SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED February 15, 2011. The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not solicitating an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Spartan ® 500 Index Fund
Class /Ticker |
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Institutional /[__] |
Fidelity Advantage Institutional /[__] |
Prospectus
April __, 2011
Fund Summary |
Spartan ® 500 Index Fund |
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Fund Basics |
Investment Details |
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Valuing Shares |
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Shareholder Information |
Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares |
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Converting Shares |
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Exchanging Shares |
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Rollover IRAs |
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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 |
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Fund Distribution |
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Appendix |
Additional Information about the Index |
Prospectus
Fund
/Class:
Spartan
®
500 Index Fund
/Institutional, Fidelity Advantage Institutional
The fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the total return (i.e., the combination of capital changes and income) performance of common stocks publicly traded in the United States.
The following table describes the fees and expenses that may be incurred when you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees
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None |
Annual class operating expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
|
Institutional Class |
|
Fidelity
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Management fee |
0.025% |
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0.025% |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees |
None |
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None |
Other expenses |
0.025% |
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0.00% |
Total annual operating expenses |
0.05% |
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0.025% |
This example helps compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Let's say, hypothetically, that the annual return for shares of the fund is 5% and that your shareholder fees and the annual operating expenses for shares of the fund are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates the effect of fees and expenses, but is not meant to suggest actual or expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For every $10,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total expenses if you sell all of your shares at the end of each time period indicated:
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Institutional Class |
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Fidelity
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1 year |
$ 5 |
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$ 3 |
3 years |
$ 16 |
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$ 8 |
5 years |
$ 28 |
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$ 14 |
10 years |
$ 64 |
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$ 32 |
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 11% of the average value of its portfolio.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You could lose money by investing in the fund.
The following information is intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the fund. The information illustrates the changes in the performance of the fund's shares from year to year and compares the performance of the fund's shares to the performance of a securities market index over various periods of time. The index description appears in the Additional Information about the Index section of the prospectus. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future performance.
Prospectus
Visit www.401k.com (log in, choose plan, select Investment Choices & Research, and then pick investment option) for updated return information.
Performance history will be available for Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class after Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class have been in operation for one calendar year.
Calendar Years |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
-12.05% |
-22.21% |
28.50% |
10.73% |
4.85% |
15.72% |
5.43% |
-37.03% |
26.51% |
14.98% |
During the periods shown in the chart for Investor Class: |
Returns |
Quarter ended |
Highest Quarter Return |
15.95% |
June 30, 2009 |
Lowest Quarter Return |
-21.95% |
December 31, 2008 |
A The returns shown above are for Investor Class , a class of shares of the fund that is not offered through this prospectus. Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class would have substantially similar annual returns to Investor Class because the classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Institutional Class's and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class's returns would differ from Investor Class's returns to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.
For the periods ended
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Past 1
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Past 5
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Past 10
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Spartan 500 Index Fund A |
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Investor Class |
14.98% |
2.25% |
1.32% |
S&P 500 Index
|
15.06% |
2.29% |
1.41% |
A The returns shown above are for Investor Class , a class of shares of the fund that is not offered through this prospectus. Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class would have substantially similar annual returns to Investor Class because the classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Institutional Class's and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class's returns would differ from Investor Class's returns to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) is the fund's manager. Geode Capital Management, LLC (Geode ® ) and FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC) serve as sub-advisers for the fund.
Prospectus
Fund Summary - continued
Jeffrey Adams (lead portfolio manager) has managed the fund since January 2004.
Lou Bottari (portfolio manager) has managed the fund since January 2009.
Maximilian Kaufmann (portfolio manager) has managed the fund since December 2009.
Bobe Simon (portfolio manager) has managed the fund since May 2005.
Patrick Waddell (portfolio manager) has managed the fund since July 2006.
Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares of the fund generally are available only to employer-sponsored retirement plans (including profit sharing, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and similar plans) for which an affiliate of FMR provides recordkeeping services. Plan participants may purchase Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares of the fund only if Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares are eligible for sale and available through their plan. You may buy or sell shares in various ways:
The price to buy one share of Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class is its net asset value per share (NAV). Your shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after your order is received in proper form.
The price to sell one share of Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class is its NAV. Your shares will be sold at the NAV next calculated after your order is received in proper form.
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.
There is no purchase minimum for Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares.
Prospectus
Distributions by the fund to tax-advantaged retirement plan accounts are not taxable currently (but you may be taxed later, upon withdrawal of your investment from such account).
The fund, FMR, Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC), and/or their affiliates may pay intermediaries, including retirement plan sponsors, administrators, or service-providers (who may be affiliated with FMR or FDC), for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing your intermediary and your investment professional to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your investment professional or visit your intermediary's web site for more information.
Prospectus
Investment Objective
The fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the total return (i.e., the combination of capital changes and income) performance of common stocks publicly traded in the United States.
Principal Investment Strategies
Geode normally invests at least 80% of the fund's assets in common stocks included in the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The S&P 500 Index broadly represents the performance of common stocks publicly traded in the United States.
The fund may not always hold all of the same securities as the S&P 500 Index. Geode may use statistical sampling techniques to attempt to replicate the returns of the S&P 500 Index. Statistical sampling techniques attempt to match the investment characteristics of the index and the fund by taking into account such factors as capitalization, industry exposures, dividend yield, price/earnings (P/E) ratio, price/book (P/B) ratio, and earnings growth.
The fund may not track the index perfectly because differences between the index and the fund's portfolio can cause differences in performance. In addition, expenses and transaction costs, the size and frequency of cash flows into and out of the fund, and differences between how and when the fund and the index are valued can cause differences in performance.
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed above, the fund may lend securities to broker-dealers or other institutions to earn income.
Geode may also use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures contracts, swaps, and exchange traded funds, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing security prices or other factors that affect security values. If Geode's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not achieve its objective.
Description of Principal Security Types
Equity securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Different types of equity securities provide different voting and dividend rights and priority in the event of the bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, and warrants.
Principal Investment Risks
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price changes daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates and in response to other economic, political, or financial developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be affected by the types of securities in which the fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector, and geographic location of an issuer, and the fund's level of investment in the securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Prospectus
The following factors can significantly affect the fund's performance:
Stock Market Volatility. The value of equity securities fluctuates in response to issuer, political, market, and economic developments. Fluctuations can be dramatic over the short as well as long term, and different parts of the market and different types of equity securities can react differently to these developments. For example, large cap stocks can react differently from small cap stocks, and "growth" stocks can react differently from "value" stocks. Issuer, political, or economic developments can affect a single issuer, issuers within an industry or economic sector or geographic region, or the market as a whole. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer can impact the market as a whole. Terrorism and related geo-political risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on world economies and markets generally.
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 increase the risk of default by an issuer or counterparty, which can affect a security's or instrument's value. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.
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 following policy is fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder approval:
The fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the total return (i.e., the combination of capital changes and income) performance of common stocks publicly traded in the United States.
The S&P 500 Index broadly represents the performance of common stocks publicly traded in the United States. In the future, FMR may, subject to shareholders' approval and 30 days' notice, select another index if that index is deemed more representative of the performance of U.S. common stocks.
The following policy is subject to change only upon 60 days' prior notice to shareholders:
The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in common stocks included in the S&P 500 Index.
The fund is open for business each day the NYSE is open.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
A class's NAV is the value of a single share. Fidelity normally calculates each class'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 each class'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 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 or official closing prices. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or do 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 presents 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. 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. While the fund has policies regarding excessive trading, these too may not be effective to prevent short-term NAV arbitrage trading, particularly in regard to omnibus accounts.
Prospectus
Certain methods of contacting Fidelity, such as by telephone or electronically, may be unavailable or delayed (for example, during periods of unusual market activity). In addition, the level and type of service available may be restricted based on criteria established by Fidelity.
The fund may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase or exchange, 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.
The Board of Trustees has adopted policies designed to discourage excessive trading of fund shares. Excessive trading activity in the fund is measured by the number of roundtrip transactions in a shareholder's account and each class of a multiple class fund is treated separately. A roundtrip transaction occurs when a shareholder sells fund shares (including exchanges) within 30 days of the purchase date.
Shareholders with two or more roundtrip transactions in a single fund within a rolling 90-day period will be blocked from making additional purchases or exchange purchases of the fund for 85 days. Shareholders with four or more roundtrip transactions across all Fidelity funds within any rolling 12-month period will be blocked for at least 85 days from additional purchases or exchange purchases across all Fidelity funds. Any roundtrip within 12 months of the expiration of a multi-fund block will initiate another multi-fund block. Repeat offenders may be subject to long-term or permanent blocks on purchase or exchange purchase transactions in any account under the shareholder's control at any time. In addition to enforcing these roundtrip limitations, the fund may in its discretion restrict, reject, or cancel any purchases or exchanges that, in FMR's opinion, may be disruptive to the management of the fund or otherwise not be in the fund's interests.
The following transactions are exempt from the fund's excessive trading policy described above: (i) transactions of $1,000 or less, (ii) systematic withdrawal and/or contribution programs, (iii) mandatory retirement distributions, and (iv) transactions initiated by a plan sponsor or sponsors of certain employee benefit plans or other related accounts. In addition, the fund's excessive trading policy does not apply to transactions initiated by the trustee or adviser to a donor-advised charitable gift fund, qualified fund of fund(s), or other strategy funds. A qualified fund of fund(s) is a mutual fund, qualified tuition program, or other strategy fund consisting of qualified plan assets that either applies the Fidelity fund's excessive trading policies to shareholders at the fund of fund(s) level, or demonstrates that the fund of fund(s) has an investment strategy coupled with policies designed to control frequent trading that are reasonably likely to be effective as determined by the Fidelity fund's Treasurer.
Prospectus
Omnibus accounts, in which shares are held in the name of an intermediary on behalf of multiple investors, are a common form of holding shares among retirement plans and financial intermediaries such as brokers, advisers, and third-party administrators. Individual trades in omnibus accounts are often not disclosed to the fund, making it difficult to determine whether a particular shareholder is engaging in excessive trading. Excessive trading in omnibus accounts is likely to go undetected by the fund and may increase costs to the fund and disrupt its portfolio management.
Under policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, intermediaries will be permitted to apply the fund's excessive trading policy (described above), or their own excessive trading policy if approved by FMR. In these cases, the fund will typically not request or receive individual account data but will rely on the intermediary to monitor trading activity in good faith in accordance with its or the fund's policies. Reliance on intermediaries increases the risk that excessive trading may go undetected. For other intermediaries, the fund will generally monitor trading activity at the omnibus account level to attempt to identify disruptive trades. The fund may request transaction information, as frequently as daily, from any intermediary at any time, and may apply the fund's policy to transactions that exceed thresholds established by the Board of Trustees. The fund may prohibit purchases of fund shares by an intermediary or by some or all of any intermediary's clients. There is no assurance that FMR will request data with sufficient frequency to detect or deter excessive trading in omnibus accounts effectively.
If you purchase or sell fund shares through a financial intermediary, you may wish to contact the intermediary to determine the policies applicable to your account.
For employer-sponsored retirement plans, only participant directed exchanges count toward the roundtrip limits. Employer-sponsored retirement plan participants whose activity triggers a purchase or exchange block will be permitted one trade every calendar quarter. In the event of a block, employer and participant contributions and loan repayments by the participant may still be invested in the fund.
