Stephen D. Fisher, Esq. |
With copies to: |
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer |
Joseph R. Fleming, Esq. |
82 Devonshire Street |
Dechert LLP |
Boston, Massachusetts 02109 |
200 Clarendon Street, 27th Floor |
(Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective on December 20, 2009 pursuant to paragraph (b) at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. |
Like securities of all mutual funds, these securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission has not determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Fidelity
®
Strategic Advisers
®
Core
Fund
<R>(fund number 2293)</R>
Prospectus
<R> December 20, 2009 </R>
Managed exclusively for certain clients of Strategic Advisers, Inc. - not available for sale to the general public
(Fidelity_Strategic_Advisers_logo_graphic)
Fund Summary |
Investment Summary |
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Performance |
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Fee Table |
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Fund Basics |
Investment Details |
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Valuing Shares |
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Shareholder Information |
Buying and Selling Shares |
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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 |
Prospectus
Note: Fidelity ® Strategic Advisers ® Core Fund (the fund) is not available for sale to the general public and is offered exclusively to certain clients of Strategic Advisers, Inc. (Strategic Advisers).
<R>Strategic Advisers, a sub-adviser, or an underlying fund may use any of the following investment strategies and may be subject to any of the risks associated with that particular investment strategy.</R>
Investment Objective
Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund seeks capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies
<R>The fund employs a multi-manager and a fund of funds investment structure pursuant to which assets of the fund are allocated by Strategic Advisers among sub-advisers and underlying funds. When determining how to allocate the fund's assets among sub-advisers and underlying funds, Strategic Advisers considers a variety of factors and may allocate the fund's assets among any number of sub-advisers or underlying funds at any time.</R>
Principal Investment Risks
Prospectus
Fund Summary - continued
In addition, the fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a greater portion of assets in securities of a smaller number of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a more diversified fund.
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.
Prospectus
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.
Performance history will be available for the fund after the fund has been in operation for one calendar year.
The following table describes the fees and expenses that may be incurred when you buy, hold, or sell shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees (paid by the investor directly)
Sales charge (load) on purchases and reinvested distributions |
None |
Deferred sales charge (load) on redemptions |
None |
<R> Annual operating expenses (paid from fund assets) </R>
<R> Management fee A,B |
0.50% </R> |
<R> Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees |
None </R> |
<R> Other expenses B |
0.00% </R> |
<R> Acquired fund fees and expenses (fees and expenses of underlying funds) B |
0.76 % </R> |
<R> Total annual fund operating expenses |
1.26% </R> |
<R> Less waiver and reimbursement C |
0.25 % </R> |
<R> Net expenses |
1.01% </R> |
<R> A The fund's management fee is calculated by adding the amount resulting from the annual management fee rate of 0.25% plus the total fees payable to the fund's sub-advisers based upon each sub-adviser's respective allocated portion of the fund's assets. The fund's maximum aggregate annual management fee will not exceed 1.00% of the fund's average daily net assets. </R>
<R> B Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. </R>
<R> C Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed to waive 0.25% of the fund's management fee until May 31, 2013. </R>
This example helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Let's say, hypothetically, that the fund's annual return is 5% and that the fees are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates the effect of fees and expenses for each period shown, but is not meant to suggest actual or expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For every $10,000 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:
<R> 1 year |
$ 103 </R> |
<R> 3 years |
$ 322 </R> |
Prospectus
<R>Strategic Advisers, a sub-adviser, or an underlying fund may use any of the following investment strategies and may be subject to any of the risks associated with that particular investment strategy.</R>
Investment Objective
Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund seeks capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies
<R>The fund employs a multi-manager and a fund of funds investment structure pursuant to which assets of the fund are allocated by Strategic Advisers among sub-advisers and underlying funds. While each sub-adviser's security selection criteria are unique, each sub-adviser to whom an allocation has been made purchases securities of companies deemed by such sub-adviser to have positive characteristics. The fund also employs a fund of funds structure, whereby Strategic Advisers may invest an allocated portion of the fund's assets among one or more underlying funds, including funds with a long/short investment strategy. When determining how to allocate the fund's assets among sub-advisers and underlying funds, Strategic Advisers considers a variety of factors about the sub-advisers or underlying funds, as the case may be, including, but not limited to, investment approach, portfolio characteristics, performance patterns in different market environments and total assets of the fund. Strategic Advisers may allocate the fund's assets among any number of sub-advisers or underlying funds at any time.</R>
The fund invests primarily in securities of companies with large market capitalizations. Although a universal definition of large market capitalization companies does not exist, for purposes of this fund, the fund generally defines large market capitalization companies as those companies with market capitalizations similar to those of companies included in the S&P 500. A company's market capitalization is based on its current market capitalization or its market capitalization at the time of the fund's investment. The size of the companies in the index changes with market conditions and the composition of the index.
In buying and selling underlying funds, Strategic Advisers relies on quantitative analysis and proprietary fund research. Factors considered when investing in underlying funds include fund performance, a fund manager's experience and investment style, fund company infrastructure, and fund characteristics such as expense ratio, asset size, and portfolio turnover. Strategic Advisers pursues a disciplined, benchmark-driven approach to portfolio construction, and monitors and adjusts allocations to underlying funds as necessary to attempt to control overall fund risk and pursue appropriate returns.
<R>The fund may invest in a combination of underlying funds composed of Fidelity equity funds and non-affiliated equity funds that participate in Fidelity's FundsNetwork on a no-transaction fee (NTF) basis, and non-affiliated ETFs. NTF funds include both funds managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company (an affiliated company that, together with Strategic Advisers, is part of Fidelity Investments) and funds managed by investment advisers other than Fidelity.</R>
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
<R>The non-affiliated NTF funds pay Fidelity service fees that typically are at an annual rate of up to 0.40% of a fund's average daily net assets attributable to purchases through Fidelity's FundsNetwork, though such fees may be higher or lower in some cases. In addition, the fund may invest in ETFs in transactions not occurring through Fidelity's FundsNetwork.</R>
Like all mutual funds, the underlying funds will incur fund expenses, which may include management fees, 12b-1 fees, and other expenses. The underlying funds may also charge redemption fees, sales loads, exchange fees, administrative fees, or other fees in addition to fund expenses. Any such fees will be payable by the fund, not by Strategic Advisers, although Strategic Advisers or one of its affiliates may choose to reimburse the fees if they are not waived by the underlying funds. The fund itself reserves the right to impose redemption fees in the future.
<R>Strategic Advisers invests in funds and selects sub-advisers that may establish long and short positions in equity securities and derivatives on those securities. Each sub-adviser or underlying fund may use futures contracts, options, swaps, CFDs and other derivatives as tools in the management of the fund's assets. A sub-adviser or an underlying fund may use derivatives to hedge various investments, for risk management, to obtain significant amounts of long or short exposure and to increase the fund's income or gain.</R>
A portion of the fund's assets may be invested in a long/short strategy. Such strategy involves investment in a variety of equity securities and, ordinarily, no single equity exposure is expected to make up more than 5% of the gross long exposure except that companies with large weights in the S&P 500 Index may be held as overweights in the strategy, resulting in positions of greater than 5% in those securities. The strategy involves maintenance of an approximate net 100% long exposure to the equity market (long market value minus short market value). However, the long and short positions held will vary in size as market opportunities change. Long positions and their equivalents will range between 90% and 150% of the value of net assets in the strategy. Short positions will range between 0% and 50% of the value of net assets in the strategy. In rising markets, it is expected that the long positions will appreciate more rapidly than the short positions, and in declining markets, that the short positions will decline faster than the long positions.
<R></R>
The fund may invest in REITs. A REIT is a company that owns and generally operates income producing properties or finances real estate transactions.
Because the fund is considered non-diversified, the fund may invest a significant percentage of the fund's assets in a single issuer or a single fund.
<R>The fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in addition to securities of domestic issuers.</R>
As an alternative to holding foreign securities directly, the fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets (including depositary receipts, which evidence ownership in underlying foreign stocks.)
Prospectus
<R></R>
If the fund's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not achieve its investment 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.
<R> Derivatives are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the fund can invest. </R>
Short Sale is a sale of a security a fund has borrowed, with the expectation that the security will underperform the market. To close out a short sale transaction, a fund buys the same security at a later date and returns it to the lender of the security. A fund will profit if the market price of the stock declines after the short sale, and will lose money if the market price of the stock goes up. The overall benefit to a fund will depend on how the short sale performs relative to the market price of securities that a fund purchases with the sale proceeds. For example, if the market price of the securities that a fund purchased goes up more than the market price of the security sold short, a fund will benefit. Conversely, a fund will not benefit if the market price of the securities purchased goes down more than the market price of securities sold short, even if the short sale itself led to a profit.
Principal Investment Risks
<R>Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price changes daily based on the performance of underlying funds and securities in which it invests and 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 underlying funds and 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 underlying fund or issuer. Because the fund may invest a significant percentage of its assets in a single issuer or fund, the fund's performance could be closely tied to the performance of the securities of that one issuer or fund, which could result in more volatile performance for the fund than the performance of more diversified funds. When you sell your shares they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you could lose money.</R>
If Strategic Advisers' or a sub-adviser's investment strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not achieve its objective. The portfolio managers' evaluations and assumptions in selecting underlying funds or individual securities may be incorrect in view of actual market conditions, and may underperform.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
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.
High Portfolio Turnover. The fund may engage in active and frequent trading leading to increased portfolio turnover, higher transaction costs, and the possibility of increased capital gains. High rates of portfolio turnover may result in short-term capital gains that will generally be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
Derivatives. The fund may use derivatives in connection with its investment strategies. Derivatives may be riskier than other types of investments because they may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that significantly exceed the fund's original investment. Many derivatives will give rise to a form of leverage. As a result, the fund may be more volatile than if the fund had not been leveraged because the leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund's portfolio securities. Derivatives are also subject to the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. The use of derivatives may not be successful, resulting in losses to the fund, and the cost of hedging may reduce the fund's returns. Derivatives also expose the fund to the credit risk of the derivative counterparty. In addition, the fund may use derivatives for non-hedging purposes which increases the fund's potential for loss.
<R> Foreign Exposure. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations can involve additional risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include fluctuations in foreign currencies; withholding or other taxes; trading, settlement, custodial, and other operational risks; and the less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some foreign markets. All of these factors can make foreign investments more volatile and potentially less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can perform differently from the U.S. market.</R>
Prospectus
The real estate industry is particularly sensitive to economic downturns. The value of securities of issuers in the real estate industry, including Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), can be affected by changes in real estate values and rental income, property taxes, interest rates, tax and regulatory requirements, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. In addition, the value of a REIT can depend on the structure of and cash flow generated by the REIT, and REITs may not have diversified holdings. Because REITs are pooled investment vehicles that have expenses of their own, the fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of those expenses.
<R> Investing in Other Funds. Regulatory restrictions may limit the amount that one fund can invest in another, and further limit investments to the extent a fund's shares are already held by Strategic Advisers or its affiliates. The fund will bear a pro rata share of the underlying funds' expenses. Underlying funds may have different investment objectives and may engage in investment strategies that the fund would not engage in directly. The fund bears all risks associated with underlying fund investments.</R>
Portfolio Concentration Risk. There is additional risk for the fund with respect to the potential for overlap of the fund's holdings of underlying funds and the sub-advisers, which may result in the fund indirectly concentrating assets in a particular industry or group of industries, or in a single issuer. Such indirect concentration may have the effect of increasing the volatility of the fund's returns. The fund does not control the investments of underlying funds or sub-advisers and any indirect concentration is a result of the underlying funds or the sub-advisers pursuing their own investment strategies.
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 credit quality or value. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.
"Growth" Investing. "Growth" stocks can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. "Growth" stocks tend to be more expensive relative to their earnings or assets compared to other types of stocks. As a result, "growth" stocks tend to be sensitive to changes in their earnings and more volatile than other types of stocks.
"Value" Investing. "Value" stocks can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. "Value" stocks tend to be inexpensive relative to their earnings or assets compared to other types of stocks. However, "value" stocks can continue to be inexpensive for long periods of time and may not ever realize their full value.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
<R> Short Sales and Leverage Risk. Short sales involve the sale of a security a fund has borrowed, with the expectation that the security will underperform the market. Short sales create a risk that a fund will be required to close the short position by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to a fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long. Because a short position loses value as the security's price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited. The loss on a long position is limited to what a fund originally paid for the security together with any transaction costs. A fund may not always be able to borrow a security a fund seeks to sell short at a particular time or at an acceptable price. As a result, a fund may be unable to fully implement its investment strategy due to a lack of available stocks or for other reasons. It is possible that the market value of the securities a fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities a fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing a fund's potential volatility. A fund will incur transaction costs, including interest expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales. Regulatory bans on certain short selling activities may prevent a fund from fully implementing its strategy. Short sales involve leverage because a fund borrows securities and then sells them, effectively leveraging its assets. The use of leverage may increase market exposure, magnify investment risks, and cause losses to be realized more quickly. Assets segregated to cover these transactions may decline in value and are not available to meet redemptions.</R>
Investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to tracking error risk (in most cases, the risk of errors in matching the ETF's underlying assets to its index) and the risk that because most ETFs are not actively managed, they cannot sell poorly performing stocks as long as they are represented in its index. ETFs may trade in the secondary market (e.g., on a stock exchange) at prices below the value of their underlying portfolios and may not be liquid. As a shareholder of an ETF, a fund may indirectly bear service and other fees which are in addition to the fees the fund pays its service providers.
Quantitative Investing. The value of securities selected using quantitative analysis can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole or securities selected using only fundamental analysis. The factors used in quantitative analysis and the weight placed on those factors may not be predictive of a security's value. In addition, factors that affect a security's value can change over time and these changes may not be reflected in the quantitative model.
In response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, each sub-adviser may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. If a sub-adviser does so, different factors could affect the fund's performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Prospectus
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder approval.
Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund seeks capital appreciation.
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single share. Fidelity normally calculates the fund's NAV as of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The fund's assets normally are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
NAV is not calculated and the fund will not process purchase and redemption requests submitted on days when the fund is not open for business. The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on days when the fund is not open for business, the value of the fund's assets may be affected on those days. In addition, trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the fund is open for business.
<R>The assets of the fund include shares of the underlying funds, which are valued at their respective NAVs. The fund's other assets include securities that are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. The ETFs in which the fund invests are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations, official closing prices, or on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. If an underlying fund's (other than an ETF's) NAV is unavailable, shares of such fund may 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. If market quotations, official closing prices, or information furnished by a pricing service 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. Fair value pricing may be used for high yield debt and floating rate loans, when available pricing information is stale or is determined for other reasons not to accurately reflect fair value. An underlying fund's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value.</R>
<R>Arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the fund calculates its NAV. These arbitrage opportunities may enable short-term traders to dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Securities trading in overseas markets present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting portfolio security values occur after the close of the overseas market but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of the 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. A security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value.</R>
Prospectus
THE FUND IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
<R>Shares of the fund are offered exclusively to certain clients of Strategic Advisers. If you are not currently a Strategic Advisers client, please call 1-800-544-3455 (9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) for more information. Strategic Advisers may charge clients fees for its services in addition to those disclosed in this prospectus. When you terminate your relationship with Strategic Advisers, your shares will be sold at the NAV next calculated and Strategic Advisers will send the proceeds to you.</R>
The fund may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase orders.
Strategic Advisers may buy and sell shares of the fund as frequently as it wants; the fund does not place any limits on purchase and sales by Strategic Advisers (fund shares may only be bought pursuant to instructions from Strategic Advisers and are not available for purchase by the general public). Frequent purchases and sales of fund shares can harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the fund, disrupting portfolio management strategies, and diluting the value of the shares of long-term shareholders in cases in which fluctuations in markets are not fully priced into the fund's NAV. However, because investments in this fund are made by Strategic Advisers on behalf of its clients, the potential for excessive or short-term disruptive purchases and sales is minimal. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage these practices and the fund permits frequent trading.
The fund has no exchange privilege with any other fund. The fund has no limit on purchase transactions. The fund reserves the right, but does not have the obligation, to reject any purchase transaction at any time.
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's NAV. The fund's shares are sold without a sales charge.
<R>Shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form.</R>
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 the fund is the fund's NAV.
<R>Shares will be sold at the NAV next calculated after an 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.</R>
Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed when the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is restricted, or as permitted by the SEC.
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
Redemption proceeds may be paid in underlying fund shares, securities, or other property rather than in cash if Strategic Advisers determines it is in the best interests of the fund.
Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other federal regulations, redemption requests may be suspended, restricted, canceled, or processed and the proceeds may be withheld.
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 pay dividends and capital gain distributions in July and December.
Dividends and capital gain distributions may be reinvested in additional shares of the fund or paid in cash.
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax consequences for you. If you are not investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account, you should consider these tax consequences.
Taxes on distributions. Distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, certain of the fund's distributions, including dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income, while certain of the fund's distributions, including distributions of long-term capital gains, are taxable to you generally as capital gains. A percentage of certain distributions of dividends may qualify for taxation at long-term capital gains rates (provided certain holding period requirements are met).
When Strategic Advisers buys shares on your behalf when the fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be taxable to you when you receive them, regardless of your distribution option.
Taxes on transactions. Your redemptions may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment in the fund generally is the difference between the cost of your shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
Prospectus
<R>The fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal. The fund employs a multi-manager and a fund of funds investment structure. First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (First Eagle), Lazard Asset Management LLC (Lazard), and Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC (Pyramis) each have entered into an investment sub-advisory agreement with the fund. First Eagle and Lazard each manage an allocated portion of the fund's assets. Each sub-adviser chooses investments and places orders to buy and sell investments for its allocated portion. A portion of the fund's assets is also allocated to underlying funds. Strategic Advisers may allocate the fund's assets among any number of sub-advisers or underlying funds.</R>
Strategic Advisers is the fund's manager. The address of Strategic Advisers and its affiliates, unless otherwise indicated below, is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
<R>As of December 31, 2008, Strategic Advisers had approximately $145.2 billion in discretionary assets under management.</R>
<R>John A. Stone is co-manager of the fund, which he has managed since its inception. Mr. Stone joined Strategic Advisers as a portfolio manager in July 2008. Prior to joining Strategic Advisers, Mr. Stone was a portfolio manager and a Principal at Mercer Global Investments where he was responsible for managing four U.S. Equity subadvised mutual funds, and was a member of the Americas Investment Committee. Prior to joining Mercer in 2006, Mr. Stone was with Fidelity Investments (Fidelity) for 12 years, most recently as Vice President, Senior Investment Analyst. In that role he was responsible for top-down asset allocation studies for Fidelity's institutional clients.</R>
<R>Vincent Zelenko is co-manager of the fund, which he has managed since its inception. Mr. Zelenko joined Fidelity Investments in June 2005 as part of Strategic Advisers and since has worked as a research analyst within the Investment Management/Fundamental Research department of Strategic Advisers and currently serves as team leader, Equity for Strategic Advisers' Asset Allocation Division. Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Zelenko acted as a vice president and Equity Research analyst for JP Morgan in London.</R>
As the manager, Strategic Advisers has overall responsibility for handling the fund's business affairs, and Mr. Stone and Mr. Zelenko are responsible for allocating fund assets among sub-advisers and underlying funds.
<R>The fund's initial shareholder approved a proposal permitting Strategic Advisers to enter into new or amended sub-advisory agreements with one or more unaffiliated sub-advisers without obtaining shareholder approval of such agreements, subject to conditions of an exemptive order that has been granted by the SEC (Exemptive Order). One of the conditions of the Exemptive Order requires the Board of Trustees to approve any such agreement. Subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees, Strategic Advisers has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the fund's sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. In the event the Board of Trustees approves a sub-advisory agreement with a new unaffiliated sub-adviser, shareholders will be provided with information about the new sub-adviser and sub-advisory agreement within ninety days of appointment.</R>
Prospectus
<R>First Eagle, at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. As of November 30, 2009, First Eagle had approximately $38.6 billion in discretionary assets under management.</R>
<R>Colin Morris serves as portfolio manager for First Eagle's portion of the fund's assets, which he has managed since the fund's inception. He joined First Eagle in July 1992 as a Senior Vice President. He came to First Eagle from Mabon Securities, where he was a partner responsible for arbitrage investments. Before joining Mabon in 1986, Mr. Morris was an analyst at Mitchell and Associates, a boutique mergers and acquisitions investment company.</R>
<R>Lazard, at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. As of September 30, 2009, Lazard and its affiliates had approximately $107.9 billion in discretionary assets under management.</R>
<R>Andrew Lacey is a member of the portfolio management team assigned Lazard's portion of the fund's assets, which he has managed since its inception. He has worked in investment management for Lazard since 1995 where, as Deputy Chairman, he is responsible for oversight of the firm's U.S. and global strategies, and is a portfolio manager/analyst on various U.S. and global equity portfolio teams.</R>
<R>Richard Tutino is a member of the portfolio management team assigned Lazard's portion of the fund's assets, which he has managed since its inception. He joined Lazard in 1997 and is a portfolio manager/analyst for U.S. large cap equities. Prior to Lazard, Mr. Tutino was with Dreman Value Management, EF Hutton and Company, Inc., Fahnestock Asset Management and Thorsell Parker Partners.</R>
<R>Ronald Temple is a member of the portfolio management team assigned Lazard's portion of the fund's assets, which he has managed since its inception. He joined Lazard in 2001 where he is a portfolio manager/analyst on certain U.S. equity portfolio teams and a Co-Director of Research. Mr. Temple brought ten years of global experience to Lazard, from roles at Deutsche Bank AG, Bank of America NT & SA and Fleet Financial Group in London, New York, Singapore, San Francisco and Boston.</R>
Pyramis, at 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917, has been retained to serve as a sub-adviser for the fund and may provide investment advisory services for the fund.
<R>Pyramis is an affiliate of Strategic Advisers. As of September 30, 2009, Pyramis had approximately $5.1 billion in discretionary assets under management.</R>
As of the date of this prospectus, Pyramis has not been allocated a portion of the fund's assets.
The statement of additional information (SAI) provides additional information about the compensation of, any other accounts managed by, and any fund shares held by each portfolio manager named above.
Prospectus
Fund Services - continued
<R>The fund pays a management fee to Strategic Advisers. The management fee is calculated and paid to Strategic Advisers every month. Strategic Advisers pays all other expenses of the fund with limited exceptions.</R>
<R>The fund's management fee is calculated by adding the amount resulting from the annual management fee rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the fund throughout the month plus the total fees, payable monthly, to the fund's sub-advisers based upon each sub-adviser's respective allocated portion of the fund's assets. The fund's maximum aggregate annual management fee will not exceed 1.00% of the fund's average daily net assets.</R>
<R>Strategic Advisers (and not the fund) pays First Eagle and Lazard a portion of the management fees it receives in return for their services.</R>
<R>Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the fund's management fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the fund until May 31, 2013. The waiver will decrease the fund's expenses and improve its performance.</R>
<R>The basis for the Board of Trustees approving the management contract and sub-advisory agreements for the fund will be included in the fund's annual report for the fiscal period ending May 31, 2010, when available.</R>
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) distributes the fund's shares.
The fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) with respect to its shares that recognizes that Strategic Advisers 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 shares of the fund and/or shareholder support services. Strategic Advisers, 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 shares of the fund.
If payments made by Strategic Advisers to FDC or to intermediaries under the Distribution and Service Plan were considered to be paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing basis, they might increase the cost of your investment.
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
Notes
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. 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). A financial report will be available once the fund has completed its first annual or semi-annual period. 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.
<R>For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other information or ask questions about the fund, call 1-800-544-3455. In addition, you may visit Fidelity's web site at www.fidelity.com for a free copy of a prospectus, SAI, or annual or semi-annual report or to request other information.</R>
<R>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 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.</R> Investment Company Act of 1940, File Number, 811-21990 |
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.
Fidelity, Pyramis, and Strategic Advisers are registered trademarks of FMR LLC.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
<R>1.902945.100 SAI-COR-pro-1209</R>
Fidelity ® Strategic Advisers ® Core Fund
A Fund of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<R> December 20, 2009 </R>
Offered exclusively to certain clients of Strategic Advisers, Inc. (Strategic Advisers) - not available for sale to the general public.
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus. An annual report for the fund will be available once the fund has completed its first annual period.
<R>To obtain a free additional copy of the prospectus or SAI, dated December 20, 2009, or an annual report, please call Fidelity at 1-800-544-3455 or visit Fidelity's web site at www.fidelity.com.</R>
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
PAGE |
Investment Policies and Limitations |
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Portfolio Transactions |
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Valuation |
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Buying and Selling Information |
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Distributions and Taxes |
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Trustees and Officers |
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Control of Investment Advisers |
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Management Contract |
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Proxy Voting Guidelines |
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Distribution Services |
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Transfer and Service Agent Agreements |
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Description of the Trust |
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Fund Holdings Information |
|
Appendix |
<R>SAI-COR-ptb-1209
1.902946.100</R>
(Fidelity_Strategic_Advisers_logo_graphic)
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.
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, Strategic Advisers or an affiliate 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 Strategic Advisers does not assign a classification.
Real Estate
The fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
Commodities
The fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
Loans
The fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
Diversification
In order to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the fund currently intends to comply with certain diversification limits imposed by Subchapter M.
For purposes of the fund's diversification limitation discussed above, Subchapter M generally requires the fund to invest no more than 25% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer and to invest at least 50% of its total assets so that (a) no more than 5% of the fund's total assets are invested in securities of any one issuer, and (b) the fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. However, Subchapter M allows unlimited investments in cash, cash items, government securities (as defined in Subchapter M) and securities of other regulated investment companies. These tax requirements are generally applied at the end of each quarter of the fund's taxable year.
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 Strategic Advisers 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.
<R>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. To the extent that the fund acquires the shares of an underlying fund in accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, the underlying fund is not obligated to redeem its shares in an amount exceeding 1% of its shares outstanding during any period of less than 30 days. Those underlying fund shares will not be treated as illiquid securities for purposes of the fund's illiquid securities limitation described above to the extent that the fund is able to dispose of such securities by distributing them in kind to redeeming shareholders. (See "Securities of Other Investment Companies" on page <Click Here>.< /R>
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 Strategic Advisers or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) assuming any unfunded commitments in connection with the acquisition of loans, loan participations, or other forms of debt instruments. (This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities, to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.)
In addition to the fund's fundamental and non-fundamental limitations discussed above:
For the fund's limitations on futures and options transactions, as applicable, see the section entitled "Futures, Options, and Swaps" on page <Click Here>.
Notwithstanding the foregoing investment limitations, the underlying funds in which Strategic Advisers Core Fund may invest have adopted certain investment limitations that may be more or less restrictive than those listed above, thereby permitting Strategic Advisers Core Fund to engage indirectly in investment strategies that are prohibited under the investment limitations listed above.
In accordance with Strategic Advisers Core Fund's investment program as set forth in the prospectus, Strategic Advisers Core Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in any one underlying fund. While Strategic Advisers Core Fund does not intend to concentrate its investments in a particular industry, Strategic Advisers Core Fund may indirectly concentrate in a particular industry or group of industries through its investments in one or more underlying funds.
<R>The following pages contain more detailed information about types of instruments in which the fund or an underlying fund may invest, strategies First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (First Eagle), Lazard Asset Management LLC (Lazard), and Pyramis Global Advisers, LLC (Pyramis) (each, a sub-adviser) or an underlying fund may employ in pursuit of the fund's investment objective, and a summary of related risks. Each sub-adviser 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. An underlying fund may invest in the same or other types of investments or its adviser may employ strategies other than those discussed in this SAI. Except as otherwise stated, references on the following pages to "the fund" or "a fund" may relate to Strategic Advisers Core Fund , one or more underlying funds, or both, and references to "adviser" may relate to Strategic Advisers, its affiliates, or both, or a sub-adviser. </R>
<R> 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.</R>
Borrowing. The fund may borrow from banks or from other funds advised by Strategic Advisers 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.
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.
<R> 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.</R>
<R>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.</R>
<R>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.</R>
<R>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.</R>
<R> 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.</R>
<R>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.</R>
Exposure to Foreign Markets. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
Foreign investments involve risks relating to local political, economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments, and may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors. Such actions may include expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S. dollars, or other government intervention. Additionally, governmental issuers of foreign debt securities may be unwilling to pay interest and repay principal when due and may require that the conditions for payment be renegotiated. There is no assurance that a sub-adviser 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 a sub-adviser.
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 a sub-adviser'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 a sub-adviser anticipates. For example, if a currency's value rose at a time when a sub-adviser had hedged a fund by selling that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not participate in the currency's appreciation. If a sub-adviser 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 a sub-adviser 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 a sub-adviser's use of currency management strategies will be advantageous to a fund or that it will employ currency management strategies at appropriate times.
Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies. Currency futures contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The underlying instrument of a currency option may be a foreign currency, which generally is purchased or delivered in exchange for U.S. dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a currency call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to options and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed above. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of a fund's investments exactly over time.
Foreign Repurchase Agreements. Foreign repurchase agreements involve an agreement to purchase a foreign security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price in either U.S. dollars or foreign currency. Unlike typical U.S. repurchase agreements, foreign repurchase agreements may not be fully collateralized at all times. The value of a security purchased by a fund may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to repurchase the security. In the event of default by the counterparty, a fund may suffer a loss if the value of the security purchased is less than the agreed-upon repurchase price, or if a fund is unable to successfully assert a claim to the collateral under foreign laws. As a result, foreign repurchase agreements may involve higher credit risks than repurchase agreements in U.S. markets, as well as risks associated with currency fluctuations. In addition, as with other emerging market investments, repurchase agreements with counterparties located in emerging markets or relating to emerging markets may involve issuers or counterparties with lower credit ratings than typical U.S. repurchase agreements.
Fund's Rights as an Investor. The fund does not intend to direct or administer the day-to-day operations of any company. The 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 a sub-adviser 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. A sub-adviser 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.
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 Standard & Poor's 500 Index SM (S&P 500 ® ). 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 unless the contract is held until the delivery date. However, both the purchaser and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), when the contract is entered into. If the value of either party's position declines, that party will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to settle the change in value on a daily basis. This process of "marking to market" will be reflected in the daily calculation of open positions computed in a fund's net asset value per share (NAV). The party that has a gain is entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. Initial and variation margin payments do not constitute purchasing securities on margin for purposes of a fund's investment limitations. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of a fund, the fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM's other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the fund. A fund is required to segregate liquid assets equivalent to the fund's outstanding obligations under the contract in excess of the initial margin and variation margin, if any.
The fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would exceed 25% of its total assets under normal conditions; or (c) purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying securities, and do not apply to structured notes.
The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company also may limit the extent to which a fund may enter into futures, options on futures and forward contracts. See "Distributions and Taxes".
<R>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 are not fundamental policies and may be changed as regulatory agencies permit.</R>
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.
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.
Options. By purchasing a put option, the purchaser obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the purchaser pays the current market price for the option (known as the option premium). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific securities, indices of securities prices, and futures contracts. The purchaser may terminate its position in a put option by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. If the option is allowed to expire, the purchaser will lose the entire premium. If the option is exercised, the purchaser completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. A purchaser may also terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if security prices fall substantially. However, if the underlying instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option's strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
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 security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
The fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would exceed 25% of its total assets under normal conditions; or (c) purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying securities, and do not apply to structured notes.
The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company also may limit the extent to which a fund may enter into futures, options on futures and forward contracts. See "Distributions and Taxes".
<R>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 are not fundamental policies and may be changed as regulatory agencies permit.</R>
There is no assurance a liquid market will exist for any particular options contract at any particular time. Options may have relatively low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close to the underlying instrument's current price. In addition, exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options contracts, and may halt trading if a contract's price moves upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require a fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a fund's access to other assets held to cover its options positions could also be impaired.
Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally are less liquid and involve greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are backed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
Combined positions involve purchasing and writing options in combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
A fund may also buy and sell options on swaps. Options on interest rate swaps are known as swaptions. An option on a swap gives a party the right to enter into a new swap agreement or to extend, shorten, cancel or modify an existing swap contract at a specific date in the future in exchange for a premium.
Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options contracts, it is likely that the standardized contracts available will not match a fund's current or anticipated investments exactly. A fund may invest in options contracts based on securities with different issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in which the fund typically invests, which involves a risk that the options position will not track the performance of the fund's other investments.
Options prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a fund's investments well. Options prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. A fund may purchase or sell options contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a fund's options positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by gains in other investments.
Swap Agreements. Swaps are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. Swap agreements can vary in term like other fixed-income investments. Most swap agreements are traded over-the-counter. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are calculated with respect to a notional amount, which is the predetermined dollar principal of the trade representing the hypothetical underlying quantity upon which payment obligations are computed.
Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's investments and its share price.
In a credit default swap, the credit default protection buyer makes periodic payments, known as premiums, to the credit default protection seller. In return the credit default protection seller will make a payment to the credit default protection buyer upon the occurrence of a specified credit event. A credit default swap can refer to a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets, each known as the reference entity or underlying asset. A fund may act as either the buyer or the seller of a credit default swap. A fund may buy or sell credit default protection on a basket of issuers or assets, even if a number of the underlying assets referenced in the basket are lower-quality debt securities. In an unhedged credit default swap, a fund buys credit default protection on a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets without owning the underlying asset or debt issued by the reference entity. Credit default swaps involve greater and different risks than investing directly in the referenced asset, because, in addition to market risk, credit default swaps include liquidity, counterparty and operational risk.
Credit default swaps allow a fund to acquire or reduce credit exposure to a particular issuer, asset or basket of assets. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. If the fund is the credit default protection seller, the fund will experience a loss if a credit event occurs and the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has deteriorated. If the fund is the credit default protection buyer, the fund will be required to pay premiums to the credit default protection seller.
If the creditworthiness of the fund's swap counterparty declines, the risk that the counterparty may not perform could increase, potentially resulting in a loss to the fund. To limit the counterparty risk involved in swap agreements, the fund will only enter into swap agreements with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness.
Swap agreements generally are entered into by "eligible participants" and in compliance with certain other criteria necessary to render them excluded from regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and, therefore not subject to regulation as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA.
Illiquid Securities cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees and Strategic Advisers, a sub-adviser determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and, through reports from Strategic Advisers and/or a sub-adviser, the Board monitors investments in illiquid securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, various factors may be considered, including (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security).
Indexed Securities are instruments whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.
Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term to intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S. dollar-denominated securities. Currency-indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument, or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase, resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign currencies relative to each other.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government agencies.
Indirect Concentration. There is additional risk for the fund with respect to aggregation of holdings of underlying funds. The aggregation of holdings of underlying funds may result in the fund indirectly having concentrated assets in a particular industry or in a single company. Such indirect concentrated holdings may have the effect of increasing the volatility of the fund's returns. The fund does not control the investments of the underlying funds and any indirect concentration occurs as a result of the underlying funds following their investment objectives.
<R> 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 Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or its affiliates (which includes Strategic Advisers). 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.</R>
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 a sub-adviser.
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.
<R>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, the 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 the fund and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC interpretations require the 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 the 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.</R>
Lower-Quality Debt Securities. Lower-quality debt securities include all types of debt instruments that have poor protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of principal, or may be in default. These securities are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss or price changes due to changes in the issuer's capacity to pay. The market prices of lower-quality debt securities may fluctuate more than those of higher-quality debt securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of rising interest rates.
The market for lower-quality debt securities may be thinner and less active than that for higher-quality debt securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the liquidity of lower-quality debt securities and the ability of outside pricing services to value lower-quality debt securities.
Because the risk of default is higher for lower-quality debt securities, a sub-adviser's research and credit analysis are an especially important part of managing securities of this type. A sub-adviser will attempt to identify those issuers of high-yielding securities whose financial condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is expected to improve in the future. A sub-adviser's analysis focuses on relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
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 securities and common stock.
Real Estate Investment Trusts. Equity real estate investment trusts own real estate properties, while mortgage real estate investment trusts make construction, development, and long-term mortgage loans. Their value may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property of the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property taxes, interest rates, and tax and regulatory requirements, such as those relating to the environment. Both types of trusts are dependent upon management skill, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.
Repurchase Agreements involve an agreement to purchase a security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. The funds will engage in repurchase agreement transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by a sub-adviser or, under certain circumstances, by Strategic Advisers or a Strategic Advisers 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 funds will enter into reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by a sub-adviser or, under certain circumstances, by Strategic Advisers or a Strategic Advisers affiliate. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets and may be viewed as a form of leverage.
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. The fund can also invest in ETFs, which are typically open-end funds or unit investment trusts listed on a stock exchange. 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.
<R>The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other investment companies may be limited by federal securities laws.</R>
Short Sales. Short sales involve the market sale of a security the fund has borrowed from a prime broker with which it has a contractual relationship, with the expectation that the security will underperform either the market or the securities that the fund holds long. The fund closes a short sale by purchasing the same security at the current market price and delivering it to the prime broker.
Until the fund closes out the short position, the fund is obligated to pay the prime broker (from which it borrowed the security sold short) interest as well as any dividends that accrue during the period of the loan. While a short position is outstanding, the fund must also pledge a portion of its assets to the prime broker as collateral for the borrowed security. The collateral will be marked to market daily. Short sale transactions covered in this manner are not considered senior securities and are not subject to the fund's fundamental investment limitations on senior securities and borrowing.
Short positions create a risk that the fund will be required to cover them by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long. Because a short position loses value as the security's price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited. The loss on a long position is limited to what the fund originally paid for the security together with any transaction costs. The fund may not always be able to borrow a security the fund seeks to sell short at a particular time or at an acceptable price. As a result, the fund may be unable to fully implement its investment strategy due to a lack of available stocks or for other reasons. It is possible that the market value of the securities the fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the fund's potential volatility. Because the fund may be required to pay dividends, interest, premiums and other expenses in connection with a short sale, any benefit for the fund resulting from the short sale will be decreased, and the amount of any ultimate gain will be decreased or of any loss will be increased, by the amount of such expenses.
The fund may also enter into short sales against the box. 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.
Strategic Advisers has granted investment management authority over allocated portions of the fund's assets to each sub-adviser (see the section entitled "Management Contract"). Each sub-adviser is authorized to provide the services described in its respective sub-advisory agreement, and will do so in accordance with the policies described in this section.
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf of the fund by each sub-adviser pursuant to authority contained in its respective sub-advisory agreement. Each sub-adviser may also be responsible for the placement of portfolio transactions for other investment companies and investment accounts for which each sub-adviser or its affiliates have investment discretion. All additional orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities (normally, shares of the underlying funds) are placed on behalf of the fund by Strategic Advisers, either itself or through its affiliates, pursuant to authority contained in the fund's management contract. The fund will not incur any commissions or sales charges when it invests in underlying funds, but it may incur such costs if it invests directly in other types of securities, such as exchange traded funds. Strategic Advisers 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.
<R>The Trustees of the fund periodically review Strategic Advisers' and its affiliates' and each sub-adviser's performance of their respective 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.</R>
Strategic Advisers.
Trade Allocation
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the same as those of certain other funds managed by Strategic Advisers or its affiliates, investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of other funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts) managed by Strategic Advisers or its affiliates. The same security is often held in the portfolio of more than one of these funds or investment accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds and investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser, or an affiliate thereof, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objective of more than one fund or investment account.
<R>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 by Strategic Advisers to be appropriate and equitable to each fund or investment account. In some cases adherence to these procedures could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security as far as each 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.</R>
<R> First Eagle. First Eagle is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities, futures and options on securities, on indices and on futures for the fund, the selection of brokers, dealers and futures commission merchants to effect those transactions and the negotiations of brokerage commissions, if any, for its portion of the fund. Broker-dealers and futures commission merchants may receive brokerage commissions on fund portfolio transactions, including options and the purchase and sale of underlying securities or futures positions upon the exercise of options. Orders may be directed to any broker or futures commission merchant including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law. A substantial number of brokers through whom First Eagle executes agency orders provide proprietary research on general economic trends or particular companies. Selected brokers provide third-party research and brokerage services, that is, services obtained by the broker from a third party that the broker then provides to First Eagle including "commission sharing arrangements". First Eagle may obtain quote and other market data information in this manner. Certain brokers may also invite investment personnel of First Eagle to attend investment conferences sponsored by such brokers.</R>
<R>Brokerage commissions generally are negotiated in the case of U.S. securities transactions, but in the case of foreign securities transactions may be fixed and may be higher than prevailing U.S. rates. Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with the executing parties based on the quantity and quality of the execution services. Equity securities traded in over-the-counter market and bonds, including convertible bonds, are generally traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriters, generally referred to as the underwriter's concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments and U.S. government agency securities may be purchased directly from the issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid. First Eagle will consider the research and investment services provided by brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants who effect or are parties to portfolio transactions the fund, First Eagle or First Eagle's other clients. Such research and investment services include those which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors such as statistical and economic data and research reports on particular companies and industries. In general, research and brokerage services obtained from brokers are used by First Eagle in connection with all of its investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for the fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate assets are far larger than the fund's, and the services furnished by such brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants may be used by First Eagle in providing investment management for the fund. Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker, dealer or futures commission merchant based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the executing party in light of generally prevailing rates. In addition, First Eagle may pay higher commissions on brokerage transactions for the fund to brokers in order to secure the research and investment services.</R>
<R> Lazard. Lazard is primarily responsible for the investment decisions and the placing of portfolio transactions for its portion of the fund. In arranging for the fund's securities transactions, Lazard is primarily concerned with seeking best execution, which is considered to be the most favorable combination of price and quantity that can be traded at a point in time given, among other factors, the liquidity, market conditions, and required urgency of execution. In choosing broker-dealers, Lazard considers all relevant factors, including but not limited to: the ability of a broker-dealer to provide a prompt and efficient agency execution; the ability and willingness of a broker-dealer to facilitate the transactions by acting as principal and going at risk for its own accounts; the ability of a broker-dealer to provide accurate and timely settlement of the transaction; Lazard's knowledge of the negotiated commission rates currently available and other current transactions costs; the clearance and settlement capabilities of the broker; Lazard's knowledge of the financial condition of the broker or dealer selected; and any other matter relevant to the selection of a broker-dealer.</R>
In the over-the-counter market, securities are generally traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price that includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter's concession or discount.
Purchase and sale orders for securities held by the fund may be combined with those for other accounts in the interest of the most favorable net results for all. In some cases, this policy may adversely affect the price paid or received by an account, or the size of the position obtained or liquidated. When Lazard determines that a particular security should be bought for or sold by more than one client, Lazard undertakes to allocate those transactions between the participants equitably.
Pyramis.
The Selection of Brokers
In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of Pyramis) to execute the fund's portfolio transactions, Pyramis considers factors deemed relevant in the context of a particular trade and in regard to Pyramis' overall responsibilities with respect to the fund and other investment accounts, including any instructions from the fund's portfolio manager, which may emphasize, for example, speed of execution over other factors. The factors considered will influence whether it is appropriate to execute an order using ECNs, electronic channels including algorithmic trading, or by actively working an order. Other factors deemed relevant may include, but are not limited to: price; the size and type of the transaction; the reasonableness of compensation to be paid, including spreads and commission rates; the speed and certainty of trade executions, including broker willingness to commit capital; the nature and characteristics of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold, including the degree of specialization of the broker in such markets or securities; the availability of liquidity in the security, including the liquidity and depth afforded by a market center or market-maker; the reliability of a market center or broker; the broker's overall trading relationship with Pyramis; the trader's assessment of whether and how closely the broker likely will follow the trader's instructions to the broker; the degree of anonymity that a particular broker or market can provide; the potential for avoiding market impact; the execution services rendered on a continuing basis; the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial condition of the firm; arrangements for payment of fund expenses, if applicable; and the provision of additional brokerage and research products and services, if applicable. In seeking best qualitative execution, Pyramis may select a broker using a trading method for which the broker may charge a higher commission than its lowest available commission rate. Pyramis 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 Pyramis) 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 Pyramis or its affiliates.
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. Pyramis may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. Some of these products and services supplement Pyramis' 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. Pyramis and its affiliates may use commission dollars to obtain certain products or services that are not used exclusively in Pyramis' or its affiliates' investment decision-making process (mixed-use products or services). In those circumstances, Pyramis or its affiliates 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 Pyramis. Pyramis' 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 Pyramis 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.
Pyramis' Decision-Making Process. Before causing the fund to pay a particular level of compensation, Pyramis 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 Pyramis, viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or Pyramis' overall responsibilities to the fund or other investment companies and investment accounts. While Pyramis may take into account the brokerage and/or research products and services provided by a broker in determining whether compensation paid is reasonable, neither Pyramis nor the fund incurs an obligation to any broker, dealer, or third party to pay for any product or service (or portion thereof) by generating a specific amount of compensation or otherwise. Typically, these products and services assist Pyramis and its affiliates in terms of its overall investment responsibilities to the fund and other investment companies and investment accounts; however, each product or service received may not benefit the fund. 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 Pyramis or its affiliates.
Research Contracts. Pyramis has arrangements with certain third-party research providers and brokers through whom Pyramis effects fund trades, whereby Pyramis may pay with fund commissions or hard dollars for all or a portion of the cost of research products and services purchased from such research providers or brokers. If hard dollar payments are used, Pyramis may still cause the fund to pay more for execution than the lowest commission rate available from the broker providing research products and services to Pyramis, or that may be available from another broker. Pyramis views hard dollar payments for research products and services as likely to reduce the fund's total commission costs even though it is expected that in such hard dollar arrangements the commissions available for recapture and to pay fund expenses, as described below, will decrease. Pyramis' determination to pay for research products and services separately, rather than bundled with fund commissions, is wholly voluntary on Pyramis' part and may be extended to additional brokers or discontinued with any broker participating in this arrangement.
