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¶ – Release Delayed ·As Of Filer Filing For·On·As Docs:Size Issuer Agent 10/30/14 Fidelity Central Inv Ports LLC POS AMI¶ 3:660K Fidelity Aberdeen St… Tr → Fidelity High Income Central Fund → Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund |
Document/Exhibit Description Pages Size 1: POS AMI Post-Effective Amendment HTML 709K 3: CORRESP ¶ Comment-Response or Other Letter to the SEC HTML 5K 2: EX-99.J OTHER OPININ Miscellaneous Exhibit HTML 5K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
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Washington, D.C. 20549 |
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FORM N-1A |
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT (No. 811-21667) |
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UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
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Amendment No. 37 |
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Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC |
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) |
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245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 |
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(Address Of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) |
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Registrant's Telephone Number: 617-563-7000 |
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Scott C. Goebel, Secretary |
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245 Summer Street |
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
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This registration statement has been filed pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, the fund's shares are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act) because these shares will be issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act. Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including certain other Fidelity funds and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
Fidelity® High Income Central Fund 2
Part A of the Registration Statement
<R>October 30, 2014</R>
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Fund Summary |
Fidelity® High Income Central Fund 2 |
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Fund Basics |
Investment Details |
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Valuing Shares |
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Shareholder Information |
Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares |
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Account Policies |
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Distributions |
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Fund Services |
Fund Management |
Prospectus
<R>Fund:</R>
Fidelity®High Income Central Fund 2
FMR Co., Inc. (the Adviser), an affiliate of Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR), is the fund's manager. Other investment advisers serve as sub-advisers for the fund.
Fred Hoff (portfolio manager) has managed the fund since March 2008.
Shares are offered only to other Fidelity funds. Shares are not offered to the public.
<R>The price to sell one share is its net asset value per share (NAV). Shares will be sold at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in
proper form.</R>
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.
The fund has no minimum investment requirement.
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax consequences for you. The fund intends to operate as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the fund will not be subject to any federal income tax. Based upon the status of the fund as a partnership, you will take into account your share of the fund's ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses in determining your income tax liability and, for investors that are regulated investment companies, your qualification as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The determination of your share of the fund's ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses will be made in accordance with the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Prospectus
Investment Objective
Fidelity® High Income Central Fund 2 seeks a high level of current income. Growth of capital may also be considered.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Adviser normally invests the fund's assets primarily in income-producing debt securities, preferred stocks, and convertible securities, with an emphasis on lower-quality debt securities. Many lower-quality debt securities are subject to legal or contractual restrictions limiting the Adviser's ability to resell the securities to the general public. The Adviser may also invest the fund's assets in non-income producing securities, including defaulted securities and common stocks, but currently intends to limit common stocks to 10% of the fund's total assets. The Adviser may invest in companies whose financial condition is troubled or uncertain and that may be involved in bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations, or financial restructurings.
The Adviser may invest the fund's assets in securities of foreign issuers in addition to securities of domestic issuers.
In buying and selling securities for the fund, the Adviser relies on fundamental analysis of each issuer and its potential for success in light of its current financial condition, its industry position, and economic and market conditions. Factors considered include a security's structural features and current price compared to its long-term value, and the earnings potential, credit standing, and management of the security's issuer.
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed above, the Adviser may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures contracts and exchange traded funds, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing security prices, interest rates, or other factors that affect security values. The Adviser may invest the fund's assets in debt securities by investing in other funds.
If the Adviser's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not achieve its objective.
Description of Principal Security Types
Equity securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Different types of equity securities provide different voting and dividend rights and priority in the event of the bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, and warrants.
Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed, usually at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds, government securities, repurchase agreements, money market securities, mortgage and other asset-backed securities, loans and loan participations, and other securities believed to have debt-like characteristics, including hybrids and synthetic securities.
Prospectus
Principal Investment Risks
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price and yield change daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates and in response to other economic, political, or financial developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be affected by the types and maturities of securities in which the fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector, and geographic location of an issuer, and the fund's level of investment in the securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
The following factors can significantly affect the fund's performance:
Stock Market Volatility. The value of equity securities fluctuates in response to issuer, political, market, and economic developments. Fluctuations, especially in foreign markets, can be dramatic over the short as well as long term, and different parts of the market, including different market sectors, and different types of equity securities can react differently to these developments. For example, stocks of companies in one sector can react differently from those in another, 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.
Interest Rate Changes. Debt securities, including money market securities, have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and certain types of securities, such as mortgage securities and the securities of issuers in the financial services sector, can be more sensitive to interest rate changes, meaning the longer the maturity of a security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. Short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates, and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates. Securities with floating interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much as interest rates in general. Securities whose payment at maturity is based on the movement of all or part of an index and inflation-protected debt securities may react differently from other types of debt securities.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
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 exchange rates; 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, especially those in emerging markets, more volatile and potentially less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can perform differently from the U.S. market.
Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers or providers in, or foreign exchange rates with, a different country or region.
<R>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. Lower-quality debt securities (those of less than investment-grade quality, also referred
to as high yield debt securities or junk bonds) and certain types of other securities tend to be particularly sensitive to these changes.</R>
Lower-quality debt securities and certain types of other securities involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer. The value of lower-quality debt securities and certain types of other securities often fluctuates in response to company, political, or economic developments and can decline significantly over short as well as long periods of time or during periods of general or regional economic difficulty. Lower-quality debt securities can be thinly traded or have restrictions on resale, making them difficult to sell at an acceptable price, and often are considered to be speculative. The default rate for lower-quality debt securities is likely to be higher during economic recessions or periods of high interest rates.
In response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, a fund may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. If the fund does so, different factors could affect its performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
The following is fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder approval:
Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 seeks a high level of current income. Growth of capital may also be considered.
Prospectus
The fund is open for business each day the NYSE is open.
NAV is the value of a single share. Fidelity normally calculates 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 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>NAV is calculated using the values of other open-end funds, if any, in which the fund invests (referred to as underlying funds). Shares of
underlying funds are valued at their respective NAVs. Other assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations, official closing prices,
or 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 are not readily available or, in FMR's opinion, are deemed unreliable for a security, then that security will be fair valued in good faith by FMR in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies. For example, if, in
FMR's opinion, a security's value has been materially affected by events occurring before a fund's pricing time but after the close of the exchange
or market on which the security is principally traded, then that security will be fair valued in good faith by FMR in accordance with applicable
fair value pricing policies. Fair value pricing will be used for high yield debt securities when available pricing information is determined to be
stale or for other reasons not to accurately reflect fair value.</R>
Arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security or securities is halted and does not resume before a 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 markets but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of a fund's portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of NAV by short-term traders.
Fair value pricing is based on subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value of a security may differ materially from the value that would be realized if the security were sold.
Prospectus
As used in this prospectus, the term "shares" generally refers to the shares offered through this prospectus.
The fund may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase orders, including transactions deemed to represent excessive trading, at any time.
Excessive trading of fund shares can harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the fund (such as brokerage commissions or spreads paid to dealers who sell money market instruments), disrupting portfolio management strategies, and diluting the value of the shares in cases in which fluctuations in markets are not fully priced into the fund's NAV.
Because the fund is primarily offered for investment only to certain other Fidelity funds, the potential for excessive or short-term disruptive purchases and sales is reduced. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive trading of fund shares and the fund accommodates frequent trading.
The fund has no limit on purchase transactions but may in its discretion restrict, reject, or cancel any purchases that, in the Adviser's opinion, may be disruptive to the management of the fund or otherwise not be in the fund's interests.
The fund reserves the right at any time to restrict purchases or impose conditions that are more restrictive on excessive trading than those stated in this prospectus.
The fund has no exchange privilege with any other fund.
Shares are offered only to certain other Fidelity funds. Shares of the fund are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including certain other Fidelity funds and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. Each shareholder is deemed to agree to, and be bound by, the terms of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC's limited liability company agreement. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
The price to buy one share is its NAV. Shares are sold without a sales charge.
Shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form.
Orders by funds of funds for which Fidelity serves as investment manager will be treated as received by the fund at the same time that the corresponding orders are received in proper form by the funds of funds.
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
The price to sell one share is its NAV.
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.
Orders by funds of funds for which Fidelity serves as investment manager will be treated as received by the fund at the same time that the corresponding orders are received in proper form by the funds of funds.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
Fidelity will send monthly account statements detailing fund balances and all transactions completed during the prior month.
<R>You may be asked to provide additional information in order for Fidelity to verify your identity in accordance with requirements under anti-money laundering regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as
otherwise required under these and other federal regulations.</R>
Prospectus
The fund declares a daily distribution of its net income, which is included in the shareholder's book capital account until it is paid to the shareholder on a monthly basis.
Any distributions will be paid in cash or, at your election, automatically reinvested in additional shares.
Prospectus
The fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
The Adviser is the fund's manager. The address of the Adviser and its affiliates, unless otherwise indicated below, is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
<R>As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser had approximately $866.5 billion in discretionary assets under management, and approximately $1.94
trillion when combined with all of its affiliates' assets under management.</R>
As the manager, the Adviser is responsible for choosing the fund's investments and handling its business affairs.
Other investment advisers assist the Adviser with foreign investments:
Fred Hoff is portfolio manager of the fund, which he has managed since March 2008. He also manages other funds. Since joining Fidelity Investments in 1991, Mr. Hoff has worked as a research analyst and portfolio manager.
The statement of additional information (SAI) provides additional information about the compensation of, any other accounts managed by, and any fund shares held by the portfolio manager.
From time to time a manager, analyst, or other Fidelity employee may express views regarding a particular company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Prospectus
Pursuant to the fund's management contract with the Adviser, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays the Adviser a management fee. The management fee is calculated and paid to the Adviser every month.
For each fund (other than a fund for which the Adviser serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays the Adviser a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FMR has contracted to pay the fund's operating expenses (excluding custody fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees and extraordinary expenses). This agreement may be modified by mutual consent of the fund's Board of Trustees, FMR and the Adviser.
The Adviser pays FMR U.K., FMR H.K., and FMR Japan for providing sub-advisory services.
<R>The basis for the Board of Trustees approving the management contract and sub-advisory agreements for the fund is available in the fund's
annual report for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2014.</R>
From time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates may agree to reimburse or waive certain fund expenses while retaining the ability to be repaid if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Reimbursement or waiver arrangements can decrease expenses and boost performance.
<R>As of August 31, 2014, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by Fidelity funds.</R>
Prospectus
Notes
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT ACT), requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account. For investors other than individuals: When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account such as name, residential address, date of birth and social security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as drivers' licenses, articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Fidelity identify the entity. |
A description of the fund's policies and procedures for disclosing its holdings is available in Part B of its registration statement.
<R>Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & Pyramid Design are registered service marks of FMR LLC. © 2014 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.</R>
The third-party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
<R>1.861958.108 HICII-PRO-1014</R>
Fidelity® High Income Central Fund 2
A Fund of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC
PART B OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<R>October 30, 2014</R>
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Portions of the fund's annual report are incorporated herein. The annual report is supplied with this SAI.
<R>To obtain a free additional copy of Part A of the Registration Statement, dated October 30, 2014, or an
annual report, please call Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544.</R>
For purposes of the registration statement, Directors of the Company are referred to as Trustees.
<R>HICII-PTB-1014</R>
1.861959.108
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Investment Policies and Limitations |
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Portfolio Transactions |
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Buying and Selling Information |
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Directors and Officers (Trustees and Officers) |
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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in Part A of the registration statement. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations described in this Part B of the registration statement are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
The following are the fund's fundamental investment limitations set forth in their entirety.
Diversification
The fund may not with respect to 75% of the fund's total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
Senior Securities
The fund may not issue senior securities, except in connection with the insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Borrowing
The fund may not borrow money, except that the fund may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed this amount will be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation.
Underwriting
The fund may not underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies.
Concentration
The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, with respect to any investment in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities, FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC) looks through to the U.S. Government securities.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, with respect to any investment in Fidelity® Money Market Central Fund and/or any non-money market central fund, FMRC looks through to the holdings of the central fund.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, FMRC may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry or sector classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that the third-party classification provider used by FMRC does not assign a classification.
Real Estate
The fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
Commodities
The fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
Loans
The fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
Short Sales
The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
Margin Purchases
The fund does not currently intend to purchase securities on margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
Borrowing
The fund may borrow money only (a) from a bank or from a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with any party (reverse repurchase agreements are treated as borrowings for purposes of the fundamental borrowing investment limitation).
Illiquid Securities
The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.
For purposes of the fund's illiquid securities limitation discussed above, if through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
Loans
<R>The fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than securities to other parties, except by (a) making direct loans to companies in
which the fund has a pre-existing investment (b) making direct commercial real estate loans (c) lending money (up to 15% of the fund's net
assets) to a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (d) 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.)</R>
In addition to the fund's fundamental and non-fundamental investment limitations discussed above:
For the fund's limitations on futures and options transactions, see the section entitled "Futures, Options, and Swaps" on page (Click Here).
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of instruments in which the fund may invest, techniques the fund's adviser (or a sub-adviser) may employ in pursuit of the fund's investment objective, and a summary of related risks. The fund's adviser (or a 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. However, the fund's adviser (or a sub-adviser) is not required to buy any particular instrument or use any particular technique even if to do so might benefit the fund.
On the following pages in this section titled "Investment Policies and Limitations," and except as otherwise indicated, references to "an adviser" or "the adviser" may relate to the fund's adviser or a sub-adviser, as applicable.
Affiliated Bank Transactions. A Fidelity fund may engage in transactions with financial institutions that are, or may be considered to be, "affiliated persons" of the fund under the 1940 Act. These transactions may involve repurchase agreements with custodian banks; short-term obligations of, and repurchase agreements with, the 50 largest U.S. banks (measured by deposits); municipal securities; U.S. Government securities with affiliated financial institutions that are primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency transactions; and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Trustees has established and periodically reviews procedures applicable to transactions involving affiliated financial institutions.
Asset-Backed Securities represent interests in pools of mortgages, loans, receivables, or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements. Asset-backed security values may also be affected by other factors including changes in interest rates, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or receivables, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. In addition, these securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
Borrowing. If a fund borrows money, its share price may be subject to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If a fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this may be considered a form of leverage.
Cash Management. A fund may hold uninvested cash or may invest it in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase agreements, or shares of short-term bond or money market funds, including (for Fidelity funds and other advisory clients only) shares of Fidelity central funds. Generally, these securities offer less potential for gains than other types of securities.
Central Funds are special types of investment vehicles created by Fidelity for use by the Fidelity funds and other advisory clients. Central funds are used to invest in particular security types or investment disciplines, or for cash management. Central funds incur certain costs related to their investment activity (such as custodial fees and expenses), but do not pay additional management fees. The investment results of the portions of a Fidelity fund's assets invested in the central funds will be based upon the investment results of those funds.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Notice of Exclusion. The LLC, on behalf of the Fidelity fund to which this SAI relates, has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the CFTC promulgated thereunder, with respect to the fund's operation. Accordingly, neither a fund nor its adviser is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or a CPO. However, the CFTC has adopted certain rule amendments that significantly affect the continued availability of this exclusion, and may subject advisers to funds to regulation by the CFTC. As of the date of this SAI, the adviser does not expect to register as a CPO of the fund. However, there is no certainty that a fund or its adviser will be able to rely on an exclusion in the future as the fund's investments change over time. A fund may determine not to use investment strategies that trigger additional CFTC regulation or may determine to operate subject to CFTC regulation, if applicable. If a fund or its adviser operates subject to CFTC regulation, it may incur additional expenses.
<R>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, although related proceedings can take time to resolve and results can be unpredictable. For purposes of a Fidelity fund's policies related to investment in common
stock Fidelity considers depositary receipts evidencing ownership of common stock to be common stock.</R>
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.
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. An ETF may seek to replicate the performance of a specified index or may be actively managed.
Typically, ETF shares are expected to increase in value as the value of the underlying 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.
ETF shares are redeemable only in large blocks (typically, 50,000 shares) often called "creation units" by persons other than a fund, and are redeemed principally in-kind at each day's next calculated net asset value per share (NAV). ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by a fund. A fund's purchase of ETFs results in the layering of expenses, such that the fund would indirectly bear a proportionate share of any ETF's operating expenses. Further, while traditional investment companies are continuously offered at NAV, ETFs are traded in the secondary market (e.g., on a stock exchange) on an intra-day basis at prices that may be above or below the value of their underlying portfolios.
Some of the risks of investing in an ETF that tracks an index 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 the speed at which losses can be realized also are greater. Most leveraged and inverse ETFs "reset" daily, meaning they are designed to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis. Leveraged and inverse ETFs can deviate substantially from the performance of their underlying benchmark over longer periods of time, particularly in volatile periods.
Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) are a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines aspects of both 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.
ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable 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 intraday indicative value. 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's share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV. Some ETNs that use leverage in an effort to amplify the returns of an underlying index or other reference asset can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs may offer the potential for greater return, but the potential for loss and speed at which losses can be realized also are greater.
Exposure to Foreign and Emerging 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. From time to time, a fund's adviser and/or its affiliates may determine that, as a result of regulatory requirements that may apply to the adviser and/or its affiliates due to investments in a particular country, investments in the securities of issuers domiciled or listed on trading markets in that country above certain thresholds (which may apply at the account level or in the aggregate across all accounts managed by the adviser and its affiliates) may be impractical or undesirable. In such instances, the adviser may limit or exclude investment in a particular issuer, and investment flexibility may be restricted. 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 fund's 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 investment or valuation 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. Forward contracts not calling for physical delivery of the underlying instrument will be settled through cash payments rather than through delivery of the underlying currency. All of these instruments and transactions are subject to the risk that the counterparty will default.
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 denominated in a foreign currency 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 to protect 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.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of existing investments denominated in a 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 attempt to 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 an 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 an adviser anticipates. For example, if a currency's value rose at a time when a fund had hedged its position by selling that currency in exchange for dollars, the fund would not participate in the currency's appreciation. If a fund hedges currency exposure through proxy hedges, the 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 fund increases its exposure to a foreign currency and that currency's value declines, the fund will realize a loss. Foreign currency transactions involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted and that a fund's hedging strategies will be ineffective. Moreover, it is impossible to precisely forecast the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a foreign currency forward contract. Accordingly, a fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expenses of such transaction), if an adviser's predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency or securities markets prove inaccurate.
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. A fund will cover its exposure to foreign currency transactions with liquid assets in compliance with applicable requirements. There is no assurance that an 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 indexes, as discussed below. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the fund's investments exactly over time.
Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of the fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options.
Fund's Rights as an Investor. Fidelity funds do not intend to direct or administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund may, however, exercise its rights as a shareholder or lender and may communicate its views on important matters of policy to a company's management, board of directors, and shareholders, and holders of a company's other securities when 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. Such activities will be monitored 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. Government legislation or regulation could affect the use of such instruments and could limit a fund's ability to pursue its investment strategies. If a fund invests a significant portion of its assets in derivatives, its investment exposure could far exceed the value of its portfolio securities and its investment performance could be primarily dependent upon securities it does not own.
Fidelity® High Income Central Fund 2 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; 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 limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts, options, and swaps, and the fund's policies regarding futures contracts, options, and swaps may be changed as regulatory agencies permit.
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 date. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts and 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 or baskets of securities, some are based on commodities or commodities indexes (for funds that seek commodities exposure), and some are based on indexes of securities prices (including foreign indexes for funds that seek foreign exposure). Futures on indexes and futures not calling for physical delivery of the underlying instrument will be settled through cash payments rather than through delivery of the underlying instrument. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out by offsetting purchases or sales of futures contracts before then if a liquid market is available. A fund may realize a gain or loss by closing out its futures contracts.
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 for the underlying instrument. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the underlying instrument had been sold.
The purchaser or seller of a futures contract or an option for a futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument or the final cash settlement price, as applicable, unless the contract is held until the delivery date. However, both the purchaser and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), when the contract is entered into. If the value of either party's position declines, that party will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to settle the change in value on a daily basis. This process of "marking to market" will be reflected in the daily calculation of open positions computed in a fund's NAV. The party that has a gain is entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. Initial and variation margin payments do not constitute purchasing securities on margin for purposes of a fund's investment limitations. Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by a fund, but is instead a settlement between a fund and the FCM of the amount one would owe the other if the fund's contract expired. 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 also 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.
Although futures exchanges generally operate similarly in the United States and abroad, foreign futures exchanges may follow trading, settlement, and margin procedures that are different from those for U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts traded outside the United States may not involve a clearing mechanism or related guarantees and may involve greater risk of loss than U.S.-traded contracts, including potentially greater risk of losses due to insolvency of a futures broker, exchange member, or other party that may owe initial or variation margin to a fund. Because initial and variation margin payments may be measured in foreign currency, a futures contract traded outside the United States may also involve the risk of foreign currency fluctuation.
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. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.
If the market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or other market conditions, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require a fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a fund's access to other assets held to cover its futures positions could also be impaired. These risks may be heightened for commodity futures contracts, which have historically been subject to greater price volatility than exists for instruments such as stocks and bonds.
Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded futures contracts, it is likely that the standardized contracts available will not match a fund's current or anticipated investments exactly. A fund may invest in futures contracts based on securities with different issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in which the fund typically invests, which involves a risk that the futures position will not track the performance of the fund's other investments.
Futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a fund's investments well. Futures prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. A fund may purchase or sell futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a fund's futures positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by gains in other investments. In addition, the price of a commodity futures contract can reflect the storage costs associated with the purchase of the physical commodity.
Futures contracts on U.S. Government securities historically have reacted to an increase or decrease in interest rates in a manner similar to the manner in which the underlying U.S. Government securities reacted. To the extent, however, that a fund enters into such futures contracts, the value of these futures contracts will not vary in direct proportion to the value of the fund's holdings of U.S. Government securities. Thus, the anticipated spread between the price of the futures contract and the hedged security may be distorted due to differences in the nature of the markets. The spread also may be distorted by differences in initial and variation margin requirements, the liquidity of such markets and the participation of speculators in such markets.
Options. By purchasing a put option, the purchaser obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the purchaser pays the current market price for the option (known as the option premium). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific assets or securities, baskets of assets or securities, indexes of securities or commodities prices, and futures contracts (including commodity futures contracts). Options may be traded on an exchange or OTC. 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. Depending on the terms of the contract, upon exercise, an option may require physical delivery of the underlying instrument or may be settled through cash payments. A purchaser may also terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if the underlying instrument's price falls substantially. However, if the underlying instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right (but not the obligation) to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option's strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of the option if the underlying instrument's price falls. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if the underlying instrument's price does not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
The writer of a put or call option takes the opposite side of the transaction from the option's purchaser. In return for receipt of the premium, the writer assumes the obligation to pay or receive the strike price for the option's underlying instrument if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. The writer may seek to terminate a position in a put option before exercise by closing out the option in the secondary market at its current price. If the secondary market is not liquid for a put option, however, the writer must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes. When writing an option on a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin payments to an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If the underlying instrument's price rises, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If the underlying instrument's price remains the same over time, it is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If the underlying instrument's price falls, the put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the option's underlying instrument or make a net cash settlement payment, as applicable, in return for the strike price, upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer should mitigate the effects of a price increase. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument or make a net cash settlement payment, as applicable, in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
Where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price to close out the put or call option on the secondary market may move more or less than the price of the related security.
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 exchange-traded 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 (swaptions), which are generally options on interest rate swaps. An option on a swap gives a party the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to extend, shorten, cancel or modify an existing contract at a specific date in the future in exchange for a premium. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes (sells) an option on a swap than it will incur when it purchases an option on a swap. When a fund purchases an option on a swap, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when a fund writes an option on a swap, upon exercise of the option the fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement. A fund that writes an option on a swap receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the preset rate on the underlying interest rate swap. Whether a fund's use of options on swaps will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the adviser's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Options on swaps may involve risks similar to those discussed below in "Swap Agreements."
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.
<R>Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. Cleared swaps are
transacted through futures commission merchants (FCMs) that are members of central clearinghouses with the clearinghouse serving as a
central counterparty similar to transactions in futures contracts. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange one or more
payments based, for example, on the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or
instruments (such as securities, commodities, indexes, or other financial or economic interests). The gross payments to be exchanged 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.</R>
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 and, if applicable, its yield. Swap agreements are subject to liquidity risk, meaning that a fund may be unable to sell a swap contract to a third party at a favorable price. Certain standardized swap transactions are currently subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Central clearing is expected to decrease counterparty risk and increase liquidity compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterpart to each participant's swap. However, central clearing does not eliminate counterparty risk or illiquidity risk entirely. In addition depending on the size of a fund and other factors, the margin required under the rules of a clearinghouse and by a clearing member FCM may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by a fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. It is expected, however, that regulators will adopt rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps in the near future, which could reduce the distinction.
A total return swap is a contract whereby one party agrees to make a series of payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying such contract (which can include a security or other instrument, commodity, index or baskets thereof) during the specified period. In exchange, the other party to the contract agrees to make a series of payments calculated by reference to an interest rate and/or some other agreed-upon amount (including the change in market value of other underlying assets). A fund may use total return swaps to gain exposure to an asset without owning it or taking physical custody of it. For example, a fund investing in total return commodity swaps will receive the price appreciation of a commodity, commodity index or portion thereof in exchange for payment of an agreed-upon fee.
In a credit default swap, the credit default protection buyer makes periodic payments, known as premiums, to the credit default protection seller. In return the credit default protection seller will make a payment to the credit default protection buyer upon the occurrence of a specified credit event. A credit default swap can refer to a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets, each known as the reference entity or underlying asset. A fund may act as either the buyer or the seller of a credit default swap. A fund may buy or sell credit default protection on a basket of issuers or assets, even if a number of the underlying assets referenced in the basket are lower-quality debt securities. In an unhedged credit default swap, a fund buys credit default protection on a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets without owning the underlying asset or debt issued by the reference entity. Credit default swaps involve greater and different risks than investing directly in the referenced asset, because, in addition to market risk, credit default swaps include liquidity, counterparty and operational risk.
Credit default swaps allow a fund to acquire or reduce credit exposure to a particular issuer, asset or basket of assets. If a swap agreement calls for payments by a fund, the fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. If a 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 a 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 a 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, a Fidelity fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness.
A fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. In order to cover its outstanding obligations to a swap counterparty, a fund would generally be required to provide margin or collateral for the benefit of that counterparty. If a counterparty to a swap transaction becomes insolvent, the fund may be limited temporarily or permanently in exercising its right to the return of related fund assets designated as margin or collateral in an action against the counterparty.
Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a fund's interest. A fund bears the risk that an adviser will not accurately forecast market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing swap positions for a fund. If an adviser attempts to use a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, a fund may be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment, which could cause substantial losses for a fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.
<R>Hybrid and Preferred Securities. A hybrid security may be a debt security, warrant, convertible security, certificate of deposit or
other evidence of indebtedness on which the value of the interest on or principal of which is determined by reference to changes in the value of a
reference instrument or financial strength of a reference entity (e.g., a security or other financial instrument, asset, currency, interest rate, commodity, index, or business entity such as a financial institution). Another example is contingent convertible securities, which are fixed income
securities that, under certain circumstances, either convert into common stock of the issuer or undergo a principal write-down by a predetermined percentage if the issuer's capital ratio falls below a predetermined trigger level. The liquidation value of such a security may be reduced
upon a regulatory action and without the need for a bankruptcy proceeding. Preferred securities may take the form of preferred stock and
represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the
payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds generally take precedence over
the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.</R>
The risks of investing in hybrid and preferred securities reflect a combination of the risks of investing in securities, options, futures and currencies. An investment in a hybrid or preferred security may entail significant risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional debt or equity security. The risks of a particular hybrid or preferred security will depend upon the terms of the instrument, but may include the possibility of significant changes in the value of any applicable reference instrument. Such risks may depend upon factors unrelated to the operations or credit quality of the issuer of the hybrid or preferred security. Hybrid and preferred securities are potentially more volatile and carry greater market and liquidity risks than traditional debt or equity securities. Also, the price of the hybrid or preferred security and any applicable reference instrument may not move in the same direction or at the same time. In addition, because hybrid and preferred securities may be traded over-the-counter or in bilateral transactions with the issuer of the security, hybrid and preferred securities may be subject to the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the security and their values may decline substantially if the counterparty's creditworthiness deteriorates. In addition, uncertainty regarding the tax and regulatory treatment of hybrid and preferred securities may reduce demand for such securities and tax and regulatory considerations may limit the extent of a fund's investments in certain hybrid and preferred securities.