The fund will monitor aggregate trading activity of adviser transactions to attempt to identify excessive trading in qualified wrap programs, as defined below. Excessive trading by an adviser will lead to fund blocks and the wrap program will lose its qualified status. Adviser transactions will not be matched with client-directed transactions unless the wrap program ceases to be a qualified wrap program (but all client-directed transactions will be subject to the fund's excessive trading policy). A qualified wrap program is: (i) a program whose adviser certifies that it has investment discretion over $100 million or more in client assets invested in mutual funds at the time of the certification, (ii) a program in which the adviser directs transactions in the accounts participating in the program in concert with changes in a model portfolio, and (iii) managed by an adviser who agrees to give FMR sufficient information to permit FMR to identify the individual accounts in the wrap program.
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
The fund reserves the right at any time to restrict purchases or exchanges or impose conditions that are more restrictive on excessive or disruptive trading than those stated in this prospectus. The fund's Treasurer is authorized to suspend the fund's policies during periods of severe market turbulence or national emergency. The fund reserves the right to modify its policies at any time without prior notice.
The fund does not knowingly accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares by investors, except to the extent permitted by the policies described above.
As described in "Valuing Shares," the fund also uses fair value pricing to help reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders. There is no assurance that the fund's excessive trading policy will be effective, or will successfully detect or deter excessive or disruptive trading.
The price to buy one share of Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class is its NAV. Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after your order is received in proper form.
There is no minimum balance or purchase minimum for Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares.
Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares generally are available only to employer-sponsored retirement plans (including profit sharing, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and similar plans) for which an affiliate of FMR provides recordkeeping services. For Institutional Class, such plans require a minimum purchase and ongoing balance of $5 million at the plan sponsor level. For Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class, such plans require a minimum purchase and ongoing balance of $200 million at the plan sponsor level. Please contact Fidelity for more information about Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares.
Prospectus
Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares generally are not available to retail retirement or non-retirement accounts, traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403(b) accounts that are not part of an employer's 403(b) plan, or qualified tuition programs.
Investors eligible to purchase Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares may also be eligible to purchase Investor Class or Fidelity Advantage Class shares, shares of the fund that are not offered through this prospectus. However, plan participants may purchase only the classes of shares that are eligible for sale and available through their plan. Each class has different expenses and features, as described in its prospectus. Investor Class and Fidelity Advantage Class shares have higher expenses than Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other federal regulations, purchase orders may be suspended, restricted, or canceled and the monies may be withheld.
The price to sell one share of Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class is its NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the NAV next 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.
A signature guarantee is designed to protect you and Fidelity from fraud. Fidelity may require that your request be made in writing and include a signature guarantee in certain circumstances, such as:
You should be able to obtain a signature guarantee from a bank, broker (including Fidelity Investor Centers), dealer, credit union (if authorized under state law), securities exchange or association, clearing agency, or savings association. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
The fund may convert your Investor Class or Fidelity Advantage Class shares, a class of shares of the fund that are not offered through this prospectus, to Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares, as applicable, if Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class of the fund is available under your plan.
The fund may convert your Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares to Investor Class or Fidelity Advantage Class shares, as applicable, if your plan is no longer eligible to offer Institutional Class or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class. Investors will be notified in writing before any such conversion to Investor Class or Fidelity Advantage Class shares.
A conversion will be based on the respective NAVs of the two classes, without the imposition of any fees, on the trade date of the conversion. A conversion between share classes of the same fund is a non-taxable event.
An exchange involves the redemption of all or a portion of the shares of one fund and the purchase of shares of another fund.
Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares of the fund may be exchanged into shares of any class of a Fidelity fund available through your plan.
However, you should note the following policies and restrictions governing exchanges:
Prospectus
The fund may terminate or modify exchange privileges in the future.
Other funds may have different exchange restrictions and minimums, and may impose redemption fees of up to 2.00% of the amount exchanged. Check each fund's prospectus for details.
Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Investor Class or Fidelity Advantage Class, as applicable, shares, shares of the fund that are not offered through this prospectus, through an IRA rollover. Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares are not available to IRA rollover accounts. Information on Investor Class and Fidelity Advantage Class shares, including any minimum purchase or balance requirements applicable to IRA rollover accounts, can be found in that class's prospectus. Investor Class and Fidelity Advantage Class shares have higher expenses than Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares.
The following policies apply to you as a shareholder.
Statements that Fidelity sends to you include the following:
To reduce expenses, only one copy of most financial reports and prospectuses may be mailed to households, even if more than one person in a household holds shares of the fund. Call Fidelity at 1-800-835-5092 if you need additional copies of financial reports or prospectuses. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, contact Fidelity in writing at P.O. Box 770001, Cincinnati, Ohio 45277-0002.
You may initiate many transactions by telephone or electronically. Fidelity will not be responsible for any loss, cost, expense, or other liability resulting from unauthorized transactions if it follows reasonable security procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor. Fidelity will request personalized security codes or other information, and may also record calls. For transactions conducted through the Internet, Fidelity recommends the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements upon receipt and notify Fidelity immediately of any discrepancies in your account activity. If you do not want the ability to sell and exchange by telephone, call Fidelity for instructions. Additional documentation may be required from corporations, associations, and certain fiduciaries.
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
You may also 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.
Fidelity may charge a fee for certain services, such as providing historical account documents.
The fund earns dividends, interest, 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 in April, July, October, and December and pays capital gain distributions in April and December.
All dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan participants will be automatically reinvested.
Taxes on distributions. Distributions by the fund to tax-advantaged retirement plan accounts are not taxable currently.
Taxes on transactions. Exchanges within a tax-advantaged retirement plan account will not result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of distributions from a tax-advantaged retirement plan account.
Prospectus
The fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
FMR is the fund's manager. The address of FMR and its affiliates, unless otherwise indicated below, is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
As of December 31, 2009, FMR had approximately $1.3 billion in discretionary assets under management.
Pursuant to an SEC exemptive order, FMR intends to act as a manager of managers, meaning that FMR has the responsibility to oversee sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees but without shareholder approval, FMR may replace or hire unaffiliated sub-advisers or amend the terms of their existing sub-advisory agreements, if any. In the event of approval of a new unaffiliated sub-adviser, you will be provided with information about the new sub-adviser and sub-advisory agreement within ninety days of appointment.
As the manager, FMR is responsible for handling the fund's business affairs.
Geode, at One Post Office Square, 28th Floor, 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 26, 2010, Geode had approximately $71.3 billion in discretionary assets under management.
FMRC serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMRC may provide investment advisory services for the fund.
FMRC is an affiliate of FMR. As of December 31, 2009, FMRC had approximately $582.3 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 fund. Lou Bottari, Maximilian Kaufmann, Bobe Simon, and Patrick Waddell are portfolio managers of the fund.
Jeffrey Adams has been a senior portfolio manager with Geode since September 2003. He has served as a lead portfolio manager of the fund since January 2004, as well as 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.
Lou Bottari has been a portfolio manager with Geode since July 2010. Prior to July 2010, Mr. Bottari was an assistant portfolio manager with Geode since May 2008. He has served as a portfolio manager of the fund since January 2009. He also manages 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 Investments in 1991 and served as an assistant portfolio manager with Pyramis Global Advisors from 2005 to 2008.
Prospectus
Maximilian Kaufmann has been a portfolio manager with Geode since August 2009. He serves as a portfolio manager of the funds which he has managed since December 2009. He also serves as a portfolio manager for other registered investment companies. In addition to his portfolio management responsibilities, Mr. Kaufmann is responsible for quantitative research and new product development. Prior to joining Geode, Mr. Kaufmann was a Senior Vice President at PanAgora Asset Management from 2003 to 2007 and Lazard Asset Management from 2007 to 2009.
Bobe Simon has been a portfolio manager with Geode since April 2005. He has served as a portfolio manager of the fund since May 2005, as well as 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 the fund since July 2006, 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 from December 1997 to February 2004 where he worked as a senior portfolio assistant for over two years.
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, Bottari, Kaufmann, Simon, and Waddell.
The fund pays a management fee to FMR. The management fee is calculated and paid to FMR every month. FMR pays all of the other expenses of the fund with certain exceptions.
The fund's annual management fee rate is 0.025% of its average net assets.
On February 1, 2011, FMR reduced the management fee rate for the fund from 0.07% to 0.025%.
FMR pays FMRC for providing sub-advisory services.
FMR 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 is available in the fund's semi-annual report for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2010.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse a class for management fees and other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the ability to be repaid by a class 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 class's expenses and boost its performance.
Prospectus
Fund Services - continued
The fund is composed of multiple classes of shares. All classes of the fund have a common investment objective and investment portfolio.
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) distributes each class's shares.
Intermediaries, including retirement plan sponsors, administrators, and service-providers (who may be affiliated with FMR or FDC), may receive from FMR, FDC, and/or their affiliates compensation for providing recordkeeping and administrative services, as well as other retirement plan expenses, and compensation for services intended to result in the sale of Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares. These payments are described in more detail in this section and in the SAI.
Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class have adopted Distribution and Service Plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) with respect to its shares that recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares and/or shareholder support services. FMR, directly or through FDC, may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, including retirement plan sponsors, service-providers, and administrators, that provide those services. Currently, the Board of Trustees of the fund has authorized such payments for Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares.
If payments made by FMR to FDC or to intermediaries under a Distribution and Service Plan were considered to be paid out of Institutional Class's or Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class's assets on an ongoing basis, they might increase the cost of your investment and might cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
From time to time, FDC may offer special promotional programs to investors who purchase shares of Fidelity funds. For example, FDC may offer merchandise, discounts, vouchers, or similar items to investors who purchase shares of certain Fidelity funds during certain periods. To determine if you qualify for any such programs, contact Fidelity or visit our web site at www.fidelity.com.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related SAI, in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus. If given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the fund or FDC. This prospectus and the related SAI do not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to sell shares of the fund to or to buy shares of the fund from any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer.
Prospectus
S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation to represent U.S. equity performance.
S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein and S&P shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. S&P makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by licensee, owners of the product, or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by S&P. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the product or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the product particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock market performance. S&P's only relationship to the licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500 Index which is determined, composed, and calculated by S&P without regard to the licensee or the product. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of the licensee or the owners of the product into consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the product to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the product is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the product.
"Standard & Poor's," "S&P," "S&P 500," "Standard & Poor's 500," and "500" are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by Fidelity Distributors Corporation.
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 individual investors opening an account: When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow Fidelity to identify you. You may also be asked to provide documents that may help to establish your identity, such as your driver's license. For investors other than individuals: When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account such as name, residential address, date of birth and social security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as drivers' licenses, articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Fidelity identify the entity. |
You can obtain additional information about the fund. A description of the fund's policies and procedures for disclosing its holdings is available in its SAI and on Fidelity's web sites. The SAI also includes more detailed information about the fund and its investments. The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (legally forms a part of the prospectus). The fund's annual and semi-annual reports also include additional information. The fund's annual report includes a discussion of the fund's holdings and recent market conditions and the fund's investment strategies that affected performance.
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other information or ask questions about the fund, call Fidelity at 1-800-835-5092. In addition, existing investors may visit the web site at www.401k.com for a free copy of a prospectus or annual or semi-annual report or to request other information. The fund does not currently post SAIs to www.401k.com as SAIs are available upon request.