Affiliated Transactions
Pyramis may place trades with certain brokers, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), with whom it is under common control provided Pyramis 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 the fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of Pyramis participates. In addition, for underwritings where a Pyramis 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 Pyramis or its affiliates, investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of other funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts) managed by Pyramis or its affiliates. The same security is often held in the portfolio of more than one of these funds or investment accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds and investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objective of more than one fund or investment account.
When two or more funds or investment accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, including a futures contract, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with procedures believed by Pyramis to be appropriate and equitable to each fund or investment account. In some cases adherence to these procedures could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security as far as the fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and prices for the fund.
Commissions Paid
<R>The fund may pay compensation including both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by the fund may change from year to year because of, among other things, changing asset levels, shareholder activity, and/or portfolio turnover.</R>
The fund's NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of the fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.
<R>Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities for which the primary market is the United States are valued at the official closing price, last sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United States are valued using the official closing price or the last sale price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last sale price (on the local exchange) is unavailable, the last evaluated quote or closing bid price normally is used.</R>
<R>An allocated portion of the fund's assets may consist of shares of the underlying funds, which are valued at their respective NAVs. If an underlying fund's NAV is unavailable, shares of that fund may be valued by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. Most underlying fund assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations, official closing prices, or on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. If market quotations, official closing prices, or information furnished by a pricing service is not readily available or does not accurately reflect fair value for a security held by an underlying fund or if the value of a security held by an underlying fund has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market), that security may be valued by another method that its board of trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. A security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value.</R>
Debt securities and other assets for which market quotations are readily available may be valued at market values determined by such securities' most recent bid prices (sales prices if the principal market is an exchange) in the principal market in which they normally are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or assets. Or, debt securities and convertible securities may be valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Use of pricing services has been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of pricing services are available, and the fund may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market quotations, if available.
Independent brokers or quotation services provide prices of foreign securities in their local currency. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC) gathers all exchange rates daily at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) using the last quoted price on the local currency and then translates the value of foreign securities from their local currencies into U.S. dollars. Any changes in the value of forward contracts due to exchange rate fluctuations and days to maturity are included in the calculation of NAV. If an event that is expected to materially affect the value of a portfolio security occurs after the close of an exchange or market on which that security is traded, then that security will be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of which approximate current value.
The procedures set forth above need not be used to determine the value of the securities owned by the fund if, in the opinion of a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method would more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For example, securities and other assets for which there is no readily available market value may be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith determination of the value of a security, the committee may review price movements in futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional trading.
BUYING AND SELLING INFORMATION
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 Strategic Advisers determines it is in the best interests of the fund. Such securities or other property will be valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing the fund's NAV. Shareholders that receive securities or other property will realize, upon receipt, a gain or loss for tax purposes, and will incur additional costs and be exposed to market risk prior to and upon the sale of such securities or other property.
The fund, in its discretion, may determine to issue its shares in kind in exchange for securities held by the purchaser having a value, determined in accordance with the fund's policies for valuation of portfolio securities, equal to the purchase price of the fund shares issued. The fund will accept for in-kind purchases only securities or other instruments that are appropriate under its investment objective and policies. In addition, the fund generally will not accept securities of any issuer unless they are liquid, have a readily ascertainable market value, and are not subject to restrictions on resale. All dividends, distributions, and subscription or other rights associated with the securities become the property of the fund, along with the securities. Shares purchased in exchange for securities in kind generally cannot be redeemed for fifteen days following the exchange to allow time for the transfer to settle.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Dividends. A portion of the fund's income may qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders, but it is unlikely that all of the fund's income will qualify for the deduction. A portion of the fund's dividends, when distributed to individual shareholders, may qualify for taxation at long-term capital gains rates (provided certain holding period requirements are met), or may be exempt from state and local taxation to the extent that they are derived from certain U.S. Government securities and meet certain requirements.
<R> Capital Gain Distributions. The fund's long-term capital gain distributions, including amounts attributable to an underlying fund's long-term capital gain distributions, are federally taxable to shareholders generally as capital gains.</R>
Returns of Capital. If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.
Foreign Tax Credit or Deduction. Foreign governments may withhold taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund with respect to foreign securities. Foreign governments may also impose taxes on other payments or gains with respect to foreign securities. Because the fund does not currently anticipate that securities of foreign issuers will constitute more than 50% of its total assets at the end of its fiscal year, shareholders should not expect to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes withheld.
Tax Status of the Fund. The fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies.
<R> Other Tax Information. The information above is only a summary of some of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or loss or other tax consequence to you. In addition to federal income taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on fund distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers to determine whether the fund is suitable to their particular tax situation.</R>
<R>The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. Except for Boyce I. Greer and Karen Kaplan, each of the Trustees oversees 15 funds advised by Strategic Advisers or an affiliate. Mr. Greer and Ms. Kaplan oversee 10 and eight funds, respectively, advised by Strategic Advisers or an affiliate.</R>
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. The executive officers and Advisory Board Member hold office without limit in time, except that any officer and Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
Interested Trustees *:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
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Boyce I. Greer (53) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Mr. Greer oversees Strategic Advisers, Inc. and Global Asset Allocation (2008-present) and serves as Vice President of a number of Fidelity funds (2005-present). He is also a Trustee of other investment companies advised by FMR. Mr. Greer is President of the Asset Allocation Division (2008-present), President and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2007-present), and an Executive Vice President of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. (2005-present). Previously, Mr. Greer served as a Director and Managing Director of Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2002-2005). |
Roger T. Servison (64) |
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Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Mr. Servison is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Servison serves as President of Strategic New Business Development for Fidelity Investments and serves as a Director of Strategic Advisers. Previously, he oversaw Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company (2005-2006) and Strategic Advisers (2005-2007). Mr. Servison also served as President and a Director of Fidelity Brokerage Services (Japan), LLC (1994-2004). |
* 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 Strategic Advisers.
Independent Trustees :
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
|
Peter C. Aldrich (65) |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2006</R> Mr. Aldrich is a Director of the National Bureau of Economic Research, a Director of Zipcar, Inc., and a Director of the funds of BlackRock Realty Group (2006-present). Mr. Aldrich served as Managing Member of Poseidon, LLC (foreign private investment, 1998-2004), and Chairman and Managing Member of AEGIS, LLC (foreign private investment, 1997-2004). Mr. Aldrich also served as Faculty Chairman of The Research Council on Global Investment of The Conference Board (business and professional education non-profit, 1999-2004). Mr. Aldrich is a Member of the Boards of Trustees of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. |
Ralph F. Cox (77) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2006 Mr. Cox is President of RABAR Enterprises (management consulting for the petroleum industry). Mr. Cox is a Director of CH3M Hill Companies (engineering) and Abraxas Petroleum (exploration and production). Mr. Cox is a member of the Advisory Boards of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Ralph F. Cox and Mr. Howard E. Cox, Jr. are not related. |
Karen Kaplan (49) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2007 Ms. Kaplan is President of Hill Holliday (advertising and specialized marketing, 2007-present). Ms. Kaplan is a Director of Delta Dental of Massachusetts (2004-present), President of the Massachusetts Women's Forum (2008-present), Vice Chair of the Board of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (2006-present), and Director of the Executive Committee of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (2006-present). Previously, Ms. Kaplan served as Treasurer of the Massachusetts Women's Forum and Director of United Way of Massachusetts Bay (2004-2006), a Director of ADVO (direct mail marketing, 2003-2007), and as a Director of Tweeter Home Entertainment Group (2006-2007). |
Advisory Board Member and Executive Officers :
<R>Correspondence intended for Howard E. Cox, Jr. may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235. Correspondence intended for each executive officer may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.</R>
Name, Age; Principal Occupation |
|
Howard E. Cox, Jr. (65) |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 </R> Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II. Mr. Cox is a Member of the Advisory Board of Devonshire Investors (2009-present). Mr. Cox serves as a Partner of Greylock (venture capital) and a Director of Stryker Corporation (medical products and services). Mr. Cox is a Member of the Secretary of Defense's Business Board of Directors (2008-present). Mr. Howard E. Cox, Jr. and Mr. Ralph F. Cox are not related. |
Stephen D. Fisher (47) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of the fund. Mr. Fisher is a Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel of Fidelity Investments. |
Margaret Carey (36) |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 </R> Assistant Secretary of the fund. Ms. Carey is also Assistant Secretary of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash Portfolio and Term Portfolio (2008-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Carey was an associate at Goodwin Procter LLP (1999-2004). |
Mark Osterheld (54) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 President and Treasurer of the fund. Mr. Osterheld is an employee of FMR (2009-present) and also serves as President and Treasurer of other Strategic Advisers funds (2006-present). Previously, Mr. Osterheld served as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2002-2007) and was an employee of FMR and Strategic Advisers (2007-2009). |
<R>Laura M. Doherty (40)</R> |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009</R> Chief Compliance Officer of the fund. Ms. Doherty also serves as Senior Vice President of the office of the Chief Compliance Officer (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Doherty served as a Vice President in Fidelity's Corporate Audit department (1998-2008). |
Holly C. Laurent (55) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer of the fund. Ms. Laurent also serves as AML Officer of the Fidelity funds (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). |
Nicholas E. Steck (45) |
|
<R> |
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009</R> Chief Financial Officer of the fund. Mr. Steck serves as Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (2008-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. During the period 2002 to 2009, Mr. Steck served as a Compliance Officer of FMR, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., FMR LLC, Fidelity Research & Analysis (U.K.) Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. |
Paul M. Murphy (62) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2009 Assistant Treasurer of the fund. Mr. Murphy serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Fidelity funds (2007-present) and is an employee of FMR (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fidelity Funds (2005-2006), Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR (2007) and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (1994-2007). |
James R. Rooney (51) |
|
|
Year of Election or Appointment: 2008 Assistant Treasurer of the fund. Mr. Rooney is an employee of FMR and also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other Strategic Advisers funds (2007-present). Previously, Mr. Rooney was a Vice President with Wellington Management Company LLP (2001-2007) and an employee of Strategic Advisers (2007-2009). |
Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established two committees to supplement the work of the Board as a whole.
The Audit Committee is composed of Mr. Aldrich (Chair), Mr. Ralph Cox, and Ms. Kaplan. 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. The committee normally meets in conjunction with in person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The committee meets separately periodically with the fund's Treasurer, with personnel responsible for the internal audit function of FMR LLC, and with the fund's outside auditors. The committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the outside auditors employed by the fund. The committee assists the Trustees in overseeing and monitoring: (i) the systems of internal accounting and financial controls of the fund and the fund's service providers, (ii) financial reporting processes of the fund, (iii) the independence, objectivity and qualification of the auditors to the fund, (iv) the annual audits of the fund's financial statements, and (v) the accounting policies and disclosures of the fund. 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 fund. It is responsible for approving all audit engagement fees and terms for the fund and for resolving disagreements between the fund and any outside auditor regarding the fund's financial reporting, and has sole authority to hire and fire any auditor. Auditors of the fund 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 fund and any service providers consistent with Independent Standards Board Standard No. 1. The committee will receive reports of compliance with provisions of the Auditor Independence Regulations relating to the hiring of employees or former employees of the outside auditors. It oversees and receives reports on the fund's service providers' internal controls and reviews with management, internal auditors, and outside counsel 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 fund's 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 fund's or service providers' internal controls over financial reporting. The committee will review with counsel any legal matters that may have a material impact on the fund's financial statements and any material reports or inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies. The committee reviews at least annually a report from the 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 fund's financial reporting process, will discuss with Strategic Advisers, the fund's 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 fund. The committee will review with Strategic Advisers, the fund's Treasurer, outside auditor, and internal audit personnel of FMR LLC (to the extent relevant) the results of audits of the fund's financial statements. The committee will review periodically the fund's major internal controls exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures. The committee also plays an oversight role in respect to the fund's compliance with its name test and investment restrictions, the code of ethics relating to personal securities transactions, the code of ethics applicable to certain senior officers of the fund, and anti-money laundering requirements. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, the committee held five meetings.
The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Mr. Cox (Chair), Mr. Aldrich, and Ms. Kaplan. 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 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 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 fund's 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 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 fund's 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 fund, 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. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, the committee held four meetings.
The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the fund and in all funds in the aggregate within the same fund family overseen by the Trustee for the calendar year ended December 31, 2008.
<R>Interested Trustees</R> |
||
<R>DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
Roger T. Servison |
Boyce I. Greer</R> |
<R> Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core |
none |
none</R> |
<R> AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
none |
none</R> |
<R>Independent Trustees</R> |
|||
<R>DOLLAR RANGE OF
|
Peter C. Aldrich |
Ralph F. Cox |
Karen Kaplan</R> |
<R> Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core |
none |
none |
none</R> |
<R> AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY |
none |
$50,001-$100,000 |
none</R> |
<R>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 ending May 31, 2010, or calendar year ended December 31, 2008, as applicable.</R>
<R>Compensation Table 1</R> |
|||||
<R>AGGREGATE
|
Peter C.
|
Howard E.
|
Ralph F.
|
Karen
|
</R> |
<R> Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core + |
$ 22,500 |
$ 0 |
$ 22,500 |
$ 22,500 |
</R> |
<R>
TOTAL COMPENSATION
|
$ 75,500 |
$ 75,500 |
$ 75,500 |
$ 75,500 |
</R> |
1 Boyce I. Greer and Roger T. Servison are interested persons and are compensated by Strategic Advisers or an affiliate (including FMR).
2 Howard E. Cox, Jr. served on the Board of Trustees through March 31, 2009. Effective June 4, 2009, Mr. Cox serves on the Advisory Board and no longer receives compensation from the fund.
+ Estimated for the fund's first full year.
A Reflects compensation received for the calendar year ended December 31, 2008 for 16 funds of three trusts.
<R>As of the date of commencement of the fund, 100% of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund's total outstanding securities were held by Strategic Advisers or an affiliate. FMR LLC is the ultimate parent company of Strategic Advisers and this affiliate.</R>
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR LLC, as successor by merger to FMR Corp., is the ultimate parent company of Strategic Advisers and Pyramis. 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.
Pyramis, a registered investment adviser, has its principal office at 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917. FMR LLC is the ultimate parent company of Pyramis. Information regarding the ownership of FMR LLC is disclosed above.
<R>First Eagle Investment Management, LLC is a subsidiary of Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Holdings, Inc., a privately owned Delaware holding company. First Eagle's primary offices are located 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.</R>
Lazard Asset Management LLC (Lazard) is a Delaware limited liability company registered with the SEC. It is a subsidiary of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (LF&Co.), a New York limited liability company with one member, Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Interests of Lazard Group LLC are held by Lazard Ltd., which is a Bermuda corporation with shares that are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LAZ." These interests are held by public stockholders as well as by current and former Managing Directors of Lazard Group LLC. Lazard Asset Management LLC is owned by LF&Co.
<R>Strategic Advisers, First Eagle, Lazard, and Pyramis (collectively, the Investment Advisers), Fidelity Distributors Corporation (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 the Investment Advisers' investment personnel, may invest in securities for their own investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund.</R>
<R>The fund has entered into a management contract with Strategic Advisers, pursuant to which Strategic Advisers furnishes investment advisory and other services. The fund's initial shareholder approved a proposal permitting Strategic Advisers to enter into new or amended sub-advisory agreements with one or more unaffiliated sub-advisers without obtaining shareholder approval of such agreements, subject to conditions of an exemptive order that has been granted by the SEC (Exemptive Order). One of the conditions of the Exemptive Order requires the Board of Trustees to approve any such agreement. Subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees, Strategic Advisers has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the fund's sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. In the event the Board of Trustees approves a sub-advisory agreement with a new unaffiliated sub-adviser, shareholders will be provided with information about the new sub-adviser and sub-advisory agreement within ninety days of appointment.</R>
<R>The fund has entered into investment sub-advisory agreements with First Eagle, Lazard, and Pyramis. First Eagle and Lazard each currently manage a portion of the fund's assets in accordance with a distinct investment style and strategy. Pyramis, an affiliate of Strategic Advisers, currently has not been allocated a portion of the fund's assets. The fund is not required to invest with any minimum number of sub-advisers, and does not have minimum or maximum limitations with respect to allocations of assets to any sub-adviser. Strategic Advisers may change the allocation of the fund's assets at any time. None of the sub-advisers sponsors the fund.</R>
<R> Management and Sub-Advisory Services. Strategic Advisers or its affiliates provide the fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments, compensate all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are interested persons of the trust or of Strategic Advisers, and all personnel of the fund or Strategic Advisers performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.</R>
In addition, Strategic Advisers 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.
Under its management contract with the fund, Strategic Advisers acts as investment adviser. Under the sub-advisory agreements, and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, each sub-adviser directs the investment of its portion of the fund's assets in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and limitations.
<R> Management-Related Expenses. Under the terms of the fund's management contract, Strategic Advisers, either itself or through an affiliate, is responsible for payment of all operating expenses of the fund with certain exceptions. Specific expenses payable by Strategic Advisers include expenses for typesetting, printing, and mailing proxy materials to shareholders, legal expenses, fees of the custodian, auditor, and interested Trustees, the fund's proportionate share of insurance premiums and Investment Company Institute dues, and the costs of registering shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws. Strategic Advisers will pay for typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, notices, and reports to shareholders; however, under the terms of the fund's transfer agent agreement, the transfer agent bears these costs. Strategic Advisers also pays all fees associated with transfer agency services and pricing and bookkeeping services.</R>
<R>Strategic Advisers pays all other expenses of the fund with the following exceptions: taxes; the fees and expenses of all Trustees of the fund who are not "interested persons" of the fund or of the adviser; brokerage fees and commissions; redemption fees and other shareholder charges associated with investments in other mutual funds; interest expenses with respect to borrowings by the fund; prime brokerage fees and expenses, including margin interest and payments in lieu of dividends associated with short sale transactions; and such non-recurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise, including actions, suits or proceedings to which the fund is or is threatened to be a party and the legal obligation that the fund may have to indemnify the fund's Trustees and officers with respect to such litigation.</R>
<R>Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the fund's management fee equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the fund until May 31, 2013.</R>
In addition, Strategic Advisers may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or an additional portion of the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision or discontinuance. Strategic Advisers 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 Strategic Advisers will increase the fund's returns, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower its returns.
<R> Management Fee. For the services of Strategic Advisers under the management contract, the fund's management fee is calculated by adding the amount resulting from the annual management fee rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the fund throughout the month plus the total fees, payable monthly, to the fund's sub-advisers based upon each sub-adviser's respective allocated portion of the fund's assets. The fund's maximum aggregate annual management fee will not exceed 1.00% of the fund's average daily net assets and the fee, so computed, will be reduced by the compensation, including reimbursement of expenses, paid by the fund to the trustees who are not interested persons of the fund or the adviser.</R>
<R> Sub-Adviser - First Eagle. The fund and Strategic Advisers have entered into a sub-advisory agreement with First Eagle. First Eagle, a registered investment adviser, has its principal office at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.</R>
<R>Under the sub-advisory agreement, for providing investment management services to the fund, Strategic Advisers pays First Eagle fees.</R>
Sub-Adviser - Lazard. The fund and Strategic Advisers have entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Lazard. Lazard, a registered investment adviser, has its principal office at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112.
Under the sub-advisory agreement, for providing investment management services to the fund, Strategic Advisers pays Lazard fees.
Sub-Adviser - Pyramis. The fund and Strategic Advisers have entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Pyramis pursuant to which Pyramis may provide investment advisory services for the fund.
<R>Under the sub-advisory agreement, for providing investment management services to the fund, Strategic Advisers pays Pyramis fees based on the average net assets of the portion of the fund managed by Pyramis (Allocated Net Assets), at an annual rate of 0.40% on the first $100 million of the Allocated Net Assets; 0.35% on the next $150 million of the Allocated Net Assets; 0.30% on the next $100 million of the Allocated Net Assets; and 0.25% on any amount in excess of $350 million of the Allocated Net Assets. Strategic Advisers has not currently allocated Pyramis a portion of the fund's assets.</R>
John A. Stone and Vincent Zelenko are employees of Strategic Advisers, a subsidiary of FMR LLC and an affiliate of FMR. Strategic Advisers is the adviser to the fund.
<R>Mr. Stone and Mr. Zelenko are co-portfolio managers of the fund and receive compensation for their services. As of October 31, 2009, portfolio manager compensation generally consists of a fixed base salary determined periodically (typically annually), a bonus, in certain cases, participation in several types of equity-based compensation plans, and, if applicable, relocation plan benefits. A portion of each portfolio manager's compensation may be deferred based on criteria established by Strategic Advisers or at the election of the portfolio manager.</R>
Each portfolio manager's base salary is determined by level of responsibility and tenure at Strategic Advisers or its affiliates. The primary components of each portfolio manager's bonus are based on (i) the pre-tax investment performance of each portfolio manager's fund(s) and account(s) measured against a benchmark index and within a defined peer group assigned to each fund or account, and (ii) the investment performance of a broad range of Strategic Advisers funds and accounts, including the fund. Accounts may include model portfolios designed for asset allocation, retirement planning, or tax-sensitive goals. The pre-tax investment performance of each portfolio manager's fund(s) and account(s) is weighted according to his or her tenure on those fund(s) and account(s), and the average asset size of those fund(s) and account(s) over his or her tenure. Each component is calculated separately over a measurement period that initially is contemporaneous with each portfolio manager's tenure, but that eventually encompasses rolling periods of up to three years for the comparison to a benchmark index and peer group. A subjective component of the bonus is based on each portfolio manager's overall contribution to management of Strategic Advisers.
<R>The portion of each portfolio manager's bonus that is linked to the investment performance of the fund is based on the fund's pre-tax investment performance measured against the Standard & Poor's 500 Index benchmark index, and the pre-tax investment performance of the fund within the Morningstar ® Large Cap Blend peer group. Each portfolio manager may be compensated under equity-based compensation plans linked to increases or decreases in the net asset value of the stock of FMR LLC, Strategic Advisers' parent company. FMR LLC is a diverse financial services company engaged in various activities that include fund management, brokerage, retirement, and employer administrative services. If requested to relocate their primary residence, portfolio managers also may be eligible to receive benefits, such as home sale assistance and payment of certain moving expenses, under relocation plans for most full-time employees of FMR LLC and its affiliates.</R>
A portfolio manager's compensation plan may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Although investors in a fund may invest through either tax-deferred accounts or taxable accounts, a portfolio manager's compensation is linked to the pre-tax performance of the fund, rather than its after-tax performance. A portfolio 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 marketing efforts, which together indirectly link compensation to sales. When a portfolio manager takes over a fund or an account, the time period over which performance is measured may be adjusted to provide a transition period in which to assess the portfolio. The management of multiple funds and accounts (including proprietary accounts) may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as a portfolio manager must allocate his or her time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. In addition, a fund's trade allocation policies and procedures may give rise to conflicts of interest if the fund's orders do not get fully executed due to being aggregated with those of other accounts managed by Strategic Advisers or an affiliate. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely impact the value of securities held by a fund. Securities selected for other funds or accounts may outperform the securities selected for the fund. Portfolio managers may be permitted to invest in the funds they manage, even if a fund is closed to new investors. Trading in personal accounts, which may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, is restricted by a fund's Code of Ethics.
<R>The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Stone as of October 31, 2009:</R>
<R>* Does not include Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund. The fund is expected to commence operations on December 30, 2009.</R>
<R>As of October 31, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Stone was none.</R>
<R>The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Zelenko as of October 31, 2009:</R>
<R>* Does not include Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund. The fund is expected to commence operations on December 30, 2009.</R>
<R>As of October 31, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Zelenko was none.</R>
<R> First Eagle Compensation. Colin Morris is portfolio manager for First Eagle's portion of the fund's assets and he receives compensation for his services. Mr. Morris serves as portfolio manager to certain clients and private investment funds that may utilize an investment program that is substantially similar to that of the fund. First Eagle and its affiliates may give advice or take action with respect to the other clients that differs from the advice given with respect to the fund. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts. In addition, First Eagle and its affiliates currently serve, and may in the future serve, as investment adviser to other registered investment companies, private investment funds or accounts (including proprietary accounts), some of which provide for incentive compensation (such as performance fees). Consequently, First Eagle's and its affiliates' investment management activities may present conflicts between the interests of the Fund and those of First Eagle and its affiliates and potentially among the interests of various accounts managed by the Adviser and/or its affiliates. Although First Eagle and its affiliates have adopted allocation procedures intended to provide for equitable treatment of all accounts over time, it is possible that circumstances may arise requiring case-by-case treatment and that each client account will not necessarily participate in the same transaction. The allocation procedures generally contemplate similar treatment for like accounts, with exceptions for various special considerations, including an account's tax position, cash management requirements, concentration tolerance or minimum investment size policies.</R>
<R>Conflicts also may be presented by Mr. Morris's portfolio manager compensation arrangements. Mr. Morris's compensation consists of salary, a performance bonus and participation in a company-funded retirement plan, with the performance bonus representing an important portion of total compensation. A portion of Mr. Morris's bonus is awarded in the firm's discretion. The bonus is based on assets and revenue attributable to accounts managed by Mr. Morris. In addition, Mr. Morris is the managing member and First Eagle is a member of an investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to private investment funds which have performance and assets based fees. Mr. Morris and First Eagle are entitled to agreed upon percentages of such fees. Additionally, Mr. Morris received profit interests in First Eagle, which make him eligible, subject to customary vesting arrangements and other conditions, for a share of the profits of First Eagle. Profits for this purpose are calculated firm-wide and therefore relate to investment products and business lines beyond those managed by Mr. Morris.</R>
<R>The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Morris as of November 30, 2009:</R>
<R>* Does not include Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund. The fund is expected to commence operations on December 30, 2009.</R>
<R>As of November 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Morris was none.</R>
<R> Lazard Compensation. Andrew Lacey, Richard Tutino, and Ronald Temple are members of the portfolio management team assigned Lazard's portion of the fund's assets and they receive compensation for their services. Lazard compensates portfolio managers by a competitive salary and bonus structure, which is determined both quantitatively and qualitatively. Salary and bonus are paid in cash. Portfolio managers are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of portfolios managed by them rather than for a specific fund or account. Various factors are considered in the determination of a portfolio manager's compensation. All of the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager are comprehensively evaluated to determine his or her positive and consistent performance contribution over time. Further factors include the amount of assets in the portfolios as well as qualitative aspects that reinforce Lazard's investment philosophy such as leadership, teamwork, and commitment.</R>
Total compensation is not fixed, but rather is based on the following factors: (1) maintenance of current knowledge and opinions on companies owned in the portfolio; (2) generation and development of new investment ideas, including the quality of security analysis and identification of appreciation catalysts; (3) ability and willingness to develop and share ideas on a team basis; and (4) the performance results of the portfolios managed by the investment team.
Variable bonus is based on the portfolio manager's quantitative performance as measured by the manager's ability to make investment decisions that contribute to the pre-tax absolute and relative returns of the accounts managed by him or her, by comparison of each account to a predetermined benchmark, over the current year and the longer-term performance (3-, 5-, or 10-year, if applicable) of such account, as well as performance of the account relative to peers. In addition, the portfolio manager's bonus can be influenced by subjective measurement of the manager's ability to help others make investment decisions.
Certain employees of Lazard are eligible to receive restricted stock units through the Lazard Ltd Equity Incentive Plan.
<R>The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Lacey as of September 30, 2009:</R>
<R>* Does not include Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund. The fund is expected to commence operations on December 30, 2009.</R>
<R>As of September 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Lacey was none.</R>
<R>The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Tutino as of September 30, 2009:</R>
<R>* Does not include Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund. The fund is expected to commence operations on December 30, 2009.</R>
<R>As of September 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Tutino was none.</R>
<R>The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed by Mr. Temple as of September 30, 2009:</R>
<R>* Does not include Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund. The fund is expected to commence operations on December 30, 2009.</R>
<R>As of September 30, 2009, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Temple was none.</R>
The following Proxy Voting Guidelines were established by the Board of Trustees of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II on behalf of the funds, after consultation with Strategic Advisers. (The guidelines are reviewed periodically by Strategic Advisers and its affiliates and by the Independent Trustees of the funds, and, accordingly, are subject to change.)
I. General Principles
A. The funds in the trust generally intend to vote shares of underlying funds using echo voting procedures (that is, in the same proportion as the holders of all other shares of the particular underlying fund).
B. Any proposals not covered by paragraph A above or other special circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with input from the appropriate Strategic Advisers analyst or portfolio manager, as applicable, subject to review and approval by the General Counsel or Compliance Officer of FMR or the General Counsel of FMR LLC.
Proxy voting policies and procedures are used by the sub-advisers to determine how to vote proxies relating to the securities held by their respective allocated portion of the fund's assets. The proxy voting policies and procedures of each sub-adviser are described below.
<R> First Eagle. </R>
<R>First Eagle has adopted policies and procedures (the "Policies") regarding the voting of proxies. It is the policy of First Eagle to vote client proxies in a manner that serves the best interest of the client. The Policies provide for procedures that address conflicts of interest between First Eagle and a client with respect to voting proxies. With regard to First Eagle this may involve review of a proposed vote by compliance personnel. First Eagle may abstain from voting from time to time when it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweigh the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote. First Eagle relies on RiskMetrics Group ("Proxy Provider"), a third party proxy voting service, for recommendations as to voting on particular issues and for technical assistance in tracking proxy votes and in transmitting voting instructions to the relevant corporate issuer or its proxy tabulation agents. There may be instances where First Eagle determines to vote a proxy in a manner other than the manner recommended by its proxy voting service provider. General information about RiskMetrics voting recommendations is available on its website at http://www.riskmetrics.com.</R>
Lazard.
<R>To avoid conflicts of interest, Lazard votes proxies where a material conflict has been deemed to exist in accordance with specific proxy voting guidelines regarding various standard proxy proposals ("Approved Guidelines") or, if the Approved Guideline is to vote case-by-case, in accordance with the recommendation of an independent source.</R>
Lazard also may determine not to vote proxies in respect of securities of any issuer if it determines that it would be in the client's overall best interests not to vote. The Voting Guidelines address how it will vote proxies on particular types of matters such as the election for directors, adoption of option plans and anti-takeover proposals. For example, Lazard generally will:
I. General Principles
A. Voting of shares will be conducted in a manner consistent with the best interests of mutual fund shareholders as follows: (i) securities of a portfolio company will generally be voted in a manner consistent with the Guidelines; and (ii) voting will be done without regard to any other Pyramis or Fidelity companies' relationship, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company.
B. FMR Investment Proxy Research votes proxies on behalf of the clients of Pyramis. In the event an Investment Proxy Research employee has a personal conflict with a portfolio company or an employee or director of a portfolio company, that employee will withdraw from making any proxy voting decisions with respect to that portfolio company. A conflict of interest arises when there are factors that may prompt one to question whether a Fidelity and/or Pyramis employee is acting solely on the best interests of Pyramis, Fidelity and their customers. Employees are expected to avoid situations that could present even the appearance of a conflict between their interests and the interests of Pyramis, Fidelity and their customers.
C. Except as set forth herein, Pyramis will generally vote in favor of routine management proposals.
D. Non-routine proposals will generally be voted in accordance with the Guidelines.
E. Non-routine proposals not covered by the Guidelines or involving other special circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with input from the appropriate Pyramis analyst or portfolio manager, as applicable, subject to review by an attorney within the General Counsel's office and a member of senior management within FMR Investment Proxy Research. A significant pattern of such proposals or other special circumstances will be referred to Pyramis's Senior Compliance Officer or his designee.
F. Pyramis will vote on shareholder proposals not specifically addressed by the Guidelines based on an evaluation of a proposal's likelihood to enhance the economic returns or profitability of the portfolio company or to maximize shareholder value. Where information is not readily available to analyze the economic impact of the proposal, Pyramis will generally abstain.
G. Many Pyramis accounts invest in voting securities issued by companies that are domiciled outside the United States and are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange. Corporate governance standards, legal or regulatory requirements and disclosure practices in foreign countries can differ from those in the United States. When voting proxies relating to non-U.S. securities, Pyramis will generally evaluate proposals in the context of these Guidelines, but Pyramis may, where applicable and feasible, take into consideration differing laws and regulations in the relevant foreign market in determining how to vote shares.
H. In certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, shareholders voting shares of a portfolio company may be restricted from trading the shares for a period of time around the shareholder meeting date. Because such trading restrictions can hinder portfolio management and could result in a loss of liquidity for a client, Pyramis will generally not vote proxies in circumstances where such restrictions apply. In addition, certain non-U.S. jurisdictions require voting shareholders to disclose current share ownership on a fund-by-fund basis. When such disclosure requirements apply, Pyramis will generally not vote proxies in order to safeguard fund holdings information.
I. Where a management-sponsored proposal is inconsistent with the Guidelines, Pyramis may receive a company's commitment to modify the proposal or its practice to conform to the Guidelines, and Pyramis will generally support management based on this commitment. If a company subsequently does not abide by its commitment, Pyramis will generally withhold authority for the election of directors at the next election.
II. Definitions (as used in this document)
A. Anti-Takeover Provision - includes fair price amendments; classified boards; "blank check" preferred stock; Golden Parachutes; supermajority provisions; Poison Pills; restricting the right to call special meetings; and any other provision that eliminates or limits shareholder rights.
B. Golden parachute - Employment contracts, agreements, or policies that include an excise tax gross-up provision; single trigger for cash incentives; or may result in a lump sum payment of cash and acceleration of equity that may total more than three times annual compensation (salary and bonus) in the event of a termination following a change in control.
C. Greenmail - payment of a premium to repurchase shares from a shareholder seeking to take over a company through a proxy contest or other means.
D. Sunset provision - a condition in a charter or plan that specifies an expiration date.
E. Permitted Bid Feature - a provision suspending the application of a Poison Pill, by shareholder referendum, in the event a potential acquirer announces a bona fide offer for all outstanding shares.
F. Poison Pill - a strategy employed by a potential take-over/target company to make its stock less attractive to an acquirer. Poison Pills are generally designed to dilute the acquirer's ownership and value in the event of a take-over.
G. Large Capitalization Company - a company included in the Russell 1000 ® stock index.
H. Small Capitalization Company - a company not included in the Russell 1000 stock index that is not a Micro-Capitalization Company.
I. Micro-Capitalization Company - a company with a market capitalization under US $300 million.
III. Directors
A. Incumbent Directors
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of incumbent and nominee directors except where one or more such directors clearly appear to have failed to exercise reasonable judgment.
Pyramis will also generally withhold authority for the election of all directors or directors on responsible committees if:
1. An Anti-Takeover Provision was introduced, an Anti-Takeover Provision was extended, or a new Anti-Takeover Provision was adopted upon the expiration of an existing Anti-Takeover Provision, without shareholder approval except as set forth below.
With respect to Poison Pills, however, Pyramis will consider not withholding authority on the election of directors if all of the following conditions are met when a Poison Pill is introduced, extended, or adopted:
a. The Poison Pill includes a Sunset Provision of less than 5 years;
b. The Poison Pill includes a Permitted Bid Feature;
c. The Poison Pill is linked to a business strategy that will result in greater value for the shareholders; and
d. Shareholder approval is required to reinstate the Poison Pill upon expiration.
Pyramis will also consider not withholding authority on the election of directors when one or more of the conditions above are not met if a board is willing to strongly consider seeking shareholder ratification of, or adding above conditions noted a. and b. to an existing Poison Pill. In such a case, if the company does not take appropriate action prior to the next annual shareholder meeting, Pyramis will withhold authority on the election of directors.
2. The company refuses, upon request by Pyramis, to amend the Poison Pill to allow Fidelity to hold an aggregate position of up to 20% of a company's total voting securities and of any class of voting securities.
3. Within the last year and without shareholder approval, a company's board of directors or compensation committee has repriced outstanding options, exchanged outstanding options for equity, or tendered cash for outstanding options.
4. The company failed to act in the best interests of shareholders when approving executive compensation, taking into account such factors as: (i)whether the company used an independent compensation committee; and (ii) whether the compensation committee engaged independent compensation consultants; and (iii) whether the company has admitted to or settled a regulatory proceeding relating to options backdating.
5. To gain Pyramis' support on a proposal, the company made a commitment to modify a proposal or practice to conform to these Guidelines and the company has failed to act on that commitment.
6. The director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the board or its committees on which the director served during the company's prior fiscal year, absent extenuating circumstances.
7. The Board is not comprised of a majority of independent directors.
B. Indemnification
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of charter and by-law amendments expanding the indemnification of directors and/ or limiting their liability for breaches of care unless Pyramis is otherwise dissatisfied with the performance of management or the proposal is accompanied by Anti-Takeover Provisions.
C. Independent Chairperson
Pyramis will generally vote against shareholder proposals calling for or recommending the appointment of a non-executive or independent chairperson. However, Pyramis will consider voting for such proposals in limited cases if, based upon particular facts and circumstances, appointment of a non-executive or independent chairperson appears likely to further the interests of shareholders and to promote effective oversight of management by the board of directors.
D. Majority Director Elections
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of proposals calling for directors to be elected by an affirmative majority of votes cast in a board election, provided that the proposal allows for plurality voting standard in the case of contested elections (i.e., where there are more nominees than board seats). Pyramis may consider voting against such shareholder proposals where a company's board has adopted an alternative measure, such as a director resignation policy, that provides a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard and appropriately addresses situations where an incumbent director fails to receive the support of a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election.
IV. Compensation
A. Equity Award Plans (including stock options, restricted stock awards, and other stock awards).
Pyramis will generally vote against equity award plans or amendments to authorize additional shares under such plans if:
1. (a) The dilution effect of the shares outstanding and available for issuance pursuant to all plans, plus any new share requests is greater than 10% for a Large Capitalization Company, 15% for a Small Capitalization Company or 20% for a Micro-Capitalization Company; and (b) there were no circumstances specific to the company or the plans that lead Pyramis to conclude that the level of dilution in the plan or the amendments is acceptable.
2. In the case of stock option plans, (a) 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; (b) the plan's terms allow repricing of underwater options; or (c) the board/committee has repriced options outstanding under the plan in the past two years.
3. The plan may be materially altered without shareholder approval, including increasing the benefits accrued to participants under the plan; increasing the number of securities which may be issued under the plan; modifying the requirements for participation in the plan; or including a provision allowing the Board to lapse or waive restrictions at its discretion, except in limited cases relating to death, disability, retirement, or change in control.
4. Awards to non-employee directors are subject to management discretion.
5. In the case of stock awards, the restriction period is less than three years for non-performance-based awards, and less than one year for performance-based awards.
Pyramis will consider approving an equity award plan or an amendment to authorize additional shares under such plan if, without complying with the guidelines immediately above, the following two conditions are met:
1. The shares are granted by a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors; and
2. The shares are limited to 5% (Large-Capitalization Company) and 10% (Small or Micro-Capitalization company) of the shares authorized for grant under the plan.
B. Equity Exchanges and Repricing
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of a management proposal to exchange, reprice, or tender for cash, outstanding options if the proposed exchange, repricing, or tender offer is consistent with the interests of shareholders, taking into account such factors as:
1. Whether the proposal excludes senior management and directors;
2. Whether the exchange or repricing proposal is value neutral to shareholders based upon an acceptable pricing model;
3. The company's relative performance compared to other companies within the relevant industry or industries;
4. Economic and other conditions affecting the relevant industry or industries in which the company competes; and
5. Any other facts or circumstances relevant to determining whether an exchange or repricing proposal is consistent with the interests of shareholders.
C. Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Pyramis will generally vote against employee stock purchase plans if the plan violates any of the criteria in section IV(A) above, except that the minimum stock purchase price may be equal to or greater than 85% of the stock's fair market value if the plan constitutes a reasonable effort to encourage broad based participation in the company's equity. In the case of non-U.S. company stock purchase plans, Pyramis may permit a lower minimum stock purchase price equal to the prevailing "best practices" in the relevant non-U.S. market, provided that the minimum stock purchase price must be at least 75% of the stock's fair market value.
D. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of non-leveraged ESOPs. For leveraged ESOPs, Pyramis may examine the company's state of incorporation, existence of supermajority vote rules in the charter, number of shares authorized for the ESOP, and number of shares held by insiders. Pyramis may also examine where the ESOP shares are purchased and the dilution effect of the purchase. Pyramis will generally vote against leveraged ESOPs if all outstanding loans are due immediately upon change in control.
E. Executive Compensation
Pyramis will generally vote against management proposals on stock-based compensation plans or other compensation plans if such proposals are inconsistent with the interests of shareholders, taking into account such factors as: (i)whether the company has an independent compensation committee; and (ii) whether the compensation committee has authority to engage independent compensation consultants.
F. Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of cash and stock incentive plans that are submitted for shareholder approval in order to qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, provided that the plan includes well defined and appropriate performance criteria, and with respect to any cash component, that the maximum award per participant is clearly stated and is not unreasonable or excessive.
V. Anti-Takeover Provisions
Pyramis will generally vote against a proposal to adopt or approve the adoption of an Anti-Takeover Provision unless:
A. The Poison Pill includes the following features:
1. A sunset provision of no greater than five years;
2. Linked to a business strategy that is expected to result in greater value for the shareholders;
3. Requires shareholder approval to be reinstated upon expiration or if amended;
4. Contains a Permitted Bid Feature; and
5. Allows the Fidelity funds to hold an aggregate position of up to 20% of a company's total voting securities and of any class of voting securities.
B. An Anti-Greenmail proposal that does not include other Anti-Takeover Provisions; or
C. It is a fair price amendment that considers a two-year price history or less.
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of proposals to eliminate Anti-Takeover Provisions. In the case of proposals to declassify a board of directors, Pyramis will generally vote against such a proposal if the issuer's Articles of Incorporation or applicable statutes include 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.
VI. Capital Structure/Incorporation
A. Increases in Common Stock
Pyramis will generally vote against a provision to increase a company's common stock if such increase will result in a total number of authorized shares greater than three times the current number of outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares, including stock options, except in the case of real estate investment trusts, where an increase that will result in a total number of authorized shares up to five times the current number of outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares is generally acceptable.
B. New Classes of Shares
Pyramis will generally vote against the introduction of new classes of stock with differential voting rights.
C. Cumulative Voting Rights
Pyramis will generally vote against the introduction and in favor of the elimination of cumulative voting rights.
D. Acquisition or Business Combination Statutes
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of proposed amendments to a company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws that enable the company to opt out of the control shares acquisition or business combination statutes.
E. Incorporation or Reincorporation in Another State or Country
Pyramis will generally vote against shareholder proposals calling for or recommending that a portfolio company reincorporate in the United States and vote in favor of management proposals to reincorporate in a jurisdiction outside the United States if (i) it is lawful under United States, state and other applicable law for the company to be incorporated under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction and to conduct its business and (ii) reincorporating or maintaining a domicile in the United States would likely give rise to adverse tax or other economic consequences detrimental to the interests of the company and its shareholders. However, Pyramis will consider supporting such shareholder proposals and opposing such management proposals in limited cases if, based upon particular facts and circumstances, reincorporating in or maintaining a domicile in the relevant foreign jurisdiction gives rise to significant risks or other potential adverse consequences that appear reasonably likely to be detrimental to the interests of the company or its shareholders.
VII. Shares of Investment Companies
A. If applicable, when a Pyramis account invests in an underlying Fidelity Fund with public shareholders, an exchange traded fund (ETF), or non-affiliated fund, shares will voted in the same proportion as all other voting shareholders of such underlying fund or class ("echo voting").
VIII. Other
A. Voting Process
Pyramis will generally vote in favor of proposals to adopt confidential voting and independent vote tabulation practices.
B. Regulated Industries
Voting of shares in securities of any regulated industry (e.g. U.S. banking) organization shall be conducted in a manner consistent with conditions that may be specified by the industry's regulator (e.g. the Federal Reserve Board) for a determination under applicable law (e.g. federal banking law) that no client or group of clients has acquired control of such organization.
To view a fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, if applicable, visit www.fidelity.com/proxyvotingresults or visit the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
<R>The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an affiliate of Strategic Advisers and 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 is 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 Strategic Advisers.</R>
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan with respect to shares of the fund (the Plan) 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 Plan, as approved by the Trustees, allows shares of the fund and Strategic Advisers to incur certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
Under the Plan for the fund, if the payment of management fees by the fund to Strategic Advisers is deemed to be indirect financing by the fund of the distribution of its shares, such payment is authorized by the Plan. The Plan specifically recognizes that Strategic Advisers 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 of the fund and/or shareholder support services. In addition, the Plan provides that Strategic Advisers, directly or through FDC, may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, including retirement plan sponsors, administrators, and service-providers (who may be affiliated with Strategic Advisers or FDC), that provide those services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such payments for shares of the fund.
Prior to approving the 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 fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by shares of the fund other than those made to Strategic Advisers under its management contract with the fund. To the extent that the Plan gives Strategic Advisers and FDC greater flexibility in connection with the distribution of shares of the fund, additional sales of shares of the fund or stabilization of cash flows may result. Furthermore, certain shareholder support services may be provided more effectively under the Plan by local entities with whom shareholders have other relationships.