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, a Fidelity fund's adviser determines the liquidity of the fund's investments and, through reports from the fund's adviser, the Board monitors investments in illiquid securities.
Various factors may be considered in determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, 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).
Increasing Government Debt. The total public debt of the United States and other countries around the globe as a percent of gross domestic product has grown rapidly since the beginning of the 2008 financial downturn. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented.
A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt cost higher and cause a country to sell additional debt, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due. In the worst case, unsustainable debt levels can decline the valuation of currencies, and can prevent a government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns.
On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States one level to "AA+" from "AAA." While Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed the United States' short-term sovereign credit rating as "A-1+," there is no guarantee that Standard & Poor's Ratings Services will not decide to lower this rating in the future. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services stated that its decision was prompted by its view on the rising public debt burden and its perception of greater policymaking uncertainty. The market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government may be adversely affected by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services decisions to downgrade the long-term sovereign credit rating of the United States.
Indexed Securities are instruments whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indexes, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose values at maturity or coupon rates are determined by reference to a specific instrument, statistic, or measure.
Indexed securities also include commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and other fixed-income securities whose values at maturity or coupon interest rates are determined by reference to the returns of particular stock indexes. Indexed securities can be affected by stock prices as well as changes in interest rates and the creditworthiness of their issuers and may not track the indexes as accurately as direct investments in the indexes.
Mortgage-indexed securities, for example, could be structured to replicate the performance of mortgage securities and the characteristics of direct ownership.
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 instrument or measure to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments or measures. Indexed securities are also subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government agencies.
Insolvency of Issuers, Counterparties, and Intermediaries. Issuers of fund portfolio securities or counterparties to fund transactions that become insolvent or declare bankruptcy can pose special investment risks. In each circumstance, risk of loss, valuation uncertainty, increased illiquidity, and other unpredictable occurrences may negatively impact an investment. Each of these risks may be amplified in foreign markets, where security trading, settlement, and custodial practices can be less developed than those in the U.S. markets, and bankruptcy laws differ from those of the U.S.
As a general matter, if the issuer of a fund portfolio security is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock have priority over the claims of common stock owners. These events can negatively impact the value of the issuer's securities and the results of related proceedings can be unpredictable.
If a counterparty to a fund transaction, such as a swap transaction, a short sale, a borrowing, or other complex transaction becomes insolvent, the fund may be limited in its ability to exercise rights to obtain the return of related fund assets or in exercising other rights against the counterparty. In addition, insolvency and liquidation proceedings take time to resolve, which can limit or preclude a fund's ability to terminate a transaction or obtain related assets or collateral in a timely fashion. Uncertainty may also arise upon the insolvency of a securities or commodities intermediary such as a broker-dealer or futures commission merchant with which a fund has pending transactions. If an intermediary becomes insolvent, while securities positions and other holdings may be protected by U.S. or foreign laws, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether these protections are available to specific trades based on the circumstances. Receiving the benefit of these protections can also take time to resolve, which may result in illiquid positions.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program. Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, a Fidelity fund may lend money to, and borrow money from, other funds advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or its affiliates. A Fidelity fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the costs of bank loans. A Fidelity fund 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 Fidelity fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Investment-Grade Debt Securities. Investment-grade debt securities include all types of debt instruments that are of medium and high-quality. Investment-grade debt securities include repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities as well as repurchase agreements collateralized by equity securities, non-investment-grade debt, and all other instruments in which a fund can perfect a security interest, provided the repurchase agreement counterparty has an investment-grade rating. Some investment-grade debt securities may possess speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to changes in the financial conditions of issuers. An investment-grade rating means the security or issuer is rated investment-grade by a credit rating agency registered as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) with the SEC (for example, Moody's Investors Service, Inc.), or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by a fund's adviser. For purposes of determining the maximum maturity of an investment-grade debt security, an adviser may take into account normal settlement periods.
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. A fund may acquire loans by buying an assignment of all or a portion of the loan from a lender or by purchasing a loan participation from a lender or other purchaser of a participation. Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 also may acquire loans directly at the time of the loan's closing.
Lenders and 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 foreign 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.
Direct lending and 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 lender/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 lenders/purchasers to make additional cash payments on demand. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a lender/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.
For a Fidelity fund that limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any one issuer or in issuers within the same industry, 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 a fund and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC interpretations require a fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as "issuers" for these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
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, research and credit analysis are an especially important part of managing securities of this type. Such analysis may focus on relative values based on factors such as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer, in an 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 fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
Mortgage Securities are issued by government and non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A mortgage security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some mortgage securities, such as collateralized mortgage obligations (or "CMOs"), make payments of both principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Stripped mortgage securities are created when the interest and principal components of a mortgage security are separated and sold as individual securities. In the case of a stripped mortgage security, the holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the "interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same underlying mortgage.
Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which guarantee payment of interest and repayment of principal on Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs, respectively, are federally chartered corporations supervised by the U.S. Government that act as governmental instrumentalities under authority granted by Congress. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations. Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
The value of mortgage securities may change due to shifts in the market's perception of issuers and changes in interest rates. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government mortgage securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than government issues. Mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that early principal payments made on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction in interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the investor, causing it to be invested subsequently at a lower current interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate environment, mortgage security values may be adversely affected when prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated, resulting in the extension of the security's effective maturity and the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term instrument. The prices of stripped mortgage securities tend to be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped mortgage securities.
A fund may seek to earn additional income by using a trading strategy (commonly known as "mortgage dollar rolls" or "reverse mortgage dollar rolls") that involves selling (or buying) mortgage securities, realizing a gain or loss, and simultaneously agreeing to purchase (or sell) mortgage securities on a later date at a set price. During the period between the sale and repurchase in a mortgage dollar roll transaction, a fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold but will invest the proceeds of the sale in other securities that are permissible investments for the fund. During the period between the purchase and subsequent sale in a reverse mortgage dollar roll transaction, a fund is entitled to interest and principal payments on the securities purchased. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the terms of the agreement. If the counterparty files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a fund's right to repurchase or sell securities may be limited. This trading strategy may increase interest rate exposure and result in an increased portfolio turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable gains.
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.
Reforms and Government Intervention in the Financial Markets. Economic downturns can trigger various economic, legal, budgetary, tax, and regulatory reforms across the globe. Instability in the financial markets in the wake of the 2008 economic downturn led the U.S. Government and other governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Reforms are ongoing and their effects are uncertain. Federal, state, local, foreign, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which a fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Reforms may also change the way in which a fund is regulated and could limit or preclude a fund's ability to achieve its investment objective or engage in certain strategies. Also, while reforms generally are intended to strengthen markets, systems, and public finances, they could affect fund expenses and the value of fund investments.
The value of a fund's holdings is also generally subject to the risk of future local, national, or global economic disturbances based on unknown weaknesses in the markets in which a fund invests. In the event of such a disturbance, the issuers of securities held by a fund may experience significant declines in the value of their assets and even cease operations, or may receive government assistance accompanied by increased restrictions on their business operations or other government intervention. In addition, it is not certain that the U.S. Government or foreign governments will intervene in response to a future market disturbance and the effect of any such future intervention cannot be predicted.
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. A fund may be limited in its ability to exercise its right to liquidate assets related to a repurchase agreement with an insolvent counterparty. A Fidelity fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the fund's adviser.
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. A Fidelity fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the fund's adviser. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of a fund's assets and, if applicable, a fund's yield, and may be viewed as a form of leverage.
Securities Lending. A Fidelity fund may lend securities to parties such as broker-dealers or other institutions, including an affiliate.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. The borrower provides the fund with collateral in an amount at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. The fund seeks to maintain the ability to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving material events affecting securities loaned. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, the fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment is purchased. For a Fidelity fund, loans will be made only to parties deemed by the fund's adviser to be in good standing and when, in the adviser's judgment, the income earned would justify the risks.
Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be invested in other eligible securities, including shares of a money market fund. Investing this cash subjects that investment, as well as the securities loaned, to market appreciation or depreciation.
Securities of Other Investment Companies, including shares of closed-end investment companies (which include business development companies (BDCs)), unit investment trusts, and open-end investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve additional expenses at the underlying investment company-level, such as portfolio management fees and operating expenses. Fees and expenses incurred indirectly by a fund as a result of its investment in shares of one or more other investment companies generally are referred to as "acquired fund fees and expenses" and may appear as a separate line item in a fund's prospectus fee table. For certain investment companies, such as BDCs, these expenses may be significant. Certain types of investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at a premium or a discount to their NAV. Others are continuously offered at NAV, but may also be traded in the secondary market.
The securities of closed-end funds may be leveraged. As a result, a fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities. An investment in securities of closed-end funds that use leverage may expose a fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the fund's long-term returns on such securities will be diminished.
The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other investment companies may be limited by federal securities laws.
<R>Short Sales. Stocks underlying a fund's convertible security holdings can be sold short. For example, if a fund's adviser anticipates a
decline in the price of the stock underlying a convertible security held by the fund, it may sell the stock short. If the stock price subsequently
declines, the proceeds of the short sale could be expected to offset all or a portion of the effect of the stock's decline on the value of the convertible security. Fidelity funds that employ this strategy generally intend to hedge no more than 15% of total assets with short sales on equity
securities underlying convertible security holdings under normal circumstances.</R>
Sources of Liquidity or Credit Support. Issuers may employ various forms of credit and liquidity enhancements, including letters of credit, guarantees, swaps, puts, and demand features, and insurance provided by domestic or foreign entities such as banks and other financial institutions. An adviser and its affiliates may rely on their evaluation of the credit of the issuer or the credit of the liquidity or credit enhancement provider in determining whether to purchase or hold a security supported by such enhancement. In evaluating the credit of a foreign bank or other foreign entities, factors considered may include whether adequate public information about the entity is available and whether the entity may be subject to unfavorable political or economic developments, currency controls, or other government restrictions that might affect its ability to honor its commitment. Changes in the credit quality of the issuer and/or entity providing the enhancement could affect the value of the security or a fund's share price.
Stripped Securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped securities are similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile, and the value of certain types of stripped securities may move in the same direction as interest rates. U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Privately stripped government securities are created when a dealer deposits a U.S. Treasury security or other U.S. Government security with a custodian for safekeeping. The custodian issues separate receipts for the coupon payments and the principal payment, which the dealer then sells.
Structured Securities (also called "structured notes") are derivative debt securities, the interest rate on or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. The value of the interest rate on and/or the principal of structured securities is determined by reference to changes in the value of a reference instrument (e.g., a security or other financial instrument, asset, currency, interest rate, commodity, or index) or the relative change in two or more reference instruments. A structured security 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 or interest rate 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 security may be calculated as a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying reference instrument(s); therefore, the value of such structured security may be very volatile. Structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the reference instrument. Structured securities may also be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities or more traditional debt securities. In addition, because structured securities generally are traded over-the-counter, structured securities are subject to the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the structured security, and their values may decline substantially if the counterparty's creditworthiness deteriorates.
Temporary Defensive Policies.
Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 reserves the right to invest without limitation in investment-grade securities for temporary, defensive purposes.
Transfer Agent Bank Accounts. Proceeds from shareholder purchases of a Fidelity fund may pass through a series of demand deposit bank accounts before being held at the fund's custodian. Redemption proceeds may pass from the custodian to the shareholder through a similar series of bank accounts.
If a bank account is 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 account, the transfer agent or an affiliate may invest overnight balances in the account in repurchase agreements. Any balances that are not invested in repurchase agreements remain in the bank account overnight. Any risks associated with such an account are investment risks of the fund. The fund faces the risk of loss of these balances if the bank becomes insolvent.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that change whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark rate or the issuer's credit quality, sometimes subject to a cap or floor on such rate. Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with put features that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries. For purposes of determining the maximum maturity of a variable or floating rate security, a fund's adviser may take into account normal settlement periods.
Warrants. Warrants are instruments which entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
When-Issued and Forward Purchase or Sale Transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered.
When purchasing securities pursuant to one of these transactions, the purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security will not be issued as anticipated. Because payment for the securities is not required until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with a fund's investments. If a fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when a purchase is outstanding, the purchases may result in a form of leverage. When a fund has sold a security pursuant to one of these transactions, the fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, a fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or suffer a loss.
A fund may renegotiate a when-issued or forward transaction and may sell the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital gains or losses for the fund.
Zero Coupon Bonds do not make interest payments; instead, they are sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at face value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay current income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
Orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf of the fund by FMRC pursuant to authority contained in the management contract.
FMRC may be responsible for the placement of portfolio securities transactions for other investment companies and investment accounts for which it has or its affiliates have investment discretion.
The fund will not incur any commissions or sales charges when it invests in shares of open-end investment companies (including any underlying central funds), but it may incur such costs when it invests directly in other types of securities.
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. New issues of equity and fixed-income securities may also be purchased in underwritten fixed price offerings.
The Trustees of the fund periodically review FMRC's performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio securities transactions on behalf of the fund. The Trustees also review the compensation paid by the fund over representative periods of time to determine if it was reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
The Selection of Securities Brokers and Dealers
<R>FMRC or its affiliates generally have authority to select securities brokers (whether acting as a broker or a dealer) to place or execute
the fund's portfolio securities transactions. In selecting securities brokers, including affiliates of FMRC, to execute the fund's portfolio securities transactions, FMRC or its affiliates consider the factors they deem relevant in the context of a particular trade and in regard to FMRC's or its
affiliates' 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. Based on the factors considered, FMRC or its affiliates
may choose to execute an order using ECNs, including algorithmic trading, crossing networks, direct market access and program trading, or by
actively working an order. Other possibly relevant factors may include, but are not limited to, the following: price; the size and type of the
securities transaction; the reasonableness of compensation to be paid, including spreads and commission rates; the speed and certainty of trade
executions, including broker willingness to commit capital; the nature and characteristics of the markets for the security to be purchased or
sold, including the degree of specialization of the broker in such markets or securities; the availability of liquidity in the security, including the
liquidity and depth afforded by a market center or market-maker; the reliability of a market center or broker; the broker's overall trading relationship with FMRC or its affiliates; 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 or lessening market impact; the
execution services rendered on a continuing basis; the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial condition of the broker or dealer; arrangements for payment of fund expenses, if applicable; and the provision of additional brokerage and research products and services, if
applicable.</R>
The trading desks through which FMRC or its affiliates may execute trades are instructed to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund based on the quality of execution without any consideration of brokerage and research products and services the broker or dealer may provide. The administration of brokerage and research products and services is managed separately from the trading desks, which means that traders have no responsibility for administering soft dollar activities.
In seeking best qualitative execution for portfolio securities transactions, FMRC or its affiliates may select a broker that uses a trading method, including algorithmic trading, for which the broker may charge a higher commission than its lowest available commission rate. FMRC or its affiliates also may select a broker that charges more than the lowest available commission rate available from another broker. FMRC or its affiliates may execute an entire securities transaction with a broker and allocate all or a portion of the transaction and/or related commissions to a second broker where a client does not permit trading with an affiliate of FMRC or in other limited situations. In those situations, the commission rate paid to the second broker may be higher than the commission rate paid to the executing 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. FMRC or its affiliates may choose to execute futures transactions electronically.
<R></R>
The Acquisition of Brokerage and Research Products and Services
Brokers (who are not affiliates of FMRC) that execute transactions for the fund may receive higher compensation from the fund than other brokers might have charged the fund, in recognition of the value of the brokerage or research products and services they provide to FMRC or its affiliates.
Research Products and Services. These products and services may include, when permissible under applicable law: 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. 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-person meetings with securities analysts, corporate and industry spokespersons, economists, academicians and government representatives and others with relevant professional expertise. FMRC or its affiliates may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. Some of these brokerage and research products and services supplement FMRC's or its affiliates' own research activities in providing investment advice to the fund.
Execution Services. In addition, brokerage and research products and services may include, when permissible under applicable law, 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. Although FMRC or its affiliates do not use fund commissions to pay for products or services that do not qualify as brokerage and research products and services, they may use commission dollars to obtain certain products or services that are not used exclusively in FMRC's or its affiliates' investment decision-making process (mixed-use products or services). In those circumstances, FMRC 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 FMRC. FMRC's or its affiliates' expenses likely would be increased if they attempted to generate these additional brokerage and research products and services through their own efforts, or if they paid for these brokerage and research products or services with their own resources. To minimize the potential for conflicts of interest, the trading desks through which FMRC or its affiliates may execute trades are instructed to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund based on the quality of execution without any consideration of brokerage and research products and services the broker or dealer may provide. The administration of brokerage and research products and services is managed separately from the trading desks, which means that traders have no responsibility for administering soft dollar activities. Furthermore, certain of the brokerage and research products and services that FMRC or its affiliates receive 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 brokerage and research products or services may be provided at no additional cost to FMRC or its affiliates or have no explicit cost associated with them. In addition, FMRC or its affiliates may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service, certain of which third-party products or services may be provided by a broker that is not a party to a particular transaction and is not connected with the transacting broker's overall services.
FMRC's Decision-Making Process. In connection with the allocation of fund brokerage, FMRC or its affiliates make a good faith determination that the compensation paid to brokers and dealers is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research products and services provided to FMRC or its affiliates, viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or FMRC's or its affiliates' overall responsibilities to that fund or other investment companies and investment accounts for which FMRC or its affiliates have investment discretion; however, each brokerage and research product or service received in connection with the fund's brokerage may not benefit the fund. While FMRC or its affiliates may take into account the brokerage and/or research products and services provided by a broker or dealer in determining whether compensation paid is reasonable, neither FMRC, its affiliates, nor the fund incur an obligation to any broker, dealer, or third party to pay for any brokerage and research product or service (or portion thereof) by generating a specific amount of compensation or otherwise. Typically, these brokerage and research products and services assist FMRC or its affiliates in terms of their overall investment responsibilities to the fund or any other investment companies and investment accounts for which FMRC or its affiliates have investment discretion. Certain funds or investment accounts may use brokerage commissions to acquire brokerage and research products and services that may also benefit other funds or accounts managed by FMRC or its affiliates.
Research Contracts. FMRC or its affiliates have arrangements with certain third-party research providers and brokers through whom FMRC or its affiliates effect fund trades, whereby FMRC or its affiliates may pay with fund commissions or hard dollars for all or a portion of the cost of research products and services purchased from such research providers or brokers. If hard dollar payments are used, FMRC or its affiliates may still cause the fund to pay more for execution than the lowest commission rate available from the broker providing research products and services to FMRC or its affiliates, or that may be available from another broker. FMRC or its affiliates view 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 used to pay fund expenses, as described below, will decrease. FMRC's or its affiliates' determination to pay for research products and services separately, rather than bundled with fund commissions, is wholly voluntary on FMRC's or its affiliates' part and may be extended to additional brokers or discontinued with any broker participating in this arrangement.
Commission Recapture
<R>FMRC or its affiliates may allocate brokerage transactions to brokers (who are not affiliates of FMRC) who have entered into arrangements with FMRC or its affiliates under which the broker, using a predetermined methodology, rebates a portion of the compensation paid by a
fund to offset that fund's expenses ("commission recapture"). Not all brokers with whom the fund trades have been asked to participate in
brokerage commission recapture.</R>
Affiliated Transactions
<R>FMRC or its affiliates may place trades with certain brokers, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), with whom they are
under common control, provided FMRC or its affiliates determine that these affiliates' trade-execution abilities and costs are comparable to
those of non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms, and that such transactions be executed in accordance with applicable rules under the 1940
Act and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the fund. In addition, FMRC or its affiliates may place trades with brokers that use NFS
as a clearing agent.</R>
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures whereby a fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the adviser or certain other affiliates participate. In addition, for underwritings where such an 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.
Non-U.S. Securities Transactions
To facilitate trade settlement and related activities in non-United States securities transactions, FMR or its affiliates may effect spot foreign currency transactions with foreign currency dealers.
Trade Allocation
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the same as those of certain other Fidelity funds, investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of other Fidelity funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts). 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.
When two or more funds or investment accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security or instrument, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with procedures believed by FMRC to be appropriate and equitable to each fund or investment account. In some cases this could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security or instrument as far as the fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and prices for the fund.
Commissions Paid
A fund may pay compensation including both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by a fund may change from year to year because of, among other things, changing asset levels, shareholder activity, and/or portfolio turnover.
<R>For the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2014 and 2013, the fund's portfolio turnover rates were 56% and 42%, respectively. Variations
in turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, and/or changes in
FMRC's investment outlook.</R>
<R>During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the fund held securities issued by one or more of its regular brokers or dealers or a parent
company of its regular brokers or dealers. The following table shows the aggregate value of the securities of the regular broker or dealer or
parent company held by the fund as of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014.</R>
|
Fund |
Regular Broker or Dealer |
Aggregate Value of |
|
<R> |
Bank of America Corp. |
$ 3,356,086</R> |
|
<R> |
Barclays PLC |
$ 6,781,783</R> |
|
<R> |
Citigroup, Inc. |
$ 1,464,687</R> |
|
<R> |
Credit Suisse Group |
$ 2,498,009</R> |
|
<R> |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
$ 2,016,331</R> |
<R>The following table shows the total amount of brokerage commissions paid by the fund, comprising commissions paid on securities
and/or futures transactions, as applicable, for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The total amount of brokerage commissions paid is stated as a dollar amount and a percentage of the fund's average net assets.</R>
|
Fiscal Year |
|
Dollar |
Percentage of |
|
<R> |
|
$ 323 |
0.00%</R> |
|
2013 |
|
$ 124 |
0.00% |
|
2012 |
|
$ 845 |
0.00% |
|
<R> |
|
|
</R> |
<R>During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the fund paid brokerage commissions of $7, $2, and $0, respectively, to
NFS. NFS is paid on a commission basis. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, this amounted to approximately 2.17% of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions involving approximately 14.65% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions
for which the fund paid brokerage commissions. The difference between the percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected through, NFS is a result of the low commission rates charged by NFS.</R>
<R>During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the fund paid $51 in brokerage commissions to firms that may have provided research or
brokerage services involving approximately $160,976 of transactions. During the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2014, the fund did not
allocate brokerage commissions to firms for providing research or brokerage services.</R>
NAV is the value of a single share. NAV is computed by adding the value of a fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for pricing, but has delegated day-to-day valuation oversight responsibilities to FMR. FMR has established the FMR Fair Value Committee (FMR Committee) to fulfill these oversight responsibilities.
<R>Shares of open-end investment companies (including any underlying central funds) held by a fund are valued at their respective NAVs.
If an underlying fund's NAV is unavailable, shares of that underlying fund will be fair valued in good faith by the FMR Committee in accordance
with applicable fair value pricing policies.</R>
Portfolio securities and assets held by an underlying money market central fund are valued on the basis of amortized cost. Generally, other portfolio securities and assets held by a fund are valued as follows:
Most equity securities are valued at the official closing price or the last reported sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the last quoted bid price on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded.
Debt securities and other assets for which market quotations are readily available may be valued at market values in the principal market in which they normally are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or assets. Or, debt securities and convertible securities may be valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates current value.
Futures contracts are valued at the settlement or closing price. Options are valued at their market quotations, if available. Swaps are valued daily using quotations received from independent pricing services or recognized dealers.
Prices described above are obtained from pricing services that have been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of pricing services are available and the funds may use more than one of these services. The funds may also discontinue the use of any pricing service at any time. FMR engages in oversight activities with respect to the fund's pricing services, which includes, among other things, testing the prices provided by pricing services prior to calculation of a fund's NAV, conducting periodic due diligence meetings, and periodically reviewing the methodologies and inputs used by these services.
Foreign securities and instruments are valued in their local currency following the methodologies described above. Foreign securities, instruments and currencies are translated to U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a pricing service as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at an interpolated rate based on days to maturity between the closest preceding and subsequent settlement period reported by the third party pricing service.
Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations, official closing prices, or information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available or, in the opinion of the FMR Committee, are deemed unreliable will be fair valued in good faith by the FMR Committee in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies. For example, if, in the opinion of the FMR Committee, a security's value has been materially affected by events occurring before a fund's pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, that security will be fair valued in good faith by the FMR Committee in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies. In fair valuing a security, the FMR Committee may consider factors including price movements in futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers, and off-exchange institutional trading.
BUYING AND SELLING INFORMATION
Shares of the fund are not offered to the public and are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act. Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including certain other Fidelity funds and certain other entities that are "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security" within the meaning of the 1933 Act.
The fund may make redemption payments in whole or in part in readily marketable securities or other property pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees if FMRC determines it is in the best interests of the fund. Such securities or other property will be valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing the fund's NAV. Shareholders that receive securities or other property will realize, upon receipt, a gain or loss for tax purposes, and will incur additional costs and be exposed to market risk prior to and upon 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.
Because the fund intends to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the fund should not be subject to any federal income tax. Based upon the status of the fund as a partnership, an investor that is a "regulated investment company" will take into account its share of the fund's assets, ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses in determining its income tax liability and qualification as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. The determination of an investor's share of the fund's ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses will be made in accordance with the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
The fund's taxable year-end is August 31. Although the fund will not be subject to federal income tax, it will file appropriate federal income tax returns.
Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of an investment in the fund.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS)
<R>The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and officers of the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC and fund, as applicable,
are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies
that provide services to the fund, oversee management of the risks associated with such activities and contractual arrangements, and review the
fund's performance. Except for James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 173 funds. Mr. Curvey oversees 406 funds.</R>
<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. Each Trustee who
is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the trust and the fund (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of
the calendar year in which his or her 75th birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with
respect to individual Trustees. The 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.</R>
Experience, Skills, Attributes, and Qualifications of the Fund's Trustees. The Governance and Nominating Committee has adopted a statement of policy that describes the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that are necessary and desirable for potential Independent Trustee candidates (Statement of Policy). The Board believes that each Trustee satisfied at the time he or she was initially elected or appointed a Trustee, and continues to satisfy, the standards contemplated by the Statement of Policy. The Governance and Nominating Committee also engages professional search firms to help identify potential Independent Trustee candidates who have the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills consistent with the Statement of Policy. From time to time, additional criteria based on the composition and skills of the current Independent Trustees, as well as experience or skills that may be appropriate in light of future changes to board composition, business conditions, and regulatory or other developments, have also been considered by the professional search firms and the Governance and Nominating Committee. In addition, the Board takes into account the Trustees' commitment and participation in Board and committee meetings, as well as their leadership of standing and ad hoc committees throughout their tenure.
In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as a Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. The Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills, which allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the fund and protecting the interests of shareholders. Information about the specific experience, skills, attributes, and qualifications of each Trustee, which in each case led to the Board's conclusion that the Trustee should serve (or continue to serve) as a trustee of the fund, is provided below.
Board Structure and Oversight Function. James C. Curvey is an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) and currently serves as Chairman. The Trustees have determined that an interested Chairman is appropriate and benefits shareholders because an interested Chairman has a personal and professional stake in the quality and continuity of services provided to the fund. Independent Trustees exercise their informed business judgment to appoint an individual of their choosing to serve as Chairman, regardless of whether the Trustee happens to be independent or a member of management. The Independent Trustees have determined that they can act independently and effectively without having an Independent Trustee serve as Chairman and that a key structural component for assuring that they are in a position to do so is for the Independent Trustees to constitute a substantial majority for the Board. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet in executive session. Ned C. Lautenbach serves as Chairman of the Independent Trustees and as such (i) acts as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management with respect to matters important to the Independent Trustees and (ii) with management prepares agendas for Board meetings.
Fidelity funds are overseen by different Boards of Trustees. The fund's Board oversees Fidelity's equity and high income funds and another Board oversees Fidelity's investment-grade bond, money market, and asset allocation funds. The asset allocation funds may invest in Fidelity funds overseen by the fund's Board. The use of separate Boards, each with its own committee structure, allows the Trustees of each group of Fidelity funds to focus on the unique issues of the funds they oversee, including common research, investment, and operational issues. On occasion, the separate Boards establish joint committees to address issues of overlapping consequences for the Fidelity funds overseen by each Board.
