currency and purchased an equivalent security denominated in another. A fund may cross-hedge its U.S. dollar exposure in order to achieve a representative weighted mix of the major currencies in its benchmark index and/or to cover an underweight country or region exposure in its portfolio. Cross-hedges protect against losses resulting from a decline in the hedged currency, but will cause a fund to assume the risk of fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases.
Successful use of currency management strategies will depend on FMRC's or Geode'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 FMRC or Geode anticipates. For example, if a currency's value rose at a time when FMRC or Geode had hedged a fund by selling that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not participate in the currency's appreciation. If FMRC or Geode 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 FMRC or Geode increases a fund's exposure to a foreign currency and that currency's value declines, a fund will realize a loss. A fund may be required to limit its hedging transactions in foreign currency forwards, futures, and options in order to maintain its classification as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code (Code). Hedging transactions could result in the application of the mark-to-market provisions of the Code, which may cause an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by a fund and could affect whether dividends paid by a fund are classified as capital gains or ordinary income. There is no assurance that FMRC's or Geode's use of currency management strategies will be advantageous to a fund or that it will employ currency management strategies at appropriate times.
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 below. 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.
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 FMRC or Geode 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. FMRC or Geode 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 success of any strategy involving futures, options, and swaps depends on an adviser's analysis of many economic and mathematical factors and a fund's return may be higher if it never invested in such instruments. Additionally, some of the contracts discussed below are new instruments without a trading history and there can be no assurance that a market for the instruments will continue to exist. Future government legislation or regulation of derivatives could affect the fund's use of such instruments and could limit the ability of the fund to pursue its investment strategies.
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, or commodities or commodities indices, some are based on indices of securities prices, and some are based on Eurodollars. Futures on indices and futures not calling for physical delivery of the underlying instrument will be settled through cash payments rather than through delivery of the underlying instrument. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out by offsetting purchases or sales of futures contracts before then if a liquid market is available. The fund may realize a gain or loss by closing out its futures contracts.
Positions in Eurodollar futures reflect market expectations of forward levels of three-month 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.
The purchaser or seller of a futures contract or an option for a futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument or the final cash settlement price, as applicable, 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. 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. This process of "marking to market" will be reflected in the daily calculation of open positions computed in a fund's net asset value per share (NAV). The party that has a gain is 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 or insolvency 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. A fund is required to segregate liquid assets equivalent to the fund's outstanding obligations under the contract in excess of the initial margin and variation margin, if any.
There is no assurance a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for 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 market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or other market conditions, 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 futures positions could also be impaired. These risks may be heightened for commodity futures contracts, which have historically been subject to greater price volatility than exists for instruments such as stocks and bonds.
Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded 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 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 futures position will not track the performance of the fund's other investments.
Futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a fund's investments well. 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 futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. A fund may purchase or sell 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 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. In addition, the price of a commodity futures contract can reflect the storage costs associated with the purchase of the physical commodity.
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 assets or securities, indices of securities or commodities prices, and futures contracts (including commodity 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 the underlying instrument's price falls 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 the underlying instrument's price falls. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if the underlying instrument's price does not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
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 or receive 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 the underlying instrument's price rises, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If the underlying instrument's price remains 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 the underlying instrument's price falls, 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 or make a net cash settlement payment, as applicable, 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 increase. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument or make a net cash settlement payment, as applicable, 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.
There is no assurance a liquid market will exist for any particular options 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 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 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 positions could also be impaired.
Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of 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 backed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
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.
A fund may also buy and sell options on swaps. Options on interest rate swaps are known as swaptions. An option on a swap gives a party the right to enter into a new swap agreement or to extend, shorten, cancel or modify an existing swap contract at a specific date in the future in exchange for a premium.
Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options 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 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 position will not track the performance of the fund's other investments.
Options prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a fund's investments well. Options 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 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 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.
Swap Agreements. Swaps are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. Swap agreements can vary in term like other fixed-income investments. Most swap agreements are traded over-the-counter. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments (such as securities, commodities or indices). The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are calculated with respect to a notional amount, which is the predetermined dollar principal of the trade representing the hypothetical underlying quantity upon which payment obligations are computed.
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), asset swaps (where parties combine the purchase or sale of a bond with an interest rate swap), total return swaps and credit default swaps. 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 are subject to liquidity risk, meaning that a fund may be unable to sell a swap contract to a third party at a favorable price.
A total return swap is a contract whereby one party agrees to make a series of payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying such contract (which can include a security, commodity, index or baskets thereof) during the specified period. In exchange, the other party to the contract agrees to make a series of payments calculated by reference to an interest rate and/or some other agreed-upon amount (including the change in market value of other underlying assets). A fund may use total return swaps to gain exposure to an asset without owning it or taking physical custody of it. For example, a fund investing in total return commodity swaps will receive the price appreciation of a commodity, commodity index or portion thereof in exchange for payment of an agreed-upon fee.
In a credit default swap, the credit default protection buyer makes periodic payments, known as premiums, to the credit default protection seller. In return the credit default protection seller will make a payment to the credit default protection buyer upon the occurrence of a specified credit event. A credit default swap can refer to a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets, each known as the reference entity or underlying asset. A fund may act as either the buyer or the seller of a credit default swap. A fund may buy or sell credit default protection on a basket of issuers or assets, even if a number of the underlying assets referenced in the basket are lower-quality debt securities. In an unhedged credit default swap, a fund buys credit default protection on a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets without owning the underlying asset or debt issued by the reference entity. Credit default swaps involve greater and different risks than investing directly in the referenced asset, because, in addition to market risk, credit default swaps include liquidity, counterparty and operational risk.
Credit default swaps allow a fund to acquire or reduce credit exposure to a particular issuer, asset or basket of assets. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. If the fund is the credit default protection seller, the fund will experience a loss if a credit event occurs and the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has deteriorated. If the fund is the credit default protection buyer, the fund will be required to pay premiums to the credit default protection seller. In the case of a physically settled credit default swap in which the fund is the protection seller, the fund must be prepared to pay par for and take possession of debt of a defaulted issuer delivered to the fund by the credit default protection buyer. Any loss would be offset by the premium payments the fund receives as the seller of credit default protection.
If the creditworthiness of the fund's swap counterparty declines, the risk that the counterparty may not perform could increase, potentially resulting in a loss to the fund. To limit the counterparty risk involved in swap agreements, the fund will only enter into swap agreements with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. 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 another creditworthy party. The fund may have limited ability to eliminate its exposure under a credit default swap if the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has declined.
Swap agreements generally are entered into by "eligible participants" and in compliance with certain other criteria necessary to render them excluded from regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and, therefore not subject to regulation as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA.
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, FMRC or Geode determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and, through reports from FMRC and/or Geode, the Board monitors investments in illiquid securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, various factors may be considered, 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, commodities indices, currencies, precious metals or other commodities, 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.
Commodity-indexed securities, for example, can be indexed to a commodities index such as the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index Total Return SM .
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security, currency, commodity, or other instrument or measure 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 or measures. 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, the U.S. Treasury, and certain other U.S. Government agencies. In calculating a fund's dividends, index-based adjustments may be considered income.
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 a credit rating agency registered as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) with the SEC (for example, Moody's ® Investors Service, Inc.), or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by FMRC.
Investment in Wholly-Owned Subsidiary. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (Subsidiary).
The fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary. Unlike the fund, the Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and therefore is not subject to the investor protections of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary is expected to invest primarily in commodity-linked derivative investments. As a result, the Subsidiary is subject to risks similar to those of the fund, including the risks of investing in derivatives and commodity-linked investing in general.
By investing in the Subsidiary, the fund may gain exposure to commodities within the limits of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Subchapter M requires, among other things, that a fund derive at least 90% of gross income from dividends, interest, and gains from the sale of securities (typically referred to as "qualifying income"). Although income from investment in commodities typically is not "qualifying income," the fund relies on a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ruling that income from investment in the Subsidiary will constitute "qualifying income" under Subchapter M. Changes in U.S. or Cayman Islands laws could cause investments in the Subsidiary to fail to work as expected.
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.
Because the risk of default is higher for lower-quality debt securities, FMRC's research and credit analysis are an especially important part of managing securities of this type. FMRC will attempt to identify those issuers of high-yielding securities whose financial condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is expected to improve in the future. FMRC's analysis focuses on relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer.
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.
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 and Freddie Mac are authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their 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, FMRC 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 turnover of the fund's portfolio which increases costs and may increase taxable gains.
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.
Real Estate Investment Trusts. Equity real estate investment trusts own real estate properties, while mortgage real estate investment trusts make construction, development, and long-term mortgage loans. Their value may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property of the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property taxes, interest rates, and tax and regulatory requirements, such as those relating to the environment. Both types of trusts are dependent upon management skill, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.
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 FMRC or Geode.
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 (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 FMRC or Geode. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets 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 LLC. The fund will not lend securities to Geode or its affiliates.
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 seeks to maintain 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 FMRC to be in good standing and when, in FMRC'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.
Securities of Other Investment Companies, including shares of closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, and open-end investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve additional expenses at the investment company-level, such as portfolio management fees and operating expenses. Certain types of investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at a premium or a discount to their NAV. Others are continuously offered at NAV, but may also be traded in the secondary market.
The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other investment companies may be limited by federal securities laws.
Short Sales. Stocks underlying a fund's convertible security holdings can be sold short. For example, if FMR anticipates a decline in the price of the stock underlying a convertible security held by a fund, it may sell the stock short. If the stock price subsequently declines, the proceeds of the short sale could be expected to offset all or a portion of the effect of the stock's decline on the value of the convertible security. The fund currently intends to hedge no more than 15% of its total assets with short sales on equity securities underlying its convertible security holdings under normal circumstances.
A fund will be required to set aside securities equivalent in kind and amount to those sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold them aside while the short sale is outstanding. A fund will incur transaction costs, including interest expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales.
Sources of Liquidity or Credit Support. Issuers may employ various forms of credit and liquidity enhancements, including letters of credit, guarantees, swaps, puts, and demand features, and insurance provided by domestic or foreign entities such as banks and other financial institutions. FMRC may rely on its evaluation of the credit of the issuer or the credit of the liquidity or credit enhancement provider in determining whether to purchase or hold a security supported by such enhancement. In evaluating the credit of a foreign bank or other foreign entities, factors considered may include 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 issuer and/or 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.
Structured Notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. A structured note may be positively, negatively or both positively and negatively indexed; that is, its value or interest rate may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases. Similarly, its value may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument decreases. Further, the change in the principal amount payable with respect to, or the interest rate of, a structured note may be a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying reference instrument(s). Structured or indexed securities may also be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities or more traditional debt securities.
Commodity-linked notes are a type of structured note. Commodity-linked notes are privately negotiated structured debt securities indexed to the return of an index such as the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index Total Return SM , which is representative of the commodities market. They are available from a limited number of approved counterparties, and all invested amounts are exposed to the dealer's credit risk. Commodity-linked notes may be leveraged. For example, if a fund invests $100 in a three-times leveraged commodity-linked note, it will exchange $100 principal with the dealer to obtain $300 exposure to commodities because the value of the note will change three times for every percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying index. This means a $100 note would be worth $70 if the commodity index decreased by 10 percent. Structured notes also are subject to counterparty risk (as discussed with swaps above).
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.
Transfer Agent Bank Accounts. Proceeds from shareholder purchases of a fund pass through a series of demand deposit bank accounts before being held at the fund's custodian. Redemption proceeds will pass from the custodian to the shareholder through a similar series of bank accounts.
The bank accounts are registered to the transfer agent or an affiliate, who acts as an agent for the fund when opening, closing and conducting business in the bank accounts. The transfer agent or an affiliate may invest overnight balances in the accounts in repurchase agreements. Any balances that are not invested in repurchase agreements remain in the bank accounts overnight. Any risks associated with these accounts are investment risks of the fund. The fund faces the risk of loss of these balances if the bank becomes insolvent.
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.
Warrants. Warrants are instruments which entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
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 FMRC or Geode pursuant to authority contained in the management contract and sub-advisory agreement. FMRC or Geode 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.
Purchases and sales of equity securities on a securities exchange or OTC are effected through brokers who receive compensation for their services. Generally, compensation relating to securities traded on foreign exchanges will be higher than compensation relating to securities traded on U.S. exchanges and may not be subject to negotiation. Compensation may also be paid in connection with 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. Equity securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.
Purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally made with an issuer or a primary market-maker acting as principal. Although there is no stated brokerage commission paid by the fund for any fixed-income security, the price paid by the fund to an underwriter includes the disclosed underwriting fee and prices in secondary trades usually include an undisclosed dealer commission or markup reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices of the fixed-income security.