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 Strategic Advisers, which is located at 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Under the terms of the agreements, FIIOC (or an agent, including an affiliate) performs transfer agency services for the fund.
<R>For providing transfer agency services, FIIOC receives an asset-based fee, calculated and paid monthly on the basis of average daily net assets of shares of the fund, with respect to each account in the fund.</R>
FIIOC also may collect fees charged in connection with providing certain types of services such as exchanges, closing out fund balances, maintaining fund positions with low balances, checkwriting, wire transactions, and providing historical account research.
FIIOC bears the expense of typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, and all other reports, notices, and statements to existing shareholders, with the exception of proxy statements.
The fund has entered into a service agent agreement with FSC, an affiliate of Strategic Advisers and FMR (or an agent, including an affiliate). Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends for shares of the fund and maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting records.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
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<R>Strategic Advisers bears the cost of pricing and bookkeeping services under the terms of its management contract with the fund.</R>
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
<R> Trust Organization. Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund is a series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, an open-end management investment company created under an initial trust instrument dated March 8, 2006. Currently, there is one fund offered in the trust: Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund. The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds in the trust and to create additional classes of the funds.</R>
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of each of its funds and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund, and constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying assets of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the trust shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds.
Shareholder Liability. The trust is a statutory trust organized under Delaware law. Delaware law provides that, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Trust Instrument, shareholders shall be entitled to the same limitations of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the general corporation law of Delaware. The courts of some states, however, may decline to apply Delaware law on this point. The Trust Instrument contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses of the trust. The Trust Instrument 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 Trust Instrument further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Trust Instrument 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 Trust Instrument 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 Delaware law does not apply, no contractual limitation of liability was in effect, and a fund is unable to meet its obligations. Strategic Advisers believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is extremely remote.
Voting Rights. Each fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value you own. The voting rights of shareholders can be changed only by a shareholder vote. Shares may be voted in the aggregate, by fund, and by class.
The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading "Shareholder Liability" above.
The trust or a fund or a class may be terminated upon the sale of its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management investment company, series, or class thereof, or upon liquidation and distribution of its assets. The Trustees may reorganize, terminate, merge, or sell all or a portion of the assets of the trust or a fund or a class without prior shareholder approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the trust, shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund or a class, shareholders of that fund or that class are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund or class available for distribution.
<R> 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 the fund's assets and the appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. JPMorgan Chase Bank, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.</R>
Strategic Advisers, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, Member 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 Strategic Advisers. Transactions that have occurred to date include mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of Strategic Advisers, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund relationships.
<R> 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.</R>
The fund views holdings information as sensitive and limits its dissemination. The Board authorized Strategic Advisers, in consultation with 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 a 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.
Other registered investment companies that are advised or sub-advised by Strategic Advisers or a sub-adviser may be subject to different portfolio holdings disclosure policies, and neither Strategic Advisers nor the Board exercises control over such policies or disclosure. In addition, separate account clients of Strategic Advisers and the sub-advisers have access to their portfolio holdings and are not subject to the fund's portfolio holdings disclosure policies. Some of the funds that are advised or sub-advised by Strategic Advisers or a sub-adviser and some of the separate accounts managed by Strategic Advisers or a sub-adviser have investment objectives and strategies that are substantially similar or identical to the fund's, and therefore potentially substantially similar, and in certain cases nearly identical, portfolio holdings, as the fund.
The fund will provide a full list of 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).
<R></R>
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 specific fund level performance attribution information and statistics to the Board or third parties, such as 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 Strategic Advisers 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 the affiliates whose access persons are subject to a code of ethics; contractors who are subject to a confidentiality agreement; a 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 the 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 the 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 Strategic Advisers 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. Strategic Advisers 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 holdings daily, on the next business day) and Anacomp Inc. (full or partial holdings daily, on the next business day).
Strategic Advisers, 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, Strategic Advisers desired to make such an arrangement, it would seek prior Board approval and any such arrangements would be disclosed in the fund's SAI.
There can be no assurance that the fund's policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of fund portfolio holdings will prevent the misuse of such information by individuals and firms that receive such information.
Fidelity, Pyramis, and Strategic Advisers are registered trademarks of FMR LLC.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) Trust Instrument, dated March 8, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of the Initial Registration Statement on N-1A.
(b) Bylaws of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, as amended and dated June 4, 2009, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) (1) Management Contract, dated December 3, 2009, between Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund and Strategic Advisers, Inc. is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(1).
(2) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 7, 2009, between Strategic Advisers, Inc. and First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(2).
(3) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 3, 2009, between Strategic Advisers, Inc. and Lazard Asset Management LLC, on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(3).
(4) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 3, 2009, between Strategic Advisers, Inc. and Pyramis Global Advisers, LLC, on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(4).
(e) (1) General Distribution Agreement, dated December 3, 2009, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Corporation on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, is filed herein as Exhibit (e)(1).
(f) None.
(g) (1) Form of Custodian Agreement and Appendix A, B, C, D, and E between Mellon Bank, N.A. (currently known as The Bank of New York Mellon) and Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, are filed herein as Exhibit (g)(1).
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Legal Opinion of Dechert LLP for Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, dated December 16, 2009, is filed herein as Exhibit (i).
(j) Consent of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, dated December 16, 2009, is filed herein as Exhibit (j).
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) (1) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, is filed herein as Exhibit (m)(1).
(n) (1) Not applicable.
(p) (1) Code of Ethics, dated February 2009, adopted by each Fund and Strategic Advisers, Inc. and Fidelity Distributors Corporation pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Fidelity Investment Trust's (File No. 002-90649) Post-Effective Amendment No. 112.
(2) Code of Ethics adopted by First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, is filed herein as Exhibit (p)(2).
(3) Code of Ethics adopted by Lazard Asset Management LLC, is filed herein as Exhibit (p)(3).
(4) Code of Ethics adopted by Pyramis Global Advisers, LLC, is filed herein as Exhibit (p)(4).
___________________
Item 24. Trusts Controlled by or Under Common Control with this Trust
The Board of Trustees of the trust is not the same as the board of the other Fidelity funds, each of which has Fidelity Management & Research Company, or an affiliate, as its adviser. The officers of the Trust are elected separately but are substantially similar to those of the other Fidelity funds. The Trust takes the position that it is not under common control with the other Fidelity funds because the power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the result of an official position with the respective trusts.
Item 25. Indemnification
Pursuant to Del. Code Ann. title 12 § 3817, a Delaware statutory trust may provide in its governing instrument for the indemnification of its officers and trustees from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. Article X, Section 10.02 of the Trust Instrument 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 Trust Instrument, 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 26. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
(1) STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.
Strategic Advisers, Inc. serves as investment adviser to the funds and provides investment supervisory services to individuals, banks, thrifts, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business organizations, and provides a variety of publications on investment and personal finance. The directors and officers of Strategic Advisers have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
(2) FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
(3) LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
The following is a list of the directors and senior officers of the Investment Manager. None of the persons listed below has had other business connections of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
(4) PYRAMIS GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC
The directors and officers of Pyramis have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
Kevin Uebelein |
Director (Chairman), President and Chief Executive Officer |
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William Dailey |
Director, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
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Young Chin |
Director and Chief Investment Officer |
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Patrick McNelis |
Director |
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Michael Cappucci |
Secretary |
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Mark Friebel |
Senior Vice President |
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Robert Swanson |
Vice President |
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Michael Tabachnick |
Assistant Secretary |
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William Taussig |
Assistant Secretary |
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Kenneth Rathgeber |
Chief Compliance Officer |
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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, Hong Kong
Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) (FMR Japan)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K.)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
FIL Investment Advisors (FIIA)
Pembroke Hall
42 Crow Lane
Pembroke, Bermuda HM 19
FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Ltd. (FIIA(U.K.)L)
25 Cannon Street
London, England EC4M5TA
Fidelity Investments Japan Limited (FIJ)
Shiroyama Trust Tower
4-3-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 105-6019
Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
FMR LLC
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Lazard Asset Management, LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Pyramis Global Advisers, LLC
900 Salem Street
Smithfield, RI 02917
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) acts as distributor for all funds advised by Strategic Advisers, Inc. or an affiliate.
* 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained by Strategic Advisers, Inc., and Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc., 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109, or the funds' custodian, State Street Bank & Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, Quincy, MA 02171. JPMorgan Chase Bank, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets.
Item 29. Management Services
None.
Item 30. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for the effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 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 18th day of December 2009.
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Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II |
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By |
/s/Mark Osterheld |
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Mark Osterheld, 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/Mark Osterheld |
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President and Treasurer |
December 18, 2009 |
Mark Osterheld |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
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/s/Nicholas E. Steck |
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Chief Financial Officer |
December 18, 2009 |
Nicholas E. Steck |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
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/s/Peter C. Aldrich |
* |
Trustee |
December 18, 2009 |
Peter C. Aldrich |
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/s/Ralph F. Cox |
* |
Trustee |
December 18, 2009 |
Ralph F. Cox |
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/s/Boyce I. Greer |
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Trustee |
December 18, 2009 |
Boyce I. Greer |
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/s/Karen Kaplan |
* |
Trustee |
December 18, 2009 |
Karen Kaplan |
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/s/Roger T. Servison |
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Trustee |
December 18, 2009 |
Roger T. Servison |
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* By:
/s/Joseph R. Fleming
Joseph R. Fleming,
attorney in fact
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned Trustees of Fidelity Commonwealth Trust II (the "Trust"), pursuant to the authority granted to the Trust's Board of Trustees in Section 4.01(l) of Article IV of the Trust's Trust Instrument dated September 25, 2006, hereby constitute and appoint Joseph R. Fleming our true and lawful attorney-in-fact to sign for us and in our names in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in connection therewith as said attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of (i) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any related rules, regulations, orders or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and any related rules, regulations, orders or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (iii) state or municipal securities, business entities and tax laws, and any related requirements of such states or municipalities. We hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after November 30, 2009.
WITNESS our hands on this 30 th day of November 2009.
/s/ Peter C. Aldrich
Peter C. Aldrich
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned Trustees of Fidelity Commonwealth Trust II (the "Trust"), pursuant to the authority granted to the Trust's Board of Trustees in Section 4.01(l) of Article IV of the Trust's Trust Instrument dated September 25, 2006, hereby constitute and appoint Joseph R. Fleming our true and lawful attorney-in-fact to sign for us and in our names in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in connection therewith as said attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of (i) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any related rules, regulations, orders or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and any related rules, regulations, orders or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (iii) state or municipal securities, business entities and tax laws, and any related requirements of such states or municipalities. We hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after November 30, 2009.
WITNESS our hands on this 30 th day of November 2009.
/s/ Ralph F. Cox
Ralph F. Cox
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned Trustees of Fidelity Commonwealth Trust II (the "Trust"), pursuant to the authority granted to the Trust's Board of Trustees in Section 4.01(l) of Article IV of the Trust's Trust Instrument dated September 25, 2006, hereby constitute and appoint Joseph R. Fleming our true and lawful attorney-in-fact to sign for us and in our names in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in connection therewith as said attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of (i) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any related rules, regulations, orders or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and any related rules, regulations, orders or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (iii) state or municipal securities, business entities and tax laws, and any related requirements of such states or municipalities. We hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after November 30, 2009.
WITNESS our hands on this 30 th day of November 2009.
/s/ Karen Kaplan
Karen Kaplan
Exhibit (d)(1)
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
between
FIDELITY STRATEGIC ADVISERS CORE FUND
and
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.
AGREEMENT made this 3rd day of December, 2009 by and between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust, which may issue one or more series of shares of beneficial interest (hereinafter called the "Fund"), on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund (hereinafter called the "Portfolio"), and Strategic Advisers, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (hereinafter called the "Adviser") as set forth in its entirety below.
1. (a) Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser undertakes to act as investment adviser of the Portfolio and shall, subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, direct the investments of the Portfolio in accordance with the investment objective, policies and limitations as provided in the Portfolio's Prospectus or other governing instruments, as amended from time to time, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder, as amended from time to time (the "1940 Act"), and such other limitations as the Portfolio may impose by notice in writing to the Adviser. The Adviser shall also furnish for the use of the Portfolio office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Portfolio; and shall 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 allocate the Portfolio's assets among the various underlying funds in which the Portfolio may invest and to otherwise buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds and other securities and investment instruments on behalf of the Portfolio as permitted under the Portfolio's investment policies. The Adviser shall from time to time make recommendations to the Fund's Board of Trustees with respect to the Portfolio's investment policies provided that 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, 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 undertakes to pay, either itself or through an affiliated company, all expenses involved in the operation of the Portfolio, except the following, which shall be paid by the Portfolio: (i) taxes; (ii) the fees and expenses of all Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund or of the Adviser; (iii) brokerage fees and commissions; (iv) redemption fees and other shareholder charges associated with investments in other mutual funds; (v) interest expenses with respect to borrowings by the Portfolio; (vi) prime brokerage fees and expenses, including margin interest and payments in lieu of dividends associated with short sale transactions; and (vii) such non-recurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise, including actions, suits or proceedings to which the Portfolio is or is threatened to be a party and the legal obligation that 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, sub-accounting or other services, shall not be payable by the Adviser, but may be received and retained by the Adviser or its affiliates.
(d) The Adviser, either itself or through an affiliated company or through the Portfolio's custodian, shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of mutual fund shares for the Portfolio's account with such underlying funds' transfer agents. With respect to portfolio securities other than mutual fund shares, the Adviser, either itself or through an affiliated company, shall place all purchase and sale orders 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. (a) For the services and facilities to be furnished hereunder, the Adviser shall receive a monthly management fee equal to the sum of (i) the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio (computed in the manner set forth in the Trust Instrument) throughout the month, which is retained by the Adviser and (ii) the total fees payable monthly to the sub-advisers retained by the Fund and the Adviser pursuant to investment sub-advisory agreements, which, for each sub-adviser, is based on the average daily Portfolio Assets; provided, however, that the maximum aggregate annual management fee rate payable by the Portfolio shall not exceed 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio and that the fee, so computed, be reduced by the compensation, including reimbursement of expenses, paid by the Portfolio to those Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund or the Adviser. For purposes of calculating the fee payable to each sub-adviser, "Portfolio Assets" shall mean the portion of the net assets of the Portfolio managed by the relevant sub-adviser.
(b) The Adviser shall pay the sub-advisers the fees described in clause (a)(ii) above pursuant to, and in accordance with, the investment sub-advisory agreements.
(c) In case of initiation or termination of this Contract during any month, the fee for that month shall be reduced proportionately on the basis of the number of business days during which it is in effect, and the fee computed upon the average net assets for the business days it is so in effect for that month.
4. 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.
5. Subject to the prior written approval of the Trustees of the Fund, 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 affiliated or 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 affiliated or 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 liabilities hereunder.
6. (a) Subject to prior termination as provided in sub-paragraph (d) of this paragraph 6, this Contract shall continue in force until September 30, 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 subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") or any rules or regulations adopted by, or interpretative releases or no-action letters of, the Commission or its staff.
(c) In addition to the requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph 6, 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.
7. The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Fund's Trust Instrument or other organizational documents 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 individual 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 Trust Instrument or other organizational documents are separate and distinct from those of any and all other portfolios.
8. The Adviser shall not be liable for damages resulting from delayed or defective performance when such delays arise out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Adviser and could not have been reasonably prevented by the Adviser through back-up systems and other business continuation and disaster recovery procedures commonly employed by other SEC-registered investment advisers that meet reasonable commercial standards in the investment company industry. Such causes may include, but are not restricted to, Acts of God or of the public enemy, terrorism, acts of the State in its sovereign capacity, fires, floods, earthquakes, power failure, disabling strikes, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, and freight embargoes.
9. This Contract 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. To the extent the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment," and "interested persons," when used herein, shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and subject to such orders or no-action letters as may be granted by the Commission or its staff.
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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.
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
on behalf of
FIDELITY STRATEGIC ADVISERS CORE FUND
By: /s/Mark Osterheld
Mark Osterheld
President and Treasurer
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.
By: /s/J. Gregory Wass
J. Gregory Wass
Assistant Treasurer
Exhibit (d)(2)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AMONG
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.,
FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC
AND
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
AGREEMENT, made this 7th day of December, 2009 among Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II ("Trust"), a Delaware statutory trust, on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund (the "Fund"), Strategic Advisers, Inc. ("Adviser"), a Massachusetts corporation, and First Eagle Investment Management LLC ("Sub-Adviser"), a Delaware limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are each registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended ("Advisers Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust has retained the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, pursuant to a Management Contract dated December 3, 2009 as may be amended from time to time ("Advisory Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser to delegate to one or more other investment advisers any or all of the Adviser's duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser wish to retain the Sub-Adviser to render certain investment advisory services to the Fund with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated to the Sub-Adviser, as determined from time to time by the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to render such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed among the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust as follows:
1. Appointment
The Trust and the Adviser hereby appoint the Sub-Adviser to act as investment sub-adviser to the Fund with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated, from time to time, by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser (the "Portfolio"), for the periods and on the terms set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser accepts the appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth herein for the compensation provided in Section 7 of this Agreement.
2. Services and Duties of Investment Sub-Adviser
Subject to the general supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"), the Sub-Adviser will:
(a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Portfolio in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies as stated in the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-1A, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the "Registration Statement"), and such other limitations as the Trust, the Fund, the Board or the Adviser may impose with respect to the Portfolio by notice to the Sub-Adviser;
(b) invest and reinvest the assets of the Portfolio by selecting the securities, instruments, repurchase agreements, financial futures contracts, options and other investments and techniques that the Fund may purchase, sell, enter into or use in respect of the Portfolio;
(c) oversee the placement of purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Portfolio;
(d) employ portfolio managers to make investment decisions and securities analysts to provide research services to the Fund in respect of the Portfolio;
(e) subject to the understanding set forth in Section 10(a)(1) of this Agreement, vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Portfolio may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser's proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Portfolio; and provide information to the Trust, the Adviser or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust's compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act;
(f) maintain books and records with respect to the Fund's securities transactions in respect of the Portfolio, in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; and
(g) to the extent reasonably requested by the Adviser or officers of the Fund, cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser and the Trust's other service providers by (1) keeping them fully informed as to such matters that they may reasonably deem necessary with respect to the performance of their obligations to the Fund, (2) providing prompt responses to reasonable requests for information or assistance, and (3) establishing appropriate processes to promote the efficient exchange of information.
In providing those services, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Adviser and the Fund with an ongoing and continuous investment program in respect of the Portfolio. In addition, the Sub-Adviser will furnish the Adviser and/or the Fund with statistical information as the Adviser and/or the Fund may reasonably request with respect to the securities or other investments in which the assets of the Portfolio may be invested.
The Sub-Adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:
(h) comply in all material respects with the applicable sections of (1) the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and all rules and regulations thereunder and any other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, (2) the rules and regulations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, (3) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), (4) the investment objectives, strategies, policies, limitations and restrictions of the Fund as described in the Registration Statement, (5) the Trust's Trust Instrument and By-Laws or other organizational documents of the Trust and (6) any written instructions of the Adviser or the Board;
(i) manage the assets of the Portfolio in a manner that the Fund will comply with the following requirements of the Code and regulations issued thereunder: section 851(b)(2) and section 851(b)(3) (and, if applicable, section 817(h)); provided, however, that with respect to the 10% voting securities test contained in section 851(b)(3)(A)(ii), the Sub-Adviser will comply with such requirements as the Trust, the Fund or its Adviser shall furnish to the Sub-Adviser from time to time;
(j) keep the Adviser and/or the Board informed of developments materially affecting the Fund's portfolio;
(k) make available to the Board, the Adviser, the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") and the Trust's administrator, promptly upon their request, such copies of its records with respect to the Fund as may be required to assist in their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. As reasonably requested by the Board or the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will complete periodic or special questionnaires and furnish to the Board and/or the Adviser such periodic and special reports regarding the Fund and the Sub-Adviser including, but not limited to, reports concerning transactions and performance of the Portfolio, quarterly and annual compliance reports and certifications, quarterly tax compliance worksheets, reports regarding compliance with the Trust's procedures pursuant to Rules 17e-1, 17a-7, 10f-3 and 12d3-1 under the 1940 Act (as applicable), fundamental investment restrictions, procedures for opening brokerage accounts and commodity trading accounts, liquidity determinations for securities or other instruments held by the Portfolio such as, among others, securities purchased pursuant to Rule 144A and 4(2) commercial paper, compliance with the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics, and such other procedures or requirements that the Adviser may reasonably request from time to time;
(l) make available to the Board and the Adviser at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Board, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Fund;
(m) review draft reports to shareholders, registration statements or portions thereof that relate to the Portfolio or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents;
(n) use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Fund;
(o) promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (i) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; or (iv) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust or the Adviser or their affiliates; or is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act). The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the Adviser promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust's Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively;
(p) not disclose information regarding Portfolio or Fund characteristics, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust's policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings or as required by law, in accordance with Section 13 of this Agreement;
(q) provide the Adviser, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Adviser, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist the Adviser, the Trust or the Board in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund's Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(r) provide assistance to the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Fund for which the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Board's Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Adviser or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Fund, upon the reasonable request of the Adviser or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Adviser or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Adviser or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Fund records;
(s) not knowingly consult with any other investment sub-adviser of the Trust (if any), or with the sub-adviser to any other investment company (or separate series thereof) managed by the Adviser concerning the Fund's transactions in securities or other assets, except for purposes of complying with the conditions of Rule 12d3-1(a) and (b) under the 1940 Act, and, to the extent that multiple sub-advisers may be engaged to provide services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for providing investment advisory services only with respect to the Portfolio allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser; and
(t) provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC, notify the Adviser on a quarterly basis of any amendments to the Sub-Adviser's Form ADV and furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust and the Adviser; and provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV Part II as updated from time to time.
3. Brokerage
The Sub-Adviser may place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund directly with the issuers of the securities, or with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser may, in respect of the Portfolio, open and maintain brokerage accounts of all types on behalf of and in the name of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser may enter into standard customer agreements with brokers and direct payments of cash, cash equivalents and securities and other property into such brokerage accounts as the Sub-Adviser deems desirable or appropriate. In selecting brokers or dealers to execute transactions on behalf of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for the Fund transaction, the Sub-Adviser will consider all factors it deems relevant, including, but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In selecting broker-dealers to execute a particular transaction, and in evaluating the best overall terms available, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) provided to the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The parties hereto acknowledge that it is desirable for the Trust that the Sub-Adviser have access to supplemental investment and market research and security and economic analysis provided by broker-dealers who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher cost to the Fund than may result when allocating brokerage to other brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient execution. Therefore, the Sub-Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage and research services a higher commission than that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund in compliance with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the Sub-Adviser's services to other clients. In accordance with Section 11(a) of the 1934 Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder and subject to any other applicable laws and regulations, the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates are authorized to effect portfolio transactions for the Fund and to retain brokerage commissions on such transactions. The Sub-Adviser may, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate or bunch orders for the purchase or sale of securities for the Fund with orders for its other clients where: (i) such aggregation or bunching of orders is not inconsistent with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and procedures, (ii) the allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the allocation of expenses incurred in any such transaction, shall be made by the Sub-Adviser in a manner that complies with the Sub-Adviser's trade allocation policies and procedures approved by the Board and is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Sub-Adviser and is consistent with the Sub-Adviser's fiduciary obligations to the Fund and each of its other clients.
4. Books, Records and Regulatory Filings
(a) The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain and to preserve for the applicable periods any such records as are required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund by the 1940 Act and rules adopted thereunder, and by any other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and it will promptly surrender any of such records upon request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain copies of such records for the applicable periods they are required by law to be retained, and thereafter shall destroy such records.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services hereunder that may be requested in order to determine whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(c) The Sub-Adviser shall make all filings with the SEC required of it pursuant to Section 13 of the 1934 Act with respect to its duties as are set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser also shall make all required filings on Schedule 13D or 13G and Form 13F (as well as other filings triggered by ownership in securities under other applicable laws, rules and regulations) in respect of the Portfolio as may be required of the Fund due to the activities of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall be the sole filer of Form 13F with respect to the Portfolio of the Fund.
5. Class Action Filings
The Sub-Adviser is not responsible for making any class action filings on behalf of the Trust.
6. Standard of Care, Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
(a) The Sub-Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering the services under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust, the Adviser or the Fund, or affiliated persons of the Adviser or the Fund (collectively, the "Adviser Indemnitees") in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates except a loss resulting from the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties, under this Agreement; provided, however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Sub-Adviser against any liability to the Adviser Indemnitees for, and the Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser Indemnitees from, any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which any of the Adviser Indemnitees may become subject arising out of or resulting from (i) the Sub-Adviser causing the Fund to be in violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule or regulation or any investment policy or restriction set forth in the Fund's current Registration Statement or the most current written guidelines, policies or instruction provided in writing by the Board or the Adviser, (ii) the Sub-Adviser causing the Fund to fail to satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 2(i) hereof, (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Sub-Adviser or the Portfolio managed by the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser for use therein, or (iv) a breach of this Agreement by the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the Fund from any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which either the Trust or the Fund may become subject directly arising out of or resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty by the Sub-Adviser under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act with respect to the receipt of compensation for its services under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute a waiver or limitation of rights that the Trust or the Fund may have under federal or state securities laws.
(b) The Sub-Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument or other organizational document of the Trust and agrees that any obligations of the Trust or the Fund arising in connection with this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Fund and its assets, and the Sub-Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from any other fund of the Trust or the shareholders or any individual shareholder of the Fund. Nor shall the Sub-Adviser seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the trustees of the Trust (each, a "Trustee" and, together, the "Trustees") or any individual Trustee or any officers.
(c) As used in this Section 6, the term "Sub-Adviser" shall include any officers, directors, employees, independent contractors or other affiliates of the Sub-Adviser performing services with respect to the Fund.
(d) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which the Sub-Adviser may become subject directly arising out of or resulting from, the Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
7. Compensation
The Sub-Adviser shall be compensated for the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.
8. Expenses
The Sub-Adviser will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, excluding those costs of the Fund associated with brokerage activities. The Sub-Adviser shall bear all reasonable expenses and costs of the Trust (including reasonable attorney's fees), if any, arising out of a termination or possible termination of this Agreement as a result of an assignment as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act caused by a change of control or management, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act, of the Sub-Adviser, including the preparation and mailing of an information statement to shareholders pursuant to a "manager-of-managers" exemptive order from the SEC, or the preparation, mailing, solicitation and other costs associated with the use of a proxy statement relating to a shareholder vote in respect of a new sub-advisory agreement. The foregoing obligations of the Sub-Adviser shall apply in any circumstance in which the Adviser, in consultation with internal or outside counsel to the Trust, deems that an actual or possible assignment of this Agreement has or may occur, and determines that an information statement should be used, or a vote of shareholders should be obtained, as the case may be.
9. Services to Other Companies or Accounts
The investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to other investment companies and clients (whether or not their investment objective and policies are similar those of the Fund) and to engage in other activities. The Sub-Adviser may give advice to other clients which may be similar to or differ from the advice given to the Fund, so long as it is Sub-Adviser's policy to allocate investment opportunities to the Fund over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis relative to other clients and so long as provision of such advice to other clients in compliance with Sub-Adviser's policies does not impair Sub-Adviser's ability to fulfill its duties and obligations under this Agreement. If the Sub-Adviser provides any advice to its clients concerning investment in the shares of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall act solely for such clients in that regard and not in any way on behalf of the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund.
10. Compliance Matters
(a) The Sub-Adviser understands and agrees that it is a "service provider" to the Trust as contemplated by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. As such, the Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate fully with the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers, including the Trust's CCO, with respect to (i) any and all compliance-related matters, and (ii) the Trust's efforts to assure that each of its service providers adopts and maintains policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the "federal securities laws" (as that term is defined by Rule 38a-1) by the Trust, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. In this regard, the Sub-Adviser shall:
(1) submit to the Board for its consideration and approval, prior to the effective date of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser's compliance program, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser's obligation under Section 2(e) of this Agreement to vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Portfolio may be invested shall be subject to the fulfillment of the condition that the Board approve the Sub-Adviser's proxy voting polices and procedures;
(2) submit annually (and at such other times as the Trust may reasonably request) to the Trust's CCO and the Adviser for consideration by the Board, a report discussing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Sub-Adviser's compliance program, and fully describing any material amendments to such compliance program since the most recent such report;
(3) provide periodic reports and certifications concerning the Sub-Adviser's compliance program and special reports in the event of material compliance matters;
(4) provide the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers with reasonable access to information regarding the Sub-Adviser's compliance program, which access shall include on-site visits with the Sub-Adviser as may be reasonably requested from time to time;
(5) permit the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers to maintain an active working relationship with the Sub-Adviser's compliance personnel by, among other things, providing the Adviser and the Trust's CCO and other officers with a specified individual within the Sub-Adviser's organization to discuss and address compliance-related matters;
(6) provide the Adviser and its chief compliance officer and the Trust and its Trustees and officers, including the Trust's CCO, with such certifications as may be reasonably requested; and
(7) reasonably cooperate with any independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Trust, ensure that all reasonably necessary information and the appropriate personnel are made available to such independent registered public accounting firm, to support the expression of the independent registered public accounting firm's opinion, and each year provide the Adviser and such independent registered public accounting firm with a copy of the most recent SAS 70 Report prepared by the Sub-Adviser's independent auditors regarding the Sub-Adviser's internal controls.
(b) The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and covenants that it has implemented and shall maintain a compliance program in accordance with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act.
11. Duration and Termination
(a) This Agreement shall be effective immediately as of the date set forth above and shall continue in effect for two years from its effective date with respect to the Fund, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, and shall continue year to year thereafter, provided each continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Trustees or (ii) a vote of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are neither (A) parties to this Agreement nor (B) "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person (to the extent required by the 1940 Act) at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund, without penalty, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser: (i) by the Trust, pursuant to (A) action by the Board or (B) the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the shares of the Fund or (ii) by the Adviser. This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund, without penalty, by the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days' written notice to the Adviser and the Trust. In addition, this Agreement will terminate with respect to the Fund in the event of the termination of the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund. This Agreement will be terminated automatically in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act).
(c) In the event of a termination of this Agreement for any reason with respect to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall reasonably cooperate with any transition manager or successor investment sub-adviser and with the Adviser in transitioning the management of the Portfolio to one or more new sub-advisers or to the Adviser, including, without limitation, providing the transition manager, at such intervals as the transition manager may request, with a list of holdings for the Portfolio and such other information as required by the transition management agreement, into which the Adviser and the transition manager will, at that time, enter.
(d) Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the rights or obligations of the Adviser, the Adviser Indemnitees and the Sub-Adviser under Section 6 of this Agreement.
12. Use of Name
(a) The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its affiliates in the Fund's disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Adviser, the Trust, the Fund or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Trust and the Adviser.
(b) It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
13. Confidential Information
(a) Each party agrees that it will treat confidentially all information provided by any other party (the "Discloser") regarding the Discloser's businesses and operations, including without limitation the investment activities or holdings of the Portfolio or the Fund ("Confidential Information"). All Confidential Information provided by the Discloser shall be used only by the other party hereto (the "Recipient") solely for the purposes of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement, and shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of the Discloser, except for a limited number of employees, attorneys, accountants and other advisers of the Recipient and its affiliates on a need-to-know basis and solely for the purposes of rendering services under this Agreement.
(b) Confidential Information shall not include any information that: (i) is public when provided or thereafter becomes public through no wrongful act of the Recipient; (ii) is demonstrably known to the Recipient prior to execution of this Agreement; (iii) is independently developed by the Recipient through no wrongful act of the Recipient in the ordinary course of business outside of this Agreement; (iv) is generally employed by the trade at the time that the Recipient learns of such information or knowledge; or (v) has been rightfully and lawfully obtained by the Recipient from any third party.
(c) In the event that the Recipient is requested or required (by deposition, interrogatories, requests for information or documents in legal proceedings, subpoenas, civil investigative demand or similar process), in connection with any proceeding, to disclose any of the Discloser's Confidential Information, the Recipient will give the Discloser prompt written notice of such request or requirement to allow the Discloser an opportunity to obtain a protective order or otherwise obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to such Confidential Information. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, disclosure shall be made of only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed. All Confidential Information disclosed as required by law shall nonetheless continue to be deemed Confidential Information.
14. Amendment
This Agreement may be amended in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement in a manner that is in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, as modified or interpreted by any applicable order, exemptive relief or interpretative release issued by the SEC.
15. Notices
All notices hereunder shall be provided in writing, by facsimile or by email. Notices shall be deemed given if delivered in person or by messenger, certified mail with return receipt, or by a reputable overnight delivery service that provides evidence of receipt to the parties; upon receipt if sent by fax; or upon read receipt or reply if delivered by email, at the following addresses:
If to the Trust: Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Scott Goebel
If to the Adviser: Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Boyce I. Greer
With Copy to: Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Scott Goebel
If to the Sub-Adviser: First Eagle Investment Management LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Attn: CEO
With a copy to: General Counsel at the above address
16. Miscellaneous
(a) This Agreement constitutes the full and complete agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(b) Titles or captions of sections in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provisions thereof.
(c) This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall for all purposes constitute one Agreement, binding on all the parties.
(d) This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions of that or any other jurisdiction. To the extent that the applicable laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. The parties irrevocably consent to submit to the jurisdiction of any federal or state court sitting in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(e) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected hereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser shall be an independent contractor. Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-Adviser as an agent of the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund, except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first set forth above.
FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC
By: /s/Tim Tabor
Tim Tabor
Senior Vice President
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.
By: /s/ Boyce I. Greer
Boyce I. Greer
President
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
By: /s/ Mark Osterheld
Mark Osterheld
Treasurer
Exhibit (d)(3)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AMONG
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.,
LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
AND
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
AGREEMENT, made this 3rd day of December, 2009 among Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II ("Trust"), a Delaware statutory trust, on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund (the "Fund"), Strategic Advisers, Inc. ("Adviser"), a Massachusetts corporation, and Lazard Asset Management LLC ("Sub-Adviser"), a Delaware limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are each registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended ("Advisers Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust has retained the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, pursuant to a Management Contract dated December 3, 2009, as may be amended from time to time ("Advisory Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser to delegate to one or more other investment advisers any or all of the Adviser's duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser wish to retain the Sub-Adviser to render certain investment advisory services to the Fund with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated to the Sub-Adviser, as determined from time to time by the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to render such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed among the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust as follows:
1. Appointment
The Trust and the Adviser hereby appoint the Sub-Adviser to act as investment sub-adviser to the Fund with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated, from time to time, by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser (the "Portfolio"), for the periods and on the terms set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser accepts the appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth herein for the compensation provided in Section 7 of this Agreement.
2. Services and Duties of Investment Sub-Adviser
Subject to the general supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"), the Sub-Adviser will:
(a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Portfolio in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies as stated in the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-1A, as amended and supplemented from time to time, and as provided to the Sub-Adviser (the "Registration Statement"), and such other limitations as the Trust, the Fund, the Board or the Adviser may impose with respect to the Portfolio by notice to the Sub-Adviser;
(b) invest and reinvest the assets of the Portfolio by selecting the securities, instruments, repurchase agreements, financial futures contracts, options and other investments and techniques that the Fund may purchase, sell, enter into or use in respect of the Portfolio;
(c) place purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Portfolio;
(d) employ portfolio managers to make investment decisions and securities analysts to provide research services to its clients, including the Fund, in respect of the Portfolio;
(e) subject to the understanding set forth in Section 10(a)(1) of this Agreement, take all reasonable steps to vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Portfolio may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser's proxy voting policies and procedures and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund in respect of the Portfolio; and provide information to the Trust, the Adviser or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust's compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act;
(f) maintain books and records with respect to the Fund's securities transactions in respect of the Portfolio, in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; and
(g) to the extent reasonably requested by the Adviser or officers of the Fund, cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser and the Trust's other service providers by (1) keeping them fully informed as to such matters that they may reasonably deem necessary with respect to the performance of their obligations to the Fund, (2) providing prompt responses to reasonable requests for information or assistance, and (3) establishing appropriate processes to promote the efficient exchange of information.
In providing those services, the Sub-Adviser will provide the Adviser and the Fund with an ongoing and continuous investment program in respect of the Portfolio. In addition, the Sub-Adviser will furnish the Adviser and/or the Fund with statistical information as the Adviser and/or the Fund may reasonably request with respect to the securities or other investments in which the assets of the Portfolio may be invested.
The Sub-Adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:
(h) comply in all material respects with the applicable sections of (1) the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and all rules and regulations thereunder and any other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, (2) the rules and regulations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, (3) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), (4) the investment objectives, strategies, policies, limitations and restrictions of the Fund as described in the Registration Statement, (5) the Trust's Trust Instrument and By-Laws or other organizational documents of the Trust and (6) any written instructions of the Adviser or the Board not inconsistent with parts (1) - (5) of this subsection (h);
(i) manage the assets of the Portfolio in a manner that the Fund will comply with the following requirements of the Code and regulations issued thereunder: section 851(b)(2) and section 851(b)(3) (and, if applicable, section 817(h)); provided, however, that with respect to the 10% voting securities test contained in section 851(b)(3)(A)(ii), the Sub-Adviser will comply with such requirements as the Trust, the Fund or its Adviser shall furnish in writing to the Sub-Adviser from time to time;
(j) keep the Adviser and, at the request of the Adviser, the Board informed of developments materially affecting the Fund's portfolio;
(k) make available to the Board, the Adviser, the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") and the Trust's administrator, promptly upon their request, such copies of its records with respect to the Fund as may be required to assist in their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. As reasonably requested by the Board or the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will complete periodic or special questionnaires and furnish to the Board and/or the Adviser such periodic and special reports regarding the Fund and the Sub-Adviser including, but not limited to, reports concerning transactions and performance of the Portfolio, quarterly and annual compliance reports and certifications, quarterly tax compliance worksheets, reports regarding compliance with the Trust's procedures pursuant to Rules 17e-1, 17a-7, 10f-3 and 12d3-1 under the 1940 Act (as applicable), fundamental investment restrictions, procedures for opening brokerage accounts and commodity trading accounts, liquidity determinations for securities or other instruments held by the Portfolio such as, among others, securities purchased pursuant to Rule 144A and 4(2) commercial paper, compliance with the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics and such other procedures or requirements that the Adviser may reasonably request from time to;
(l) make available to the Board and the Adviser at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Board, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Fund;
(m) review draft reports to shareholders, registration statements or portions thereof that relate to the Portfolio or the Sub-Adviser and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents;
(n) use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Fund;
(o) promptly notify the Trust, the Adviser and the Board in the event that the Sub-Adviser becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (i) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; or (iv) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, directly involving the affairs of the Trust or the Adviser or their affiliates; or is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding directly relating to the Trust or the Adviser brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act). The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the Adviser promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust's Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein in order to make the information therein not misleading, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the Adviser and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively;
(p) not disclose information regarding Portfolio or Fund characteristics, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust's policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings, or to comply with applicable law, or as necessary to perform services under this Agreement, including to Sub-Adviser's third party service provider, in accordance with Section 13 of this Agreement.
(q) provide the Adviser, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Adviser, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist the Adviser, the Trust or the Board in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund's Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(r) provide assistance to the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Fund for which the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance includes (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Board's Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) assisting the Adviser or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Fund, upon the reasonable request of the Adviser or custodian; (iii) upon the reasonable request of the Adviser or the custodian, confirming pricing and providing recommendations for fair valuations; and (iv) maintaining adequate records and written backup information with respect to the securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Adviser or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Fund records;
(s) not consult with any other investment sub-adviser of the Trust (if any), or with the sub-adviser to any other investment company (or separate series thereof) managed by the Adviser concerning the Fund's transactions in securities or other assets, except for purposes of complying with the conditions of Rule 12d3-1(a) and (b) under the 1940 Act, and, to the extent that multiple sub-advisers may be engaged to provide services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for providing investment advisory services only with respect to the Portfolio allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser; and
(t) provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC, notify the Adviser on a quarterly basis of any amendments to the Sub-Adviser's Form ADV and furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust and the Adviser; and provide the Trust and the Adviser annually with a copy of its Form ADV Part II.
3. Brokerage
The Sub-Adviser may place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund directly with the issuers of the securities, or with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser may, in respect of the Portfolio, open and maintain brokerage accounts of all types on behalf of and in the name of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser may enter into standard customer agreements with brokers and direct payments of cash, cash equivalents and securities and other property into such brokerage accounts as the Sub-Adviser deems desirable or appropriate. In selecting brokers or dealers to execute transactions on behalf of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for the Fund transaction, the Sub-Adviser will consider all factors it deems relevant, including, but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In selecting broker-dealers to execute a particular transaction, and in evaluating the best overall terms available, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) provided to the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The parties hereto acknowledge that it is desirable for the Trust that the Sub-Adviser have access to supplemental investment and market research and security and economic analysis provided by broker-dealers who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher cost to the Fund than may result when allocating brokerage to other brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient execution. Therefore, the Sub-Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage and research services a higher commission than that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund in compliance with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the Sub-Adviser's services to other clients. In accordance with Section 11(a) of the 1934 Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder and subject to any other applicable laws and regulations, the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates are authorized to effect portfolio transactions for the Fund with affiliated broker-dealers and to retain brokerage commissions on such transactions. The Sub-Adviser may, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate or bunch orders for the purchase or sale of securities for the Fund with orders for its other clients where: (i) such aggregation or bunching of orders is not inconsistent with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and procedures, (ii) the allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the allocation of expenses incurred in any such transaction, shall be made by the Sub-Adviser in a manner that complies with the trade allocation policies and procedures approved by the Board and is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Sub-Adviser and is consistent with the Sub-Adviser's fiduciary obligations to the Fund and each of its other clients.
4. Books, Records and Regulatory Filings
(a) The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain and to preserve for the applicable periods any such records as are required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund by the 1940 Act and rules adopted thereunder, and by any other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and it will promptly surrender any of such records upon request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain copies of such records for the applicable periods they are required by law to be retained, and thereafter shall destroy such records.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services hereunder that may be requested in order to determine whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(c) The Sub-Adviser shall make all filings with the SEC required of it pursuant to Section 13 of the 1934 Act with respect to its duties as are set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser also shall make all required filings on Schedule 13D or 13G and Form 13F (as well as other filings triggered by ownership in securities under other applicable laws, rules and regulations) in respect of the Portfolio holdings as may be required of the Fund due to the activities of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall be the sole filer of Form 13F with respect to the Portfolio holdings of the Fund.
5. Class Action Filings
The Sub-Adviser is not responsible for making any class action filings on behalf of the Trust, including filing any proofs of claim with respect to class action settlements.
6. Standard of Care, Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
(a) The Sub-Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering the services under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust, the Adviser or the Fund, or affiliated persons of the Adviser or the Fund (collectively, the "Adviser Indemnitees") in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates except a loss resulting from the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties, under this Agreement; provided, however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Sub-Adviser against any liability to the Adviser Indemnitees for, and the Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser Indemnitees from, any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which any of the Adviser Indemnitees may become subject arising out of or resulting from (i) the Sub-Adviser causing the Fund to be in violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule or regulation or any investment policy or restriction set forth in the Fund's current Registration Statement or the most current written guidelines, policies or instruction provided in writing by the Board or the Adviser, (ii) the Sub-Adviser causing the Fund to fail to satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 2(i) hereof, (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Sub-Adviser or the Portfolio managed by the Sub-Adviser or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, in each case, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser specifically for use therein, or (iv) a breach of this Agreement by the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the Fund from any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which either the Trust or the Fund may become subject directly arising out of or resulting from a final determination by a court or arbitrator of breach of fiduciary duty by the Sub-Adviser under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act with respect to the receipt of compensation for its services under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute a waiver or limitation of rights that the Trust or the Fund may have under federal or state securities laws.
(b) The Sub-Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument or other organizational document of the Trust and agrees that any obligations of the Trust or the Fund arising in connection with this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Fund and its assets, and the Sub-Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from any other fund of the Trust or the shareholders or any individual shareholder of the Fund. Nor shall the Sub-Adviser seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the trustees of the Trust (each, a "Trustee" and, together, the "Trustees") or any individual Trustee or any officers.
(c) As used in this Section 6, the term "Sub-Adviser" shall include any officers, directors, employees, independent contractors or other affiliates of the Sub-Adviser performing services with respect to the Fund.
(d) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which the Sub-Adviser may become subject directly arising out of or resulting from, the Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
7. Compensation
The Sub-Adviser shall be compensated for the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.
8. Expenses
The Sub-Adviser will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, excluding those costs of the Fund associated with brokerage activities. The Sub-Adviser shall bear all reasonable expenses and costs of the Trust (including reasonable attorney's fees), if any, arising out of a termination or possible termination of this Agreement as a result of an assignment caused by a change of control or management of the Sub-Adviser, including the preparation and mailing of an information statement to shareholders pursuant to a "manager-of-managers" exemptive order from the SEC, or the preparation, mailing, solicitation and other costs associated with the use of a proxy statement relating to a shareholder vote in respect of a new sub-advisory agreement. The foregoing obligations of the Sub-Adviser shall apply in any circumstance in which the Adviser, in consultation with internal or outside counsel to the Trust, deems that an actual or possible assignment of this Agreement has or may occur, and determines that an information statement should be used, or a vote of shareholders should be obtained, as the case may be. For clarification purposes, the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for costs associated with transitioning the management of the Fund to another investment sub-adviser in connection with a termination of the Agreement under the circumstances outlined above.