The Trustees operate using a system of committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the fund's activities and associated risks. The Board, acting through its committees, has charged FMR and its affiliates with (i) identifying events or circumstances the occurrence of which could have demonstrably adverse effects on the fund's business and/or reputation; (ii) implementing processes and controls to lessen the possibility that such events or circumstances occur or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur; and (iii) creating and maintaining a system designed to evaluate continuously business and market conditions in order to facilitate the identification and implementation processes described in (i) and (ii) above. Because the day-to-day operations and activities of the fund are carried out by or through FMR, its affiliates and other service providers, the fund's exposure to risks is mitigated but not eliminated by the processes overseen by the Trustees. While each of the Board's committees has responsibility for overseeing different aspects of the fund's activities, oversight is exercised primarily through the Operations, Audit, and Compliance Committees. In addition, the Independent Trustees have worked with FMR to enhance the Board's oversight of investment and financial risks, legal and regulatory risks, technology risks, and operational risks, including the development of additional risk reporting to the Board. For example, a working group comprised of Independent Trustees and FMR has worked and continues to work to review the Fidelity funds' valuation-related activities, reporting and risk management. Appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the fund's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), FMR's internal auditor, the independent accountants, the fund's Treasurer and portfolio management personnel, make periodic reports to the Board's committees, as appropriate, including an annual review of FMR's risk management program for the Fidelity funds. The responsibilities of each standing committee, including their oversight responsibilities, are described further under "Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees."
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
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Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+ |
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James C. Curvey (1935) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee Chairman of the Board of Trustees |
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<R> |
Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Curvey is a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Co. (2009-present), and Vice Chairman (2007-present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. Previously, Mr. Curvey served as a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2009-2014), a Director of FMR (2007-2014), a Director of FMR Co., Inc. (2007-2014) and was the Vice Chairman (2006-2007) and Director (2000-2007) of FMR Corp.</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Trustee |
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<R> |
Mr. Morrison also serves as Trustee of other funds. He serves as President, Asset Management (2014-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Morrison served as Vice President of Fidelity's Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Funds (2012-2014), President, Fixed Income (2011-2014), Vice President of Fidelity's Money Market Funds (2005-2009), President, Money Market Group Leader of FMR (2009), and Senior Vice President, Money Market Group of FMR (2004-2009). Mr. Morrison also served as Vice President of Fidelity's Bond Funds (2002-2005), certain Balanced Funds (2002-2005), and certain Asset Allocation Funds (2002-2007), and as Senior Vice President (2002-2005) of Fidelity's Bond Division.</R> |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC or various entities under common control with FMR.
+ The information above includes each Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
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Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+ |
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Dennis J. Dirks (1948) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee |
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<R> |
Mr. Dirks also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation, Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation, as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-2008). Mr. Dirks is a member of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Governing Council (2010-present) and Board of Directors for The Brookville Center for Children's Services, Inc. (2009-present).</R> |
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Alan J. Lacy (1953) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee |
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<R> |
Mr. Lacy also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (private equity). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (restaurant and entertainment complexes, 2010-present), Earth Fare, Inc. (retail grocery, 2012-present), The Hillman Companies, Inc. (hardware wholesalers, 2010-present), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (global pharmaceuticals, 2008-present). Mr. Lacy is a member of the Board of Trustees of The National Parks Conservation Association (2006-present). Previously, Mr. Lacy served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Parks Conservation Association (2008-2011) and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-2011).</R> |
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Ned C. Lautenbach (1944) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee Chairman of the Independent Trustees |
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<R> |
Mr. Lautenbach also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Lautenbach currently serves as the Lead Director of the Eaton Corporation Board of Directors (diversified industrial, 1997-present). Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida (2012-present) and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (1994-present). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was a Partner/Advisory Partner at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (private equity investment, 1998-2010), as well as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007).</R> |
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Joseph Mauriello (1944) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee |
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<R> |
Mr. Mauriello also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services, 1965-2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Group plc. (global insurance and re-insurance, 2006-present). Previously, Mr. Mauriello served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-2012).</R> |
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Robert W. Selander (1950) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee |
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<R> |
Mr. Selander also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Previously, Mr. Selander served as a Member of the Advisory Board of other Fidelity funds (2011), and Executive Vice Chairman (2010), Chief Executive Officer (2009-2010), and President and Chief Executive Officer (1997-2009) of Mastercard, Inc.</R> |
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Cornelia M. Small (1944) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee |
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<R> |
Ms. Small also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Ms. Small is a member of the Board of Directors (2009-present) and Chair of the Investment Committee (2010-present) of the Teagle Foundation. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson (2002-2008) and a member of the Investment Committee and Chairperson (2008-2012) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. In addition, Ms. Small served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments.</R> |
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William S. Stavropoulos (1939) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee Vice Chairman of the Independent Trustees |
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<R> |
Mr. Stavropoulos also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Stavropoulos serves as President and Founder of the Michigan Baseball Foundation, the Great Lakes Loons (2007-present). Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President, CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Univar Inc. (global distributor of commodity and specialty chemicals), a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions), and Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital LLC (private equity investment, 2005-present). Mr. Stavropoulos is an operating advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science, a Trustee of the Rollin L. Gerstacker Foundation, and a Director of the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Previously, Mr. Stavropoulos served as a Director of Chemical Financial Corporation (bank holding company, 1993-2012) and Tyco International, Ltd. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-2012).</R> |
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David M. Thomas (1949) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Trustee |
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<R> |
Mr. Thomas also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Thomas serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands Home and Security (home and security products, 2011-present), and as a member of the Board of Directors of Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions), and a Director of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products, 2000-2011).</R> |
+ The information above includes each Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
<R>Advisory Board Member and Officers:</R>
<R>Correspondence intended for each officer and Peter S. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Officers appear below in alphabetical order.</R>
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Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupation |
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Peter S. Lynch (1944) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Member of the Advisory Board |
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<R> |
Mr. Lynch also serves as Member of the Advisory Board of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Lynch serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006).</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer |
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<R> |
Ms. Baumann also serves as AML Officer of other funds. She is Chief AML Officer of FMR LLC (2012-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Baumann served as Vice President and Deputy Anti-Money Laundering Officer (2007-2012).</R> |
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William C. Coffey (1969) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Assistant Secretary |
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<R> |
Mr. Coffey also serves as Assistant Secretary of other funds. He is Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC (2010-present), and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Coffey served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR LLC (2005-2009).</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Assistant Treasurer |
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<R> |
Mr. Davis also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Davis is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Davis served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR LLC (2003-2010).</R> |
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Adrien E. Deberghes (1967) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Deputy Treasurer |
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<R> |
Mr. Deberghes also serves as an officer of other funds. He is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Deberghes was Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005).</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Assistant Treasurer |
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<R> |
Ms. Dorsey also serves as an officer of other funds. She is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present) and has served in other fund officer roles. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Dorsey served as Treasurer (2004-2008) of the JPMorgan Mutual Funds and Vice President (2004-2008) of JPMorgan Chase Bank.</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Chief Financial Officer |
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<R> |
Mr. Galligan also serves as Chief Financial Officer of other funds. Mr. Galligan serves as President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2014-present) and as a Director of Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Galligan served as Chief Administrative Officer of Asset Management (2011-2014) and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Investment Support for Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2003-2011).</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) |
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<R> |
Mr. Goebel serves as Secretary and CLO of other funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as Secretary of Fidelity SelectCo, LLC (2013-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) (2010-present) and Fidelity Research and Analysis Company (FRAC) (2010-present); General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present) and FMR Co., Inc. (2008-present); Chief Legal Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present) and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Secretary and CLO of other Fidelity funds (2008-2013), Assistant Secretary of FIMM (2008-2010), FRAC (2008-2010), and certain funds (2007-2008); and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). Mr. Goebel has been employed by FMR LLC or an affiliate since 2001.</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Vice President |
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<R> |
Mr. Hense also serves as Vice President of other funds (High Income (2008), Small Cap (2008), and Value (2010) funds). Previously, Mr. Hense served as a portfolio manager for Fidelity's Institutional Money Management Group (Pyramis) (2003-2008).</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Vice President |
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<R> |
Mr. Hogan also serves as Trustee or Vice President of other funds. Mr. Hogan serves as President of FMR's Equity Division (2009-present). Previously, Mr. Hogan served as Senior Vice President, Equity Research of FMR (2006-2009) and as a portfolio manager.</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Assistant Treasurer |
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<R> |
Mr. Maher serves as Assistant Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Maher is Vice President of Valuation Oversight and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Maher served as Vice President of Asset Management Compliance (2013), Vice President of FMR's Program Management Group (2010-2013), and Vice President of Valuation Oversight (2008-2010).</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> President and Treasurer |
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<R> |
Mr. Robins also serves as an officer of other funds. Mr. Robins serves as Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) (2013-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Previously, Mr. Robins served in other fund officer roles.</R> |
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Stephen Sadoski (1971) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Deputy Treasurer |
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<R> |
Mr. Sadoski also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other funds. He is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2012-present) and has served in another fund officer role. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Sadoski served as an assistant chief accountant in the Division of Investment Management of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (2009-2012) and as a senior manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP (1997-2009).</R> |
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Stacie M. Smith (1974) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Deputy Treasurer |
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<R> |
Ms. Smith also serves as an officer of other funds. She is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2009-present) and has served in other fund officer roles. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Smith served as Senior Audit Manager of Ernst & Young LLP (1996-2009).</R> |
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Renee Stagnone (1975) |
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<R> |
</R> |
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<R> Deputy Treasurer |
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<R> |
Ms. Stagnone also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other funds. Ms. Stagnone is an employee of Fidelity Investments.</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Chief Compliance Officer |
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<R> |
Ms. Wondrack also serves as Chief Compliance Officer of other funds. Ms. Wondrack is Executive Vice President and head of the Ethics Office and Asset Management Compliance for Fidelity Investments (2012-present). Ms. Wondrack also serves as Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity SelectCo, LLC (2014-present); Chief Compliance Officer of Impresa Management LLC (2013-present); and Chief Compliance Officer of FMR Co., Inc., Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong), Fidelity Management & Research Company, Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC, and Strategic Advisers, Inc., Ballyrock Investment Advisors LLC, and Northern Neck Investors LLC (2012-present). Previously, Ms. Wondrack served as Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (2005-2012); Chief Compliance Officer for certain funds within the Columbia Family of Funds (2007-2012); and Senior Vice President of Compliance Risk Management at Bank of America (2005-2010).</R> |
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<R> |
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<R> Deputy Treasurer |
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<R> |
Mr. Zambello also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Zambello is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Zambello served as Vice President of FMR's Program Management Group (2009-2011) and Vice President of the Transfer Agent Oversight Group (2005-2009).</R> |
Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established various committees to support the Independent Trustees in acting independently in pursuing the best interests of the funds and their shareholders. Currently, the Board of Trustees has 10 standing committees. The members of each committee are Independent Trustees.
<R>The Operations Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees, with Mr. Lautenbach currently serving as Chair and
Mr. Stavropoulos serving as Vice Chair. The committee normally meets eight times a year, or more frequently as called by the Chair, and serves
as a forum for consideration of issues of importance to, or calling for particular determinations by, the Independent Trustees. The committee
also considers matters involving potential conflicts of interest between the funds and FMR and its affiliates and reviews proposed contracts and
the proposed continuation of contracts between the funds and FMR and its affiliates, and annually reviews and makes recommendations regarding contracts with third parties unaffiliated with FMR, including insurance coverage and custody agreements. The committee also monitors additional issues including the nature, levels and quality of services provided to shareholders and significant litigation. The committee also
has oversight of compliance issues not specifically within the scope of any other committee. The committee is also responsible for definitive
action on all compliance matters involving the potential for significant reimbursement by FMR. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014,
the committee held 12 meetings.</R>
<R>The Fair Value Oversight Committee is composed of Messrs. Thomas (Chair), Dirks, and Mauriello, and Ms. Small. The committee
normally meets monthly, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The Fair Value Oversight Committee monitors and establishes policies
concerning procedures and controls regarding the valuation of fund investments and monitors matters of disclosure to the extent required to
fulfill its statutory responsibilities. The committee also reviews actions taken by FMR's Fair Value Committee. During the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2014, the committee held six meetings.</R>
<R>The Board of Trustees has established two Fund Oversight Committees: the Equity I Committee (composed of Ms. Small (Chair), and
Messrs. Dirks, Lacy, and Selander) and the Equity II Committee (composed of Messrs. Stavropoulos (Chair), Lautenbach, Mauriello, and
Thomas). Each committee normally meets in conjunction with in-person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the
Chair of the respective committee. Each committee develops an understanding of and reviews the investment objectives, policies, and practices of each fund under its oversight. Each committee also monitors investment performance, compliance by each relevant fund with its investment policies and restrictions and reviews appropriate benchmarks, competitive universes, unusual or exceptional investment matters, the
personnel and other resources devoted to the management of each fund and all other matters bearing on each fund's investment results. Each
committee will review and recommend any required action to the Board in respect of specific funds, including new funds, changes in fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions, partial or full closing to new investors, fund mergers, fund name changes,
and liquidations of funds. The members of each committee may organize working groups to make recommendations concerning issues related
to funds that are within the scope of the committee's review. These working groups report to the committee or to the Independent Trustees, or
both, as appropriate. Each working group may request from FMR such information from FMR as may be appropriate to the working group's
deliberations. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, each Fund Oversight Committee held eight meetings.</R>
<R>The Shareholder, Distribution and Brokerage Committee is composed of Messrs. Dirks (Chair), Stavropoulos, and Thomas, and Ms.
Small. Mr. Lautenbach alternates his attendance of committee meetings with his attendance of Audit Committee meetings. The committee
normally meets eight times a year, or more frequently as called by the Chair. Regarding shareholder services, the committee considers the
structure and amount of the funds' transfer agency fees and fees, including direct fees to investors (other than sales loads), such as bookkeeping
and custodial fees, and the nature and quality of services rendered by FMR and its affiliates or third parties (such as custodians) in consideration
of these fees. The committee also considers other non-investment management services rendered to the funds by FMR and its affiliates, including pricing and bookkeeping services. The committee monitors and recommends policies concerning the securities transactions of the funds,
including brokerage. The committee periodically reviews the policies and practices with respect to efforts to achieve best execution, commissions paid to firms supplying research and brokerage services or paying fund expenses, and policies and procedures designed to assure that any
allocation of portfolio transactions is not influenced by the sale of fund shares. The committee also monitors brokerage and other similar relationships between the funds and firms affiliated with FMR that participate in the execution of securities transactions. Regarding the distribution
of fund shares, the committee considers issues bearing on the various distribution channels employed by the funds, including issues regarding
Rule 18f-3 plans and related consideration of classes of shares, sales load structures (including breakpoints), load waivers, selling concessions
and service charges paid to intermediaries, Rule 12b-1 plans, contingent deferred sales charges, and finder's fees, and other means by which
intermediaries are compensated for selling fund shares or providing shareholder servicing, including revenue sharing. The committee also
considers issues bearing on the preparation and use of advertisements and sales literature for the funds, policies and procedures regarding
frequent purchase of fund shares, and selective disclosure of portfolio holdings. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee
held six meetings.</R>
<R>The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Mauriello (Chair), Lacy, and Selander. Mr. Lautenbach alternates his attendance of
committee meetings with his attendance of Shareholder, Distribution, and Brokerage Committee meetings. All committee members must be
able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company's balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. At least one committee member will be an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the SEC. The committee will have at least
one committee member in common with the Compliance Committee. The committee normally meets four times a year, or more frequently as
called by the Chair. The committee meets separately at least annually with the funds' Treasurer, with the funds' Chief Financial Officer, with
personnel responsible for the internal audit function of FMR LLC, and with the funds' outside auditors. The committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the outside auditors employed by the funds. The committee assists the
Trustees in overseeing and monitoring: (i) the systems of internal accounting and financial controls of the funds and the funds' service providers, (to the extent such controls impact the funds' financial statements); (ii) the funds' auditors and the annual audits of the funds' financial
statements; (iii) the financial reporting processes of the funds; (iv) whistleblower reports; and (v) the accounting policies and disclosures of the
funds. The committee considers and acts upon (i) the provision by any outside auditor of any non-audit services for any fund, and (ii) the
provision by any outside auditor of certain non-audit services to fund service providers and their affiliates to the extent that such approval (in
the case of this clause (ii)) is required under applicable regulations of the SEC. In furtherance of the foregoing, the committee has adopted (and
may from time to time amend or supplement) and provides oversight of policies and procedures for non-audit engagements by outside auditors
of the funds. It is responsible for approving all audit engagement fees and terms for the funds and for resolving disagreements between a fund
and any outside auditor regarding any fund's financial reporting. Auditors of the funds report directly to the committee. The committee will
obtain assurance of independence and objectivity from the outside auditors, including a formal written statement delineating all relationships
between the auditor and the funds and any service providers consistent with the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The
committee will receive reports of compliance with provisions of the Auditor Independence Regulations relating to the hiring of employees or
former employees of the outside auditors. It oversees and receives reports on the funds' service providers' internal controls and reviews the
adequacy and effectiveness of the service providers' accounting and financial controls, including: (i) any significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the funds'
ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; (ii) any change in the fund's internal control over financial reporting that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the fund's internal control over financial reporting; and (iii) any fraud, whether
material or not, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the funds' or service providers internal controls
over financial reporting. The committee will also review any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies or published reports
that raise material issues regarding the funds' financial statements or accounting policies. These matters may also be reviewed by the Compliance Committee or the Operations Committee. The Chair of the Audit Committee will coordinate with the Chair of the Compliance Committee, as appropriate. The committee reviews at least annually a report from each outside auditor describing any material issues raised by the
most recent internal quality control, peer review, or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board examination of the auditing firm and any
material issues raised by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities of the auditing firm and in each case any steps
taken to deal with such issues. The committee will oversee and receive reports on the funds' financial reporting process, will discuss with FMR,
the funds' Treasurer, outside auditors and, if appropriate, internal audit personnel of FMR LLC, their qualitative judgments about the
appropriateness and acceptability of accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed for adoption by the funds. The
committee will review with FMR, the funds' Treasurer, outside auditor, and internal audit personnel of FMR LLC and, as appropriate, legal
counsel the results of audits of the funds' financial statements. The committee will review periodically the funds' major internal controls exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee
held four meetings.</R>
<R>The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Lautenbach (Chair) and Stavropoulos. The committee meets as
called by the Chair. With respect to fund governance and board administration matters, the committee periodically reviews procedures of the
Board of Trustees and its committees (including committee charters) and periodically reviews compensation of Independent Trustees. The
committee monitors corporate governance matters and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees on the frequency and structure of the
Board of Trustee meetings and on any other aspect of Board procedures. It acts as the administrative committee under the retirement plan for
Independent Trustees who retired prior to December 30, 1996 and under the fee deferral plan for Independent Trustees. It reviews the performance of legal counsel employed by the funds and the Independent Trustees. On behalf of the Independent Trustees, the committee will make
such findings and determinations as to the independence of counsel for the Independent Trustees as may be necessary or appropriate under
applicable regulations or otherwise. The committee is also responsible for Board administrative matters applicable to Independent Trustees,
such as expense reimbursement policies and compensation for attendance at meetings, conferences and other events. The committee monitors
compliance with, acts as the administrator of, and makes determinations in respect of, the provisions of the code of ethics and any supplemental
policies regarding personal securities transactions applicable to the Independent Trustees. The committee monitors the functioning of each
Board committee and makes recommendations for any changes, including the creation or elimination of standing or ad hoc Board committees.
The committee monitors regulatory and other developments to determine whether to recommend modifications to the committee's responsibilities or other Trustee policies and procedures in light of rule changes, reports concerning "best practices" in corporate governance and other
developments in mutual fund governance. The committee meets with Independent Trustees at least once a year to discuss matters relating to
fund governance. The committee recommends that the Board establish such special or ad hoc Board committees as may be desirable or necessary from time to time in order to address ethical, legal, or other matters that may arise. The committee also oversees the annual self-evaluation
of the Board of Trustees and establishes procedures to allow it to exercise this oversight function. In conducting this oversight, the committee
shall address all matters that it considers relevant to the performance of the Board of Trustees and shall report the results of its evaluation to the
Board of Trustees, including any recommended amendments to the principles of governance, and any recommended changes to the funds' or
the Board of Trustees' policies, procedures, and structures. The committee reviews periodically the size and composition of the Board of Trustees as a whole and recommends, if necessary, measures to be taken so that the Board of Trustees reflects the appropriate balance of knowledge,
experience, skills, expertise, and diversity required for the Board as a whole and contains at least the minimum number of Independent Trustees
required by law. The committee makes nominations for the election or appointment of Independent Trustees and non-management Members
of any Advisory Board, and for membership on committees. The committee shall have authority to retain and terminate any third-party advisers, including authority to approve fees and other retention terms. Such advisers may include search firms to identify Independent Trustee
candidates and board compensation consultants. The committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the
committee's scope of responsibilities, and may retain, at the funds' expense, such independent counsel or other advisers as it deems necessary.
The committee will consider nominees to the Board of Trustees recommended by shareholders based upon the criteria applied to candidates
presented to the committee by a search firm or other source. Recommendations, along with appropriate background material concerning the
candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as an Independent Trustee of the funds, should be submitted to the Chair of the committee
at the address maintained for communications with Independent Trustees. If the committee retains a search firm, the Chair will generally forward all such submissions to the search firm for evaluation. With respect to the criteria for selecting Independent Trustees, it is expected that all
candidates will possess the following minimum qualifications: (i) unquestioned personal integrity; (ii) not an interested person of the funds
within the meaning of the 1940 Act; (iii) does not have a material relationship (e.g., commercial, banking, consulting, legal, or accounting)
with the adviser, any sub-adviser, or their affiliates that could create an appearance of lack of independence in respect of the funds; (iv) has the
disposition to act independently in respect of FMR and its affiliates and others in order to protect the interests of the funds and all shareholders;
(v) ability to attend regularly scheduled meetings during the year; (vi) demonstrates sound business judgment gained through broad experience
in significant positions where the candidate has dealt with management, technical, financial, or regulatory issues; (vii) sufficient financial or
accounting knowledge to add value in the complex financial environment of the funds; (viii) experience on corporate or other institutional
oversight bodies having similar responsibilities, but which board memberships or other relationships could not result in business or regulatory
conflicts with the funds; and (ix) capacity for the hard work and attention to detail that is required to be an effective Independent Trustee in light
of the funds' complex regulatory, operational, and marketing setting. The Governance and Nominating Committee may determine that a candidate who does not have the type of previous experience or knowledge referred to above should nevertheless be considered as a nominee if the
Governance and Nominating Committee finds that the candidate has additional qualifications such that his or her qualifications, taken as a
whole, demonstrate the same level of fitness to serve as an Independent Trustee. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee
held six meetings.</R>
<R>The Compliance Committee is composed of Messrs. Selander (Chair), Lautenbach, and Mauriello. The committee normally meets
quarterly, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The committee oversees the administration and operation of the compliance policies and
procedures of the funds and their service providers as required by Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. The committee is responsible for the review and
approval of policies and procedures relating to (i) provisions of the Code of Ethics, (ii) anti-money laundering requirements, (iii) compliance
with investment restrictions and limitations, (iv) privacy, (v) recordkeeping, and (vi) other compliance policies and procedures which are not
otherwise delegated to another committee. The committee has responsibility for recommending to the Board the designation of a CCO of the
funds. The committee serves as the primary point of contact between the CCO and the Board, it oversees the annual performance review and
compensation of the CCO, and if required, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the removal of the appointed CCO. The
committee receives reports of significant correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies, employee complaints or published reports
which raise concerns regarding compliance matters, and copies of significant non-routine correspondence with the SEC. The committee receives reports from the CCO including the annual report concerning the funds' compliance policies as required by Rule 38a-1, quarterly reports in respect of any breaches of fiduciary duty or violations of federal securities laws, and reports on any other compliance or related matters
that would otherwise be subject to periodic reporting or that may have a significant impact on the funds. The committee will recommend to the
Board, what actions, if any, should be taken with respect to such reports. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee held
three meetings.</R>
<R>The Proxy Voting Committee is composed of Messrs. Thomas (Chair), Dirks, and Selander. The committee will meet as needed to
review the fund's proxy voting policies, consider changes to the policies, and review the manner in which the policies have been applied. The
committee will receive reports on the manner in which proxy votes have been cast under the proxy voting policies and reports on consultations
between the fund's investment advisers and portfolio companies concerning matters presented to shareholders for approval. The committee
will address issues relating to the fund's annual voting report filed with the SEC. The committee will receive reports concerning the implementation of procedures and controls designed to ensure that the proxy voting policies are implemented in accordance with their terms. The
committee will consider FMR's recommendations concerning certain non-routine proposals not covered by the proxy voting policies. The
committee will receive reports with respect to steps taken by FMR to assure that proxy voting has been done without regard to any other FMR
relationships, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company. The committee will make recommendations to the Board concerning the
casting of proxy votes in circumstances where FMR has determined that, because of a conflict of interest, the proposal to be voted on should be
reviewed by the Board. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee held three meetings.</R>
<R>The Research Committee is composed of Messrs. Lacy (Chair) and Thomas, and Ms. Small. The Committee will meet as needed. The
Committee's purpose is to assess the quality of the investment research available to FMR's investment professionals. As such, the Committee
reviews information pertaining to the sources of such research, the categories of research, the manner in which the funds bear the cost of research,
and FMR's internal research capabilities, including performance metrics, interactions between FMR portfolio managers and research analysts,
and the professional quality of analysts in research careers. Where necessary, the Committee recommends actions with respect to various reports
providing information on FMR's research function. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee held seven meetings.</R>
<R>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, 2013 (or as of
March 31, 2014 for Mr. Morrison, Trustee as of March 19, 2014).</R>
Interested Trustees |
||
|
<R> |
James C. Curvey |
Charles S. Morrison</R> |
|
Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 |
none |
none |
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
Independent Trustees |
||||
|
DOLLAR RANGE OF |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Alan J. Lacy |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Joseph Mauriello |
|
Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 |
none |
none |
none |
none |
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
|
DOLLAR RANGE OF |
Robert W. Selander |
Cornelia M. Small |
William S. Stavropoulos |
David M. Thomas |
|
Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 |
none |
none |
none |
none |
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
<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 ended August 31, 2014, or calendar year ended December 31, 2013, as applicable.</R>
Compensation Table1 |
|||||
|
AGGREGATE |
Dennis J. |
Alan J. |
Ned C. |
Joseph |
|
|
<R> |
$ 439 |
$ 378 |
$ 472 |
$ 418 |
</R> |
|
<R> |
$ 452,000 |
$ 400,000 |
$ 554,250 |
$ 429,000 |
</R> |
|
AGGREGATE |
Robert W. |
Cornelia M. |
William S. |
David M. |
|
|
<R> |
$ 382 |
$ 385 |
$ 426 |
$ 386 |
</R> |
|
<R> |
$ 404,000 |
$ 401,000 |
$ 501,750 |
$ 397,000 |
</R> |
<R>1 James C. Curvey, Charles S. Morrison, and Peter S. Lynch are interested persons and are compensated by Fidelity.</R>
<R>A Except for Messrs. Lautenbach and Stavropoulos, reflects compensation received for the period January 1, 2013 through July 31, 2013
for 230 funds of 29 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC) and for the period August 1, 2013 through December 31,
2013 for 173 funds of 25 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC). For Messrs. Lautenbach and Stavropoulos, reflects
compensation received for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013 for 247 funds of 29 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment
Portfolios LLC). Compensation figures include cash and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees and Member of the
Advisory Board. Certain of the Independent Trustees and Member of the Advisory Board elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their
compensation as follows: Dennis J. Dirks, $223,097; Ned C. Lautenbach, $264,194; Cornelia M. Small, $175,000; and William S.
Stavropoulos, $200,000.</R>
<R>As of August 31, 2014, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by Fidelity funds. As of August 31, 2014, the Trustees,
Member of the Advisory Board, and officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than 1% of the fund's total outstanding shares.</R>
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR LLC, as successor by merger to FMR Corp., is the ultimate parent company of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K.), Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (FMR H.K.), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (FMR Japan), and FMRC. The voting common shares of FMR LLC are divided into two series. Series B is held predominantly by members of the Abigail P. Johnson family, directly or through trusts, 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.
FMRC, FMR U.K., FMR H.K., FMR Japan, and the fund have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that sets forth employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the fund, establishes procedures for personal investing, and restricts certain transactions. Employees subject to the code of ethics, including Fidelity investment personnel, may invest in securities for their own investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund.
The fund has entered into a management contract with FMRC, pursuant to which FMRC furnishes investment advisory and other services.
Management Services. Under the terms of its management contract with the fund, FMRC acts as investment adviser and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, directs the investments of the fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations. FMRC also provides the fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments, compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are interested persons of the trust or of FMRC, and compensates all personnel of the fund or FMRC performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FMRC or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization; supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and, if necessary, the registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.
