Please read this prospectus before investing, and keep it on file for
future reference. It contains important information, including how
each fund invests and the services available to shareholders.
To learn more about each fund and its investments, you can obtain a
copy of each fund's most recent financial report and portfolio
listing, or a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
dated February 26,1998. The SAI has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) and is available along with other related
materials on the SEC's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI
is incorporated herein by reference (legally forms a part of the
prospectus). For a free copy of either document, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-8888.
Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed
by, any depository institution. Shares are not insured by the FDIC,
Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency, and are subject to
investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount
invested.
LIKE ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, THESE
SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED
OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
FAT/ITP-pro-0298
Each fund seeks a high level of current income free from federal
income tax. The funds have different strategies, however, and carry
varying degrees of risk and yield potential.
SPARTAN(REGISTERED TRADEMARK)
AGGRESSIVE
MUNICIPAL
FUND
(FUND NUMBER 012, TRADING SYMBOL FATFX)
SPARTAN(REGISTERED TRADEMARK)
INSURED
MUNICIPAL INCOME
FUND
(FUND NUMBER 013, TRADING SYMBOL FMUIX)
PROSPECTUS
FEBRUARY 26, 1998(FIDELITY_LOGO_GRAPHIC) 82 DEVONSHIRE STREET, BOSTON,
MA 02109
CONTENTS
KEY FACTS THE FUNDS AT A GLANCE
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
EXPENSES Each fund's yearly operating
expenses.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS A summary of
each fund's financial data.
PERFORMANCE How each fund has done
over time.
THE FUNDS IN DETAIL CHARTER How each fund is organized.
INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS Each
fund's overall approach to investing.
BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES How
operating costs are calculated and what
they include.
YOUR ACCOUNT DOING BUSINESS WITH FIDELITY
TYPES OF ACCOUNTS Different ways to
set up your account.
HOW TO BUY SHARES Opening an
account and making additional
investments.
HOW TO SELL SHARES Taking money out
and closing your account.
INVESTOR SERVICES Services to help you
manage your account.
SHAREHOLDER AND DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS,
ACCOUNT POLICIES AND TAXES
TRANSACTION DETAILS Share price
calculations and the timing of purchases
and redemptions.
EXCHANGE RESTRICTIONS
KEY FACTS
THE FUNDS AT A GLANCE
MANAGEMENT: Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) is the
management arm of Fidelity Investments, which was established in 1946
and is now America's largest mutual fund manager. Beginning January 1,
1999, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), a subsidiary
of FMR will choose investments for the funds.
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE
GOAL: High current income free from federal income tax.
STRATEGY: Invests primarily in investment-grade municipal securities.
FMR uses the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index as a guide in
structuring the fund and selecting its investments.
SIZE: As of December 31, 1997, the fund had over $957 million in
assets.
SPARTAN INSURED
GOAL: High current income free from federal income tax with
preservation of capital.
STRATEGY: Invests mainly in investment-grade municipal securities that
are covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal
and interest. FMR uses the Lehman Brothers Insured Municipal Bond
Index as a guide in structuring the fund and selecting its
investments.
SIZE: As of December 31, 1997, the fund had over $332 million in
assets.
As with any mutual fund, there is no assurance that a fund will
achieve its goal.
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
The Board of Trustees of Fidelity Municipal Trust has unanimously
approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization ("Agreement")
between Spartan Aggressive Municipal Fund, Spartan Insured Municipal
Income Fund and Spartan Municipal Income Fund, a fund of Fidelity
Court Street Trust. The Agreement will be presented to Spartan
Aggressive Municipal Fund and Spartan Insured Municipal Income Fund
shareholders for their vote of approval or disapproval at a special
meeting to be held on July 15, 1998. If the proposal is approved by a
majority of the fund's shareholders and certain conditions required by
the Agreement are satisfied, the reorganization is expected to become
effective on or about August 20, 1998, (for Spartan Aggressive
Municipal Fund) and August 27, 1998 (for Spartan Insured Municipal
Income Fund).
Effective February 2, 1998, Spartan Aggressive Municipal Fund and
Spartan Insured Municipal Income Fund were closed to new accounts,
except for investments through Fidelity Portfolio Advisory Services
for shareholders of Spartan Aggressive Municipal Fund. Only
shareholders of the funds prior to that date, can continue to purchase
shares of the funds.
These funds may be appropriate for investors in higher tax brackets
who seek high current income that is free from federal income tax.