The SAI, the fund's annual and semi-annual reports and other related materials are available from the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) Database on the SEC's web site (http://www.sec.gov). You can obtain copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by sending a request by e-mail to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. You can also review and copy information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-551-8090 for information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room. Investment Company Act of 1940, File Number, 811 - 05251 |
FDC is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). You may obtain information about SIPC, including the SIPC brochure, by visiting www.sipc.org or calling SIPC at 202-371-8300.
Spartan, Fidelity Advantage, Fidelity Investments and Pyramid Design are registered service marks of FMR LLC.
Geode is a registered service mark of Geode Capital Management, LLC.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
1.______.100 [MAPS code prefix]-red-0211
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED February 15, 2011. The information in this statement of additional information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Spartan ® 500 Index Fund
Institutional Class (____) and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class (____)
A Fund of Fidelity Concord Street Trust
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April __, 2011
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Portions of the fund's annual report are incorporated herein. The annual report is supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of the prospectus or SAI, dated April __, 2011, or an annual report, please call Fidelity at 1-800-835-5092 or, for the prospectus, visit Fidelity's web site at www.401k.com.
[___]-redb-0211
1.______.100
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Investment Policies and Limitations |
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Portfolio Transactions |
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Valuation |
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Buying, Selling, and Exchanging 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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Distribution Services |
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Transfer and Service Agent Agreements |
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Description of the Trust |
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Financial Statements |
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Fund Holdings Information |
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Appendix |
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in the prospectus. 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 SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
The following are the fund's fundamental investment limitations set forth in their entirety.
Diversification
The fund may not with respect to 75% of the fund's total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
Senior Securities
The fund may not issue senior securities, except in connection with the insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Borrowing
The fund may not borrow money, except that the fund may 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 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, Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) looks through to the holdings of the central fund.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, FMR 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 FMR 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.
Pooled Funds
The fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company or an affiliate or successor with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and limitations as the fund.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
Short Sales
The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
Margin Purchases
The fund does not currently intend to purchase securities on margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
Borrowing
The fund may borrow money only (a) from a bank or from a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with any party (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.)
Pooled Funds
The fund does not currently intend to invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company or an affiliate or successor with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and limitations as the fund.
In addition to the fund's fundamental and non-fundamental limitations discussed above:
For the fund's limitations on futures, options, and swap transactions, see the section entitled "Futures, Options, and Swaps" on page 8.
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. Geode 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.
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.
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 interest but are sold at a deep discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds, government securities, repurchase agreements, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities.
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 or other benchmark.
Typically, shares of the ETF are expected to increase in value as the value of the benchmark 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 benchmark decreases. Inverse ETFs seek to deliver the opposite of the performance of the benchmark 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 benchmark.
Shares of an ETF are only redeemable in large blocks (typically, 50,000 shares) often called "creation units" by persons other than a fund, and are redeemed principally in-kind at each day's next calculated net asset value per share (NAV). 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 that may be 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 or other benchmark); and the risk that because an ETF is not actively managed, it cannot sell stocks or other assets as long as they are represented in the index or other benchmark. 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 or other benchmark they track and use derivatives in an effort to amplify the returns (or decline, in the case of inverse ETFs) of the underlying index or benchmark. 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 benchmark 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 or other reference asset 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 or other reference asset to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs typically do not make periodic interest payments and principal typically 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 the ETN's ability to track its index. The market value of an ETN is determined by supply and demand, the current performance of the index or other reference asset, 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 (or other reference asset) 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 or other reference asset 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. There is no assurance that 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.
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 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 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 Geode anticipates. For example, if a currency's value rose at a time when Geode had hedged a fund by selling that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not participate in the currency's appreciation. If 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 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 Geode's use of currency management strategies will be advantageous to a fund or that it will employ currency management strategies at appropriate times.
Fund's Rights as an Investor. The fund does not intend to direct or administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund, however, may exercise its rights as a shareholder or lender and may communicate its views on important matters of policy to management, the Board of Directors, shareholders of a company, and holders of other securities of the company when 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. 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, and some are based on indices of securities prices, such as the S&P 500 ® Index. 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 before then if a liquid market is available.
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 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.
Geode intends to follow certain limitations on the fund's futures and option activities. The fund will not purchase any option if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in option premiums. Under normal conditions, the fund will not enter into any futures contract, option, or swap agreement if, as a result, the sum of (i) the current value of assets hedged in the case of strategies involving the sale of securities, and (ii) the current value of the indices or other instruments underlying the fund's other futures, options, or swaps positions, would exceed 35% of the fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options attached to, or acquired or traded together with their underlying securities, and do not apply to structured notes.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts, options, and swaps, and the fund's policies regarding futures contracts, options, and swaps discussed elsewhere in this SAI may be changed as regulatory agencies permit.
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.
Geode intends to follow certain limitations on the fund's futures and option activities. The fund will not purchase any option if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in option premiums. Under normal conditions, the fund will not enter into any futures contract, option, or swap agreement if, as a result, the sum of (i) the current value of assets hedged in the case of strategies involving the sale of securities, and (ii) the current value of the indices or other instruments underlying the fund's other futures, options, or swaps positions, would exceed 35% of the fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options attached to, or acquired or traded together with their underlying securities, and do not apply to structured notes.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts, options, and swaps, and the fund's policies regarding futures contracts, options, and swaps discussed elsewhere in this SAI may be changed as regulatory agencies permit.
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. Under a typical equity swap agreement, a counterparty such as a bank or broker-dealer agrees to pay the fund a return equal to the dividend payments and increase in value, if any, of an index or group of stocks, or of a stock, and the fund agrees in return to pay a fixed or floating rate of interest, plus any declines in value of the index. Swap agreements can also have features providing for maximum or minimum exposure to a designated index. In order to hedge its exposure effectively, the fund would generally have to own other assets returning approximately the same amount as the interest rate payable by the fund under the swap agreement.
Swap agreements allow a fund to acquire or reduce credit exposure to a particular issuer, asset, or basket of assets. The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is the change in value of the specific index, security or currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. 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 and impairing the fund's correlation with the S&P 500 Index. 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 more creditworthy party.
Geode also intends to follow certain other limitations on the fund's futures and option activities. The fund will not purchase any option if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in option premiums. Under normal conditions, the fund will not enter into any futures contract, option, or swap agreement if, as a result, the sum of (i) the current value of assets hedged in the case of strategies involving the sale of securities, and (ii) the current value of the indices or other instruments underlying the fund's other futures, options, or swaps positions, would exceed 35% of the fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options attached to, or acquired or traded together with their underlying securities, and do not apply to structured notes.
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 and FMR, Geode manages a fund to comply with certain restrictions on illiquid investments and, through reports from FMR 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. Indexed securities include commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and other fixed-income securities whose values at maturity or coupon interest rates are determined by reference to the returns of the S&P 500 Index or comparable stock indices. Indexed securities can be affected by stock prices as well as changes in interest rates and the creditworthiness of their issuers and may not track the S&P 500 Index as accurately as direct investments in the S&P 500 Index.
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 FMR.
Loans and Other Direct Debt Instruments. Direct debt instruments are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans and loan participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or other receivables), or to other parties. Direct debt instruments involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the borrower and may offer less legal protection to the purchaser in the event of fraud or misrepresentation, or there may be a requirement that a fund supply additional cash to a borrower on demand.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness 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 instrument may be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured provide more protections than an unsecured loan in the event of failure to make scheduled interest or principal payments. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral could be liquidated. 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. Direct indebtedness of developing countries also involves a risk that the governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial institution's interests with respect to a loan may involve additional risks. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the purchaser could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, a purchaser could be held liable as a co-lender. Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of insolvency of the lending bank or other intermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness, the purchaser has direct recourse against the borrower, the purchaser may have to rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If assets held by the agent for the benefit of a purchaser were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the purchaser might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal or interest.
Direct indebtedness may include letters of credit, revolving credit facilities, or other standby financing commitments that obligate purchasers to make additional cash payments on demand. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a purchaser to increase its investment in a borrower 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.
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 loan participations where a bank or other lending institution serves as financial intermediary between a fund and the borrower, if the participation 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 a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
Preferred Stock represents 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 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 Geode or, under certain circumstances, by FMR or an FMR affiliate.
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 Geode or, under certain circumstances, by FMR or an FMR affiliate. 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 an affiliate. 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 FMR to be in good standing and when, in FMR'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.
The fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the performance of indexes other than the index that the fund seeks to track.
Short Sales "Against the Box" are short sales of securities that a fund owns or has the right to obtain (equivalent in kind or amount to the securities sold short). If a fund enters into a short sale against the box, it will be required to set aside securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The fund will incur transaction costs, including interest expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales against the box.
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.
Temporary Defensive Policies. The fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in preferred stocks and investment-grade 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.
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.
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 Geode pursuant to authority contained in the management contract and sub-advisory agreement. 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 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 FMR) to execute the fund's portfolio transactions, Geode considers factors deemed relevant in the context of a particular trade and in regard to 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; 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 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, Geode may select a broker using a trading method for which the broker may charge a higher commission than its lowest available commission rate. 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 FMR) 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 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. Geode may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. Some of these products and services supplement 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. Geode may use commission dollars to obtain certain products or services that are not used exclusively in Geode's investment decision-making process (mixed-use products or services). In those circumstances, 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 Geode. 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 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.
Geode's Decision-Making Process. Before causing the fund to pay a particular level of compensation, 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 Geode, viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or Geode's overall responsibilities to the fund or other investment companies and investment accounts. While 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 Geode nor the fund incur 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 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 Geode.
Affiliated Transactions
Geode may place trades with certain brokers, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), with whom FMR 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 Geode 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.
Orders for funds and investment accounts are not typically combined or blocked. However, Geode may, when feasible and when consistent with the fair and equitable treatment of all funds and investment accounts and best execution, block orders of various funds and investment accounts for order entry and execution.
Geode has established allocation policies for its various funds and investment accounts to ensure allocations are appropriate given its clients differing investment objectives and other considerations. When the supply/demand is insufficient to satisfy all outstanding trade orders, generally the amount executed is distributed among participating funds and investment accounts based on account asset size (for purchases and naked short sales), and security position size (for sales), or otherwise according to the allocation policies. These policies also apply to initial public and secondary offerings. Generally, allocations are determined by traders, independent of portfolio managers, in accordance with these policies. Allocations are determined and documented on trade date.
Geode's trade allocation policies identify circumstances under which it is appropriate to deviate from the general allocation criteria and describe the alternative procedures. For example, if a standard allocation would result in a fund or investment account receiving a very small allocation (e.g. because of its small asset size), the fund or investment account may receive an increased allocation to achieve a more meaningful allocation, or it may receive no allocation. Generally, any exceptions to Geode's policies (i.e. special allocations) must be approved by senior investment or trading personnel, reviewed by the compliance department and documented.
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.
For the fiscal periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, the fund's portfolio turnover rates were 11% and 8%, respectively. Variations in turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of shareholder purchase and redemption orders and/or market conditions.
During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the fund held securities issued by one or more of its regular brokers or dealers or a parent company of its regular brokers or dealers. The following table shows the aggregate value of the securities of the regular broker or dealer or parent company held by the fund as of the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010.