9. Services to Other Companies or Accounts
The investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to other investment companies and clients (whether or not their investment objective and policies are similar those of the Fund) and to engage in other activities, provided that such other services and activities do not interfere with or impair the Sub-Adviser's ability to fulfill its duties and obligations under this Agreement. If the Sub-Adviser provides any advice to its clients concerning investment in the shares of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall act solely for such clients in that regard and not in any way on behalf of the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund.
10. Compliance Matters
(a) The Sub-Adviser understands and agrees that it is a "service provider" to the Trust as contemplated by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. As such, the Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate fully with the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers, including the Trust's CCO, with respect to (i) any and all Trust compliance-related matters, and (ii) the Trust's efforts to assure that each of its service providers adopts and maintains policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the "federal securities laws" (as that term is defined by Rule 38a-1) by the Trust, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. In this regard, the Sub-Adviser shall:
(1) submit to the Board for its consideration and approval, prior to the effective date of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser's compliance program, it being understood that the Sub-Adviser's obligation under Section 2(e) of this Agreement to vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the assets of the Portfolio may be invested shall be subject to the fulfillment of the condition that the Board approve the Sub-Adviser's proxy voting polices and procedures;
(2) submit annually (and at such other times as the Trust may reasonably request) to the Trust's CCO and the Adviser for consideration by the Board, a report discussing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Sub-Adviser's compliance program, and summarizing any material amendments to such compliance program since the most recent such report;
(3) provide periodic reports and certifications concerning the Sub-Adviser's compliance program and special reports in the event of material compliance matters;
(4) provide the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers with reasonable access to information regarding the Sub-Adviser's compliance program, which access shall include a reasonable number of on-site visits during normal business hours with the Sub-Adviser as may be reasonably requested from time to time;
(5) permit the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers to maintain an active working relationship with the Sub-Adviser's compliance personnel by, among other things, providing the Adviser and the Trust's CCO and other officers with reasonable access to a specified individual within the Sub-Adviser's organization to discuss and address compliance-related matters;
(6) provide the Adviser and its chief compliance officer and the Trust and its Trustees and officers, including the Trust's CCO, with such certifications as may be reasonably requested; and
(7) reasonably cooperate with any independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Trust, ensure that all reasonably necessary information and the appropriate personnel are made available to such independent registered public accounting firm, to support the expression of the independent registered public accounting firm's opinion, and each year provide the Adviser and such independent registered public accounting firm with a copy of the most recent SAS 70 Report prepared by the Sub-Adviser's independent auditors regarding the Sub-Adviser's internal controls.
(b) The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and covenants that it has implemented and shall maintain a compliance program in accordance with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act.
11. Duration and Termination
(a) This Agreement shall be effective immediately as of the date set forth above and shall continue in effect for two years from its effective date with respect to the Fund, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, and shall continue year to year thereafter, provided each continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Trustees or (ii) a vote of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are neither (A) parties to this Agreement nor (B) "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person (to the extent required by the 1940 Act) at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund, without penalty, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser: (i) by the Trust, pursuant to (A) action by the Board or (B) the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the shares of the Fund or (ii) by the Adviser. This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund, without penalty, by the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days' written notice to the Adviser and the Trust. In addition, this Agreement will terminate with respect to the Fund in the event of the termination of the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund. This Agreement will be terminated automatically in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act).
(c) In the event of a termination of this Agreement for any reason with respect to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall reasonably cooperate with any transition manager or successor investment sub-adviser and with the Adviser in transitioning the management of the Portfolio to one or more new sub-advisers or to the Adviser, including, without limitation, providing the transition manager, subject to a confidentiality agreement, at such intervals as the transition manager may request, with a list of holdings for the Portfolio and such other information as required by the transition management agreement, into which the Adviser and the transition manager will, at that time, enter.
(d) Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the rights or obligations of the Adviser, the Adviser Indemnitees and the Sub-Adviser under Section 6 of this Agreement.
12. Use of Name
(a) The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its sub-advisory affiliates in the Fund's disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications; provided that Adviser agrees to afford Sub-Adviser the opportunity to review all such communications and will obtain the written authorization of Sub-Adviser prior to the first use of any advertising or sales literature. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Adviser, the Trust, the Fund or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Trust and the Adviser; provided that the Sub-Adviser shall be permitted to disclose that Sub-Adviser serves as an investment sub-adviser to the Fund.
(b) It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
13. Confidential Information
(a) Each party agrees that it will treat confidentially all information provided by any other party (the "Discloser") regarding the Discloser's businesses and operations, including without limitation the investment activities or holdings of the Portfolio or the Fund ("Confidential Information"). All Confidential Information provided by the Discloser shall be used only by the other party hereto (the "Recipient") solely for the purposes of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement, and shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of the Discloser, except for a limited number of employees, attorneys, accountants and other advisers of the Recipient and its affiliates on a need-to-know basis and solely for the purposes of rendering services under this Agreement, or in order to comply with applicable law.
(b) Confidential Information shall not include any information that: (i) is public when provided or thereafter becomes public through no wrongful act of the Recipient; (ii) is demonstrably known to the Recipient prior to execution of this Agreement; (iii) is independently developed by the Recipient through no wrongful act of the Recipient in the ordinary course of business outside of this Agreement; (iv) is generally employed by the trade at the time that the Recipient learns of such information or knowledge; or (v) has been rightfully and lawfully obtained by the Recipient from any third party.
(c) In the event that the Recipient is requested or required (by deposition, interrogatories, requests for information or documents in legal proceedings, subpoenas, civil investigative demand or similar process, including regulatory inquiries), in connection with any proceeding, to disclose any of the Discloser's Confidential Information, the Recipient will give the Discloser prompt written notice of such request or requirement to allow the Discloser an opportunity to obtain a protective order or otherwise obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to such Confidential Information. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, disclosure shall be made of only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed. All Confidential Information disclosed as required by law shall nonetheless continue to be deemed Confidential Information.
14. Amendment
This Agreement may be amended in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement in a manner that is in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, as modified or interpreted by any applicable order, exemptive relief or interpretative release issued by the SEC.
15. Notices
All notices hereunder shall be provided in writing, by facsimile or by email. Notices shall be deemed given if delivered in person or by messenger, certified mail with return receipt, or by a reputable overnight delivery service that provides evidence of receipt to the parties; upon receipt if sent by fax; or upon read receipt or reply if delivered by email, at the following addresses:
If to the Trust: Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Scott Goebel
If to the Adviser: Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Boyce I. Greer
With Copy to: Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Scott Goebel
If to the Sub-Adviser: Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 59 th Floor
New York, NY 10112
Attn: General Counsel
16. Miscellaneous
(a) This Agreement constitutes the full and complete agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(b) Titles or captions of sections in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provisions thereof.
(c) This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall for all purposes constitute one Agreement, binding on all the parties.
(d) This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions of that or any other jurisdiction. To the extent that the applicable laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. The parties irrevocably consent to submit to the jurisdiction of any federal or state court sitting in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(e) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected hereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser shall be an independent contractor. Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-Adviser as an agent of the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund, except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first set forth above.
LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
By: /s/Charles L. Carroll
Charles L. Carroll
Deputy Chairman
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.
By: /s/ Boyce I. Greer
Boyce I. Greer
President
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
By: /s/ Mark Osterheld
Mark Osterheld
Treasurer
Exhibit (d)(4)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AMONG
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.,
PYRAMIS GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC
AND
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
AGREEMENT, made this 3rd day of December, 2009 among Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II ("Trust"), a Delaware statutory trust, on behalf of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund (the "Fund"), Strategic Advisers, Inc. ("Adviser"), a Massachusetts corporation, and Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC ("Sub-Adviser"), a Delaware limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are each registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended ("Advisers Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust has retained the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, pursuant to a Management Contract dated December 3, 2009, as may be amended from time to time ("Advisory Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser to delegate to one or more other investment advisers any or all of the Adviser's duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser wish to retain the Sub-Adviser to render certain investment advisory services to the Fund with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated to the Sub-Adviser, as determined from time to time by the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to render such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed among the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Trust as follows:
1. Appointment
With respect to the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated, from time to time, by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser, the Trust and the Adviser hereby appoint the Sub-Adviser to act as investment sub-adviser to the Fund for the periods and on the terms set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser accepts the appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth herein for the compensation provided in Section 8 of this Agreement.
2. Services and Duties of Investment Sub-Adviser
Subject to the general supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"), the Sub-Adviser will:
(a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Fund in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies as stated in the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-1A, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the "Registration Statement") and as provided by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser;
(b) invest and reinvest the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser by selecting the securities, instruments, repurchase agreements, financial futures contracts, options and other investments and techniques that the Fund may purchase, sell, enter into or use;
(c) oversee the placement of purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund;
(d) employ portfolio managers to make investment decisions and securities analysts to provide research services to the Fund;
(e) subject to the understanding set forth in Section 11(a)(1) of this Agreement, vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser's proxy voting policies and procedures as approved by the Board and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund; and provide information to the Trust, the Adviser or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust's compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act;
(f) maintain books and records with respect to the Fund's securities transactions in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; and
(g) to the extent reasonably requested by the Adviser or officers of the Fund, cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser and the Trust's other service providers by (1) keeping them fully informed as to such matters that they may reasonably deem necessary with respect to the performance of their obligations to the Fund, (2) providing prompt responses to reasonable requests for information or assistance, including furnishing the Adviser and/or the Fund with statistical information as the Adviser and/or the Fund may reasonably request with respect to the securities that the Fund may hold, and (3) establishing appropriate processes to promote the efficient exchange of information.
The Sub-Adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:
(h) comply in all material respects with (1) the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and all rules and regulations thereunder and any other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, (2) the rules and regulations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, (3) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), (4) the investment objectives, strategies, policies, limitations and restrictions of the Fund as described in the Registration Statement, (5) the Trust's Trust Instrument and By-Laws or other organizational documents of the Trust and (6) any written instructions of the Adviser or the Board, provided the Sub-Adviser has had sufficient opportunity to implement such instructions;
The Adviser will provide the Sub-Adviser with advance notice of any change in the Fund's investment objectives, strategies, policies, limitations and restrictions as stated in the Registration Statement or in any procedures and policies adopted by the Board and/or the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser shall, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated to the Sub-Adviser, manage the Fund's portfolio investments in compliance with such changes, provided the Sub-Adviser has received prompt notice of the effectiveness of such changes from the Trust or the Adviser and has had sufficient opportunity to implement such changes. In addition to such notice, the Adviser shall provide to the Sub-Adviser a copy of the modified Registration Statement reflecting such changes provided that such Registration Statement was so modified.
(i) manage the Fund so that it will qualify, and continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M and, if applicable, section 817(h) of the Code and regulations issued thereunder;
(j) keep the Adviser and/or the Board informed of developments materially affecting the Fund's portfolio;
(k) make available to the Board, the Adviser, the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") and the Trust's administrator, promptly upon their request, such copies of its records with respect to the Fund as may be required to assist in their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. As reasonably requested by the Board or the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will complete periodic or special questionnaires and furnish to the Board and/or the Adviser such periodic and special reports regarding the Fund and the Sub-Adviser including, but not limited to, reports concerning transactions and performance of the Fund, quarterly and annual compliance reports and certifications, reports regarding compliance with the Trust's procedures pursuant to Rules 17e-1, 17a-7, 10f-3 and 12d3-1 under the 1940 Act (as applicable), fundamental investment restrictions, procedures for opening brokerage accounts and commodity trading accounts, liquidity determinations for securities or other instruments held by the Fund such as, among others, securities purchased pursuant to Rule 144A and 4(2) commercial paper, compliance with the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics, and such other procedures or requirements that the Adviser may reasonably request from time to time;
(l) make available to the Board and the Adviser at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Board, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Fund;
(m) review draft reports to shareholders and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the information therein that pertains to the Sub-Adviser or the services provided by the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents;
(n) use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Fund;
(o) promptly notify the Trust, the Adviser and the Board in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (i) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; or (iv) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust or the Adviser or their affiliates; or is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding involving the affairs of the Trust or the Adviser or their affiliates brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act). The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the Adviser promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust's Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the Adviser and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively;
(p) not disclose information regarding Fund characteristics, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust's policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings or as requested by the Adviser; however, Sub-Adviser may include the Fund's performance information in the calculation of composite performance information, provided that the Fund's performance information is included in the composite in such as way as to prevent anyone from identifying the information contributed by the Fund. In addition, the Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser manages other accounts following the same investment strategy as the Fund and that these accounts may have different portfolio holdings disclosure policies;
(q) provide the Adviser, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Adviser, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist the Adviser, the Trust or the Board in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund's Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(r) provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust's valuation procedures and/or the Registration Statement, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Fund for which the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance may include (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Board's Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) providing reasonable assistance to the Adviser or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Fund, upon the reasonable request of the Adviser or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Adviser or the custodian, provide assistance in fair valuation of the Trust; and (iv) maintaining records as required by applicable law with respect to any securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Adviser or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Fund records;
(s) not consult with any other investment sub-adviser of the Trust (if any), or with the sub-adviser to any other investment company (or separate series thereof) managed by the Adviser concerning the Fund's transactions in securities or other assets, except for purposes of complying with the conditions of Rule 12d3-1(a) and (b) under the 1940 Act, and, to the extent that multiple sub-advisers may be engaged to provide services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for providing investment advisory services only with respect to such portion of the Fund's assets as may from time to time be allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser; and
(t) provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and, promptly after filing any material amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust and the Adviser; and provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV Part II as updated from time to time. The Adviser hereby acknowledges having received a current copy of the Sub-Adviser's Form ADV Part II, current as of the date hereof.
In performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser may rely upon information concerning the Fund's books and records provided to it by the Adviser, the custodian(s) or other agent(s) designated by the Adviser, and will not independently verify the accuracy or completeness of such information. The Sub-Adviser (and its officers, directors/trustees, agents, employees, controlling persons, shareholders and any other person or entity affiliated with the Sub-Adviser) shall not be liable for any loss, claim or damages related to such reliance.
3. Obligations of the Adviser and the Fund
The Adviser will provide, or has provided, to the Sub-Adviser, with a copy of the Registration Statement as filed with the SEC, and of the policies and procedures adopted by the Board and/or the Adviser which the Sub-Adviser is required to implement in managing the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser or such other information or documents necessary for the management of the Sub-Adviser's allocated portion of Fund assets as the Sub-Adviser shall reasonably request or as required by applicable law or regulation. Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall continue to provide such information and documents to the Sub-Adviser, including any amendments, updates or supplements to such information or documents before or at the time the amendments, updates or supplements become effective.
4. Brokerage
The Sub-Adviser may place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund directly with the issuers of the securities, or with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser may open and maintain brokerage accounts of all types on behalf of and in the name of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser may enter into standard customer agreements with brokers and direct payments of cash, cash equivalents and securities and other property into such brokerage accounts as the Sub-Adviser deems desirable or appropriate. In selecting brokers or dealers to execute transactions on behalf of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for the Fund transaction, the Sub-Adviser will consider all factors it deems relevant, including, but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In selecting broker-dealers to execute a particular transaction, and in evaluating the best overall terms available, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) provided to the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The parties hereto acknowledge that it is desirable for the Trust that the Sub-Adviser have access to supplemental investment and market research and security and economic analysis provided by broker-dealers who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher cost to the Fund than may result when allocating brokerage to other brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient execution. Therefore, the Sub-Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage and research services a higher commission than that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund in compliance with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act. It is understood that the services provided by such brokers may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the Sub-Adviser's services to other clients. In accordance with Section 11(a) of the 1934 Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder and subject to any other applicable laws and regulations, the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates are authorized to effect portfolio transactions for the Fund and to retain brokerage commissions on such transactions. The Sub-Adviser may, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate or bunch orders for the purchase or sale of securities for the Fund with orders for its other clients where: (i) such aggregation or bunching of orders is not inconsistent with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and procedures, (ii) the allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the allocation of expenses incurred in any such transaction, shall be made by the Sub-Adviser in a manner that complies with the Sub-Adviser's trade allocation policies and procedures approved by the Board and is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Sub-Adviser and is consistent with the Sub-Adviser's fiduciary obligations to the Fund and each of its other clients.
5. Books, Records and Regulatory Filings
(a) The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain and to preserve for the applicable periods any such records as are required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund by the 1940 Act and rules adopted thereunder, and by any other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund and it will promptly surrender any of such records upon request.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services hereunder that may be requested in order to determine whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(c) The Sub-Adviser shall make all filings with the SEC required of it pursuant to Section 13 of the 1934 Act with respect to its duties as are set forth herein. The Sub-Adviser also shall make all required filings on Schedule 13D or 13G and Form 13F (as well as other filings triggered by ownership in securities under other applicable laws, rules and regulations) as may be required of the Fund due to the activities of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall be the sole filer of Form 13F with respect to the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser.
6. Standard of Care, Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
(a) The Sub-Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering the services under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust, the Adviser or the Fund, or affiliated persons of the Adviser or the Fund (collectively, the "Adviser Indemnitees") in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates except a loss resulting from the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties, under this Agreement; provided, however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Sub-Adviser against any liability to the Adviser Indemnitees for, and the Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser Indemnitees from, any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which any of the Adviser Indemnitees may become subject arising out of or resulting from (i) the Sub-Adviser's failure to meet its standard of care and thereby causing the Fund to be in violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule or regulation or any investment policy or restriction set forth in the Fund's current Registration Statement or the most current written guidelines, policies or instruction provided in writing by the Board or the Adviser, (ii) the Sub-Adviser causing the Fund to fail to satisfy the diversification or source of income requirements of Subchapter M and, if applicable, section 817(h) of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder , (iii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, proxy materials, shareholder reports, advertisements, sales literature, or other materials pertaining to the Trust or the Fund or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Adviser or the Trust by the Sub-Adviser for use therein, or (iv) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties, under this Agreement, or otherwise for breach of this Agreement by the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the Fund from any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which either the Trust or the Fund may become subject directly arising out of or resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty by the Sub-Adviser under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act with respect to the receipt of compensation for its services under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute a waiver or limitation of rights that the Trust or the Fund may have under federal or state securities laws.
(b) The Sub-Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument or other organizational document of the Trust and agrees that any obligations of the Trust or the Fund arising in connection with this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Fund and its assets, and the Sub-Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from any other fund of the Trust or the shareholders or any individual shareholder of the Fund. Nor shall the Sub-Adviser seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the trustees of the Trust (each, a "Trustee" and, together, the "Trustees") or any individual Trustee or any officers.
(c) As used in this Section 6, the term "Sub-Adviser" shall include any officers, directors, employees, independent contractors or other affiliates of the Sub-Adviser performing services with respect to the Fund.
(d) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser from and against, any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney's fees) to which the Sub-Adviser may become subject directly arising out of or resulting from, the Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
7. Risk Acknowledgement
The Sub-Adviser makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, that any level of performance or investment results will be achieved by the Fund, whether on a relative or absolute basis. The Adviser understands that investment decisions made for the Fund by the Sub-Adviser are subject to various market, currency, economic, political, business and structure risks and that those investment decisions will not always be profitable.
8. Compensation
The Sub-Adviser shall be compensated for the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.
9. Expenses
The Sub-Adviser will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, excluding those costs of the Fund associated with brokerage activities. The Sub-Adviser shall bear all expenses and costs of the Trust (including reasonable attorney's fees), if any, arising out of a termination or possible termination of this Agreement as a result of an assignment caused by a change of control or management of the Sub-Adviser, including the preparation and mailing of an information statement to shareholders pursuant to a "manager-of-managers" exemptive order from the SEC, or the preparation, mailing, solicitation and other costs associated with the use of a proxy statement relating to a shareholder vote in respect of a new sub-advisory agreement. The foregoing obligations of the Sub-Adviser shall apply in any circumstance in which the Adviser, in consultation with internal or outside counsel to the Trust, deems that an actual or possible assignment of this Agreement has or may occur, and determines that an information statement should be used, or a vote of shareholders should be obtained, as the case may be.
10. Services to Other Companies or Accounts
The investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to other investment companies and clients (whether or not their investment objective and policies are similar those of the Fund) and to engage in other activities, provided that such other services and activities do not interfere with or impair the Sub-Adviser's ability to fulfill its duties and obligations under this Agreement. If the Sub-Adviser provides any advice to its clients concerning investment in the shares of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall act solely for such clients in that regard and not in any way on behalf of the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund.
11. Compliance Matters
(a) The Sub-Adviser understands and agrees that it is a "service provider" to the Trust as contemplated by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. As such, the Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate fully with the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers, including the Trust's CCO, with respect to (i) any and all compliance-related matters, and (ii) the Trust's efforts to assure that each of its service providers adopts and maintains policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the "federal securities laws" (as that term is defined by Rule 38a-1) by the Trust, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. In this regard, the Sub-Adviser shall:
(1) submit to the Board for its consideration and approval, prior to the effective date of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser's applicable compliance policies and procedures;
(2) submit annually (and at such other times as the Trust may reasonably request) to the Trust's CCO and the Adviser for consideration by the Board, a report discussing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Sub-Adviser's compliance program, and fully describing any material amendments to such compliance program since the most recent such report;
(3) provide periodic reports and certifications concerning the Sub-Adviser's compliance program and special reports in the event of material compliance matters;
(4) provide the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers with reasonable access, including on-site visits with the Sub-Adviser as may be reasonably requested from time to time, to information regarding the aspects of the Sub-Adviser's compliance program that may expose the Adviser and the Trust to compliance risks or lead to a violation by the Trust, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser of the federal securities laws;
(5) permit the Adviser and the Trust and its Trustees and officers to maintain an active working relationship with the Sub-Adviser's compliance personnel by, among other things, providing the Adviser and the Trust's CCO and other officers with a specified individual within the Sub-Adviser's organization to discuss and address compliance-related matters;
(6) provide the Adviser and its chief compliance officer and the Trust and its Trustees and officers, including the Trust's CCO, with such certifications as may be reasonably requested; and
(7) reasonably cooperate with any independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Trust, ensure that all reasonably necessary information and the appropriate personnel are made available to such independent registered public accounting firm, to support the expression of the independent registered public accounting firm's opinion, and each year provide the Adviser and such independent registered public accounting firm with a copy of the annual SAS 70 Report prepared by the Sub-Adviser's independent auditors regarding the Sub-Adviser's internal controls.
(b) The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and covenants that it has implemented and shall maintain a compliance program in accordance with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Adviser acknowledges that Sub-Adviser is not the compliance agent for the Trust or for the Adviser, and does not have access to all of the Trust's books and records necessary to perform certain compliance testing. Any of the Sub-Adviser's agreement to perform the services in this Section 11 or elsewhere in this Agreement is subject to the understanding that the Sub-Adviser shall perform such services based upon its books and records with respect to the Fund, which comprise a portion of the Trust's book and records.
12. Duration and Termination
(a) This Agreement shall be effective immediately as of the date set forth above and shall continue in effect for two years from its effective date with respect to the Fund, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, and shall continue year to year thereafter, provided each continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Trustees or (ii) a vote of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who are neither (A) parties to this Agreement nor (B) "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person (to the extent required by the 1940 Act) at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund, without penalty, on sixty (60) days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser: (i) by the Trust, pursuant to (A) action by the Board or (B) the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the shares of the Fund or (ii) by the Adviser. This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund, without penalty, by the Sub-Adviser upon ninety (90) days' written notice to the Adviser and the Trust. In addition, this Agreement will terminate with respect to the Fund in the event of the termination of the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund. This Agreement will be terminated automatically in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act).
(c) In the event of a termination of this Agreement for any reason with respect to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall reasonably cooperate with any transition manager or successor investment sub-adviser and with the Adviser in transitioning the management of the Fund to one or more new sub-advisers or to the Adviser, including, without limitation, providing the transition manager, at such intervals as the transition manager may request, with a list of holdings for the portion of Fund assets under the Sub-Adviser's management and such other information as required by the transition management agreement, into which the Adviser and the transition manager will, at that time, enter.
(d) Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the rights or obligations of the Adviser, the Adviser Indemnitees and the Sub-Adviser under Section 6 of this Agreement.
13. Use of Name
(a) The Sub-Adviser hereby consents to the use of its name and the names of its affiliates in the Fund's disclosure documents, shareholder communications, advertising, sales literature and similar communications. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name or any tradename, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof of the Adviser, the Trust, the Fund or any of their affiliates in its marketing materials unless it first receives prior written approval of the Trust and the Adviser.
(b) It is understood that the name of each party to this Agreement, and any derivatives thereof or logos associated with that name, is the valuable property of the party in question and its affiliates, and that each other party has the right to use such names pursuant to the relationship created by, and in accordance with the terms of, this Agreement only so long as this Agreement shall continue in effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the parties shall forthwith cease to use the names of the other parties (or any derivative or logo) as appropriate and to the extent that continued use is not required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
14. Confidential Information
(a) Each party agrees that it will treat confidentially all information provided by any other party (the "Discloser") regarding the Discloser's businesses and operations, including without limitation the investment activities or holdings of the Fund ("Confidential Information"). All Confidential Information provided by the Discloser shall be used only by the other party hereto (the "Recipient") solely for the purposes of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement, and shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of the Discloser, except for any party that is under common control with the Recipient and except for a limited number of employees, attorneys, accountants and other advisers of the Recipient on a need-to-know basis and solely for the purposes of rendering services under this Agreement.
(b) Confidential Information shall not include any information that: (i) is public when provided or thereafter becomes public through no wrongful act of the Recipient; (ii) is demonstrably known to the Recipient prior to execution of this Agreement; (iii) is independently developed by the Recipient through no wrongful act of the Recipient in the ordinary course of business outside of this Agreement; (iv) is generally employed by the trade at the time that the Recipient learns of such information or knowledge; or (v) has been rightfully and lawfully obtained by the Recipient from any third party.
(c) In the event that the Recipient is requested or required (by deposition, interrogatories, requests for information or documents in legal proceedings, subpoenas, civil investigative demand or similar process), in connection with any proceeding, to disclose any of the Discloser's Confidential Information, the Recipient will give the Discloser prompt written notice of such request or requirement to allow the Discloser an opportunity to obtain a protective order or otherwise obtain assurances that confidential treatment will be accorded to such Confidential Information. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, disclosure shall be made of only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed. All Confidential Information disclosed as required by law shall nonetheless continue to be deemed Confidential Information.
15. Amendment
This Agreement may be amended in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement in a manner that is in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, as modified or interpreted by any applicable order, exemptive relief or interpretative release issued by the SEC.
16. Notices
All notices hereunder shall be provided in writing, by facsimile or by email. Notices shall be deemed given if delivered in person or by messenger, certified mail with return receipt, or by a reputable overnight delivery service that provides evidence of receipt to the parties; upon receipt if sent by fax; or upon read receipt or reply if delivered by email, at the following addresses:
If to the Trust: Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Scott Goebel
If to the Adviser: Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Boyce I. Greer
With Copy to: Strategic Advisers, Inc.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn.: Scott Goebel
If to the Sub-Adviser: Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC
900 Salem Street
Smithfield, RI 02917
Attn: Gregory Pusch
Gregory.pusch@fmr.com
17. Miscellaneous
(a) This Agreement constitutes the full and complete agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(b) Titles or captions of sections in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provisions thereof.
(c) This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall for all purposes constitute one Agreement, binding on all the parties.
(d) This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the choice of laws provisions of that or any other jurisdiction. To the extent that the applicable laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control. The parties irrevocably consent to submit to the jurisdiction of any federal or state court sitting in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(e) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected hereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser shall be an independent contractor. Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-Adviser as an agent of the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund, except to the extent expressly authorized by this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first set forth above.
PYRAMIS GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC
By: /s/ William Dailey
William Dailey
Chief Administrative Officer, SVP
STRATEGIC ADVISERS, INC.
By: /s/ Boyce I. Greer
Boyce I. Greer
President
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
By: /s/ Mark Osterheld
Mark Osterheld
Treasurer
Exhibit (e)(1)
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
between
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
and
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
Agreement made this December 3, 2009, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust having its principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts and which may issue one or more series of beneficial interest ("Issuer"), with respect to shares of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, a series of the Issuer, and Fidelity Distributors Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation having its principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts ("Distributors").
In consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. Sale of Shares - The Issuer grants to Distributors the right to sell shares on behalf of the Issuer during the term of this Agreement and subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), and of the laws governing the sale of securities in the various states ("Blue Sky Laws") under the following terms and conditions: Distributors (i) shall have the right to sell, as agent on behalf of the Issuer, shares authorized for issue and registered under the 1933 Act, and (ii) may sell shares under offers of exchange, if available, between and among the funds advised by Strategic Advisers, Inc. ("Strategic") or any of its affiliates.
2. Sale of Shares by the Issuer - The rights granted to Distributors shall be nonexclusive in that the Issuer reserves the right to sell its shares to investors on applications received and accepted by the Issuer. Further, the Issuer reserves the right to issue shares in connection with the merger or consolidation, or acquisition by the Issuer through purchase or otherwise, with any other investment company, trust, or personal holding company.
3. Shares Covered by this Agreement - This Agreement shall apply to unissued shares of the Issuer, shares of the Issuer held in its treasury in the event that in the discretion of the Issuer treasury shares shall be sold, and shares of the Issuer repurchased for resale.
4. Public Offering Price - Except as otherwise noted in the Issuer's current Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information, all shares sold to investors by Distributors or the Issuer will be sold at the public offering price. The public offering price for all accepted subscriptions will be the net asset value per share, as determined in the manner described in the Issuer's current Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information, plus a sales charge (if any) described in the Issuer's current Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information. The Issuer shall in all cases receive the net asset value per share on all sales. If a sales charge is in effect, Distributors shall have the right subject to such rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission as may then be in effect pursuant to Section 22 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 to pay a portion of the sales charge to dealers who have sold shares of the Issuer. If a fee in connection with shareholder redemptions is in effect, the Issuer shall collect the fee and, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Issuer and Distributors, Issuer shall be entitled to receive all of such fees.
5. Suspension of Sales - If and whenever the determination of net asset value is suspended and until such suspension is terminated, no further orders for shares shall be processed by Distributors except such unconditional orders as may have been placed with Distributors before it had knowledge of the suspension. In addition, the Issuer reserves the right to suspend sales and Distributors' authority to process orders for shares on behalf of the Issuer if, in the judgment of the Issuer, it is in the best interests of the Issuer to do so. Suspension will continue for such period as may be determined by the Issuer.
6. Solicitation of Sales - In consideration of these rights granted to Distributors, Distributors agrees to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure purchasers for shares of the Issuer. This shall not prevent Distributors from entering into like arrangements (including arrangements involving the payment of underwriting commissions) with other issuers. This does not obligate Distributors to register as a broker or dealer under the Blue Sky Laws of any jurisdiction in which it is not now registered or to maintain its registration in any jurisdiction in which it is now registered. If a sales charge is in effect, Distributors shall have the right to enter into sales agreements with dealers of its choice for the sale of shares of the Issuer to the public at the public offering price only and fix in such agreements the portion of the sales charge which may be retained by dealers, provided that the Issuer shall approve the form of the dealer agreement and the dealer discounts set forth therein and shall evidence such approval by filing said form of dealer agreement and amendments thereto as an exhibit to its currently effective Registration Statement under the 1933 Act. The Distributor will not direct remuneration from commissions paid by the Issuer for portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer for promoting or selling fund shares.
7. Authorized Representations - Distributors is not authorized by the Issuer to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the appropriate registration statements or Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act (as these registration statements, Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information may be amended from time to time), or contained in shareholder reports or other material that may be prepared by or on behalf of the Issuer for Distributors' use. This shall not be construed to prevent Distributors from preparing and distributing sales literature or other material as it may deem appropriate.
8. Portfolio Securities - Portfolio securities of the Issuer may be bought or sold by or through Distributors, and Distributors may participate directly or indirectly in brokerage commissions or "spreads" for transactions in portfolio securities of the Issuer.
9. Registration of Shares - The Issuer agrees that it will take all action necessary to register shares under the 1933 Act (subject to the necessary approval of its shareholders) so that there will be available for sale the number of shares Distributors may reasonably be expected to sell. The Issuer shall make available to Distributors such number of copies of its currently effective Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as Distributors may reasonably request. The Issuer shall furnish to Distributors copies of all information, financial statements and other papers which Distributors may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of shares of the Issuer.
10. Expenses - The Issuer shall pay all fees and expenses (a) in connection with the preparation, setting in type and filing of any registration statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information under the 1933 Act and amendments for the issue of its shares, (b) in connection with the registration and qualification of shares for sale in the various states in which the Board of Trustees of the Issuer shall determine it advisable to qualify such shares for sale (including registering the Issuer as a broker or dealer or any officer of the Issuer as agent or salesman in any state), (c) of preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing any report or other communication to shareholders of the Issuer in their capacity as such, and (d) of preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and any supplements thereto sent to existing shareholders.
As provided in the Distribution and Service Plan adopted by the Issuer, it is recognized by the Issuer that Strategic or its affiliates may make payment to Distributors with respect to any expenses incurred in the distribution of shares of the Issuer, such payments payable from the past profits or other resources of Strategic or its affiliates including management fees paid to it by the Issuer.
11. Indemnification - The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Distributors and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Distributors 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 Issuer (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 Issuer does not agree to indemnify Distributors 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 Issuer by or on behalf of Distributors. In no case (i) is the indemnity of the Issuer in favor of Distributors or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect Distributors or any person against any liability to the Issuer or its security holders to which Distributors 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, or (ii) is the Issuer to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against Distributors or any person indemnified unless Distributors or person, as the case may be, shall have notified the Issuer in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon Distributors or any such person (or after Distributors or such person shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Issuer of any claim shall not relieve the Issuer from any liability which it may have to Distributors or any person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. The Issuer shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims, but if the Issuer elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to Distributors or person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event the Issuer elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, Distributors, officers or directors or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Issuer does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse Distributors, officers or directors or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Issuer agrees to notify Distributors promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of any of the shares.
Distributors also covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer and each of its Board members and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any loss, liability, damages, claim or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, damages, claim or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person acquiring any shares, based upon the 1933 Act or any other statute or common law, alleging any wrongful act of Distributors or any of its employees or alleging that the registration statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Issuer (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, insofar as the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with information furnished to the Issuer by or on behalf of Distributors. In no case (i) is the indemnity of Distributors in favor of the Issuer or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Issuer or any person against any liability to which the Issuer 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, or (ii) is Distributors to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against the Issuer or any person indemnified unless the Issuer or person, as the case may be, shall have notified Distributors in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Issuer or any such person (or after the Issuer or such person shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify Distributors of any claim shall not relieve Distributors from any liability which it may have to the Issuer or any person against whom the action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. In the case of any notice to Distributors, it shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce the claim, but if Distributors elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Issuer, to its officers and Board and to any controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event that Distributors elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the Issuer or controlling persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expense of any additional counsel retained by them. If Distributors does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the Issuer, officers and Board or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. Distributors agrees to notify the Issuer promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it in connection with the issue and sale of any of the shares.
12. Effective Date - This agreement shall be effective upon its execution, and unless terminated as provided, shall continue in force until June 30, 2011, and thereafter from year to year, provided continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Board members of the Issuer, and by the vote of those Board members of the Issuer who are not "interested persons" of the Issuer and, if a plan under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is in effect, by the vote of those Board members of the Issuer who are not "interested persons" of the Issuer and who are not parties to the Distribution and Service Plan or this Agreement and have no financial interest in the operation of the Distribution and Service Plan or in any agreements related to the Distribution and Service Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. As used in this paragraph, the terms "assignment" and "interested persons" shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as now in effect or as hereafter amended. In addition to termination by failure to approve continuance or by assignment, this Agreement may at any time be terminated by either party upon not less than sixty days' prior written notice to the other party.
13. Notice - Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be deemed sufficient if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party to the party giving notice: if to the Issuer, at 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts, and if to Distributors, at 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
14. Limitation of Liability - Distributors is expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument or other organizational document of the Issuer and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Issuer under this contract shall be limited in all cases to the Issuer and its assets. Distributors shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Issuer. Nor shall Distributors seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the Trustees or any individual Trustee of the Issuer. Distributors understands that the rights and obligations of each series of shares of the Issuer under the Issuer's Trust Instrument or other organizational document are separate and distinct from those of any and all other series.
15. 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Issuer has executed this instrument in its name and behalf, and its seal affixed, by one of its officers duly authorized, and Distributors has executed this instrument in its name and behalf by one of its officers duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
By: /s/Mark Osterheld
Mark Osterheld
President and Treasurer
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: /s/J. Gregory Wass
J. Gregory Wass
Assistant Treasurer
Exhibit (g)(1)
FORM OF
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
Dated as of
Between
Each of the Investment Companies
Listed on Appendix "A" Attached Hereto
and
Mellon Bank, N.A.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN |
1 |
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ARTICLE II |
POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN |
1 |
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Section 2.01. |
Safekeeping |
2 |
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Section 2.02. |
Manner of Holding Securities and Other Assets |
2 |
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Section 2.03. |
Security Purchases |
3 |
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Section 2.04. |
Exchanges of Securities |
4 |
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Section 2.05. |
Sales of Securities |
5 |
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Section 2.06. |
Depositary Receipts |
5 |
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Section 2.07. |
Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers |
6 |
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Section 2.08. |
Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc |
6 |
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Section 2.09. |
Options |
6 |
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Section 2.10. |
Futures Contracts |
6 |
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Section 2.11. |
Borrowing |
7 |
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Section 2.12. |
Interest Bearing Deposits |
7 |
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Section 2.13. |
Foreign Exchange Transactions |
8 |
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Section 2.14. |
Securities Loans |
9 |
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Section 2.15. |
Collections |
9 |
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Section 2.16. |
Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions |
9 |
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Section 2.17. |
Proceeds from Shares Sold |
10 |
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Section 2.18. |
Proxies, Notices, Etc |
10 |
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Section 2.19. |
Bills and Other Disbursements |
10 |
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Section 2.20. |
Nondiscretionary Functions |
10 |
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Section 2.21. |
Bank Accounts |
11 |
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Section 2.22. |
Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems and |
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Eligible Scurities Depositories |
12 |
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Section 2.23. |
Other Transfers |
16 |
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Section 2.24. |
Establishment of Segregated Account |
16 |
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Section 2.25. |
Custodian's Books and Records |
16 |
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Section 2.26. |
Opinion of Fund's Independent Certified Public |
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Accountants |
17 |
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Section 2.27. |
Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants |
17 |
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Section 2.28. |
Overdraft Facility |
17 |
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Section 2.29. |
Insurance Requirements |
18 |
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Section 2.30. |
Provision of Information |
19 |
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Section 2.31. |
Compliance and Internal Control Reports |
19 |
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Section 2.32. |
Local Regulatory Matters |
19 |
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ARTICLE III |
PROPER INSTRUCTIONS, SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND |
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RELATED MATTERS |
19 |
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Section 3.01. |
Proper Instructions and Special Instructions |
19 |
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Section 3.02. |
Authorized Persons |
20 |
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Section 3.03. |
Persons Having Access to Assets of the Portfolios |
20 |
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Section 3.04. |
Actions of Custodian Based on Proper Instructions and |
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Special Instructions |
21 |
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ARTICLE IV |
SUBCUSTODIANS |
21 |
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Section 4.01. |
Domestic Subcustodians |
21 |
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Section 4.02. |
Foreign Subcustodians and Interim Subcustodians. |
21 |
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Section 4.03. |
Special Subcustodians |
24 |
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Section 4.04. |
Termination of a Subcustodian |
25 |
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Section 4.05. |
Certification Regarding Foreign Subcustodians |
25 |
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ARTICLE V |
STANDARD OF CARE; INDEMNIFICATION |
26 |
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Section 5.01. |
Standard of Care |
26 |
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Section 5.02. |
Liability of Custodian for Actions of Other Persons |
27 |
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Section 5.03. |
Indemnification |
28 |
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Section 5.04. |
Investment Limitations |
29 |
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Section 5.05. |
Fund's Right to Proceed |
29 |
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ARTICLE VI |
COMPENSATION |
30 |
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ARTICLE VII |
TERMINATION |
30 |
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Section 7.01. |
Termination of Agreement as to One or More Funds |
30 |
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Section 7.02. |
Termination as to One or More Portfolios |
31 |
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ARTICLE VIII |
DEFINED TERMS |
31 |
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ARTICLE IX |
MISCELLANEOUS |
32 |
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Section 9.01. |
Execution of Documents, Etc |
32 |
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Section 9.02. |
Representative Capacity; Nonrecourse Obligations |
33 |
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Section 9.03. |
Several Obligations of the Funds and the Portfolios |
33 |
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Section 9.04. |
Representations and Warranties |
33 |
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Section 9.05. |
Entire Agreement |
34 |
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Section 9.06. |
Waivers and Amendments |
34 |
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Section 9.07. |
Interpretation |
35 |
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Section 9.08. |
Captions |
35 |
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Section 9.09. |
Governing Law |
35 |
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Section 9.10. |
Notices |
35 |
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Section 9.11. |
Assignment |
36 |
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Section 9.12. |
Counterparts |
36 |
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Section 9.13. |
Consent to Recording |
36 |
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Section 9.14. |
Confidentiality; Reporting under Securities Exchange |
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Act of 1934 |
36 |
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Section 9.15. |
Survival of Obligations |
37 |
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Section 9.16. |
Additional Services |
37 |
APPENDICES
Appendix "A" |
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List of Funds and Portfolios |
Appendix "B" |
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List of Additional Custodians, Special Subcustodians and
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Appendix "C" |
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Procedures Relating to Custodian' Security Interest |
Appendix "D" |
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List of Central Funds and Fund of Funds Portfolios |
Appendix "E" |
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List of Transfer Agent Accounts |
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 12 th day of April, 2007 between each of the Investment Companies Listed on Appendix "A" hereto, as the same may be amended from time to time, (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds") and Mellon Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, each Fund may itself represent, or may be organized with one or more series of shares each of which shall represent, an interest in a separate portfolio of cash, securities and other assets (all such existing and additional series now or hereafter listed on Appendix "A" being hereinafter referred to individually, as a "Portfolio," and collectively, as the "Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, each Fund desires to appoint the Custodian as custodian on behalf of each of its Portfolios in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder, under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Custodian has agreed so to act as custodian.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
On behalf of each of its Portfolios, each Fund hereby employs and appoints the Custodian as a custodian, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, or shall cause to be delivered to the Custodian, cash, securities and other assets owned by each of its Portfolios from time to time during the term of this Agreement and shall specify to which of its Portfolios such cash, securities and other assets are to be specifically allocated.
ARTICLE II
POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
As custodian, the Custodian shall have and perform the powers and duties set forth in this Article II. Pursuant to and in accordance with Article IV hereof, the Custodian may appoint one or more Subcustodians or may maintain assets with one or more Eligible Securities Depositories (each as hereinafter defined) to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Custodian set forth in this Article II and references to the Custodian in this Article II shall include any Subcustodian or Eligible Securities Depository so appointed or utilized, as applicable.
ARTICLE II.1. Safekeeping . The Custodian shall keep safely all cash, securities and other assets of each Fund's Portfolios delivered to the Custodian and, on behalf of such Portfolios, the Custodian shall, from time to time, accept delivery of cash, securities and other assets for safekeeping.
ARTICLE II.2. Manner of Holding Securities and Other Assets .
(a) Except to the extent precluded by Section 8-501(d) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ("UCC"), the Custodian shall hold all securities and other assets, other than cash, of a Fund's Portfolio that are delivered to it hereunder in a "securities account" with the Custodian for and in the name of such Portfolio and, except to the extent precluded by Section 8-501(d) of the UCC, shall treat all such assets, other than cash, as "financial assets" as those terms are used in the UCC. The Custodian shall at all times hold securities or other financial assets held for each Fund's Portfolios either: (i) by physical possession of the certificated securities or instruments representing such financial assets, in either registered or bearer form; or (ii) in book-entry form by maintaining "security entitlements," within the meaning of the UCC, with respect to such financial assets with (A) a Securities System (as hereinafter defined) in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22(a) below or (B) an Eligible Securities Depository in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22(b) below. The standards for the performance of the duties and obligations of the Custodian under UCC Article 8, including without limitation Section 8-504 through Section 8-508, with respect to securities entitlements of a Fund or its Portfolio(s) shall be as set forth under this Agreement.
(b) The Custodian shall at all times hold registered securities of each Portfolio in the name of the Custodian, the Portfolio or a nominee of either of them, unless specifically directed by Proper Instructions to hold such registered securities in so-called street name; provided that , in any event, all such securities and other assets shall be held in an account of the Custodian containing only assets of a Portfolio, or only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary or custodian for customers; and provided further , that the records of the Custodian shall indicate at all times the Portfolio or other customer for which such securities and other assets are held in such account and the respective interests therein.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs of this Section 2.02, the Custodian is hereby authorized to maintain the shares of certain open-end management investment companies, managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") or its affiliates or successors as listed on Appendix "D" hereto, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 9.06(e) hereof, (the "Central Funds") owned by the Portfolios, in book-entry form directly with the transfer agent or a designated sub-transfer agent of each such Central Fund ("Central Funds Transfer Agent"), subject to and in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Such Central Fund shares shall be maintained in separate custodian accounts for each Portfolio in the Custodian's name or nominee, as custodian for such Portfolio or Portfolios.