Management-Related Expenses. Under the terms of the fund's management contract, the fund pays all of its expenses other than those specifically payable by FMRC. FMRC, either itself or through an affiliate, pays all fees associated with transfer agent and pricing and bookkeeping services. Expenses payable by the fund include interest and taxes, brokerage commissions (if any), fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees, legal expenses, fees of the custodian and auditor, costs of registering shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws, expenses for typesetting, printing, and mailing proxy materials to shareholders and all other expenses of proxy solicitations and shareholder meetings, the fund's proportionate share of insurance premiums, if any, and Investment Company Institute dues, and such non-recurring expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which the fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect to litigation.
In addition, the fund has entered into an expense contract with FMRC and FMR under which FMR agrees to pay or provide for the payment of the fund's operating expenses, other than the following: (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees; (iv) custodian fees and expenses; and (v) any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses.
Management Fees. For the services of FMRC under the management contract, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FMRC a monthly management fee. For each fund (other than a fund for which FMRC serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FMRC a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of the fund's operating expenses. FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements will increase returns and yield, and repayment of the reimbursement will decrease returns and yield.
Sub-Advisers - FMR U.K., FMR H.K., and FMR Japan. On behalf of the fund, FMRC has entered into sub-advisory agreements with FMR U.K., FMR H.K., and FMR Japan. Pursuant to the sub-advisory agreements, FMRC may receive from the sub-advisers investment research and advice on issuers outside the United States (non-discretionary services) and FMRC may grant the sub-advisers investment management authority and the authority to buy and sell securities if FMRC believes it would be beneficial to the fund (discretionary services). FMRC, and not the fund, pays the sub-advisers.
<R>Fred Hoff is the portfolio manager of Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 and receives compensation for his services. As of August 31, 2014, 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 the
portfolio manager's compensation may be deferred based on criteria established by FMR or at the election of the portfolio manager. </R>
<R>The portfolio manager's base salary is determined by level of responsibility and tenure at FMR or its affiliates. The primary components of the portfolio manager's bonus are based on (i) the pre-tax investment performance of the portfolio manager's fund(s) and account(s)
measured against a benchmark index or within a defined peer group assigned to each fund or account, and (ii) the investment performance of
other FMR high yield funds and accounts. The pre-tax investment performance of the portfolio manager's fund(s) and account(s) is weighted
according to his tenure on those fund(s) and account(s) and the average asset size of those fund(s) and account(s) over his tenure. Each component is calculated separately over the portfolio manager's tenure on those fund(s) and account(s) over a measurement period that initially is
contemporaneous with his tenure, but that eventually encompasses rolling periods of up to five years for the comparison to a benchmark index
or a peer group. A smaller, subjective component of the portfolio manager's bonus is based on the portfolio manager's overall contribution to
management of FMR. The portion of the portfolio manager's bonus that is linked to the investment performance of Fidelity High Income
Central Fund 2 is based on the fund's pre-tax investment performance within the Lipper High Current Yield Funds. The portfolio manager also
is compensated under equity-based compensation plans linked to increases or decreases in the net asset value of the stock of FMR LLC, FMR's
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>
The portfolio manager's compensation plan may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. The portfolio manager's compensation is linked to the pre-tax performance of the fund, rather than its after-tax performance. The 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 the portfolio manager must allocate his 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 FMR or an affiliate. The 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. Hoff as of August 31, 2014:</R>
|
|
Registered |
Other Pooled |
Other |
|
Number of Accounts Managed |
6 |
1 |
2 |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
|
<R> |
$ 17,163 |
$ 108 |
$ 172</R> |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
<R>* Includes Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 ($868 (in millions) assets managed). The amount of assets managed of the fund reflects
trades and other assets as of the close of the business day prior to the fund's fiscal year-end.</R>
<R>As of August 31, 2014, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 beneficially owned by Mr. Hoff was
none.</R>
The following Proxy Voting Guidelines were established by the Board of Trustees of the Fidelity funds, after consultation with Fidelity. (The guidelines are reviewed periodically by Fidelity and by the Independent Trustees of the Fidelity funds, and, accordingly, are subject to change.)
I. General Principles
A. Voting of shares will be conducted in a manner consistent with the best interests of Fidelity 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 Fidelity companies' relationship, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company.
B. FMR Investment Proxy Research votes proxies. Like other Fidelity employees, Investment Proxy Research employees have a fiduciary duty to never place their own personal interest ahead of the interests of Fidelity Fund shareholders, and are instructed to avoid actual and apparent conflicts of interest. In the event of a conflict of interest, Investment Proxy Research employees, like other Fidelity employees, will escalate to their managers or the Ethics Office, as appropriate, in accordance with Fidelity's corporate policy on conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest arises when there are factors that may prompt one to question whether a Fidelity employee is acting solely on the best interests of Fidelity and its customers. Employees are expected to avoid situations that could present even the appearance of a conflict between their interests and the interests of Fidelity and its customers.
C. Except as set forth herein, FMR 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 FMR analyst or portfolio manager, as applicable, subject to review by an attorney within FMR's 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 the appropriate Fidelity Fund Board Committee or its designee.
F. FMR 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, FMR will generally abstain.
G. Many Fidelity Funds 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, FMR will generally evaluate proposals in the context of the Guidelines and where applicable and feasible, take into consideration differing laws, regulations and practices 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 fund, FMR 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, FMR will generally not vote proxies in order to safeguard fund holdings information.
I. Where a management-sponsored proposal is inconsistent with the Guidelines, FMR may receive a company's commitment to modify the proposal or its practice to conform to the Guidelines, and FMR will generally support management based on this commitment. If a company subsequently does not abide by its commitment, FMR 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; provisions restricting the right of shareholders to set board size; 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® Index or the Russell Global ex-U.S. Large Cap Index.
H. Small-Capitalization Company - a company not included in the Russell 1000® Index or the Russell Global ex-U.S. Large Cap Index that is not a Micro-Capitalization Company.
I. Micro-Capitalization Company - a company with a market capitalization under US $300 million.
J. Evergreen Provision - a feature which provides for an automatic increase in the shares available for grant under an equity award plan on a regular basis.
III. Directors
A. Incumbent Directors
FMR 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. FMR 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, FMR 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 five 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.
FMR 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, FMR will withhold authority on the election of directors.
2. The company refuses, upon request by FMR, 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. Executive compensation appears misaligned with shareholder interests or otherwise problematic, taking into account such factors as: (i) whether the company has an independent compensation committee; (ii) whether the compensation committee engaged independent compensation consultants; (iii) whether, in the case of stock awards, the restriction period was less than three years for non-performance-based awards, and less than one year for performance-based awards; (iv) whether the compensation committee has lapsed or waived equity vesting restrictions; and (v) whether the company has adopted or extended a Golden Parachute without shareholder approval.
5. To gain FMR's support on a proposal, the company made a commitment to modify a proposal or practice to conform to the 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 composed of a majority of independent directors.
B. Indemnification
FMR 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 FMR is otherwise dissatisfied with the performance of management or the proposal is accompanied by Anti-Takeover Provisions.
C. Independent Chairperson
FMR will generally vote against shareholder proposals calling for or recommending the appointment of a non-executive or independent chairperson. However, FMR 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
FMR 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). FMR 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. Executive Compensation
1. Advisory votes on executive compensation
a. FMR will generally vote for proposals to ratify executive compensation unless such compensation appears misaligned with shareholder interests or otherwise problematic, taking into account such factors as, among other things, (i) whether the company has an independent compensation committee; (ii) whether the compensation committee engaged independent compensation consultants; (iii) whether, in the case of stock awards, the restriction period was less than three years for non-performance-based awards, and less than one year for performance-based awards; (iv) whether the compensation committee has lapsed or waived equity vesting restriction; and (v) whether the company has adopted or extended a Golden Parachute without shareholder approval.
b. FMR will generally vote against proposals to ratify Golden Parachutes.
2. Frequency of advisory vote on executive compensation
FMR will generally support annual advisory votes on executive compensation.
B. Equity award plans (including stock options, restricted stock awards, and other stock awards).
FMR will generally vote against equity award plans or amendments to authorize additional shares under such plans if:
1. (a) The company's average three year burn rate is greater than 1.5% for a Large-Capitalization Company, 2.5% for a Small-Capitalization Company or 3.5% for a Micro-Capitalization Company; and (b) there were no circumstances specific to the company or the plans that lead FMR to conclude that the burn rate 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 without shareholder approval.
3. The plan includes an Evergreen Provision.
4. The plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even though an actual change in control may not occur.
C. Equity Exchanges and Repricing
FMR 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.
D. Employee Stock Purchase Plans
FMR will generally vote in favor of employee stock purchase plans if the minimum stock purchase price is equal to or greater than 85% of the stock's fair market value and 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, FMR 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.
E. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
FMR will generally vote in favor of non-leveraged ESOPs. For leveraged ESOPs, FMR may examine the company's state of incorporation, existence of supermajority vote rules in the charter, number of shares authorized for the ESOP, and number of shares held by insiders. FMR may also examine where the ESOP shares are purchased and the dilution effect of the purchase. FMR will generally vote against leveraged ESOPs if all outstanding loans are due immediately upon change in control.
F. Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals
FMR 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
FMR 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.
FMR will generally vote in favor of proposals to eliminate Anti-Takeover Provisions unless:
D. In the case of proposals to declassify a board of directors, FMR 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.
E. In the case of proposals regarding shareholders' rights to call special meetings, FMR generally will vote against each proposal if the threshold required to call a special meeting is less than 25% of the outstanding stock.
F. In the case of proposals regarding shareholders' right to act by written consent, FMR will generally vote against each proposal if it does not include appropriate mechanisms for implementation including, among other things, that at least 25% of the outstanding stock request that the company establish a record date determining which shareholders are entitled to act and that consents be solicited from all shareholders.
VI. Capital Structure/Incorporation
A. Increases in Common Stock
FMR 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.
<R>B. Reverse Stock Splits</R>
<R>FMR will generally vote in favor of reverse stock splits as long as the post-split authorized shares is no greater than
three times the post-split number of outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares, including stock awards, or in the case of
real estate investment trusts the number of post-split authorized shares is not greater than five times the post-split number of
outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares.</R>
C. New Classes of Shares
FMR will generally vote against the introduction of new classes of stock with differential voting rights.
D. Cumulative Voting Rights
FMR will generally vote against the introduction and in favor of the elimination of cumulative voting rights.
E. Acquisition or Business Combination Statutes
FMR 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.
F. Incorporation or Reincorporation in Another State or Country
FMR will generally vote for management proposals calling for, or recommending that, a portfolio company reincorporate in another state or country if, on balance, the economic and corporate governance factors in the proposed jurisdiction appear reasonably likely to be better aligned with shareholder interests, taking into account the corporate laws of the current and proposed jurisdictions and any changes to the company's current and proposed governing documents. FMR will consider supporting such shareholder proposals in limited cases if, based upon particular facts and circumstances, remaining incorporated in the current jurisdiction appears misaligned with shareholder interests.
VII. Shares of Investment Companies
A. When a Fidelity Fund invests in an underlying Fidelity Fund with public shareholders, an exchange traded fund (ETF), or non-affiliated fund, FMR will vote in the same proportion as all other voting shareholders of such underlying fund or class ("echo voting"). FMR may choose not to vote if "echo voting" is not operationally feasible.
B. <R>Certain Fidelity Funds may invest in shares of underlying Fidelity Funds that do not have public shareholders. For Fidelity Funds without public shareholders that are managed by FMR or an affiliate, FMR will generally vote in favor of proposals recommended by the underlying funds' Board of Trustees.</R>
VIII. Other
A. Voting Process
FMR 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 fund or group of funds has acquired control of such organization.
To view a fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, visit www.fidelity.com/proxyvotingresults or visit the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
<R>The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC), an
affiliate of FMRC, which is located at 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Under the terms of the agreement, FIIOC (or an
agent, including an affiliate) performs transfer agency and distribution services.</R>
FIIOC receives no fees for providing transfer agency services to the fund.
FIIOC may collect fees charged in connection with providing certain types of services such as exchanges, closing out fund balances, maintaining fund positions with low balances, checkwriting, wire transactions, and providing historical account research.
FIIOC bears the expense of typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, and all other reports, notices, and statements to existing shareholders, with the exception of proxy statements.
<R>The fund has entered into a service agent agreement with Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMRC (or an agent,
including an affiliate). The fund has also entered into a securities lending administration agreement with FSC. Under the terms of the agreements, FSC calculates the NAV and distributions for shares, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting records, and administers the
fund's securities lending program.</R>
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a flat annual fee, payable monthly.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC is paid based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
FMRC, either itself or through an affiliate, bears the cost of pricing and bookkeeping services and administering the securities lending program under the terms of its management contract and its expense contract with the fund.
<R>For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, FMR did not pay FSC for securities lending on behalf of Fidelity High
Income Central Fund 2.</R>
Company Organization. Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 is a fund of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC, an open-end management investment company organized as a limited liability company in Delaware on September 15, 2004. The Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC and the fund are subject to a Limited Liability Company Agreement dated September 16, 2004 (Agreement). Currently, there are 16 funds offered in the LLC(s): Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Fund, Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Fund, Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Energy Central Fund, Fidelity Financials Central Fund, Fidelity Floating Rate Central Fund, Fidelity Health Care Central Fund, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 1, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2, Fidelity Industrials Central Fund, Fidelity Information Technology Central Fund, Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Materials Central Fund, Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund, Fidelity Telecom Services Central Fund, and Fidelity Utilities Central Fund. The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds in the LLC(s) and to create additional classes of the fund.
The assets of the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC 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 Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC shall be charged with the liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds. The debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to a particular fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that fund only, and not against the assets of any other fund.
Shareholder Liability. The Company is an entity known as a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware. Under Delaware law, no shareholder of such a limited liability company can be held personally liable for the obligations of the limited liability company.
The Agreement contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses of the Company or fund. The Agreement further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Agreement provides for indemnification out of the 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 Agreement also provides that the Company, on behalf of the fund, shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Company, on behalf of the fund, and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the fund. FMR believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is remote.
Voting Rights. The fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial interest. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value they 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.
The Company 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 Company or a fund or a class without prior shareholder approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund or a class, shareholders of that fund or that class are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund or class available for distribution.
Custodians. JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the fund's assets and the appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. The Bank of New York Mellon, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions. From time to time, subject to approval by a fund's Treasurer, the fund may enter into escrow arrangements with other banks if necessary to participate in certain investment offerings.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, 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 FMR. Transactions that have occurred to date include mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of the fund's adviser, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund relationships.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts, independent registered public accounting firm, audits financial statements for the fund and provides other audit related services.
The fund views holdings information as sensitive and limits its dissemination. The Board authorized FMR to establish and administer guidelines for the dissemination of fund holdings information, which may be amended at any time without prior notice. FMR's Disclosure Policy Committee (comprising executive officers of FMR) evaluates disclosure policy with the goal of serving the fund's best interests by striking an appropriate balance between providing information about the fund's portfolio and protecting the fund from potentially harmful disclosure. The Board reviews the administration and modification of these guidelines and receives reports from the fund's chief compliance officer periodically.
The fund will provide a full list of holdings upon request as of the prior business day to all Fidelity registered investment companies that are shareholders of the fund.
The fund may also from time to time provide or make available to the Board or third parties upon request specific fund level performance attribution information and statistics. Third parties may include fund shareholders or prospective fund shareholders, members of the press, consultants, and ratings and ranking organizations.
The Use of Holdings In Connection With Fund Operations. Material non-public holdings information may be provided as part of the activities associated with managing Fidelity funds to: entities which, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the fund, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed; other parties if legally required; or persons FMR believes will not misuse the disclosed information. These entities, parties, and persons include, but are not limited to: the fund's trustees; the fund's manager, its sub-advisers, if any, and their affiliates whose access persons are subject to a code of ethics (including portfolio managers of affiliated funds of funds); contractors who are subject to a confidentiality agreement; the fund's auditors; the fund's custodians; proxy voting service providers; financial printers; pricing service vendors; broker-dealers in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or requests for price quotations or bids on one or more securities; securities lending agents; counsel to the fund or its Independent Trustees; regulatory authorities; stock exchanges and other listing organizations; parties to litigation; third parties in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding relating to a fund holding; and third parties who have submitted a standing request to a money market fund for daily holdings information. 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 FMR or its affiliates, (ii) ratings and rankings organizations, and (iii) an investment adviser, trustee, or their agents to whom holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes or in anticipation of a merger involving the fund. Each individual request is reviewed by the Disclosure Policy Committee which must find, in its sole discretion that, based on the specific facts and circumstances, the disclosure appears unlikely to be harmful to the fund. Entities receiving this information must have in place control mechanisms to reasonably ensure or otherwise agree that, (a) the holdings information will be kept confidential, (b) no employee shall use the information to effect trading or for their personal benefit, and (c) the nature and type of information that they, in turn, may disclose to third parties is limited. FMR relies primarily on the existence of non-disclosure agreements and/or control mechanisms when determining that disclosure is not likely to be harmful to the fund.
At this time, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are: Factset Research Systems Inc. (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day); Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (full holdings weekly (generally as of the previous Friday), generally 5 business days thereafter); DocuLynx Inc. (full or partial holdings daily, on the next business day); MSCI Inc. and certain affiliates (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day); and Barclays Capital Inc. (full holdings daily, on the next business day).
FMR, its affiliates, or the fund will not enter into any arrangements with third parties from which they derive consideration for the disclosure of material non-public holdings information. If, in the future, such an arrangement is desired, prior Board approval would be sought 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.
<R>The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, and report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are included in the fund's annual report and are incorporated herein by reference.</R>
<R>Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & Pyramid Design are registered service marks of FMR LLC. © 2014 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.</R>
The third-party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
This registration statement has been filed pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, the fund's shares are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act) because these shares will be issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act. Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including certain other Fidelity funds and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
Fidelity® Specialized High Income Central Fund
Part A of the Registration Statement
<R>October 30, 2014</R>
<R></R>
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Fidelity® Specialized High Income Central Fund</R> |
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Fund Basics |
Investment Details |
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Valuing Shares |
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Shareholder Information |
Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares |
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Account Policies |
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Distributions</R> |
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Fund Services |
Fund Management |
Prospectus
Fund:
Fidelity® Specialized High Income Central Fund
FMR Co., Inc. (the Adviser), an affiliate of Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR), is the fund's manager. Other investment advisers serve as sub-advisers for the fund.
Matthew Conti (portfolio manager) has managed the fund since September 2005.
Shares are offered only to other Fidelity funds. Shares are not offered to the public.
<R>The price to sell one share is its net asset value per share (NAV). Shares will be sold at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in
proper form.</R>
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.
The fund has no minimum investment requirement.
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax consequences for you. The fund intends to operate as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the fund will not be subject to any federal income tax. Based upon the status of the fund as a partnership, you will take into account your share of the fund's ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses in determining your income tax liability and, for investors that are regulated investment companies, your qualification as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The determination of your share of the fund's ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses will be made in accordance with the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Prospectus
Investment Objective
Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund seeks a high level of current income.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Adviser normally invests the fund's assets primarily in income-producing debt securities, with an emphasis on lower-quality debt securities. Many lower-quality debt securities are subject to legal or contractual restrictions limiting the Adviser's ability to resell the securities to the general public. The Adviser may invest in companies whose financial condition is troubled or uncertain and that may be involved in bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations, or financial restructurings.
The Adviser normally invests at least 80% of the fund's assets in securities rated BB by Standard & Poor's (S&P), Ba by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's), comparably rated by at least one nationally recognized credit rating agency, or, if unrated, considered by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Adviser may also invest in securities that have lower or higher credit quality ratings.
The Adviser may invest the fund's assets in securities of foreign issuers in addition to securities of domestic issuers.
In buying and selling securities for the fund, the Adviser relies on fundamental analysis of each issuer and its potential for success in light of its current financial condition, its industry position, and economic and market conditions. Factors considered include a security's structural features and current price compared to its long-term value, and the earnings potential, credit standing, and management of the security's issuer.
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed above, the Adviser may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures contracts, swaps, and exchange traded funds, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing security prices, interest rates, or other factors that affect security values. The Adviser may invest the fund's assets in debt securities by investing in other funds.
If the Adviser's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not achieve its objective.
Description of Principal Security Types
Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed, usually at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds, government securities, repurchase agreements, money market securities, mortgage and other asset-backed securities, loans and loan participations, and other securities believed to have debt-like characteristics, including hybrids and synthetic securities.
Principal Investment Risks
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price and yield change daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates and in response to other economic, political, or financial developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be affected by the types and maturities of securities in which the fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector, and geographic location of an issuer, and the fund's level of investment in the securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Prospectus
The following factors can significantly affect the fund's performance:
Interest Rate Changes. Debt securities, including money market securities, have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and certain types of securities, such as mortgage securities and the securities of issuers in the financial services sector, can be more sensitive to interest rate changes, meaning the longer the maturity of a security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. Short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates, and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates. Securities with floating interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much as interest rates in general. Securities whose payment at maturity is based on the movement of all or part of an index and inflation-protected debt securities may react differently from other types of debt securities.
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 exchange rates; 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, especially those in emerging markets, more volatile and potentially less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can perform differently from the U.S. market.
Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers or providers in, or foreign exchange rates with, a different country or region.
Prepayment. Many types of debt securities, including mortgage securities, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security's maturity. Securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a debt security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility.
Prospectus
Fund Basics - continued
<R>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. Lower-quality debt securities (those of less than investment-grade quality, also referred to as
high yield debt securities or junk bonds) and certain types of other securities tend to be particularly sensitive to these changes.</R>
Lower-quality debt securities and certain types of other securities involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer. The value of lower-quality debt securities and certain types of other securities often fluctuates in response to company, political, or economic developments and can decline significantly over short as well as long periods of time or during periods of general or regional economic difficulty. Lower-quality debt securities can be thinly traded or have restrictions on resale, making them difficult to sell at an acceptable price, and often are considered to be speculative. The default rate for lower-quality debt securities is likely to be higher during economic recessions or periods of high interest rates.
In response to market, economic, political, or other conditions, a fund may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. If the fund does so, different factors could affect its performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
The following is fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder approval:
Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund seeks a high level of current income.
The fund is open for business each day the NYSE is open.
NAV is the value of a single share. Fidelity normally calculates 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 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.
Prospectus
<R>NAV is calculated using the values of other open-end funds, if any, in which the fund invests (referred to as underlying funds). Shares of
underlying funds are valued at their respective NAVs. Other assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations, official closing prices,
or 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 are not readily available or, in FMR's opinion, are deemed unreliable for a security, then that security will be fair valued in good faith by FMR in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies. For example, if, in FMR's
opinion, a security's value has been materially affected by events occurring before a fund's pricing time but after the close of the exchange or
market on which the security is principally traded, then that security will be fair valued in good faith by FMR in accordance with applicable fair
value pricing policies. Fair value pricing will be used for high yield debt securities when available pricing information is determined to be
stale or for other reasons not to accurately reflect fair value.</R>
Arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security or securities is halted and does not resume before a 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 markets but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of a fund's portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of NAV by short-term traders.
Fair value pricing is based on subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value of a security may differ materially from the value that would be realized if the security were sold.
Prospectus
As used in this prospectus, the term "shares" generally refers to the shares offered through this prospectus.
The fund may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase orders, including transactions deemed to represent excessive trading, at any time.
Excessive trading of fund shares can harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the fund (such as brokerage commissions or spreads paid to dealers who sell money market instruments), disrupting portfolio management strategies, and diluting the value of the shares in cases in which fluctuations in markets are not fully priced into the fund's NAV.
Because the fund is primarily offered for investment only to certain other Fidelity funds, the potential for excessive or short-term disruptive purchases and sales is reduced. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive trading of fund shares and the fund accommodates frequent trading.
The fund has no limit on purchase transactions but may in its discretion restrict, reject, or cancel any purchases that, in the Adviser's opinion, may be disruptive to the management of the fund or otherwise not be in the fund's interests.
The fund reserves the right at any time to restrict purchases or impose conditions that are more restrictive on excessive trading than those stated in this prospectus.
The fund has no exchange privilege with any other fund.
Shares are offered only to certain other Fidelity funds. Shares of the fund are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including certain other Fidelity funds and certain other "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. Each shareholder is deemed to agree to, and be bound by, the terms of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolio LLC's limited liability company agreement. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of the fund.
The price to buy one share is its NAV. Shares are sold without a sales charge.
Shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form.
Orders by funds of funds for which Fidelity serves as investment manager will be treated as received by the fund at the same time that the corresponding orders are received in proper form by the funds of funds.
Prospectus
Shareholder Information - continued
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
The price to sell one share is its NAV.
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.
Orders by funds of funds for which Fidelity serves as investment manager will be treated as received by the fund at the same time that the corresponding orders are received in proper form by the funds of funds.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
Fidelity will send monthly account statements detailing fund balances and all transactions completed during the prior month.
<R>You may also be asked to provide additional information in order for Fidelity to verify your identity in accordance with requirements under
anti-money laundering regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information
or as otherwise required under these and other federal regulations.</R>
Prospectus
The fund declares a daily distribution of its net income, which is included in the shareholder's book capital account until it is paid to the shareholder on a monthly basis.
Any distributions will be paid in cash or, at your election, automatically reinvested in additional shares.
Prospectus
The fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
The Adviser is the fund's manager. The address of the Adviser and its affiliates, unless otherwise indicated below, is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
<R>As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser had approximately $866.5 billion in discretionary assets under management, and approximately $1.94
trillion when combined with all of its affiliates' assets under management.</R>
As the manager, the Adviser is responsible for choosing the fund's investments and handling its business affairs.
Other investment advisers assist the Adviser with foreign investments:
Matthew Conti is portfolio manager of the fund, which he has managed since September 2005. He also manages other funds. Since joining Fidelity Investments in 1995, Mr. Conti has worked as a research analyst and portfolio manager.
The statement of additional information (SAI) provides additional information about the compensation of, any other accounts managed by, and any fund shares held by the portfolio manager.
From time to time a manager, analyst, or other Fidelity employee may express views regarding a particular company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Prospectus
Pursuant to the fund's management contract with the Adviser, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays the Adviser a management fee. The management fee is calculated and paid to the Adviser every month.
For each fund (other than a fund for which the Adviser serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays the Adviser a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FMR has contracted to pay the fund's operating expenses (excluding custody fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees and extraordinary expenses). This agreement may be modified by mutual consent of the fund's Board of Trustees, FMR and the Adviser.
The Adviser pays FMR U.K., FMR H.K., and FMR Japan for providing sub-advisory services.
<R>The basis for the Board of Trustees approving the management contract and sub-advisory agreements for the fund is available in the fund's
annual report for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2014.</R>
From time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates may agree to reimburse or waive certain fund expenses while retaining the ability to be repaid if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Reimbursement or waiver arrangements can decrease expenses and boost performance.
<R>As of August 31, 2014, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by Fidelity funds.</R>
Prospectus
Notes
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT ACT), requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account. For investors other than individuals: When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account such as name, residential address, date of birth and social security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as drivers' licenses, articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Fidelity identify the entity. |
A description of the fund's policies and procedures for disclosing its holdings is available in Part B of its registration statement.
<R>Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & Pyramid Design are registered service marks of FMR LLC. © 2014 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.</R>
The third-party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
<R>1.820157.114 SHI-PRO-1014</R>
Fidelity® Specialized High Income Central Fund
A Fund of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC
PART B OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<R>October 30, 2014</R>
<R></R>
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Portions of the fund's annual report are incorporated herein. The annual report is supplied with this SAI.
<R>To obtain a free additional copy of Part A of the Registration Statement, dated October 30, 2014, or an annual
report, please call Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544.</R>
For purposes of the registration statement, Directors of the Company are referred to as Trustees.
<R>SHI-PTB-1014</R>
1.820158.114
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Valuation |
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Control of Investment Advisers |
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Proxy Voting Guidelines |
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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in Part A of the registration statement. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations described in this Part B of the registration statement are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
The following are the fund's fundamental investment limitations set forth in their entirety.
Diversification
The fund may not with respect to 75% of the fund's total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
Senior Securities
The fund may not issue senior securities, except in connection with the insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Borrowing
The fund may not borrow money, except that the fund may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed this amount will be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation.
Underwriting
The fund may not underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies.