Fund |
Regular Broker or Dealer |
Aggregate Value of
|
Spartan ® 500 Index Fund |
CITIGROUP, Inc. |
$ 237,078,930 |
|
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. |
$ 287,416,172 |
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
$ 591,409,259 |
|
Morgan Stanley |
$ 136,987,094 |
The following table shows the total amount of brokerage commissions paid by the fund, comprising commissions paid on securities and/or futures transactions, as applicable, for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2010, February 28, 2009, and February 29, 2008. The total amount of brokerage commissions paid is stated as a dollar amount and a percentage of the fund's average net assets.
Fiscal Year
|
|
Dollar
|
Percentage of
Average
|
February 28, 2010 |
|
$ 182,573 |
0.00% |
February 28, 2009 |
|
$ 128,203 |
0.00% |
February 29, 2008 |
|
$ 133,697 |
0.00% |
During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the fund paid no brokerage commissions to firms for providing research or brokerage services. During the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2009, the fund did not allocate brokerage commissions to firms for providing research or brokerage services.
Each class's NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV of each class is computed by adding the class's pro rata share of the value of the fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting the class's pro rata share of the fund's liabilities, subtracting the liabilities allocated to the class, and dividing the result by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities are valued at the official closing price, last reported sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the last quoted bid price on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. 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 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 are valued at the settlement or closing price. Options are valued on the basis of market quotations, if available. Swaps are valued daily based on market quotations received from independent pricing services or recognized dealers.
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 New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) using the last quoted bid 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 at amortized cost, which approximates current value.
The procedures set forth above need not be used to determine the value of the securities owned by a fund if, in the opinion of a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method would more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For example, securities and other assets for which there is no readily available market value may be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith determination of the value of a security, the committee may review price movements in futures contracts and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), market and trading trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional trading.
BUYING, SELLING, AND EXCHANGING INFORMATION
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 FMR 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 each class'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. Distributions by a fund to tax-advantaged retirement plan accounts are not taxable currently.
Foreign Taxation. Foreign governments may impose withholding taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund with respect to foreign securities held directly by the fund. Foreign governments may also impose taxes on other payments or gains with respect to foreign securities held directly by the fund.
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 (if the fiscal year is other than the calendar year), and intends to comply with other tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies.
Other Tax Information. The information above is only a summary of some of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its tax-advantaged retirement plan shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax consequences. Shares may be subject to state and local personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers to determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax situation.
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, oversee management of the risks associated with such activities and contractual arrangements, and review the fund's performance. Except for James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 219 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate. Mr. Curvey oversees 408 funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. 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 and Advisory Board Members hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
Experience, Skills, Attributes, and Qualifications of the Fund's Trustees. The Governance and Nominating Committee has adopted a statement of policy that describes the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that are necessary and desirable for potential Independent Trustee candidates (Statement of Policy). The Board believes that each Trustee satisfied at the time he or she was initially elected or appointed a Trustee, and continues to satisfy, the standards contemplated by the Statement of Policy. The Governance and Nominating Committee also engages professional search firms to help identify potential Independent Trustee candidates who have the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills consistent with the Statement of Policy. From time to time, additional criteria based on the composition and skills of the current Independent Trustees, as well as experience or skills that may be appropriate in light of future changes to board composition, business conditions, and regulatory or other developments, have also been considered by the professional search firms and the Governance and Nominating Committee. In addition, the Board takes into account the Trustees' commitment and participation in Board and committee meetings, as well as their leadership of standing and ad hoc committees throughout their tenure.
In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as a Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. The Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills, which allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the fund and protecting the interests of shareholders. Information about the specific experience, skills, attributes, and qualifications of each Trustee, which in each case led to the Board's conclusion that the Trustee should serve (or continue to serve) as a trustee of the fund, is provided below.
Board Structure and Oversight Function. James C. Curvey is an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) and currently serves as Acting Chairman. The Trustees have determined that an interested Chairman is appropriate and benefits shareholders because an interested Chairman has a personal and professional stake in the quality and continuity of services provided to the fund. Independent Trustees exercise their informed business judgment to appoint an individual of their choosing to serve as Chairman, regardless of whether the Trustee happens to be independent or a member of management. The Independent Trustees have determined that they can act independently and effectively without having an Independent Trustee serve as Chairman and that a key structural component for assuring that they are in a position to do so is for the Independent Trustees to constitute a substantial majority for the Board. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet in executive session. Ned C. Lautenbach serves as Chairman of the Independent Trustees and as such (i) acts as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management with respect to matters important to the Independent Trustees and (ii) with management prepares agendas for Board meetings.
Fidelity funds are overseen by different Boards of Trustees. The fund's Board oversees Fidelity's equity and high income funds and another Board oversees Fidelity's investment-grade bond, money market, and asset allocation funds. The asset allocation funds may invest in Fidelity funds overseen by the fund's Board. The use of separate Boards, each with its own committee structure, allows the Trustees of each group of Fidelity funds to focus on the unique issues of the funds they oversee, including common research, investment, and operational issues. On occasion, the separate Boards establish joint committees to address issues of overlapping consequences for the Fidelity funds overseen by each Board.
The Trustees operate using a system of committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the fund's activities and associated risks. The Board, acting through its committees, has charged FMR and its affiliates with (i) identifying events or circumstances the occurrence of which could have demonstrably adverse effects on the fund's business and/or reputation; (ii) implementing processes and controls to lessen the possibility that such events or circumstances occur or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur; and (iii) creating and maintaining a system designed to evaluate continuously business and market conditions in order to facilitate the identification and implementation processes described in (i) and (ii) above. Because the day-to-day operations and activities of the fund are carried out by or through FMR, its affiliates and other service providers, the fund's exposure to risks is mitigated but not eliminated by the processes overseen by the Trustees. While each of the Board's committees has responsibility for overseeing different aspects of the fund's activities, oversight is exercised primarily through the Operations, Audit, and Compliance Committees. Appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the fund's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), FMR's internal auditor, the independent accountants, the fund's Treasurer and portfolio management personnel, make periodic reports to the Board's committees, as appropriate. The responsibilities of each committee, including their oversight responsibilities, are described further under "Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees."
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 Occupations and Other Relevant Experience + |
|
James C. Curvey (75) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Mr. Curvey is Trustee and Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees of certain Trusts. Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee (2007-present) of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Curvey is a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2009-present), Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Co. (2009-present) and Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2007-present). Mr. Curvey is also Vice Chairman (2007-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. Previously, Mr. Curvey was the Vice Chairman (2006-2007) and Director (2000-2007) of FMR Corp. |
Ronald P. O'Hanley (54) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2011 Ronald P. O'Hanley is President, Asset Management and Corporate Services, for Fidelity Investments and a member of Fidelity's Executive Committee (2010-present). Previously, Mr. O'Hanley served as President and Chief Executive Officer of BNY Mellon Asset Management (2007-2010). Mr. O'Hanley also served as Vice Chairman of Bank New York Mellon Corp. and a member of that firm's Executive Committee. Prior to the 2007 merger of The Bank of New York and Mellon Financial Corporation, he was Vice Chairman of Mellon Financial Corporation and President and Chief Executive Officer of Mellon Asset Management. He joined Mellon in February 1997. Mr. O'Hanley currently serves as Chairman of the Boston Public Library Foundation Board of Directors and sits on the Board of Directors of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Board of Trustees of the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Advisory Board of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Administration at Syracuse University. Mr. O'Hanley also chairs the Council on Asset Management for the Financial Services Roundtable and is a member of the Board of Directors of Institutional Investor's U.S. Institute. |
* 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.
+ The information above includes each Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
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 Occupations and Other Relevant Experience + |
|
Dennis J. Dirks (62) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation, Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation, as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-2008). Mr. Dirks is a member of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Governing Council (2010-Present) and Board of Directors for The Brookville Center for Children's Services, Inc. (2009-present). |
Alan J. Lacy (57) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (private equity). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-present) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (global pharmaceuticals, 2007-present). Mr. Lacy is Chairman (2008-present) and a member (2006-present) of the Board of Trustees of The National Parks Conservation Association. |
Ned C. Lautenbach (67) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2000 Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Independent Trustees of the Equity and High Income Funds (2006-present). Mr. Lautenbach currently serves as the Lead Director of the Eaton Corporation Board of Directors (diversified industrial, 1997-present). Mr. Lautenbach is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida (1999 - present); a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University (2005-present); and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (1994 - present). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was a Partner/Advisory Partner at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (private equity investment, 1998-2010), as well as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007). |
Joseph Mauriello (66) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services, 1965-2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Group plc. (global insurance and re-insurance, 2006-present) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-present). Previously, Mr. Mauriello served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007). |
Cornelia M. Small (66) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Ms. Small is a member of the Board of Directors of the Teagle Foundation (2009-present). Ms. Small is also a member of the Investment Committee, and Chair (2008-present) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. In addition, Ms. Small serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2002-2008) of Smith College. In addition, Ms. Small served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments. |
William S. Stavropoulos (71) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2001 Mr. Stavropoulos is Vice Chairman of the Independent Trustees of the Equity and High Income Funds (2006-present). Mr. Stavropoulos serves as President and Founder of the Michigan Baseball Foundation, the Great Lakes Loons (2007-present). Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President, CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman of Univar (global distributor of commodity and specialty chemicals, 2010-present), a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions, 2008-present), Chemical Financial Corporation, Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), Tyco International, Inc. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-present), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital (private equity investment, 2005-present). Mr. Stavropoulos is a special advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science. |
David M. Thomas (61) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions). In addition, Mr. Thomas serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products), and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). |
Michael E. Wiley (60) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Mr. Wiley also serves as a Director of Asia Pacific Exploration Consolidated (international oil and gas exploration and production, 2008-present). Mr. Wiley serves as a Director of Tesoro Corporation (independent oil refiner and marketer, 2005-present), and a Director of Bill Barrett Corporation (exploration and production, 2005-present). In addition, Mr. Wiley also serves as a Director of Post Oak Bank (privately-held bank, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Wiley served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tulsa (2000-2006; 2007-2010), as a Senior Energy Advisor of Katzenbach Partners, LLC (consulting, 2006-2007), as an Advisory Director of Riverstone Holdings (private investment), Chairman, President, and CEO of Baker Hughes, Inc. (oilfield services, 2000-2004), and as Director of Spinnaker Exploration Company (exploration and production, 2001-2005). |
+ The information above includes each Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
Advisory Board Members and Executive Officers :
Correspondence intended for each executive officer, Edward C. Johnson 3d, and Peter S. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
|
Edward C. Johnson 3d (80) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2011 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Formerly Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of certain Trusts, Mr. Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and a Director of FMR LLC; Chairman and a Director of FMR; and Chairman and a Director of FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman and Director of FIL Limited. Previously, Mr. Johnson served as President of FMR LLC (2006-2007). |
Peter S. Lynch (67) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2003 Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Lynch serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006). |
Kenneth B. Robins (41) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Robins also serves as President and Treasurer (2010-present) and Assistant Treasurer (2009-present) of other Fidelity funds and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Previously, Mr. Robins served as Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds (2005-2008) and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash and Term Portfolios (2006-2008). |
Bruce T. Herring (45) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Vice President of certain Equity Funds. Mr. Herring also serves as Chief Investment Officer and Director of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2010-present) and Group Chief Investments Officer of FMR. Previously, Mr. Herring served as Vice President (2005-2006) and Senior Vice President (2006-2007) of Fidelity Management & Research Company, Vice President of FMR Co., Inc. (2001-2007) and as a portfolio manager for Fidelity U.S. Equity Funds. |
Brian B. Hogan (46) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Vice President of certain Equity Funds and Vice President of Sector Funds. Mr. Hogan also serves as President of FMR's Equity Division (2009-present). Previously, Mr. Hogan served as Senior Vice President, Equity Research of FMR (2006-2009) and as a portfolio manager. |
Scott C. Goebel (43) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as Secretary and CLO of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash and Term Portfolio (2008-present); 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). |
William C. Coffey (42) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Assistant Secretary of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Coffey also serves as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC (2010-present), and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Coffey served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR LLC (2005-2009). |
Holly C. Laurent (56) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the Fidelity funds. Ms. Laurent also serves as AML Officer of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash and Term Portfolio (2008-present) and 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 (52) |
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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). |
Kenneth A. Rathgeber (63) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2004 Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Rathgeber is Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present), FMR (2005-present), FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2005-present), Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (2005-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2005-present), Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC (2005-present), and Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2005-present). |
Jeffrey S. Christian (49) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Christian is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Christian served as Chief Financial Officer (2008-2009) of certain Fidelity funds and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2004-2009). |
Bryan A. Mehrmann (50) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2005 Deputy Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Mehrmann is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Adrien E. Deberghes (43) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Deputy Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Deberghes also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2010-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Deberghes served as Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005). |
Stephanie J. Dorsey (41) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2010 Assistant Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Ms. Dorsey also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2008-present) and 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. |
John R. Hebble (52) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Assistant Treasurer of Fidelity's Equity and High Income Funds. Mr. Hebble also serves as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash and Term Portfolio (2008-present), President and Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2008-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. |
Gary W. Ryan (52) |
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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). |
Jonathan Davis (42) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2010 Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity funds. Mr. Davis is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Davis served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR LLC (2003-2010). |
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. Currently, the Board of Trustees has nine standing committees. The members of each committee are Independent Trustees.