(ii) The Custodian will implement appropriate control procedures (the "Central Fund Control Procedures") to ensure that (A) only authorized personnel of the Custodian will be authorized to give instructions to the Central Fund Transfer Agent in connection with a Portfolio's purchase or sale of Central Fund shares, (B) trade instructions sent to the Central Fund Transfer Agent are properly acknowledged by the Central Fund Transfer Agent, and (C) the Central Fund Transfer Agent's records of each Portfolio's holdings of Central Fund shares are properly reconciled with the Custodian's records.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs of this Section 2.02, the Custodian is hereby authorized to maintain the shares of certain open-end management investment companies (the "Underlying Funds") owned by one or more of the Fidelity Fund of Funds as listed on Appendix "D" hereto, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.06(e) hereof, (each a "Fund of Funds Portfolio" and collectively the "Fund of Funds Portfolios") in book-entry form directly with the transfer agent or a designated sub-transfer agent of each such Underlying Fund (an "Underlying Fund Transfer Agent"), subject to and in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Such Underlying Fund shares shall be maintained in separate custodian accounts for each Fund of Funds Portfolio in the Custodian's name or nominee, as the custodian for such Fund of Funds Portfolio.
(ii) The Custodian will implement appropriate control procedures (the "Fund of Funds Portfolio Control Procedures") to ensure that the Underlying Fund Transfer Agent's records of each Fund of Funds Portfolio's holdings of Underlying Fund shares are properly reconciled with the Custodian's records.
ARTICLE II.3. Security Purchases . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions (as hereinafter defined), the Custodian shall pay for and receive securities purchased for the account of a Portfolio, provided that, payment shall be made by the Custodian only upon receipt of the securities by: (1) the Custodian; (2) a clearing corporation of a national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member; (3) a Securities System; or (4) an Eligible Securities Depository. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon receipt of Proper Instructions: (i) in the case of a repurchase agreement, the Custodian may release funds to a Securities System prior to the receipt of advice from the Securities System that the securities underlying such repurchase agreement have been transferred by book-entry into the Account (as hereinafter defined) maintained with such Securities System by the Custodian, provided that, the Custodian's instructions to the Securities System require that the Securities System may make payment of such funds to the other party to the repurchase agreement only upon transfer by book-entry of the securities underlying the repurchase agreement into the Account; (ii) in the case of time deposits, call account deposits, currency deposits, and other deposits, foreign exchange transactions, futures contracts or options, pursuant to Sections 2.09, 2.10, 2.12 and 2.13 hereof, the Custodian may make payment therefor before receipt of an advice or confirmation evidencing said deposit or entry into such transaction; (iii) in the case of the purchase of securities, the settlement of which occurs outside of the United States of America, the Custodian may make payment therefor and receive delivery of such securities in accordance with local custom and practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients (as hereinafter defined) in the country in which the settlement occurs, but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Article V hereof; (iv) in the case of the purchase of securities in which, in accordance with standard industry custom and practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients with respect to such securities, the receipt of such securities and the payment therefor take place in different countries, the Custodian may receive delivery of such securities and make payment therefor in accordance with standard industry custom and practice for such securities generally accepted by Institutional Clients, but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Article V hereof; (v) in the case of the purchase of Central Fund shares, the Custodian shall pay for and receive Central Fund shares purchased for the account of a Portfolio; provided that (A) the Custodian shall only send instructions to purchase such shares to the Central Fund Transfer Agent in accordance with the Central Fund Control Procedures ("Central Fund Purchase Instructions") upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund, and (B) the Custodian shall release funds to the Central Fund Transfer Agent only after receiving acknowledgment from the Central Fund Transfer Agent that it has received the Central Fund Purchase Instructions; and (vi) in the case of the purchase of Underlying Fund shares for a Fund of Funds Portfolio, the Custodian shall pay for and receive such Underlying Fund shares purchased for the account of a Portfolio, provided that, (A) the Custodian shall only send instructions to purchase such shares to the Underlying Fund Transfer Agent in accordance with the Fund of Funds Portfolio Control Procedures ("Fund of Funds Portfolio Purchase Instructions") upon receipt of instructions from Fidelity's custody operations and (B) the Custodian shall release funds to the Underlying Fund Transfer Agent only after receiving confirmation from such Underlying Fund Transfer Agent that it has received the Fund of Funds Portfolio Purchase Instructions. For purposes of this Agreement, an "Institutional Client" shall mean a major commercial bank, corporation, insurance company, pension fund or substantially similar institution, which, as a substantial part of its business operations, purchases or sells securities and makes use of custodial services.
ARTICLE II.4. Exchanges of Securities . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall exchange securities held by it for the account of a Portfolio for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, split-up of shares, change of par value, conversion or other event relating to the securities or the issuer of such securities, and shall deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan. The Custodian shall, without receiving Proper Instructions: surrender securities in temporary form for definitive securities; surrender securities for transfer into the name of the Custodian, a Portfolio or a nominee of either of them, as permitted by Section 2.02(b); and surrender securities for a different number of certificates or instruments representing the same number of shares or same principal amount of indebtedness, provided that the securities to be issued will be delivered to the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian.
ARTICLE II.5. Sales of Securities . (a) Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall make delivery of securities which have been sold for the account of a Portfolio, but only against payment therefor in the form of: (1) cash, certified check, bank cashier's check, bank credit, or bank wire transfer; (2) credit to the account of the Custodian with a clearing corporation of a national securities exchange of which the Custodian is a member; or (3) credit to the Account of the Custodian with a Securities System or Eligible Securities Depository, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22(a) and Section 2.22(b) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions: (i) in the case of the sale of securities, the settlement of which occurs outside of the United States of America, such securities shall be delivered and paid for in accordance with local custom and practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients in the country in which the settlement occurs, but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Article V hereof; (ii) in the case of the sale of securities in which, in accordance with standard industry custom and practice generally accepted by Institutional Clients with respect to such securities, the delivery of such securities and receipt of payment therefor take place in different countries, the Custodian may deliver such securities and receive payment therefor in accordance with standard industry custom and practice for such securities generally accepted by Institutional Clients, but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Article V hereof; (iii) in the case of securities held in physical form, such securities shall be delivered and paid for in accordance with "street delivery custom" to a broker or its clearing agent, against delivery to the Custodian of a receipt for such securities, provided that the Custodian shall have taken reasonable steps to ensure prompt collection of the payment for, or the return of, such securities by the broker or its clearing agent, and provided further that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the selection of or the failure or inability to perform of such broker or its clearing agent; (iv) in the case of Central Fund shares, the Custodian shall release Central Fund shares sold for the account of a Portfolio, provided that (A) the Custodian shall only send instructions to sell such shares to the Central Fund Transfer Agent in accordance with the Central Fund Control Procedures ("Central Fund Sell Instructions") upon receipt of Proper Instructions, and (B) such Central Fund Sell Instructions shall be properly confirmed by the Central Fund Transfer Agent; and (v) in the case of the sale of Underlying Fund shares of a Fund of Funds Portfolio, the Custodian shall release such Underlying Fund shares, provided that , the Custodian shall only send instructions to sell shares to an Underlying Fund Transfer Agent in accordance with the Fund of Funds Portfolio Control Procedures (the "Fund of Funds Portfolio Sell Instructions") upon receipt of Fund of Funds Portfolio Sell Instructions from Fidelity's custody operations.
ARTICLE II.6. Depositary Receipts . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender securities to the depositary used for such securities by an issuer of American Depositary Receipts, Global Depository Receipts or International Depositary Receipts (hereinafter referred to, collectively, as "ADRs"), against a written receipt therefor adequately describing such securities and written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the depositary has acknowledged receipt of instructions to issue ADRs with respect to such securities in the name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, for delivery to the Custodian at such place as the Custodian may from time to time designate. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall surrender ADRs to the issuer thereof, against a written receipt therefor adequately describing the ADRs surrendered and written evidence satisfactory to the Custodian that the issuer of the ADRs has acknowledged receipt of instructions to cause its depository to deliver the securities underlying such ADRs to the Custodian.
ARTICLE II.7. Exercise of Rights; Tender Offers . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or trustee thereof, or to the agent of such issuer or trustee, for the purpose of exercise or sale, provided that the new securities, cash or other assets, if any, acquired as a result of such actions are to be delivered to the Custodian; and (b) deposit securities upon invitations for tenders thereof, provided that the consideration for such securities is to be paid or delivered to the Custodian, or the tendered securities are to be returned to the Custodian. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall take all necessary action, unless otherwise directed to the contrary in Proper Instructions, to comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions, or similar rights of security ownership, and shall promptly notify each applicable Fund of such action in writing by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
ARTICLE II.8. Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc . The Custodian shall receive and collect all stock dividends, rights and other items of like nature and, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, take action with respect to the same as directed in such Proper Instructions.
ARTICLE II.9. Options . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions and in accordance with the provisions of any agreement between the Custodian, any registered broker-dealer and, if necessary, a Fund on behalf of any applicable Portfolio relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation or of any registered national securities exchange or similar organization(s), the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain confirmations or other documents, if any, evidencing the purchase or writing of an option on a security or securities index by the applicable Portfolio; (b) pledge or deposit and maintain in a segregated account, as applicable securities (either physically or by book-entry in a Securities System), cash or other assets; and (c) pay, release and/or transfer such securities, cash or other assets in accordance with notices or other communications evidencing the expiration, termination or exercise of such options furnished by the Options Clearing Corporation, the securities or options exchange on which such options are traded, or such other organization as may be responsible for handling such option transactions. Each Fund, on behalf of its applicable Portfolios, and the broker-dealer shall be solely responsible for the sufficiency of assets held in any segregated account established in compliance with applicable margin maintenance requirements and the performance of other terms of any option contract.
ARTICLE II.10. Futures Contracts . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) receive and retain confirmations, if any, evidencing the purchase or sale of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract by the applicable Portfolio; (b) deposit and maintain such cash, securities and other assets designated as initial, maintenance or variation "margin" deposits intended to secure the applicable Portfolio's performance of its obligations under any such futures contracts purchased or sold or any such options on futures contracts written by the Portfolio (i) in a segregated account established in accordance with the provisions of a futures margin procedural agreement among a Fund, on behalf of any applicable Portfolio, the Custodian and any futures commission merchant (a "Procedural Agreement"), designed to comply with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any commodity exchange or contract market (such as the Chicago Board of Trade), or any similar organization(s), regarding such margin deposits (a "Segregated Futures Margin Account"), or (ii) in a broker's margin account meeting the requirements of Rule 17f-6 under the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time (a "Broker's Futures Margin Account"); and (c) release to the applicable Portfolio any such assets held in a Segregated Futures Margin Account, or accept delivery of such assets back from a Broker's Margin Account, as the case may be. In the absence of Proper Instructions, the Custodian may release assets from and/or transfer assets into a Segregated Futures Margin Account only in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Procedural Agreement. Each Fund, on behalf of its applicable Portfolios, and the applicable futures commission merchant shall be solely responsible for the sufficiency of assets held in a Segregated Futures Margin Account or Broker's Futures Margin Account, as the case may be, in compliance with applicable margin maintenance requirements and the performance of any futures contract or option on a futures contract in accordance with its terms. For purposes of determining the Custodian's obligations with respect to any losses resulting from the acts or omissions of any futures commission merchant holding Portfolio assets in a Broker's Futures Margin Account, such futures commission merchant shall be deemed to be an Additional Custodian (as defined below), and the Custodian's liability shall be governed by the provisions of Section 5.02(c) hereof.
ARTICLE II.11. Borrowing . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver securities of a Portfolio to lenders or their agents, or otherwise establish a segregated account as agreed to by the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio and the Custodian, as collateral for borrowings effected by such Portfolio, provided that such borrowed money is payable by the lender (a) to or upon the Custodian's order, as Custodian for such Portfolio, and (b) concurrently with delivery of such securities.
ARTICLE II.12. Interest Bearing Deposits . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Custodian to purchase interest bearing fixed term and call deposits (hereinafter referred to collectively, as "Interest Bearing Deposits") for the account of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall purchase such Interest Bearing Deposits in the name of the Portfolio with such banks or trust companies (including the Custodian, any Subcustodian or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Custodian) (hereinafter referred to as "Banking Institutions") and in such amounts as the applicable Fund may direct pursuant to Proper Instructions. Such Interest Bearing Deposits may be denominated in U.S. Dollars or other currencies, as the applicable Fund on behalf of its Portfolio may determine and direct pursuant to Proper Instructions. The Custodian shall include in its records with respect to the assets of each Portfolio appropriate notation as to the amount and currency of each such Interest Bearing Bank Deposit, the accepting Banking Institution and all other appropriate details, and shall retain such forms of advice or receipt evidencing such account, if any, as may be forwarded to the Custodian by the Banking Institution. The responsibilities of the Custodian to each Fund for Interest Bearing Deposits accepted on the Custodian's books in the United States of America on behalf of the Fund's Portfolios shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. The responsibilities of the Custodian to each Fund for Interest Bearing Deposits accepted on the Custodian's books in one of its non-U.S. branches on behalf of the Fund's Portfolios shall be that of a non-U.S. branch of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. With respect to Interest Bearing Deposits other than those accepted on the Custodian's books, (a) the Custodian shall be responsible for the collection of income as set forth in Section 2.15 and the transmission of cash and instructions to and from such accounts; and (b) the Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the selection of the Banking Institution or, so long as the Custodian acts in accordance with Proper Instructions, for the failure of such Banking Institution to pay upon demand. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall take such reasonable actions as the applicable Fund deems necessary or appropriate to cause each such Interest Bearing Deposit Account to be insured to the maximum extent possible by all applicable deposit insurers including, without limitation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
ARTICLE II.13. Foreign Exchange Transactions .
(a) Foreign Exchange Transactions Other Than as Principal . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall settle foreign exchange contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the account of a Portfolio with such currency brokers or Banking Institutions as the applicable Fund may determine and direct pursuant to Proper Instructions. The Custodian shall be responsible for the transmission of cash and instructions to and from the currency broker or Banking Institution with which the contract or option is made, the safekeeping of all certificates and other documents and agreements evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions and the maintenance of proper records as set forth in Section 2.25. The Custodian shall have no duty with respect to the selection of the currency brokers or Banking Institutions with which a Fund deals on behalf of its Portfolios or, so long as the Custodian acts in accordance with Proper Instructions, for the failure of such brokers or Banking Institutions to comply with the terms of any contract or option.
(b) Foreign Exchange Contracts as Principal. The Custodian shall not be obligated to enter into foreign exchange transactions as principal. However, if the Custodian has made available to a Fund its services as a principal in foreign exchange transactions, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall enter into foreign exchange contracts or options to purchase and sell foreign currencies for spot and future delivery on behalf of and for the account of a Portfolio of such Fund with the Custodian as principal. The Custodian shall be responsible for the selection of the currency brokers or Banking Institutions and the failure of such currency brokers or Banking Institutions to comply with the terms of any contract or option.
(c) Payments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon receipt of Proper Instructions the Custodian may, in connection with a foreign exchange contract, make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of U.S. Dollars or foreign currency prior to receipt of confirmation of such foreign exchange contract or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing such contract has been delivered or received.
ARTICLE II.14. Securities Loans . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall, in connection with loans of securities by a Portfolio, deliver securities of such Portfolio to the borrower thereof prior to receipt of the collateral, if any, for such borrowing; provided that , in cases of loans of securities secured by cash collateral, the Custodian's instructions to the Securities System shall require that the Securities System deliver the securities of the Portfolio to the borrower thereof only upon receipt of the collateral for such borrowing. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall release the collateral received in respect of a loan of securities to the borrower against receipt of the loaned securities.
ARTICLE II.15. Collections . The Custodian shall, and shall cause each Subcustodian to: (a) collect amounts due and payable to each Fund with respect to portfolio securities and other assets of each of such Fund's Portfolios; (b) promptly credit to the account of each applicable Portfolio all income and other payments relating to portfolio securities and other assets held by the Custodian hereunder upon Custodian's receipt of such income or payments or as otherwise agreed in writing by the Custodian and the applicable Fund; (c) promptly endorse and deliver any instruments required to effect such collections; (d) promptly execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal, state and foreign tax purposes in connection with receipt of income, capital gains or other payments with respect to portfolio securities and other assets of each applicable Portfolio, or in connection with the purchase, sale or transfer of such securities or other assets; and (e) promptly file any certificates or other affidavits for the refund or reclaim of foreign taxes paid, and promptly notify each applicable Fund of any changes to law, interpretative rulings or procedures regarding such reclaims, and otherwise use all available measures customarily used to minimize the imposition of foreign taxes at source, and promptly inform each applicable Fund of alternative means of minimizing such taxes of which the Custodian shall become aware (or with the exercise of reasonable care should have become aware); provided , however , that with respect to portfolio securities registered in so-called street name, the Custodian shall use its best efforts to collect amounts due and payable to each Fund with respect to its Portfolios. The Custodian shall promptly notify each applicable Fund in writing by facsimile transmission, or in such other manner as each such Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing, if any amount payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets of the Portfolios of such Fund(s) is not received by the Custodian when due. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets that are in default.
ARTICLE II.16. Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions . The Custodian shall promptly release funds or securities: (a) upon receipt of Proper Instructions, to one or more Distribution Accounts designated by the applicable Fund or Funds in such Proper Instructions; or (b) upon receipt of Special Instructions, as otherwise directed by the applicable Fund or Funds, for the purpose of the payment of dividends or other distributions to shareholders of each applicable Portfolio, and payment to shareholders who have requested repurchase or redemption of their shares of the Portfolio(s) (collectively, the "Shares"). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Distribution Account" shall mean an account established at a Banking Institution designated by the applicable Fund on behalf of one or more of its Portfolios in Special Instructions.
ARTICLE II.17. Proceeds from Shares Sold . The Custodian shall receive funds representing cash payments received for Shares issued or sold from time to time by the Funds, and shall promptly credit such funds to the account(s) of the applicable Portfolio(s). The Custodian shall promptly notify each applicable Fund of Custodian's receipt of cash in payment for Shares issued by such Fund by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver all federal funds received by the Custodian in payment for Shares in payment for such investments as may be set forth in such Proper Instructions and at a time agreed upon between the Custodian and the applicable Fund; and (b) make federal funds available to the applicable Fund as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian, in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares which are deposited to the accounts of each applicable Portfolio.
ARTICLE II.18. Proxies, Notices, Etc . The Custodian shall deliver to each applicable Fund, in the most expeditious manner practicable, all forms of proxies, all notices of meetings, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to securities owned by one or more of the applicable Fund's Portfolios that are received by the Custodian, any Subcustodian, or any nominee of either of them (or with the exercise of reasonable care that the Custodian, any Subcustodian, or any nominee of either of them should have become aware), and, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver, or cause such Subcustodian or nominee to execute and deliver, such proxies or other authorizations as may be required. The Custodian recognizes that this requirement applies to all securities and that each Fund's investments in non-U.S. securities may entail proxies and notices, which, for the avoidance of doubt, are explicitly covered hereunder. In the event that a Fund invests in non-U.S. securities in a market in which the Custodian does not offer proxy voting services, the Custodian shall promptly notify such Fund. Except as directed pursuant to Proper Instructions, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian or nominee shall vote upon any such securities, or execute any proxy to vote thereon, or give any consent or take any other action with respect thereto. In the event that the Custodian is unable to vote upon any such securities in accordance with Proper Instructions for any reason including, but not limited to, the failure of the applicable Fund to deliver any necessary powers of attorney or other documentation, the Custodian shall promptly notify (subject to market practices and rules) the applicable Fund.
ARTICLE II.19. Bills and Other Disbursements . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay or cause to be paid, all bills, statements, or other obligations of each Portfolio.
ARTICLE II.20. Nondiscretionary Functions . The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer or other dealings with securities or other assets of each Portfolio held by the Custodian, except as otherwise directed from time to time pursuant to Proper Instructions.
ARTICLE II.21. Bank Accounts.
(a) Accounts with the Custodian and any Subcustodians . The Custodian shall open and operate a bank account or accounts (hereinafter referred to collectively, as "Bank Accounts") on the books of the Custodian or any Subcustodian provided that such account(s) shall be in the name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, for the account of a Portfolio, and shall be subject only to the draft or order of the Custodian; and provided further , however, that such Bank Accounts in countries other than the United States of America may be held in an account of the Custodian containing only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary or custodian for customers, and provided further , that the records of the Custodian shall indicate at all times the Portfolio or other customer for which such securities and other assets are held in such account and the respective interests therein. Such Bank Accounts may be denominated in either U.S. Dollars or other currencies. The responsibilities of the Custodian to each applicable Fund for deposits accepted on the Custodian's books in the United States of America shall be that of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. The responsibilities of the Custodian to each applicable Fund for deposits accepted on the Custodian's books in its non-U.S. branches shall be that of a non-U.S. branch of a U.S. bank for a similar deposit. The responsibilities of the Custodian to each applicable Fund for deposits accepted on any Subcustodian's books shall be governed by the provisions of Section 5.02.
(b) Accounts With Other Banking Institutions . The Custodian may open and operate Bank Accounts on behalf of a Portfolio, in the name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, at a Banking Institution other than the Custodian or any Subcustodian, provided that such account(s) shall be in the name of the Custodian or a nominee of the Custodian, for the account of a Portfolio, and shall be subject only to the draft or order of the Custodian; provided however , that such Bank Accounts may be held in an account of the Custodian containing only assets held by the Custodian as a fiduciary or custodian for customers, and provided further , that the records of the Custodian shall indicate at all times the Portfolio or other customer for which such securities and other assets are held in such account and the respective interests therein. Such Bank Accounts may be denominated in either U.S. Dollars or other currencies. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.01(a), the Custodian shall be responsible for the selection of the Banking Institution and for the failure of such Banking Institution to pay according to the terms of the deposit.
(c) Transfer Agent Accounts . The Custodian maintains certain Bank Accounts at the Custodian on behalf of the Funds (the "Transfer Agent Accounts") to facilitate the efficient transfer of cash to and from (i) the Bank Accounts established and maintained at the Custodian and (ii) bank accounts established and maintained at Banking Institutions other than the Custodian or any Subcustodian. Each of the Funds and Custodian agree that the Custodian shall provide the Transfer Agent Accounts established and maintained by such Custodian with the same treatment as other Bank Accounts established and maintained pursuant to this Agreement, and any and all applicable representations, warranties, covenants, conditions, agreement, rights, obligations or duties of the Funds or the Custodian with respect to such Transfer Agent Accounts shall be governed by the corresponding provisions of this Agreement. The Custodian shall also specify in the records it maintains with respect to the Funds and their Bank Accounts and any other records maintained or required to be maintained by this Agreement or applicable regulatory requirements by the Custodian, its relationship as Custodian pursuant to which the Transfer Agent Accounts are maintained in order to comply with the any applicable rules, regulations, or other requirements of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Custodian agrees that such records shall be conclusive evidence of the individual and not joint interest of each Fund in any amounts then credited to the Transfer Agent Accounts. Each of the Transfer Agent Accounts designated by the Funds is set forth on Appendix E to this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Funds have authorized Fidelity Service Company, Inc., Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. or any successor thereof to act on their behalf with respect to transactions involving the Transfer Agent Accounts.
(d) Deposit Insurance . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall take such reasonable actions as the applicable Fund deems necessary or appropriate to cause each deposit account established by the Custodian pursuant to this Section 2.21 to be insured to the maximum extent possible by all applicable deposit insurers including, without limitation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
ARTICLE II.22. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems and Eligible Securities Depositories . (a) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic securities owned by a Portfolio in: (1) The Depository Trust Company; (2) any book-entry system as provided in (i) Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306.115, (ii) Subpart B of Treasury Circular Public Debt Series No. 27-76, 31 CFR 350.2, or (iii) the book-entry regulations of federal agencies substantially in the form of 31 CFR 306.115; or (3) any other domestic clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or as may otherwise be authorized by the SEC to serve in the capacity of depository or clearing agent for the securities or other assets of investment companies) which acts as a securities depository and the use of which each applicable Fund has previously approved by Special Instructions (as hereinafter defined) (each of the foregoing being referred to in this Agreement as a "Securities System"). Use of a Securities System shall be in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and SEC rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:
(a) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities held hereunder in a Securities System, provided that such securities are represented in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the Securities System which Account shall not contain any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for customers and shall be so designated on the books and records of the Securities System.
(i) The Securities System shall be obligated to comply with the Custodian's directions with respect to the securities held in such Account and shall not be entitled to a lien against the assets in such Account for extensions of credit to the Custodian other than for payment of the purchase price of such assets.
(1) Each Fund hereby designates the Custodian as the party in whose name any securities deposited by the Custodian in the Account are to be registered or recorded.
(2) The books and records of the Custodian shall at all times identify those securities belonging to each Portfolio which are maintained in a Securities System.
(3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of a Portfolio only upon (w) receipt of advice from the Securities System that such securities have been transferred to the Account of the Custodian, and (x) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of such Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of a Portfolio only upon (y) receipt of advice from the Securities System that payment for such securities has been transferred to the Account of the Custodian, and (z) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of such Portfolio. The Custodian shall at all times maintain suitable documentation, such as confirmations, position statements and other records, stored in an easily accessible format, commensurate with industry and regulatory standards, that shall identify transfers of securities from the Securities System for the account of such Portfolio. The Custodian shall deliver to each applicable Fund on the next succeeding Business Day daily transaction reports which shall include each day's transactions in the Securities System for the account of each applicable Portfolio. Such transaction reports shall be delivered to each applicable Fund or any agent designated by such Fund pursuant to Proper Instructions, by computer or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
(4) The Custodian shall, if requested by a Fund pursuant to Proper Instructions, provide such Fund with all reports obtained by the Custodian or any Subcustodian with respect to a Securities System's accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the Securities System.
(5) Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall terminate the use of any Securities System (except the federal book-entry system) on behalf of any Portfolio as promptly as practicable and shall take all actions reasonably practicable to safeguard the securities of any Portfolio maintained with such Securities System.
(b) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain "Foreign Assets" (as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time ("Rule 17f-5")), owned by a Portfolio in a securities depository located outside the United States of America that the Custodian has determined meets the definition of "Eligible Securities Depository" under Rule 17f-7(b)(1) under the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time ("Rule 17f-7"), or that has otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an exemptive order of the SEC or no-action letter of the staff of the SEC (each of the foregoing being referred to in this Agreement as an "Eligible Securities Depository"), provided that prior to the deposit or maintenance of Foreign Assets of a Fund with a securities depository located outside the United States of America, the Custodian shall have certified in writing to the Fund, on behalf of its Portfolios, that the securities depository is an "Eligible Securities Depository". Use of an Eligible Securities Depository shall be in accordance with applicable SEC rules and regulations, in particular Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act, and subject to the following provisions:
(i) The Custodian or any Subcustodian may deposit and/or maintain Foreign Assets held hereunder in an Eligible Securities Depository, provided that such Foreign Assets are represented in an Account of the Custodian or Subcustodian in the Eligible Securities Depository which Account shall not contain any assets of the Custodian or Subcustodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for customers and shall be so designated on the books and records of the Eligible Securities Depository unless the Fund by Special Instructions permits another manner of holding, representing and/or designating a Fund's Foreign Assets.
(1) The Custodian shall, in accordance with the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a) hereof, be responsible for: (A) providing the Fund or its designee, on behalf of its applicable Portfolio(s), an analysis (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Fund) of the custody risks associated with maintaining Foreign Assets with the Eligible Securities Depository; (B) establishing a system to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining Foreign Assets with the Eligible Securities Depository; (C) monitoring the custody risks associated with maintaining Foreign Assets with the Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis; and (D) promptly notifying the Fund of any material change in the custody risks associated with maintaining Foreign Assets with the Eligible Securities Depository.
(2) The Eligible Securities Depository shall be obligated to comply with the Custodian's or Subcustodian's directions with respect to the Foreign Assets held in such Account, provided that the Foreign Assets held in such Account shall not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Custodian or Subcustodian (or either of their respective creditors), except a claim for reasonable payment for their safe custody or administration.
(3) Each Fund hereby designates the Custodian or each Subcustodian as the party in whose name any Foreign Assets deposited by the Custodian or the Subcustodian in the Account are to be registered or recorded, provided, however , that the Custodian may register or record Foreign Assets of a Fund in the name of the Fund or other nominee for the Fund upon the Custodian's provision of written notice to the Fund of such proposed registration or recordation at least 5 Business Days prior to such registration or recordation.
(4) The books and records of the Custodian shall at all times identify those Foreign Assets belonging to each Portfolio which are maintained in an Eligible Securities Depository.
(5) The Custodian shall pay for Foreign Assets purchased for the account of a Portfolio only upon (w) receipt of advice from the Eligible Securities Depository that such Foreign Assets have been transferred to the Account of the Custodian or Subcustodian, and (x) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of such Portfolio, provided however , if required under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Eligible Securities Depository is located or pursuant to the rules of an Eligible Securities Depository, the Custodian may receive delivery of such securities and make payment therefor in accordance with such applicable laws or rules of the Eligible Securities Depository, but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a) hereof. The Custodian or Subcustodian shall transfer Foreign Assets sold for the account of a Portfolio only upon (y) receipt of advice from the Eligible Securities Depository that payment for such Foreign Assets has been transferred to the Account of the Custodian or Subcustodian, and (z) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of such Portfolio, provided however , if required under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Eligible Securities Depository is located or pursuant to the rules of an Eligible Securities Depository, the Custodian may make payment therefor and receive delivery of such securities in accordance with such applicable laws or rules of the Eligible Securities Depository, but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a) hereof. The Custodian shall at all times maintain suitable documentation, such as confirmations, position statements and other records, stored in an easily accessible format, commensurate with industry and regulatory standards, that shall identify transfers of securities from the Eligible Securities Depository for the account of such Portfolio. The Custodian shall deliver to each applicable Fund no later than the next succeeding Business Day, or at such other time or times as such Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing, daily transaction reports which shall include each day's transactions in the Eligible Securities Depository for the account of each applicable Portfolio. Such transaction reports shall be delivered to each applicable Fund or any agent designated by such Fund pursuant to Proper Instructions, by electronic device or system (including without limitation, computers) or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
(6) The Custodian shall, if requested by a Fund or its designee pursuant to Proper Instructions, provide such Fund with all reports obtained by the Custodian or any Subcustodian with respect to an Eligible Securities Depository's accounting system, internal accounting controls, and procedures for safeguarding Foreign Assets deposited in the Eligible Securities Depository.
(7) The Custodian (A) shall terminate the use of any Eligible Securities Depository on behalf of any Portfolio as soon as reasonably practicable and shall take all actions reasonably practicable to safeguard the Foreign Assets of any Portfolio maintained with such Eligible Securities Depository: (1) upon receipt of Special Instructions; or (2), in the absence of the receipt of Special Instructions, if the custody arrangement with the Eligible Securities Depository at any time ceases to satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-7(b)(1), and (B) shall provide the Funds or their respective designees, on behalf of the Portfolios, with written notification of any termination of the Custodian's use of an Eligible Securities Depository at least 90 Business Days prior to the effective date of the proposed termination, unless the Funds in their discretion permit a shorter notification period.
(8) Each Eligible Securities Depository through which the Custodian maintains Foreign Assets of the applicable Portfolio(s) and the countries where they may hold Foreign Assets of the applicable Portfolio(s) shall be listed on Appendix "B" attached hereto, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.06(c) hereof.
ARTICLE II.23. Other Transfers .
(a) Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall transfer to or receive from a third party that has been appointed to serve as an additional custodian of one or more Portfolios (an "Additional Custodian") securities, cash and other assets of such Portfolio(s) in accordance with such Proper Instructions. Each Additional Custodian shall be identified as such on Appendix "B" , as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.06(c) hereof.
(b) Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall make such other dispositions of securities, funds or other property of a Portfolio in a manner or for purposes other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement, provided that the Special Instructions relating to such disposition shall include a statement of the purpose for which the delivery is to be made, the amount of funds and/or securities to be delivered, and the name of the person or persons to whom delivery is to be made, and shall otherwise comply with the provisions of Sections 3.01 and 3.03 hereof.
ARTICLE II.24. Establishment of Segregated Account . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of a Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities or other assets of such Portfolio, including securities maintained by the Custodian in a Securities System pursuant to Section 2.22(a) hereof or an Eligible Securities Depository pursuant to Section 2.22(b) hereof, said account or accounts to be maintained: (a) for the purposes set forth in Sections 2.09, 2.10 and 2.11 hereof; (b) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases of the SEC or SEC rules or regulations relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies; or (c) for such other purposes as set forth, from time to time, in Special Instructions.
ARTICLE II.25. Custodian's Books and Records . The Custodian shall provide any assistance reasonably requested by a Fund in the preparation of reports to such Fund's shareholders and others, audits of accounts, and other ministerial matters of like nature. The Custodian shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to securities and other assets held for the accounts of each Portfolio as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, including: (a) journals or other records of original entry containing a detailed and itemized daily record of all receipts and deliveries of securities (including certificate and transaction identification numbers, if any), and all receipts and disbursements of cash; (b) ledgers or other records reflecting (i) securities in transfer, (ii) securities in physical possession, (iii) securities borrowed, loaned or collateralizing obligations of each Portfolio, (iv) monies borrowed and monies loaned (together with a record of the collateral therefor and substitutions of such collateral), (v) dividends and interest received, (vi) the amount of tax withheld by any person in respect of any collection made by the Custodian or any Subcustodian, and (vii) the amount of reclaims or refunds for foreign taxes paid; and (c) cancelled checks and bank records related thereto. The Custodian shall keep such other books and records of each Fund as such Fund shall reasonably request. All such books and records maintained by the Custodian shall be maintained in a form acceptable to the applicable Fund and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, including, but not limited to, books and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations from time to time adopted thereunder. All books and records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times be the property of each applicable Fund and shall be available during normal business hours for inspection and use by such Fund and its agents, including, without limitation, its independent certified public accountants. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, no Fund shall take any actions or cause the Custodian to take any actions which would cause, either directly or indirectly, the Custodian to violate any applicable laws, regulations or orders.
ARTICLE II.26. Opinion of Fund's Independent Certified Public Accountants . The Custodian shall take all reasonable action as a Fund may request to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from such Fund's independent certified public accountants with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A and the Fund's Form N-CSR or other periodic reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements of the SEC or the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE II.27. Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants . At the request of a Fund, the Custodian shall deliver to such Fund a written report prepared by the Custodian's independent certified public accountants with respect to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Custodian's accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding cash, securities and other assets, including cash, securities and other assets deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, Eligible Securities Depository or with a Subcustodian. Such report shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by any Fund and as may reasonably be obtained by the Custodian.
ARTICLE II.28. Overdraft Facility . In the event that the Custodian is directed by Proper Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of a Portfolio for which there would be, at the close of business on the date of such payment or transfer, insufficient funds held by the Custodian on behalf of such Portfolio, the Custodian may, in its discretion, provide an overdraft (an "Overdraft") to the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio, in an amount sufficient to allow the completion of such payment. In the event of an overdraft to a Transfer Agent Account, upon request by the Custodian, the Funds shall promptly identify which Funds or which of their Portfolios are responsible for such overdraft in such Transfer Agent Accounts. Any Overdraft provided hereunder: (a) shall be payable on the next Business Day, unless otherwise agreed by the applicable Fund and the Custodian; and (b) shall accrue interest from the date of the Overdraft to the date of payment in full by the applicable Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio at a rate agreed upon in writing, from time to time, by the Custodian and the applicable Fund. The Custodian and each Fund acknowledge that the purpose of such Overdrafts is to temporarily finance the purchase or sale of securities for prompt delivery in accordance with the terms hereof, or to meet emergency expenses not reasonably foreseeable by such Fund. The Custodian shall promptly notify each applicable Fund in writing (an "Overdraft Notice") of any Overdraft by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing. At the request of the Custodian, each applicable Fund, on behalf of one or more of its Portfolios, shall pledge, assign and grant to the Custodian a security interest in certain specified securities of the applicable Portfolio, as security for Overdrafts provided to such Portfolio, under the terms and conditions set forth in Appendix "C" attached hereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except to the extent expressly provided for in Appendix "C" , the Custodian hereby waives and agrees that it shall not claim, assert or enforce a lien, encumbrance or security interest in any of the assets of any Portfolio.
ARTICLE II.29. Insurance Requirements .
(a) The Custodian shall, at its own expense, procure and maintain: (i) workers compensation insurance for its own employees in an amount not less than the statutory limits under all applicable statutes, rules and regulations in each of the states in which Custodian operates and under all applicable federal statutes, rules and regulations, (ii) employers liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, (iii) comprehensive general liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, (iv) comprehensive automobile liability (including automobile non-ownership liability) insurance in a combined single limit amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, (v) umbrella or excess liability insurance providing coverages in excess of the coverages listed in (ii), (iii) and (iv) above in an amount not less than $5,000,000 per occurrence, (vi) errors and omission liability insurance in an amount not less than $10,000,000 per claim, (vii) a fidelity bond in an amount not less than $10,000,000 per loss, and (viii) electronic and computer crime insurance in an amount not less than $10,000,000 per loss, provided however that the term "Custodian" in this Section 2.29 shall not include a Subcustodian or Eligible Securities Depository. Nothing in this Section 2.29 shall be deemed to limit the Custodian's liability to the types or coverage amounts specified above or to limit any coverage under any of Custodian's insurance policies.
(b) Concurrent with the execution of this Agreement and, upon the request of a Fund, on each anniversary thereafter, Custodian shall provide a "certificate of insurance" to each Fund that evidences that policies, bonds or similar agreements providing the types and amounts of coverage specified in paragraph (a) of this section 2.29 have been entered into and are in full force and effect.
ARTICLE II.30. Provision of Information . At the request of a Fund, the Custodian shall promptly provide to such Fund all information relating to such Fund's, or any of its Portfolio's, cash, securities, and other assets which may be reasonably requested by such Fund in order to determine the amount to be paid to the Custodian under Article VI hereof. Such information shall be delivered to such Fund at such time(s) and in such form(s) specified by such Fund.
ARTICLE II.31. Compliance and Internal Control Reports . The Custodian shall promptly notify each Fund of each determination of significant deficiencies, material weaknesses or inadequacies in the internal accounting controls of the Custodian. In addition, in order to assist the Fund in complying with its obligations under applicable laws and regulations, the Custodian shall promptly provide to each Fund such periodic reports and reasonable documentation relating to the services provided by the Custodian to the Fund as the Fund may request from time to time, including, but not limited to, certifications regarding compliance with procedures for safekeeping, recordkeeping and reporting of the Fund's assets and transactions pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE II.32. Local Regulatory Matters . The Custodian shall assist each Fund in complying with regulations and market practices of jurisdictions other than the United States of America applicable to the Fund's Foreign Assets as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time. Such assistance may include, but not be limited to, soliciting information and guidance from depositories, exchanges and regulators; obtaining legal opinions at the expense of the relevant Fund or Funds but only after such Fund or Funds have been notified and agree in writing to the amount of such expenses; acting as a Fund's representative (if required by local law) in making filings; and providing such other assistance with respect to its Foreign Assets as the Fund may reasonably request. Based on what the Custodian considers to be reasonably reliable sources of information, including its Foreign Subcustodians, Custodian shall inform each Fund as to the Custodian's understanding of the Fund's rights, duties and obligations under regulations and market practices of jurisdictions other than the United States of America in connection with actions taken by the Fund or the Custodian, including, but not limited to, corporate actions involving the Fund's securities.
ARTICLE III
PROPER INSTRUCTIONS, SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
AND RELATED MATTERS
ARTICLE III.1. Proper Instructions and Special Instructions .
(a) Proper Instructions . As used herein, the term "Proper Instructions" shall mean: (i) a tested telex, a written (including, without limitation, facsimile transmission) request, direction, instruction or certification signed or initialed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund by one or more Authorized Persons (as hereinafter defined); (ii) a telephonic or other oral communication by one or more Authorized Persons; or (iii) a communication effected directly between an electro-mechanical or electronic device or system (including, without limitation, computers) by or on behalf of the applicable Fund by one or more Authorized Persons; provided , however , that communications of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above purporting to be given by an Authorized Person shall be considered Proper Instructions only if the Custodian reasonably believes such communications to have been given by an Authorized Person with respect to the transaction involved. Proper Instructions in the form of oral communications shall be confirmed by the applicable Fund by tested telex or in writing in the manner set forth in clause (i) above, but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken by the Custodian in reliance upon such oral instructions prior to the Custodian's receipt of such confirmation. Proper Instructions may relate to specific transactions or to types or classes of transactions, and may be in the form of standing instructions.
(b) Special Instructions . As used herein, the term "Special Instructions" shall mean Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or any Deputy or Assistant Treasurer of the applicable Fund or any other person designated by the Treasurer of such Fund in writing, which countersignature or confirmation shall be (i) included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions or on a separate instrument relating thereto, and (ii) delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission, or in such other manner as the applicable Fund and the Custodian agree in writing.
(c) Address for Proper Instructions and Special Instructions . Proper Instructions and Special Instructions shall be delivered to the Custodian at the address and/or telephone, telecopy or telex number agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the applicable Fund.
ARTICLE III.2. Authorized Persons . Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, duly certified as appropriate by a Treasurer or any Deputy or Assistant Treasurer of such Fund, a certificate setting forth: (a) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of such Fund (collectively, the "Authorized Persons" and individually, an "Authorized Person"); and (b) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to issue Special Instructions. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until delivery to the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary. Upon delivery of a certificate which deletes the name(s) of a person previously authorized by a Fund to give Proper Instructions or to issue Special Instructions, such persons shall no longer be considered an Authorized Person or authorized to issue Special Instructions for that Fund.
ARTICLE III.3. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Portfolios . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Authorized Person, Trustee, officer, employee or agent of any Fund shall have physical access to the assets of any Portfolio of that Fund held by the Custodian nor shall the Custodian deliver any assets of a Portfolio for delivery to an account of such person; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 3.03 shall prohibit (a) any Authorized Person from giving Proper Instructions, or any person authorized to issue Special Instructions from issuing Special Instructions, so long as such action does not result in delivery of or access to assets of any Portfolio prohibited by this Section 3.03; or (b) each Fund's independent certified public accountants from examining or reviewing the assets of the Portfolios of the Fund held by the Custodian. Each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a written certificate identifying such Authorized Persons, Trustees, officers, employees and agents of such Fund.
ARTICLE III.4. Actions of Custodian Based on Proper Instructions and Special Instructions . So long as and to the extent that the Custodian acts in accordance with (a) Proper Instructions or Special Instructions, as the case may be, and (b) the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property, or evidence of title thereof, received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
SUBCUSTODIANS
The Custodian may, from time to time, in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Article IV, appoint one or more Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians, Interim Subcustodians and Special Subcustodians to act on behalf of a Portfolio. (For purposes of this Agreement, all duly appointed Domestic Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians, Interim Subcustodians, and Special Subcustodians are hereinafter referred to collectively, as "Subcustodians.")
ARTICLE IV.1. Domestic Subcustodians . The Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of one or more Portfolios as a subcustodian for purposes of holding cash, securities and other assets of such Portfolios and performing other functions of the Custodian within the United States (a "Domestic Subcustodian"); provided that , the Custodian shall notify each applicable Fund in writing of the identity and qualifications of any proposed Domestic Subcustodian at least thirty (30) days prior to appointment of such Domestic Subcustodian, and such Fund may, in its sole discretion, by written notice to the Custodian executed by an Authorized Person disapprove of the appointment of such Domestic Subcustodian. If, following notice by the Custodian to each applicable Fund regarding appointment of a Domestic Subcustodian and the expiration of thirty (30) days after the date of such notice, such Fund shall have failed to notify the Custodian of its disapproval thereof, the Custodian may, in its discretion, appoint such proposed Domestic Subcustodian as its subcustodian.
ARTICLE IV.2. Foreign Subcustodians and Interim Subcustodians .
(a) Foreign Subcustodians . Subject to and in accordance with the following provisions, the Board of Trustees or other governing body or entity of each Fund, on behalf of its applicable Portfolio(s), hereby delegates its responsibilities as set forth in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, to the Custodian and appoints the Custodian as its "Foreign Custody Manager" (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5), and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation and appointment and agrees to (1) act on behalf of the applicable Fund(s) and Portfolio(s) in such capacity, (2) perform the responsibilities set forth in Rule 17f-5, and (3) exercise the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a) hereof in performing its responsibilities hereunder and under Rule 17f-5, except to the extent Rule 17f-5 provides a higher standard, in which case that standard shall apply.
(i) Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Rule 17f-5, the Custodian may, at any time and from time to time, appoint: (A) any "Qualified Foreign Bank" (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5), (B) any majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of a "U.S. Bank" (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5) or U.S. bank holding company meeting the requirements of an "Eligible Foreign Custodian," (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5), (C) any other entity which by order of the SEC, or by no-action letter of the staff of the SEC is exempt from meeting the requirements of an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" as set forth in Rule 17f-5, to act on behalf of the applicable Fund(s) and Portfolio(s) as a subcustodian for purposes of holding "Foreign Assets" (as defined in Rule 17f-5), or (D) any "Bank" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) that qualifies as and may serve as a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act (each a "Foreign Subcustodian").