The Trustees of the fund periodically review FMRC's or Geode's performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund. The Trustees also review the compensation paid by the fund over representative periods of time to determine if it was reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
The Selection of Brokers
In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of FMRC) to execute the fund's portfolio transactions, FMRC or Geode considers factors deemed relevant in the context of a particular trade and in regard to FMRC's or Geode's overall responsibilities with respect to the fund and other investment accounts, including any instructions from the fund's portfolio manager, which may emphasize, for example, speed of execution over other factors. The factors considered will influence whether it is appropriate to execute an order using ECNs, electronic channels including algorithmic trading, or by actively working an order. Other factors deemed relevant may include, but are not limited to: price; the size and type of the transaction; the reasonableness of compensation to be paid, including spreads and commission rates; the speed and certainty of trade executions, including broker willingness to commit capital; the nature and characteristics of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold, including the degree of specialization of the broker in such markets or securities; the availability of liquidity in the security, including the liquidity and depth afforded by a market center or market-maker; the reliability of a market center or broker; the broker's overall trading relationship with FMRC; the trader's assessment of whether and how closely the broker likely will follow the trader's instructions to the broker; the degree of anonymity that a particular broker or market can provide; the potential for avoiding market impact; the execution services rendered on a continuing basis; the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial condition of the firm; arrangements for payment of fund expenses, if applicable; and the provision of additional brokerage and research products and services, if applicable. In seeking best qualitative execution, FMRC or Geode may select a broker using a trading method for which the broker may charge a higher commission than its lowest available commission rate. FMRC or Geode also may select a broker that charges more than the lowest available commission rate available from another broker. For futures transactions, the selection of an FCM is generally based on the overall quality of execution and other services provided by the FCM.
The Acquisition of Brokerage and Research Products and Services
Brokers (who are not affiliates of FMRC) that execute transactions for the fund may receive higher compensation from the fund than other brokers might have charged the fund, in recognition of the value of the brokerage or research products and services they provide to FMRC or its affiliates or Geode.
Research Products and Services. These products and services may include: economic, industry, company, municipal, sovereign (U.S. and non-U.S.), legal, or political research reports; market color; company meeting facilitation; compilation of securities prices, earnings, dividends and similar data; quotation services, data, information and other services; analytical computer software and services; and investment recommendations. FMRC or Geode may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. Some of these products and services supplement FMRC's or Geode's own research activities in providing investment advice to the fund.
Execution Services. In addition, products and services may include those that assist in the execution, clearing, and settlement of securities transactions, as well as other incidental functions (including but not limited to communication services related to trade execution, order routing and algorithmic trading, post-trade matching, exchange of messages among brokers or dealers, custodians and institutions, and the use of electronic confirmation and affirmation of institutional trades).
Mixed-Use Products and Services. In addition to receiving brokerage and research products and services via written reports and computer-delivered services, such reports may also be provided by telephone and in personal meetings with securities analysts, corporate and industry spokespersons, economists, academicians and government representatives and others with relevant professional expertise. FMRC and its affiliates or Geode may use commission dollars to obtain certain products or services that are not used exclusively in FMRC's or its affiliates' or Geode's investment decision-making process (mixed-use products or services). In those circumstances, FMRC or its affiliates or Geode will make a good faith judgment to evaluate the various benefits and uses to which they intend to put the mixed-use product or service, and will pay for that portion of the mixed-use product or service that does not qualify as brokerage and research products and services with their own resources (referred to as "hard dollars").
Benefit to FMRC or Geode. FMRC's or Geode's expenses would likely be increased if it attempted to generate these additional products and services through its own efforts, or if it paid for these products or services itself. Certain of the brokerage and research products and services FMRC or Geode receives from brokers are furnished by brokers on their own initiative, either in connection with a particular transaction or as part of their overall services. Some of these products or services may not have an explicit cost associated with such product or service.
FMRC's or Geode's Decision-Making Process. Before causing the fund to pay a particular level of compensation, FMRC or Geode will make a good faith determination that the compensation is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research products and services provided to FMRC or Geode, viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or FMRC's or Geode's overall responsibilities to the fund or other investment companies and investment accounts. While FMRC or Geode may take into account the brokerage and/or research products and services provided by a broker in determining whether compensation paid is reasonable, neither FMRC or Geode nor the fund incurs an obligation to any broker, dealer, or third party to pay for any product or service (or portion thereof) by generating a specific amount of compensation or otherwise. Typically, these products and services assist FMRC and its affiliates or Geode 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. Certain funds or investment accounts may use brokerage commissions to acquire brokerage and research products and services that may also benefit other funds or accounts managed by FMRC or its affiliates or Geode.
Research Contracts. FMRC has arrangements with certain third-party research providers and brokers through whom FMRC effects fund trades, whereby FMRC may pay with fund commissions or hard dollars for all or a portion of the cost of research products and services purchased from such research providers or brokers. If hard dollar payments are used, FMRC may still cause the fund to pay more for execution than the lowest commission rate available from the broker providing research products and services to FMRC, or that may be available from another broker. FMRC views hard dollar payments for research products and services as likely to reduce the fund's total commission costs even though it is expected that in such hard dollar arrangements the commissions available for recapture and to pay fund expenses, as described below, will decrease. FMRC's determination to pay for research products and services separately, rather than bundled with fund commissions, is wholly voluntary on FMRC's part and may be extended to additional brokers or discontinued with any broker participating in this arrangement.
Commission Recapture
FMRC may allocate brokerage transactions to brokers (who are not affiliates of FMRC) who have entered into arrangements with FMR under which the broker, using a predetermined methodology, rebates a portion of the compensation paid by a fund to offset that fund's expenses, which may be paid to FMRC or its affiliates. Not all brokers with whom the fund trades have agreed to participate in brokerage commission recapture.
Affiliated Transactions
FMRC or Geode may place trades with certain brokers, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), with whom FMRC is under common control, provided it determines that these affiliates' trade execution abilities and costs are comparable to those of non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms.
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures whereby a fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of FMR participates. 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.
Trade Allocation
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 by FMRC or Geode, as appropriate, and are independent from those of other funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts) managed by FMR or Geode or their 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.
Commissions Paid
A fund may pay compensation including both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by a fund may change from year to year because of, among other things, changing asset levels, shareholder activity, and/or portfolio turnover.
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 that are outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities for which the primary market is the United States are valued at the official closing price, last sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United States are valued using the official closing price or the last sale price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last sale price (on the local exchange) is unavailable, the last evaluated quote or closing bid price normally is used. Securities of other open-end investment companies are valued at their respective NAVs.
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.
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 ADRs, market and trading trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional trading.
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 certain other registered investment companies managed by FMR or an affiliate 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 FMRC 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.
The fund, in its discretion, may determine to issue its shares in kind in exchange for securities held by the purchaser having a value, determined in accordance with the fund's policies for valuation of portfolio securities, equal to the purchase price of the fund shares issued. The fund will accept for in-kind purchases only securities or other instruments that are appropriate under its investment objective and policies. In addition, the fund generally will not accept securities of any issuer unless they are liquid, have a readily ascertainable market value, and are not subject to restrictions on resale. All dividends, distributions, and subscription or other rights associated with the securities become the property of the fund, along with the securities. Shares purchased in exchange for securities in kind generally cannot be redeemed for fifteen days following the exchange to allow time for the transfer to settle.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Dividends. A portion of the fund's income may qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders, but it is unlikely that all of the fund's income will qualify for the deduction. A portion of the fund's dividends, when distributed to individual shareholders, may qualify for taxation at long-term capital gains rates (provided certain holding period requirements are met), or may be exempt from state and local taxation to the extent that they are derived from certain U.S. Government securities and meet certain requirements.
Capital Gain Distributions. The fund's long-term capital gain distributions are federally taxable to shareholders generally as 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. For purposes of these rules, the fund relies on a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that income from investment in the Subsidiary will constitute "qualifying income" under Subchapter M.
Investment in the Subsidiary. The fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary, a foreign corporation, is wholly-owned by the fund, and the fund will be considered a "U.S. Shareholder" for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation (CFC) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, the fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of the Subsidiary's "subpart F income," including net gains from transaction in commodities. Subpart F income generally will be treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary's underlying income. In addition, any losses incurred by the Subsidiary can only offset income earned by the Subsidiary in the same year. Net losses earned by the Subsidiary will not be able to offset income earned by the fund and cannot be carried back or forward by the Subsidiary to offset income from prior or future years.
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 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 Abigail P. Johnson, James C. Curvey, and Michael E. Kenneally each of the Trustees oversees 172 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Ms. Johnson, Mr. Curvey and Mr. Kenneally oversee 171, 392, and 171 funds, respectively, 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. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 72nd birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with respect to individual Trustees. The executive officers hold office without limit in time, except that any officer 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 may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
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Abigail P. Johnson (47) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Ms. Johnson is Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of certain Trusts. Ms. Johnson serves as President of Personal and Workplace Investing (2005-present). Ms. Johnson is a Director of FMR LLC. Previously, Ms. Johnson served as President and a Director of FMR (2001-2005), a Trustee of other investment companies advised by FMR, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., and FMR Co., Inc. (2001-2005), Senior Vice President of the Fidelity funds (2001-2005), and managed a number of Fidelity funds. Ms. Abigail P. Johnson and Mr. Arthur E. Johnson are not related. |
James C. Curvey (74) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2006-present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. |
* 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.
Independent Trustees :
Correspondence intended for each Independent 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 |
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Albert R. Gamper, Jr. (67) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Prior to his retirement in December 2004, Mr. Gamper served as Chairman of the Board of CIT Group Inc. (commercial finance). During his tenure with CIT Group Inc. Mr. Gamper served in numerous senior management positions, including Chairman (1987-1989; 1999-2001; 2002-2004), Chief Executive Officer (1987-2004), and President. Mr. Gamper currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Public Service Enterprise Group (utilities), a member of the Board of Trustees, Rutgers University (2004-present), and Chairman of the Board of Saint Barnabas Health Care System. Previously, Mr. Gamper served as Chairman of the Board of Governors, Rutgers University (2004-2007). |
Arthur E. Johnson (62) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Johnson serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Eaton Corporation (diversified power management, 2009-present) and AGL Resources, Inc. (holding company). Previously, Mr. Johnson served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Development of Lockheed Martin Corporation (defense contractor, 1999-2009), and on the Board of Directors of IKON Office Solutions, Inc. (1999-2008). Mr. Arthur E. Johnson and Ms. Abigail P. Johnson are not related. |
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Michael E. Kenneally (55) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Mr. Kenneally also serves as Trustee (2009-present) or Member of the Advisory Board (2008-present) of other Fidelity Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Funds. Previously, Mr. Kenneally served as Chairman and Global Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse Asset Management (2003-2005). Mr. Kenneally was a Director of The Credit Suisse Funds (U.S. Mutual Fund, 2004-2008) and was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1991. |
James H. Keyes (68) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Keyes serves as a member of the Boards of Navistar International Corporation (manufacture and sale of trucks, buses, and diesel engines) and Pitney Bowes, Inc. (integrated mail, messaging, and document management solutions). Previously, Mr. Keyes served as a member of the Board of LSI Logic Corporation (semiconductor technologies, 1984-2008). |
Marie L. Knowles (62) |
|
|
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. Ms. Knowles currently serves as a Director of McKesson Corporation (healthcare service). Ms. Knowles is an Honorary Trustee of the Brookings Institution and a member of the Board of the Catalina Island Conservancy and of the Santa Catalina Island Company (2009-present). She also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the School of Engineering of the University of Southern California and the Foundation Board of the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia (2007-present). Previously, Ms. Knowles served as a Director of Phelps Dodge Corporation (copper mining and manufacturing, 1994-2007). |
Kenneth L. Wolfe (70) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Mr. Wolfe served as Chairman and a Director (2007-2009) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hershey Foods Corporation, and as a member of the Boards of Adelphia Communications Corporation (telecommunications, 2003-2006), Bausch & Lomb, Inc. (medical/pharmaceutical, 1993-2007), and Revlon, Inc. (2004-2009). |
Executive Officers :
Correspondence intended for each executive officer may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
|
John R. Hebble (51) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Funds. Mr. Hebble also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2009-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Boyce I. Greer (53) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 or 2006 Vice President of Fidelity's Fixed Income Funds (2006) and Asset Allocation Funds (2005). Mr. Greer is also a Trustee of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Greer is President of the Asset Allocation Division (2008-present), President and a Director of Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008-present), President and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present), and an Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Greer served as a Director and Managing Director of Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2002-2005). |
Derek L. Young (44) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Vice President of Fidelity's Asset Allocation Funds. Mr. Young also serves as Chief Investment Officers of the Global Asset Allocation Group (2009-present). Previously, Mr. Young served as a portfolio manager. |
Scott C. Goebel (41) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present) and FMR Co., Inc. (2008-present); Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC; Chief Legal Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present) and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2008-present), and Fidelity Research and Analysis Company (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Assistant Secretary of the Funds (2007-2008) and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). |
Holly C. Laurent (55) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Laurent was Senior Vice President and Head of Legal for Fidelity Business Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2006-2008), and Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Group Head for FMR LLC (2005-2006). |
Christine Reynolds (50) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Reynolds became President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) in August 2008. Ms. Reynolds served as Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS (2007-2008). Previously, Ms. Reynolds served as President, Treasurer, and Anti-Money Laundering officer of the Fidelity funds (2004-2007). |
Michael H. Whitaker (42) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Funds. Mr. Whitaker is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2007-present). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Whitaker worked at MFS Investment Management where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (2004-2006), and Assistant General Counsel. |
Jeffrey S. Christian (47) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Christian also serves as Chief Financial Officer of other Fidelity funds (2008-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Christian served as Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2004-2009) and as Vice President of Business Analysis (2003-2004). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (48) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Mehrmann served as Vice President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Group (FIIS)/Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC) Client Services (1998-2004). |
Stephanie J. Dorsey (40) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Funds. Ms. Dorsey is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Dorsey served as Treasurer (2004-2008) of the JPMorgan Mutual Funds and Vice President (2004-2008) of JPMorgan Chase Bank. |
Paul M. Murphy (62) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Murphy is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007), and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
Kenneth B. Robins (40) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Funds. Mr. Robins also serves as President and Treasurer of other Fidelity funds and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Before joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Robins worked at KPMG LLP, where he was a partner in KPMG's department of professional practice (2002-2004). |
Gary W. Ryan (51) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Ryan is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Ryan served as Vice President of Fund Reporting in Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1999-2005). |
Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established various committees to support the Independent Trustees in acting independently in pursuing the best interests of the funds and their shareholders. The committees facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to Independent Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board of Trustees has three standing committees. The members of each committee are Independent Trustees.