The Operations Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees, with Mr. Lautenbach currently serving as Chair and Mr. Stavropoulos serving as Vice Chair. The committee normally meets eight 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 also considers matters involving potential conflicts of interest between the funds and FMR and its affiliates and reviews proposed contracts and the proposed continuation of contracts between the funds and FMR and its affiliates, and annually reviews and makes recommendations regarding contracts with third parties unaffiliated with FMR, including insurance coverage and custody agreements. The committee also monitors additional issues including the nature, levels and quality of services provided to shareholders and significant litigation. The committee also has oversight of compliance issues not specifically within the scope of any other committee. The committee is also responsible for definitive action on all compliance matters involving the potential for significant reimbursement by FMR. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the committee held 14 meetings.
The Fair Value Oversight Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees, with Mr. Lautenbach currently serving as Chair. The committee normally meets quarterly, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The Fair Value Oversight Committee monitors and establishes policies concerning procedures and controls regarding the valuation of fund investments and monitors matters of disclosure to the extent required to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. The committee also reviews actions taken by FMR's Fair Value Committee. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the committee held four meetings.
The Board of Trustees has established two Fund Oversight Committees: the Equity I Committee (composed of Ms. Small (Chair), and Messrs. Dirks, Lacy, and Wiley) and the Equity II Committee (composed of Messrs. Stavropoulos (Chair), Lautenbach, Mauriello, and Thomas). Each committee normally meets in conjunction with in-person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the Chair of the respective committee. Each committee develops an understanding of and reviews the investment objectives, policies, and practices of each fund under its oversight. Each committee also monitors investment performance, compliance by each relevant fund with its investment policies and restrictions and reviews appropriate benchmarks, competitive universes, unusual or exceptional investment matters, the personnel and other resources devoted to the management of each fund and all other matters bearing on each fund's investment results. Each committee will review and recommend any required action to the Board in respect of specific funds, including new funds, changes in fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions, partial or full closing to new investors, fund mergers, fund name changes, and liquidations of funds. The members of each committee may organize working groups to make recommendations concerning issues related to funds that are within the scope of the committee's review. These working groups report to the committee or to the Independent Trustees, or both, as appropriate. Each working group may request from FMR such information from FMR as may be appropriate to the working group's deliberations. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, each Fund Oversight Committee held nine meetings.
The Shareholder, Distribution and Brokerage Committee is composed of Messrs. Dirks (Chair), Stavropoulos, and Thomas, and Ms. Small. Mr. Lautenbach alternates his attendance of committee meetings with his attendance of Audit Committee meetings. The committee normally meets eight times a year, or more frequently as called by the Chair. Regarding shareholder services, the committee considers the structure and amount of the funds' transfer agency fees and fees, including direct fees to investors (other than sales loads), such as bookkeeping and custodial fees, and the nature and quality of services rendered by FMR and its affiliates or third parties (such as custodians) in consideration of these fees. The committee also considers other non-investment management services rendered to the funds by FMR and its affiliates, including pricing and bookkeeping services. The committee monitors and recommends policies concerning the securities transactions of the funds, including brokerage. The committee periodically reviews the policies and practices with respect to efforts to achieve best execution, commissions paid to firms supplying research and brokerage services or paying fund expenses, and policies and procedures designed to assure that any allocation of portfolio transactions is not influenced by the sale of fund shares. The committee also monitors brokerage and other similar relationships between the funds and firms affiliated with FMR that participate in the execution of securities transactions. Regarding the distribution of fund shares, the committee considers issues bearing on the various distribution channels employed by the funds, including issues regarding Rule 18f-3 plans and related consideration of classes of shares, sales load structures (including breakpoints), load waivers, selling concessions and service charges paid to intermediaries, Rule 12b-1 plans, contingent deferred sales charges, and finder's fees, and other means by which intermediaries are compensated for selling fund shares or providing shareholder servicing, including revenue sharing. The committee also considers issues bearing on the preparation and use of advertisements and sales literature for the funds, policies and procedures regarding frequent purchase of fund shares, and selective disclosure of portfolio holdings. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the Shareholder, Distribution and Brokerage Committee held eight meetings.
The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Mauriello (Chair), Lacy, and Wiley. Mr. Lautenbach alternates his attendance of committee meetings with his attendance of Shareholder, Distribution, and Brokerage Committee meetings. 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 will have at least one committee member in common with the Compliance Committee. 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 Compliance Committee or the Operations Committee. The Chair of the Audit Committee will coordinate with the Chair of the Compliance Committee, as appropriate. 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' Treasurer, outside auditor, and 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 February 28, 2010, the committee held five meetings.
The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Lautenbach (Chair) and Stavropoulos. 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 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 February 28, 2010, the committee held nine meetings.
The Compliance Committee is composed of Messrs. Wiley (Chair), Lautenbach, and Mauriello. The committee normally meets quarterly, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The committee oversees the administration and operation of the compliance policies and procedures of the funds and their service providers as required by Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. The committee is responsible for the review and approval of policies and procedures relating to (i) provisions of the Code of Ethics, (ii) anti-money laundering requirements, (iii) compliance with investment restrictions and limitations, (iv) privacy, (v) recordkeeping, and (vi) other compliance policies and procedures which are not otherwise delegated to another committee. The committee has responsibility for recommending to the Board the designation of a CCO of the funds. The committee serves as the primary point of contact between the CCO and the Board, it oversees the annual performance review and compensation of the CCO, and if required, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the removal of the appointed CCO. The committee receives reports of significant correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies, employee complaints or published reports which raise concerns regarding compliance matters, and copies of significant non-routine correspondence with the SEC. The committee receives reports from the CCO including the annual report concerning the funds' compliance policies as required by Rule 38a-1, quarterly reports in respect of any breaches of fiduciary duty or violations of federal securities laws, and reports on any other compliance or related matters that would otherwise be subject to periodic reporting or that may have a significant impact on the funds. The committee will recommend to the Board, what actions, if any, should be taken with respect to such reports. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, the committee held four meetings.
The Proxy Voting Committee is composed of Messrs. Thomas (Chair), Dirks, and Wiley. The committee will meet as needed to review the fund's proxy voting policies, consider changes to the policies, and review the manner in which the policies have been applied. The committee will receive reports on the manner in which proxy votes have been cast under the proxy voting policies and reports on consultations between the fund's investment advisers and portfolio companies concerning matters presented to shareholders for approval. The committee will address issues relating to the fund's annual voting report filed with the SEC. The committee will receive reports concerning the implementation of procedures and controls designed to ensure that the proxy voting policies are implemented in accordance with their terms. The committee will consider FMR's recommendations concerning certain non-routine proposals not covered by the proxy voting policies. The committee will receive reports with respect to steps taken by FMR to assure that proxy voting has been done without regard to any other FMR relationships, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company. The committee will make recommendations to the Board concerning the casting of proxy votes in circumstances where FMR has determined that, because of a conflict of interest, the proposal to be voted on should be reviewed by the Board. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010 the committee held three 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, 2010.
Interested Trustees |
||||
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
James C. Curvey |
|
|
|
Spartan 500 Index Fund |
none |
|
|
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
|
|
|
Independent Trustees |
|||||
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
Dennis J. Dirks |
Alan J. Lacy |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Joseph Mauriello |
Cornelia M. Small |
Spartan 500 Index Fund |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
none |
none |
over $100,000 |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
William S. Stavropoulos |
David M. Thomas |
Michael E. Wiley |
|
|
Spartan 500 Index Fund |
none |
none |
none |
|
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
|
|
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board for his or her services for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, or calendar year ended December 31, 2010, as applicable.
Compensation Table 1 |
|||||||
AGGREGATE
|
Dennis J.
|
Alan J.
|
Ned C.
|
Joseph
|
|
|
|
Spartan 500 Index Fund B |
$ 16,912 |
$ 15,774 |
$ 19,640 |
$ 16,966 |
|
|
|
TOTAL COMPENSATION
|
$ 436,500 |
$ 396,000 |
$ 496,000 |
$ 427,500 |
|
|
|
AGGREGATE
|
Cornelia M.
|
William S.
|
David M.
|
Michael E.
|
|
|
|
Spartan 500 Index Fund B |
$ 15,721 |
$ 17,599 |
$ 15,721 |
$ 15,774 |
|
|
|
TOTAL COMPENSATION
|
$ 396,000 |
$ 444,500 |
$ 392,500 |
$ 399,000 |
|
|
|
1 Edward C. Johnson 3d, James C. Curvey, Ronald P. O'Hanley and Peter S. Lynch are interested persons and are compensated by FMR.
A Reflects compensation received for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010 for 219 funds of 29 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC). Compensation figures include cash and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees. Certain of the Independent Trustees elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their compensation as follows: Ned C. Lautenbach, $283,922; Cornelia M. Small, $175,000; William S. Stavropoulos, $200,000; and Michael E. Wiley, $180,000.
B Compensation figures include cash, amounts required to be deferred, and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees. The amounts required to be deferred by each Independent Trustee are as follows: Dennis J. Dirks, $8,695; Alan J. Lacy, $8,009; Ned C. Lautenbach, $10,297; Joseph Mauriello, $8,695; Cornelia M. Small, $8,009; William S. Stavropoulos, $9,153; David M. Thomas, $8,009; and Michael E. Wiley, $8,009. Certain of the Independent Trustees' aggregate compensation from the fund includes accrued voluntary deferred compensation as follows: Ned C. Lautenbach, $7,579; Cornelia M. Small, $2,670; William S. Stavropoulos, $3,052; Michael E. Wiley, $5,205.
As of February 28, 2010, the Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than 1% of the fund's total outstanding shares.