(ii) Without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall be responsible for (A) determining that each applicable Fund's or Portfolio's Foreign Assets, if maintained with each Foreign Subcustodian, will be subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a) hereof after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets including, without limitation, those factors set forth in the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5, (B) ensuring that each foreign custody arrangement with a Foreign Subcustodian is governed by a written contract with the Custodian meeting the requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 17f-5 which will provide reasonable care for each applicable Fund's or Portfolio's Foreign Assets based on the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a) hereof , (C) determining that each contract with a Foreign Custodian shall include the provisions specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) of Rule 17f-5 or alternatively, in lieu of any or all of such (c)(2)(i)(A) through (F) provisions, such other provisions as the Custodian reasonably determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or greater level of care and protection for the Foreign Assets of each Fund or Portfolio as such specified provisions in their entirety, (D) establishing a system to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining each applicable Fund's or Portfolio's Foreign Assets with each Foreign Subcustodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 and to monitor the performance of each Foreign Subcustodian under the subcustodian agreement between the Custodian and the Foreign Subcustodian, (E) monitoring the appropriateness of maintaining each applicable Fund's and Portfolio's Foreign Assets with each Foreign Subcustodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 and the performance of each Foreign Subcustodian under the subcustodian agreement between the Custodian and the Foreign Subcustodian, and (F) promptly notifying each applicable Fund or Portfolio whenever an arrangement described in the preceding clause (E) no longer satisfies the requirements of Rule 17f-5.
(iii) The Custodian shall prepare written reports to the Board of Trustees or other governing body or entity of each Fund, on behalf of its applicable Portfolio(s), on an annual basis showing (A) the identity and qualifications of each Foreign Subcustodian authorized by the Custodian to hold Foreign Assets of the Fund(s) and Portfolio(s), (B) the placement of the Fund's and Portfolio's Foreign Assets with each such Foreign Subcustodian, (C) the country or countries in which each Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to hold Foreign Assets of the applicable Fund(s) and Portfolio(s) and (D) any material changes to the Custodian's foreign custody arrangements for the applicable Fund(s) and Portfolio(s) since the submission of the Custodian's last written report to the applicable Fund's Board of Trustees or other governing body or entity pursuant to this Section 4.02(a)(iii), including without limitation:
(1) changes in the Foreign Subcustodians included in the Custodian's global custody network or arrangements;
(1) any change, including any amendment or modification to the subcustodian agreements between the Custodian and each of the Foreign Subcustodians, that could materially affect the ability of a Foreign Subcustodian to perform its duties in respect of the applicable Funds, or Portfolios' Foreign Assets.
In addition to the annual reports required by clause (a) (iii) above, the Custodian shall submit promptly (but in no event later than 5 Business Days after the event giving rise to a reporting requirement) interim reports to the Board of Trustees or other governing body or entity of each applicable Fund, on behalf of its applicable Portfolio(s), of any changes that have or could materially affect the ability of a Foreign Subcustodian to perform its duties in respect of the Funds' and Portfolios' assets and any actions that the Custodian has taken or proposes to take in connection with such changes.
(iv) Each duly appointed Foreign Subcustodian and the countries where and clearing agencies through which they may hold Foreign Assets of the applicable Fund(s) and Portfolio(s) shall be listed on Appendix "B" attached hereto and dated as of the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.06(c) hereof.
(v) Each Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment by itself or by one of its Portfolios which is to be held in a country in which no Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to act, in order that there shall be sufficient time for the Custodian to effect the appropriate arrangements with a proposed foreign subcustodian.
(vi) The Custodian shall provide the Funds or their respective designees, on behalf of their Portfolios, with written notification of any (A) proposed change in the Foreign Subcustodians included in the Custodian's global custody network or arrangements at least 30 Business Days prior to the effective date of the proposed change, if practicable or (B) termination, in whole or with respect to one or more specified jurisdictions, of its acceptance of the Board of Trustees or other governing body or entity of a Fund, on behalf of its applicable Portfolio(s), delegation and appointment as the Fund's "Foreign Custody Manager" at least 90 Business Days prior to the effective date of the proposed change or termination, unless, in either case, the Funds in their discretion permit a shorter notification period.
(b) Interim Subcustodians . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Portfolio shall invest in a security or other asset to be held in a country in which no Foreign Subcustodian is authorized to act, the Custodian shall promptly notify the applicable Fund in writing by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and Custodian shall agree in writing of the unavailability of an approved Foreign Subcustodian in such country; and the Custodian shall, upon receipt of Special Instructions, appoint any Person designated by the applicable Fund in such Special Instructions to hold such security or other asset. The subcustodian agreement between the Custodian and any Interim Custodian (as hereinafter defined) shall comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including Rule 17f-5, if applicable) and the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The Custodian shall comply with Section 4.02 (a)(i), (ii), (iii), and (vi) hereof with respect to the appointment of an Interim Custodian. (Any Person appointed as a subcustodian pursuant to this Section 4.02(b) is hereinafter referred to as an "Interim Subcustodian.")
ARTICLE IV.3. Special Subcustodians . Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall, on behalf of one or more Portfolios, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act as a subcustodian for purposes of: (i) effecting third-party repurchase transactions with banks, brokers, dealers or other entities through the use of a common custodian or subcustodian; (ii) establishing a joint trading account for the applicable Portfolio(s) and other registered open-end management investment companies for which Fidelity Management & Research Company serves as investment adviser, through which such Portfolios and such other investment companies shall collectively participate in certain repurchase transactions; (iii) providing depository and clearing agency services with respect to certain variable rate demand note securities; and (iv) effecting any other transactions designated by each applicable Fund in Special Instructions. (Each such designated subcustodian is hereinafter referred to as a "Special Subcustodian.") Each such duly appointed Special Subcustodian shall be listed on Appendix "B" attached hereto, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.05(c) hereof. In connection with the appointment of any Special Subcustodian, the Custodian shall enter into a subcustodian agreement with the Special Subcustodian in form and substance approved by each applicable Fund, provided that such agreement shall in all events comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including Rule17f-5, if applicable) and the terms and provisions of this Agreement. If any Special Custodian is a Foreign Custodian, the Custodian shall comply with Section 4.02 of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not amend any subcustodian agreement entered into with a Special Subcustodian, or agree to change or permit any changes thereunder, or waive any rights under such agreement, except upon prior approval pursuant to Special Instructions.
ARTICLE IV.4. Termination of a Subcustodian . The Custodian shall (i) cause each Domestic Subcustodian and Foreign Subcustodian to, and (ii) use its best efforts to cause each Interim Subcustodian and Special Subcustodian to, perform all of its obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subcustodian agreement between the Custodian and such Subcustodian. In the event that the Custodian is unable to cause such Subcustodian to fully perform its obligations thereunder, the Custodian shall forthwith, upon the receipt of Special Instructions, terminate such Subcustodian with respect to each applicable Fund and, if necessary or desirable, appoint a replacement Subcustodian in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.01 or Section 4.02, as the case may be. In addition to the foregoing, the Custodian (A) may, at any time in its discretion, upon written notification to each applicable Fund, terminate any Domestic Subcustodian, Foreign Subcustodian or Interim Subcustodian, and (B) shall, upon receipt of Special Instructions, terminate any Subcustodian with respect to each applicable Fund, in accordance with the termination provisions under the applicable subcustodian agreement.
ARTICLE IV.5. Certification Regarding Foreign Subcustodians . Each report presented to the Board of Trustees of each Fund, on behalf of itself or its applicable Portfolio(s), by the Custodian pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(iii) above shall be accompanied by a certificate representing that (A) the Custodian has established a system to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund's or Portfolio's Foreign Assets with each Foreign Subcustodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 and to monitor the performance of each Foreign Subcustodian under the subcustodian agreement between the Custodian and the Foreign Subcustodian, (B) the Custodian has monitored all Foreign Subcustodians and each Foreign Subcustodian continues to be an "Eligible Foreign Custodian," (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-5), (C) each Foreign Subcustodian continues to provide the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a) hereof, after considering all relevant factors, including without limitation, those factors set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5, (D) all foreign custody agreements between the Custodian and the Foreign Subcustodians continue to meet the requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 17f-5, (E) since the submission of the last report pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(iii) above, there have been no material adverse changes to the Custodian's foreign custody network or arrangements other than those reported to the Board of Trustees or other governing body or entity of the Fund, on behalf of itself or its applicable Portfolios, in the accompanying report, and (F) the information included in the report is true, accurate and complete in all material respects.
ARTICLE V
STANDARD OF CARE; INDEMNIFICATION
ARTICLE V.1. Standard of Care .
(a) General Standard of Care . The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement (or such higher standard, if any, under Rule 17f-4), and shall be liable to each Fund for all losses, damages and expenses suffered or incurred by such Fund or its Portfolio(s) resulting from the failure of the Custodian to exercise such reasonable care and diligence (or to comport with such higher standard of care under Rule 17f-4, if any).
(b) Actions Prohibited by Applicable Law, Etc . In no event shall the Custodian incur liability hereunder if the Custodian or any Subcustodian, Securities System or Eligible Securities Depository, or any subcustodian, securities depository or securities system utilized by any such Subcustodian, or any nominee of the Custodian or any Subcustodian (individually, a "Person") is prevented, forbidden or delayed from performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which this Agreement provides shall be performed or omitted to be performed, by reason of: (i) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or of any foreign country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) any act of God or war or other similar circumstance beyond the control of the Custodian, unless, in each case, such delay or nonperformance is caused by (A) the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the applicable Person, or (B) a malfunction or failure of equipment operated or utilized by the applicable Person other than a malfunction or failure beyond such Person's control and which could not reasonably be anticipated and/or prevented by such Person.
(c) Mitigation by Custodian . Upon the occurrence of any event which causes or may cause any loss, damage or expense to any Fund or Portfolio, (i) the Custodian shall promptly notify the applicable Fund or Portfolio of the occurrence of such event, (ii) the Custodian shall cause any applicable Domestic Subcustodian or Foreign Subcustodian to, and (iii) the Custodian shall use its best efforts to cause any applicable Interim Subcustodian, Special Subcustodian or Eligible Securities Depository to, use all commercially reasonable efforts and take all reasonable steps under the circumstances to mitigate the effects of such event and to avoid continuing harm to the Funds and the Portfolios.
(d) Advice of Counsel . The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel on all matters. The Custodian shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to the advice of (i) counsel for the applicable Fund or Funds, or (ii) at the expense of the Custodian, such other counsel as the applicable Fund(s) and the Custodian may agree upon; provided however , with respect to the performance of any action or omission of any action upon such advice, the Custodian shall be required to conform to the standard of care set forth in Section 5.01(a).
(e) Expenses of the Funds . In addition to the liability of the Custodian under this Article V, the Custodian shall be liable to each applicable Fund for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by such Fund in connection with any claim by such Fund against the Custodian arising from the obligations of the Custodian hereunder, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by such Fund in asserting any such claim, and all expenses incurred by such Fund in connection with any investigations, lawsuits or proceedings relating to such claim; provided that, such Fund has recovered from the Custodian for such claim.
(f) Liability for Past Records . The Custodian shall have no liability in respect of any loss, damage or expense suffered by a Fund, insofar as such loss, damage or expense arises from the performance of the Custodian's duties hereunder by reason of the Custodian's reliance upon records that were maintained for such Fund by entities other than the Custodian prior to the Custodian's appointment as custodian for such Fund.
ARTICLE V.2. Liability of Custodian for Actions of Other Persons .
(a) Domestic Subcustodians and Foreign Subcustodians . The Custodian shall be liable for the actions or omissions of any Domestic Subcustodian or any Foreign Subcustodian to the same extent as if such action or omission was performed by the Custodian itself. In the event of any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by a Fund caused by or resulting from the actions or omissions of any Domestic Subcustodian or Foreign Subcustodian for which the Custodian would otherwise be liable, the Custodian shall promptly reimburse such Fund in the amount of any such loss, damage or expense.
(b) Interim Subcustodians . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.01 to the contrary, the Custodian shall not be liable to a Fund for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by such Fund or any of its Portfolios resulting from the actions or omissions of an Interim Subcustodian unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian; provided however , in the event of any such loss, damage or expense, the Custodian shall take all reasonable steps to enforce such rights as it may have against such Interim Subcustodian to protect the interests of the Funds and the Portfolios.
(c) Special Subcustodians and Additional Custodians . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.01 to the contrary and except as otherwise provided in any subcustodian agreement to which the Custodian, a Fund and any Special Subcustodian or Additional Custodian are parties, the Custodian shall not be liable to a Fund for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by such Fund or any of its Portfolios resulting from the actions or omissions of a Special Subcustodian or Additional Subcustodian, unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian; provided however , that in the event of any such loss, damage or expense, the Custodian shall take all reasonable steps to enforce such rights as it may have against any Special Subcustodian or Additional Custodian to protect the interests of the Funds and the Portfolios.
(d) Securities Systems and Eligible Securities Depositories . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.01 to the contrary, the Custodian shall not be liable to a Fund for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by such Fund or any of its Portfolios resulting from the use by the Custodian of a Securities System or Eligible Securities Depository, unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by, or results from, the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian; provided however , that in the event of any such loss, damage or expense, the Custodian shall take all reasonable steps to enforce such rights as it may have against the Securities System or Eligible Securities Depository to protect the interests of the Funds and the Portfolios.
(e) Reimbursement of Expenses . Each Fund agrees to reimburse the Custodian for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian on behalf of such Fund in connection with the fulfillment of its obligations under this Section 5.02; provided however , that such reimbursement shall not apply to expenses occasioned by or resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian.
ARTICLE V.3. Indemnification .
(a) Indemnification Obligations . Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, each Fund severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its nominees from all loss, damage and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by the Custodian or its nominee caused by or arising from actions taken by the Custodian on behalf of such Fund in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement; provided however , that such indemnity shall not apply to loss, damage and expense occasioned by or resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or its nominee. In addition, each Fund agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify any Person against any liability incurred by reason of taxes assessed to such Person, or other loss, damage or expenses incurred by such Person, resulting from the fact that securities and other property of such Fund's Portfolios are registered in the name of such Person; provided however , that in no event shall such indemnification be applicable to income, franchise or similar taxes which may be imposed or assessed against any Person.
(b) Notice of Litigation, Right to Prosecute, Etc . No Fund shall be liable for indemnification under this Section 5.03 unless a Person shall have promptly notified such Fund in writing of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding brought against such Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought under this Section 5.03. With respect to claims in such litigation or proceedings for which indemnity by a Fund may be sought and subject to applicable law and the ruling of any court of competent jurisdiction, such Fund shall be entitled to participate in any such litigation or proceeding and, after written notice from such Fund to any Person, such Fund may assume the defense of such litigation or proceeding with counsel of its choice at its own expense in respect of that portion of the litigation for which such Fund may be subject to an indemnification obligation; provided however , a Person shall be entitled to participate in (but not control) at its own cost and expense, the defense of any such litigation or proceeding if such Fund has not acknowledged in writing its obligation to indemnify the Person with respect to such litigation or proceeding. If such Fund is not permitted to participate or control such litigation or proceeding under applicable law or by a ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction, such Person shall reasonably prosecute such litigation or proceeding. A Person shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement in any such litigation or proceeding without providing each applicable Fund with adequate notice of any such settlement or judgment, and without each such Fund's prior written consent. All Persons shall submit written evidence to each applicable Fund with respect to any cost or expense for which they are seeking indemnification in such form and detail as such Fund may reasonably request.
ARTICLE V.4. Investment Limitations . If the Custodian has otherwise complied with the terms and conditions of this Agreement in performing its duties generally, and more particularly in connection with the purchase, sale or exchange of securities made by or for a Portfolio, the Custodian shall not be liable to the applicable Fund and such Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian and its nominees, for any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Custodian and its nominees arising out of any violation of any investment or other limitation to which such Fund is subject.
ARTICLE V.5. Fund's Right to Proceed . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Fund shall have, at its election upon reasonable notice to the Custodian, the right to enforce, to the extent permitted by any applicable agreement and applicable law, the Custodian's rights against any Subcustodian, Securities System, Eligible Securities Depository or other Person for loss, damage or expense caused such Fund by such Subcustodian, Securities System, Eligible Securities Depository or other Person, and shall be entitled to enforce the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against such Subcustodian, Securities System, Eligible Securities Depository or other Person, which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss, damage or expense, if and to the extent that such Fund has not been made whole for any such loss or damage. If the Custodian makes such Fund whole for any such loss or damage, the Custodian shall retain the ability to enforce its rights directly against such Subcustodian, Securities System, Eligible Securities Depository or other Person. Upon such Fund's election to enforce any rights of the Custodian under this Section 5.05, such Fund shall reasonably prosecute all actions and proceedings directly relating to the rights of the Custodian in respect of the loss, damage or expense incurred by such Fund; provided that , so long as such Fund has acknowledged in writing its obligation to indemnify the Custodian under Section 5.03 hereof with respect to such claim, such Fund shall retain the right to settle, compromise and/or terminate any action or proceeding in respect of the loss, damage or expense incurred by such Fund without the Custodian's consent and provided further, that if such Fund has not made an acknowledgment of its obligation to indemnify, such Fund shall not settle, compromise or terminate any such action or proceeding without the written consent of the Custodian, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Custodian agrees to cooperate with each Fund and take all actions reasonably requested by such Fund in connection with such Fund's enforcement of any rights of the Custodian. Each Fund agrees to reimburse the Custodian for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian on behalf of such Fund in connection with the fulfillment of its obligations under this Section 5.05; provided, however, that such reimbursement shall not apply to expenses occasioned by or resulting from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian.
ARTICLE VI
COMPENSATION
On behalf of each of its Portfolios, each Fund shall compensate the Custodian in an amount, and at such times, as may be agreed upon in writing, from time to time, by the Custodian and such Fund.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
ARTICLE VII.1. Termination of Agreement as to One or More Funds . With respect to each Fund, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to occur of: (a) termination by the Custodian by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed to such Fund, such termination to take effect not sooner than ninety (90) days after the date of such delivery; (b) termination by such Fund by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed to the Custodian, such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery; or (c) termination by such Fund by written notice delivered to the Custodian, based upon such Fund's determination that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that the Custodian is insolvent or that the financial condition of the Custodian is deteriorating in any material respect, in which case termination shall take effect upon the Custodian's receipt of such notice or at such later time as such Fund shall designate. In the event of termination pursuant to this Section 7.01 by any Fund (a "Terminating Fund"), each Terminating Fund shall make payment of all accrued fees and unreimbursed expenses with respect to such Terminating Fund within a reasonable time following termination and delivery of a statement to the Terminating Fund setting forth such fees and expenses. Each Terminating Fund shall identify in any notice of termination a successor custodian or custodians to which the cash, securities and other assets of its Portfolios shall, upon termination of this Agreement with respect to such Terminating Fund, be delivered. In the event that no written notice designating a successor custodian shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when termination of this Agreement as to a Terminating Fund shall become effective, the Custodian may deliver to a bank or trust company doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities and other assets of such Terminating Fund's Portfolios held by the Custodian and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property of the Terminating Fund's Portfolios held by the Custodian under this Agreement. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian with respect to such Terminating Fund under this Agreement. In the event that securities and other assets of such Terminating Fund's Portfolios remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof with respect to such Terminating Fund owing to a failure of the Terminating Fund to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services in accordance with the fee schedule most recently in effect, for such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities and other assets, and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian and the Terminating Fund shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed that the cash, securities and other property owned by a Terminating Fund and held by the Custodian, any Subcustodian or nominee shall be delivered to the successor custodian; and the Custodian agrees to cooperate with such Terminating Fund in the execution of documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in order to substitute the successor custodian for the Custodian under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII.2. Termination as to One or More Portfolios . This Agreement may be terminated as to one or more of a Fund's Portfolios (but less than all of its Portfolios) by delivery of an amended Appendix "A" deleting such Portfolios pursuant to Section 9.06(b) hereof, in which case termination as to such deleted Portfolios shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery. The execution and delivery of an amended Appendix "A" which deletes one or more Portfolios shall constitute a termination of this Agreement only with respect to such deleted Portfolio(s), shall be governed by the preceding provisions of Section 7.01 as to the identification of a successor custodian and the delivery of cash, securities and other assets of the Portfolio(s) so deleted, and shall not affect the obligations of the Custodian and any Fund hereunder with respect to the other Portfolios set forth in Appendix "A," as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE VIII
DEFINED TERMS
The following terms are defined in the following sections:
Term |
Section |
Account |
2.22 |
ADRs |
2.06 |
Additional Custodian |
2.23(a) |
Authorized Person(s) |
3.02 |
Bank Accounts |
2.21(a) |
Banking Institution |
2.12 |
Broker's Futures Margin Account |
2.10 |
Business Day |
Appendix "C" |
Central Fund |
2.02(c) |
Central Fund Control Procedures |
2.02(c) |
Central Fund Purchase Instructions |
2.03(v) |
Central Fund Sell Instructions |
2.05(iv) |
Central Fund Transfer Agent |
2.02(c) |
Distribution Account |
2.16 |
Domestic Subcustodian |
4.01 |
Eligible Securities Depository |
2.22(b) |
Foreign Subcustodian |
4.02(a) |
Fund of Funds Portfolio |
2.02(d) |
Fund of Funds Portfolio Control Procedures |
2.02(d)(ii) |
Fund of Funds Portfolio Purchase Instructions |
2.03(vi) |
Fund of Funds Portfolio Sell Instructions |
2.05(v) |
Fund |
Preamble |
Institutional Client |
2.03 |
Interest Bearing Deposits |
2.12 |
Interim Subcustodian |
4.02(b) |
Overdraft |
2.28 |
Overdraft Notice |
2.28 |
Person |
5.01(b) |
Portfolio |
Preamble |
Procedural Agreement |
2.10 |
Proper Instructions |
3.01(a) |
SEC |
2.22(a) |
Securities System |
2.22(a) |
Segregated Futures Margin Account |
2.10 |
Shares |
2.16 |
Special Instructions |
3.01(b) |
Special Subcustodian |
4.03 |
Subcustodian |
Article IV |
Terminating Fund |
7.01 |
Transfer Agent Account |
2.21(c) |
Underlying Fund |
2.02(d) |
Underlying Fund Transfer Agent |
2.02(d) |
1940 Act |
Preamble |
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
ARTICLE IX.1. Execution of Documents, Etc .
(a) Actions by each Fund . Upon request, each Fund shall execute and deliver to the Custodian such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable in connection with the performance by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of their respective obligations to such Fund under this Agreement or any applicable subcustodian agreement with respect to such Fund, provided that the exercise by the Custodian or any Subcustodian of any such rights shall in all events be in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
(b) Actions by Custodian . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver to each applicable Fund or to such other parties as such Fund(s) may designate in such Proper Instructions, all such documents, instruments or agreements as may be reasonable and necessary or desirable in order to effectuate any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE IX.2. Representative Capacity; Nonrecourse Obligations . A COPY OF THE DECLARATION OF TRUST OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENT OF EACH FUND IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE OF THE FUND'S FORMATION, AND NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT EXECUTED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES OF ANY FUND AS INDIVIDUALS, AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE NOT BINDING UPON ANY OF THE TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, SHAREHOLDERS OR PARTNERS OF ANY FUND INDIVIDUALLY, BUT ARE BINDING ONLY UPON THE ASSETS AND PROPERTY OF EACH FUND'S RESPECTIVE PORTFOLIOS. THE CUSTODIAN AGREES THAT NO SHAREHOLDER, TRUSTEE, OFFICER OR PARTNER OF ANY FUND MAY BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OBLIGATIONS OF ANY FUND ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
ARTICLE IX.3. Several Obligations of the Funds and the Portfolios . WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATIONS OF A FUND ON BEHALF OF ANY OF ITS PORTFOLIOS ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER SECTIONS 2.28, 5.03, 5.05 and ARTICLE VI HEREOF, THE CUSTODIAN SHALL LOOK FOR PAYMENT OR SATISFACTION OF ANY OBLIGATION SOLELY TO THE ASSETS AND PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIO TO WHICH SUCH OBLIGATION RELATES AS THOUGH EACH FUND HAD SEPARATELY CONTRACTED WITH THE CUSTODIAN BY SEPARATE WRITTEN INSTRUMENT WITH RESPECT TO EACH OF ITS PORTFOLIOS.
ARTICLE IX.4. Representations and Warranties .
(a) Representations and Warranties of Each Fund . Each Fund hereby severally and not jointly represents and warrants that each of the following shall be true, correct and complete with respect to each Fund at all times during the term of this Agreement: (i) the Fund is duly organized under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act; and (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Agreement are (w) within its power, (x) have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and (y) will not (A) contribute to or result in a breach of or default under or conflict with any existing law, order, regulation or ruling of any governmental or regulatory agency or authority, or (B) violate any provision of the Fund's corporate charter, Declaration of Trust or other organizational document, or bylaws, or any amendment thereof or any provision of its most recent Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information.
(b) Representations and Warranties of the Custodian . The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to each Fund that each of the following shall be true, correct and complete at all times during the term of this Agreement: (i) the Custodian is duly organized under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and qualifies to act as a custodian to open-end management investment companies under the provisions of the 1940 Act; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Custodian of this Agreement are (w) within its power, (x) have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and (y) will not (A) contribute to or result in a breach of or default under or conflict with any existing law, order, regulation or ruling of any governmental or regulatory agency or authority, or (B) violate any provision of the Custodian's corporate charter, or other organizational document, or bylaws, or any amendment thereof, (iii) the Custodian is a "Qualified Foreign Bank" (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a "US Bank" (as defined in Rule 17f-5) or an entity which by order of the SEC or by no-action letter of the staff of the SEC is exempt from meeting the requirements of an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" (as set forth in Rule 17f-5), (iv) the Custodian qualifies as a "Primary Custodian" (as defined in Rule 17f-7) and accepts the responsibilities thereof, (v) the Custodian has entered into policies, bonds or similar arrangements which provide the types and minimum amounts of insurance and related coverage set forth in Section 2.29 hereof and such policies, bonds or similar arrangements are in full force and effect; and (vi) the Custodian has in place a business continuity/disaster recovery plan and facilities which, in the event of a disaster affecting the Custodian, will be sufficient to enable the Custodian to resume and continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement without undue delay or disruption.
ARTICLE IX.5. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the Fund, on the one hand, and the Custodian, on the other, with respect to the subject matter hereof and accordingly, supersedes as of the effective date of this Agreement any custodian agreement heretofore in effect between each Fund and the Custodian.
ARTICLE IX.6. Waivers and Amendments . No provision of this Agreement may be waived, amended or terminated except by a statement in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such waiver, amendment or termination is sought; provided, however: (a) Appendix "A" listing the Portfolios of each Fund for which the Custodian serves as custodian may be amended from time to time to add one or more Portfolios for one or more Funds, by each applicable Fund's execution and delivery to the Custodian of an amended Appendix "A" , and the execution of such amended Appendix by the Custodian, in which case such amendment shall take effect immediately upon execution by the Custodian; (b) Appendix "A" may be amended from time to time to delete one or more Portfolios (but less than all of the Portfolios) of one or more of the Funds, by each applicable Fund's execution and delivery to the Custodian of an amended Appendix "A" , in which case such amendment shall take effect thirty (30) days after such delivery, unless otherwise agreed by the Custodian and each applicable Fund in writing; (c) Appendix "B" listing Foreign Subcustodians, Eligible Securities Depositories, Special Subcustodians and Additional Custodians approved by any Fund may be amended from time to time to add or delete one or more Foreign Subcustodians, Eligible Securities Depositories, Special Subcustodians or Additional Custodians for a Fund or Funds by either party's execution and delivery to the other party hereto of an amended Appendix "B" , in which case such amendment shall take effect immediately upon execution by the other party hereto; (d) Appendix "C" setting forth the procedures relating to the Custodian's security interest with respect to each Fund may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by each applicable Fund and the Custodian; (e) Appendix "D" listing the Central Funds and Fund of Funds Portfolios for which the Custodian serves as custodian may be amended from time to time to add or delete one or more of the Central Funds or Fund of Funds Portfolios, by each applicable Fund's or Portfolio's execution and delivery to the Custodian of an amended Appendix "D" , and the execution of such amended Appendix by the Custodian, in which case such amendment shall take effect immediately upon execution by the Custodian and (f) Appendix "E" listing the Transfer Agent Accounts for which the Custodian serves as custodian may be amended from time to time to add or delete one or more Bank Accounts, by each applicable Fund's or Portfolio's execution and delivery to the Custodian of an amended Appendix "E" and the execution of such amended Appendix by the Custodian, in which case such amendment shall take effect immediately upon execution by the Custodian.
ARTICLE IX.7. Interpretation . In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and any Fund may agree in writing from time to time on such provisions interpretative of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement with respect to such Fund as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. No interpretative or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement or affect any other Fund.
ARTICLE IX.8. Captions . Headings contained in this Agreement, which are included as convenient references only, shall have no bearing upon the interpretation of the terms of the Agreement or the obligations of the parties hereto.
ARTICLE IX.9. Governing Law . Insofar as any question or dispute may arise in connection with the custodianship of foreign securities pursuant to an agreement with a Foreign Subcustodian that is governed by the laws of the State of New York, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, provided that in all other instances this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in each case without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
ARTICLE IX.10. Notices . Except in the case of Proper Instructions or Special Instructions, notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement shall be delivered by hand or by facsimile transmission ( provided that in the case of delivery by facsimile transmission, notice shall also be mailed postage prepaid to the parties at the following addresses:
or to such other address as a Fund or the Custodian may have designated in writing to the other.
ARTICLE IX.11. Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of each Fund severally and the Custodian and their respective successors and assigns, provided that , subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 hereof, neither the Custodian nor any Fund may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.
ARTICLE IX.12. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. With respect to each Fund, this Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by such Fund and the Custodian.
ARTICLE IX.13. Consent to Recording . Each Fund and the Custodian hereby agree that each may electronically record all telephonic conversations between them and that any such recordings may be submitted in evidence in any proceedings relating to this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX.14. Confidentiality; Reporting under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 . The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any (a) information that is required to be disclosed by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation (provided that the party intending to disclose information pursuant to any such requirement shall provide written notice to the other party as far in advance of making such disclosure as practicable, but only to the extent such notice is permissible), (b) information that is publicly available when disclosed (other than information that becomes publicly available through a breach of this Agreement), (c) information that is required to be disclosed to any bank examiner of the Custodian or any Subcustodian, or (d) information that is required to be disclosed to any auditor of the parties hereto or to proxy voting vendors, in either case, provided that such auditors or proxy voting vendors are subject, by law or agreement, to duties of confidentiality at least as extensive as those set forth in this Agreement. In addition, the Custodian shall record all Fund accounts held by the Custodian as beneficial owners objecting to disclosure of identities and holdings for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any rules thereunder, including but not limited to Rule 14b-2, and shall limit its disclosure with respect to the Funds pursuant to such provisions to the approximate total number of such beneficial owners. The Custodian shall promptly notify the applicable Fund any time any information concerning such Fund is disclosed by the Custodian or any Subcustodian to any third party if such disclosure is made in violation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.14.
ARTICLE IX.15. Survival of Obligations . The provisions of Sections 9.01, 9.02, 9.03, 9.09, and 9.14, Section 2.28, Section 3.04, Section 7.01, Article V and Article VI hereof and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX.16. Additional Services . If the Funds engage the Custodian to provide any custodial services in addition to the services described herein, the terms of this Agreement shall govern the provision of such services, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in writing.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf on the day and year first above written.
[SIGNATURE LINES OMITTED]
FORM OF
APPENDIX A
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
MELLON BANK, N.A.
AND
EACH OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES
DATED AS OF
FUND |
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ |
PORTFOLIO |
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust II |
|
Fidelity Large Cap Growth Enhanced Index Fund |
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust II |
|
Fidelity Large Cap Value Enhanced Index Fund |
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust II |
|
Fidelity Large Cap Core Enhanced Index Fund |
Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II |
|
Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund |
FORM OF
APPENDIX B
TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
MELLON BANK, N.A.
AND
EACH OF THE INVESTMENT
COMPANIES LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
DATED AS OF
The following is a list of Additional Custodians, Special Subcustodians, Foreign Subcustodians and Eligible Securities Depositories under the Custodian Agreement dated as of January 1, 2007 (the "Custodian Agreement"):
A. |
Additional Custodians : |
|
None |
B. |
Special Subcustodians : |
|
None |
C. |
Foreign Subcustodians : |
Country |
Subcustodian |
Eligible Securities Depositories |
FORM OF
APPENDIX C
TO THE
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
EACH OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
AND
MELLON BANK, N.A.
DATED AS OF
PROCEDURES RELATING TO CUSTODIAN'S SECURITY INTEREST
As security for any Overdrafts (as defined in the Custodian Agreement) of any Portfolio, the applicable Fund, on behalf of such Portfolio, shall pledge, assign and grant to the Custodian a security interest in Collateral (as hereinafter defined), under the terms, circumstances and conditions set forth in this Appendix "C".
Section 1 . Defined Terms . As used in this Appendix "C" the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
(a) "Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Custodian is closed for business.
(b) "Collateral" shall mean, with respect to any Portfolio, securities held by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio having a fair market value (as determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in the prospectus for the Portfolio) equal to the aggregate of all Overdraft Obligations of such Portfolio: (i) identified in any Pledge Certificate executed on behalf of such Portfolio; or (ii) designated by the Custodian for such Portfolio pursuant to Section 3 of this Appendix "C". Such securities shall consist of marketable securities held by the Custodian on behalf of such Portfolio or, if no such marketable securities are held by the Custodian on behalf of such Portfolio, such other securities designated by the applicable Fund in the applicable Pledge Certificate or by the Custodian pursuant to Section 3 of this Appendix "C".
(c) "Overdraft Obligations" shall mean, with respect to any Portfolio, the amount of any outstanding Overdraft(s) provided by the Custodian to such Portfolio together with all accrued interest thereon.
(d) "Pledge Certificate" shall mean a Pledge Certificate in the form attached to this Appendix "C" as Schedule 1 executed by a duly authorized officer of the applicable Fund and delivered by such Fund to the Custodian by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the applicable Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
(e) "Release Certificate" shall mean a Release Certificate in the form attached to this Appendix "C" as Schedule 2 executed by a duly authorized officer of the Custodian and delivered by the Custodian to the applicable Fund by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as such Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
(f) "Written Notice" shall mean a written notice executed by a duly authorized officer of the party delivering the notice and delivered by facsimile transmission or in such other manner as the applicable Fund and the Custodian shall agree in writing.
Section 2 . Pledge of Collateral . To the extent that any Overdraft Obligations of a Portfolio are not satisfied by the close of business on the first Business Day following the Business Day on which the applicable Fund receives Written Notice requesting security for such Overdraft Obligation and stating the amount of such Overdraft Obligation, the applicable Fund, on behalf of such Portfolio, shall pledge, assign and grant to the Custodian a first priority security interest, by delivering to the Custodian, a Pledge Certificate executed by such Fund on behalf of such Portfolio describing the applicable Collateral. Such Written Notice may, in the discretion of the Custodian, be included within or accompany the Overdraft Notice relating to the applicable Overdraft Obligations.
Section 3 . Failure to Pledge Collateral . In the event that the applicable Fund shall fail: (a) to pay, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, the Overdraft Obligation described in such Written Notice; (b) to deliver to the Custodian a Pledge Certificate pursuant to Section 2; or (c) to identify substitute securities pursuant to Section 6 upon the sale or maturity of any securities identified as Collateral, the Custodian may, by Written Notice to the applicable Fund specify Collateral which shall secure the applicable Overdraft Obligation. Such Fund, on behalf of any applicable Portfolio, hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Custodian a first priority security interest in any and all Collateral specified in such Written Notice; provided that such pledge, assignment and grant of security shall be deemed to be effective only upon receipt by the applicable Fund of such Written Notice.
Section 4 . Delivery of Additional Collateral . If at any time the Custodian shall notify a Fund by Written Notice that the fair market value of the Collateral securing any Overdraft Obligation of one of such Fund's Portfolios is less than the amount of such Overdraft Obligation, such Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, shall deliver to the Custodian, within one (1) Business Day following the Fund's receipt of such Written Notice, an additional Pledge Certificate describing additional Collateral. If such Fund shall fail to deliver such additional Pledge Certificate, the Custodian may specify Collateral which shall secure the unsecured amount of the applicable Overdraft Obligation in accordance with Section 3 of this Appendix C.
Section 5 . Release of Collateral . Upon payment by a Fund, on behalf of one of its Portfolios, of any Overdraft Obligation secured by the pledge of Collateral, the Custodian shall promptly deliver to such Fund a Release Certificate pursuant to which the Custodian shall release Collateral from the lien under the applicable Pledge Certificate or Written Notice pursuant to Section 3 having a fair market value equal to the amount paid by such Fund on account of such Overdraft Obligation. In addition, if at any time a Fund shall notify the Custodian by Written Notice that such Fund desires that specified Collateral be released and: (a) that the fair market value of the Collateral securing any Overdraft Obligation shall exceed the amount of such Overdraft Obligation; or (b) that the Fund has delivered a Pledge Certificate substituting Collateral for such Overdraft Obligation, the Custodian shall deliver to such Fund, within one (1) Business Day following the Custodian's receipt of such Written Notice, a Release Certificate relating to the Collateral specified in such Written Notice.
Section 6 . Substitution of Collateral . A Fund may substitute securities for any securities identified as Collateral by delivery to the Custodian of a Pledge Certificate executed by such Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, indicating the securities pledged as Collateral.
Section 7 . Security for Individual Portfolios' Overdraft Obligations . The pledge of Collateral by a Fund on behalf of any of its individual Portfolios shall secure only the Overdraft Obligations of such Portfolio. In no event shall the pledge of Collateral by one of a Fund's Portfolios be deemed or considered to be security for the Overdraft Obligations of any other Portfolio of such Fund or of any other Fund.
Section 8 . Custodian's Remedies . Upon (a) a Fund's failure to pay any Overdraft Obligation of an applicable Portfolio within thirty (30) days after receipt by such Fund of a Written Notice demanding security therefore, and (b) one (1) Business Day's prior Written Notice to such Fund, the Custodian may elect to enforce its security interest in the Collateral securing such Overdraft Obligation, by taking title to (at the then prevailing fair market value), or selling in a commercially reasonable manner, so much of the Collateral as shall be required to pay such Overdraft Obligation in full. Notwithstanding the provisions of any applicable law, including, without limitation, the Uniform Commercial Code, the remedy set forth in the preceding sentence shall be the only right or remedy to which the Custodian is entitled with respect to the pledge and security interest granted pursuant to any Pledge Certificate or Section 3. Without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian hereby waives and relinquishes all contractual and common law rights of set off to which it may now or hereafter be or become entitled with respect to any obligations of any Fund to the Custodian arising under this Appendix "C" to the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Appendix to be executed in its name and behalf on the day and year first above written.
[SIGNATURE LINES OMITTED]
SCHEDULE 1
TO
APPENDIX "C"
PLEDGE CERTIFICATE
This Pledge Certificate is delivered pursuant to the Custodian Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2007 (the "Agreement"), between [ ] (the "Fund") and Mellon Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian"). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. Pursuant to [Section 2 or Section 4] of Appendix "C" attached to the Agreement, the Fund, on behalf of [ ] (the "Portfolio"), hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Custodian a first priority security interest in the securities listed on Exhibit "A" attached to this Pledge Certificate (collectively, the "Pledged Securities"). Upon delivery of this Pledge Certificate, the Pledged Securities shall constitute Collateral, and shall secure all Overdraft Obligations of the Portfolio described in that certain Written Notice dated, delivered by the Custodian to the Fund. The pledge, assignment and grant of security in the Pledged Securities hereunder shall be subject in all respect to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, including, without limitation, Sections 7 and 8 of Appendix "C" attached thereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has caused this Pledge Certificate to be executed in its name, on behalf of the Portfolio this day of ____________.
[SIGNATURE LINES OMITTED]
EXHIBIT "A"
TO
PLEDGE CERTIFICATE
Issuer |
Type of
|
Certificate/CUSIP
|
Number of
|
SCHEDULE 2
TO
APPENDIX "C"
RELEASE CERTIFICATE
This Release Certificate is delivered pursuant to the Custodian Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2007 (the "Agreement"), between [ ] (the "Fund") and Mellon Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian"). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. Pursuant to Section 5 of Appendix "C" attached to the Agreement, the Custodian hereby releases the securities listed on Exhibit "A" attached to this Release Certificate from the lien under the [Pledge Certificate dated ___________, or the Written Notice delivered pursuant to Section 3 of Appendix "C" dated _________ ].
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Custodian has caused this Release Certificate to be executed in its name and on its behalf this ____ day of ___________.
[SIGNATURE LINES OMITTED]
EXHIBIT "A"
TO
RELEASE CERTIFICATE
Issuer |
Type of
|
Certificate/CUSIP
|
Number of
|
FORM OF
APPENDIX D
TO THE
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
EACH OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
AND
MELLON BANK, N.A.
DATED AS OFA. Central Funds
Trust/LLC |
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ |
Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity 1-3 Year Duration Securitized Bond Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity 2-5 Year Duration Securitized Bond Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Corporate Bond 1-5 Year Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Corporate Bond 1-10 Year Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Energy Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Financials Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Floating Rate Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Health Care Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity High Income Central Fund 1 |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Industrials Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Information Technology Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Materials Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Mortgage Backed Securities Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Tactical Income Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Telecom Services Central Fund |
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
|
Fidelity Utilities Central Fund |
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Money Market Central Fund |
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Ultra-Short Central Fund |
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Cash Central Fund |
Fidelity Garrison Street Trust |
|
VIP Investment Grade Central Fund |
Fidelity Revere Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Cash Central Fund |
Fidelity Revere Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Municipal Cash Central Fund |
Fidelity Revere Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Securities Lending Cash Central Fund |
Fidelity Revere Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Tax-Free Cash Central Fund |
B. Fund of Funds
Trust |
|
Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2005 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2010 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2015 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2020 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2025 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2030 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2035 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2040 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2045 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom 2050 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2000 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2005 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2010 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2015 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2035 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2040 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom 2050 Fund |
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust |
|
Fidelity Freedom Income Fund |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom 2005 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom 2010 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom 2015 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom 2020 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom 2025 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom 2030 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom Income Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom Lifetime Income I Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom Lifetime Income II Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Freedom Lifetime Income III Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
FundsManager 20% Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
FundsManager 50% Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
FundsManager 70% Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
FundsManager 85% Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Investor Freedom 2005 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Investor Freedom 2010 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Investor Freedom 2015 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Investor Freedom 2020 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Investor Freedom 2025 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Investor Freedom 2030 Portfolio |
Variable Insurance Products Fund IV |
|
Investor Freedom Income Portfolio |
FORM OF
APPENDIX E
TO THE
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
EACH OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON APPENDIX "A" THERETO
AND
MELLON BANK, N.A.
DATED AS OF
TRANSFER AGENT ACCOUNTS
Bank Account Operating Name |
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ |
Bank Account Number |
FGF Concentration |
|
6386 |
Exhibit (i)
Dechert
|
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ |
200 Clarendon Street 27th Floor Boston, MA 02116-5021 +1 617 728 7100 Main +1 617 426 6567 Fax www.dechert.com |
December 16, 2009
Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Re: Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust") and its separate series Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund (the "Fund"), in connection with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the "Amendment"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
In connection with the opinions set forth herein, you have provided to us originals, copies or facsimile transmissions of, and we have reviewed and relied upon, among other things, copies of the following: the Amendment; the Trust Instrument of the Trust dated March 6, 2006; and the By-Laws of the Trust dated March 6, 2006 (the "By-Laws"). In addition, we have reviewed and relied upon a Certificate issued by the Delaware Secretary of State. We have assumed that the By-Laws have been duly adopted by the Trustees. We have also examined such documents and questions of law as we have concluded are necessary or appropriate for purposes of the opinions expressed below.
In rendering this opinion we have assumed, without independent verification, (i) the due authority of all individuals signing in representative capacities and the genuineness of signatures; (ii) the authenticity, completeness and continued effectiveness of all documents or copies furnished to us; (iii) that any resolutions provided have been duly adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees; (iv) that the facts contained in the instruments and certificates or statements of public officials, officers and representatives of the Fund on which we have relied for the purposes of this opinion are true and correct; and (v) that no amendments, agreements, resolutions or actions have been approved, executed or adopted which would limit, supersede or modify the items described above. Where documents are referred to in resolutions approved by the Board of Trustees, or in the Amendment, we have assumed such documents are the same as in the most recent form provided to us, whether as an exhibit to the Amendment or otherwise. When any opinion set forth below relates to the existence or standing of the Trust, such opinion is based entirely upon and is limited by the items referred to above, and we understand that the foregoing assumptions, limitations and qualifications are acceptable to you.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly formed and is validly existing as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware; and
2. the Shares registered under the Securities Act, when issued in accordance with the terms described in the Amendment, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.
We express no opinion as to any other matter other than as expressly set forth above and no other opinion is intended or may be inferred herefrom. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation and hereby disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after the date of this opinion pertaining to any matter referred to herein. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Amendment. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
We are members of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and do not hold ourselves out as being conversant with the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We note that we are not licensed to practice law in the State of Delaware, and to the extent that any opinion herein involves the laws of the State of Delaware, such opinion should be understood to be based solely upon our review of the documents referred to above and the published statutes of the State of Delaware.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Dechert LLP
Dechert LLP
Exhibit (j)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the Statement of Additional Information of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II: Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund, which is included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
|
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
Boston, Massachusetts |
|
December 16, 2009 |
Exhibit (m)(1)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II:
FIDELITY STRATEGIC ADVISERS CORE FUND
1. This Distribution and Service Plan (the "Plan"), when effective in accordance with its terms, shall be the written plan contemplated by Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") of Fidelity Strategic Advisers Core Fund (the "Portfolio"), a series of shares of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II (the "Fund").