Each fund's level of risk and potential reward depends on the quality
and maturity of its investments. Spartan Aggressive may invest in
lower-quality investments, which typically carry the most risk and the
highest yield potential. Spartan Insured Municipal Income invests in
securities that, because of insurance coverage, have an extra degree
of credit safety. Insurance covers the timely payment of principal and
interest, but does not guarantee the market value of a security or the
fund's share price. You should consider your investment objective and
tolerance for risk when making an investment decision.
The value of the funds' investments and the income they generate will
vary from day to day, and generally reflect interest rates, market
conditions, and other economic and political news. When you sell your
shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them. By
themselves, the funds do not constitute a balanced investment plan.
THE SPECTRUM OF
FIDELITY FUNDS
BROAD CATEGORIES OF FIDELITY
FUNDS ARE PRESENTED HERE IN
ORDER OF ASCENDING RISK.
GENERALLY, INVESTORS SEEKING TO
MAXIMIZE RETURN MUST ASSUME
GREATER RISK. THE FUNDS IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE IN THE INCOME
CATEGORY.
(SOLID BULLET) MONEY MARKET SEEKS
INCOME AND STABILITY BY
INVESTING IN HIGH-QUALITY,
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS.
(RIGHT ARROW) INCOME SEEKS INCOME BY
INVESTING IN BONDS.
(SOLID BULLET) GROWTH AND INCOME SEEKS
LONG-TERM GROWTH AND INCOME
BY INVESTING IN STOCKS AND
BONDS.
(SOLID BULLET) GROWTH SEEKS LONG-TERM
GROWTH BY INVESTING MAINLY IN
STOCKS.
(CHECKMARK)
EXPENSES
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES are charges you may pay when you buy
or sell shares of a fund. In addition, you may be charged an annual
account maintenance fee if your account balance falls below $2,500.
See "Transaction Details," page , for an explanation of how and when
these charges apply.
Sales charge on purchases None
and reinvested distributions
Deferred sales charge on redemptions None
Annual account maintenance fee $12.00
(for accounts under $2,500)
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES are paid out of each fund's assets.
Each fund pays a management fee to FMR. It also incurs other expenses
for services such as maintaining shareholder records and furnishing
shareholder statements and financial reports. A fund's expenses are
factored into its share price or dividends and are not charged
directly to shareholder accounts (see "Breakdown of Expenses" page ).
The following figures are based on historical expenses, adjusted to
reflect current fees, of each fund and are calculated as a percentage
of average net assets of each fund. In addition, each fund has entered
into arrangements with its custodian and transfer agent whereby
credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to
reduce custodian and transfer agent expenses. Including these
reductions, the total fund operating expenses presented in the table
would have been 0.52% for Spartan Aggressive Municipal and 0.54% for
Spartan Insured Municipal Income.
UNDERSTANDING
EXPENSES
OPERATING A MUTUAL FUND
INVOLVES A VARIETY OF EXPENSES
FOR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT,
SHAREHOLDER STATEMENTS, TAX
REPORTING, AND OTHER SERVICES.
THESE EXPENSES ARE PAID FROM
EACH FUND'S ASSETS, AND THEIR
EFFECT IS ALREADY FACTORED INTO
ANY QUOTED SHARE PRICE OR
RETURN. ALSO, AS AN INVESTOR,
YOU MAY PAY CERTAIN EXPENSES
DIRECTLY.
(CHECKMARK)
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE
Management fee (after reimbursement) 0.35%
12b-1 fee None
Other expenses 0.18%
Total fund operating expenses 0.53%
(after reimbursement)
SPARTAN INSURED
Management fee (after reimbursement) 0.35%
12b-1 fee None
Other expenses 0.20%
Total fund operating expenses 0.55%
(after reimbursement)
EXAMPLES: Let's say, hypothetically, that each fund's annual return is
5% and that your shareholder transaction expenses and each fund's
annual operating expenses are exactly as just described. For every
$1,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total expenses
if you close your account after the number of years indicated:
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE
1 year $ 5
3 years $ 17
5 years $ 30
10 years $ 66
SPARTAN INSURED
1 year $ 6
3 years $ 18
5 years $ 31
10 years $ 69
These examples illustrate the effect of expenses, but are not meant to
suggest actual or expected expenses or returns, all of which may vary.
Effective August 1, 1997, FMR has voluntarily agreed to reimburse
Spartan Aggressive Municipal through December 31, 1999, to the extent
that total operating expenses exceed 0.53% of its average net assets.