The Operations Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees, with Mr. Wolfe currently serving as Chair. The committee normally meets at least six times a year, 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 Independent Trustees. The committee considers matters involving potential conflicts of interest between the funds and FMR and its affiliates. The committee has oversight of compliance issues not specifically within the scope of any other committee. These matters include, but are not limited to, significant non-conformance with contract requirements and other significant regulatory matters and recommending to the Board of Trustees the designation of a person to serve as the funds' Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). The committee (i) serves as the primary point of contact for the CCO with regard to Board-related functions; (ii) oversees the annual performance review of the CCO; (iii) makes recommendations concerning the CCO's compensation; and (iv) makes recommendations as needed in respect of the removal of the CCO. 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 July 31, 2009, the committee held 26 meetings.
The Audit Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees, with Ms. Knowles currently serving as Chair. All committee members must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company's balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. At least one committee member will be an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the SEC. The committee normally meets four times a year, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The committee meets separately at least annually with the funds' Treasurer, with the funds' Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with personnel responsible for the internal audit function of FMR LLC, and with the funds' outside auditors. The committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the outside auditors employed by the funds. The committee assists the Trustees in overseeing and monitoring: (i) the systems of internal accounting and financial controls of the funds and the funds' service providers (to the extent such controls impact the funds' financial statements); (ii) the funds' auditors and the annual audits of the funds' financial statements; (iii) the financial reporting processes of the funds; (iv) whistleblower reports; and (v) the accounting policies and disclosures of the funds. The committee considers and acts upon (i) the provision by any outside auditor of any non-audit services for any fund, and (ii) the provision by any outside auditor of certain non-audit services to 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 SEC. 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 funds. It is responsible for approving all audit engagement fees and terms for the funds and for resolving disagreements between a fund and any outside auditor regarding any fund's financial reporting. Auditors of the funds report directly to the committee. 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 funds and any service providers consistent with the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. 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 funds' service providers' internal controls and reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the service providers' accounting and financial controls, including: (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the funds' ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; (ii) any change in the fund's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the fund's internal control over financial reporting; and (iii) any fraud, whether material or not, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the funds' or service providers internal controls over financial reporting. The committee will also review any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies or published reports that raise material issues regarding the funds' financial statements or accounting policies. These matters may also be reviewed by the Operations Committee. 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 funds' financial reporting process, will discuss with FMR, the funds' Treasurer, outside auditors and, if appropriate, internal audit personnel of FMR LLC their qualitative judgments about the appropriateness and acceptability of accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed for adoption by the funds. The committee will review with FMR, the funds' outside auditor, internal audit personnel of FMR LLC and, as appropriate, legal counsel the results of audits of the funds' financial statements. The committee will review periodically the funds' major internal controls exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the committee held six meetings.
The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Wolfe (Chair) and Gamper, and Ms. Knowles. The committee meets as called by the Chair. With respect to fund governance and board administration matters, the committee periodically reviews procedures of the Board of Trustees and its committees (including committee charters) and periodically reviews compensation of Independent Trustees. The committee monitors corporate governance matters and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees on the frequency and structure of the Board of Trustee meetings and on any other aspect of Board procedures. It acts as the administrative committee under the retirement plan for Independent Trustees who retired prior to December 30, 1996 and under the fee deferral plan for Independent Trustees. It reviews the performance of legal counsel employed by the funds and the Independent Trustees. On behalf of the Independent Trustees, the committee will make such findings and determinations as to the independence of counsel for the Independent Trustees as may be necessary or appropriate under applicable regulations or otherwise. The committee is also responsible for Board administrative matters applicable to Independent Trustees, such as expense reimbursement policies and compensation for attendance at meetings, conferences and other events. 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 Independent Trustees. The committee monitors the functioning of each Board committee and makes recommendations for any changes, including the creation or elimination of standing or ad hoc Board committees. The committee monitors regulatory and other developments to determine whether to recommend modifications to the committee's responsibilities or other Trustee policies and procedures in light of rule changes, reports concerning "best practices" in corporate governance and other developments in mutual fund governance. The committee meets with Independent Trustees at least once a year to discuss matters relating to fund governance. The committee recommends that the Board establish such special or ad hoc Board committees as may be desirable or necessary from time to time in order to address ethical, legal, or other matters that may arise. The committee also oversees the annual self-evaluation of the Board of Trustees and establishes procedures to allow it to exercise this oversight function. In conducting this oversight, the committee shall address all matters that it considers relevant to the performance of the Board of Trustees and shall report the results of its evaluation to the Board of Trustees, including any recommended amendments to the principles of governance, and any recommended changes to the funds' or the Board of Trustees' policies, procedures, and structures. The committee reviews periodically the size and composition of the Board of Trustees as a whole and recommends, if necessary, measures to be taken so that the Board of Trustees reflects the appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, and diversity required for the Board as a whole and contains at least the minimum number of Independent Trustees required by law. The committee makes nominations for the election or appointment of Independent Trustees and non-management Members of any Advisory Board, and for membership on committees. The committee shall have authority to retain and terminate any third-party advisers, including authority to approve fees and other retention terms. Such advisers may include search firms to identify Independent Trustee candidates and board compensation consultants. The committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the committee's scope of responsibilities, and may retain, at the funds' expense, such independent counsel or other advisers as it deems necessary. The committee will consider nominees to the Board of Trustees recommended by shareholders based upon the criteria applied to candidates presented to the committee by a search firm or other source. Recommendations, along with appropriate background material concerning the candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as an Independent Trustee of the funds, should be submitted to the Chair of the committee at the address maintained for communications with Independent Trustees. If the committee retains a search firm, the Chair will generally forward all such submissions to the search firm for evaluation. With respect to the criteria for selecting Independent Trustees, it is expected that all candidates will possess the following minimum qualifications: (i) unquestioned personal integrity; (ii) not an interested person of FMR or its affiliates within the meaning of the 1940 Act; (iii) does not have a material relationship (e.g., commercial, banking, consulting, legal, or accounting) that could create an appearance of lack of independence in respect of FMR and its affiliates; (iv) has the disposition to act independently in respect of FMR and its affiliates and others in order to protect the interests of the funds and all shareholders; (v) ability to attend regularly scheduled Board meetings during the year; (vi) demonstrates sound business judgment gained through broad experience in significant positions where the candidate has dealt with management, technical, financial, or regulatory issues; (vii) sufficient financial or accounting knowledge to add value in the complex financial environment of the funds; (viii) experience on corporate or other institutional oversight bodies having similar responsibilities, but which board memberships or other relationships could not result in business or regulatory conflicts with the funds; and (ix) capacity for the hard work and attention to detail that is required to be an effective Independent Trustee in light of the funds' complex regulatory, operational, and marketing setting. The Governance and Nominating Committee may determine that a candidate who does not have the type of previous experience or knowledge referred to above should nevertheless be considered as a nominee if the Governance and Nominating Committee finds that the candidate has additional qualifications such that his or her qualifications, taken as a whole, demonstrate the same level of fitness to serve as an Independent Trustee. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the committee held six 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, 2008.
* As of July 15, 2009.
Independent Trustees |
|||
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
Albert R. Gamper, Jr. |
Arthur E. Johnson |
Michael E. Kenneally |
Commodity Strategy Central Fund |
none |
none |
--* |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
$10,001 - $50,000 |
none |
* As of July 15, 2009.
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
James H. Keyes |
Marie L. Knowles |
Kenneth L. Wolfe |
Commodity Strategy Central Fund |
none |
none |
none |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
$50,001 - $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 July 31, 2009, or calendar year ended December 31, 2008, as applicable.
Compensation Table 1 |
|||||||
AGGREGATE
|
Albert R.
|
Arthur E.
|
Michael E.
|
James H.
|
Marie L.
|
Kenneth L.
|
|
Commodity Strategy Central Fund + |
$ 12 |
$ 12 |
$ 12 |
$ 12 |
$ 13 |
$ 14 |
|
TOTAL COMPENSATION
|
$ 405,583 |
$ 402,083 |
$ 62,167 |
$ 408,083 |
$ 437,500 |
$ 442,333 |
|
1 Abigail P. Johnson and James C. Curvey are interested persons and are compensated by FMR.
2 For the period January 1, 2008 through July 31, 2008, Mr. Arthur E. Johnson served as a Member of the Advisory Board. Effective August 1, 2008, Mr. Johnson serves as a member of the Board of Trustees.
3 For the period November 20, 2008 through July 15, 2009, Mr. Kenneally served as a Member of the Advisory Board. Effective July 15, 2009, Mr. Kenneally serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees.
+ Estimated for the fund's first full year.
A Reflects compensation received for the period January 1, 2008 through July 31, 2008 for 377 funds of 58 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC and Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios II LLC) and for the period August 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 for 159 funds of 29 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios II LLC). 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, 2008, the Trustees accrued required deferred compensation from the funds as follows: Albert R. Gamper, Jr., $169,792; Arthur E. Johnson, $67,708; James H. Keyes, $169,792; Marie L. Knowles, $183,750; and Kenneth L. Wolfe, $185,417.
As of the initial offering of shares of the fund, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by FMR, an FMR affiliate, and/or mutual funds managed by FMR or an FMR affiliate.
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR LLC, as successor by merger to FMR Corp., is the ultimate parent company of FMRC. The voting common shares of FMR LLC are divided into two series. Series B is held predominantly by members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d and Abigail P. Johnson family, directly or through trust and limited liability companies, and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter acted upon by the voting common shares. Series A is held predominantly by non-Johnson family member employees of FMR LLC and its affiliates and is entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into a shareholders' voting agreement under which all Series B shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series 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 securities of that company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting common shares 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 LLC.
At present, the primary business activities of FMR LLC 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.
Geode, a registered investment adviser, has principal offices at One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geode Capital Holdings, LLC. Geode was founded in January 2001 to develop and manage quantitative and investment strategies and to provide advisory and sub-advisory services.
FMRC, Geode (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 and Geode 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 FMRC, pursuant to which FMRC furnishes investment advisory and other services. FMR manages the Subsidiary.
Management and Sub-Advisory Services. Under the terms of its management contract with the fund, FMRC acts as investment adviser and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, has overall responsibility for directing the investments of the fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations. FMRC 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 FMRC, and all personnel of the fund or FMRC performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FMRC 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 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.
The fund may invest in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract with FMR for the management of its portfolio pursuant to which the Subsidiary pays FMR a fee at an annual rate of 0.30% of its net assets. FMR has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the management fee of each fund invested in the fund, based on each investing fund's proportionate ownership of the fund, in an amount equal in the aggregate to the management fee paid to FMR by the Subsidiary. This arrangement may not be discontinued by FMR as long as its contract with the Subsidiary is in place.