As of February 28, 2010, the following owned of record and/or beneficially 5% or more of Fidelity Advantage ® Class's outstanding shares:
Class Name |
Owner Name |
City |
State |
Ownership % |
Spartan 500 Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Class |
Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund |
Boston |
MA |
7.92% |
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR LLC, as successor by merger to FMR Corp., is the ultimate parent company of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (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, 28th Floor, 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.
FMR, FMRC, Geode (the Investment Advisers), FDC, 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 FMR, pursuant to which FMR furnishes investment advisory and other services.
Pursuant to an SEC exemptive order, FMR intends to act as a manager of managers, meaning that FMR has the responsibility to oversee sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees but without shareholder approval, FMR may replace or hire unaffiliated sub-advisers or amend the terms of their existing sub-advisory agreements, if any. In the event of approval of a new unaffiliated sub-adviser, you will be provided with information about the new sub-adviser and sub-advisory agreement within ninety days of appointment.
Management and Sub-Advisory Services. FMR 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 FMR, and all personnel of the fund or FMR performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FMR 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.
Geode serves as sub-adviser of the fund. Under its management contract with the fund, FMR 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, FMR is responsible for payment of all operating expenses of the fund, with the exception of the following: interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees, transfer agent fees and other expenses allocable at the class level, 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.
FMR and the fund on behalf of its Institutional Class have entered into a 7 Basis Points Expense Contract, which obliges FMR to pay all class-level expenses of Institutional Class to limit the total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees, and such nonrecurring expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which a fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect to litigation) of Institutional Class to 0.07%. FMR and the fund on behalf of its Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class have entered into a 5 Basis Points Expense Contract, which obliges FMR to pay all class-level expenses of Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class to limit the total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees, and such nonrecurring expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which a fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect to litigation) of Fidelity Advantage Class to 0.05%. These Expense Contracts may not be amended to increase the fees or expenses payable by each class except by a vote of a majority of the Board and by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each class. The fund may offer other share classes in the future that may be subject to higher or lower fees and expenses.
Management Fee. For the services of FMR under the management contract, the fund pays FMR a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 0.025% of the fund's average net assets throughout the month.
On February 1, 2011, FMR reduced the management fee rate paid by Spartan 500 Index Fund from 0.07% to 0.025%.
Sub-Adviser - Geode. The fund and FMR 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, for providing investment management services to the fund, FMR, and not the fund, pays Geode fees at an annual rate of 0.01% of the average net assets of the fund.
The following table shows the amount of management fees paid by the fund to FMR and the amount of sub-advisory fees paid by FMR, on behalf of the fund, to Geode for the past three fiscal years.
Fund |
Fiscal Years
|
Management
|
Sub-Advisory
|
Spartan 500 Index Fund |
February 28, 2010 |
$ 15,320,993 |
$ 2,180,304 |
|
February 28, 2009 |
$ 15,930,323 |
$ 2,278,995 |
|
February 29, 2008 |
$ 20,294,612 |
$ 2,907,873 |
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of a class'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 a class's returns, and repayment of the reimbursement by a class will lower its returns.
Sub-Adviser - FMRC. On behalf of the fund, FMR has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with FMRC pursuant to which FMRC may provide investment advisory services for the fund. Under the terms of the sub-advisory agreement for the fund, FMR, and not the fund, pays FMRC's fees.
Spartan 500 Index Fund 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. Maximilian Kaufmann is a portfolio manager of the fund and receives compensation for his services. Bobe Simon is a portfolio manager of the fund and receives compensation for his services. Patrick Waddell is a portfolio manager of the fund and receives compensation for his services. Lou Bottari is the assistant portfolio manager of the fund and receives compensation for his services. As of February 28, 2010, 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 Spartan 500 Index Fund's relative pre-tax investment performance measured against the S&P 500 Index and the fund's pre-tax investment performance (based on the performance of the fund's Investor Class) within the Lipper S&P 500 Index Objective. 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. A 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 a portfolio manager must allocate his 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 February 28, 2010:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
20 |
1 |
10 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 70,256 |
$ 4,922 |
$ 1,029 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Includes Spartan 500 Index Fund ($36,126 (in millions) assets managed). The amount of assets managed of the fund reflects trades and other assets as of the close of the business day prior to the fund's fiscal year-end.
As of February 28, 2010, the dollar range of shares of Spartan 500 Index Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Adams was $10,001 - $50,000.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Kaufmann as of February 28, 2010:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
20 |
1 |
10 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 70,256 |
$ 4,922 |
$ 1,029 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Includes Spartan 500 Index Fund ($36,126 (in millions) assets managed). The amount of assets managed of the fund reflects trades and other assets as of the close of the business day prior to the fund's fiscal year-end.
As of February 28, 2010, the dollar range of shares of Spartan 500 Index Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Kaufmann was none.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Simon as of February 28, 2010:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
20 |
1 |
10 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 70,256 |
$ 4,922 |
$ 1,029 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Includes Spartan 500 Index Fund ($36,126 (in millions) assets managed). The amount of assets managed of the fund reflects trades and other assets as of the close of the business day prior to the fund's fiscal year-end.
As of February 28, 2010, the dollar range of shares of Spartan 500 Index Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Simon was $50,001 - $100,000.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Waddell as of February 28, 2010:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
20 |
1 |
10 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 70,256 |
$ 4,922 |
$ 1,029 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Includes Spartan 500 Index Fund ($36,126 (in millions) assets managed). The amount of assets managed of the fund reflects trades and other assets as of the close of the business day prior to the fund's fiscal year-end.
As of February 28, 2010, the dollar range of shares of Spartan 500 Index Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Waddell was $10,001 - $50,000.
The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Bottari as of February 28, 2010:
|
Registered
|
Other Pooled
|
Other
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
20 |
1 |
10 |
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
Assets Managed (in millions) |
$ 70,256 |
$ 4,922 |
$ 1,029 |
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
* Includes Spartan 500 Index Fund ($36,126 (in millions) assets managed). The amount of assets managed of the fund reflects trades and other assets as of the close of the business day prior to the fund's fiscal year-end.
As of February 28, 2010, the dollar range of shares of Spartan 500 Index Fund 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 fundsand 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, Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO"), and Compliance Director. 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 interests of it clients. Therefore, in the event that members of the Operation 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 its 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 interests 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 the members of Geode's Operations Committee based on fundamental analysis and/or research and recommendations provided by the Agent, and the members of the Operations Committee, shall make the voting decision.
When voting the securities of non-US issuers, Geode will evaluate proposals in accordance with these policies but will also take local market standards and 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:
• Attendance. The incumbent board member failed to attend at least 75% of meetings in the previous year and does not provide a reasonable explanation.
• Independent Directors do not comprise a majority of the board or certain key committees (e.g., audit, compensation, and nominating).
• In Other Circumstances on a CASE-BY-CASE basis where a member of the board has acted in a manner inconsistent with the interests of shareholders of a company whose securities are held in client accounts.
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. Say on Pay (non-binding)
• General Advisory Vote. Geode will generally vote FOR the company's prior year's compensation for its executive officers named in the proxy statement, unless it believes the company has engaged in poor compensation practice, or provided poor compensation disclosure.
• Frequency Vote. Geode will generally vote FOR having an advisory vote on executive compensation every year.
• Golden Parachute. Geode will vote all separate non-binding votes on "golden parachute" severance agreements tied to shareholder votes on mergers, acquisitions, or the sale of substantially all of a company's assets as provided below in the section related to Anti-Takeover Proposals.
IV. Vote AGAINST Anti-Takeover Proposals, including:
• Addition of Special Interest Directors to the board.
• Authorization of "Blank Check" Preferred Stock. Geode will vote FOR proposals to require shareholder approval for the distribution of preferred stock except for acquisitions and raising capital in the ordinary course of business.
• Classification of Boards , provided that the matter will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the company's charter or applicable statute includes a provision whereby a majority of directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by written consent, or other reasonable procedures, by a majority of shareholders entitled to vote for the election of directors. Geode will vote FOR proposals to de-classify boards.
• Fair Price Amendments , other than those that consider only a two-year price history and are not accompanied by other anti-takeover measures.
• Golden Parachutes including (1) any accelerated options and/or employment contracts that Geode deems to be excessive in the event of termination, (2) compensation contracts for outside directors, and (3) Tin Parachutes that cover a group beyond officers and directors and permit employees to voluntarily terminate employment and receive payment. In addition, adoption of a Golden or Tin Parachute will result in Geode voting AGAINST the election of incumbents or a management slate in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors.
• Poison Pills. Adoption or extension of a Poison Pill without shareholder approval will result in our voting AGAINST the election of incumbents or a management slate in the concurrent or next following vote on the election of directors, provided the matter will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if (1) (a) the board has adopted a Poison Pill with a sunset provision; (b) the Pill is linked to a business strategy that will result in greater value for the shareholders; (c) the term is less than three years; and (d) the Pill includes a qualifying offer clause: and (e) shareholder approval is required to reinstate the expired Pill. Geode will vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring or recommending that shareholders be given an opportunity to vote on the adoption of poison pills.
• Reduction or Limitation of Shareholder Rights (e.g., action by written consent, ability to call meetings, or remove directors).
• Reincorporation in another state (when accompanied by Anti-Takeover Provisions including increased statutory anti-takeover provisions). Geode will vote FOR reincorporation in another state when not accompanied by such anti-takeover provisions.
• Requirements that the Board Consider Non-Financial Effects of merger and acquisition proposals.
• Requirements regarding Size, Selection and Removal of the Board that are likely to have an anti-takeover effect (although changes with legitimate business purposes will be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis).
• Supermajority Voting Requirements (i.e., typically 2/3 or greater) for boards and shareholders. Geode will vote FOR proposals to eliminate supermajority voting requirements.
• Transfer of Authority from Shareholders to Directors.
V. 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.
VI. Vote AGAINST the introduction of new classes of Stock with Differential Voting Rights.
VII. Vote AGAINST introduction and FOR elimination of Cumulative Voting Rights , except on a CASE-BY-CASE basis where this is determined not to enhance clients' interests.
VIII. Vote FOR elimination of Preemptive Rights.
IX. Vote FOR Anti-Greenmail proposals so long as they are not part of anti-takeover provisions (in which case the vote will be AGAINST).
X. 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.
XI. Vote FOR proposals to adopt Confidential Voting and Independent Vote Tabulation practices.
XII. 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.
XIII. Vote FOR management proposals to implement a Reverse Stock Split when the number of shares will be proportionately reduced to avoid de-listing.
XIV. Vote FOR management proposals to Reduce the Par Value of common stock.
XV. 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.
XVI. 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 measured 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).
XVII. Vote AGAINST the adoption of or amendment to authorize additional shares under a Stock Option Plan if:
• The dilution effect of the shares authorized under the plan (including by virtue of any "evergreen" or replenishment provision), plus the shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all other option or restricted stock plans, is greater than 10%. However, for companies with a smaller market capitalization, the dilution effect may not be greater than 15%. If the plan fails this test, the dilution effect may be evaluated relative to any unusual factor involving the company.
• The offering price of options is less than 100% of fair market value on the date of grant, except that the offering price may be as low as 85% of fair market value if the discount is expressly granted in lieu of salary or cash bonus, except that a modest number of shares (limited to 5% for a large capitalization company and 10% for a small capitalization company) may be available for grant to employees and directors under the plan if the grant is made by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors (the "De Minimis Exception").