Concentration
The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, with respect to any investment in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities, FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC) looks through to the U.S. Government securities.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, with respect to any investment in Fidelity® Money Market Central Fund and/or any non-money market central fund, FMRC looks through to the holdings of the central fund.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, FMRC may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry or sector classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that the third-party classification provider used by FMRC does not assign a classification.
Real Estate
The fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
Commodities
The fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
Loans
The fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
Short Sales
The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
Margin Purchases
The fund does not currently intend to purchase securities on margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
Borrowing
The fund may borrow money only (a) from a bank or from a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with any party (reverse repurchase agreements are treated as borrowings for purposes of the fundamental borrowing investment limitation).
Illiquid Securities
The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.
For purposes of the fund's illiquid securities limitation discussed above, if through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
Loans
<R>The fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than securities to other parties, except by (a) making direct loans to companies in
which the fund has a pre-existing investment (b) making direct commercial real estate loans (c) lending money (up to 15% of the fund's net assets)
to a registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (d) 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.)</R>
In addition to the fund's fundamental and non-fundamental investment limitations discussed above:
For the fund's limitations on futures, options, and swap transactions, see the section entitled "Futures, Options, and Swaps" on page (Click Here).
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of instruments in which the fund may invest, techniques the fund's adviser (or a sub-adviser) may employ in pursuit of the fund's investment objective, and a summary of related risks. The fund's adviser (or a 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. However, the fund's adviser (or a sub-adviser) is not required to buy any particular instrument or use any particular technique even if to do so might benefit the fund.
On the following pages in this section titled "Investment Policies and Limitations," and except as otherwise indicated, references to "an adviser" or "the adviser" may relate to the fund's adviser or a sub-adviser, as applicable.
Affiliated Bank Transactions. A Fidelity fund may engage in transactions with financial institutions that are, or may be considered to be, "affiliated persons" of the fund under the 1940 Act. These transactions may involve repurchase agreements with custodian banks; short-term obligations of, and repurchase agreements with, the 50 largest U.S. banks (measured by deposits); municipal securities; U.S. Government securities with affiliated financial institutions that are primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency transactions; and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Trustees has established and periodically reviews procedures applicable to transactions involving affiliated financial institutions.
Asset-Backed Securities represent interests in pools of mortgages, loans, receivables, or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements. Asset-backed security values may also be affected by other factors including changes in interest rates, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or receivables, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. In addition, these securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
Borrowing. If a fund borrows money, its share price may be subject to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If a fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this may be considered a form of leverage.
Cash Management. A fund may hold uninvested cash or may invest it in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase agreements, or shares of short-term bond or money market funds, including (for Fidelity funds and other advisory clients only) shares of Fidelity central funds. Generally, these securities offer less potential for gains than other types of securities.
Central Funds are special types of investment vehicles created by Fidelity for use by the Fidelity funds and other advisory clients. Central funds are used to invest in particular security types or investment disciplines, or for cash management. Central funds incur certain costs related to their investment activity (such as custodial fees and expenses), but do not pay additional management fees. The investment results of the portions of a Fidelity fund's assets invested in the central funds will be based upon the investment results of those funds.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Notice of Exclusion. The LLC, on behalf of the Fidelity fund to which this SAI relates, has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the CFTC promulgated thereunder, with respect to the fund's operation. Accordingly, neither a fund nor its adviser is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or a CPO. However, the CFTC has adopted certain rule amendments that significantly affect the continued availability of this exclusion, and may subject advisers to funds to regulation by the CFTC. As of the date of this SAI, the adviser does not expect to register as a CPO of the fund. However, there is no certainty that a fund or its adviser will be able to rely on an exclusion in the future as the fund's investments change over time. A fund may determine not to use investment strategies that trigger additional CFTC regulation or may determine to operate subject to CFTC regulation, if applicable. If a fund or its adviser operates subject to CFTC regulation, it may incur additional expenses.
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.
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. An ETF may seek to replicate the performance of a specified index or may be actively managed.
Typically, ETF shares are expected to increase in value as the value of the underlying 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.
ETF shares are redeemable only in large blocks (typically, 50,000 shares) often called "creation units" by persons other than a fund, and are redeemed principally in-kind at each day's next calculated net asset value per share (NAV). ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by a fund. A fund's purchase of ETFs results in the layering of expenses, such that the fund would indirectly bear a proportionate share of any ETF's operating expenses. Further, while traditional investment companies are continuously offered at NAV, ETFs are traded in the secondary market (e.g., on a stock exchange) on an intra-day basis at prices that may be above or below the value of their underlying portfolios.
Some of the risks of investing in an ETF that tracks an index 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 the speed at which losses can be realized also are greater. Most leveraged and inverse ETFs "reset" daily, meaning they are designed to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis. Leveraged and inverse ETFs can deviate substantially from the performance of their underlying benchmark over longer periods of time, particularly in volatile periods.
Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) are a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines aspects of both 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.
ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable 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 intraday indicative value. 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's share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV. Some ETNs that use leverage in an effort to amplify the returns of an underlying index or other reference asset can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs may offer the potential for greater return, but the potential for loss and speed at which losses can be realized also are greater.
Exposure to Foreign and Emerging 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. From time to time, a fund's adviser and/or its affiliates may determine that, as a result of regulatory requirements that may apply to the adviser and/or its affiliates due to investments in a particular country, investments in the securities of issuers domiciled or listed on trading markets in that country above certain thresholds (which may apply at the account level or in the aggregate across all accounts managed by the adviser and its affiliates) may be impractical or undesirable. In such instances, the adviser may limit or exclude investment in a particular issuer, and investment flexibility may be restricted. 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 fund's 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 investment or valuation 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. Forward contracts not calling for physical delivery of the underlying instrument will be settled through cash payments rather than through delivery of the underlying currency. All of these instruments and transactions are subject to the risk that the counterparty will default.
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 denominated in a foreign currency 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 to protect 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.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of existing investments denominated in a 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 attempt to 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 an 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 an adviser anticipates. For example, if a currency's value rose at a time when a fund had hedged its position by selling that currency in exchange for dollars, the fund would not participate in the currency's appreciation. If a fund hedges currency exposure through proxy hedges, the 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 fund increases its exposure to a foreign currency and that currency's value declines, the fund will realize a loss. Foreign currency transactions involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted and that a fund's hedging strategies will be ineffective. Moreover, it is impossible to precisely forecast the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a foreign currency forward contract. Accordingly, a fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expenses of such transaction), if an adviser's predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency or securities markets prove inaccurate.
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. A fund will cover its exposure to foreign currency transactions with liquid assets in compliance with applicable requirements. There is no assurance that an 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 indexes, as discussed below. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the fund's investments exactly over time.
Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of the fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options.
Fund's Rights as an Investor. Fidelity funds do not intend to direct or administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund may, however, exercise its rights as a shareholder or lender and may communicate its views on important matters of policy to a company's management, board of directors, and shareholders, and holders of a company's other securities when 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. Such activities will be monitored 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. Government legislation or regulation could affect the use of such instruments and could limit a fund's ability to pursue its investment strategies. If a fund invests a significant portion of its assets in derivatives, its investment exposure could far exceed the value of its portfolio securities and its investment performance could be primarily dependent upon securities it does not own.
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 date. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts and 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 or baskets of securities, some are based on commodities or commodities indexes (for funds that seek commodities exposure), and some are based on indexes of securities prices (including foreign indexes for funds that seek foreign exposure). Futures on indexes and futures not calling for physical delivery of the underlying instrument will be settled through cash payments rather than through delivery of the underlying instrument. Futures can be held until their delivery dates, or can be closed out by offsetting purchases or sales of futures contracts before then if a liquid market is available. A fund may realize a gain or loss by closing out its futures contracts.
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 for the underlying instrument. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the underlying instrument had been sold.
The purchaser or seller of a futures contract or an option for a futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument or the final cash settlement price, as applicable, unless the contract is held until the delivery date. However, both the purchaser and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), when the contract is entered into. If the value of either party's position declines, that party will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to settle the change in value on a daily basis. This process of "marking to market" will be reflected in the daily calculation of open positions computed in a fund's NAV. The party that has a gain is entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. Initial and variation margin payments do not constitute purchasing securities on margin for purposes of a fund's investment limitations. Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by a fund, but is instead a settlement between a fund and the FCM of the amount one would owe the other if the fund's contract expired. 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 also 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.
Although futures exchanges generally operate similarly in the United States and abroad, foreign futures exchanges may follow trading, settlement, and margin procedures that are different from those for U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts traded outside the United States may not involve a clearing mechanism or related guarantees and may involve greater risk of loss than U.S.-traded contracts, including potentially greater risk of losses due to insolvency of a futures broker, exchange member, or other party that may owe initial or variation margin to a fund. Because initial and variation margin payments may be measured in foreign currency, a futures contract traded outside the United States may also involve the risk of foreign currency fluctuation.
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. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.
If the market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or other market conditions, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require a fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a fund's access to other assets held to cover its futures positions could also be impaired. These risks may be heightened for commodity futures contracts, which have historically been subject to greater price volatility than exists for instruments such as stocks and bonds.
Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded futures contracts, it is likely that the standardized contracts available will not match a fund's current or anticipated investments exactly. A fund may invest in futures contracts based on securities with different issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in which the fund typically invests, which involves a risk that the futures position will not track the performance of the fund's other investments.
Futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a fund's investments well. Futures prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. A fund may purchase or sell futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a fund's futures positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by gains in other investments. In addition, the price of a commodity futures contract can reflect the storage costs associated with the purchase of the physical commodity.
Futures contracts on U.S. Government securities historically have reacted to an increase or decrease in interest rates in a manner similar to the manner in which the underlying U.S. Government securities reacted. To the extent, however, that a fund enters into such futures contracts, the value of these futures contracts will not vary in direct proportion to the value of the fund's holdings of U.S. Government securities. Thus, the anticipated spread between the price of the futures contract and the hedged security may be distorted due to differences in the nature of the markets. The spread also may be distorted by differences in initial and variation margin requirements, the liquidity of such markets and the participation of speculators in such markets.
Options. By purchasing a put option, the purchaser obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the purchaser pays the current market price for the option (known as the option premium). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific assets or securities, baskets of assets or securities, indexes of securities or commodities prices, and futures contracts (including commodity futures contracts). Options may be traded on an exchange or OTC. 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. Depending on the terms of the contract, upon exercise, an option may require physical delivery of the underlying instrument or may be settled through cash payments. A purchaser may also terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if the underlying instrument's price falls substantially. However, if the underlying instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right (but not the obligation) to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option's strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of the option if the underlying instrument's price falls. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if the underlying instrument's price does not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
The writer of a put or call option takes the opposite side of the transaction from the option's purchaser. In return for receipt of the premium, the writer assumes the obligation to pay or receive the strike price for the option's underlying instrument if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. The writer may seek to terminate a position in a put option before exercise by closing out the option in the secondary market at its current price. If the secondary market is not liquid for a put option, however, the writer must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes. When writing an option on a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin payments to an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If the underlying instrument's price rises, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If the underlying instrument's price remains the same over time, it is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If the underlying instrument's price falls, the put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly, however, because the premium received for writing the option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the option's underlying instrument or make a net cash settlement payment, as applicable, in return for the strike price, upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer should mitigate the effects of a price increase. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument or make a net cash settlement payment, as applicable, in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
Where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price to close out the put or call option on the secondary market may move more or less than the price of the related security.
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 exchange-traded 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 (swaptions), which are generally options on interest rate swaps. An option on a swap gives a party the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to extend, shorten, cancel or modify an existing contract at a specific date in the future in exchange for a premium. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes (sells) an option on a swap than it will incur when it purchases an option on a swap. When a fund purchases an option on a swap, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when a fund writes an option on a swap, upon exercise of the option the fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement. A fund that writes an option on a swap receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the preset rate on the underlying interest rate swap. Whether a fund's use of options on swaps will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the adviser's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Options on swaps may involve risks similar to those discussed below in "Swap Agreements."
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.
<R>Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. Cleared swaps are
transacted through futures commission merchants (FCMs) that are members of central clearinghouses with the clearinghouse serving as a
central counterparty similar to transactions in futures contracts. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange one or more
payments based, for example, on the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or
instruments (such as securities, commodities, indexes, or other financial or economic interests). The gross payments to be exchanged 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.</R>
Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names, including interest rate swaps (where the parties exchange a floating rate for a fixed rate), asset swaps (e.g., where parties combine the purchase or sale of a bond with an interest rate swap), total return swaps, and credit default swaps. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's investments and its share price and, if applicable, its yield. Swap agreements are subject to liquidity risk, meaning that a fund may be unable to sell a swap contract to a third party at a favorable price. Certain standardized swap transactions are currently subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Central clearing is expected to decrease counterparty risk and increase liquidity compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterpart to each participant's swap. However, central clearing does not eliminate counterparty risk or illiquidity risk entirely. In addition depending on the size of a fund and other factors, the margin required under the rules of a clearinghouse and by a clearing member FCM may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by a fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. It is expected, however, that regulators will adopt rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps in the near future, which could reduce the distinction.
A total return swap is a contract whereby one party agrees to make a series of payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying such contract (which can include a security or other instrument, commodity, index or baskets thereof) during the specified period. In exchange, the other party to the contract agrees to make a series of payments calculated by reference to an interest rate and/or some other agreed-upon amount (including the change in market value of other underlying assets). A fund may use total return swaps to gain exposure to an asset without owning it or taking physical custody of it. For example, a fund investing in total return commodity swaps will receive the price appreciation of a commodity, commodity index or portion thereof in exchange for payment of an agreed-upon fee.
In a credit default swap, the credit default protection buyer makes periodic payments, known as premiums, to the credit default protection seller. In return the credit default protection seller will make a payment to the credit default protection buyer upon the occurrence of a specified credit event. A credit default swap can refer to a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets, each known as the reference entity or underlying asset. A fund may act as either the buyer or the seller of a credit default swap. A fund may buy or sell credit default protection on a basket of issuers or assets, even if a number of the underlying assets referenced in the basket are lower-quality debt securities. In an unhedged credit default swap, a fund buys credit default protection on a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets or index of assets without owning the underlying asset or debt issued by the reference entity. Credit default swaps involve greater and different risks than investing directly in the referenced asset, because, in addition to market risk, credit default swaps include liquidity, counterparty and operational risk.
Credit default swaps allow a fund to acquire or reduce credit exposure to a particular issuer, asset or basket of assets. If a swap agreement calls for payments by a fund, the fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. If a 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 a fund is the credit default protection buyer, the fund will be required to pay premiums to the credit default protection seller. In the case of a physically settled credit default swap in which a fund is the protection seller, the fund must be prepared to pay par for and take possession of debt of a defaulted issuer delivered to the fund by the credit default protection buyer. Any loss would be offset by the premium payments the fund receives as the seller of credit default protection. This risk for cleared swaps is generally lower than for uncleared swaps since the counterparty is a clearinghouse, but there can be no assurance that a clearinghouse or its members will satisfy its obligations.
If the creditworthiness of a 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, a Fidelity fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. Although there can be no assurance that a fund will be able to do so, a fund may be able to reduce or eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or another creditworthy party. A fund may have limited ability to eliminate its exposure under a credit default swap if the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has declined.
A fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. In order to cover its outstanding obligations to a swap counterparty, a fund would generally be required to provide margin or collateral for the benefit of that counterparty. If a counterparty to a swap transaction becomes insolvent, the fund may be limited temporarily or permanently in exercising its right to the return of related fund assets designated as margin or collateral in an action against the counterparty.
Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a fund's interest. A fund bears the risk that an adviser will not accurately forecast market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing swap positions for a fund. If an adviser attempts to use a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, a fund may be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment, which could cause substantial losses for a fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.
<R>Hybrid and Preferred Securities. A hybrid security may be a debt security, warrant, convertible security, certificate of deposit or
other evidence of indebtedness on which the value of the interest on or principal of which is determined by reference to changes in the value of a
reference instrument or financial strength of a reference entity (e.g., a security or other financial instrument, asset, currency, interest rate, commodity, index, or business entity such as a financial institution). Another example is contingent convertible securities, which are fixed income
securities that, under certain circumstances, either convert into common stock of the issuer or undergo a principal write-down by a predetermined percentage if the issuer's capital ratio falls below a predetermined trigger level. The liquidation value of such a security may be reduced
upon a regulatory action and without the need for a bankruptcy proceeding. Preferred securities may take the form of preferred stock and
represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the
payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds generally take precedence over
the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.</R>
The risks of investing in hybrid and preferred securities reflect a combination of the risks of investing in securities, options, futures and currencies. An investment in a hybrid or preferred security may entail significant risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional debt or equity security. The risks of a particular hybrid or preferred security will depend upon the terms of the instrument, but may include the possibility of significant changes in the value of any applicable reference instrument. Such risks may depend upon factors unrelated to the operations or credit quality of the issuer of the hybrid or preferred security. Hybrid and preferred securities are potentially more volatile and carry greater market and liquidity risks than traditional debt or equity securities. Also, the price of the hybrid or preferred security and any applicable reference instrument may not move in the same direction or at the same time. In addition, because hybrid and preferred securities may be traded over-the-counter or in bilateral transactions with the issuer of the security, hybrid and preferred securities may be subject to the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the security and their values may decline substantially if the counterparty's creditworthiness deteriorates. In addition, uncertainty regarding the tax and regulatory treatment of hybrid and preferred securities may reduce demand for such securities and tax and regulatory considerations may limit the extent of a fund's investments in certain hybrid and preferred securities.
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, a Fidelity fund's adviser determines the liquidity of the fund's investments and, through reports from the fund's adviser, the Board monitors investments in illiquid securities.
Various factors may be considered in determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, 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).
Increasing Government Debt. The total public debt of the United States and other countries around the globe as a percent of gross domestic product has grown rapidly since the beginning of the 2008 financial downturn. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented.
A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt cost higher and cause a country to sell additional debt, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due. In the worst case, unsustainable debt levels can decline the valuation of currencies, and can prevent a government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns.
On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States one level to "AA+" from "AAA." While Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed the United States' short-term sovereign credit rating as "A-1+," there is no guarantee that Standard & Poor's Ratings Services will not decide to lower this rating in the future. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services stated that its decision was prompted by its view on the rising public debt burden and its perception of greater policymaking uncertainty. The market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government may be adversely affected by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services decisions to downgrade the long-term sovereign credit rating of the United States.
Indexed Securities are instruments whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indexes, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose values at maturity or coupon rates are determined by reference to a specific instrument, statistic, or measure.
Indexed securities also include commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and other fixed-income securities whose values at maturity or coupon interest rates are determined by reference to the returns of particular stock indexes. Indexed securities can be affected by stock prices as well as changes in interest rates and the creditworthiness of their issuers and may not track the indexes as accurately as direct investments in the indexes.
Mortgage-indexed securities, for example, could be structured to replicate the performance of mortgage securities and the characteristics of direct ownership.
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 instrument or measure to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments or measures. Indexed securities are also subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government agencies.
Insolvency of Issuers, Counterparties, and Intermediaries. Issuers of fund portfolio securities or counterparties to fund transactions that become insolvent or declare bankruptcy can pose special investment risks. In each circumstance, risk of loss, valuation uncertainty, increased illiquidity, and other unpredictable occurrences may negatively impact an investment. Each of these risks may be amplified in foreign markets, where security trading, settlement, and custodial practices can be less developed than those in the U.S. markets, and bankruptcy laws differ from those of the U.S.
As a general matter, if the issuer of a fund portfolio security is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock have priority over the claims of common stock owners. These events can negatively impact the value of the issuer's securities and the results of related proceedings can be unpredictable.
If a counterparty to a fund transaction, such as a swap transaction, a short sale, a borrowing, or other complex transaction becomes insolvent, the fund may be limited in its ability to exercise rights to obtain the return of related fund assets or in exercising other rights against the counterparty. In addition, insolvency and liquidation proceedings take time to resolve, which can limit or preclude a fund's ability to terminate a transaction or obtain related assets or collateral in a timely fashion. Uncertainty may also arise upon the insolvency of a securities or commodities intermediary such as a broker-dealer or futures commission merchant with which a fund has pending transactions. If an intermediary becomes insolvent, while securities positions and other holdings may be protected by U.S. or foreign laws, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether these protections are available to specific trades based on the circumstances. Receiving the benefit of these protections can also take time to resolve, which may result in illiquid positions.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending Program. Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, a Fidelity fund may lend money to, and borrow money from, other funds advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) or its affiliates. A Fidelity fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the costs of bank loans. A Fidelity fund 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 Fidelity fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Investment-Grade Debt Securities. Investment-grade debt securities include all types of debt instruments that are of medium and high-quality. Investment-grade debt securities include repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities as well as repurchase agreements collateralized by equity securities, non-investment-grade debt, and all other instruments in which a fund can perfect a security interest, provided the repurchase agreement counterparty has an investment-grade rating. Some investment-grade debt securities may possess speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to changes in the financial conditions of issuers. An investment-grade rating means the security or issuer is rated investment-grade by a credit rating agency registered as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) with the SEC (for example, Moody's Investors Service, Inc.), or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by a fund's adviser. For purposes of determining the maximum maturity of an investment-grade debt security, an adviser may take into account normal settlement periods.
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. A fund may acquire loans by buying an assignment of all or a portion of the loan from a lender or by purchasing a loan participation from a lender or other purchaser of a participation. Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund also may acquire loans directly at the time of the loan's closing.
Lenders and 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 foreign 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.
Direct lending and 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 lender/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 lenders/purchasers to make additional cash payments on demand. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a lender/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.
For a Fidelity fund that limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any one issuer or in issuers within the same industry, 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 a fund and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC interpretations require a fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as "issuers" for these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
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, research and credit analysis are an especially important part of managing securities of this type. Such analysis may focus on relative values based on factors such as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer, in an 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 fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
Mortgage Securities are issued by government and non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A mortgage security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some mortgage securities, such as collateralized mortgage obligations (or "CMOs"), make payments of both principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Stripped mortgage securities are created when the interest and principal components of a mortgage security are separated and sold as individual securities. In the case of a stripped mortgage security, the holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the "interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same underlying mortgage.
Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which guarantee payment of interest and repayment of principal on Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs, respectively, are federally chartered corporations supervised by the U.S. Government that act as governmental instrumentalities under authority granted by Congress. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations. Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
The value of mortgage securities may change due to shifts in the market's perception of issuers and changes in interest rates. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government mortgage securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than government issues. Mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that early principal payments made on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction in interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the investor, causing it to be invested subsequently at a lower current interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate environment, mortgage security values may be adversely affected when prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated, resulting in the extension of the security's effective maturity and the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term instrument. The prices of stripped mortgage securities tend to be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped mortgage securities.
A fund may seek to earn additional income by using a trading strategy (commonly known as "mortgage dollar rolls" or "reverse mortgage dollar rolls") that involves selling (or buying) mortgage securities, realizing a gain or loss, and simultaneously agreeing to purchase (or sell) mortgage securities on a later date at a set price. During the period between the sale and repurchase in a mortgage dollar roll transaction, a fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold but will invest the proceeds of the sale in other securities that are permissible investments for the fund. During the period between the purchase and subsequent sale in a reverse mortgage dollar roll transaction, a fund is entitled to interest and principal payments on the securities purchased. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the terms of the agreement. If the counterparty files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a fund's right to repurchase or sell securities may be limited. This trading strategy may increase interest rate exposure and result in an increased portfolio turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable gains.
Real Estate Investment Trusts. Real estate investment trusts issue debt securities to fund the purchase and/or development of commercial properties. The value of these debt securities may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, the creditworthiness of the trusts, interest rates, and tax and regulatory requirements. Real estate investment trusts are dependent upon management skill and the cash flow generated by the properties owned by the trusts. Real estate investment trusts are at the risk of 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.
Reforms and Government Intervention in the Financial Markets. Economic downturns can trigger various economic, legal, budgetary, tax, and regulatory reforms across the globe. Instability in the financial markets in the wake of the 2008 economic downturn led the U.S. Government and other governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Reforms are ongoing and their effects are uncertain. Federal, state, local, foreign, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which a fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Reforms may also change the way in which a fund is regulated and could limit or preclude a fund's ability to achieve its investment objective or engage in certain strategies. Also, while reforms generally are intended to strengthen markets, systems, and public finances, they could affect fund expenses and the value of fund investments.
The value of a fund's holdings is also generally subject to the risk of future local, national, or global economic disturbances based on unknown weaknesses in the markets in which a fund invests. In the event of such a disturbance, the issuers of securities held by a fund may experience significant declines in the value of their assets and even cease operations, or may receive government assistance accompanied by increased restrictions on their business operations or other government intervention. In addition, it is not certain that the U.S. Government or foreign governments will intervene in response to a future market disturbance and the effect of any such future intervention cannot be predicted.
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. A fund may be limited in its ability to exercise its right to liquidate assets related to a repurchase agreement with an insolvent counterparty. A Fidelity fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the fund's adviser.
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. A Fidelity fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the fund's adviser. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of a fund's assets and, if applicable, a fund's yield, and may be viewed as a form of leverage.
Securities Lending. A Fidelity fund may lend securities to parties such as broker-dealers or other institutions, including an affiliate.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. The borrower provides the fund with collateral in an amount at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. The fund seeks to maintain the ability to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving material events affecting securities loaned. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, the fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment is purchased. For a Fidelity fund, loans will be made only to parties deemed by the fund's adviser to be in good standing and when, in the adviser's judgment, the income earned would justify the risks.
Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be invested in other eligible securities, including shares of a money market fund. Investing this cash subjects that investment, as well as the securities loaned, to market appreciation or depreciation.
Securities of Other Investment Companies, including shares of closed-end investment companies (which include business development companies (BDCs)), unit investment trusts, and open-end investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve additional expenses at the underlying investment company-level, such as portfolio management fees and operating expenses. Fees and expenses incurred indirectly by a fund as a result of its investment in shares of one or more other investment companies generally are referred to as "acquired fund fees and expenses" and may appear as a separate line item in a fund's prospectus fee table. For certain investment companies, such as BDCs, these expenses may be significant. Certain types of investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at a premium or a discount to their NAV. Others are continuously offered at NAV, but may also be traded in the secondary market.
The securities of closed-end funds may be leveraged. As a result, a fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities. An investment in securities of closed-end funds that use leverage may expose a fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the fund's long-term returns on such securities will be diminished.
The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other investment companies may be limited by federal securities laws.
<R>Short Sales. Stocks underlying a fund's convertible security holdings can be sold short. For example, if a fund's adviser anticipates a
decline in the price of the stock underlying a convertible security held by the fund, it may sell the stock short. If the stock price subsequently
declines, the proceeds of the short sale could be expected to offset all or a portion of the effect of the stock's decline on the value of the convertible security. Fidelity funds that employ this strategy generally intend to hedge no more than 15% of total assets with short sales on equity
securities underlying convertible security holdings under normal circumstances.</R>
Sources of Liquidity or Credit Support. Issuers may employ various forms of credit and liquidity enhancements, including letters of credit, guarantees, swaps, puts, and demand features, and insurance provided by domestic or foreign entities such as banks and other financial institutions. An adviser and its affiliates may rely on their evaluation of the credit of the issuer or the credit of the liquidity or credit enhancement provider in determining whether to purchase or hold a security supported by such enhancement. In evaluating the credit of a foreign bank or other foreign entities, factors considered may include whether adequate public information about the entity is available and whether the entity may be subject to unfavorable political or economic developments, currency controls, or other government restrictions that might affect its ability to honor its commitment. Changes in the credit quality of the issuer and/or entity providing the enhancement could affect the value of the security or a fund's share price.
Stripped Securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped securities are similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile, and the value of certain types of stripped securities may move in the same direction as interest rates. U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Privately stripped government securities are created when a dealer deposits a U.S. Treasury security or other U.S. Government security with a custodian for safekeeping. The custodian issues separate receipts for the coupon payments and the principal payment, which the dealer then sells.
Structured Securities (also called "structured notes") are derivative debt securities, the interest rate on or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. The value of the interest rate on and/or the principal of structured securities is determined by reference to changes in the value of a reference instrument (e.g., a security or other financial instrument, asset, currency, interest rate, commodity, or index) or the relative change in two or more reference instruments. A structured security 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 or interest rate 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 security may be calculated as a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying reference instrument(s); therefore, the value of such structured security may be very volatile. Structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the reference instrument. Structured securities may also be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities or more traditional debt securities. In addition, because structured securities generally are traded over-the-counter, structured securities are subject to the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the structured security, and their values may decline substantially if the counterparty's creditworthiness deteriorates.