Geode serves as sub-adviser of the fund. Under its management contract with the fund, FMRC acts as investment adviser. Under the sub-advisory agreement, and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, Geode directs the investments of the fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and limitations.
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 FMRC. FMRC, either itself or through an affiliate, pays all fees associated with transfer agent, pricing and bookkeeping, and securities lending services. Expenses payable by the fund include interest and taxes, brokerage commissions (if any), fees and expenses of the Independent 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.
In addition, the fund has entered into an expense contract with FMRC and FMR under which FMR agrees to pay or provide for the payment of the fund's operating expenses, other than the following: (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees; (iv) custodian fees and expenses; and (v) any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses.
Management Fees. For the services of FMRC under the management contract, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FMRC a monthly management fee. For each fund (other than a fund for which FMRC serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FMRC 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 repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower its returns.
Sub-Adviser - Geode. The fund and FMRC have entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Geode. Pursuant to the sub-advisory agreement, FMR has granted Geode investment management authority as well as the authority to buy and sell securities.
Under the terms of the sub-advisory agreement, FMRC, pays Geode an amount based on the fund's assets relative to the assets of all funds managed by Geode for FMRC or an affiliate using a substantially similar investment strategy as the fund (average commodity group assets). For providing investment management services to the fund, FMRC, and not the fund, pays Geode fees at an annual rate of: 0.15% on the first $500 million of average commodity group assets; 0.125% on the next $500 million of average commodity group assets; and 0.10% on any amount in excess of $1 billion of average commodity group assets.
Commodity Strategy Central is managed by Geode, a sub-adviser to the fund. Jeffrey Adams is the lead manager of the fund and receives compensation for his services. Bobe Simon, Patrick Waddell, and Premkumar Narasimhan are portfolio managers of the fund and receive compensation for their services. Lou Bottari is an assistant portfolio manager of Commodity Strategy Central and receives compensation for his services. As of April 30, 2009, portfolio manager compensation generally consists of a fixed base salary, a bonus that is based on both objective and subjective criteria, and, in certain cases, participation in a profit-based compensation plan. A portion of each portfolio manager's compensation may be deferred based on criteria established by Geode or at the election of the portfolio manager.
Each portfolio manager's base salary is determined annually by level of responsibility and tenure at Geode. The primary component for determining each portfolio manager's bonus is the pre-tax investment performance of the portfolio manager's fund(s) and account(s) relative to a custom peer group, if applicable, and relative to a benchmark index assigned to each fund or account. Performance is measured over multiple measurement periods that eventually encompass periods of up to five years. A portion of each portfolio manager's bonus is linked to the fund's relative pre-tax investment performance measured against the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index Total Return. A subjective component of each portfolio manager's bonus is based on the portfolio manager's overall contribution to the management of Geode, including recruiting, monitoring, and mentoring within the investment management teams, as well as time spent assisting in firm promotion. Each portfolio manager may also be compensated under a profit-based compensation plan, which is primarily based on the profits of Geode.
A portfolio manager's compensation plan can give rise to potential conflicts of interest. The manager's base pay tends to increase with additional and more complex responsibilities that include increased assets under management and a portion of the bonus relates to firm promotion efforts, which together indirectly link compensation to sales. Managing and providing research to multiple accounts (including proprietary accounts) can give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his/her time and investment ideas across multiple accounts. Securities selected for accounts other than the fund may outperform the securities selected for the fund.
In addition to managing the fund's investment portfolio, each portfolio manager also manages other investment portfolios and accounts on behalf of Geode or its affiliates.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Adams as of April 30, 2009:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
17 |
1 |
8 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 52,651 |
$ 4,628 |
$ 170 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Does not include Commodity Strategy Central. The fund is expected to commence operations on October 7, 2009.
As of April 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Commodity Strategy beneficially owned by Mr. Adams was none.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Simon as of April 30, 2009:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
17 |
1 |
8 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 52,651 |
$ 4,628 |
$ 170 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Does not include Commodity Strategy Central. The fund is expected to commence operations on October 7, 2009.
As of April 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Commodity Strategy beneficially owned by Mr. Simon was none.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Waddell as of April 30, 2009:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
17 |
1 |
8 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 52,651 |
$ 4,628 |
$ 170 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Does not include Commodity Strategy Central. The fund is expected to commence operations on October 7, 2009.
As of April 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Commodity Strategy beneficially owned by Mr. Waddell was none.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Narasimhan as of April 30, 2009:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
17 |
1 |
8 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 52,651 |
$ 4,628 |
$ 170 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Does not include Commodity Strategy Central. The fund is expected to commence operations on October 7, 2009.
As of April 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Commodity Strategy beneficially owned by Mr. Narasimhan was none.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Bottari as of April 30, 2009:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
17 |
1 |
8 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 52,651 |
$ 4,628 |
$ 170 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Does not include Commodity Strategy Central. The fund is expected to commence operations on October 7, 2009.
As of April 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Commodity Strategy beneficially owned by Mr. Bottari was none.
As an investment adviser, Geode holds voting authority for securities in many of the client accounts that it manages. Geode takes seriously its responsibility to monitor corporate events affecting securities in those client accounts and to exercise its voting authority with respect to those securities in the best interests of its clients (including shareholders of mutual funds for which it serves as advisor or sub-advisor). The purposes of these proxy voting policies are (1) to establish a framework for Geode's analysis and decision-making with respect to proxy voting and (2) to set forth operational procedures for Geode's exercise of proxy voting authority.
Overview
Geode applies the same voting decision for all accounts in which it exercises voting authority, and seeks in all cases to vote in a manner that Geode believes represents the best interests of its clients (including shareholders of mutual funds for which it serves as advisor or sub-advisor). Geode anticipates that, based on its current business model, it will manage the vast majority of assets under its management using passive investment management techniques, such as indexing. Geode also manages private funds and separate accounts using active investment management techniques, primarily employing quantitative investment strategies.
Geode has established an Operations Committee, consisting of senior officers and investment professionals, including, but not limited to Geode's President, Chief Operating Officer ("COO"), Chief Legal Officer ("CLO"), Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") and Compliance Manager. Members of the Operations Committee oversee the exercise of voting authority under these proxy voting policies, consulting with Geode's legal counsel with respect to controversial matters and for interpretive and other guidance. Geode will engage an established commercial proxy advisory service (the "Agent") for comprehensive analysis, research and voting recommendations, particularly for matters that may be controversial, present potential conflicts of interest or require case-by-case analysis under these guidelines. Geode has directed the Agent to employ the policies set forth below, together with more specific guidelines and instructions set forth in a detailed, customized questionnaire developed jointly by Geode and the Agent, to formulate recommended votes on each matter. Geode may determine to accept or reject any recommendation based on the research and analysis provided by the Agent or on any independent research and analysis obtained or generated by Geode; however, because the recommended votes are determined solely based on the customized policies established by Geode, Geode expects that the recommendations will be followed in most cases. The Agent also acts as a proxy voting agent to effect the votes and maintain records of all of Geode's proxy votes. In all cases, the ultimate voting decision and responsibility rests with the members of the Operations Committee, which are accountable to Geode's clients (including shareholders of mutual funds for which it serves as advisor or sub-advisor).
Due to its focused business model and the number of investments that Geode will make for its clients (particularly pursuant to its indexing strategy), Geode does not anticipate that actual or potential conflicts of interest are likely to occur in the ordinary course of its business; however, Geode believes it is essential to avoid having conflicts of interest affect its objective of voting in the best interest of its clients. Therefore, in the event that members of the Operations Committee, the Agent or any other person involved in the analysis or voting of proxies has knowledge of, or has reason to believe there may exist, any potential relationship, business or otherwise, between the portfolio company subject to the proxy vote and Geode (and any subsidiary of Geode) or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, such person shall notify other members of the Operations Committee and may consult with outside counsel to Geode to analyze and address such potential conflict of interest. In the case of an actual conflict of interest, on the advice of counsel, Geode expects that the independent directors of Geode will consider the matter and may (1) determine that there is no conflict of interest (or that reasonable measures have been taken to remedy or avoid any conflict of interest) that would prevent Geode from voting the applicable proxy, (2) acting as independent directors, using such information as is available from the Agent, vote the applicable proxy, or (3) cause authority to delegated to the Agent or a similar special fiduciary to vote the applicable proxy.
Geode has established the specific proxy voting policies that are summarized below to maximize the value of investments in the clients' accounts, which it believes will be furthered through (1) accountability of a company's management and directors to its shareholders, (2) alignment of the interests of management with those of shareholders (including through compensation, benefit and equity ownership programs), and (3) increased disclosure of a company's business and operations. Geode reserves the right to override any of its proxy voting policies with respect to a particular shareholder vote when such an override is, in Geode's best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of Geode's clients.
Policies
All proxy votes shall be considered and made in a manner consistent with the best interest of Geode's clients (including shareholders of mutual fund clients) without regard to any other relationship, business or otherwise, between the portfolio company subject to the proxy vote and Geode or its affiliates. As a general matter, (1) proxies will be voted FOR incumbent members of a board of directors and FOR routine management proposals, except as otherwise addressed under these policies; (2) shareholder and non-routine management proposals addressed by these policies will be voted as provided in these policies; and (3) shareholder and non-routine management proposals not addressed by these policies will be evaluated by members of Geode's Operations Committee based on fundamental analysis and/or research and recommendations provided by the Agent, and members of the Operations Committee, which shall make the voting decision.
When voting the securities on non-US issuers, Geode will evaluate proposals in accordance with these policies but will also take local market standards of best practices into consideration. Geode may also limit or modify its voting at certain non-US meetings (e.g., if shares are required to be blocked or reregistered in connection with voting). Geode's specific policies are as follows:
I. Election of Directors
Geode will generally vote FOR incumbent members of a board of directors except:
II. Majority Election. Unless a company has a policy achieving a similar result, Geode will generally vote in favor of a proposal calling for directors to be elected by a majority of votes cast in a board election provided that the plurality vote applies when there are more nominees than board seats.
III. Vote AGAINST Anti-Takeover Proposals, including:
IV. Vote FOR 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.
V. Vote AGAINST the introduction of new classes of Stock with Differential Voting Rights.
VI. Vote FOR introduction and AGAINST elimination of Cumulative Voting Rights, except on a CASE-BY-CASE basis where this is determined not to enhance clients' interests as minority shareholders.
VII. Vote FOR elimination of Preemptive Rights.
VIII. Vote FOR Anti-Greenmail proposals so long as they are not part of anti-takeover provisions (in which case the vote will be AGAINST).
IX. Vote FOR charter and by-law amendments expanding the Indemnification of Directors to the maximum extent permitted under Delaware law (regardless of the state of incorporation) and vote AGAINST charter and by-law amendments completely Eliminating Directors' Liability for Breaches of Care, with all other situations addressed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
X. Vote FOR proposals to adopt Confidential Voting and Independent Vote Tabulation practices.
XI. Vote FOR Open-Market Stock Repurchase Programs, provided that the repurchase price to be paid would not exceed 105% of the market price as of the date of purchase.
XII. Vote FOR management proposals to implement a Reverse Stock Split when the number of shares will be proportionately reduced to avoid de-listing.
XIII. Vote FOR management proposals to Reduce the Par Value of common stock.
XIV. Vote FOR the Issuance of Large Blocks of Stock if such proposals have a legitimate business purpose and do not result in dilution of greater than 20% with all other situations addressed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
XV. Vote AGAINST Unusual Increases in Common Stock, which means any increase in excess of three times for U.S. securities or one time for non-U.S. securities. For these purposes, an increase is measure by adding to the requested increased authorization any stock authorized to be issued under Poison Pill, divided by the current stock outstanding plus any stock scheduled to be issued (not including Poison Pill authority).
XVI. Vote AGAINST the adoption of or amendment to authorize additional shares under a Stock Option Plan if:
XVII.Vote AGAINST the election of incumbents or a management slate in an 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, unless such company seeks authorization of at least that amount at the very next shareholders' meeting and a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors has determined that (1) options need to be granted to employees other than the company's executive officers, (2) no shares are currently available for such options under the company's existing plans, and (3) such options need to be granted before the company's next shareholder meeting.
XVIII.Evaluate proposals to Reprice Outstanding Stock Options on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, 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 the dilution thresholds described in these current proxy voting policies 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) other facts or circumstances relevant to determining whether a repricing proposal is consistent with the interests of shareholders.