2. The Fund has entered into a General Distribution Agreement with respect to the Portfolio with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR"), under which the Distributor uses all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure purchasers for the Portfolio's shares of beneficial interest ("shares"). Under the agreement, the Distributor pays the expenses of printing and distributing any prospectuses, reports and other literature used by the Distributor, advertising, and other promotional activities in connection with the offering of shares of the Portfolio. It is recognized that Strategic Advisers, Inc. ("Strategic Advisers"), an affiliate of FMR, may use its revenues, including management fees paid to Strategic Advisers by the Portfolio, as well as its past profits or its resources from any other source, to make payment to the Distributor with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of shares of the Portfolio, including the activities referred to above.
3. Strategic Advisers directly, or through the Distributor, may, subject to the approval of the Trustees, make payments to securities dealers and other third parties who engage in the sale of shares or who render shareholder support services, including but not limited to providing office space, equipment and telephone facilities, answering routine inquiries regarding the Portfolio, processing shareholder transactions and providing such other shareholder services as the Fund may reasonably request.
4. The Portfolio will not make separate payments as a result of this Plan to Strategic Advisers, the Distributor or any other party, it being recognized that the Portfolio presently pays, and will continue to pay, a management fee to Strategic Advisers. To the extent that any payments made by the Portfolio to Strategic Advisers, including any payment of management fees, should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Portfolio within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such payments shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
5. This Plan shall become effective upon the approval by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreements related to this Plan (the "Independent Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
6. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, remain in effect from the date specified above until June 30, 2010, and from year to year thereafter, provided, however, that such continuance is subject to approval annually by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees, provided that (a) any amendment to authorize direct payments by the Portfolio to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Portfolio, or to increase materially the amount spent by the Portfolio for distribution shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, and (b) any material amendments of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval in the manner provided in the first sentence in this paragraph.
7. This Plan may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
8. During the existence of this Plan, the Fund shall require Strategic Advisers and/or Distributor to provide the Fund, for review by the Fund's Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended in connection with financing any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Portfolio (making estimates of such costs where necessary or desirable) and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
9. This Plan does not require Strategic Advisers or Distributor to perform any specific type or level of distribution activities or to incur any specific level of expenses for activities primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Portfolio.
10. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Fund's Trust Instrument or other organizational document, any obligations assumed by the Portfolio pursuant to this Plan and any agreements related to this Plan shall be limited in all cases to the Portfolio and its assets, and shall not constitute obligations of any other series of shares of the Fund.
11. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.
Exhibit (p)(2)
FIRST EAGLE FUNDS AND FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS (each a "Fund") and
FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC (the "Adviser")
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRADING CODE OF ETHICS
Selected Regulatory Guidance
Investment Company Act of 1940 - Rule 17j-1
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 - Rule 204A-1
Regulatory Summary
Rules 17j-1 and 204A-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") and Investment Advisers Act (the "Advisers Act"), respectively, make it unlawful for certain persons, in connection with the purchase or sale of securities, to, among other things, engage in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon a registered investment company. In compliance with Rules 17j-1 and 204A-1, this Code contains provisions that are reasonably necessary to eliminate the possibility of any such conduct.
Policy
1. Statement of General Principles
This Personal Securities Trading Code of Ethics ("Code") expresses the policy and procedures of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC ("FEIM" or the "Adviser") and ASB Securities, LLC ("ASB Securities"), First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds (each a "Fund"). The Code is enforced to insure that no one is taking advantage of his or her position, or even giving the appearance of placing his or her own interests above those of the Funds or an Account (as defined herein). Investment company personnel must at all levels act as fiduciaries, and as such must place the interests of the shareholders of the Funds or an Account before their own.
2. Definitions
"Access Person" shall mean any director, trustee, officer, general partner of the Funds or of the Adviser, or any Advisory Person of the Funds or of the Adviser, or anyone who has access to non-public information regarding the Funds' or Accounts' purchase or sale of securities and is under the Adviser's supervision and control.
"Account" shall mean any account or investment vehicle (other than a Fund) for which the Adviser may act as adviser or subadviser.
"Advisory Person" of the Funds or an Account means any employee of the Funds or the Adviser who, in connection with his regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a security by the Funds or any Account, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales, and shall include any natural person in a control relationship with the Funds or the Adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Funds or an Account with regard to the purchase or sale of a security. These latter persons are referred to as "Control Advisory Persons" to the extent they obtain such information on other than an isolated basis.
"Automatic Investment Plan" shall mean a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation.
The term "beneficial ownership" shall mean any person who has or shares, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a Security. "Pecuniary interest" means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the Security. "Indirect pecuniary interest" includes, but is not limited to, an interest in a Security held by members of your immediate family who share your household, including your spouse, children and stepchildren, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and in-laws. Determination of what circumstances constitute an "indirect pecuniary interest" is within the discretion of the Chief Compliance Officer (following consultation with the Investment Compliance Committee).
"Board" shall mean the board of directors of the Funds.
"Chief Compliance Officer" shall mean the Chief Compliance Officer appointed by the Board of the Funds or the Chief Compliance Officer appointed by the Adviser, if different, and any of his, her or their designees.
"Control" shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act.
The term "Covered Security" shall mean a security defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Act and shall include options, but shall not include direct obligations of the United States, bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, other money market instruments including repurchase agreements, and shares of registered open-end investment companies operating as money market funds as contemplated by Rule 2a-7 of the Act. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Covered Security shall include a First Eagle or other Mutual Fund Security.
"Disinterested Director" of the Funds shall mean a director or trustee thereof who is not an "interested person" of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Act.
"Fund" or "Funds" shall mean First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds and any other registered investment company for which the Adviser may act as adviser or subadviser.
The term "First Eagle Security" shall mean any security issued by a separate investment portfolio of a Fund (e.g., a security issued by First Eagle Global Fund, First Eagle Overseas Fund, First Eagle U.S. Value Fund, First Eagle Gold Fund, First Eagle Fund of America or First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund).
"Initial Public Offering" means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), by or for an issuer of such securities which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15d of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Act.
"Investment Compliance Committee" shall mean the committee appointed by the management of the Adviser.
"Investment Persons" of the Funds or the Adviser includes Portfolio Managers and those persons who provide information and advice to the Portfolio Managers or who help execute the Portfolio Managers' decisions ( e.g . securities analysts and traders) and shall also include any natural person in a control relationship with the Funds or the Adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Funds or an Account with regard to the purchase or sale of a security.
"Limited Offering" shall mean an offering that is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act pursuant to section 4(2) or section 4(6) or pursuant to rule 504, rule 505, or rule 506 under the Securities Act of 1933.
The term "Mutual Fund Security" shall mean any security issued by a registered open-end investment company, other than a security of such a company operating as a money market fund as contemplated by Rule 2a-7 of the Act.
"Portfolio Managers" shall mean those persons who have direct responsibility and authority to make investment decisions for a Fund or an Account.
"Principal Underwriter" shall mean ASB Securities.
The "purchase or sale of a security" includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security. The sale of a Mutual Fund Security includes its redemption by the issuing mutual fund company or the exchange of the Mutual Fund Security in accord with the exchange policies of the issuing mutual fund company.
Procedures
3. Prohibited Securities Transactions
The prohibitions described below will only apply to a transaction in a Covered Security in which the designated person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires or disposes, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in such Covered Security ("Securities Transaction").
A. Blackout Trading Periods - Access Persons
No Access Person shall execute a Securities Transaction on a day during which the Funds or an Account have a pending buy or sell order in that same Covered Security until that order is executed or withdrawn. Any profits realized on trades within the proscribed periods are required to be disgorged to a charity selected by the Adviser.
B. First Eagle and Other Mutual Fund Securities - Access Persons
No Access Person shall engage in a market timing or similar arbitrage strategy with respect to Mutual Fund Shares. For purposes of this prohibition, the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same Mutual Fund Security (other than First Eagle Securities, the relevant restrictions for which are described in the next paragraph) within 30 calendar days shall be presumed to be market timing unless determined otherwise by the Investment Compliance Committee in writing in advance of a particular transaction. This prohibition covers transactions for clients, as well as transactions for personal accounts. Any profits realized on personal trades in violation of this prohibition are required to be disgorged to a charity selected by the Adviser.
With regard to First Eagle Securities, Access Persons are subject to a short-term holding period of the same length as that generally applied by the relevant portfolio of the Funds with respect to its redemption fee policies. Transactions in First Eagle Securities not effected though an Access Person's retirement, deferred compensation or other employer-sponsored savings program may be effected only through ASB Securities (or another broker approved for such trades by the Investment Compliance Committee). Regardless of the account in which they are effected, transactions in First Eagle Securities are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 6 below. Any profits realized on trades within the required holding period are required to be disgorged to a charity selected by the Adviser.
C. Blackout Trading Periods - Portfolio Managers and Investment Persons
No Portfolio Manager shall buy or sell a Covered Security within seven calendar days before the Fund or Account that he or she manages trades in that Covered Security. No Portfolio Manager shall buy or sell a Covered Security within seven calendar days after the Fund or Account that he or she manages trades in that Covered Security if such purchase or sale is on the opposite side of the market as that of the Fund or Account. No Investment Person shall buy or sell a Covered Security within seven calendar days before the Fund or Account to which he or she provides analysis, trading or other investment support services trades in that Covered Security. No Investment Person shall buy or sell a Covered Security within seven calendar days after the Fund or Account to which he or she provides analysis, trading or other investment support services trades in that Covered Security if such purchase or sale is on the opposite side of the market as that of the Fund or Account. Any profits realized on trades within the proscribed periods are required to be disgorged to a charity selected by the Adviser.
D. Ban on Short-Term Trading Profits - Investment Persons and Control Advisory Persons
Investment Persons, including, for this purpose, Control Advisory Persons, may not profit in the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities within 60 calendar days. (This prohibition does not apply to First Eagle or other Mutual Fund Securities, which are covered by the separate requirements of Section 3B.) Any profits realized on such short-term trades are required to be disgorged to a charity selected by the Adviser.
E. Ban on Securities Purchases of an Initial Public Offering - Access Persons, Investment Persons and Control Advisory Persons
Access Persons and Investment Persons, including, for this purpose, Control Advisory Persons, may not acquire any securities in an Initial Public Offering.
F. Securities Offered in a Limited Offering - Access Persons, Investment Persons and Control Advisory Persons
Access Persons and Investment Persons, including, for this purpose, Control Advisory Persons, may not acquire any securities in a limited offering without the prior written consent of the Chief Compliance Officer. Furthermore, should written consent be given, Investment Persons are required to disclose such investment when participating in an Account's or Fund's subsequent consideration of an investment in such issuer. In such circumstances, the Account's or Fund's decision to purchase securities of such issuer should be subject to an independent review by the Investment Compliance Committee.
4. Exempted Transactions
A. Subject to compliance with preclearance procedures in accordance with Section 5 below, the prohibitions of Sections 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D of this Code shall not apply to:
(i) Purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control, or in any account of the Access Person which is managed on a discretionary basis by a person other than such Access Person and with respect to which such Access Person does not in fact influence or control such transactions.
(ii) Purchases or sales of securities which are not eligible for purchase or sale by the Funds or an Account. Transactions in First Eagle and other Mutual Fund Securities shall not be exempted under this Section 4.A(ii).
(iii) Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Access Person, the Funds or an Account.
(iv) Purchases which are part of an Automatic Investment Plan.
(v) Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.
(vi) Any equity securities transaction, or series of related transactions, involving 500 shares or less or amounting to $10,000 or less, in the aggregate if (i) the Access Person has no prior knowledge of transactions in such Covered Security by an Account or the Funds and (ii) if the issuer has a market capitalization (outstanding shares multiplied by the current price per share) greater than $1 billion at the time of purchase. Transactions in First Eagle and other Mutual Fund Securities shall not be exempted under this Section 4.A(vi).
(vii) Any fixed income securities transaction involving $50,000 principal amount or less if the Access Person has no prior knowledge of transactions in such securities by an Account or the Funds.
(viii) All other transactions contemplated by an Access Person which receive the prior approval of the Investment Compliance Committee in accordance with the preclearance procedures described in Section 5 below. Purchases or sales of a specific Covered Security (other than First Eagle or other Mutual Fund Securities, as to which the provisions of the following two sentences apply) may receive the prior approval of the Investment Compliance Committee because the Committee has determined that no abuse is involved and that such purchases and sales would be very unlikely to have any economic impact on an Account or the Funds or on the Account's or the Fund's ability to purchase or sell such Covered Securities. In the case of a transaction in a Mutual Fund Security subject to preclearance under the first paragraph of Section 3B, such a purchase or sale may be deemed by the Investment Compliance Committee not to constitute market timing upon review of the transactions particular circumstances. In the case of a transaction in a First Eagle Security subject to preclearance under the second paragraph of Section 3B, the transaction may be excepted by the Investment Compliance Committee from the normal holding period requirement contemplated thereby (but not from any applicable redemption fee) in exceptional circumstances (for example, in cases of significant market disruption or significant personal hardship on the part of the Access Person or his or her immediate family).
B. The prohibition in Section 3A shall not apply to Disinterested Directors of the Funds, unless a Disinterested Director, at the time of a transaction, knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Disinterested Director of the Funds, should have known that the Funds had a pending buy or sell order in that same Covered Security, which order had not yet been executed or withdrawn.
C. A transaction by Access Persons (other than Investment Persons) inadvertently effected during the period proscribed in Section 3A will not be considered a violation of the Code and disgorgement will not be required so long as the transaction was effected in accordance with the preclearance procedures described in Section 5 and without prior knowledge of any relevant Securities Transaction by an Account or the Funds.
D. A transaction by Investment Persons inadvertently effected during the period proscribed in Section 3C will not be considered a violation of the Code and disgorgement will not be required so long as the transaction was effected in accordance with the preclearance procedures described in Section 5 and without prior knowledge of any relevant Securities Transaction by an Account or the Funds.
E. The prohibition in Section 3D shall not apply to profits earned from a Securities Transactions in which securities are not the same (or equivalent) to those owned, shorted or in any way traded by the Funds or an Account during the 60 day period; provided, however, that if the Investment Compliance Committee determines that a review of the Access Person's reported personal securities transactions indicates an abusive pattern of short-term trading, the Committee may prohibit such Access Person from profiting in the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities within 60 calendar days whether or not such Covered Security is the same (or equivalent) to that owned, shorted or in any way traded by an Account or the Funds.
F. The prohibitions of Sections 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D of this Code shall not apply to Securities Transactions involving [10,000 shares or less of] broad-based market exchange traded funds (ETFs) and HOLDRs. (These Securities are not exempt from the Initial, Annual or Quarterly reporting requirements.)
5. Preclearance
Access Persons (other than Disinterested Directors, except as described in the next paragraph) must preclear all Securities Transactions. In the case of First Eagle Securities and other Mutual Fund Securities, preclearance is required only if the proposed transaction would otherwise violate Section 3B. Pre-clearance shall not be required for Securities Transactions involving [10,000 shares or less of] broad-based market exchange traded funds (ETFs) and HOLDRs. (These Securities are not exempt from the Initial, Annual or Quarterly reporting requirements.)
All requests for preclearance must be submitted to the Investment Compliance Committee or its designee(s). Such requests shall be made by submitting a Personal Investment Request Form through ASBNET, the Adviser's intranet, substantially in the form annexed hereto as Appendix A, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time. All approved orders must be executed by the close of business on the day preclearance is granted. If any order is not timely executed, a request for preclearance must be resubmitted.
Disinterested Directors must preclear transactions in First Eagle Securities that would otherwise violate Section 3B, but need not preclear their personal investments in other securities unless a Disinterested Director knows, or in the course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Disinterested Director should know, that, within the most recent 15 days, any of the Funds have purchased or sold, or considered for purchase or sale, such Covered Security or is proposing to purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any Covered Security in which the Disinterested Director has, or by reason of such Securities Transaction would acquire, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership.
6. Reporting
A. The Chief Compliance Officer shall periodically identify all Access Persons, Advisory Persons and Investment Persons and inform such persons of their respective reporting and compliance obligations under this Code of Ethics.
B. Access Persons (other than Disinterested Directors) are required to direct their broker(s) (and any mutual fund company with which they maintain an account) to supply to the Chief Compliance Officer on a timely basis duplicate copies of confirmations of all personal Securities Transactions and copies of periodic statements for all securities or mutual fund accounts, whether existing currently or to be established in the future. A sample letter for this purpose is attached as Appendix B. The Securities Transaction reports and/or duplicates should be addressed "Personal and Confidential." Compliance with this Code requirement will be deemed to satisfy the reporting requirements imposed on Access Persons under Rules 17j-1 of the Act and 204A-1 of the Advisers Act.
C. A Disinterested Director shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer, no later than thirty days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected, the information required in Appendix C hereto with respect to (i) any sale, redemption or exchange of a First Eagle Security and (ii) any Securities Transaction in which such Disinterested Director has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in a Covered Security that such Disinterested Director knew, or in the course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a director should have known, during the 15-day period immediately preceding or after the date of the Securities Transaction by the Disinterested Director, to have been purchased or sold by the Funds or considered for purchase or sale by the Funds. With respect to those transactions executed through a broker, a Disinterested Director of the Funds may fulfill these requirements by directing the broker(s) to transmit to the Chief Compliance Officer a duplicate of confirmations of such transactions, and copies of the statements of such brokerage accounts, whether existing currently or to be established in the future. The transaction reports and/or duplicates should be addressed "Personal and Confidential" and submitted to the Chief Compliance Officer and may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security to which the report relates. Securities Transactions effected for any account over which a Disinterested Director does not have any direct or indirect influence or control, or which is managed on a discretionary basis by a person other than the Disinterested Director and with respect to which such Disinterested Director does not in fact influence or control such transactions, need not be reported.
D. Whenever a person designated as an Investment Person recommends that an Account or the Funds purchase or sell a Covered Security, he or she shall disclose to the person to whom the recommendation is made, as well as to the Chief Compliance Officer, whether he or she presently owns such Covered Security, or whether he or she is considering the purchase or sale of such Covered Security.
E. Not later than ten days after a person becomes an Access Person, the Access Person will disclose all personal securities holdings and all their accounts with any broker, dealer or mutual fund company (which information must be as of a date no more than forty-five days before the report is submitted), which shall contain the following information:
The Access Person shall immediately notify the Chief Compliance Officer upon establishing any account with a securities or derivatives broker or dealer or a mutual fund company.
F. Except as otherwise provided below, every Access Person shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer or other designated person, no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, the following information or such information as required by the CCO:
(a) With respect to transactions in any Covered Security in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security:
(b) With respect to any account established by the Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:
Such report shall be in substantially the form of Appendix F.
G. All personal matters discussed with the Chief Compliance Officer, or members of the Investment Compliance Committee, and all confirmations, account statements and personal investment reports shall be kept in confidence, but will be available for inspection by the Board of the Funds and the Adviser and by the appropriate regulatory agencies.
7. Annual Certification
A. Each Access Person must acknowledge in writing his or her receipt of the Code and any amendments. In addition, on an annual basis Access Persons will be sent a copy of this Code for their review. Access Persons will be asked to certify that they have read and understand this Code and recognize that they are subject hereto. Access Persons will be further asked to certify annually that they have complied with the requirements of this Code and that they have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to this Code. A sample of the certification is attached as Appendix D.
B. Annual Holdings, Transactions and Accounts Reports
Except as otherwise provided below, every Access Person shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer or other designated person, no later than January 31 of every calendar year, the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date of such report) or such other information as required by the CCO:
Such report shall include the quarterly transactions for the fourth quarter and shall be in substantially the form of Appendix G.
An Access Person need not make a report under this Section 7B with respect to: (i) securities held in any account over which that person had no direct or indirect influence or control; or (ii) transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan.
Each Access Person shall file with the Chief Compliance Officer as part of the report required by this section the names and affiliations of immediate family members residing with such person, who are employed in the securities or commodities industries and who might be in a position to benefit directly or indirectly from the activities of the Adviser's personnel in the discharge of their duties.
8. Confidential Status of the Accounts' and the Funds' Portfolios
The current portfolio positions of the Accounts and Funds managed, advised and/or administered by the Adviser and current portfolio transactions, programs and analyses must be kept confidential.
If non-public information regarding an Account's or Fund's portfolio should become known to any Access Person, whether in the line of duty or otherwise, he or she should not reveal it to anyone unless it is properly part of his or her work to do so.
9. Non-Public Material Information
No Access Person may purchase or sell any Covered Security, or be involved in any way in the purchase or sale of a Covered Security, while in possession of material non-public information about the Covered Security or its issuer, regardless of the manner in which such information was obtained. This prohibition covers transactions for clients, as well as transactions for personal accounts.
Furthermore, no Access Person possessing material non-public information may disclose such information to any person other than the Chief Compliance Officer, except to the extent authorized by the Chief Compliance Officer. Disclosing non-public material information to others is known as "tipping" and is prohibited.
Non-public information includes corporate information, such as undisclosed financial information about a corporation, and market information, such as a soon-to-be-published article about a corporation. Material information is information which an investor would consider important in making an investment decision and which would substantially affect the market price of a security if disclosed.
10. Gifts - Investment Persons
Investment Persons shall not receive any gift or other thing of more than de minimis value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Funds or an Account. For purposes of this Code, "more than de minimis value" shall mean any gift in excess of a value of $100 per year.
11. Services as a Director in a Publicly Traded Company - Investment Persons
Investment Persons shall not serve on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization by the Board of the Funds, based upon a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of the Funds and its shareholders (and/or an Account). When such authorization is provided, the Investment Persons serving as a director will be isolated from making investment decisions with respect to the pertinent company through "Chinese Wall" or other procedures.
12. Outside Employment
No Access Person may render investment advice to persons other than the Adviser's clients, unless the advisory relationship, including the identity of those involved and any fee arrangements, has been disclosed to and approved in writing by the Adviser. All transactions for such outside advisory clients of the Access Person are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 6 above.
13. Compliance Review
The Chief Compliance Officer shall compare the reported personal Securities Transactions with completed and contemplated portfolio transactions of the Funds or an Account to determine whether a violation of this Code may have occurred. The Chief Compliance Officer shall compare reported First Eagle Securities Transactions with Fund or Account records to determine whether a violation of this Code may have occurred. Finally, the Chief Compliance Officer shall review reported Mutual Fund Securities Transactions (other than First Eagle Securities, the reviews for which are described in the preceding sentence) to determine whether market timing or other inappropriate short-term trading with respect to the relevant mutual fund has occurred. The Chief Compliance Officer shall bring any questionable transactions to the attention of the Investment Compliance Committee. Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by any person, the Investment Compliance Committee shall give such person an opportunity to supply additional information regarding the Securities Transaction in question.
14. Sanctions
The Board of the Funds and/or senior management of the Adviser will be informed of violations of this Code on a quarterly basis and may impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate, including inter alia, a letter of censure or suspension or termination of employment of the Access Person or a request for disgorgement of any profits received from a Securities Transaction done in violation of this Code.
15. Board Review
The Board of the Funds shall annually receive a copy of the existing Code, along with a list of recommendations, if any, to change the existing Code based upon experience, evolving industry practices or developments in applicable laws or regulations. No less frequently than annually, the Chief Compliance Officer shall submit to the Board of the Funds a written report that:
A. Describes any issues arising under this Code or its procedures since the last report to the Board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of this Code or its procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and,
B. Certifies that the Funds, and the Adviser have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code.
16. Recordkeeping
The Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain, at the Funds' and the Adviser's principal place of business, the following record and shall make these records available to the Securities and Exchange Commission and its representatives:
A. A copy of each Code in effect during the past five years.
B. A record of any violation and the action taken.
C. A copy of each Access Person's reports.
D. A record of all Access Persons.
E. A copy of the written reports to the Board.
F. A record of the reasons for preapproving transactions in Initial Public Offerings or Private Offerings of Covered Securities.
G. A record of the reasons for preapproving transactions that would otherwise violate Section 3B.
17. Reporting of Code Violations. Each employee shall promptly notify the Chief Compliance Officer of any violation of the Code.
Appendix A
This trade approval request is the form used on FEIM's intranet website ( http://ASBAINET ). All Securities Transactions (except as described in the following sentence) should receive preclearance through the intranet site. In the case of First Eagle and other Mutual Fund Securities, only Securities Transactions that would otherwise violate Section 3B require preclearance.
Appendix B
Date
XYZ Broker Dealer/Mutual Fund Company
Re:
Dear Sir/Madam:
Please accept this letter as permission, to allow ___________, an employee of our firm, to maintain an account(s) with your firm.
In regards to the above, please send duplicate confirmations and statements on all transactions to the following:
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
Attn: Compliance Department
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105-4300
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Very Truly Yours,
FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:
Appendix C
Information required to be reported:
(1) The date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;
(2) The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, exchange or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
(3) The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected;
(4) The name of the broker, dealer, bank or mutual fund company with or through which the transaction was effected; and
(5) The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.
Appendix D
Certification
I hereby certify that:
I have received a current copy of the Personal Securities Trading Code of Ethics and the First Eagle Investment Management, LLC Code of Conduct Under the Advisers Act Rule 204A-1, and have read and understand these Codes.
I recognize that I am subject to these Codes and certify that have complied with the requirements of the Codes.
I have disclosed or reported all my personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the Codes.
_____________________________
Signature
_____________________________
Print Name
__________________
Date
Appendix E
INITIAL HOLDINGS AND ACCOUNTS REPORT
Statement to First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
By:_______________________________________________________________(Please print your full name)
Today's Date:_________________________________________________________________
As of the date appearing above, the following are each and every Covered Security and account in which I have a direct or indirect "Beneficial Interest".
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As of the date appearing above, the following accounts (including brokerage accounts, accounts with mutual fund companies, and bank accounts used substantially as brokerage accounts) are those with respect to Reportable Securities of which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest:
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Firms Through Which Transactions Are
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I certify that the Covered Securities listed above, are the only such securities in which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest and that the accounts listed above are the only securities accounts in which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest.
Signature: ________________________________________________________________
Received By:__________________________________________________ Reviewed By:_____________________________________________
Title:________________________________________________________ Title:____________________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________________
APPENDIX F
QUARTERLY TRANSACTION AND ACCOUNTS REPORT
Statement to First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
By:____________________________________________________________________(Please print your full name)
For the Calendar quarter ended____________________________________________________________.
The following are all transactions in Covered Securities of which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest.
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Since the prior Quarterly Report, the following accounts (including brokerage accounts, accounts with mutual fund companies, and bank accounts used substantially as brokerage accounts) have been opened with respect to Covered Securities of which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest:
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Firms through which Transactions Are
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In connection with any purchases or sales of securities for clients during the quarter, I disclosed to First Eagle Investment Management, LLC any material interests in my personal securities which might reasonably have been expected to involve a conflict with the interests of clients. Also, I have disclosed all my Covered Securities holdings to First Eagle Investment Management, LLC.
The names and affiliations of my Immediate Family who are employed in the securities or commodities industries and who might be in a position to benefit directly or indirectly from the activities of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC personnel in the discharge of their duties are as follows:
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Date:______________________________________________________ Signature:__________________________________________________
APPENDIX G
ANNUAL HOLDINGS, TRANSACTIONS AND ACCOUNTS REPORT
Statement to First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
By:__________________________________________________________________ (Please print your full name)
The following are all transactions in Covered Securities of which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest effected during the fourth quarter.
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Since the prior Quarterly Report, the following accounts (including brokerage accounts, accounts with mutual fund companies and bank accounts used substantially as brokerage accounts) have been opened with respect to Covered Securities of which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest:
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Firms Through Which Transactions Are
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In connection with any purchases or sales of securities for clients during the quarter, I disclosed to First Eagle Investment Management, LLC any material interests in my Covered Securities which might reasonably have been expected to involve a conflict with the interests of clients.
The names and affiliations of my Immediate Family who are employed in the securities or commodities industries and who might be in a position to benefit directly or indirectly from the activities of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC ´s personnel in the discharge of their duties are as follows:
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I certify that the following are all Covered Securities of which I had a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest as of the year end December 31, 200__.
Name of Security |
Amount (No. of Shares or
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Nature of Interest (Direct
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*Note: In lieu of you listing on this form each and every Covered Security held as of year-end, you may attach as an exhibit to this document your annual statement(s) from every brokerage firm with which you have a Beneficial Interest. Notwithstanding this accommodation, it remains your sole responsibility to ensure that the information reflected in that statement(s) is accurate and completely discloses ALL Covered Securities holdings as of year-end.
Employee Signature:____________________________________ Date:__________________________
Received By:_________________________________________ Reviewed By:_____________________________
Title:_______________________________________________ Title:____________________________________
Date:__________________________________ Date:______________________________________
Exhibit (p)(3)
Appendix O: Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy
CODE OF ETHICS AND PERSONAL INVESTMENT POLICY
For
Lazard Asset Management LLC
Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC
Lazard Asset Management (Canada) Inc.
Lazard Alternatives LLC
And
Certain Registered Investment Companies
Lazard Asset Management LLC, Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC, Lazard Asset Management (Canada) Inc., Lazard Alternatives LLC (collectively LAM), and those U.S.-registered investment companies advised or managed by LAM that have adopted this policy (Funds), have adopted this policy in order to accomplish two primary goals: first , to minimize conflicts and potential conflicts of interest between LAM employees and LAMs clients (including the Funds and shareholders of the Funds), and between Fund directors or trustees (Directors) and their Funds, and second , to provide policies and procedures consistent with applicable law, including Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act) and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act), to prevent fraudulent or manipulative practices with respect to purchases or sales of securities held or to be acquired by client accounts. In addition, it is LAMs policy that LAM employees should not be engaging in short-term investing, including so-called market timing of any mutual funds, whether or not managed by LAM. This Policy therefore prohibits certain short-term trading activity by LAM employees.
All employees of LAM, including employees who serve as Fund officers or directors, are Covered Persons under this policy and are required to comply with all applicable federal securities laws. Additionally, all Directors are subject to this policy as indicated below.
A. Statement of Principles.
All Covered Persons owe a fiduciary duty to LAMs clients when conducting their personal investment transactions. Covered Persons must place the interest of clients first and avoid activities, interests and relationships that might interfere with the duty to make decisions in the best interests of the clients. All Directors owe a fiduciary duty to each Fund of which they are a director and to that Funds shareholders when conducting their personal investment transactions. At all times and in all matters Directors shall place the interests of their Funds before their personal interests. The fundamental standard to be followed in personal securities transactions is that Covered Persons and Directors may not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.
Covered Persons are reminded that they also are subject to other policies of LAM, including policies on insider trading, and the receipt of gifts and service as a director of a publicly traded company. Covered Persons must never trade in a security while in possession of material, non-public information about the issuer or the market for those securities, even if the Covered Person has satisfied all other requirements of this policy.
LAMs Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for the implementation of this Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy and all record-keeping functions mandated hereunder, including the review of all initial and annual holding reports as well as the quarterly transactions reports described below. The Chief Compliance Officer may delegate this function to others in the Legal / Compliance Department, and shall promptly report to LAMs General Counsel or the Chief Executive Officer all material violations of, or deviations from, this policy.
B. Definitions.
For purposes of this Policy, Personal Securities Accounts include :
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Any account in or through which securities (including open end mutual funds) can be purchased or sold, which includes, but is not limited to, a brokerage account, 401k account, or variable annuity or variable life insurance policy; |
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Accounts in the Covered Persons or Directors name or accounts in which the Covered Person or Director has a direct or indirect beneficial interest (a definition of Beneficial Ownership is included in Exhibit A); |
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Accounts in the name of the Covered Persons or Directors spouse; |
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Accounts in the name of children under the age of 18, whether or not living with the Covered Person or Director, and accounts in the name of relatives or other individuals living with the Covered Person or Director or for whose support the Covered Person or Director is wholly or partially responsible (together with the Covered Persons or Directors spouse and minor children, Related Persons); [1] |
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Accounts in which the Covered Person or Director or any Related Person directly or indirectly controls, participates in, or has the right to control or participate in, investment decisions. |
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401k and similar retirement accounts that permit the participant to change their investments to trade more than once per quarter (such as, for example, an Individually Directed Account). |
For purposes of this Policy, Personal Securities Accounts do not include :
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Estate or trust accounts in which a Covered Person, Director, or Related Person has a beneficial interest, but no power to affect investment decisions. There must be no communication between the account(s) and the Covered Person, Director or Related Person with regard to investment decisions prior to execution ; |
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Fully discretionary accounts managed by LAM, another registered investment adviser, a registered representative of a registered broker-dealer or another approved person are permitted if, (i) for Covered Persons and Related Persons, the Covered Persons |
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Unless otherwise indicated, all provisions of this Code apply to Related Persons.
receives permission from the Legal / Compliance Department, and (ii) for all persons covered by this Code, there is no communication between the adviser to the account and such person with regard to investment decisions prior to execution.
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Direct investment programs, which allow the purchase of securities directly from the issuer without the intermediation of a broker-dealer, provided that the timing and size of the purchases are established by a pre-arranged schedule (e.g., dividend reinvestment plans). Covered Persons must pre-clear the transaction at the time that participation in the direct investment program is being established. Covered Persons also must provide documentation of these arrangements and arrange to have their statements forwarded to the Legal / Compliance Department; |
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401k and similar retirement accounts that permit the participant to change their investments no more frequently than once per quarter. |
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Other accounts over which the Covered Person or Director has no direct or indirect influence or control; |
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Qualified state tuition programs (also known as 529 Programs) where investment options and frequency of transactions are limited by state or federal laws. |
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For purposes of this Policy, Security includes , in general, any interest or instrument |
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commonly known as a security including the following: |
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stocks |
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bonds |
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shares of open and closed-end funds (including exchange-traded funds) and unit investment trusts |
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hedge funds |
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private equity funds |
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limited partnerships |
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private placements or unlisted securities |
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debentures, and other evidences of indebtedness, including senior debt, subordinated debt |
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investment, commodity or futures contracts |
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all derivative instruments such as options, warrants and indexed instruments |
Security also includes securities that are related to a security being purchased or sold by a LAM client. A related security is one whose value is derived from the value of another security (e.g., a warrant, option, or an indexed instrument).
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For purposes of this Policy, Security does not include : |
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money market mutual funds |
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U.S. Treasury obligations |
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mortgage pass-throughs (e.g., Ginnie Maes) that are direct obligations of the U.S. government |
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bankers acceptances |
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bank certificates of deposit |
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commercial paper |
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high quality short-term debt instruments (meaning any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, such as S&P or Moody's), including repurchase agreements. |
C. Opening and Maintaining Employee Accounts.
All Covered Persons and their Related Persons must generally maintain their Personal Securities Accounts at Lazard Capital Markets LLC ("LCM") or other approved broker-dealers (the Approved Broker-Dealers). Contact the Legal / Compliance Department for a list of the Approved Broker-Dealers. If your account is a mutual fund only account, you do not need to maintain it at one of the Approved Broker-Dealers. Additionally, if one of the Approved Broker-Dealers do not offer a particular investment product or service, or for Related Persons who, by reason of their employment, are required to conduct their securities transactions in a manner inconsistent with this policy, or in other exceptional circumstances, Covered Persons may submit a request for exemption to the Legal / Compliance Department. For any Personal Securities Account not maintained at an Approved Broker-Dealer, Covered Persons and their Related Persons must arrange to have duplicate copies of trade confirmations and statements provided to the Legal / Compliance Department at the following address: Lazard Asset Management LLC, Attn: Chief Compliance Officer, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 59 th Floor, New York, NY 10112- 6300 . All other provisions of this policy will continue to apply to any Personal Securities Account not maintained at an Approved Broker-Dealer.
D. Restrictions.
The following restrictions apply to trading for Personal Securities Accounts of Covered Persons and Related Persons:
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Conflicts with Client Activity. No security, excluding open end mutual funds, may be purchased or sold in any Personal Securities Account seven (7) calendar days before or after a LAM client account trades in the same security. |
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60 Day Holding Period. Securities transactions, including transactions in mutual funds other than money-market mutual funds, must be for investment purposes rather than for speculation. Consequently, Covered Persons or their Related Persons may not profit from the purchase and sale of the same or equivalent securities within sixty (60) calendar days (i.e., the security may be purchased or sold on the 61 st day), calculated on a First In, First Out (FIFO) basis. All profits from short-term trades are subject to disgorgement. However, with the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer, or in his absence another senior member of the Legal / Compliance Department, and only in the case of rare and/or unusual circumstances or if the equities justify, a Covered Person or a Related Person may execute a short-term trade. |
Notwithstanding the above, the 60-day holding period will not apply (although the obligation to pre-clear trades will apply) to shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options on ETFs and open-end mutual funds that seek to track the performance of broad-based indices (e.g., the QQQQ SPY, EFA, GAF, etc.). Nevertheless, short-term trading in shares of ETFs is discouraged. If a pattern of frequent trading is detected, the Legal / Compliance Department may reject any order to buy or sell these shares or contracts.
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Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). No transaction for a Personal Securities Account may be made in securities offered pursuant to an initial public offering. |
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Private Placements. Securities offered pursuant to a private placement (e.g., hedge funds, private equity funds or any other pooled investment vehicle the interests or shares of which are offered in a private placement) may not be purchased or sold by a Covered Person without the prior approval of LAMs Chief Compliance Officer (See Exhibit B); however, purchases or sales of Lazard sponsored hedge funds do not require such approval. In connection with any decision to approve such a private placement, the Legal / Compliance Department will prepare a report of the decision that explains the reasoning for the decision and an analysis of any potential conflict of interest. Any Covered Person receiving approval to acquire securities in a private placement must disclose that investment when the Covered Person participates in a LAM clients subsequent consideration of an investment in such issuer and any decision by or made on behalf of the LAM client to invest in such issuer will be subject to an independent review by investment personnel of LAM with no personal interest in the issuer. |
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Hedge Funds. Hedge funds are sold on a private placement basis and as noted above, with the exception of Lazard sponsored hedge funds, are subject to prior approval by LAMs Chief Compliance Officer (See Exhibit B). In considering whether or not to approve an investment in a hedge fund, the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee, will review a copy of the funds offering memorandum, subscription documents and other governing documents (Offering Documents) as deemed appropriate in order to ensure that the proposed investment is being made on the same terms generally available to all other investors in the hedge fund. The Chief Compliance Officer may grant exceptions to this general rule under certain circumstances. For example, such as when a family relationship exists between the Covered Person and the hedge fund manager. |
Upon receipt of a request by a Covered Person to invest in a hedge fund, the Legal / Compliance Department will contact the Fund of Funds Group (the Team) and identify the fund in which the Covered Person has requested permission to invest. The Team will advise the Legal / Compliance Department if the fund is on the Teams approved list or if the Team is otherwise interested in investing clients assets in the fund. If the fund is not on the Teams approved list and the Team is not interested in investing in the fund, the Chief Compliance Officer will generally approve the Covered Persons investment, unless other considerations warrant denying the investment. If the fund is on the approved list or the Team may be interested in investing in the fund, then the Legal / Compliance Department will determine whether the fund is subject to capacity constraints. If the fund is subject to capacity constraints, then the Covered Persons request will be denied and priority will be given to the Team to invest client assets in the fund. If the fund is not subject to capacity constraints, then the Covered Person will generally be permitted to invest along with the Team. If the fund is on the approved list or the Team may be interested in investing in the fund, then the Covered Persons investment must be made generally on the same terms available to all investors as set forth in the funds Offering Documents.
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Speculative Trading. Absent approval from the appropriate compliance personnel, Covered Persons are prohibited from engaging in the trading of options or futures and from engaging in speculative trading, as opposed to investment activity. The 60-day holding period generally applies to transactions in these instruments. |
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Short Sales. Covered Persons are prohibited from engaging in short sales of any security. However, provided the investment is otherwise permitted under this Policy and has received all necessary approvals, an investment in a hedge fund that engages in short selling is permitted. |
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Inside Information. No transaction may be made in violation of the Material Non-Public Information Policies and Procedures (Inside Information) as outlined in Section 32 of the LAM Compliance Manual; and |
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Directorships. Covered Persons may not serve on the board of directors of any corporation or entity (other than a related Lazard entity) without the prior approval of LAMs Chief Compliance Officer or General Counsel. |
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Control of Issuer. Covered Persons and Related Persons may not acquire any security, directly or indirectly, for purposes of obtaining control of the issuer. |
E. Prohibited Recommendations.
No Covered Person shall recommend or execute any securities transaction for any client account, or, in the case of a Director, for the Directors Fund, without having disclosed, in writing, to the Chief Compliance Officer or, in his or her absence, another senior member of the Legal / Compliance Department, any direct or indirect interest in such securities or issuers (including any such interest held by a Related Person). Prior written approval of such recommendation or execution also must be received from the Chief Compliance Officer or, in his or her absence, another senior member of the Legal / Compliance Department. The interest in personal accounts could be in the form of:
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Any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any securities of such issuer; |
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Any contemplated transaction by the person in such securities; |
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Any position with such issuer or its affiliates; or |
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Any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and the person or any party in which such person has a significant interest. |
F. Transaction Approval Procedures.
All transactions by Covered Persons (including Related Persons) in Personal Securities Accounts must receive prior approval as described below. To pre-clear a transaction, Covered Persons must:
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Electronically complete and sign a New Equity Order, New Bond Order or New Mutual Fund Order trade ticket located in the Firms Lotus-Notes e-mail application under the heading Employee Trades. |
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The ticket is then automatically transmitted to the Legal / Compliance Department where it will be processed. For accounts maintained at LCM , if approved, the Legal / Compliance Department will route the order directly to LCMs trading desk for execution, provided the employee selected the Direct Execution option when completing the equity or bond order ticket. For any account not maintained at LCM , or if the account is maintained at LCM but the Direct Execution option was not selected, the employee will be notified if the order is approved or not approved and, if the order is approved, the employee is responsible to transmit the order to the broker-dealer where his or her account is maintained. |
NOTE: Orders approved for execution must be effected on the day the order was approved. Otherwise, the employee must resubmit the transactions again for approval.
The Legal / Compliance Department endeavors to preclear transactions promptly; however, transactions may not always be approved on the day in which they are received. Certain factors such as time of day the order is submitted or length of time it takes a LAM portfolio manager to confirm there is no client activity, all play a role in the length of time it takes to preclear a transaction. Mutual Fund Orders that are not received by the Legal / Compliance Department by 2:00 p.m. on any business day will most likely not be processed until the next business day (i.e., the order will not receive that business days net asset value for the relevant mutual fund).
G. Acknowledgment and Reporting.
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Initial Certification. Within 10 days of becoming a Covered Person or Director, such Covered Person or Director must submit to the Legal / Compliance Department an acknowledgement that they have received a copy of this policy, and that they have read and understood its provisions. See Exhibit C for the form of Acknowledgement. |
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Initial Holdings Report. Within 10 days of becoming a Covered Person, all LAM personnel must submit to the Legal / Compliance Department a statement of all securities in which such Covered Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership. This statement must include (i) the title, number of shares and principal amount of each security, (ii) the name of any broker, dealer, insurance company, mutual fund or bank with whom the Covered Person maintained an account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of such Covered Person and (iii) the date of submission by the Covered Person. The information provided in this statement must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the Covered Persons date of employment at LAM. Such information should be provided on the form attached as Exhibit C. |
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Quarterly Report. Within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, provide information to the Legal / Compliance Department relating to securities transactions executed during the previous quarter for all securities accounts. Any such report may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates. |
Note: Covered Persons satisfy this requirement by holding their personal securities accounts at LCM or one of the Approved Broker-Dealers.
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Annual Report. Each Covered Person shall submit an annual report to the Legal / Compliance Department showing as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted (1) all holdings in securities in which the person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership and (2) the name of any broker, dealer, insurance company, mutual fund or bank with whom the person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Covered Person or Related Persons. |
Note: Covered Persons satisfy this requirement by certifying annually that all transactions during the year were executed in Internal Accounts or Outside Accounts for which the Legal / Compliance Department receives confirmations and periodic statements.
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Annual Certification. All Covered Persons and Directors are required to certify annually that they have (i) read and understand this policy and recognize that they are subject to its terms and conditions, (ii) complied with the requirements of this policy and (iii) disclosed or reported all personal securities accounts and transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to this Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy. |
H. Fund Directors.
A Director who is not an interested person of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and who would be required to make reports solely by reason of being a Director, is required to make the quarterly transactions reports required by Section H (3.) as to any security only if at the time of a transaction by the Director in that security, he/she knew, or in the ordinary course of fulfilling his/her official duties as a Fund Director, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately preceding or following the date of that transaction, that security was purchased or sold by that Directors Fund or was being considered for purchase or sale by that Directors Fund.
If a Director introduces a hedge fund to the Team, as previously defined in Section E (5.), the Director is required to inform the Team whether the Director or an affiliated person of the Director has invested in the fund and the terms of such investment. If a Director decides to invest in a hedge fund that he or she knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his responsibilities as a Director should have known that the hedge fund is held by or is being considered for purchase or sale by the Team, the Director is required, before making the investment, to disclose this to the Team and any different terms or rights that have been granted to the Director. If a Director learns, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his responsibilities as a Director, that the Team has invested in a fund in which the Director has an investment, the Director should advise the Chief Compliance Officer of such investment.