Effective April 1, 1997, FMR has voluntarily agreed to reimburse
Spartan Insured Municipal Income to the extent that total operating
expenses exceed 0.55% of its average net assets. If these agreements
were not in effect, the management fee, other expenses, and total
operating expenses would have been 0.40%, 0.18%, and 0.58%,
respectively for Spartan Aggressive Municipal and 0.39%, 0.20%, and
0.59%, respectively for Spartan Insured Municipal Income. Expenses
eligible for reimbursement do not include interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, or extraordinary expenses.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights tables that follow have been audited by
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants. The funds'
financial highlights, financial statements, and reports of the auditor
are included in each fund's Annual Report, and are incorporated by
reference into (are legally a part of) the funds' SAI. Contact
Fidelity for a free copy of an Annual Report or the SAI.
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE MUNICIPAL FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.Selected Per-Share Data and Ratios
2.Years ended December
31 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993F 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
3.Net asset
value, $ 11.360 $ 11.670 $ 10.810 $ 12.330 $ 11.880 $ 11.800 $ 11.430 $ 11.490 $ 11.330 $ 10.820
beginning of period
4.Income from
Investment .634 .699 .709 .770 .783 .834 .863 .886 .881 .894
Operations
Net interest income
5. Net realized
and .499 (.307) .858 (1.473) .788 .208 .429 (.060) .160 .510
unrealized gain (loss)
6. Total from 1.133 .392 1.567 (.703) 1.571 1.042 1.292 .826 1.041 1.404
investment operations
7.Less
Distributions (.634) (.699) (.709) (.770) (.783) (.834) (.863) (.886) (.881) (.894)
From net interest income
8. In excess of
net -- (.004)B -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
interest income
9. From net realized
gain -- -- -- (.050) (.340) (.130) (.060) -- -- --
10. Total
distributions (.634) (.703) (.709) (.820) (1.123) (.964) (.923) (.886) (.881) (.894)
11.Redemption
fees added .001 .001 .002 .003 .002 .002 .001 -- -- --
to paid in capital
12.Net asset
value, $ 11.860 $ 11.360 $ 11.670 $ 10.810 $ 12.330 $ 11.880 $ 11.800 $ 11.430 $ 11.490 $ 11.330
end of period
13.Total
returnA 10.29% 3.56% 14.89% (5.82)% 13.63% 9.17% 11.77% 7.48% 9.50% 13.40%
14.Net assets, end
of period $ 958 $ 852 $ 910 $ 796 $ 952 $ 762 $ 654 $ 551 $ 546 $ 456
(In millions)
15.Ratio of expenses to
average .56%C .63% .64% .63% .64% .64% .69% .66% .69% .73%
net assets
16.Ratio of expenses to
average .55%D .63% .64% .63% .64% .64% .69% .66% .69% .73%
net assets after expense reductions
17.Ratio of net interest
income to 5.53% 6.14% 6.24% 6.69% 6.37% 7.01% 7.46% 7.79% 7.68% 7.98%
average net assets
18.Portfolio turnover
rate 49%E 35% 39% 40% 54% 43% 30% 46% 46% 46%
</TABLE>
A THE TOTAL RETURNS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOWER HAD CERTAIN EXPENSES NOT
BEEN REDUCED DURING THE PERIODS SHOWN.
B THE AMOUNTS SHOWN REFLECT CERTAIN RECLASSIFICATIONS RELATED TO BOOK
TO TAX DIFFERENCES.
C FMR AGREED TO REIMBURSE A PORTION OF THE FUND'S EXPENSES DURING THE
PERIOD. WITHOUT THIS REIMBURSEMENT, THE FUND'S EXPENSE RATIO WOULD
HAVE BEEN HIGHER.
D FMR OR THE FUND HAS ENTERED INTO VARYING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THIRD
PARTIES WHO EITHER PAID OR REDUCED A PORTION OF THE FUND'S EXPENSES.
E THE PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ASSETS ACQUIRED IN
THE MERGER.
F EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1993, THE FUND ADOPTED STATEMENT OF POSITION
93-2, "DETERMINATION, DISCLOSURE, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
OF INCOME, CAPITAL GAIN, AND RETURN OF CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS BY
INVESTMENT COMPANIES." AS A RESULT NET INTEREST INCOME PER SHARE MAY
REFLECT CERTAIN RECLASSIFICATIONS RELATED TO BOOK TO TAX DIFFERENCES.