XIX. Vote AGAINST adoption of or amendments to authorize additional shares for Restricted Stock Awards ("RSA") if:
XX. Vote AGAINST Omnibus Stock Plans if one or more component violates any of the criteria applicable to Stock Option Plans or RSAs under these proxy voting policies, unless such component is de minimis. In the case of an omnibus stock plan, the dilution limits applicable to Stock Option Plans or RSAs under these proxy voting policies will be measured against the total number of shares under all components of such plan.
XXI. Vote AGAINST Employee Stock Purchase Plans if the plan violates any of the relevant criteria applicable to Stock Option Plans or RSAs under these proxy voting policies, except that (1) 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, and (2) 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 Agent, provided that the minimum stock purchase price must be at least 75% of the stock's fair market value.
XXII. Vote AGAINST Stock Awards (other than stock options and RSAs) unless on a CASE-BY-CASE basis it is determined they are identified as being granted to officers/directors in lieu of salary or cash bonus, subject to number of shares being reasonable.
XXIII. Employee Stock Ownership Plans ("ESOPs") will be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR non-leveraged ESOPs, and in the case of leveraged ESOPs, giving consideration to 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. Geode may also examine where the ESOP shares are purchased and the dilution effect of the purchase. Geode will vote AGAINST a leveraged ESOP if all outstanding loans are due immediately upon a change in control.
XXIV. Vote AGAINST management proposals on stock-based compensation plans or other Compensation Plans if the proposals are Inconsistent with the Interests of Shareholders of a company whose securities are held in client accounts, taking into account such factors as: (1) whether the company has an independent compensation committee; and (2) whether the compensation committee has authority to engage independent compensation consultants. In addition, Geode may vote AGAINST the election of incumbents or a management slate in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors based on such factors or if Geode believes a board has approved executive compensation arrangements inconsistent with the interests of shareholders of a company whose securities are held in client accounts.
XXV. ABSTAIN with respect to shareholder proposals addressing Social/Political Responsibility Issues, which Geode believes generally address ordinary business matters that are primarily the responsibility of a company's management and board, except:
To view a fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, if applicable, visit www.fidelity.com/proxyvotingresults or visit the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with FIIOC, an affiliate of FMRC, which is located at 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Under the terms of the agreement, FIIOC (or an agent, including an affiliate) performs transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder services for the fund.
FIIOC receives no fees for providing transfer agency services to the fund.
FIIOC may collect fees charged in connection with providing certain types of services such as exchanges, closing out fund balances, maintaining fund positions with low balances, checkwriting, wire transactions, and providing historical account research.
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 FMRC (or an agent, including an affiliate). The fund has also entered into a securities lending administration agreement with FSC. Under the terms of the agreements, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends for the fund, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting records, and administers the fund's securities lending program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a flat annual fee, payable monthly.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC is paid based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
FMRC, either itself or through an affiliate, bears the cost of pricing and bookkeeping services and administering the securities lending program under the terms of its management contract with the fund.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
Trust Organization. Fidelity Commodity Strategy 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. Currently, there are 3 funds offered in the trust: Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Commodity Strategy Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade 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. FMRC 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.
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.
Custodians. JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 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 Mellon, 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.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, examines financial statements for the fund and provides other audit and related services.
The fund views holdings information as sensitive and limits its dissemination. The Board authorized FMR to establish and administer guidelines for the dissemination of fund holdings information, which may be amended at any time without prior notice. FMR's Disclosure Policy Committee (comprising executive officers of FMR) evaluates disclosure policy with the goal of serving the fund's best interests by striking an appropriate balance between providing information about the fund's portfolio and protecting the fund from potentially harmful disclosure. The Board reviews the administration and modification of these guidelines and receives reports from the fund's chief compliance officer periodically.
The fund will provide a full list of holdings upon request as of the prior business day to all Fidelity registered investment companies that are shareholders of the fund.
The fund may also from time to time provide or make available to the Board or third parties upon request specific fund level performance attribution information and statistics. Third parties may include fund shareholders or prospective fund shareholders, members of the press, consultants, and ratings and ranking organizations.
The Use of Holdings In Connection With Fund Operations. Material non-public holdings information may be provided as part of the investment activities of the fund to: entities which, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the fund, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed; other parties if legally required; or persons FMR believes will not misuse the disclosed information. These entities, parties, and persons include: the fund's trustees; the fund's manager, its sub-advisers and its affiliates whose access persons are subject to a code of ethics; contractors who are subject to a confidentiality agreement; the fund's auditors; the fund's custodians; proxy voting service providers; financial printers; pricing service vendors; broker-dealers in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or requests for price quotations or bids on one or more securities; securities lending agents; counsel to the fund or its Independent Trustees; regulatory authorities; stock exchanges and other listing organizations; parties to litigation; and third-parties in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding relating to a fund holding. Non-public holdings information may also be provided to an issuer regarding the number or percentage of its shares that are owned by a fund and in connection with redemptions in kind.
Other Uses Of Holdings Information. In addition, the fund may provide material non-public holdings information to (i) third-parties that calculate information derived from holdings for use by FMR or its affiliates, (ii) third parties that supply their analyses of holdings (but not the holdings themselves) to their clients (including sponsors of retirement plans or their consultants), (iii) ratings and rankings organizations, and (iv) an investment adviser, trustee, or their agents to whom holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes or in anticipation of a merger involving the fund. Each individual request is reviewed by the Disclosure Policy Committee which must find, in its sole discretion that, based on the specific facts and circumstances, the disclosure appears unlikely to be harmful to the fund. Entities receiving this information must have in place control mechanisms to reasonably ensure or otherwise agree that, (a) the holdings information will be kept confidential, (b) no employee shall use the information to effect trading or for their personal benefit, and (c) the nature and type of information that they, in turn, may disclose to third-parties is limited. FMR relies primarily on the existence of non-disclosure agreements and/or control mechanisms when determining that disclosure is not likely to be harmful to the fund.
At this time, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are: Factset Research Systems Inc. (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day); Thomson Vestek (full holdings, as of the end of the calendar quarter, 15 calendar days after the calendar quarter-end); Standard & Poor's ® Rating Services (full holdings weekly (generally as of the previous Friday), generally 5 business days thereafter); Moody's ® Investors Service (full holdings monthly, (generally as of the last Friday of each month), generally the first Friday of the following month); Anacomp Inc. (full or partial holdings daily, on the next business day); and Fitch Inc. and certain affiliates (full holdings weekly (generally as of the previous Friday), generally 5 business days thereafter).
FMR, its affiliates, or the fund will not enter into any arrangements with third-parties from which they derive consideration for the disclosure of material non-public holdings information. If, in the future, FMR desired to make such an arrangement, it would seek prior Board approval and any such arrangements would be disclosed in the fund's SAI.
There can be no assurance that the fund's policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of fund portfolio holdings will prevent the misuse of such information by individuals and firms that receive such information.
Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design are registered trademarks of FMR LLC.
Geode is a registered trademark of Geode Capital Management, LLC.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust
Amendment No. 66
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
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 to the Declaration of Trust, dated May 19, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51.
(3) Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated July 15, 2009, is filed herein as Exhibit (a)(3).
(b) Bylaws of the Trust, as amended and dated June 17, 2004, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Fidelity Summer Street Trust's (File No. 002-58542) Post-Effective Amendment No. 63.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) (1) Management Contract, dated April 20, 2000, between Fidelity Money Market Central Fund and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d) of Amendment No. 44.
(2) Management Contract, dated June 14, 2001, between Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Amendment No. 46.
(3) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between VIP Investment Grade Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as VIP Investment Grade Central Fund) and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of Amendment No. 56.
(4) Management Contract, dated July 16, 2009, between Fidelity Commodity Strategy Central Fund and FMR Co., Inc., is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(4).
(5) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated July 16, 2009, between FMR Co., Inc. and Geode Capital Management, LLC on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Strategy Central Fund is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(5).
(6) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 19, 2008, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Fidelity Revere Street Trust's (File No. 811-07807) Amendment No. 25.
(7) Schedule A, dated January 23, 2009, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 19, 2008, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of Fidelity Revere Street Trust's (File No. 811-07807) Amendment No. 26.
(8) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 9, 2008, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of Amendment No. 64.
(9) Schedule A, dated January 23, 2009 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 9, 2008, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of Fidelity Revere Street Trust's (File No. 811-07807) Amendment No. 26.
(10) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 29, 2008, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Amendment No. 64.
(11) Schedule A, dated January 23, 2009 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 29, 2008, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Fidelity Revere Street Trust's (File No. 811-07807) Amendment No. 26.
(12) Amended and Restated Master International Fixed-Income Research Agreement, dated August 1, 2007, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors), on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(40) of Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust's (File No. 002-41839) Post-Effective Amendment No. 113.
(13) Schedule A, dated August 1, 2007, to the Amended and Restated Master International Fixed-Income Research Agreement, dated August 1, 2007, between Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors), on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(41) of Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust's (File No. 002-41839) Post-Effective Amendment No. 113.
(14) Amended and Restated Fixed-Income Sub-Research Agreement, dated August 1, 2007, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors) and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd.), on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(42) of Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust's (File No. 002-41839) Post-Effective Amendment No. 113.
(15) Schedule A, dated August 1, 2007, to the Amended and Restated Fixed-Income Sub-Research Agreement, dated August 1, 2007, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors) and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.)Ltd.), on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(43) of Fidelity Fixed-Income Street Trust's (File No. 002-41839) Post-Effective Amendment No. 113.
(16) General Research Services Agreement and Schedule B, each dated January 20, 2006, among Fidelity Management & Research Company, FMR Co., Inc., Fidelity Investments Money Management Inc., and Fidelity Research & Analysis Company, on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(38) of Variable Insurance Products Fund's (File No. 002-75010) Post-Effective Amendment No. 62.
(17) Schedule A, dated September 18, 2008 to the General Research Services Agreement, dated January 20, 2006, among Fidelity Management & Research Company, FMR Co., Inc., Fidelity Investments Money Management Inc., and Fidelity Research & Analysis Company, on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(62) of Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust's (File No. 002-41839) Post-Effective Amendment No. 122.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) The Fee Deferral Plan for Independent Trustees and Trustees of the Fidelity Funds, effective as of September 15, 1995 and amended through August 1, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (f) of Fidelity Hastings Street Trust (File No. 811-00215) Post-Effective Amendment No. 121.
(g) (1) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, D, and E, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of Fidelity Advisor Series I's (File No. 002-84776) Post-Effective Amendment No. 72.
(2) Appendix A, dated January 6, 2009 to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(5) of Fidelity Investment Trust's (File No. 002-90649) Post-Effective Amendment No. 112.
(3) Appendix B, dated October 16, 2008 to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(6) of Fidelity Investment Trust's (File No. 002-90649) Post-Effective Amendment No. 112.
(4) Form-of Appendix A to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Strategy Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(10) of Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust's (File No. 002-41839) Post-Effective Amendment No. 126.
(5) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among The Bank of New York, J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund, dated February 12, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(d) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(6) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement between The Bank of New York and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund, dated February 12, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(e) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(7) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among Chemical Bank, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund, dated November 13, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(f) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(8) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement between Chemical Bank and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund, dated November 13, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(g) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(9) Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund, dated May 11, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(h) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(10) First Amendment to Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund, dated July 14, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(i) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(11) Schedule A-1, Part I and Part IV dated December 14, 2007, 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 Fidelity Garrison Street Trust on behalf of Fidelity Money Market Central Fund, Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund, and VIP Investment Grade Central Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(9) of Fidelity Court Street Trust's (File No. 002-58774) Post Effective Amendment No. 87.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated August 21, 2009, is filed herein as Exhibit (j).
(l) Not applicable.
(m) Not applicable.
(n) Not applicable.
(p) (1) Code of Ethics, dated February 2009, adopted by each fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., FMR Co., Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., Fidelity Research & Analysis Company, and Fidelity Distributors Corporation pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Fidelity Investment Trust's (File No. 811-04008) Post-Effective Amendment No. 112.
(2) Code of Ethics, dated February 2009, adopted by FIL Limited, Fidelity Investments Japan Limited, FIL Investment Advisors, and FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd. pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of Fidelity Investment Trust's (File No. 811-04008) Post-Effective Amendment No. 112.
(3) Code of Ethics, dated November 2008, adopted by Geode Capital Management, LLC and Geode Capital Management LP pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) of Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust's (File No. 002-41839) Post-Effective Amendment No. 117.