• The board may, without shareholder approval, make the following changes (1) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the plan, (2) materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the plan, or (3) materially modify the requirements for participation in the plan, provided that a plan is acceptable if it satisfies the De Minimis Exception.
• The granting of options to non-employee directors is subject to the discretion of management, provided that a plan is acceptable if it satisfies the De Minimis Exception.
• The plan is administered by (1) a compensation committee not comprised entirely of independent directors or (2) a board of directors not comprised of a majority of independent directors , provided that a plan is acceptable if it satisfies the De Minimis Exception.
• The plan's terms allow repricing of underwater options, or the board/committee has repriced options outstanding under the plan in the past two years , unless by the express terms of the plan or a board resolution such repricing is rarely used (and then only to maintain option value due to extreme circumstances beyond management's control) and is within the limits of the De Minimis Exception.
XVIII. 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.
XIX. 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.
XX. Vote AGAINST adoption of or amendments to authorize additional shares for Restricted Stock Awards ("RSA") if:
• The dilution effect of the shares authorized under the plan, plus the shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all other option or restricted stock plans, is greater than 10%. However, for small capitalization companies, the dilution effect may not be greater than 15%. If the plan fails this test, the dilution effect may be evaluated relative to any unusual factor involving the company.
• The board may materially alter the RSA without shareholder approval , including a provision that allows the board to lapse or waive restrictions at its discretion, provided that an RSA is acceptable if it satisfies the De Minimis Exception.
• The granting of RSAs to non-employee directors is subject to the discretion of management, provided that an RSA is acceptable if it satisfies the De Minimis Exception.
• The restriction period is less than three years , except that (1) RSAs with a restriction period of less than three years but at least one year are acceptable if performance based, and (2) an RSA is acceptable if it satisfies the De Minimis Exception.
XXI. 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.
XXII. 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.
XXIII. 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.
XXIV. Employee Stock Ownership Plans ("ESOPs") will be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR nonleveraged 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.
XXV. Vote AGAINST management or shareholder proposals on other Compensation Plans or Practices if such plans or practices are Inconsistent with the Interests of Shareholders. 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 if Geode believes a board has approved executive compensation arrangements inconsistent with the interests of shareholders.
XXVI. 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:
• Geode will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis where a proposal has substantial economic implications for the company's securities held in client accounts.
To view a fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, visit www.fidelity.com/proxyvotingresults or visit the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an affiliate of FMR. The principal business address of FDC is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. FDC is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The distribution agreement calls for FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are continuously offered at NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses in connection with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
The Trustees have approved Distribution and Service Plans on behalf of Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class (the Plans) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund may not engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund except pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The Plans, as approved by the Trustees, allow Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class and FMR to incur certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
Under each Plan, if the payment of management fees by the fund to FMR is deemed to be indirect financing by the fund of the distribution of its shares, such payment is authorized by the Plan. Each Plan specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay FDC for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of shares and/or shareholder support services. In addition, each Plan provides that FMR, directly or through FDC, may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, including retirement plan sponsors, administrators, and service-providers (who may be affiliated with FMR or FDC), that provide those services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such payments for Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class shares.
Prior to approving each Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the applicable class of the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees noted that each Plan does not authorize payments by the applicable class of the fund other than those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund. To the extent that each Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in connection with the distribution of class shares, additional sales of class shares or stabilization of cash flows may result. Furthermore, certain shareholder support services may be provided more effectively under the Plans by local entities with whom shareholders have other relationships.
FDC or an affiliate may compensate, or upon direction make payments for certain retirement plan expenses to, intermediaries, including retirement plan sponsors, administrators, and service-providers (including affiliates of FDC). A number of factors are considered in determining whether to pay these additional amounts. Such factors may include, without limitation, the level or type of services provided by the intermediary, the level or expected level of assets or sales of shares, and other factors. In addition to such payments, FDC or an affiliate may offer other incentives such as sponsorship of educational or client seminars relating to current products and issues, payments or reimbursements for travel and related expenses associated with due diligence trips that an intermediary may undertake in order to explore possible business relationships with affiliates of FDC, and/or payments of costs and expenses associated with attendance at seminars, including travel, lodging, entertainment, and meals. Certain of the payments described above may be significant to an intermediary. As permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority rules and other applicable laws and regulations, FDC or an affiliate may pay or allow other incentives or payments to intermediaries.
The fund's transfer agent or an affiliate may also make payments and reimbursements from its own resources to certain intermediaries (who may be affiliated with the transfer agent) for performing recordkeeping and other services. Please see "Transfer and Service Agent Agreements" in this SAI for more information.
Any of the payments described in this section may represent a premium over payments made by other fund families. Retirement plan sponsors may take these payments into account when deciding whether to include a fund as a plan investment option.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, 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 services for each class of the fund.
For providing transfer agency services, FIIOC receives an asset-based fee, calculated and paid monthly on the basis of each class's average daily net assets, with respect to each position in the fund.
FIIOC also may collect fees charged in connection with providing certain types of services such as exchanges, closing out fund balances, 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.
FIIOC or an affiliate may make payments out of its own resources to intermediaries (including affiliates of FIIOC) for recordkeeping services. Payments may also be made, upon direction, for other plan expenses. FIIOC may also pay an affiliate for providing services that otherwise would have been performed by FIIOC.
The fund has also entered into a service agent agreement with FSC, an affiliate of FMR (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 each class of 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 monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
The annual rates for pricing and bookkeeping services for the fund are 0.0389% of the first $500 million of average net assets, 0.0207% of average net assets between $500 million and $3.5 billion, 0.0041% of average net assets between $3.5 billion and $25 billion, and 0.0019% of average net assets in excess of $25 billion.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC is paid based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
FMR bears the cost of pricing and bookkeeping services and administration of the securities lending program under the terms of its management contract with the fund.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
Trust Organization. Spartan 500 Index Fund is a fund of Fidelity Concord Street Trust, an open-end management investment company created under an initial declaration of trust dated July 10, 1987. On January 22, 2010, Spartan 500 Index Fund changed its name from Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund to Spartan 500 Index Fund. Currently, there are four funds offered in the trust: Spartan Extended Market Index Fund, Spartan International Index Fund, Spartan Total Market Index Fund, and Spartan 500 Index 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, except that liabilities and expenses may be allocated to a particular class. Any general expenses of the trust shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds or classes.
Shareholder Liability. The trust is an entity commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses of the trust or fund. The Declaration of Trust provides that the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the trust or the Trustees relating to the trust or to a fund shall include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust or to one or more funds and its or their assets. The Declaration of Trust further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each fund's property of any shareholder or former shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the fund solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Declaration of Trust also provides that each fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is remote. Claims asserted against one class of shares may subject holders of another class of shares to certain liabilities.
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 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. The Bank of New York Mellon, 1 Wall Street, New York, New York, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of a fund's assets and the appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. JPMorgan Chase Bank, headquartered in New York, also may serve as special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions. From time to time, subject to approval by a fund's Treasurer, the fund may enter into escrow arrangements with other banks if necessary to participate in certain investment offerings.
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, 125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts, independent registered public accounting firm, examines financial statements for the fund and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2010, and report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are included in the fund's annual report and are incorporated herein by reference. Financial statements and financial highlights for each of Institutional Class and Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class will be included in the fund's annual report when the class has completed its first annual period. Unaudited financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2010 are included in the fund's semi-annual report and are incorporated herein by reference. Total annual operating expenses as shown in the prospectus fee table may differ from the ratios of expenses to average net assets in the financial highlights because total annual operating expenses as shown in the prospectus fee table include any acquired fund fees and expenses, whereas the ratios of expenses in the financial highlights do not. Acquired funds include other investment companies (such as central funds or other underlying funds) in which the fund has invested, if and to the extent it is permitted to do so. Total annual operating expenses in the prospectus fee table and the financial highlights do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception from the definition of "investment company" provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
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, including its top ten holdings, monthly on www.fidelity.com 30 days after the month-end (excluding high income security holdings, which generally will be presented collectively monthly and included in a list of full holdings 60 days after its fiscal quarter-end).
The fund will provide its top ten holdings (excluding cash and futures) as of the end of the calendar quarter on Fidelity's web site 15 or more days after the calendar quarter-end.
Unless otherwise indicated, this information will be available on the web site until updated for the next applicable period.
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 their 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 Ratings Services (full holdings weekly (generally as of the previous Friday), generally 5 business days thereafter); Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (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 MSCI Inc. and certain affiliates (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day).
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.
About the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is a well-known stock market index that includes common stocks of companies representing a significant portion of the market value of all common stocks publicly traded in the United States. The composition of the S&P 500 Index is determined by Standard & Poor's and is based on such factors as the market capitalization and trading activity of each stock and its adequacy as a representation of stocks in a particular industry group. Standard & Poor's may change the index's composition from time to time.
The performance of the S&P 500 Index is a hypothetical number that does not take into account brokerage commissions and other costs of investing, which the fund bears.
Although Standard & Poor's obtains information for inclusion in or for use in the calculation of the S&P 500 Index from sources which it considers reliable, Standard & Poor's does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Standard & Poor's makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the licensee, owners of the fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed hereunder or for any other use. Standard & Poor's makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the S&P 500 Index and any data included therein.
Spartan, Fidelity Investments and Pyramid Design, and Fidelity are registered service marks of FMR LLC.
Geode is a registered service mark of Geode Capital Management, LLC.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
Fidelity Concord Street Trust
Post-Effective Amendment No. 60
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a) (1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated September 19, 2001, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 36.
(2) Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated February 16, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 43.
(3) Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated December 13, 2007, 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) Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated February 1, 2011, between Spartan 500 Index Fund (formerly Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund) and Fidelity Management & Research Company, is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(1).
(2) Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Spartan Total Market Index Fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57.
(3) Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Spartan Extended Market Index Fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57.
(4) Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Spartan International Index Fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57.
(5) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 1, 2001, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research Company, on behalf of Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund (currently known as Spartan 500 Index Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34.
(6) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated August 4, 2003, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund (currently known as Spartan 500 Index Fund), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 40.
(7) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 1, 2001, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research Company, on behalf of Spartan Total Market Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34.
(8) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated August 4, 2003, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Spartan Total Market Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 40.
(9) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 1, 2001, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research Company, on behalf of Spartan Extended Market Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34.
(10) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated August 4, 2003, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Spartan Extended Market Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 41.
(11) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 1, 2001, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research Company, on behalf of Spartan International Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34.
(12) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated August 4, 2003, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Spartan International Index Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 40.
(e) (1) Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated May 1, 2006, between Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund (currently known as Spartan 500 Index Fund) and Fidelity Distributors Corporation, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51.
(2) Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated May 1, 2006, between Spartan Total Market Index Fund and Fidelity Distributors Corporation, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51.
(3) Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated May 1, 2006, between Spartan Extended Market Index Fund and Fidelity Distributors Corporation, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51.
(4) Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated May 1, 2006, between Spartan International Index Fund and Fidelity Distributors Corporation, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51.
(f) Amended and Restated Fee Deferral Plan of the Non-Interested Person Trustees of the Fidelity Equity and High Income Funds effective as of September 15, 1995, as amended and restated through January 1, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (f) of Fidelity Select Portfolio's (File No. 002-69972) Post-Effective Amendment No. 90.