Temporary Defensive Policies.
Fidelity® Specialized High Income Central Fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in investment-grade securities for temporary, defensive purposes.
Transfer Agent Bank Accounts. Proceeds from shareholder purchases of a Fidelity fund may pass through a series of demand deposit bank accounts before being held at the fund's custodian. Redemption proceeds may pass from the custodian to the shareholder through a similar series of bank accounts.
If a bank account is 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 account, the transfer agent or an affiliate may invest overnight balances in the account in repurchase agreements. Any balances that are not invested in repurchase agreements remain in the bank account overnight. Any risks associated with such an account are investment risks of the fund. The fund faces the risk of loss of these balances if the bank becomes insolvent.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that change whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark rate or the issuer's credit quality, sometimes subject to a cap or floor on such rate. Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with put features that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries. For purposes of determining the maximum maturity of a variable or floating rate security, a fund's adviser may take into account normal settlement periods.
When-Issued and Forward Purchase or Sale Transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered.
When purchasing securities pursuant to one of these transactions, the purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security will not be issued as anticipated. Because payment for the securities is not required until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with a fund's investments. If a fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when a purchase is outstanding, the purchases may result in a form of leverage. When a fund has sold a security pursuant to one of these transactions, the fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, a fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or suffer a loss.
A fund may renegotiate a when-issued or forward transaction and may sell the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital gains or losses for the fund.
Zero Coupon Bonds do not make interest payments; instead, they are sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at face value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay current income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
Orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf of the fund by FMRC pursuant to authority contained in the management contract.
FMRC may be responsible for the placement of portfolio securities transactions for other investment companies and investment accounts for which it has or its affiliates have investment discretion.
The fund will not incur any commissions or sales charges when it invests in shares of open-end investment companies (including any underlying central funds), but it may incur such costs when it invests directly in other types of securities.
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. New issues of equity and fixed-income securities may also be purchased in underwritten fixed price offerings.
The Trustees of the fund periodically review FMRC's performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio securities 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>FMRC.</R>
The Selection of Securities Brokers and Dealers
<R>FMRC or its affiliates generally have authority to select securities brokers (whether acting as a broker or a dealer) to place or execute
the fund's portfolio securities transactions. In selecting securities brokers, including affiliates of FMRC, to execute the fund's portfolio securities transactions, FMRC or its affiliates consider the factors they deem relevant in the context of a particular trade and in regard to FMRC's or its
affiliates' 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. Based on the factors considered, FMRC or its affiliates
may choose to execute an order using ECNs, including algorithmic trading, crossing networks, direct market access and program trading, or by
actively working an order. Other possibly relevant factors may include, but are not limited to, the following: price; the size and type of the
securities transaction; the reasonableness of compensation to be paid, including spreads and commission rates; the speed and certainty of trade
executions, including broker willingness to commit capital; the nature and characteristics of the markets for the security to be purchased or
sold, including the degree of specialization of the broker in such markets or securities; the availability of liquidity in the security, including the
liquidity and depth afforded by a market center or market-maker; the reliability of a market center or broker; the broker's overall trading relationship with FMRC or its affiliates; 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 or lessening market impact; the
execution services rendered on a continuing basis; the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial condition of the broker or dealer; arrangements for payment of fund expenses, if applicable; and the provision of additional brokerage and research products and services, if
applicable.</R>
The trading desks through which FMRC or its affiliates may execute trades are instructed to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund based on the quality of execution without any consideration of brokerage and research products and services the broker or dealer may provide. The administration of brokerage and research products and services is managed separately from the trading desks, which means that traders have no responsibility for administering soft dollar activities.
In seeking best qualitative execution for portfolio securities transactions, FMRC or its affiliates may select a broker that uses a trading method, including algorithmic trading, for which the broker may charge a higher commission than its lowest available commission rate. FMRC or its affiliates also may select a broker that charges more than the lowest available commission rate available from another broker. FMRC or its affiliates may execute an entire securities transaction with a broker and allocate all or a portion of the transaction and/or related commissions to a second broker where a client does not permit trading with an affiliate of FMRC or in other limited situations. In those situations, the commission rate paid to the second broker may be higher than the commission rate paid to the executing 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. FMRC or its affiliates may choose to execute futures transactions electronically.
<R></R>
The Acquisition of Brokerage and Research Products and Services
Brokers (who are not affiliates of FMRC) that execute transactions for the fund may receive higher compensation from the fund than other brokers might have charged the fund, in recognition of the value of the brokerage or research products and services they provide to FMRC or its affiliates.
Research Products and Services. These products and services may include, when permissible under applicable law: 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. 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-person meetings with securities analysts, corporate and industry spokespersons, economists, academicians and government representatives and others with relevant professional expertise. FMRC or its affiliates may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. Some of these brokerage and research products and services supplement FMRC's or its affiliates' own research activities in providing investment advice to the fund.
Execution Services. In addition, brokerage and research products and services may include, when permissible under applicable law, 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. Although FMRC or its affiliates do not use fund commissions to pay for products or services that do not qualify as brokerage and research products and services, they may use commission dollars to obtain certain products or services that are not used exclusively in FMRC's or its affiliates' investment decision-making process (mixed-use products or services). In those circumstances, FMRC 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 FMRC. FMRC's or its affiliates' expenses likely would be increased if they attempted to generate these additional brokerage and research products and services through their own efforts, or if they paid for these brokerage and research products or services with their own resources. To minimize the potential for conflicts of interest, the trading desks through which FMRC or its affiliates may execute trades are instructed to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund based on the quality of execution without any consideration of brokerage and research products and services the broker or dealer may provide. The administration of brokerage and research products and services is managed separately from the trading desks, which means that traders have no responsibility for administering soft dollar activities. Furthermore, certain of the brokerage and research products and services that FMRC or its affiliates receive 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 brokerage and research products or services may be provided at no additional cost to FMRC or its affiliates or have no explicit cost associated with them. In addition, FMRC or its affiliates may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service, certain of which third-party products or services may be provided by a broker that is not a party to a particular transaction and is not connected with the transacting broker's overall services.
FMRC's Decision-Making Process. In connection with the allocation of fund brokerage, FMRC or its affiliates make a good faith determination that the compensation paid to brokers and dealers is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research products and services provided to FMRC or its affiliates, viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or FMRC's or its affiliates' overall responsibilities to that fund or other investment companies and investment accounts for which FMRC or its affiliates have investment discretion; however, each brokerage and research product or service received in connection with the fund's brokerage may not benefit the fund. While FMRC or its affiliates may take into account the brokerage and/or research products and services provided by a broker or dealer in determining whether compensation paid is reasonable, neither FMRC, its affiliates, nor the fund incur an obligation to any broker, dealer, or third party to pay for any brokerage and research product or service (or portion thereof) by generating a specific amount of compensation or otherwise. Typically, these brokerage and research products and services assist FMRC or its affiliates in terms of their overall investment responsibilities to the fund or any other investment companies and investment accounts for which FMRC or its affiliates have investment discretion. Certain funds or investment accounts may use brokerage commissions to acquire brokerage and research products and services that may also benefit other funds or accounts managed by FMRC or its affiliates.
Research Contracts. FMRC or its affiliates have arrangements with certain third-party research providers and brokers through whom FMRC or its affiliates effect fund trades, whereby FMRC or its affiliates may pay with fund commissions or hard dollars for all or a portion of the cost of research products and services purchased from such research providers or brokers. If hard dollar payments are used, FMRC or its affiliates may still cause the fund to pay more for execution than the lowest commission rate available from the broker providing research products and services to FMRC or its affiliates, or that may be available from another broker. FMRC or its affiliates view 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 used to pay fund expenses, as described below, will decrease. FMRC's or its affiliates' determination to pay for research products and services separately, rather than bundled with fund commissions, is wholly voluntary on FMRC's or its affiliates' part and may be extended to additional brokers or discontinued with any broker participating in this arrangement.
Commission Recapture
<R>FMRC or its affiliates may allocate brokerage transactions to brokers (who are not affiliates of FMRC) who have entered into arrangements with FMRC or its affiliates under which the broker, using a predetermined methodology, rebates a portion of the compensation paid by a
fund to offset that fund's expenses ("commission recapture"). Not all brokers with whom the fund trades have been asked to participate in
brokerage commission recapture.</R>
Affiliated Transactions
<R>FMRC or its affiliates may place trades with certain brokers, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), with whom they are
under common control, provided FMRC or its affiliates determine that these affiliates' trade-execution abilities and costs are comparable to
those of non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms, and that such transactions be executed in accordance with applicable rules under the 1940
Act and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the fund. In addition, FMRC or its affiliates may place trades with brokers that use NFS
as a clearing agent.</R>
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures whereby a fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the adviser or certain other affiliates participate. In addition, for underwritings where such an 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.
Non-U.S. Securities Transactions
To facilitate trade settlement and related activities in non-United States securities transactions, FMR or its affiliates may effect spot foreign currency transactions with foreign currency dealers.
Trade Allocation
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the same as those of certain other Fidelity funds, investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of other Fidelity funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts). 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.
When two or more funds or investment accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security or instrument, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with procedures believed by FMRC to be appropriate and equitable to each fund or investment account. In some cases this could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security or instrument as far as the fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and prices for the fund.
Commissions Paid
A fund may pay compensation including both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by a fund may change from year to year because of, among other things, changing asset levels, shareholder activity, and/or portfolio turnover.
<R>For the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2014 and 2013, the fund's portfolio turnover rates were 78% and 72%, respectively. Variations
in turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, and/or changes in
FMRC's investment outlook.</R>
<R>During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the fund held securities issued by one or more of its regular brokers or dealers or a parent
company of its regular brokers or dealers. The following table shows the aggregate value of the securities of the regular broker or dealer or
parent company held by the fund as of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014.</R>
|
Fund |
Regular Broker or Dealer |
Aggregate Value of |
|
<R> |
Barclays PLC |
$ 7,067,082</R> |
<R>The following table shows the total amount of brokerage commissions paid by the fund, comprising commissions paid on securities
and/or futures transactions, as applicable, for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The total amount of brokerage commissions paid is stated as a dollar amount and a percentage of the fund's average net assets.</R>
|
<R> |
|
Dollar |
Percentage of |
|
<R> |
|
$ 690 |
0.00%</R> |
|
<R> |
|
$ 0 |
0.00%</R> |
|
<R> |
|
$ 0 |
0.00%</R> |
<R>During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the fund paid $393 in brokerage commissions to firms that may have provided research
or brokerage services involving approximately $738,300 of transactions. During the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2014, the fund did
not allocate brokerage commissions to firms for providing research or brokerage services.</R>
NAV is the value of a single share. NAV is computed by adding the value of a fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for pricing, but has delegated day-to-day valuation oversight responsibilities to FMR. FMR has established the FMR Fair Value Committee (FMR Committee) to fulfill these oversight responsibilities.
<R>Shares of open-end investment companies (including any underlying central funds) held by a fund are valued at their respective NAVs.
If an underlying fund's NAV is unavailable, shares of that underlying fund will be fair valued in good faith by the FMR Committee in accordance
with applicable fair value pricing policies.</R>
Portfolio securities and assets held by an underlying money market central fund are valued on the basis of amortized cost. Generally, other portfolio securities and assets held by a fund are valued as follows:
Most equity securities are valued at the official closing price or the last reported sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the last quoted bid price on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded.
Debt securities and other assets for which market quotations are readily available may be valued at market values in the principal market in which they normally are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or assets. Or, debt securities and convertible securities may be valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available are valued at amortized cost, which approximates current value.
Futures contracts are valued at the settlement or closing price. Options are valued at their market quotations, if available. Swaps are valued daily using quotations received from independent pricing services or recognized dealers.
Prices described above are obtained from pricing services that have been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of pricing services are available and the funds may use more than one of these services. The funds may also discontinue the use of any pricing service at any time. FMR engages in oversight activities with respect to the fund's pricing services, which includes, among other things, testing the prices provided by pricing services prior to calculation of a fund's NAV, conducting periodic due diligence meetings, and periodically reviewing the methodologies and inputs used by these services.
Foreign securities and instruments are valued in their local currency following the methodologies described above. Foreign securities, instruments and currencies are translated to U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a pricing service as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at an interpolated rate based on days to maturity between the closest preceding and subsequent settlement period reported by the third party pricing service.
Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations, official closing prices, or information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available or, in the opinion of the FMR Committee, are deemed unreliable will be fair valued in good faith by the FMR Committee in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies. For example, if, in the opinion of the FMR Committee, a security's value has been materially affected by events occurring before a fund's pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, that security will be fair valued in good faith by the FMR Committee in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies. In fair valuing a security, the FMR Committee may consider factors including price movements in futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers, and off-exchange institutional trading.
BUYING AND SELLING INFORMATION
Shares of the fund are not offered to the public and are issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act. Investments in the fund may be made only by a limited number of institutional investors, including certain other Fidelity funds and certain other entities that are "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. This registration statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security" within the meaning of the 1933 Act.
The fund may make redemption payments in whole or in part in readily marketable securities or other property pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees if FMRC determines it is in the best interests of the fund. Such securities or other property will be valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing the fund's NAV. Shareholders that receive securities or other property will realize, upon receipt, a gain or loss for tax purposes, and will incur additional costs and be exposed to market risk prior to and upon 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.
Because the fund intends to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the fund should not be subject to any federal income tax. Based upon the status of the fund as a partnership, an investor that is a "regulated investment company" will take into account its share of the fund's assets, ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses in determining its income tax liability and qualification as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. The determination of an investor's share of the fund's ordinary income and losses and capital gains and losses will be made in accordance with the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
The fund's taxable year-end is August 31. Although the fund will not be subject to federal income tax, it will file appropriate federal income tax returns.
Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of an investment in the fund.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS)
<R>The Trustees, Member of the Advisory Board, and officers of the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC and fund, as applicable,
are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies
that provide services to the fund, oversee management of the risks associated with such activities and contractual arrangements, and review the
fund's performance. Except for James C. Curvey, each of the Trustees oversees 173 funds. Mr. Curvey oversees 406 funds.</R>
<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. Each Trustee who
is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the trust and the fund (Independent Trustee), shall retire not later than the last day of
the calendar year in which his or her 75th birthday occurs. The Independent Trustees may waive this mandatory retirement age policy with
respect to individual Trustees. The 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.</R>
Experience, Skills, Attributes, and Qualifications of the Fund's Trustees. The Governance and Nominating Committee has adopted a statement of policy that describes the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that are necessary and desirable for potential Independent Trustee candidates (Statement of Policy). The Board believes that each Trustee satisfied at the time he or she was initially elected or appointed a Trustee, and continues to satisfy, the standards contemplated by the Statement of Policy. The Governance and Nominating Committee also engages professional search firms to help identify potential Independent Trustee candidates who have the experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills consistent with the Statement of Policy. From time to time, additional criteria based on the composition and skills of the current Independent Trustees, as well as experience or skills that may be appropriate in light of future changes to board composition, business conditions, and regulatory or other developments, have also been considered by the professional search firms and the Governance and Nominating Committee. In addition, the Board takes into account the Trustees' commitment and participation in Board and committee meetings, as well as their leadership of standing and ad hoc committees throughout their tenure.
In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as a Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. The Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills, which allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the fund and protecting the interests of shareholders. Information about the specific experience, skills, attributes, and qualifications of each Trustee, which in each case led to the Board's conclusion that the Trustee should serve (or continue to serve) as a trustee of the fund, is provided below.
Board Structure and Oversight Function. James C. Curvey is an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) and currently serves as Chairman. The Trustees have determined that an interested Chairman is appropriate and benefits shareholders because an interested Chairman has a personal and professional stake in the quality and continuity of services provided to the fund. Independent Trustees exercise their informed business judgment to appoint an individual of their choosing to serve as Chairman, regardless of whether the Trustee happens to be independent or a member of management. The Independent Trustees have determined that they can act independently and effectively without having an Independent Trustee serve as Chairman and that a key structural component for assuring that they are in a position to do so is for the Independent Trustees to constitute a substantial majority for the Board. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet in executive session. Ned C. Lautenbach serves as Chairman of the Independent Trustees and as such (i) acts as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management with respect to matters important to the Independent Trustees and (ii) with management prepares agendas for Board meetings.
Fidelity funds are overseen by different Boards of Trustees. The fund's Board oversees Fidelity's equity and high income funds and another Board oversees Fidelity's investment-grade bond, money market, and asset allocation funds. The asset allocation funds may invest in Fidelity funds overseen by the fund's Board. The use of separate Boards, each with its own committee structure, allows the Trustees of each group of Fidelity funds to focus on the unique issues of the funds they oversee, including common research, investment, and operational issues. On occasion, the separate Boards establish joint committees to address issues of overlapping consequences for the Fidelity funds overseen by each Board.
The Trustees operate using a system of committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the fund's activities and associated risks. The Board, acting through its committees, has charged FMR and its affiliates with (i) identifying events or circumstances the occurrence of which could have demonstrably adverse effects on the fund's business and/or reputation; (ii) implementing processes and controls to lessen the possibility that such events or circumstances occur or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur; and (iii) creating and maintaining a system designed to evaluate continuously business and market conditions in order to facilitate the identification and implementation processes described in (i) and (ii) above. Because the day-to-day operations and activities of the fund are carried out by or through FMR, its affiliates and other service providers, the fund's exposure to risks is mitigated but not eliminated by the processes overseen by the Trustees. While each of the Board's committees has responsibility for overseeing different aspects of the fund's activities, oversight is exercised primarily through the Operations, Audit, and Compliance Committees. In addition, the Independent Trustees have worked with FMR to enhance the Board's oversight of investment and financial risks, legal and regulatory risks, technology risks, and operational risks, including the development of additional risk reporting to the Board. For example, a working group comprised of Independent Trustees and FMR has worked and continues to work to review the Fidelity funds' valuation-related activities, reporting and risk management. Appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the fund's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), FMR's internal auditor, the independent accountants, the fund's Treasurer and portfolio management personnel, make periodic reports to the Board's committees, as appropriate, including an annual review of FMR's risk management program for the Fidelity funds. The responsibilities of each standing committee, including their oversight responsibilities, are described further under "Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees."
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for each Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
|
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+ |
|
|
James C. Curvey (1935) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee Chairman of the Board of Trustees |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Curvey also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Curvey is a Director of Fidelity Research & Analysis Co. (2009-present), and Vice Chairman (2007-present) and Director of FMR LLC. In addition, Mr. Curvey serves as an Overseer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Trustees of Villanova University. Previously, Mr. Curvey served as a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (2009-2014), a Director of FMR (2007-2014), a Director of FMR Co., Inc. (2007-2014) and was the Vice Chairman (2006-2007) and Director (2000-2007) of FMR Corp.</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Trustee |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Morrison also serves as Trustee of other funds. He serves as President, Asset Management (2014-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Morrison served as Vice President of Fidelity's Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Funds (2012-2014), President, Fixed Income (2011-2014), Vice President of Fidelity's Money Market Funds (2005-2009), President, Money Market Group Leader of FMR (2009), and Senior Vice President, Money Market Group of FMR (2004-2009). Mr. Morrison also served as Vice President of Fidelity's Bond Funds (2002-2005), certain Balanced Funds (2002-2005), and certain Asset Allocation Funds (2002-2007), and as Senior Vice President (2002-2005) of Fidelity's Bond Division.</R> |
* Trustees have been determined to be "Interested Trustees" by virtue of, among other things, their affiliation with the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC or various entities under common control with FMR.
+ The information above includes each Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for each Independent Trustee (that is, the Trustees other than the Interested Trustees) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
|
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+ |
|
|
Dennis J. Dirks (1948) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Dirks also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Prior to his retirement in May 2003, Mr. Dirks was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). He also served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board member of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and President and Board member of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC). In addition, Mr. Dirks served as Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Government Securities Clearing Corporation, Chief Executive Officer and Board member of the Mortgage-Backed Securities Clearing Corporation, as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of Manhattan College (2005-2008), and as a Trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of AHRC of Nassau County (2006-2008). Mr. Dirks is a member of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Governing Council (2010-present) and Board of Directors for The Brookville Center for Children's Services, Inc. (2009-present).</R> |
|
Alan J. Lacy (1953) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Lacy also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Lacy serves as Senior Adviser (2007-present) of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. (private equity). Mr. Lacy also served as Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) and Vice Chairman (2005-2006) of Sears Holdings Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (retail). In addition, Mr. Lacy serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (restaurant and entertainment complexes, 2010-present), Earth Fare, Inc. (retail grocery, 2012-present), The Hillman Companies, Inc. (hardware wholesalers, 2010-present), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (global pharmaceuticals, 2008-present). Mr. Lacy is a member of the Board of Trustees of The National Parks Conservation Association (2006-present). Previously, Mr. Lacy served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Parks Conservation Association (2008-2011) and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Western Union Company (global money transfer, 2006-2011).</R> |
|
Ned C. Lautenbach (1944) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee Chairman of the Independent Trustees |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Lautenbach also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Lautenbach currently serves as the Lead Director of the Eaton Corporation Board of Directors (diversified industrial, 1997-present). Mr. Lautenbach is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida (2012-present) and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (1994-present). Previously, Mr. Lautenbach was a Partner/Advisory Partner at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (private equity investment, 1998-2010), as well as a Director of Sony Corporation (2006-2007).</R> |
|
Joseph Mauriello (1944) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Mauriello also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Prior to his retirement in January 2006, Mr. Mauriello served in numerous senior management positions including Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2005), and Vice Chairman of Financial Services (2002-2004) of KPMG LLP US (professional services, 1965-2005). Mr. Mauriello currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of XL Group plc. (global insurance and re-insurance, 2006-present). Previously, Mr. Mauriello served as a Director of the Hamilton Funds of the Bank of New York (2006-2007) and of Arcadia Resources Inc. (health care services and products, 2007-2012).</R> |
|
Robert W. Selander (1950) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Selander also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Previously, Mr. Selander served as a Member of the Advisory Board of other Fidelity funds (2011), and Executive Vice Chairman (2010), Chief Executive Officer (2009-2010), and President and Chief Executive Officer (1997-2009) of Mastercard, Inc.</R> |
|
Cornelia M. Small (1944) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee |
|
|
<R> |
Ms. Small also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Ms. Small is a member of the Board of Directors (2009-present) and Chair of the Investment Committee (2010-present) of the Teagle Foundation. Ms. Small also serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (2008-present). Previously, Ms. Small served as Chairperson (2002-2008) and a member of the Investment Committee and Chairperson (2008-2012) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Smith College. In addition, Ms. Small served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Global Equity Investments, and a member of the Board of Directors of Scudder, Stevens & Clark and Scudder Kemper Investments.</R> |
|
William S. Stavropoulos (1939) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee Vice Chairman of the Independent Trustees |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Stavropoulos also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Stavropoulos serves as President and Founder of the Michigan Baseball Foundation, the Great Lakes Loons (2007-present). Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of The Dow Chemical Company, where he previously served in numerous senior management positions, including President, CEO (1995-2000; 2002-2004), Chairman of the Executive Committee (2000-2006), and as a member of the Board of Directors (1990-2006). Currently, Mr. Stavropoulos is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Univar Inc. (global distributor of commodity and specialty chemicals), a Director of Teradata Corporation (data warehousing and technology solutions), and Maersk Inc. (industrial conglomerate), and a member of the Advisory Board for Metalmark Capital LLC (private equity investment, 2005-present). Mr. Stavropoulos is an operating advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (private equity investment). In addition, Mr. Stavropoulos is a member of the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for the College of Science, a Trustee of the Rollin L. Gerstacker Foundation, and a Director of the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Previously, Mr. Stavropoulos served as a Director of Chemical Financial Corporation (bank holding company, 1993-2012) and Tyco International, Ltd. (multinational manufacturing and services, 2007-2012).</R> |
|
David M. Thomas (1949) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Trustee |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Thomas also serves as Trustee of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Thomas serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fortune Brands Home and Security (home and security products, 2011-present), and as a member of the Board of Directors of Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (marketing communication, 2004-present). Previously, Mr. Thomas served as Executive Chairman (2005-2006) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2000-2005) of IMS Health, Inc. (pharmaceutical and healthcare information solutions), and a Director of Fortune Brands, Inc. (consumer products, 2000-2011).</R> |
+ The information above includes each Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to each Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
<R>Advisory Board Member and Officers:</R>
<R>Correspondence intended for each officer and Peter S. Lynch may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Officers appear below in alphabetical order.</R>
|
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupation |
|
|
Peter S. Lynch (1944) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Member of the Advisory Board |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Lynch also serves as Member of the Advisory Board of other Fidelity funds. Mr. Lynch is Vice Chairman and a Director of FMR and FMR Co., Inc. In addition, Mr. Lynch serves as a Trustee of Boston College and as the Chairman of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Previously, Mr. Lynch served on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors (1997-2006).</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer |
|
|
<R> |
Ms. Baumann also serves as AML Officer of other funds. She is Chief AML Officer of FMR LLC (2012-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Ms. Baumann served as Vice President and Deputy Anti-Money Laundering Officer (2007-2012).</R> |
|
William C. Coffey (1969) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Assistant Secretary |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Coffey also serves as Assistant Secretary of other funds. He is Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of FMR LLC (2010-present), and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Coffey served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR LLC (2005-2009).</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Assistant Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Davis also serves as Assistant Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Davis is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Davis served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of FMR LLC (2003-2010).</R> |
|
Adrien E. Deberghes (1967) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Deputy Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Deberghes also serves as an officer of other funds. He is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present). Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Deberghes was Senior Vice President of Mutual Fund Administration at State Street Corporation (2007-2008), Senior Director of Mutual Fund Administration at Investors Bank & Trust (2005-2007), and Director of Finance for Dunkin' Brands (2000-2005).</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Assistant Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Ms. Dorsey also serves as an officer of other funds. She is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2008-present) and has served in other fund officer roles. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Dorsey served as Treasurer (2004-2008) of the JPMorgan Mutual Funds and Vice President (2004-2008) of JPMorgan Chase Bank.</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Galligan also serves as Chief Financial Officer of other funds. Mr. Galligan serves as President of Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services (FPCMS) (2014-present) and as a Director of Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Galligan served as Chief Administrative Officer of Asset Management (2011-2014) and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Investment Support for Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2003-2011).</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Goebel serves as Secretary and CLO of other funds. Mr. Goebel also serves as Secretary of Fidelity SelectCo, LLC (2013-present), Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) (2010-present) and Fidelity Research and Analysis Company (FRAC) (2010-present); General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President of FMR (2008-present) and FMR Co., Inc. (2008-present); Chief Legal Officer of Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (2008-present); and Assistant Secretary of Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (2008-present) and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (2008-present). Previously, Mr. Goebel served as Secretary and CLO of other Fidelity funds (2008-2013), Assistant Secretary of FIMM (2008-2010), FRAC (2008-2010), and certain funds (2007-2008); and as Vice President and Secretary of Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) (2005-2007). Mr. Goebel has been employed by FMR LLC or an affiliate since 2001.</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Vice President |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Hense also serves as Vice President of other funds (High Income (2008), Small Cap (2008), and Value (2010) funds). Previously, Mr. Hense served as a portfolio manager for Fidelity's Institutional Money Management Group (Pyramis) (2003-2008).</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Vice President |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Hogan also serves as Trustee or Vice President of other funds. Mr. Hogan serves as President of FMR's Equity Division (2009-present). Previously, Mr. Hogan served as Senior Vice President, Equity Research of FMR (2006-2009) and as a portfolio manager.</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Assistant Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Maher serves as Assistant Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Maher is Vice President of Valuation Oversight and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Maher served as Vice President of Asset Management Compliance (2013), Vice President of FMR's Program Management Group (2010-2013), and Vice President of Valuation Oversight (2008-2010).</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> President and Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Robins also serves as an officer of other funds. Mr. Robins serves as Executive Vice President of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM) (2013-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2004-present). Previously, Mr. Robins served in other fund officer roles.</R> |
|
Stephen Sadoski (1971) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Deputy Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Sadoski also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other funds. He is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2012-present) and has served in another fund officer role. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Mr. Sadoski served as an assistant chief accountant in the Division of Investment Management of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (2009-2012) and as a senior manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP (1997-2009).</R> |
|
Stacie M. Smith (1974) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Deputy Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Ms. Smith also serves as an officer of other funds. She is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2009-present) and has served in other fund officer roles. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Ms. Smith served as Senior Audit Manager of Ernst & Young LLP (1996-2009).</R> |
|
Renee Stagnone (1975) |
|
|
<R> |
</R> |
|
<R> Deputy Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Ms. Stagnone also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other funds. Ms. Stagnone is an employee of Fidelity Investments.</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Chief Compliance Officer |
|
|
<R> |
Ms. Wondrack also serves as Chief Compliance Officer of other funds. Ms. Wondrack is Executive Vice President and head of the Ethics Office and Asset Management Compliance for Fidelity Investments (2012-present). Ms. Wondrack also serves as Chief Compliance Officer of Fidelity SelectCo, LLC (2014-present); Chief Compliance Officer of Impresa Management LLC (2013-present); and Chief Compliance Officer of FMR Co., Inc., Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong), Fidelity Management & Research Company, Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC, and Strategic Advisers, Inc., Ballyrock Investment Advisors LLC, and Northern Neck Investors LLC (2012-present). Previously, Ms. Wondrack served as Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (2005-2012); Chief Compliance Officer for certain funds within the Columbia Family of Funds (2007-2012); and Senior Vice President of Compliance Risk Management at Bank of America (2005-2010).</R> |
|
<R> |
|
|
<R> Deputy Treasurer |
|
|
<R> |
Mr. Zambello also serves as Deputy Treasurer of other funds. Mr. Zambello is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Previously, Mr. Zambello served as Vice President of FMR's Program Management Group (2009-2011) and Vice President of the Transfer Agent Oversight Group (2005-2009).</R> |
Standing Committees of the Fund's Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established various committees to support the Independent Trustees in acting independently in pursuing the best interests of the funds and their shareholders. Currently, the Board of Trustees has 10 standing committees. The members of each committee are Independent Trustees.