Item 24. 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 25. 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 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers
(1) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY (FMR)
FMR serves as investment adviser to a number of other investment companies. The directors and officers of the Adviser have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
Edward C. Johnson 3d |
Chairman of the Board and Director of Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR), FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC), and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM); Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Trustee of funds advised by FMR. Previously served as President of FMR LLC (2007). |
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Peter S. Lynch |
Vice Chairman and Director of FMR and FMRC and member of the Advisory Board of funds advised by FMR (2003). |
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Mary Brady |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, and Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2008); Secretary of FMR LLC (2009), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (FMR Japan), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K.), FRAC, FIMM, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008); Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008), and FMR LLC (2009). |
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James C. Curvey |
Director of FMR and FMRC (2007); Director and Vice Chairman of FMR LLC (2006); Trustee of funds advised by FMR. |
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Scott C. Goebel |
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC (2008); Assistant Secretary of FIMM, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., and FRAC (2008); Chief Legal Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (FMR H.K.) (2008). |
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Boyce I. Greer |
Executive Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2005); President and Director of FIMM and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008). |
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Joseph A. Hanlon |
Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR H.K., FMR Japan, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2009). |
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Kenneth A. Rathgeber |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005), FMR H.K. (2008) and FMR Japan (2008). |
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John J. Remondi |
Director of FMR and FMRC (2007); Director (2006) and Executive Vice President (2008) of FMR LLC; Previously served as Chief Financial Officer (2007) and Chief Administrative Officer (2009) of FMR LLC. |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers Inc., and FDC (2008). |
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J. Gregory Wass |
Assistant Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC, FMR LLC (2003) and FMR Japan (2008); Vice President, Taxation, of FMR LLC. |
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JS Wynant |
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FRAC and FIMM (2008); Director and Treasurer of FMR U.K. and FMR Japan (2008); Treasurer of FMR H.K. (2008). Previously served as Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2008). |
(2) FMR CO., INC. (FMRC)
FMRC provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-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 Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR), FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC), and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM); Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Trustee of funds advised by FMR. Previously served as President of FMR LLC (2007). |
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Peter S. Lynch |
Vice Chairman and Director of FMR and FMRC and member of the Advisory Board of funds advised by FMR (2003). |
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Mary Brady |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, and FDC (2008); Secretary of FMR LLC (2009), FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008); Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008), and FMR LLC (2009). |
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James C. Curvey |
Director of FMR and FMRC (2007); Director and Vice Chairman of FMR LLC (2006); Trustee of funds advised by FMR. |
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Scott C. Goebel |
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC (2008); Assistant Secretary of FIMM, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., and FRAC (2008); Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. (2008). |
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Boyce I. Greer |
Executive Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2005); President and Director of FIMM and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008). |
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Joseph A. Hanlon |
Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR H.K., FMR Japan, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2009). |
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Kenneth A. Rathgeber |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005), FMR H.K. (2008) and FMR Japan (2008). |
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John J. Remondi |
Director of FMR and FMRC (2007); Director (2006) and Executive Vice President (2008) of FMR LLC; Previously served as Chief Financial Officer (2007) and Chief Administrative Officer (2009) of FMR LLC. |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers Inc., and FDC (2008). |
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J. Gregory Wass |
Assistant Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC and FMR LLC (2003); Vice President, Taxation, of FMR LLC. |
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JS Wynant |
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FRAC and FIMM (2008); Director and Treasurer of FMR U.K. and FMR Japan (2008); Treasurer of FMR H.K. (2008). Previously served as Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2008). |
(3) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (HONG KONG) LIMITED (FMR H.K.)
FMR H.K. provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
(4) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (JAPAN) INC. (FMR JAPAN)
FMR Japan provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
(5) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (U.K.) INC. (FMR U.K.)
FMR U.K. provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
Eric Wetlaufer |
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Director of FMR Japan (2008) and FMR U.K. (2007); President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board (2008) and Director (2007) of FMR H.K.; President and Director of FRAC (2006). |
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Mary Brady |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, and FDC (2008); Secretary of FMR LLC (2009), FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008); Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008), and FMR LLC (2009). |
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Lawrence J. Brindisi |
Director, Executive Director and Executive Vice President of FMR U.K. (2007). |
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Robert P. Brown |
Director and Managing Director of Research of FMR U.K. (2008). |
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Scott C. Goebel |
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC (2008); Assistant Secretary of FIMM, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., and FRAC (2008); Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. (2008). |
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David Hamlin |
Managing Director of Research of FMR U.K. (2008). |
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Joseph A. Hanlon |
Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR H.K., FMR Japan, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2009). |
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Charles S. Morrison |
Executive Vice President (2009) and Director (2008) of FMR U.K.; Previously served as Managing Director of Research of FMR U.K. (2008). |
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Kenneth A. Rathgeber |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005), FMR H.K. (2008) and FMR Japan (2008). |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers Inc., and FDC (2008). |
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Matthew C. Torrey |
Director and Managing Director of Research of FMR Japan (2008) and FMR U.K. (2007); Managing Director of Research of FMR H.K. (2008). |
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J. Gregory Wass |
Assistant Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC, FMR LLC (2003) and FMR Japan (2008); Vice President, Taxation, of FMR LLC. |
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JS Wynant |
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FRAC and FIMM (2008); Director and Treasurer of FMR U.K. and FMR Japan (2008); Treasurer of FMR H.K. (2008). Previously served as Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2008). |
(6) FIDELITY RESEARCH & ANALYSIS COMPANY (FRAC)
FRAC provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Management Trust Company, FMR Co., Inc., and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. The directors and officers of the Sub-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 Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR), FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC), and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM); Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Trustee of funds advised by FMR. Previously served as President of FMR LLC (2007). |
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Eric Wetlaufer |
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Director of FMR Japan (2008) and FMR U.K. (2007); President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board (2008) and Director (2007) of FMR H.K.; President and Director of FRAC (2006). |
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Mary Brady |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, and FDC (2008); Secretary of FMR LLC (2009), FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008); Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008), and FMR LLC (2009). |
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Scott C. Goebel |
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC (2008); Assistant Secretary of FIMM, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., and FRAC (2008); Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. (2008). |
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Joseph A. Hanlon |
Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR H.K., FMR Japan, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2009). |
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Kenneth A. Rathgeber |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005), FMR H.K. (2008) and FMR Japan (2008). |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers Inc., and FDC (2008). |
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J. Gregory Wass |
Assistant Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC, FMR LLC (2003) and FMR Japan (2008); Vice President, Taxation, of FMR LLC. |
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JS Wynant |
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FRAC and FIMM (2008); Director and Treasurer of FMR U.K. and FMR Japan (2008); Treasurer of FMR H.K. (2008). Previously served as Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2008). |
(7) FIDELITY INVESTMENTS MONEY MANAGEMENT, INC. (FIMM)
FIMM provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-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 Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR), FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC), and Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM); Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Trustee of funds advised by FMR. Previously served as President of FMR LLC (2007). |
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Mary Brady |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, and FDC (2008); Secretary of FMR LLC (2009), FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008); Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008), and FMR LLC (2009). |
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Scott C. Goebel |
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC (2008); Assistant Secretary of FIMM, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., and FRAC (2008); Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. (2008). |
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Boyce I. Greer |
Executive Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2005); President and Director of FIMM and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008). |
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Joseph A. Hanlon |
Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR H.K., FMR Japan, and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2009). |
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Kenneth A. Rathgeber |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005), FMR H.K. (2008) and FMR Japan (2008). |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers Inc., and FDC (2008). |
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J. Gregory Wass |
Assistant Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC, FMR LLC (2003) and FMR Japan (2008); Vice President, Taxation, of FMR LLC. |
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JS Wynant |
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FRAC and FIMM (2008); Director and Treasurer of FMR U.K. and FMR Japan (2008); Treasurer of FMR H.K. (2008). Previously served as Vice President of FMR and FMRC (2008). |
(8) FIL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (FIIA)
The directors and officers of FIIA have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
(9) FIL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (U.K.) LTD. (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.
(10) GEODE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC (Geode)
The directors and officers of Geode Capital Management, LLC have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
Principal business addresses of the investment adviser, sub-advisers and affiliates.
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (FMR H.K.)
Floor 66, 99 Queen's Road Central
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR
Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) (FMR Japan)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K.)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
FIL Investment Advisors (FIIA)
Pembroke Hall
42 Crow Lane
Pembroke, Bermuda HM 19
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd. (FIIA(U.K.)L)
25 Cannon Street
London, England EC4M5TA
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited (FIJ)
Shiroyama Trust Tower
4-3-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 105-6019
Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
FMR LLC
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Geode Capital Management, LLC (Geode)
One Post Office Square, 28th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Management Trust Company
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Investors Management LLC
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
Not applicable.
Item 28. 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 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 29. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 30. 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 24th day of August 2009.
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Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
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/s/ Scott C. Goebel |
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Scott C. Goebel, Secretary |
Exhibit (a)(3)
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WILLIAM GALVIN
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
STATE HOUSE - BOSTON, MA
AMENDMENT TO THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
We, John R. Hebble, President, and Scott C. Goebel, 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 July 15, 2009, 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 VIII, Section 3 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust shall be, and it hereby is, amended to read as follows:
QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE
Section 3. Except when a higher quorum is required by any provision of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, one-third of Shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders' meeting, except that where any provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust permits or requires that holders of any Series or Class shall vote as a Series or Class then one-third of the aggregate number of Shares of that Series or Class entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that Series or Class. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting, without the necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required by applicable law or by any provision of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, if any, a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy shall decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where any provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust permits or requires that the holders of any Series or Class shall vote as a Series or Class, then a majority of the Shares of that Series or Class voted on the matter shall decide that matter insofar as that Series or Class is concerned. Shareholders may act by unanimous written consent. Actions taken by a Series or Class may be consented to unanimously in writing by Shareholders of that Series or Class.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF AND UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, we have hereunto signed our names this 15th day of July, 2009.
/s/ John R. Hebble |
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/s/ Scott C. Goebel |
John R. Hebble |
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Scott C. Goebel |
President |
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Secretary |
Exhibit (d)(4)
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
between
FIDELITY GARRISON STREET TRUST:
FIDELITY COMMODITY RETURN CENTRAL FUND
and
FMR CO., INC.
AGREEMENT made this 16th day of July, 2009, by and between Fidelity Garrison Street Trust, a Massachusetts business trust which may issue one or more series of shares of beneficial interest (hereinafter called the "Fund"), on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Return Central Fund (hereinafter called the "Portfolio"), and FMR Co., Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (hereinafter called the "Adviser") as set forth in its entirety below.
1. (a) Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser undertakes to act as investment adviser of the Portfolio and shall, subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, direct the investments of the Portfolio in accordance with the investment objective, policies and limitations as provided in the Portfolio's Prospectus or other governing instruments, as amended from time to time, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder, as amended from time to time (the "1940 Act"), and such other limitations as the Portfolio may impose by notice in writing to the Adviser. The Adviser shall also furnish for the use of the Portfolio office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Portfolio; and shall (either itself or through an affiliate) pay the salaries and fees of all officers of the Fund, of all Trustees of the Fund who are "interested persons" of the Fund or of the Adviser, and of all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Adviser is authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the Portfolio, to buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds and other securities and investment instruments on behalf of the Portfolio. The investment policies and all other actions of the Portfolio are and shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
(b) Management Services. The Adviser shall perform (or arrange for the performance by its affiliates of) the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, perform various services for the Portfolio, including but not limited to: (i) providing the Portfolio with office space, equipment and facilities (which may be its own) for maintaining its organization; (ii) on behalf of the Portfolio, supervising relations with, and monitoring the performance of, any sub-advisers, custodians, depositories, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, insurers and other persons in any capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable; (iii) preparing all general shareholder communications, including shareholder reports; (iv) conducting shareholder relations; (v) maintaining the Fund's existence and its records; (vi) during such times, if any, as shares are publicly offered, maintaining the registration and qualification of the Portfolio's shares under federal and state law; and (vii) investigating the development of and developing and implementing, if appropriate, management and shareholder services designed to enhance the value or convenience of the Portfolio as an investment vehicle.
The Adviser shall also furnish such reports, evaluations, information or analyses to the Fund as the Fund's Board of Trustees may request from time to time or as the Adviser may deem to be desirable. The Adviser shall make recommendations to the Fund's Board of Trustees with respect to Fund policies, and shall carry out such policies as are adopted by the Trustees. The Adviser shall, subject to review by the Board of Trustees, furnish such other services as the Adviser shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Contract.
(c) The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the Portfolio's account with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser, which may include brokers or dealers affiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser shall use its best efforts to seek to execute portfolio transactions at prices which are advantageous to the Portfolio and at commission rates which are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In selecting brokers or dealers qualified to execute a particular transaction, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Portfolio and/or the other accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Portfolio which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Adviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Trustees of the Fund shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Portfolio to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Portfolio.