(g) (1) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, D, and E, dated January 1, 2007, between Mellon Bank, N.A. (currently known as The Bank of New York Mellon) and the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Fidelity Advisor Series I's (File No. 002-84776) Post-Effective Amendment No. 72.
(2) Appendix A, dated September 25, 2009, to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as Mellon Bank, N.A.) and the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(9) of Fidelity Advisor Series I's (File No. 002-84776) Post-Effective Amendment No. 89.
(3) Appendix B, dated October 30, 2009, to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as Mellon Bank, N.A.) and the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 59.
(4) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among The Bank of New York (currently known as The Bank of New York Mellon), J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and the Registrant, dated February 12, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(d) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(5) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement between The Bank of New York (currently known as The Bank of New York Mellon) and the Registrant, 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.
(6) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among Chemical Bank, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and the Registrant, dated November 13, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(f) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(7) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement between Chemical Bank and the Registrant, dated November 13, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(g) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (currently known as Fidelity Colchester Street Trust) (File No. 002-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(8) Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York (currently known as The Bank of New York Mellon) and the Registrant, 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.
(9) First Amendment to Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York (currently known as The Bank of New York Mellon) and the Registrant, 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.
(10) Schedule A-1, Part I and Part IV dated December 2008, to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreements, Schedule 1s to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreements, Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement, and First Amendment to the Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement, between the respective parties and the Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(10) of Fidelity Trend Fund's (File No. 002-15063) Post-Effective Amendment No. 122.
(h) (1) Amended and Restated 10 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan Extended Market Index Fund: Investor Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(2) Amended and Restated 20 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan International Index Fund: Investor Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(3) Amended and Restated 10 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan Total Market Index Fund: Investor Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(4) Amended and Restated 10 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund (currently known as Spartan 500 Index Fund): Investor Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(5) 7 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan Extended Market Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(6) 17 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan International Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(7) 7 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan Total Market Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(8) 7 Basis Point Expense Contract, dated October 1, 2005, between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund (currently known as Spartan 500 Index Fund): Fidelity Advantage Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47.
(9) 7 Basis Point Expense Contract between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan U.S. 500 Index Fund: Institutional Class, is to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(10) 5 Basis Point Expense Contract between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan U.S. 500 Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class, is to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated February 11, 2011, is filed herein as Exhibit (j).
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) (1) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund (currently known as Spartan 500 Index Fund): Investor Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(2) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan Total Market Index Fund: Investor Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(3) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan Extended Market Index Fund: Investor Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(4) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan International Index Fund: Investor Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(5) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund (currently known as Spartan 500 Index Fund): Fidelity Advantage Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(6) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan Total Market Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(7) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan Extended Market Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(8) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan International Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Class is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45.
(9) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan Total Market Index Fund: Class F is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 56.
(10) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan 500 Index Fund: Institutional Class is to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(11) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Spartan 500 Index Fund: Fidelity Advantage Institutional Class is to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(n) (1) Amended and Restated Multiple Class of Shares Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Spartan Index Funds , dated January 23, 2010, on behalf of the Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58.
(2) Schedule A (Equity), dated January 23, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class of Shares Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Spartan Index Funds, dated January 23, 2010, on behalf of the Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58.
(3) Multiple Class of Shares Plan and Schedule A (Equity) pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Spartan Index Funds on behalf of Fidelity Concord Street Trust on behalf of Spartan 500 Index Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(p) (1) Code of Ethics, dated 2010, adopted by the funds and Fidelity Management & Research Company, FMR Co., Inc., and Fidelity Distributors Corporation pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust's (File No. 033-43529) Post-Effective Amendment No. 49.
(2) Code of Ethics, dated November 2009, 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. 137.
Item 29. 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 30. 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 Section 11 of the Distribution Agreement, the Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the registration statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law. However, the Trust does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it harmless to the extent that the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor. In no case is the indemnity of the Trust in favor of the Distributor or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Distributor or any person against any liability to the Issuer or its security holders to which the Distributor or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
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 31. 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.
(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.
(3) 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 19, 41 Connaught Road Central
Hong Kong
Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (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 (FIA)
Pembroke Hall
42 Crow Lane
Pembroke HM19, Bermuda
FIL Investment Advisors (UK) Limited (FIA(UK))
Oakhill House,
130 Tonbridge Road,
Hildenborough, TN119 DZ, United Kingdom
FIL Investments (Japan) Limited (FIJ)
Shiroyama Trust Tower
4-3-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 105-6019, Japan
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 32. Principal Underwriters
(a) Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) acts as distributor for all funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
(b) |
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Name and Principal |
Positions and Offices |
Positions and Offices |
Business Address* |
with Underwriter |
with Fund |
Peter Cieszko |
Director and President (2010) |
None |
Norman Ashkenas |
Chief Compliance Officer (2010) |
None |
Anthony Castella |
Controller (2010) |
None |
Natalie Kavanaugh |
Chief Legal Officer (2010) |
None |
William F. Loehning |
Executive Vice President |
None |
Steven Schiffman |
Treasurer (2010) |
None |
Peter D. Stahl |
Assistant Secretary |
None |
Susan Sturdy |
Secretary (2010) |
None |
J. Gregory Wass |
Assistant Treasurer |
None |
* 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. 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, The Bank of New York Mellon, 1 Wall Street, New York, NY. JPMorgan Chase Bank, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused
this Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 15th day of February 2011.
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Fidelity Concord Street Trust |
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By |
/s/Kenneth B. Robins |
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Kenneth B. Robins, President |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
(Signature) |
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(Title) |
(Date) |
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/s/Kenneth B. Robins |
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President and Treasurer |
February 15, 2011 |
Kenneth B. Robins |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
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/s/Christine Reynolds |
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Chief Financial Officer |
February 15, 2011 |
Christine Reynolds |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
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/s/James C. Curvey |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
James C. Curvey |
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/s/Dennis J. Dirks |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
Dennis J. Dirks |
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/s/Alan J. Lacy |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
Alan J. Lacy |
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/s/Ned C. Lautenbach |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
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/s/Joseph Mauriello |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
Joseph Mauriello |
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/s/Ronald P. O'Hanley |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
Ronald P. O'Hanley |
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/s/Cornelia M. Small |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
Cornelia M. Small |
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/s/William S. Stavropoulos |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
William S. Stavropoulos |
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/s/David M. Thomas |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
David M. Thomas |
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/s/Michael E. Wiley |
* |
Trustee |
February 15, 2011 |
Michael E. Wiley |
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* |
By: |
/s/Joseph R. Fleming |
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Joseph R. Fleming, pursuant to a power of attorney dated February 1, 2011 and filed herewith. |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned Directors or Trustees, as the case may be, of the following investment companies:
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Advisor Series VII Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Capital Trust Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Concord Street Trust Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity Contrafund Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity Financial Trust |
Fidelity Hanover Street Trust Fidelity Hastings Street Trust Fidelity Investment Trust Fidelity Magellan Fund Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust Fidelity Puritan Trust Fidelity Securities Fund Fidelity Select Portfolios Fidelity Summer Street Trust Fidelity Trend Fund Variable Insurance Products Fund Variable Insurance Products Fund II Variable Insurance Products Fund III Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
in addition to any other investment company for which Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and for which the undersigned individuals serve as Directors or Trustees (collectively, the "Funds"), hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney we have given to sign and otherwise act in our names and behalf in matters involving any investment company for which FMR or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and hereby constitute and appoint Thomas C. Bogle, Joseph R. Fleming, John V. O'Hanlon, Robert W. Helm and Anthony H. Zacharski, each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for us and in our names in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, or any successors thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statements or any successors thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. We hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after February 1, 2011.
WITNESS our hands on this first day of February 1, 2011.
/s/James C. Curvey |
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/s/Joseph Mauriello |
James C. Curvey |
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Joseph Mauriello |
/s/Ronald P. O'Hanley |
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/s/Cornelia M. Small |
Ronald P. O'Hanley |
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Cornelia M. Small |
/s/Dennis J. Dirks |
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/s/William S. Stavropoulos |
Dennis J. Dirks |
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William S. Stavropoulos |
/s/Alan J. Lacy |
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/s/David M. Thomas |
Alan J. Lacy |
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David M. Thomas |
/s/Ned C. Lautenbach |
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/s/Michael E. Wiley |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
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Michael E. Wiley |
Exhibit (a)(3)
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WILLIAM GALVIN
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
STATE HOUSE - BOSTON, MA
AMENDMENT TO THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
We, Kimberley H. Monasterio, President, and Eric D. Roiter, Secretary,
of
FIDELITY CONCORD STREET TRUST
82 DEVONSHIRE STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
hereby certify that, in accordance with ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 3 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fidelity Concord Street Trust (dated September 19, 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 December 13, 2007, such Amendment being effective as of that date:
VOTED: That the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated September 19, 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
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 13th day of December, 2007.
/s/Kimberley H. Monasterio |
/s/Eric D. Roiter |
Kimberley H. Monasterio |
Eric D. Roiter |
President |
Secretary |
Exhibit (d)(1)
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
between
FIDELITY CONCORD STREET TRUST
SPARTAN 500 INDEX FUND
(formerly Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund)
and
FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY
AGREEMENT AMENDED and RESTATED as of this 1st day of February, 2011, by and between Fidelity Concord 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 Spartan 500 Index Fund (hereinafter called the "Portfolio"), and Fidelity Management & Research Company, a Massachusetts corporation (hereinafter called the "Adviser") as set forth in its entirety below.
Required authorization and approval by Trustees having been obtained, the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, and the Adviser hereby consent, pursuant to Paragraph 7 of the existing Management Contract dated December 5, 1997, as amended on March 1, 2005 and October 1, 2005, to a modification of said Contract in the manner set forth below. The Amended and Restated Management Contract shall, when executed by duly authorized officers of the Fund and Adviser, take effect on February 1, 2011.
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 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 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. For the services and facilities to be furnished hereunder, the Adviser shall receive a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 0.025% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio (computed in the manner set forth in the Declaration of Trust) throughout the month; provided that in the 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 the business days it is so in effect for that month.
4. The Adviser undertakes to pay all expenses involved in the operation of the Portfolio, including all expenses allocable at the Portfolio level, except the following: (i) transfer agent fees, Rule 12b-1 fees and other expenses allocable at the class level; (ii) interest and taxes; (iii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iv) fees and expenses of the Fund's Trustees other than those who are "interested persons" of the Fund or the Adviser; and (v) 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 Trustees and officers with respect thereto. It is understood that service charges billed directly to shareholders of the Portfolio, including charges for exchanges, redemptions, or other services, shall not be payable by the Adviser, but may be received and retained by the Adviser or its affiliates. It is also understood that the Adviser and/or the Portfolio may, from time to time, allocate or reallocate expenses between the Portfolio and any class of the Portfolio.
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 July 31, 2011 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, such consent on the part of the Fund to be authorized by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
(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 Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 CONCORD STREET TRUST |
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on behalf of Spartan 500 Index Fund |
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By |
/s/ Kenneth B. Robins |
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Kenneth B. Robins |
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President and Treasurer |
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FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY |
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By |
/s/ JS Wynant |
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JS Wynant |
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Senior Vice President and Treasurer |
Exhibit (j)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference into the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information in Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Fidelity Concord Street Trust: Spartan 500 Index Fund of our report dated April 20, 2010 on the financial statements and financial highlights included in the February 28, 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders of the above referenced fund(s), which is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.
We further consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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Boston, Massachusetts |
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February 11, 2011 |