SPARTAN INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
19.Selected Per-Share Data and Ratios
20.Years ended December
31 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993A 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
21.Net asset
value, $ 11.890 $ 12.040 $ 10.690 $ 12.370 $ 11.720 $ 11.630 $ 11.090 $ 11.050 $ 10.780 $ 10.360
beginning of period
22.Income from
Investment .583 .574 .599 .627 .655 .689 .702 .713 .717 .706
Operations
Net interest income
23. Net realized and
unrealized .520 (.150) 1.358 (1.560) .930 .200 .540 .040 .270 .420
gain (loss)
24. Total from
investment 1.103 .424 1.957 (.933) 1.585 .889 1.242 .753 .987 1.126
operations
25.Less
Distributions (.583) (.574) (.599) (.627) (.655) (.689) (.702) (.713) (.717) (.706)
From net interest income
26. From net realized
gain -- -- (.008) (.120) (.280) (.110) -- -- -- --
27. Total
distributions (.583) (.574) (.607) (.747) (.935) (.799) (.702) (.713) (.717) (.706)
28.Net asset value,
end of $ 12.410 $ 11.890 $ 12.040 $ 10.690 $ 12.370 $ 11.720 $ 11.630 $ 11.090 $ 11.050 $ 10.780
period
29.Total
returnD 9.54% 3.68% 18.67% (7.73)% 13.85% 7.91% 11.57% 7.08% 9.45% 11.19%
30.Net assets,
end of period $ 333 $ 330 $ 357 $ 320 $ 448 $ 371 $ 303 $ 199 $ 175 $ 154
(In millions)
31.Ratio of
expenses to .57%B .61% .61% .58% .61% .63% .65% .67% .70% .70%B
average net assets
32.Ratio of expenses
to average .56%C .60%C .61% .58% .61% .63% .65% .67% .70% .70%
net assets after expense
reductions
33.Ratio of net interest
income 4.82% 4.87% 5.24% 5.52% 5.31% 5.91% 6.23% 6.52% 6.57% 6.64%
to average net assets
34.Portfolio turnover
rate 24% 31% 61% 56% 78% 69% 62% 66% 51% 35%
</TABLE>
A EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1993, THE FUND ADOPTED STATEMENT OF POSITION
93-2, "DETERMINATION, DISCLOSURE AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
OF INCOME, CAPITAL GAIN, AND RETURN OF CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS BY
INVESTMENT COMPANIES." AS A RESULT, NET INTEREST INCOME PER SHARE MAY
REFLECT CERTAIN RECLASSIFICATIONS RELATED TO BOOK TO TAX DIFFERENCES.
B FMR AGREED TO REIMBURSE A PORTION OF THE FUND'S EXPENSES DURING THE
PERIOD. WITHOUT THIS REIMBURSEMENT, THE FUND'S EXPENSE RATIO WOULD
HAVE BEEN HIGHER.
C FMR OR THE FUND HAS ENTERED INTO VARYING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THIRD
PARTIES WHO EITHER PAID OR REDUCED A PORTION OF THE FUND'S EXPENSES.
D THE TOTAL RETURN WOULD HAVE BEEN LOWER HAD CERTAIN EXPENSES NOT BEEN
REDUCED DURING THE PERIOD SHOWN.
PERFORMANCE
Bond fund performance can be measured as TOTAL RETURN or YIELD. The
total returns that follow are based on historical fund results.
Each fund's fiscal year runs from January 1 through December 31. The
tables below show each fund's performance over past fiscal years
compared to different measures, including a comparative index and a
competitive funds average. The charts on page present calendar year
performance.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
Fiscal periods ended Past 1 Past 5 Past 10
December 31, 1997 year years years
Spartan Aggressive 10.29% 7.03% 8.63%
Lehman Brothers Muni. Bond Index 9.19% 7.36% 8.58%
Lipper General Muni. Debt Funds Average 9.11% 6.84% 8.24%
Spartan Insured 9.54% 7.20% 8.31%
Lehman Bros. Ins. Muni. Bond Index 9.58% 7.56% n/a
Lipper Insured Muni. Debt Funds Average 8.39% 6.69% 8.06%
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
Fiscal periods ended Past 1 Past 5 Past 10
December 31, 1997 year years years
Spartan Aggressive 10.29% 40.43% 128.73%
Lehman Brothers Muni. Bond Index 9.19% 42.62% 127.85%
Lipper General Muni. Debt Funds Average 9.11% 39.28% 121.06%
Spartan Insured 9.54% 41.59% 122.14%
Lehman Bros. Ins. Muni. Bond Index 9.58% 43.95% n/a
Lipper Insured Muni. Debt Funds Average 8.39% 38.29% 117.26%
If FMR had not reimbursed certain fund expenses during these periods,
yields and total returns would have been lower.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
UNDERSTANDING
PERFORMANCE
YIELD illustrates the income
earned by a fund over a recent
period. 30-day yields are
usually used for bond funds.