The Adviser shall, in acting hereunder, be an independent contractor. The Adviser shall not be an agent of the Portfolio.
2. It is understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of the Fund are or may be or become interested in the Adviser as directors, officers or otherwise and that directors, officers and stockholders of the Adviser are or may be or become similarly interested in the Fund, and that the Adviser may be or become interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.
3. The Adviser will be compensated on the following basis for the services and facilities to be furnished hereunder, which compensation shall be paid by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR), an affiliate of the Adviser:
(a) With respect to each investment account managed by FMR or its affiliates (other than an investment account managed or sub-advised by the Adviser) that invests in the Portfolio in any given month (a "Participating Account"), FMR will pay the Adviser a fee equal to (i) 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that the Participating Account is obligated to pay FMR or its affiliates under its management contract with FMR or its affiliates, multiplied by (ii) the monthly average net assets of the Participating Account invested in the Portfolio for such month, provided that such fee shall be net of any Participating Account expenses paid by FMR pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such fee shall not be reduced to reflect expense reimbursements or fee waivers by FMR.
(b) In case of initiation or termination of this Contract during any month, the fee for that month shall be reduced proportionately on the basis of the number of business days during which it is in effect, and the fee computed upon the average net assets for each Participating Account for the business days it is so in effect for that month.
4. It is understood that the Portfolio will pay all its expenses, other than as specifically set forth below, which expenses payable by the Portfolio shall include, without limitation, (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the Fund's Directors other than those who are "interested persons" of the Fund or the Adviser; (iv) legal and audit expenses; (v) custodian fees and expenses; (vi) fees and expenses, if any, related to the registration and qualification of the Fund and the Portfolio's shares for distribution under state and federal securities laws; (vii) expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy material to shareholders of the Portfolio; (viii) all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Portfolio's shareholders, including proxy solicitations therefor; (ix) its proportionate share of insurance premiums; (x) its proportionate share, if any, of association membership dues; (xi) expenses of typesetting for printing Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto; (xii) expenses of printing and mailing Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto sent to existing shareholders; and (xiii) such non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Portfolio is a party and the legal obligation which the Portfolio may have to indemnify the Fund's Directors and officers with respect thereto. The Adviser, either itself or through an affiliate, shall pay the fees associated with transfer agent and pricing and bookkeeping services involved in the Portfolio's operations.
5. The services of the Adviser to the Portfolio are not to be deemed exclusive, the Adviser being free to render services to others and engage in other activities, provided, however, that such other services and activities do not, during the term of this Contract, interfere, in a material manner, with the Adviser's ability to meet all of its obligations with respect to rendering services to the Portfolio hereunder. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Adviser, the Adviser shall not be subject to liability to the Portfolio or to any shareholder of the Portfolio for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or other investment instrument.
6. Subject to the prior written approval of the Trustees of the Trust, satisfaction of all applicable requirements under the 1940 Act, and such other terms and conditions as the Trustees may impose, the Adviser may appoint (and may from time to time remove) one or more unaffiliated persons as agent to perform any or all of the services specified hereunder and to carry out such provisions of this Agreement as the Adviser may from time to time direct, and may delegate to such unaffiliated persons the authority vested in the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement to the extent necessary to enable such persons to perform the services requested of such person by the Adviser, provided, however, that the appointment of any such agent shall not relieve the Adviser of any of its liabilities hereunder.
7. (a) Subject to prior termination as provided in sub-paragraph (d) of this paragraph 7, this Contract shall continue in force until September 30, 2010 and indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as the continuance after such date shall be specifically approved at least annually by vote of the Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
(b) This Contract may be modified by mutual consent subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") or any rules or regulations adopted by, or interpretative releases or no-action letters of, the Commission or its staff.
(c) In addition to the requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph 7, the terms of any continuance or modification of this Contract must have been approved by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to the Contract or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(d) Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other, terminate this Contract, without payment of any penalty, by action of its Trustees or Board of Directors, as the case may be, or with respect to the Portfolio by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. This Contract shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
8. The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Fund's Declaration of Trust or other organizational document and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Fund pursuant to this Contract shall be limited in all cases to the Portfolio and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Portfolio or any other Portfolios of the Fund. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Portfolio under the Declaration of Trust or other organizational document are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Portfolios.
9. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions thereof.
The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment," and "interested persons," when used herein, shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and subject to such orders or no-action letters as may be granted by the Commission or its staff.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have caused this instrument to be signed in their behalf by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, all as of the date written above.
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FIDELITY GARRISON STREET TRUST |
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on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Return Central Fund |
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By |
/s/ John R. Hebble |
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John R. Hebble |
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President and Treasurer |
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FMR CO., INC. |
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By |
/s/ JS Wynant |
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JS Wynant |
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Senior Vice President |
Exhibit (d)(5)
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
between
FMR CO., INC.
and
GEODE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
and
FIDELITY GARRISON STREET TRUST ON BEHALF OF
FIDELITY COMMODITY RETURN CENTRAL FUND
This Agreement is entered into as of the 16th day of July, 2009, among Fidelity Garrison Street Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Return Central Fund, a series portfolio of the Trust (the "Portfolio"), FMR Co., Inc., a Massachusetts corporation ("Manager"), and Geode Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Subadviser").
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of the Portfolio, has entered into a Management Contract, dated July 16, 2009, with Manager (the "Management Contract"), pursuant to which Manager has agreed to provide certain management and administrative services to the Portfolio; and
WHEREAS, Manager desires to appoint Subadviser as investment subadviser to provide the investment advisory and administrative services to the Portfolio specified herein, and Subadviser is willing to serve the Portfolio in such capacity; and
WHEREAS, the trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees"), including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as such term is defined below) of any party to this Agreement, and the shareholder(s) of the Portfolio, have each, to the extent required, consented to such an arrangement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
I. APPOINTMENT OF SUBADVISER; COMPENSATION
1.1 Appointment as Subadviser . Subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof, Manager hereby appoints Subadviser as investment subadviser to perform the various investment advisory and other services to the Portfolio set forth herein and, subject to the restrictions set forth herein, hereby delegates to Subadviser the authority vested in Manager pursuant to the Management Contract to the extent necessary to enable Subadviser to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
1.2 Scope of Investment Authority . (a) The Subadviser is hereby authorized, on a discretionary basis, to manage the investments and determine the composition of the assets of the Portfolio, subject at all times to (i) the supervision and control of the Trustees, (ii) the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and the rules thereunder, (iii) the investment objective, policies and limitations, as provided in the Portfolio's Prospectus and other governing documents, and (iv) such instructions, policies and limitations relating to the Portfolio and/or the performance of oversight of the Subadviser's duties hereunder as the Trustees or Manager may from time to time adopt and communicate in writing to Subadviser. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Subadviser is not authorized to take any action, including the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, in contravention of any restriction, limitation, objective, policy or instruction described in the previous sentence.
(b) It is understood and agreed that, for so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, Subadviser shall retain discretionary investment authority over the manner in which the Portfolio's assets are invested, and Manager shall not have the right to overrule any investment decision with respect to a particular security made by Subadviser, provided that the Trustees and Manager shall at all times have the right to monitor the Portfolio's investment activities and performance, require Subadviser to make reports and give explanations as to the manner in which the Portfolio's assets are being invested, and, should either Manager or the Trustees become dissatisfied with Subadviser's performance in any way, terminate this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2 hereof.
1.3 Appointment as Proxy Voting Agent . Subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustees hereby appoint Subadviser as the Portfolio's proxy voting agent, and hereby delegate to Subadviser discretionary authority to vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to issuers of securities in which the assets of the Portfolio may be invested from time to time. Subadviser may act as the Portfolio's proxy voting agent directly or Subadviser may (in whole or in part) employ a third-party to vote proxies on behalf of the Portfolio, provided, however, that in either case, Subadviser shall be responsible for voting all proxies on behalf of the Portfolio. Upon sixty (60) days written notice to Subadviser, the Trustees may at any time withdraw the authority granted to Subadviser pursuant to this Section 1.3 to perform any or all of the proxy voting services contemplated hereby.
1.4 Governing Documents . Manager will provide Subadviser with copies of (i) the Trust's Declaration of Trust and By-laws, as currently in effect, (ii) the Portfolio's currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information, as set forth in the Trust's registration statement under the Investment Company Act, as amended, (iii) any instructions, investment policies or other restrictions adopted by the Trustees or Manager relating to its performance of oversight of the Subadviser supplemental thereto, and (iv) the Management Contract. Manager will provide Subadviser with such further documentation and information concerning the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Portfolio as Subadviser may from time to time reasonably request.
1.5 Subadviser's Relationship . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Subadviser shall be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust, the Portfolio or Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of any of them, except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement or in writing by the Trust or Manager.
1.6 Compensation . Subadviser shall be compensated for the services it performs on behalf of the Portfolio in accordance with the terms set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement.
II. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED BY SUBADVISER
2.1 Investment Advisory Services . (a) In fulfilling its obligations to manage the assets of the Portfolio, Subadviser will:
(i) formulate and implement a continuous investment program for the Portfolio;
(ii) take whatever steps are necessary to implement these investment programs by the purchase and sale of securities and other investments, including the selection of brokers or dealers, the placing of orders for such purchases and sales in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) below and assuring that such purchases and sales are properly settled and cleared;
(iii) provide such reports with respect to the implementation of the Portfolio's investment program as the Trustees or Manager shall reasonably request; and
(iv) provide advice and assistance to Manager as to the determination of the fair value of certain securities where market quotations are not readily available for purposes of calculating net asset value of the Portfolio in accordance with valuation procedures and methods established by the Trustees.
(b) The Subadviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the Portfolio's account with brokers and dealers selected by Subadviser. Such brokers and dealers may include brokers or dealers that are "affiliated persons" (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Trust, the Portfolio, Manager or Subadviser, provided that Subadviser shall only place orders on behalf of the Portfolio with such affiliated persons in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees pursuant to Rule 17e-1 under the Investment Company Act. The Subadviser shall use its best efforts to seek to execute portfolio transactions at prices which are advantageous to the Portfolio and at commission rates which are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In selecting brokers or dealers qualified to execute a particular transaction, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Portfolio and/or other accounts over which Subadviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Subadviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provided such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Portfolio which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if Subadviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Subadviser and its affiliates have in respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Trustees shall periodically review the commissions paid by the Portfolio to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Portfolio.
2.2 Administrative and Other Services . (a) Subadviser will, at its expense, furnish (i) all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of personnel required for it to execute its duties faithfully, and (ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the investment affairs of the Portfolio (excluding determination of net asset values and shareholder accounting services).
(b) Subadviser will maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Portfolio as are required of an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder. Subadviser agrees that such records are the property of the Trust, and will be surrendered to the Trust promptly upon request. The Manager shall be granted reasonable access to the records and documents in Subadviser's possession relating to the Portfolios.
(c) Subadviser shall provide such information as is necessary to enable Manager to prepare and update the Trust's registration statement (and any supplement thereto) and the Portfolio's financial statements. Subadviser understands that the Trust and Manager will rely on such information in the preparation of the Trust's registration statement and the Portfolio's financial statements, and hereby covenants that any such information approved by Subadviser expressly for use in such registration and/or financial statements shall be true and complete in all material respects.
(d) Subadviser will vote the Portfolio's investment securities in the manner in which Subadviser believes to be in the best interests of the Portfolio, and shall review its proxy voting activities on a periodic basis with the Trustees.
III. COMPLIANCE; CONFIDENTIALITY
3.1 Compliance . (a) Subadviser will comply with (i) all applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing the performance of the Subadviser's duties hereunder, (ii) the investment objective, policies and limitations, as provided in the Portfolio's Prospectus and other governing documents, and (iii) such instructions, policies and limitations relating to the Portfolio and/or the oversight of the Subadviser's performance of its duties hereunder as the Trustees or Manager may from time to time adopt and communicate in writing to subadviser.
(b) Subadviser will adopt a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of such code of ethics, evidence of its adoption and copies of any supplemental policies and procedures implemented to ensure compliance therewith.
3.2 Confidentiality . The parties to this Agreement agree that each shall treat as confidential all information provided by a party to the others regarding such party's business and operations, including without limitation the investment activities or holdings of the Portfolio. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other parties hereto solely for the purposes of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out the terms of this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or which thereafter becomes publicly available other than in contravention of this Section 3.2 or which is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority in the lawful and appropriate exercise of its jurisdiction over a party, any auditor of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation.
IV. LIABILITY OF SUBADVISER
4.1 Liability; Standard of Care . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither Subadviser, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, shall be liable to Manager or the Trust for any loss resulting from Subadviser's acts or omissions as Subadviser to the Portfolio, except to the extent any such losses result from bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard or gross negligence on the part of the Subadviser or any of its directors, officers or employees in the performance of the Subadviser's duties and obligations under this Agreement.