I. Exemptions.
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Purchases or sales of securities which receive the prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer or, in his or her absence, another senior member of the Legal / Compliance Department, may be exempted from certain restrictions if such purchases or sales are determined to be unlikely to have any material negative economic impact or have an appearance of impropriety on any client account managed or advised by LAM. |
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De Minimis Exemption. The blackout period restriction (see Section D.1) shall not apply to any transaction in (1) equity securities, or series of related transactions, involving up to 500 shares of a security, but not to exceed an aggregate transaction amount of $25,000 of the security, provided the issuer has a market capitalization greater than US $5 billion, (2) options on an equity security up to 5 contracts (or the equivalent of 500 shares), but not to exceed a maximum exposure amount of $25,000 of the security, provide the issuer underlying the option has a market capitalization greater than US $5 billion, and (3) fixed income securities, or series of related transactions, involving up to $25,000 face value of that fixed income security, provided that the issuer has a market capitalization of greater than US $5 billion for its equity securities. |
The de minimis exemption does not apply to shares of mutual funds or to option contracts on indices or other types of securities whose value is derived from a broad-based index.
J. Sanctions.
The Legal / Compliance Department shall report all material violations of this Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy to LAMs Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel who may impose such sanctions as deemed appropriate, including, among other things, a letter of censure, fine or suspension or termination of the employment of the violator.
K. Retention of Records.
All records relating to personal securities transactions hereunder and other records meeting the requirements of applicable law, including a copy of this policy and any other policies covering the subject matter hereof, shall be maintained in the manner and to the extent required by applicable law, including Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Legal / Compliance Department shall have the responsibility for maintaining records created under this policy.
L. Board Review.
The Chief Compliance Officer shall provide to the Board of Directors of each Fund, on a quarterly basis, a written report regarding this policy, and at least annually, a written report and certification meeting the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act.
M. Other Codes of Ethics.
To the extent that any officer of any Fund is not a Covered Person hereunder, or an investment subadviser of or principal underwriter for any Fund and their respective access persons (as defined in Rule 17j-1) are not Covered Persons hereunder, those persons must be covered by separate codes of ethics which are approved in accordance with applicable law.
Exhibit A
EXPLANATION OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
You are considered to have Beneficial Ownership of Securities if you have or share a direct or indirect Pecuniary Interest in the Securities.
You have a Pecuniary Interest in Securities if you have the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the Securities.
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The following are examples of an indirect Pecuniary Interest in Securities: |
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Securities held by members of your immediate family sharing the same household; however, this presumption may be rebutted by convincing evidence that profits derived from transactions in these Securities will not provide you with any economic benefit. Immediate family means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and includes any adoptive relationship. |
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Your interest as a general partner in Securities held by a general or limited partnership. |
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Your interest as a manager-member in the Securities held by a limited liability company. |
You do not have an indirect Pecuniary Interest in Securities held by a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which you hold an equity interest, unless you are a controlling equityholder or you have or share investment control over the Securities held by the entity.
The following circumstances constitute Beneficial Ownership by you of Securities held by a trust:
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Your ownership of Securities as a trustee where either you or members of your immediate family have a vested interest in the principal or income of the trust. |
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Your ownership of a vested interest in a trust. |
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Your status as a settler of a trust, unless the consent of all of the beneficiaries is required in order for you to revoke the trust. |
The foregoing is a summary of the meaning of beneficial ownership. For purposes of the attached policy, beneficial ownership shall be interpreted in the same manner, as it would be in determining whether a person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Exhibit B
LAM PRIVATE PLACEMENT APPROVAL FORM
Section I
This section must be completed and signed by the Employee seeking to engage in a private placement transaction. Please return the completed form to the Compliance Department for review. A decision will be communicated to you in writing . For purposes of the review, please attach copies of all available offering documents and business plans, as well as partnership and subscription agreements.
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NAME OF EMPLOYEE |
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF INVESTMENT |
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BUYER OR SELLER OF SECURITY (IF DIFFERENT FROM EMPLOYEE) |
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BUY OR SELL |
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$ |
NAME OF SECURITY |
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SIZE OF TRANSACTION |
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Employee relationship to issuer or its principal promoters: _________________________________
How did you learn about this investment opportunity? _________________________________________________
Employee by his/her signature below declares that the information given above is correct to the best of his/her knowledge and that the Employee, and if applicable, the Related Person (as defined in the Code of Ethics & Personal Investment Policy) on whose behalf approval is sought, has no inside information or other knowledge pertaining to this proposed transaction that constitutes a violation of any policy of Lazard Asset Management LLC or securities law, rule or regulation.
_________________________________
Employee Signature
Section II
This section to be completed by LAM compliance personnel.
Security contemplated for LAM clients? |
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Yes |
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No |
___ Approved ___ Denied
Reasons:
_______________________ |
_______________________ |
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Chief Compliance Officer |
Date |
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Exhibit C
LAM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
Pursuant to Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy (the Policy)
This report must be completed and returned to the Legal / Compliance Department within 10 days of employment.
Name: ________________________________ |
Date of Employment: _______________ |
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( Please print) |
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Account Information:
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I, or any Related Person [1] , do not have a beneficial interest in any account(s) with any financial services firm. |
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I, or any Related Person, maintain the following account(s). Please list any broker, dealer, insurance company, mutual fund or bank, which holds securities for your direct or indirect benefit as of the date of your employment. This includes 401k accounts, insurance company variable insurance contracts, mutual fund-only accounts.* |
Name of Financial Services Firm |
Type of Account (Brokerage, Mutual Fund, Variable Annuity, 401k.) |
Name on Account |
Account Number |
Is this a Managed Account? |
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*401k accounts and similar retirement accounts that permit the participant to change their investments no more frequently than once per quarter need not be reported.
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Related Persons include your spouse, your children under the age of 18 whether or not living with you, relatives or other individuals who live with you, if you contribute to their support, and other persons whos accounts you have discretionary authority over.
Securities Holdings Information:
For each of the accounts listed above, attach to this report a copy of your most recent statements(s) listing all of your securities holdings. All statements must be current as of a date no more than 45 prior to your date of employment at LAM. In addition, please list in the space provided below holdings in hedge funds, private equity funds, limited partnerships or any other type of security that may not be held in an account listed above.
Description of Security |
Type of Security |
No. of Shares |
Principal Amount Invested |
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I, or any Related Person, have no securities holdings to report. |
I certify that I have received a copy of the Policy, and that I have read and understood its provisions. I further certify that this report represents a complete and accurate description of my account(s) and securities holdings as of my initial date of employment. The information provided is current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to my employment at LAM.
Signature: ____________________________________ |
Date: _______________________ |
Exhibit (p)(4)
[Bar head]
Ethics Office MyCompliance.fmr.com |
[Immediate Attention icon] |
[Cover]
2009
Rules for Employee Investing
Code of Ethics for Personal Investing Fidelity Funds Version
[LOGO]
Rules for Employee Investing
These Rules for Employee Investing contain the Code of Ethics for Personal Investing, the Policy on Inside Information, and the Rules for Broker-Dealer Employees.
The Fidelity Funds Version of the Code of Ethics for Personal Investing contains rules about owning and trading securities for personal benefit. This version applies to officers, directors, and employees of Fidelity companies that are involved in the management and operations of Fidelitys funds, including investment advisers to the funds and the principal underwriter of the funds. Keep in mind that if you change jobs within Fidelity, a different version of the Code of Ethics may apply to you.
The Policy on Inside Information, which applies to every Fidelity employee, contains rules on inside information and how to prevent its unauthorized use or dissemination.
The Rules for Broker-Dealer Employees apply to employees who have a securities license or who are employed by or associated with one of Fidelitys broker-dealers.
[Sidebar]
Contact Information
Ethics Office
Phone |
(001) 617-563-5566
(001) 800-580-8780
Fax |
(001) 617-385-0939
ethics.office@fmr.com
Mail zone |
ZW10B
Web
MyCompliance.fmr.com
Pre-Clearance
Web
Internal preclear.fmr.com
External preclear.fidelity.com
Phone |
(001) 617-563-6109
(001) 800-771-2707
To call the phone numbers from outside the United States or Canada, dial 001 before the number.
************
[Sidebar]
Trust: it works for all of us and so does good judgment
The Rules for Employee Investing are fairly comprehensive. They cover most of the personal investing situations a Fidelity employee is likely to find. Yet its always possible you will encounter a situation that isnt fully addressed by the rules. If that happens, you need to know what to do. The easiest way to make sure you are making the right decision is to follow these three principles:
1. Know the policy.
If you think your situation isnt covered, check again. It never hurts to take a look at the rules.
2. Seek guidance.
Asking questions is always appropriate when you are unclear about what the policy says or how it applies to your situation. Your manager and the Ethics Office are two good places to start.
3. Use sound judgment.
Analyze the situation and weigh the options. Think about how your decision would look to an outsider.
The trust of our customers is essential to our business, and ethical behavior by all employees is essential to maintaining that trust. Knowing and following the Code of Ethics is one of the most important ways we show customers that were serious about the trust theyve placed in us.
**********
[Contents]
1 Code of Ethics for Personal Investing |
4 |
This version of the Code of Ethics includes additional rules, which apply to Fund-Advisory Employees as well as Research Analysts and Portfolio Managers (see box, page 3).
Whats Required
Acknowledging that you understand the rules
Complying with federal securities laws
Reporting violations to the Ethics Office
Disclosing securities accounts and holdings in covered securities
Moving covered accounts to Fidelity
Moving holdings in Fidelity funds to Fidelity
Disclosing transactions of covered securities
Disclosing gifts and transfers of ownership of covered securities
Getting approval before engaging in private securities transactions
Getting prior approval to serve as a director
Clearing trades in advance (pre-clearance)
Whats Prohibited
Trading restricted securities
Selling short
Participating in an IPO
Participating in an investment club
Investing in a hedge fund
Excessive trading
Profiting from knowledge of fund transactions
Influencing a fund to benefit yourself or others
Attempting to defraud a fund
Using a derivative to get around a rule
Additional Rules for Fund-Advisory Employees |
12 |
Whats Required
Surrendering 60-day gains (60-Day Rule)
Whats Prohibited
Buying securities of certain broker-dealers
Trading after a research note
Additional Rules for Research Analysts and Portfolio Managers |
13 |
All rules listed above for Fund-Advisory Employees, plus the rules in this section
Whats Required
Notification of your ownership of securities in a research note
Disclosing trading opportunities to the funds before personally trading
Whats Prohibited
Trading within seven days of a fund you manage
[Sidebar]
Other policies you should be aware of
There are other policies that you need to be familiar with. These include:
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Professional Conduct Policies and other Fidelity-wide policies (available at HRSolutions.fidelity.com). |
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Equal Employment Opportunity and Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment (available at HRSolutions.fidelity.com). |
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Electronic Communications, Equipment and Systems Usage Policy (available at HRSolutions.fidelity.com). |
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Information Security practices (available at infosecurity.fmr.com). |
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Anti-Money Laundering Policy (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
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Fidelity Policy on Business Entertainment and Workplace Gifts (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
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Policy: Outside Activities and Affiliations (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
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Foreign Anti-Corruption Policy (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
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*********
[Sidebar]
Who is subject to This Version of the Code of Ethics?
All individuals described in each group below are subject to this version of the Code of Ethics. You can also be placed in a certain group by designation of the Ethics Office.
Fund-Knowledgeable Employees
Employees of Fidelity Management Trust Company (FMTC), Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS), Fidelity Audit Services; certain employees of Enterprise Compliance; and employees, including temporary employees, with access to timely fund information (including access to systems such as AS400 trading or development machines).
Fund-Advisory Employees
Employees of Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR Co.), Fidelity Capital Markets Services (FCMS) and the Ethics Office; certain employees of Strategic Advisers, Inc.; employees of Pyramis Global Advisors; members of the Board of Directors of FMR Co. and FMR LLC, elected officers of FMR Co. and FMR LLC; members of the Fidelity Management Committee; attorneys acting as counsel in FMR LLC Legal; and employees, including temporary employees, with access to fund research notes or investment recommendations for the funds.
Research Analysts and Portfolio Managers
Employees making investment recommendations for the funds (research analysts) and employees who manage a fund or a portion of a funds assets (portfolio managers).
*****
1 Code of Ethics for Personal Investing Fidelity Funds Version
Following the rules in letter and in spirit
This Fidelity Funds Version of the Code of Ethics contains rules about owning and trading securities for personal benefit. Certain rules, which are noted, apply both to you and to anyone else who is a covered person (see Key Concepts on page 6).
You have a fiduciary duty to never place your own personal interest ahead of the interests of Fidelitys clients, including shareholders of the Fidelity funds. This means never taking unfair advantage of your relationship to the funds or Fidelity in attempting to benefit yourself or another party. It also means avoiding any actual or potential conflicts of interest with the funds or Fidelity when managing your personal investments.
Because no set of rules can anticipate every possible situation, it is essential that you follow these rules not just in letter, but in spirit as well. Any activity that compromises Fidelitys integrity, even if it does not expressly violate a rule, has the potential to harm Fidelitys reputation and may result in scrutiny or further action from the Ethics Office.
Whats Required
Acknowledging that you understand the rules
Acknowledging that you understand the rules
When you begin working for Fidelity, and again each year, you are required to:
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acknowledge that you understand and will comply with all rules that apply to you |
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authorize Fidelity to have access to all of your covered accounts (see Key Concepts on page 6) and to obtain and review account and transaction data (including duplicate copies of non-Fidelity account statements) for compliance or employment-related purposes |
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acknowledge that you will comply with any new or existing rules that become applicable to you in the future |
To Do
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Promptly respond to the e-mail you receive from the Ethics Office each year requiring you to acknowledge the Code of Ethics. New employees need to respond within 10 days of hire. |
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If you do not have access to e-mail, you may obtain a hard copy of the Acknowledgment Form at MyCompliance.fmr.com or by contacting the Ethics Office. |
[Sidebar]
Rules Acknowledgment
Respond to the e-mail that you receive from the Ethics Office to acknowledge your understanding of the rules.
******
Complying with federal securities laws
In addition to complying with these rules and other company-wide policies, you need to comply with federal securities laws.
Reporting violations to the Ethics Office
If you become aware that you or someone else has violated any of these rules, you need to promptly report the violation.
To Do
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Call the Ethics Office Service Line at (001) 617-563-5566 or (001) 800-580-8780. |
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Call the Chairmans Line at (001) 800-242-4762 if you would prefer to speak on a non-recorded line. |
Disclosing securities accounts and holdings in covered securities
You must disclose all securities accounts those that hold covered securities (see Key Concepts on page 7) and those that do not. You must also disclose all covered securities not held in an account. This rule covers not only securities accounts and holdings under your own name or control, but also those under the name or control (including trading discretion or investment control) of your covered persons (see Key Concepts on page 6). It includes accounts held at Fidelity as well as those held at other financial institutions. Information regarding these holdings must not be more than 45 days old when you submit it.
To Do
Employees newly subject to this rule
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Within 10 days of hire or of being notified by the Ethics Office that this version of the Code of Ethics applies to you, submit an Accounts and Holdings Disclosure showing all of your securities accounts and holdings in covered securities not held in an account. Forward the most recent statement for each account listed to the Ethics Office. If you do not have any securities accounts or applicable holdings, check the appropriate box in the online form confirming that you have nothing to disclose. |
Current employees
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Each year, you will receive an Annual Accounts and Holdings Report. You will be required to confirm that all information previously disclosed is accurate and complete. |
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As soon as any new securities account is opened, or a pre-existing securities account becomes associated with you (such as through marriage or inheritance), complete an Accounts and Holdings Disclosure (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com) with the new information and submit it promptly to the Ethics Office. |
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On your next Quarterly Trade Verification, confirm that the list of disclosed securities accounts in the appropriate section of the report is accurate and complete. |
[Sidebar]
Accounts and Holdings Disclosure
Use the online form to disclose all new securities accounts and holdings in covered securities not held in an account that become associated with you.
MyCompliance.fmr.com
*********
Moving covered accounts to Fidelity
You and your covered persons need to maintain all covered accounts (see Key Concepts below) at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (FBS).
Exceptions
With prior written approval from the Ethics Office, you or your covered persons can maintain a covered account at a broker-dealer other than FBS if any of the following applies:
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it contains only securities that cannot be transferred |
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it exists solely for products or services that FBS does not provide |
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it exists solely because your covered persons employer also prohibits external covered accounts |
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it is managed by a third-party registered investment adviser with discretionary authority over the account |
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it is restricted to trading interests in non-Fidelity 529 College Savings Plans only |
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it is associated with an ESOP (employee stock option plan) in which a covered person is a participant through his or her current employer and for which the employee has options that have not yet vested |
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it is associated with an ESPP (employee stock purchase plan) in which a covered person is a participant through his or her current employer |
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it is required by a direct purchase plan, a dividend reinvestment plan, or an automatic investment plan with a public company (collectively, automatic investment plans) in which regularly scheduled purchases are made or planned on at least a quarterly basis (note that only new employees with an existing automatic investment plan may qualify for this exception) |
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it is required by a trust agreement |
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it is associated with an estate of which you or any of your covered persons is the executor, but not a beneficiary, and involvement with the account is temporary |
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transferring the account would be inconsistent with other applicable rules |
To Do
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Transfer assets to an FBS account. |
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Close all external covered accounts except for those which you have received written permission to maintain. |
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For permission to maintain an external covered account, submit a completed Exception Request Form (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com) to the Ethics Office. Follow the specific instructions for each type of account and provide a current statement for each account. |
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Comply with any Ethics Office request for duplicate reporting. |
[Bottom box]
Key Concepts
Certain terms have a specific meaning within this version of the Code of Ethics. These terms are defined as Key Concepts.
Covered person
This includes:
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you |
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your spouse, or domestic partner who shares your household |
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any immediate family member who shares your household and who is either under 18 or is supported financially by you |
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anyone else the Ethics Office has designated as a covered person |
Immediate family member
Your spouse, or domestic partner who shares your household, and anyone who is related to you in any of the following ways, whether by blood, adoption, or marriage:
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children, stepchildren, and grandchildren |
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parents, step-parents, and grandparents |
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siblings |
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parents-, children-, or siblings-in-law |
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Covered account
The term covered account encompasses a fairly wide range of accounts. Important factors to consider are:
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your actual or potential investment control over an account including whether you have trading authority, power of attorney, or investment control over an account |
Specifically, a covered account is a brokerage account or any other type of account that holds, or is capable of holding, a covered security, and that belongs to, or is controlled by (including trading discretion or investment control), any of the following:
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a covered person |
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any corporation or similar entity where a covered person is a controlling shareholder or participates in investment decisions by the entity |
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any trust of which you or any of your covered persons: |
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participate in making investment decisions for the trust |
is a trustee who has an opportunity to profit from the trusts investment operations or whose immediate family is a beneficiary of the trust
is a settlor who can independently revoke the trust and participate in making investment decisions for the trust
Exception With prior written approval from the Ethics Office, a covered account may qualify for an exception from these rules if a covered person has no trading discretion or influence over the account, such as a blind trust.
Automatic investment plan
A program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) covered accounts according to a set schedule and allocation.
Fidelity fund
The terms fund and Fidelity fund mean any investment company or pool of assets that is advised or subadvised by FMR Co., Pyramis Global Advisors, or any other Fidelity entity.
Selling short
Selling a security that is on loan to you from a broker-dealer (rather than owned by you) at the time you sell it.
Covered security
This definition applies to all persons subject to this version of the Code of Ethics. The term covered security encompasses most types of securities, including, but not limited to:
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shares of Fidelity mutual funds (except money market funds) |
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shares of another companys mutual fund if it is advised by Fidelity (check the prospectus to see if this is the case) |
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interests in Fidelity 529 College Savings Plans |
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interests in a variable annuity or life insurance product in which any of the underlying assets are held in funds advised by Fidelity, such as Fidelity VIP Funds (check the prospectus to see if this is the case) |
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interests in Fidelitys deferred compensation plan reflecting hypothetical investments in Fidelity funds |
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interests in Fidelitys deferred bonus plan (ECI) reflecting hypothetical investments in Fidelity funds |
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shares of stock (of both public and private companies) |
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ownership units in a private company or partnership |
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corporate and municipal bonds |
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bonds convertible into stock |
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options on securities (including options on stocks and stock indexes) |
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security futures (futures on covered securities) |
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shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) |
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shares of closed-end mutual funds |
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Exceptions The following are not considered covered securities (please note that accounts holding non-covered securities still require disclosure):
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shares of money market funds (including Fidelity money market funds) |
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shares of non-Fidelity open-end mutual funds |
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interests in non-Fidelity 529 College Savings Plans |
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shares, debentures, or other securities issued by FMR LLC to you as compensation or a benefit associated with your employment |
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U.S. Treasury securities |
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obligations of U.S. government agencies with remaining maturities of one year or less |
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money market instruments, such as certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, and commercial paper |
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currencies traded on an exchange |
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commodities (such as agricultural products or metals), and options and futures on commodities that are traded on a commodities exchange |
****************
Moving holdings in Fidelity funds to Fidelity
You and your covered persons need to maintain holdings in shares of Fidelity funds in a Fidelity account.
Exceptions No Approval Required
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You or your covered persons can continue to maintain a pre-existing interest in either of the following: |
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- a Fidelity money market fund |
- a variable annuity or life insurance product whose underlying assets are held in
Fidelity-advised funds
Exceptions Approval Required
With prior written approval from the Ethics Office, you or your covered persons can maintain holdings in Fidelity funds in an account outside of Fidelity if any of the following apply:
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the holdings are in a defined benefit or contribution plan, such as a 401(k), that is administered by a company at which a covered person is currently employed |
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the holdings are in a retirement plan and transferring them would result in a tax penalty |
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the holdings are in an account that is managed by a third-party registered investment adviser with discretionary authority over the account |
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maintaining the holdings in the external account is required by a trust agreement |
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the holdings are associated with an estate of which you or any of your covered persons is the executor, but not a beneficiary, and involvement with the account is temporary |
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you can show that transferring the holdings would create a significant hardship |
To Do
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Transfer shares of Fidelity funds to a Fidelity account except for those which you have received written permission to maintain. |
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For permission to maintain shares of Fidelity funds in an account at another financial institution, complete an Exception Request Form (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). Attach a current statement for each account you list on the form. Forward the form and statement(s) to the Ethics Office. |
Disclosing transactions of covered securities
You need to disclose transactions in covered securities made by you or your covered persons. For accounts held at FBS that you have disclosed, the Ethics Office will receive transaction reports automatically. For approved covered accounts held outside of FBS, comply with any Ethics Office requests for duplicate reporting. For any other transactions in covered securities (for example, if you or any of your covered persons inherit shares in the form of a stock certificate, or purchase interests in a Fidelity-advised investment product in a non-brokerage account outside of Fidelity), you need to disclose this transaction information to the Ethics Office.
Exception
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You do not have to report transactions in a covered account if the transactions are being made under an automatic investment plan (see Key Concepts on page 6), and the details of the plan have been provided to the Ethics Office. |
To Do
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For transactions in covered securities not made through a covered account, submit a completed Securities Transaction Report (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com) to the Ethics Office within 30 days following the end of the quarter in which the transaction was completed. |
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When requested each quarter, promptly confirm or update your transaction history in covered securities on the Quarterly Trade Verification. |
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Provide the details of any automatic investment plan to the Ethics Office. |
Disclosing gifts and transfers of ownership of covered securities
You need to notify the Ethics Office of any covered securities that you or your covered persons give, donate, or transfer to another party, or that you or your covered persons receive from another party. This includes, among other things, inheritances of covered securities and donations of covered securities to charities.
To Do
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Complete a Securities Transaction Report (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com) within 30 days following the end of the quarter during which the gift or transfer was made. |
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When requested each quarter, promptly confirm or update your history of giving, donating, transferring, or receiving covered securities on the Quarterly Trade Verification. |
Getting approval before engaging in private securities transactions
You and your covered persons need prior written approval from the Ethics Office for each and every intended investment in a private placement or other private securities transaction in covered securities. This includes any add-on, any subsequent investment, or any investment whose terms materially differ from any previous approval you may have received.
To Do
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Before engaging in any private securities transaction, fill out a Private Transaction Request Form (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
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Get the necessary approval from your manager, division head, or other authority, as described on the request form. |
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Submit the request to the Ethics Office and await approval. |
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Report the final transaction within 30 days following the end of the quarter in which it was completed, using a Securities Transaction Report (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
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When requested each quarter, promptly confirm or update your transaction history in private securities transactions on the Quarterly Trade Verification. |
For private securities transactions offered by a Fidelity company, the Ethics Office will typically pre-approve such investments for employees who are offered an opportunity to invest. In such cases, you will receive notification that the offering has been pre-approved by the Ethics Office.
Getting prior approval to serve as a director
You need to get prior written approval to serve as a director or trustee of any publicly traded company, or of a non-Fidelity privately held company that is likely to issue shares. Approval depends on a determination that the activity will not conflict with the best interests of the funds and their shareholders. Note that the Policy: Outside Activities and Affiliations (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com) requires prior written approval for other activities as well, including accepting additional employment outside of Fidelity or participating in an activity that may create an actual or perceived conflict of interest with Fidelity.
To Do
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Request written approval from both your manager and the Ethics Office before participating in any activities outside of Fidelity by completing an Outside Activity Request Form (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
Clearing trades in advance (pre-clearance)
You and your covered persons must obtain prior approval from the Ethics Office for any orders to buy or sell a covered security (see How to Pre-Clear a Trade in the sidebar). The purpose of this rule is to reduce the possibility of conflicts between personal trades in covered securities and trades made by the funds. When you apply for pre-clearance, you are not just asking for approval, you are giving your word that you and your covered persons:
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do not have any inside information on the security you want to trade (see Policy on Inside Information) |
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are not using knowledge of actual or potential fund trades to benefit yourself or others |
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believe the trade is available to the general investor on the same terms |
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will provide any relevant information requested by the Ethics Office |
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Generally, requests will not be approved if it is determined that your transaction may take advantage of trading by the funds or create an actual or perceived conflict of interest with fund trades.
The rules of pre-clearance
You and your covered persons must obtain pre-clearance approval before placing any orders to buy or sell a covered security. It is important to understand the following rules before requesting pre-clearance for a trade:
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Pre-clearance approval is only good during the market session for which you receive it. If you do not trade during the market session for which you were granted approval, it expires. |
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Place day orders only (orders that automatically expire at the end of the trading session). Good-till-cancelled orders (such as orders that stay open indefinitely until a security reaches a specified market price) are not permitted. |
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Check the status of all orders at the end of the market session and cancel any orders that have not been executed. If any covered person leaves an order open and it is executed the next day (or later), it will generate a violation that will be assigned to you. |
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Trade only during the regular market hours, or the after-hours trading session, of the exchange(s) where the security in question is traded. |
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Place requests for pre-clearance after the market has been open for a while, as pre-clearance is not available right at market opening. To find out when pre-clearance for a given market typically becomes available, contact the Ethics Office. |
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Unless an exception listed below applies or the Ethics Office has instructed you otherwise, these pre-clearance rules apply to all of your covered accounts including Fidelity accounts and any outside covered accounts that belong to you or any of your covered persons. |
Exceptions
You do not need to pre-clear trades or transactions in certain covered securities. These include:
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shares of Fidelity funds |
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options and futures on, or ETFs that track, the following indexes: Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ 100, Russell 1000, Russell 2000, S&P 100, S&P 500, S&P Midcap 400, S&P Europe 350, FTSE 100, FTSE Mid 250, FTSE 350, Hang Seng 100, Deutscher Aktien IndeX (DAX 30), S&P/TSX 60, NSE S&P CNX Nifty (Nifty 50), and Nikkei 225 (note that you do need to pre-clear options, futures, and ETFs on all other indexes) |
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options, futures, and ETFs based on one or more instruments that are not covered securities (i.e., commodities, currencies, and U.S. Treasuries; see Key Concepts on page 7 for an expanded list of non-covered securities) |
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securities being transferred as a gift or a donation |
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automatic dividend reinvestments |
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rights subscriptions |
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currency warrants |
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the regular exercise of an employee stock option (note that any resulting sale of the underlying stock at current market prices must be pre-cleared) |
With the prior written approval of the Ethics Office, there are a few situations where you may be permitted to trade without pre-clearing. These situations are:
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trades in a covered account that is managed by a third-party registered investment adviser with discretionary authority over the account |
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trades made through an automatic investment plan, the details of which have been disclosed to the Ethics Office in advance |
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when you can show that a repeated rejection of your pre-clearance request is causing a significant hardship |
To Do
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Before placing any trade in a covered security, pre-clear it using the Fidelity Global Pre-Clearance System, available at preclear.fmr.com (internal) and preclear.fidelity.com (external). |
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Immediately cancel any good-till-cancelled orders in your covered accounts.) |
[Sidebar]
Delegating pre-clearance responsibilities
In very limited circumstances, you may, with the prior written approval of the Ethics Office, designate someone to obtain pre-clearance approvals for you. In such a case, the agent is responsible for obtaining the correct approvals, and you are responsible for maintaining reasonable supervision over that persons activities related to pre-clearance.
********
[Sidebar]
How to pre-clear a trade
To avoid errors, use these step-by-step instructions:
1. |
Access the Fidelity Global Pre-Clearance System: |
Internal preclear.fmr.com
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External preclear.fidelity.com |
If you are unable to access the Fidelity Global Pre-Clearance System, call the Pre-Clearance Line at (001) 617-563-6109 or (001) 800-771-2707.
Note that pre-clearance for FMR Co. and Pyramis equity traders and their covered persons is not available until 12 noon, local market time.
2 . |
Accurately enter the details of the trade you would like to make. Do not trade unless you receive approval. Note the pre-clearance reference number for your records. |
3 . |
Place your order. Be sure your order is for the same security and direction as your pre-clearance approval. Do not place a good-till-cancelled order. |
4. |
Check the status of your order at the end of the market session. |
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5. |
Cancel any orders that have not been executed. |
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********
Whats Prohibited
Trading restricted securities
Neither you nor your covered persons may trade a security that Fidelity has restricted. If you have been notified not to trade a particular security, neither you nor your covered persons may trade that security until you are notified that the restriction has been removed.
Selling short
The short position in a particular covered security may not exceed the number of shares of that security held in the same account. This prohibition includes selling securities short (see Key Concepts on page 6), buying puts to open, selling calls to open, straddles and spreads.
Exceptions
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Options and futures on, or ETFs that track, the following indexes: Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ 100, Russell 1000, Russell 2000, S&P 100, S&P 500, S&P Midcap 400, S&P Europe 350, FTSE 100, FTSE Mid 250, FTSE 350, Hang Seng 100, Deutscher Aktien IndeX (DAX 30), S&P/TSX 60, NSE S&P CNX Nifty (Nifty 50), and Nikkei 225. |
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Options, futures, and ETFs based on one or more instruments that are not covered securities (i.e., commodities, currencies, and U.S. Treasuries; see Key Concepts on page 7 for an expanded list of non-covered securities). |
Participating in an IPO
Neither you nor your covered persons are allowed to participate in an initial public offering (IPO) of securities where no public market in a similar security of the issuer previously existed. This rule applies to equity securities, corporate debt securities, and free stock offers through the Internet.
Exceptions
With prior written approval from the Ethics Office, you and your covered persons may participate if:
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you or your covered persons have been offered shares because you already own equity in the company |
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you or your covered persons have been offered shares because you are a policyholder or depositor of a mutual company that is reorganizing into a stock company |
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you or your covered persons have been offered shares because of employment with the company |
To Do
|
For approval to participate in an IPO that may qualify as an exception, submit to the Ethics Office a completed Exception Request Form (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com). |
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Do not participate in any IPO without prior written approval from the Ethics Office. |
Participating in an investment club
Neither you nor your covered persons may participate in an investment club or similar entity.
Investing in a hedge fund
Neither you nor your covered persons may invest in a hedge fund, alternative investment, or similar investment product or vehicle.
Exceptions
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Investment products or vehicles issued or advised by Fidelity. |
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An unregistered investment product or vehicle that you or your covered persons bought before joining Fidelity. You must show that you and your covered persons have no influence over the products or vehicles investment decisions and that the investment cannot be readily liquidated or that liquidation would cause a significant hardship. The prior written approval of the Ethics Office is required to qualify for this exception. Note that even if your request is approved, neither you nor your covered persons can make any further investments in the product, and the investment must be liquidated at the earliest opportunity. |
To Do
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To request an exception to invest in an investment product or vehicle issued or advised by Fidelity, submit a completed Private Transaction Request Form (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com) to the Ethics Office. |
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To request an exception to maintain a pre-existing investment, submit a completed Private Transaction Request Form (available at MyCompliance.fmr.com) to the Ethics Office. Note that even if your request is approved, neither you nor your covered persons can make any further investments in the product or vehicle, and the investment must be liquidated at the earliest opportunity. |
Excessive trading
Excessive trading in covered accounts is strongly discouraged. In general, anyone trading covered securities more than 60 times (other than Fidelity funds) in a quarter across all of his or her covered accounts should expect additional scrutiny of his or her trades. Note that you and your covered persons also need to comply with the policies in any Fidelity fund prospectus concerning excessive trading. The Ethics Office monitors trading activity, and may limit the number of trades allowed in your covered accounts during a given period.
Exception
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This rule does not apply to transactions in an account that is managed by a third-party registered investment adviser with discretionary authority over the account. |
Profiting from knowledge of fund transactions
You may not use your knowledge of transactions in funds or other accounts advised by FMR Co., Pyramis Global Advisors, or any other Fidelity entity to profit by the market effect of these transactions.
Influencing a fund to benefit yourself or others
The funds and accounts advised by Fidelity are required to act in the best interests of their shareholders and clients, respectively. Accordingly, you are prohibited from influencing any of these funds or accounts to act for the benefit of any party other than their shareholders or clients.
For example, you may not influence a fund to buy, sell, or refrain from trading a security that would affect that securitys price to advance your own interest or the interest of a party that has or seeks to have a business relationship with Fidelity.
Attempting to defraud a fund
Attempting to defraud a fund or an account advised by FMR Co., Pyramis Global Advisors, or any other Fidelity entity in any way is a violation of Fidelitys rules and federal law.
Using a derivative to get around a rule
If something is prohibited by these rules, then it is also against these rules to effectively accomplish the same thing by using a derivative. This includes futures, options, and other types of derivatives.
[Sidebar]
How we enforce the Code of Ethics
The Ethics Office regularly reviews the forms and reports it receives. If these reviews turn up information that is incomplete, questionable, or potentially in violation of this Code of Ethics, the Ethics Office will investigate the matter and may contact you.
If it is determined that you or any of your covered persons have violated this Code of Ethics, the Ethics Office or another appropriate party may take action. Among other things, potential actions may include:
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an informational memorandum |
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a written warning |
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a fine, disgorgement of profit, or other payment |
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a limitation or ban on personal trading |
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referral of the matter to Human Resources |
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dismissal from employment |
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referral of the matter to civil or criminal authorities |
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Fidelity takes all Code of Ethics violations seriously, and, at least once a year, provides the funds trustees with a summary of actions taken in response to material violations of this Code of Ethics. You should be aware that other securities laws and regulations not addressed by this Code of Ethics may also apply to you, depending upon your role at Fidelity.
Fidelity and the funds retain the discretion to interpret this Code of Ethics and to decide how the rules apply to any given situation.
Exceptions In cases where exceptions to this Code of Ethics are noted and you may qualify for them, you need to get prior written approval from the Ethics Office. The way to request any particular exception is discussed in the text of the relevant rule. If you believe that you have a situation that warrants an exception that is not discussed in this Code of Ethics, you may submit a written request to the Ethics Office. Your request will be considered by the Ethics Office, and you will be notified of the outcome.
Appeals If you believe a request of yours has been incorrectly denied or that an action is not warranted, you may appeal the decision. To make an appeal, you need to give the Ethics Office a written explanation of your reasons for appeal within 30 days of when you were informed of the decision. Be sure to include any extenuating circumstances or other factors not previously considered. During the review process, you may, at your own expense, engage an attorney to represent you. The Ethics Office may arrange for senior management or other parties to be part of the review process. The Ethics Office will notify you in writing about the outcome of your appeal.
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Additional Rules for Fund-Advisory Employees
Whats Required
Surrendering 60-day gains (60-Day Rule)
Any sale of covered securities will be matched against any purchases of that security, or its equivalent, in the same account during the previous 60 days (starting with the earliest purchase in the 60-day period). Any gain resulting from any matched transactions must be surrendered. For specific information about how option transactions are treated under this rule, see the sidebar and the examples below.
Gains are calculated differently under this rule than they would be for tax purposes. Neither losses nor potential tax liabilities will be offset against the amount that must be surrendered under this rule.
Exceptions
This rule does not apply:
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to transactions in shares of Fidelity funds |
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to transactions in options and futures on, or ETFs that track, the following indexes: Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ 100, Russell 1000, Russell 2000, S&P 100, S&P 500, S&P Midcap 400, S&P Europe 350, FTSE 100, FTSE Mid 250, FTSE 350, Hang Seng 100, Deutscher Aktien IndeX (DAX 30), S&P/TSX 60, NSE S&P CNX Nifty (Nifty 50), and Nikkei 225 |
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to transactions in options, futures, and ETFs based on one or more instruments that are not covered securities (i.e., commodities, currencies, and U.S. Treasuries; see Key Concepts on page 7 for an expanded list of non-covered securities) |
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to transactions made in a covered account that is managed by a third-party registered investment adviser with discretionary authority over the account |
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to transactions under an automatic investment plan (see Key Concepts on page 6) |
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to tax planning transactions, provided that there is a demonstration of how the proposed transaction relates to the covered persons tax strategy; this exception is not automatic, is granted on a case-by-case basis, and requires advanced review and written approval of the Ethics Office |
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when the rule would impose a substantial unforeseen personal financial hardship on the employee; this exception is not automatic, is granted on a case-by-case basis, and requires advanced review and written approval of the Ethics Office (note that an employee seeking relief must establish a bona fide financial hardship, such as unforeseen medical expenses, and should be prepared to demonstrate, among other things, that he or she possesses no other assets to meet the financial need) |
To Do
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Before trading a covered security in a covered account that might trigger the 60-Day Rule, make sure you understand how much may have to be surrendered. The calculation may be complicated, especially if options or multiple prior purchases are involved. If you have any questions about this provision, call the Ethics Office at (001) 617-563-5566 or (001) 800-580-8780. |
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To request permission for a tax planning or hardship exception, you must contact the Ethics Office before trading. Allow at least two business days for your request to be considered. Approvals will be based on fund trading and other pre-clearance tests. You are limited to a total of five exceptions per calendar year across all of your covered accounts. |
[Sidebar]
Option transactions under the 60-Day Rule
Option transactions can be matched either to a prior purchase of the underlying security or to prior option transactions in the opposite direction.
When matching an option transaction to prior purchases of the underlying security, opening an option position by selling a call or buying a put is treated as a sale and will be matched to any purchases of the underlying security made during the preceding 60 days.
When matching an option transaction to prior option transactions, a closing position is matched to any like opening positions taken during the preceding 60 days.
When exercising an option, the initial purchase or sale of an option, not the exercise or assignment of the option, is matched to any opposite transactions made during the preceding 60 days. The sale of the underlying securities received from the exercise of an option will also be matched to any opposite transactions made during the period.
There is no exception to the 60-Day Rule for the selling of securities upon the automatic exercise of an option that is in the money at its expiration date. To avoid surrendering 60-day gains that would result from an automatic liquidation, you need to cancel the automatic liquidation before it happens.
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[Illustration]
[Table showing examples of the 60-Day Rule]
EXAMPLES
Example 1 The March 25 sale is matched to the February 2 purchase (not the January 20 purchase, which was more than 60 days prior). Surrendered: $500 ($5 x 100 shares).
JAN 20 Buy 100 shares at $16 each
FEB 2 Buy 200 shares at $10 each
MAR 1 Buy 200 shares at $17 each
MAR 25 Sell 100 shares at $15 each
Example 2 The March 25 call option sale is matched to the February 2 purchase of the underlying security (the calls execution price and expiration date are immaterial). Surrendered: $500 (the premium for selling the option).
FEB 2 Buy 100 shares at $10 each
MAR 25 |
Sell call option to open for 100 shares at $5; receive $500 premium |
Example 3 The March 25 call option purchase is a closing transaction and is matched to the February 2 sale (since that opening transaction was made within 60 days). Surrendered: $200 (difference between premium received and premium paid).
FEB 2 Sell one call optionto open at $5;receive $500 premium
MAR 25 Buy an identical calloption to close at $3;pay $300 premium
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Whats Prohibited
Buying securities of certain broker-dealers
Neither you nor your covered persons are allowed to buy the securities of a broker-dealer or its parent company if the Ethics Office has restricted those securities.
Trading after a research note
Neither you nor your covered persons are allowed to trade a covered security of an issuer until two full business days have elapsed (not including the day the note was published) since the publication of a research note on that issuer by any Fidelity entity.
Additional Rules for Research Analysts and Portfolio Managers
Research Analysts and Portfolio Managers are subject to the additional rules for Fund-Advisory Employees, plus the rules in this section.
Whats Required
Notification of your ownership of securities in a research note
You must check the box on a research note you are publishing to indicate any ownership, either by you or your covered persons, of any security of an issuer that is the subject of the research note.
Disclosing trading opportunities to the funds before personally trading
There are three aspects to this rule:
Disclosing information received from an issuer Any time you receive, directly from an issuer, material information about that issuer (that is not considered inside information), you must check to see if that information has been disclosed to the funds in a research note. If not, you must communicate that information to the funds before you or any of your covered persons personally trade any securities of that issuer in a covered account.
To Do
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Confirm whether a Fidelity research note has been published with the relevant information. |
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If not, publish a research note or provide the information to the relevant head of research. |
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If you think you may have received inside information, follow the rules in the Policy on Inside Information. |
Disclosing information about an issuer that is assigned to you If you are a research analyst, you must disclose in a research note material information you have about an issuer that is assigned to you before you or any of your covered persons personally trade a security of that issuer in a covered account.
Exception
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You or any of your covered persons may be permitted to trade the assigned security in a covered account without publishing a research note if you have obtained the prior approval of both the relevant head of research and the Ethics Office. |
To Do
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Publish a research note with the relevant information and indicate any ownership interest in the issuer that you or your covered persons may have before personally trading a security you are assigned to cover. |
Note: You will not be able to obtain pre-clearance approval for your personal trade until two full business days have elapsed (not including the day the note was published) following the publication of your research note.
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To request an exception to this rule, first contact the relevant head of research and seek approval. Then contact the Ethics Office for approval. Do not personally trade the security until you have received full approval. |
Recommending trading opportunities In addition, you must recommend for the funds, and, if you are a portfolio manager, trade for the funds, a suitable security before personally trading that security.
Whats Prohbited
Trading within seven days of a fund you manage
Neither you nor your covered persons are allowed to trade within seven calendar days (not including the day of the trade) before or after a trade is executed in any covered security of the same issuer by any of the funds you manage.
Exceptions
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When the rule would work to the disadvantage of a fund You must never let a personal trade prevent a fund you manage from subsequently trading a covered security of the same issuer, if not making the trade would disadvantage the fund. However, you need approval from the Ethics Office before making any trades under this exception. The Ethics Office will need to know, among other things, what new information arose since the date of the trade in your covered account. |
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When the conflicting fund trade results from standing orders A personal trade may precede a fund trade in the same covered security when the funds trade was generated independently by the trading desk because of a standing instruction to trade proportionally across the funds holdings in response to fund cash flows. |
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When the covered account is independently managed This exception applies only where a covered account is managed by a third-party registered investment adviser with discretionary authority over the account. To qualify for this exception, you must have previously obtained written approval from the Ethics Office to maintain the managed account. |
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When the conflicting personal trade or fund trade is in options or futures on, or ETFs that track, the following indexes: Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ 100, Russell 1000, Russell 2000, S&P 100, S&P 500, S&P Midcap 400, S&P Europe 350, FTSE 100, FTSE Mid 250, FTSE 350, Hang Seng 100, Deutscher Aktien IndeX (DAX 30), S&P/TSX 60, NSE S&P CNX Nifty (Nifty 50), and Nikkei 225. |
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When the conflicting personal trade or fund trade is in options, futures, or ETFs based on one or more instruments that are not covered securities (i.e., commodities, currencies, and U.S. Treasuries; see Key Concepts on page 7 for an expanded list of non-covered securities). |
To Do
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Before trading personally, consider whether there is any likelihood that you may be interested in trading a covered security of the same issuer in your assigned funds within seven calendar days following the day of the fund trade. If so, refrain from personally trading in a covered account. |
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If a fund you manage has recently traded a security, you must delay any covered account trades in any covered security of the same issuer for seven calendar days following the day of the most recent fund trade. |
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Contact the Ethics Office immediately to discuss any situation where these rules would work to the disadvantage of the funds. |
Legal Information The Code of Ethics for Personal Investing constitutes the Code of Ethics required by Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and by Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 for the Fidelity funds, FMR LLC subsidiaries that are the funds investment advisers or principal underwriters, Fidelity Management Trust Company, subsidiaries of Pyramis Global Advisors Holdings Corp. and any other entity designated by the Ethics Office. Fidelity is required to provide a copy of this Code of Ethics, and any amendments to it, to all employees covered under it.