<R>The Operations Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees, with Mr. Lautenbach currently serving as Chair and
Mr. Stavropoulos serving as Vice Chair. The committee normally meets eight times a year, or more frequently as called by the Chair, and serves
as a forum for consideration of issues of importance to, or calling for particular determinations by, the Independent Trustees. The committee
also considers matters involving potential conflicts of interest between the funds and FMR and its affiliates and reviews proposed contracts and
the proposed continuation of contracts between the funds and FMR and its affiliates, and annually reviews and makes recommendations regarding contracts with third parties unaffiliated with FMR, including insurance coverage and custody agreements. The committee also monitors additional issues including the nature, levels and quality of services provided to shareholders and significant litigation. The committee also
has oversight of compliance issues not specifically within the scope of any other committee. The committee is also responsible for definitive
action on all compliance matters involving the potential for significant reimbursement by FMR. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014,
the committee held 12 meetings.</R>
<R>The Fair Value Oversight Committee is composed of Messrs. Thomas (Chair), Dirks, and Mauriello, and Ms. Small. The committee
normally meets monthly, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The Fair Value Oversight Committee monitors and establishes policies
concerning procedures and controls regarding the valuation of fund investments and monitors matters of disclosure to the extent required to
fulfill its statutory responsibilities. The committee also reviews actions taken by FMR's Fair Value Committee. During the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2014, the committee held six meetings.</R>
<R>The Board of Trustees has established two Fund Oversight Committees: the Equity I Committee (composed of Ms. Small (Chair), and
Messrs. Dirks, Lacy, and Selander) and the Equity II Committee (composed of Messrs. Stavropoulos (Chair), Lautenbach, Mauriello, and
Thomas). Each committee normally meets in conjunction with in-person meetings of the Board of Trustees, or more frequently as called by the
Chair of the respective committee. Each committee develops an understanding of and reviews the investment objectives, policies, and practices of each fund under its oversight. Each committee also monitors investment performance, compliance by each relevant fund with its investment policies and restrictions and reviews appropriate benchmarks, competitive universes, unusual or exceptional investment matters, the
personnel and other resources devoted to the management of each fund and all other matters bearing on each fund's investment results. Each
committee will review and recommend any required action to the Board in respect of specific funds, including new funds, changes in fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions, partial or full closing to new investors, fund mergers, fund name changes,
and liquidations of funds. The members of each committee may organize working groups to make recommendations concerning issues related
to funds that are within the scope of the committee's review. These working groups report to the committee or to the Independent Trustees, or
both, as appropriate. Each working group may request from FMR such information from FMR as may be appropriate to the working group's
deliberations. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, each Fund Oversight Committee held eight meetings.</R>
<R>The Shareholder, Distribution and Brokerage Committee is composed of Messrs. Dirks (Chair), Stavropoulos, and Thomas, and Ms.
Small. Mr. Lautenbach alternates his attendance of committee meetings with his attendance of Audit Committee meetings. The committee
normally meets eight times a year, or more frequently as called by the Chair. Regarding shareholder services, the committee considers the
structure and amount of the funds' transfer agency fees and fees, including direct fees to investors (other than sales loads), such as bookkeeping
and custodial fees, and the nature and quality of services rendered by FMR and its affiliates or third parties (such as custodians) in consideration
of these fees. The committee also considers other non-investment management services rendered to the funds by FMR and its affiliates, including pricing and bookkeeping services. The committee monitors and recommends policies concerning the securities transactions of the funds,
including brokerage. The committee periodically reviews the policies and practices with respect to efforts to achieve best execution, commissions paid to firms supplying research and brokerage services or paying fund expenses, and policies and procedures designed to assure that any
allocation of portfolio transactions is not influenced by the sale of fund shares. The committee also monitors brokerage and other similar relationships between the funds and firms affiliated with FMR that participate in the execution of securities transactions. Regarding the distribution
of fund shares, the committee considers issues bearing on the various distribution channels employed by the funds, including issues regarding
Rule 18f-3 plans and related consideration of classes of shares, sales load structures (including breakpoints), load waivers, selling concessions
and service charges paid to intermediaries, Rule 12b-1 plans, contingent deferred sales charges, and finder's fees, and other means by which
intermediaries are compensated for selling fund shares or providing shareholder servicing, including revenue sharing. The committee also
considers issues bearing on the preparation and use of advertisements and sales literature for the funds, policies and procedures regarding
frequent purchase of fund shares, and selective disclosure of portfolio holdings. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee
held six meetings.</R>
<R>The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Mauriello (Chair), Lacy, and Selander. Mr. Lautenbach alternates his attendance of
committee meetings with his attendance of Shareholder, Distribution, and Brokerage Committee meetings. All committee members must be
able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company's balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. At least one committee member will be an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the SEC. The committee will have at least
one committee member in common with the Compliance Committee. The committee normally meets four times a year, or more frequently as
called by the Chair. The committee meets separately at least annually with the funds' Treasurer, with the funds' Chief Financial Officer, with
personnel responsible for the internal audit function of FMR LLC, and with the funds' outside auditors. The committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the outside auditors employed by the funds. The committee assists the
Trustees in overseeing and monitoring: (i) the systems of internal accounting and financial controls of the funds and the funds' service providers, (to the extent such controls impact the funds' financial statements); (ii) the funds' auditors and the annual audits of the funds' financial
statements; (iii) the financial reporting processes of the funds; (iv) whistleblower reports; and (v) the accounting policies and disclosures of the
funds. The committee considers and acts upon (i) the provision by any outside auditor of any non-audit services for any fund, and (ii) the
provision by any outside auditor of certain non-audit services to fund service providers and their affiliates to the extent that such approval (in
the case of this clause (ii)) is required under applicable regulations of the SEC. In furtherance of the foregoing, the committee has adopted (and
may from time to time amend or supplement) and provides oversight of policies and procedures for non-audit engagements by outside auditors
of the funds. It is responsible for approving all audit engagement fees and terms for the funds and for resolving disagreements between a fund
and any outside auditor regarding any fund's financial reporting. Auditors of the funds report directly to the committee. The committee will
obtain assurance of independence and objectivity from the outside auditors, including a formal written statement delineating all relationships
between the auditor and the funds and any service providers consistent with the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The
committee will receive reports of compliance with provisions of the Auditor Independence Regulations relating to the hiring of employees or
former employees of the outside auditors. It oversees and receives reports on the funds' service providers' internal controls and reviews the
adequacy and effectiveness of the service providers' accounting and financial controls, including: (i) any significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the funds'
ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; (ii) any change in the fund's internal control over financial reporting that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the fund's internal control over financial reporting; and (iii) any fraud, whether
material or not, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the funds' or service providers internal controls
over financial reporting. The committee will also review any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies or published reports
that raise material issues regarding the funds' financial statements or accounting policies. These matters may also be reviewed by the Compliance Committee or the Operations Committee. The Chair of the Audit Committee will coordinate with the Chair of the Compliance Committee, as appropriate. The committee reviews at least annually a report from each outside auditor describing any material issues raised by the
most recent internal quality control, peer review, or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board examination of the auditing firm and any
material issues raised by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities of the auditing firm and in each case any steps
taken to deal with such issues. The committee will oversee and receive reports on the funds' financial reporting process, will discuss with FMR,
the funds' Treasurer, outside auditors and, if appropriate, internal audit personnel of FMR LLC, their qualitative judgments about the appropriateness and acceptability of accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed for adoption by the funds. The committee
will review with FMR, the funds' Treasurer, outside auditor, and internal audit personnel of FMR LLC and, as appropriate, legal counsel the
results of audits of the funds' financial statements. The committee will review periodically the funds' major internal controls exposures and the
steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee held four
meetings.</R>
<R>The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Lautenbach (Chair) and Stavropoulos. The committee meets as
called by the Chair. With respect to fund governance and board administration matters, the committee periodically reviews procedures of the
Board of Trustees and its committees (including committee charters) and periodically reviews compensation of Independent Trustees. The
committee monitors corporate governance matters and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees on the frequency and structure of the
Board of Trustee meetings and on any other aspect of Board procedures. It acts as the administrative committee under the retirement plan for
Independent Trustees who retired prior to December 30, 1996 and under the fee deferral plan for Independent Trustees. It reviews the performance of legal counsel employed by the funds and the Independent Trustees. On behalf of the Independent Trustees, the committee will make
such findings and determinations as to the independence of counsel for the Independent Trustees as may be necessary or appropriate under
applicable regulations or otherwise. The committee is also responsible for Board administrative matters applicable to Independent Trustees,
such as expense reimbursement policies and compensation for attendance at meetings, conferences and other events. The committee monitors
compliance with, acts as the administrator of, and makes determinations in respect of, the provisions of the code of ethics and any supplemental
policies regarding personal securities transactions applicable to the Independent Trustees. The committee monitors the functioning of each
Board committee and makes recommendations for any changes, including the creation or elimination of standing or ad hoc Board committees.
The committee monitors regulatory and other developments to determine whether to recommend modifications to the committee's responsibilities or other Trustee policies and procedures in light of rule changes, reports concerning "best practices" in corporate governance and other
developments in mutual fund governance. The committee meets with Independent Trustees at least once a year to discuss matters relating to
fund governance. The committee recommends that the Board establish such special or ad hoc Board committees as may be desirable or necessary from time to time in order to address ethical, legal, or other matters that may arise. The committee also oversees the annual self-evaluation
of the Board of Trustees and establishes procedures to allow it to exercise this oversight function. In conducting this oversight, the committee
shall address all matters that it considers relevant to the performance of the Board of Trustees and shall report the results of its evaluation to the
Board of Trustees, including any recommended amendments to the principles of governance, and any recommended changes to the funds' or
the Board of Trustees' policies, procedures, and structures. The committee reviews periodically the size and composition of the Board of Trustees as a whole and recommends, if necessary, measures to be taken so that the Board of Trustees reflects the appropriate balance of knowledge,
experience, skills, expertise, and diversity required for the Board as a whole and contains at least the minimum number of Independent Trustees
required by law. The committee makes nominations for the election or appointment of Independent Trustees and non-management Members
of any Advisory Board, and for membership on committees. The committee shall have authority to retain and terminate any third-party advisers, including authority to approve fees and other retention terms. Such advisers may include search firms to identify Independent Trustee
candidates and board compensation consultants. The committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the
committee's scope of responsibilities, and may retain, at the funds' expense, such independent counsel or other advisers as it deems necessary.
The committee will consider nominees to the Board of Trustees recommended by shareholders based upon the criteria applied to candidates
presented to the committee by a search firm or other source. Recommendations, along with appropriate background material concerning the
candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as an Independent Trustee of the funds, should be submitted to the Chair of the committee
at the address maintained for communications with Independent Trustees. If the committee retains a search firm, the Chair will generally forward all such submissions to the search firm for evaluation. With respect to the criteria for selecting Independent Trustees, it is expected that all
candidates will possess the following minimum qualifications: (i) unquestioned personal integrity; (ii) not an interested person of the funds
within the meaning of the 1940 Act; (iii) does not have a material relationship (e.g., commercial, banking, consulting, legal, or accounting)
with the adviser, any sub-adviser, or their affiliates that could create an appearance of lack of independence in respect of the funds; (iv) has the
disposition to act independently in respect of FMR and its affiliates and others in order to protect the interests of the funds and all shareholders;
(v) ability to attend regularly scheduled meetings during the year; (vi) demonstrates sound business judgment gained through broad experience
in significant positions where the candidate has dealt with management, technical, financial, or regulatory issues; (vii) sufficient financial or
accounting knowledge to add value in the complex financial environment of the funds; (viii) experience on corporate or other institutional
oversight bodies having similar responsibilities, but which board memberships or other relationships could not result in business or regulatory
conflicts with the funds; and (ix) capacity for the hard work and attention to detail that is required to be an effective Independent Trustee in light
of the funds' complex regulatory, operational, and marketing setting. The Governance and Nominating Committee may determine that a candidate who does not have the type of previous experience or knowledge referred to above should nevertheless be considered as a nominee if the
Governance and Nominating Committee finds that the candidate has additional qualifications such that his or her qualifications, taken as a
whole, demonstrate the same level of fitness to serve as an Independent Trustee. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee
held six meetings.</R>
<R>The Compliance Committee is composed of Messrs. Selander (Chair), Lautenbach, and Mauriello. The committee normally meets
quarterly, or more frequently as called by the Chair. The committee oversees the administration and operation of the compliance policies and
procedures of the funds and their service providers as required by Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act. The committee is responsible for the review and
approval of policies and procedures relating to (i) provisions of the Code of Ethics, (ii) anti-money laundering requirements, (iii) compliance
with investment restrictions and limitations, (iv) privacy, (v) recordkeeping, and (vi) other compliance policies and procedures which are not
otherwise delegated to another committee. The committee has responsibility for recommending to the Board the designation of a CCO of the
funds. The committee serves as the primary point of contact between the CCO and the Board, it oversees the annual performance review and
compensation of the CCO, and if required, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the removal of the appointed CCO. The
committee receives reports of significant correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies, employee complaints or published reports
which raise concerns regarding compliance matters, and copies of significant non-routine correspondence with the SEC. The committee receives reports from the CCO including the annual report concerning the funds' compliance policies as required by Rule 38a-1, quarterly reports in respect of any breaches of fiduciary duty or violations of federal securities laws, and reports on any other compliance or related matters
that would otherwise be subject to periodic reporting or that may have a significant impact on the funds. The committee will recommend to the
Board, what actions, if any, should be taken with respect to such reports. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee held
three meetings.</R>
<R>The Proxy Voting Committee is composed of Messrs. Thomas (Chair), Dirks, and Selander. The committee will meet as needed to
review the fund's proxy voting policies, consider changes to the policies, and review the manner in which the policies have been applied. The
committee will receive reports on the manner in which proxy votes have been cast under the proxy voting policies and reports on consultations
between the fund's investment advisers and portfolio companies concerning matters presented to shareholders for approval. The committee
will address issues relating to the fund's annual voting report filed with the SEC. The committee will receive reports concerning the implementation of procedures and controls designed to ensure that the proxy voting policies are implemented in accordance with their terms. The
committee will consider FMR's recommendations concerning certain non-routine proposals not covered by the proxy voting policies. The
committee will receive reports with respect to steps taken by FMR to assure that proxy voting has been done without regard to any other FMR
relationships, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company. The committee will make recommendations to the Board concerning the
casting of proxy votes in circumstances where FMR has determined that, because of a conflict of interest, the proposal to be voted on should be
reviewed by the Board. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee held three meetings.</R>
<R>The Research Committee is composed of Messrs. Lacy (Chair) and Thomas, and Ms. Small. The Committee will meet as needed. The
Committee's purpose is to assess the quality of the investment research available to FMR's investment professionals. As such, the Committee
reviews information pertaining to the sources of such research, the categories of research, the manner in which the funds bear the cost of research,
and FMR's internal research capabilities, including performance metrics, interactions between FMR portfolio managers and research analysts,
and the professional quality of analysts in research careers. Where necessary, the Committee recommends actions with respect to various reports
providing information on FMR's research function. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, the committee held seven meetings.</R>
<R>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, 2013 (or as of
March 31, 2014 for Mr. Morrison, Trustee as of March 19, 2014).</R>
Interested Trustees |
||
|
<R> |
James C. Curvey |
Charles S. Morrison</R> |
|
Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund |
none |
none |
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
Independent Trustees |
||||
|
DOLLAR RANGE OF |
Dennis J. Dirks |
Alan J. Lacy |
Ned C. Lautenbach |
Joseph Mauriello |
|
Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund |
none |
none |
none |
none |
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
|
DOLLAR RANGE OF |
Robert W. Selander |
Cornelia M. Small |
William S. Stavropoulos |
David M. Thomas |
|
Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund |
none |
none |
none |
none |
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
over $100,000 |
<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 ended August 31, 2014, or calendar year ended December 31, 2013, as applicable.</R>
Compensation Table1 |
|||||
|
AGGREGATE |
Dennis J. |
Alan J. |
Ned C. |
Joseph |
|
|
<R> |
$ 222 |
$ 191 |
$ 239 |
$ 211 |
</R> |
|
<R> |
$ 452,000 |
$ 400,000 |
$ 554,250 |
$ 429,000 |
</R> |
|
AGGREGATE |
Robert W. |
Cornelia M. |
William S. |
David M. |
|
|
<R> |
$ 193 |
$ 195 |
$ 215 |
$ 195 |
</R> |
|
<R> |
$ 404,000 |
$ 401,000 |
$ 501,750 |
$ 397,000 |
</R> |
<R>1 James C. Curvey, Charles S. Morrison, and Peter S. Lynch are interested persons and are compensated by Fidelity.</R>
<R>A Except for Messrs. Lautenbach and Stavropoulos, reflects compensation received for the period January 1, 2013 through July 31, 2013
for 230 funds of 29 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC) and for the period August 1, 2013 through December 31,
2013 for 173 funds of 25 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC). For Messrs. Lautenbach and Stavropoulos, reflects
compensation received for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013 for 247 funds of 29 trusts (including Fidelity Central Investment
Portfolios LLC). Compensation figures include cash and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees and Member of the
Advisory Board. Certain of the Independent Trustees and Member of the Advisory Board elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their
compensation as follows: Dennis J. Dirks, $223,097; Ned C. Lautenbach, $264,194; Cornelia M. Small, $175,000; and William S.
Stavropoulos, $200,000.</R>
<R>As of August 31, 2014, 100% of the fund's total outstanding shares was held by Fidelity funds.</R>
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR LLC, as successor by merger to FMR Corp., is the ultimate parent company of Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K.), Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (FMR H.K.), Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (FMR Japan), and FMRC. The voting common shares of FMR LLC are divided into two series. Series B is held predominantly by members of the Abigail P. Johnson family, directly or through trusts, 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.
FMRC, FMR U.K., FMR H.K., FMR Japan, and the fund have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that sets forth employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the fund, establishes procedures for personal investing, and restricts certain transactions. Employees subject to the code of ethics, including Fidelity investment personnel, may invest in securities for their own investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund.
The fund has entered into a management contract with FMRC, pursuant to which FMRC furnishes investment advisory and other services.
Management Services. Under the terms of its management contract with the fund, FMRC acts as investment adviser and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, directs the investments of the fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations. FMRC also provides the fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments, compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are interested persons of the trust or of FMRC, and compensates all personnel of the fund or FMRC performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FMRC or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization; supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and, if necessary, the registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.
Management-Related Expenses. Under the terms of the fund's management contract, the fund pays all of its expenses other than those specifically payable by FMRC. FMRC, either itself or through an affiliate, pays all fees associated with transfer agent and pricing and bookkeeping services. Expenses payable by the fund include interest and taxes, brokerage commissions (if any), fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees, legal expenses, fees of the custodian and auditor, costs of registering shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws, expenses for typesetting, printing, and mailing proxy materials to shareholders and all other expenses of proxy solicitations and shareholder meetings, the fund's proportionate share of insurance premiums, if any, and Investment Company Institute dues, and such non-recurring expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which the fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect to litigation.
In addition, the fund has entered into an expense contract with FMRC and FMR under which FMR agrees to pay or provide for the payment of the fund's operating expenses, other than the following: (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees; (iv) custodian fees and expenses; and (v) any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses.
Management Fees. For the services of FMRC under the management contract, FMR, on behalf of the fund, pays FMRC a monthly management fee. For each fund (other than a fund for which FMRC serves as sub-adviser) that invests in the fund in a given month, FMR pays FMRC a fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee rate (including performance adjustments, if any) that FMR receives from the investing fund, multiplied by the average net assets invested by that fund in the fund for the month. The fee is reduced to reflect any expenses paid by FMR on behalf of an investing fund pursuant to an all-inclusive fee management contract, but is not reduced to reflect any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by FMR.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of the fund's operating expenses. FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements will increase returns and yield, and repayment of the reimbursement will decrease returns and yield.
Sub-Advisers - FMR U.K., FMR H.K., and FMR Japan. On behalf of the fund, FMRC has entered into sub-advisory agreements with FMR U.K., FMR H.K., and FMR Japan. Pursuant to the sub-advisory agreements, FMRC may receive from the sub-advisers investment research and advice on issuers outside the United States (non-discretionary services) and FMRC may grant the sub-advisers investment management authority and the authority to buy and sell securities if FMRC believes it would be beneficial to the fund (discretionary services). FMRC, and not the fund, pays the sub-advisers.
<R>Matthew Conti is the portfolio manager of Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund and receives compensation for his services. As
of August 31, 2014, 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
the portfolio manager's compensation may be deferred based on criteria established by FMR or at the election of the portfolio manager.</R>
<R>The portfolio manager's base salary is determined by level of responsibility and tenure at FMR or its affiliates. The primary components of the portfolio manager's bonus are based on (i) the pre-tax investment performance of the portfolio manager's fund(s) and account(s)
measured against a benchmark index or within a defined peer group assigned to each fund or account, and (ii) the investment performance of
other FMR high yield funds and accounts. The pre-tax investment performance of the portfolio manager's fund(s) and account(s) is weighted
according to his tenure on those fund(s) and account(s) and the average asset size of those fund(s) and account(s) over his tenure. Each component is calculated separately over the portfolio manager's tenure on those fund(s) and account(s) over a measurement period that initially is
contemporaneous with his tenure, but that eventually encompasses rolling periods of up to five years for the comparison to a benchmark index
or a peer group. A smaller, subjective component of the portfolio manager's bonus is based on the portfolio manager's overall contribution to
management of FMR. The portion of the portfolio manager's bonus that is linked to the investment performance of Fidelity Specialized High
Income Central Fund is based on the fund's pre-tax investment performance measured against The BofA Merrill LynchSM BB US High Yield
Constrained Index. The portfolio manager also is compensated under equity-based compensation plans linked to increases or decreases in the
net asset value of the stock of FMR LLC, FMR's 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>
The portfolio manager's compensation plan may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. The portfolio manager's compensation is linked to the pre-tax performance of the fund, rather than its after-tax performance. The 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 the portfolio manager must allocate his 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 FMR or an affiliate. The 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. Conti as of August 31, 2014:</R>
|
Registered |
Other Pooled |
Other |
|
|
<R> |
7 |
2 |
2</R> |
|
Number of Accounts Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
none |
none |
none |
|
<R> |
$ 4,759 |
$ 777 |
$ 588</R> |
|
Assets Managed with Performance-Based Advisory Fees (in millions) |
none |
none |
none |
<R>* Includes Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund ($473 (in millions) assets managed). The amount of assets managed of the
fund reflects trades and other assets as of the close of the business day prior to the fund's fiscal year-end.</R>
<R>As of August 31, 2014, the dollar range of shares of Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund beneficially owned by Mr. Conti was
none.</R>
The following Proxy Voting Guidelines were established by the Board of Trustees of the Fidelity funds, after consultation with Fidelity. (The guidelines are reviewed periodically by Fidelity and by the Independent Trustees of the Fidelity funds, and, accordingly, are subject to change.)
I. General Principles
A. Voting of shares will be conducted in a manner consistent with the best interests of Fidelity 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 Fidelity companies' relationship, business or otherwise, with that portfolio company.
B. FMR Investment Proxy Research votes proxies. Like other Fidelity employees, Investment Proxy Research employees have a fiduciary duty to never place their own personal interest ahead of the interests of Fidelity Fund shareholders, and are instructed to avoid actual and apparent conflicts of interest. In the event of a conflict of interest, Investment Proxy Research employees, like other Fidelity employees, will escalate to their managers or the Ethics Office, as appropriate, in accordance with Fidelity's corporate policy on conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest arises when there are factors that may prompt one to question whether a Fidelity employee is acting solely on the best interests of Fidelity and its customers. Employees are expected to avoid situations that could present even the appearance of a conflict between their interests and the interests of Fidelity and its customers.
C. Except as set forth herein, FMR 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 FMR analyst or portfolio manager, as applicable, subject to review by an attorney within FMR's 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 the appropriate Fidelity Fund Board Committee or its designee.
F. FMR 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, FMR will generally abstain.
G. Many Fidelity Funds 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, FMR will generally evaluate proposals in the context of the Guidelines and where applicable and feasible, take into consideration differing laws, regulations and practices 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 fund, FMR 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, FMR will generally not vote proxies in order to safeguard fund holdings information.
I. Where a management-sponsored proposal is inconsistent with the Guidelines, FMR may receive a company's commitment to modify the proposal or its practice to conform to the Guidelines, and FMR will generally support management based on this commitment. If a company subsequently does not abide by its commitment, FMR 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; provisions restricting the right of shareholders to set board size; 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® Index or the Russell Global ex-U.S. Large Cap Index.
H. Small-Capitalization Company - a company not included in the Russell 1000® Index or the Russell Global ex-U.S. Large Cap Index that is not a Micro-Capitalization Company.
I. Micro-Capitalization Company - a company with a market capitalization under US $300 million.
J. Evergreen Provision - a feature which provides for an automatic increase in the shares available for grant under an equity award plan on a regular basis.
III. Directors
A. Incumbent Directors
FMR 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. FMR 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, FMR 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 five 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.
FMR 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, FMR will withhold authority on the election of directors.
2. The company refuses, upon request by FMR, 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. Executive compensation appears misaligned with shareholder interests or otherwise problematic, taking into account such factors as: (i) whether the company has an independent compensation committee; (ii) whether the compensation committee engaged independent compensation consultants; (iii) whether, in the case of stock awards, the restriction period was less than three years for non-performance-based awards, and less than one year for performance-based awards; (iv) whether the compensation committee has lapsed or waived equity vesting restrictions; and (v) whether the company has adopted or extended a Golden Parachute without shareholder approval.
5. To gain FMR's support on a proposal, the company made a commitment to modify a proposal or practice to conform to the 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 composed of a majority of independent directors.
B. Indemnification
FMR 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 FMR is otherwise dissatisfied with the performance of management or the proposal is accompanied by Anti-Takeover Provisions.
C. Independent Chairperson
FMR will generally vote against shareholder proposals calling for or recommending the appointment of a non-executive or independent chairperson. However, FMR 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
FMR 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). FMR 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. Executive Compensation
1. Advisory votes on executive compensation
a. FMR will generally vote for proposals to ratify executive compensation unless such compensation appears misaligned with shareholder interests or otherwise problematic, taking into account such factors as, among other things, (i) whether the company has an independent compensation committee; (ii) whether the compensation committee engaged independent compensation consultants; (iii) whether, in the case of stock awards, the restriction period was less than three years for non-performance-based awards, and less than one year for performance-based awards; (iv) whether the compensation committee has lapsed or waived equity vesting restriction; and (v) whether the company has adopted or extended a Golden Parachute without shareholder approval.
b. FMR will generally vote against proposals to ratify Golden Parachutes.
2. Frequency of advisory vote on executive compensation
FMR will generally support annual advisory votes on executive compensation.