4.2 Indemnification . (a) Subadviser agrees to indemnify and hold the Trust and Manager harmless from any and all direct or indirect liabilities, losses or damages (including reasonable attorneys fees) suffered by the Trust or Manager resulting from (i) Subadviser's breach of its duties hereunder, or (ii) bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard or gross negligence on the part of the Subadviser or any of its directors, officers or employees in the performance of the Subadviser's duties and obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent such loss results from the Trust's or Manager's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence in the performance of their respective duties and obligations under the Management Contract or this Agreement.
(b) Manager hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Subadviser harmless from any and all direct or indirect liabilities, losses or damages (including reasonable attorney's fees) suffered by Subadviser resulting from (i) Manager's breach of its duties under Management Contract, or (ii) bad faith, willful misfeasance, reckless disregard or gross negligence on the part of Manager or any of its directors, officers or employees in the performance of Manager's duties and obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent such loss results from Subadviser's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, reckless disregard or negligence in the performance of Subadviser's duties and obligations under this Agreement.
V. SUPPLEMENTAL ARRANGEMENTS; EXPENSES; INSURANCE
5.1 Supplemental Arrangements . Subject to the prior written consent of the Trustees and Manager, Subadviser may enter into arrangements with other persons affiliated with Subadviser to better fulfill its obligations under this Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to Subadviser, provided that such arrangements do not rise to the level of an advisory contract subject to the requirements of Section 15 of the Investment Company Act.
5.2
Expenses
. It is understood that the Portfolio will pay all of its expenses other than those expressly
stated to be payable by Subadviser hereunder or by Manager under the Management Agreement. Expenses paid by
the Portfolio will include, but not be limited to, (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in
connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the
Trustees other than those who are "interested persons" of the Trust, Manager or Subadviser; (iv) legal and audit expenses; (v) custodian fees and expenses; (vi) fees and expenses, if any, related to the registration and qualification of
the Trust and the Portfolio's shares for distribution under state and federal securities laws; (vii) expenses of printing
and mailing reports and notices and proxy material to shareholders of the Portfolio; (viii) all other expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Portfolio's shareholders, including proxy solicitations therefor; (ix) a proportionate
share of insurance premiums for fidelity bond and other coverage; (x) a proportionate share, if any, of association
membership dues; (xi)
expenses of typesetting for printing Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information
and supplements thereto; (xii) expenses of printing and mailing Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto sent to existing shareholders; and (xiii) such non-recurring or extraordinary expenses
as may arise, including those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Portfolio is a party and any legal
obligation that the Portfolio may have to indemnify the Trustees, officers and/or employees or agents with respect
thereto. Subadviser shall not cause the Trust or the Portfolios to incur any expenses, other than those reasonably
necessary for Subadviser to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, unless Subadviser has first notified Manager
of its intention to do so.
5.3 Insurance . Subadviser shall maintain for the duration hereof, with an insurer acceptable to Manager, a blanket bond and professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance in amounts reasonably acceptable to Manager. Subadviser agrees that such insurance shall be considered primary and Subadviser shall assure that such policies pay claims prior to similar policies that may be maintained by Manager. In the event Subadviser fails to have in force such insurance, that failure will not exclude Subadviser's responsibility to pay for any damages in breach hereof.
VI. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
6.1 Conflicts of Interest . It is understood that the Trustees, officers, agents and shareholders of the Trust are or may be interested in Subadviser as directors, officers, stockholders or otherwise; that directors, officers, agents and stockholders of Subadviser are or may be interested in the Trust as trustees, officers, shareholders or otherwise; that Subadviser may be interested in the Trust; and that the existence of any such dual interest shall not affect the validity of this Agreement or of any transactions hereunder except as otherwise provided in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and the Certificate of Formation and Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Subadviser, respectively, or by specific provisions of applicable law.
VII. REGULATION
7.1 Regulation . Subadviser shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies having jurisdiction over the services provided pursuant to this Agreement any information, reports or other material which any such body by reason of this Agreement may reasonably request or require pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.
VIII. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
8.1 Effective Date; Duration; Continuance . (a) This Agreement shall become effective on July 16, 2009.
(b) Subject to prior termination pursuant to Section 8.2 below, this Agreement shall continue in force for one year from the date of execution, and indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as the continuance after such date shall be specifically approved at least annually by vote of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, provided that in either event such continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(c) Except to the extent that the Trust has obtained and/or relies upon an exemptive order of the Commission or a no-action letter of the staff of the Commission providing relief from the requirement to obtain shareholder approval of this Agreement, the required shareholder approval of this Agreement or any continuance of this Agreement shall be effective with respect to the Portfolio if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series (as defined in Rule 18f-2(h) under the Investment Company Act) of shares of the Portfolio votes to approve this Agreement or its continuance.
8.2 Termination and Assignment . (a) This Agreement may be terminated at any time, upon sixty days' written notice, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by the Trustees, (ii) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio; (iii) by Manager with the consent of the Trustees, or (iv) by Subadviser.
(b) This Agreement will terminate automatically, without the payment of any penalty, (i) in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act) or (ii) in the event the Management Contract is terminated for any reason.
8.3 Definitions . The terms "registered investment company," "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment," and "interested persons," when used herein, shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and subject to such orders or no-action letters as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission").
IX. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
9.1 Representations of the Portfolio . The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolio, represents and warrants that:
(i) the Trust is a business trust established pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(ii) the Trust is duly registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act and the Portfolio is a duly constituted series portfolio thereof;
(iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within the Trust's powers, have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary action (including without limitation all necessary approvals and other actions required under the Investment Company Act) and will not violate or constitute a default under any applicable law or regulation or of any decree, order, judgment, agreement or instrument binding on the Trust or the Portfolio;
(iv) no consent (including, but not limited to, exchange control consents) of any applicable governmental authority or body is necessary, except for such consents as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all conditions of which have been duly complied with;
(v) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against the Trust and the Portfolio in accordance with its terms; and
(vi) the Portfolio is exempt from registration under the Commodity Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), and the Portfolio is in compliance with the requirements of CFTC Rule 4.5.
9.2 Representations of the Manager . The Manager represents, warrants and agrees that:
(i) Manager is a corporation established pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(ii) Manager is duly registered as an "investment adviser" under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act");
(iii) Manager has been duly appointed by the Trustees and Shareholders of the Portfolio to provide investment services to the Portfolio as contemplated by the Management Contract.
(iv) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within Manager's powers, have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not violate or constitute a default under any applicable law or regulation or of any decree, order, judgment, agreement or instrument binding on Manager;
(v) no consent (including, but not limited to, exchange control consents) of any applicable governmental authority or body is necessary, except for such consents as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all conditions of which have been duly complied with; and
(vi) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against Manager.
9.3 Representations of Subadviser . Subadviser represents, warrants and agrees that:
(i) Subadviser is a Delaware limited liability company established pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware;
(ii) Subadviser is duly registered as an "investment adviser" under the Advisers Act.
(iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within Subadviser's powers, have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not violate or constitute a default under any applicable law or regulation or of any decree, order, judgment, agreement or instrument binding on Subadviser;
(iv) no consent (including, but not limited to, exchange control consents) of any applicable governmental authority or body is necessary, except for such consents as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all conditions of which have been duly complied with; and
(v) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against Subadviser.
9.4 Covenants of the Subadviser . (a) Subadviser will promptly notify the Trust and Manager in writing of the occurrence of any event which could have a material impact on the performance of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation:
(i) the occurrence of any event which could disqualify Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the Investment Company Act or otherwise;
(ii) any material change in the Subadviser's overall business activities that may have a material adverse effect on the Subadviser's ability to perform under its obligations under this Agreement;
(iii) any event that would constitute a change in control of Subadviser;
(iv) any change in the portfolio manager(s) of the Portfolio;
(v) any proposed change or change in the representations made by Subadviser concerning the nature of the Subadviser's business plan; and
(vi) the existence of any pending or threatened audit, investigation, complaint, examination or other inquiry (other than routine regulatory examinations or inspections) relating to the Portfolio conducted by any state or federal governmental regulatory authority.
(b) Subadviser agrees that it will promptly supply Manager with copies of any material changes to any of the documents provided by Subadviser pursuant to Section 3.1.
X. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
10.1 Use of Subadviser's Name . Neither the Trust nor Manager will use the name of Subadviser, or any affiliate of Subadviser, in any prospectus, advertisement sales literature or other communication to the public except in accordance with such policies and procedures as shall be mutually agreed to by the Subadviser and the Manager.
10.2 Use of Trust or Manager's Name . Subadviser will not use the name of Manager, the Trust or the Portfolio in any prospectus, advertisement, sales literature or other communication to the public except in accordance with such policies and procedures as shall be mutually agreed to by the Subadviser and the Manager.
10.3 Amendments . This Agreement may be modified by mutual consent of the Manager, the Subadviser and the Portfolio subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Investment Company Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by, or interpretive releases of, the Commission and applicable no-action letters issued by the staff thereof.
10.4 Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject hereof.
10.5 Captions . The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of the Agreement.
10.6 Notices . All notices required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered or mailed to the last known business address of the Trust, Manager or Subadviser, as the case may be, in person or by registered mail or a private mail or delivery service providing the sender with notice of receipt. Notice shall be deemed given on the date delivered or mailed in accordance with this Section 10.6.
10.7 Severability . Should any portion of this Agreement, for any reason, be held to be void at law or in equity, the Agreement shall be construed, insofar as is possible, as if such portion had never been contained herein.
10.8 Governing Law . The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to the choice of law provisions thereof), or any of the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
10.9 Limitation of Liability . A copy of the Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, dated April 23, 1986, together with all amendments, is on file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this Agreement is not executed on behalf of any of the Trustees as individuals and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property, for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim, in connection with the affairs of the Trust or the Portfolio, but only the assets belonging to the Portfolio shall be liable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers as of the date first mentioned above.
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FIDELITY GARRISON STREET TRUST |
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on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Return Central Fund |
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By |
/s/ John R. Hebble |
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John R. Hebble
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FMR CO., INC. |
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By |
/s/ JS Wynant |
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JS Wynant
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GEODE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC |
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By |
/s/ Jeffrey S. Miller |
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Jeffrey S. Miller
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APPENDIX A
Pursuant to Section 1.6 ["Compensation"] of the Subadvisory Agreement among Fidelity Garrison Street Trust, on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Return Central Fund (the "Portfolio"), FMR Co., Inc. ("Manager") and Geode Capital Management, LLC ("Subadviser"), Subadviser shall receive from Manager a fee equal to a percentage of the aggregate of the monthly average net assets of the Portfolio managed by the Subadviser and of the monthly average net assets of any other portfolios managed by the Subadviser and identified on Schedule A hereto ("Average Group Assets") in accordance with the following fee schedule, provided that as long as Subadviser is managing the Portfolio, it shall be entitled to a minimum annual payment of $100,000 (provided that such minimum annual payment shall be prorated by the number of days the Portfolio is in operation in a given year).
Average Group Assets Annualized Fee Rate (for each level)
$0 up to $500 Million 0.15%
$500 Million - $1 Billion 0.125%
Over $1 Billion 0.10%
Subadviser's fee shall be computed monthly, and within sixty days of the end of each calendar quarter, Manager shall transmit to Subadviser the fee for the previous quarter. Payment shall be made in federal funds wired to a bank account designated by Subadviser. If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates before the end of any quarter, the fee (if any) for the period from the effective date to the end of such quarter or from the beginning of such quarter to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full quarter in which such effectiveness or termination occurs.
Subadviser agrees to look exclusively to Manager, and not to any assets of the Trust or the Portfolio, for the payment of Subadviser's fees arising under this Paragraph.
SCHEDULE A
Portfolios to be included in calculating Average Group Assets
Fidelity Commodity Return Fund
Fidelity Commodity Return Central Fund
Fidelity Series Commodity Return Fund
Agreed and Accepted
as of July 16, 2009
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FIDELITY GARRISON STREET TRUST |
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on behalf of Fidelity Commodity Return Central Fund |
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By |
/s/ John R. Hebble |
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John R. Hebble
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FMR CO., INC. |
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By |
/s/ JS Wynant |
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JS Wynant
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GEODE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC |
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By |
/s/ Jeffrey S. Miller |
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Jeffrey S. Miller
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Exhibit (j)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the Statement of Additional Information in Part B of Fidelity Garrison Street Trust: Fidelity Commodity Strategy Central Fund, which is included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
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/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
Boston, Massachusetts |
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August 21, 2009 |