B. Equity award plans (including stock options, restricted stock awards, and other stock awards).
FMR will generally vote against equity award plans or amendments to authorize additional shares under such plans if:
1. (a) The company's average three year burn rate is greater than 1.5% for a Large-Capitalization Company, 2.5% for a Small-Capitalization Company or 3.5% for a Micro-Capitalization Company; and (b) there were no circumstances specific to the company or the plans that lead FMR to conclude that the burn rate 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 without shareholder approval.
3. The plan includes an Evergreen Provision.
4. The plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even though an actual change in control may not occur.
C. Equity Exchanges and Repricing
FMR 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.
D. Employee Stock Purchase Plans
FMR will generally vote in favor of employee stock purchase plans if the minimum stock purchase price is equal to or greater than 85% of the stock's fair market value and 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, FMR 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.
E. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
FMR will generally vote in favor of non-leveraged ESOPs. For leveraged ESOPs, FMR may examine the company's state of incorporation, existence of supermajority vote rules in the charter, number of shares authorized for the ESOP, and number of shares held by insiders. FMR may also examine where the ESOP shares are purchased and the dilution effect of the purchase. FMR will generally vote against leveraged ESOPs if all outstanding loans are due immediately upon change in control.
F. Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals
FMR 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
FMR 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.
FMR will generally vote in favor of proposals to eliminate Anti-Takeover Provisions unless:
D. In the case of proposals to declassify a board of directors, FMR 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.
E. In the case of proposals regarding shareholders' rights to call special meetings, FMR generally will vote against each proposal if the threshold required to call a special meeting is less than 25% of the outstanding stock.
F. In the case of proposals regarding shareholders' right to act by written consent, FMR will generally vote against each proposal if it does not include appropriate mechanisms for implementation including, among other things, that at least 25% of the outstanding stock request that the company establish a record date determining which shareholders are entitled to act and that consents be solicited from all shareholders.
VI. Capital Structure/Incorporation
A. Increases in Common Stock
FMR 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.
<R>B. Reverse Stock Splits</R>
<R>FMR will generally vote in favor of reverse stock splits as long as the post-split authorized shares is no greater than
three times the post-split number of outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares, including stock awards, or in the case of
real estate investment trusts the number of post-split authorized shares is not greater than five times the post-split number of
outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares.</R>
C. New Classes of Shares
FMR will generally vote against the introduction of new classes of stock with differential voting rights.
D. Cumulative Voting Rights
FMR will generally vote against the introduction and in favor of the elimination of cumulative voting rights.
E. Acquisition or Business Combination Statutes
FMR 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.
F. Incorporation or Reincorporation in Another State or Country
FMR will generally vote for management proposals calling for, or recommending that, a portfolio company reincorporate in another state or country if, on balance, the economic and corporate governance factors in the proposed jurisdiction appear reasonably likely to be better aligned with shareholder interests, taking into account the corporate laws of the current and proposed jurisdictions and any changes to the company's current and proposed governing documents. FMR will consider supporting such shareholder proposals in limited cases if, based upon particular facts and circumstances, remaining incorporated in the current jurisdiction appears misaligned with shareholder interests.
VII. Shares of Investment Companies
A. When a Fidelity Fund invests in an underlying Fidelity Fund with public shareholders, an exchange traded fund (ETF), or non-affiliated fund, FMR will vote in the same proportion as all other voting shareholders of such underlying fund or class ("echo voting"). FMR may choose not to vote if "echo voting" is not operationally feasible.
B. <R>Certain Fidelity Funds may invest in shares of underlying Fidelity Funds that do not have public shareholders. For Fidelity Funds without public shareholders that are managed by FMR or an affiliate, FMR will generally vote in favor of proposals recommended by the underlying funds' Board of Trustees.</R>
VIII. Other
A. Voting Process
FMR 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 fund or group of funds has acquired control of such organization.
To view a fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, visit www.fidelity.com/proxyvotingresults or visit the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
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 FMRC, which is located at 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Under the terms of the agreement, FIIOC (or an agent, including an affiliate) performs transfer agency and distribution services.
FIIOC receives no fees for providing transfer agency services to the fund.
FIIOC may collect fees charged in connection with providing certain types of services such as exchanges, closing out fund balances, maintaining fund positions with low balances, checkwriting, wire transactions, and providing historical account research.
FIIOC bears the expense of typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, and all other reports, notices, and statements to existing shareholders, with the exception of proxy statements.
The fund has entered into a service agent agreement with Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMRC (or an agent, including an affiliate). The fund has also entered into a securities lending administration agreement with FSC. Under the terms of the agreements, FSC calculates the NAV and distributions for shares, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting records, and administers the fund's securities lending program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a flat annual fee, payable monthly.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC is paid based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
FMRC, either itself or through an affiliate, bears the cost of pricing and bookkeeping services and administering the securities lending program under the terms of its management contract and its expense contract with the fund.
<R>For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, FMR did not pay FSC for securities lending on behalf of Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund.</R>
Company Organization. Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund is a fund of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC, an open-end management investment company organized as a limited liability company in Delaware on September 15, 2004. The Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC and the fund are subject to a Limited Liability Company Agreement dated September 16, 2004 (Agreement). Currently, there are 16 funds offered in the LLC(s): Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Fund, Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Fund, Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Energy Central Fund, Fidelity Financials Central Fund, Fidelity Floating Rate Central Fund, Fidelity Health Care Central Fund, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 1, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2, Fidelity Industrials Central Fund, Fidelity Information Technology Central Fund, Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Materials Central Fund, Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund, Fidelity Telecom Services Central Fund, and Fidelity Utilities Central Fund. The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds in the LLC(s) and to create additional classes of each fund.
The assets of the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC 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 Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC shall be charged with the liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds. The debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to a particular fund shall be enforceable against the assets of that fund only, and not against the assets of any other fund.
Shareholder Liability. The Company is an entity known as a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware. Under Delaware law, no shareholder of such a limited liability company can be held personally liable for the obligations of the limited liability company.
The Agreement contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses of the Company or fund. The Agreement further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Agreement provides for indemnification out of the 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 Agreement also provides that the Company, on behalf of the fund, shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Company, on behalf of the fund, and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the fund. FMR believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is remote.
Voting Rights. The fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial interest. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value they 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.
The Company 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 Company or a fund or a class without prior shareholder approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund or a class, shareholders of that fund or that class are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund or class available for distribution.
Custodians. JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the fund's assets and the appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. The Bank of New York Mellon, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions. From time to time, subject to approval by a fund's Treasurer, the fund may enter into escrow arrangements with other banks if necessary to participate in certain investment offerings.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, 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 FMR. Transactions that have occurred to date include mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of the fund's adviser, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund relationships.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts, independent registered public accounting firm, audits financial statements for the fund and provides other audit related services.
The fund views holdings information as sensitive and limits its dissemination. The Board authorized FMR to establish and administer guidelines for the dissemination of fund holdings information, which may be amended at any time without prior notice. FMR's Disclosure Policy Committee (comprising executive officers of FMR) evaluates disclosure policy with the goal of serving the fund's best interests by striking an appropriate balance between providing information about the fund's portfolio and protecting the fund from potentially harmful disclosure. The Board reviews the administration and modification of these guidelines and receives reports from the fund's chief compliance officer periodically.
The fund will provide a full list of holdings upon request as of the prior business day to all Fidelity registered investment companies that are shareholders of the fund.
The fund may also from time to time provide or make available to the Board or third parties upon request specific fund level performance attribution information and statistics. Third parties may include fund shareholders or prospective fund shareholders, members of the press, consultants, and ratings and ranking organizations.
The Use of Holdings In Connection With Fund Operations. Material non-public holdings information may be provided as part of the activities associated with managing Fidelity funds to: entities which, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the fund, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed; other parties if legally required; or persons FMR believes will not misuse the disclosed information. These entities, parties, and persons include, but are not limited to: the fund's trustees; the fund's manager, its sub-advisers, if any, and their affiliates whose access persons are subject to a code of ethics (including portfolio managers of affiliated funds of funds); contractors who are subject to a confidentiality agreement; the fund's auditors; the fund's custodians; proxy voting service providers; financial printers; pricing service vendors; broker-dealers in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or requests for price quotations or bids on one or more securities; securities lending agents; counsel to the fund or its Independent Trustees; regulatory authorities; stock exchanges and other listing organizations; parties to litigation; third parties in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding relating to a fund holding; and third parties who have submitted a standing request to a money market fund for daily holdings information. 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 FMR or its affiliates, (ii) ratings and rankings organizations, and (iii) an investment adviser, trustee, or their agents to whom holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes or in anticipation of a merger involving the fund. Each individual request is reviewed by the Disclosure Policy Committee which must find, in its sole discretion that, based on the specific facts and circumstances, the disclosure appears unlikely to be harmful to the fund. Entities receiving this information must have in place control mechanisms to reasonably ensure or otherwise agree that, (a) the holdings information will be kept confidential, (b) no employee shall use the information to effect trading or for their personal benefit, and (c) the nature and type of information that they, in turn, may disclose to third parties is limited. FMR relies primarily on the existence of non-disclosure agreements and/or control mechanisms when determining that disclosure is not likely to be harmful to the fund.
At this time, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are: Factset Research Systems Inc. (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day); Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (full holdings weekly (generally as of the previous Friday), generally 5 business days thereafter); DocuLynx Inc. (full or partial holdings daily, on the next business day); MSCI Inc. and certain affiliates (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day); and Barclays Capital Inc. (full holdings daily, on the next business day).
FMR, its affiliates, or the fund will not enter into any arrangements with third parties from which they derive consideration for the disclosure of material non-public holdings information. If, in the future, such an arrangement is desired, prior Board approval would be sought 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.
<R>The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, and report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are included in the fund's annual report and are incorporated herein by reference.</R>
<R>Fidelity and Fidelity Investments & Pyramid Design are registered service marks of FMR LLC. © 2014 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.</R>
The third-party marks appearing above are the marks of their respective owners.
Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC
Amendment No. 37
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a) (1) Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated November 19, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Amendment No. 22.
(2) Certificate of Formation, dated September 15, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of the initial registration statement.
(b) Bylaws of the Company are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Amendment No. 24.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) (1) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) of Amendment No. 6.
(2) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of Amendment No. 6.
(3) Management Contract, dated September 17, 2008, between Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) of Amendment No. 21.
(4) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Energy Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Energy Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of Amendment No. 6.
(5) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Financials Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Financials Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Amendment No. 6.
(6) Management Contract, dated November 18, 2004, between Fidelity Floating Rate Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Floating Rate Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Amendment No. 2.
(7) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Health Care Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Health Care Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(9) of Amendment No. 6.
(8) Management Contract, dated September 16, 2004, between Fidelity High Income Central Investment Portfolio 1 (currently known as Fidelity High Income Central Fund 1) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Amendment No. 34.
(9) Management Contract, dated March 20, 2008, between Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2 and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Amendment No. 19.
(10) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Industrials Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Industrials Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of Amendment No. 6.
(11) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Information Technology Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Information Technology Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Amendment No. 6.
(12) Management Contract, dated November 15, 2007, between Fidelity International Equity Central Fund and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Amendment No. 18.
(13) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Materials Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Materials Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Amendment No. 6.
(14) Management Contract, dated September 17, 2014, between Fidelity Real Estate Equity Central Fund and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Amendment No. 36.
(15) Management Contract, dated July 21, 2005, between Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of Amendment No. 3.
(16) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Telecom Services Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Telecom Services Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Amendment No. 6.
(17) Management Contract, dated June 15, 2006, between Fidelity Utilities Central Investment Portfolio (currently known as Fidelity Utilities Central Fund) and FMR Co., Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Amendment No. 6.
(18) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 17, 2008, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors) and FMR Co., Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(20) of Amendment No. 27.
(19) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 17, 2008, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors (UK) Limited) and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors), on behalf of Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(21) of Amendment No. 27.
(20) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 17, 2008, between Fidelity Investments Japan Limited (currently known as FIL Investments (Japan) Limited) and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors), on behalf of Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(22) of Amendment No. 27.
(21) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 15, 2007, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors) and FMR Co., Inc., on behalf of Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) of Amendment No. 27.
(22) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 15, 2007, between Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors (UK) Limited) and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors), on behalf of Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Amendment No. 27.
(23) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 15, 2007, between Fidelity Investments Japan Limited (currently known as FIL Investments (Japan) Limited) and Fidelity International Investment Advisors (currently known as FIL Investment Advisors), on behalf of Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(19) of Amendment No. 27.
(24) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 9, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(25) of Amendment No. 20.
(25) Schedule A, dated September 17, 2014, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 9, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(25) of Amendment No. 36.
(26) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 29, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(27) of Amendment No. 20.
(27) Schedule A, dated September 17, 2014, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 29, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., on behalf of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(27) of Amendment No. 36.
(28) Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated July 17, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC on behalf of Fidelity Floating Rate Central Fund, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 1, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2, and Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(23) of Amendment No. 19.
(29) Schedule A, dated July 17, 2008, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated July 17, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC on behalf of Fidelity Floating Rate Central Fund, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 1, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2, and Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(24) of Amendment No. 19.
(30) Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated July 17, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC on behalf of Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Fund, Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Fund, Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Energy Central Fund, Fidelity Financials Central Fund, Fidelity Health Care Central Fund, Fidelity Industrials Central Fund, Fidelity Information Technology Central Fund, Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Materials Central Fund, Fidelity Real Estate Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Telecom Services Central Fund, and Fidelity Utilities Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(25) of Amendment No. 19.
(31) Schedule A, dated September 17, 2014, to the Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated July 17, 2008, between FMR Co., Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., on behalf of Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC on behalf of Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Fund, Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Fund, Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Energy Central Fund, Fidelity Financials Central Fund, Fidelity Health Care Central Fund, Fidelity Industrials Central Fund, Fidelity Information Technology Central Fund, Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Materials Central Fund, Fidelity Real Estate Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Telecom Services Central Fund, and Fidelity Utilities Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(31) of Amendment No. 36.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) Amended and Restated Fee Deferral Plan of the Non-Interested Person Trustees of the Fidelity Equity and High Income Funds effective as of September 15, 1995, as amended and restated through January 16, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (f) of Fidelity Summer Street Trust's (File No. 002-58542) Post-Effective Amendment No. 114.
(g) (1) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, D, and E, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of Fidelity Advisor Series I's (File No. 002-84776) Post-Effective Amendment No. 72.
(2) Appendix A, dated July 30, 2014, to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC on behalf of Fidelity Consumer Discretionary Central Fund, Fidelity Consumer Staples Central Fund, Fidelity Emerging Markets Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Energy Central Fund, Fidelity Financials Central Fund, Fidelity Floating Rate Central Fund, Fidelity Health Care Central Fund, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 1, Fidelity High Income Central Fund 2, Fidelity Industrials Central Fund, Fidelity Information Technology Central Fund, Fidelity International Equity Central Fund, Fidelity Materials Central Fund, Fidelity Specialized High Income Central Fund, Fidelity Telecom Services Central Fund, and Fidelity Utilities Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(9) of Fidelity Hastings Street Trust's (File No. 002-11517) Post-Effective Amendment No. 151.
(3) Form of Appendix A to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate Equity Central Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Amendment No. 36.
(4) Appendix B, dated October 15, 2009, to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 1, 2007, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Fidelity Hastings Street Trust's (File No. 002-11517) Post-Effective Amendment No. 123.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Consent of Deloitte and Touche LLP, dated October 24, 2014, is filed herein as Exhibit (j).
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) Not applicable.
(n) Not applicable.
(p) (1) The 2014 Code of Ethics, adopted by each fund, FMR Co., Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc., and Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Fidelity Trend Fund's (File No. 002-15063) Post-Effective Amendment No. 131.
(2) The 2013 Code of Ethics, adopted by FIL Limited, Fidelity Investments Japan Limited (currently known as FIL Investments (Japan) Limited), FIL Investment Advisors, and FIL Investment Advisors (UK) Limited pursuant to Rule 17j-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of Fidelity Charles Street Trust's (File No. 002-73133) Post-Effective Amendment No. 111.
Item 29. Companies Controlled by or under Common Control with this Company
The Board of Directors of the Company serve in a similar capacity as the Board of Trustees of other Fidelity funds, each of which has Fidelity Management & Research Company, or an affiliate, as its investment adviser. In addition, the officers of the Company are substantially identical to those of the other Fidelity funds. Nonetheless, the Company takes the position that it is not under common control with other Fidelity funds because the power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the result of an official position with the respective companies.
Item 30. Indemnification
Pursuant to Del. Code Ann. title 6 § 18-108, a Delaware limited liability company may provide in its limited liability company agreement for the indemnification of its officers, members, managers or other persons from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. Article X, Section 10.03 of the Limited Liability Company Agreement sets forth the reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification shall be provided to any past or present Director or officer. It states that the Company shall indemnify any present or past director or officer to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability, and all expenses reasonably incurred or paid 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 director or officer and against any amount incurred or paid in settlement thereof. Indemnification will not be provided to a person adjudged by a court or other adjudicatory body to be liable to the Company or its members 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 Company. In the event of a settlement or other disposition of a proceeding without an adjudication by a court or other adjudicatory body that such person was liable to the Company or its members by reason of his or her disabling conduct, no indemnification may be provided unless there has been a determination, as specified in the Limited Liability Company Agreement, that the officer or director did not engage in disabling conduct.
Pursuant to the agreement by which Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. ("FIIOC") is appointed transfer agent, the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold FIIOC harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from:
(1) any claim, demand, action or suit brought by any person other than the Registrant, including by a shareholder, which names FIIOC and/or the Registrant as a party and is not based on and does not result from FIIOC's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties, and arises out of or in connection with FIIOC's performance under the Transfer Agency Agreement; or
(2) any claim, demand, action or suit (except to the extent contributed to by FIIOC's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties) which results from the negligence of the Registrant, or from FIIOC's acting upon any instruction(s) reasonably believed by it to have been executed or communicated by any person duly authorized by the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC's acting in reliance upon advice reasonably believed by FIIOC to have been given by counsel for the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC's acting in reliance upon any instrument or stock certificate reasonably believed by it to have been genuine and signed, countersigned or executed by the proper person.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers
(1) FMR CO., INC. (FMRC)
FMRC provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
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Abigail P. Johnson |
Chairman of the Board of certain Trusts; Chairman of the Board and Director of FMR and FMRC; Vice Chairman and Director of FMR LLC. |
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Brian B. Hogan |
President of FMRC. |
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Peter S. Lynch |
Vice Chairman and Director of FMR and FMRC and member of the Advisory Board of funds advised by FMR. |
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William E. Dailey |
Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR H.K., and FIMM (2012); Director and Treasurer of FMR Japan and FMR U.K. (2012); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SelectCo (2013). |
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Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC; Secretary of FIMM, FRAC, and SelectCo (2013); Assistant Secretary of FMR Japan and FMR U.K.; Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. |
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John J. Remondi |
Director of FMR, FMRC, FRAC, and FIMM; Director and Executive Vice President of FMR LLC. |
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Steven F. Schiffman |
Treasurer of Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC, and FMR LLC. Assistant Treasurer of FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, and FIMM. |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Secretary of FDC (2013) and FMR LLC (2013); Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR LLC, Strategic Advisers, Inc., and SelectCo (2013). Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FDC (2013) and FMR LLC (2013). |
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Linda J. Wondrack |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR (2012), FMRC (2012), FMR H.K. (2012), FMR U.K. (2012), FIMM (2012), FMR Japan (2012), Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC (2012), Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2012), and SelectCo (2013). |
(2) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (HONG KONG) LIMITED (FMR H.K.)
FMR H.K. provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
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Markus K.E. Eichacker |
Chairman of the Board (2012), President (2012), Chief Executive Officer (2012), Chief Investment Officer, Director, and Managing Director of Research of FMR H.K. |
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Pamela R. Holding |
Director of FMR H.K. (2014). |
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Christopher S. Bartel |
President (2012), Chief Executive Officer (2012), and Director (2012) of FMR Japan; Director of FMR H.K. (2012). |
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William E. Dailey |
Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR H.K., and FIMM (2012); Director and Treasurer of FMR Japan and FMR U.K. (2012); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SelectCo (2013). |
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Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC; Secretary of FIMM, FRAC, and SelectCo (2013); Assistant Secretary of FMR Japan and FMR U.K.; Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. |
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Adrian James Tyerman |
Compliance Officer of FMR U.K. (2013) and FMR H.K. (2014). |
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Michael D. Kopfler |
Director of FMR H.K. (2013). |
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Linda J. Wondrack |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR (2012), FMRC (2012), FMR H.K. (2012), FMR U.K. (2012), FIMM (2012), FMR Japan (2012), Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC (2012), Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2012), and SelectCo (2013). |
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Sharon Yau Lecornu |
Director; Director of Investment Services-Asia of FMR H.K. |
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Tricor Corporate Secretary Limited |
Secretary of FMR H.K. |
(3) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (JAPAN) INC. (FMR JAPAN)
FMR Japan provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
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Christopher S. Bartel |
President (2012), Chief Executive Officer (2012), and Director (2012) of FMR Japan; Director of FMR H.K. (2012). |
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William E. Dailey |
Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR H.K., and FIMM (2012); Director and Treasurer of FMR Japan and FMR U.K. (2012); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SelectCo (2013). |
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Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC; Secretary of FIMM, FRAC, and SelectCo (2013); Assistant Secretary of FMR Japan and FMR U.K.; Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. |
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Koichi Iwabuchi |
Compliance Officer of FMR Japan (2013). |
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Steven F. Schiffman |
Treasurer of Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC, and FMR LLC. Assistant Treasurer of FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, and FIMM. |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Secretary of FDC (2013) and FMR LLC (2013); Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR LLC, Strategic Advisers, Inc., and SelectCo (2013). Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FDC (2013) and FMR LLC (2013). |
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Takeya Suzuki |
Director of FMR Japan; Managing Director of Research, Japan of FMR Japan. |
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Linda J. Wondrack |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR (2012), FMRC (2012), FMR H.K. (2012), FMR U.K. (2012), FIMM (2012), FMR Japan (2012), Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC (2012), Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2012), and SelectCo (2013). |
(4) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (U.K.) INC. (FMR U.K.)
FMR U.K. provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
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Mark D. Flaherty |
President (2013), Chief Executive Officer (2013), Director (2012), Chief Investment Officer-Fixed-Income/U.K. (2012), and Managing Director, Research (2012) of FMR U.K. |
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Matthew Born |
Director (2013) and Managing Director, Research (2013) of FMR U.K. |
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Robert P. Brown |
Director and Managing Director, Research of FMR U.K.; Executive Vice President of FIMM. |
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Lawrence J. Brindisi |
Director, Executive Director and Executive Vice President of FMR U.K. |
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Timothy M. Cohen |
Director (2013) and Chief Investment Officer - Equity (2013) of FMR U.K. |
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William E. Dailey |
Treasurer of FMR, FMRC, FMR H.K., and FIMM (2012); Director and Treasurer of FMR Japan and FMR U.K. (2012); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SelectCo (2013). |
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Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of FMR and FMRC; Secretary of FIMM, FRAC, and SelectCo (2013); Assistant Secretary of FMR Japan and FMR U.K.; Chief Legal Officer of FMR H.K. |
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David Hamlin |
Managing Director, Research of FMR U.K. |
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John B. McHale |
Managing Director, Research of FMR U.K. |
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Steven F. Schiffman |
Treasurer of Strategic Advisers, Inc., FDC, and FMR LLC. Assistant Treasurer of FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, and FIMM. |
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Peter D. Stahl |
Secretary of FDC (2013) and FMR LLC (2013); Assistant Secretary of FMR, FMRC, FMR Japan, FMR U.K., FRAC, FIMM, FMR LLC, Strategic Advisers, Inc., and SelectCo (2013). Previously served as Assistant Secretary of FDC (2013) and FMR LLC (2013). |
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Adrian James Tyerman |
Compliance Officer of FMR U.K. (2013) and FMR H.K. (2014). |
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Linda J. Wondrack |
Chief Compliance Officer of FMR (2012), FMRC (2012), FMR H.K. (2012), FMR U.K. (2012), FIMM (2012), FMR Japan (2012), Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC (2012), Strategic Advisers, Inc. (2012), and SelectCo (2013). |
(5) FIL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (FIA)
The directors and officers of FIA have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
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Lori Blackwood |
Director and Chief Compliance Officer of FIA. |
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John Ford |
Director of FIA; Executive Officer and Director of FIJ. |
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Elizabeth Hickmott |
Assistant Secretary of FIA. |
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Michael Ng |
SFC Emergency Contact Person and Compliant Officer of FIA (2012). |
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Allan Pelvang |
Director of FIJ; Director of FIA (2012). |
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Rosalie Powell |
Company Secretary of FIA. |
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Chris Rimmer |
Director of FIA. |
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Deborah Speight |
Alternate Director to all Directors of FIA (2012). |
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Natalie Trusler |
Assistant Secretary of FIA. |
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Neal Turchairo |
Director of FIA (2013). |
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Andrew Wells |
Director of FIA. |
(6) FIL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (UK) LIMITED (FIA(UK))
The directors and officers of FIA(UK) have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
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Andrew Morris |
Chief Compliance Officer and Director of FIA(UK). |
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Andrew Jones |
Director of FIA(UK). |
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Andrew Wells |
Director of FIA(UK). |
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FIL Administration Ltd. |
Company Secretary of FIA(UK). |
(7) FIL INVESTMENTS (JAPAN) LIMITED (FIJ)
The directors and officers of FIJ have held, during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
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Peter Cromby |
Director of FIJ. |
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John Ford |
Director of FIA; Executive Officer and Director of FIJ. |
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Brad Fresia |
Director of FIJ. |
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Judith Marlinski |
Director and Representative Executive Officer of FIJ. |
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Allan Pelvang |
Director of FIJ; Director of FIA (2012). |
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Rupert Rossander |
Director of FIJ (2012). |
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Hiroyuki Atarashi |
Executive Officer of FIJ (2012). |
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Tetsuya Koizumi |
Executive Officer of FIJ. |
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Tetsuro Kubo |
Executive Officer of FIJ. |
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Hideki Sato |
Executive Officer of FIJ. |
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Steve Seneque |
Executive Officer of FIJ. |
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Mamiko Wakabayashi |
Executive Officer of FIJ. |
Principal business addresses of the investment adviser, sub-advisers and affiliates.
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
FMR Co., Inc. (FMRC)
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (FMR H.K.)
Floor 19, 41 Connaught Road Central
Hong Kong
Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc. (FMR Japan)
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K.)
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Fidelity Research & Analysis Company (FRAC)
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Fidelity SelectCo, LLC (SelectCo)
1225 17th Street
Denver, CO 80202-5541
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM)
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
FIL Investment Advisors (FIA)
Pembroke Hall
42 Crow Lane
Pembroke HM19, Bermuda
FIL Investment Advisors (UK) Limited (FIA(UK))
Oakhill House,
130 Tonbridge Road,
Hildenborough, TN11 9DZ, United Kingdom
FIL Investments (Japan) Limited (FIJ)
Shiroyama Trust Tower
4-3-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 105-6019, Japan
Strategic Advisers, Inc.
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
FMR LLC
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC)
100 Salem Street
Smithfield, RI 02917
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
Not applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are maintained by Fidelity Management & Research Company or Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc., 245 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210, or the funds' custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY. The Bank of New York Mellon, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 the Registrant has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of
Boston, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 30th day of October, 2014.
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Fidelity Central Investment Portfolios LLC
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/s/ Scott C. Goebel |
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Scott C. Goebel, Secretary |
| This ‘POS AMI’ Filing | Date | Other Filings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Filed on: | 10/30/14 | |||
| 10/24/14 | ||||
| 9/17/14 | ||||
| 8/31/14 | N-CSR, NSAR-B | |||
| 7/30/14 | N-Q | |||
| 6/30/14 | N-PX, N-Q | |||
| 3/31/14 | N-CSRS, NSAR-A | |||
| 3/19/14 | CORRESP | |||
| 12/31/13 | N-Q | |||
| 8/31/13 | N-CSR, NSAR-B | |||
| 8/1/13 | ||||
| 7/31/13 | ||||
| 1/16/13 | ||||
| 1/1/13 | ||||
| 8/31/12 | N-CSR, NSAR-B, NSAR-B/A | |||
| 8/5/11 | ||||
| 10/15/09 | ||||
| 11/19/08 | ||||
| 9/29/08 | ||||
| 9/17/08 | ||||
| 9/9/08 | ||||
| 7/17/08 | ||||
| 3/20/08 | POS AMI | |||
| 11/15/07 | ||||
| 1/1/07 | ||||
| 6/15/06 | ||||
| 7/21/05 | ||||
| 11/18/04 | ||||
| 9/16/04 | ||||
| 9/15/04 | ||||
| 12/30/96 | ||||
| 9/15/95 | ||||
| List all Filings | ||||