Yields change daily, reflecting
changes in interest rates.
TOTAL RETURN reflects both the
reinvestment of income and
capital gain distributions and
any change in a fund's share
price.
(checkmark)
TOTAL RETURN is the change in value of an investment over a given
period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. A
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN reflects actual performance over a stated
period of time. An AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN is a hypothetical rate
of return that, if achieved annually, would have produced the same
cumulative total return if performance had been constant over the
entire period. Average annual total returns smooth out variations in
performance; they are not the same as actual year-by-year results.
YIELD refers to the income generated by an investment in a fund over a
given period of time, expressed as an annual percentage rate. A
TAX-EQUIVALENT YIELD shows what an investor would have to earn before
taxes to equal a tax-free yield. Yields are calculated according to a
standard that is required for all stock and bond funds. Because this
differs from other accounting methods, the quoted yield may not equal
the income actually paid to shareholders.
YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
CALENDAR YEARS 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
SPARTAN INSURED 11.19% 9.45% 7.08% 11.57% 7.91% 13.85% -7.73% 18.67%
3.68% 9.54%
LIPPER INS. MUNI. DEBT FUNDS
AVG. 11.26% 9.52% 6.41% 11.39% 8.66% 12.07% -6.67% 17.59% 2.83% 8.39%
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 4.42% 4.65% 6.11% 3.06% 2.90% 2.75% 2.67% 2.54%
3.32% 1.70%
PERCENTAGE (%)
ROW: 1, COL: 1, VALUE: 11.19
ROW: 2, COL: 1, VALUE: 9.450000000000001
ROW: 3, COL: 1, VALUE: 7.08
ROW: 4, COL: 1, VALUE: 11.57
ROW: 5, COL: 1, VALUE: 7.91
ROW: 6, COL: 1, VALUE: 13.85
ROW: 7, COL: 1, VALUE: -7.73
ROW: 8, COL: 1, VALUE: 18.67
ROW: 9, COL: 1, VALUE: 3.68
ROW: 10, COL: 1, VALUE: 9.539999999999999
(LARGE SOLID BOX) SPARTAN INSURED
YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
CALENDAR YEARS 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE 13.40% 9.50% 7.48% 11.77% 9.17% 13.63% -5.82%
14.89% 3.56% 10.29%
LIPPER GENERAL MUNI. DEBT
FUNDS AVG. 11.53% 9.65% 6.05% 12.09% 8.79% 12.47% -6.50% 16.84% 3.30%
9.11%
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 4.42% 4.65% 6.11% 3.06% 2.90% 2.75% 2.67% 2.54%
3.32% 1.70%
PERCENTAGE (%)
ROW: 1, COL: 1, VALUE: 13.4
ROW: 2, COL: 1, VALUE: 9.5
ROW: 3, COL: 1, VALUE: 7.48
ROW: 4, COL: 1, VALUE: 11.77
ROW: 5, COL: 1, VALUE: 9.17
ROW: 6, COL: 1, VALUE: 13.63
ROW: 7, COL: 1, VALUE: -5.819999999999999
ROW: 8, COL: 1, VALUE: 14.89
ROW: 9, COL: 1, VALUE: 3.56
ROW: 10, COL: 1, VALUE: 10.29
(LARGE SOLID BOX) SPARTAN
AGGRESSIVE
LEHMAN BROTHERS MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX is a total return performance
benchmark for investment-grade municipal bonds with maturities of at
least one year.
LEHMAN BROTHERS INSURED MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX is a total return
performance benchmark for municipal bonds that are backed by insurers
with Aaa/AAA ratings and have maturities of at least one year.
Unlike each fund's returns, the total returns of each comparative
index do not include the effect of any brokerage commissions,
transaction fees, or other costs of investing.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX is a widely recognized measure of inflation
calculated by the U.S. Government.
THE COMPETITIVE FUNDS AVERAGES are the Lipper General Municipal Debt
Funds Average and the Lipper Insured Municipal Debt Funds Average for
Spartan Aggressive Municipal and Spartan Insured Municipal Income,
respectively. As of December 31, 1997, the averages reflected the
performance of 235 and 50 mutual funds with similar investment
objectives, respectively. These averages, published by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., exclude the effect of sales loads.
The funds' recent strategies, performance, and holdings are detailed
twice a year in financial reports, which are sent to all shareholders.
For current performance or a free annual report, call 1-800-544-8888.
TOTAL RETURNS AND YIELDS ARE BASED ON PAST RESULTS AND ARE NOT AN
INDICATION OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE.
THE FUNDS IN DETAIL
CHARTER
EACH FUND IS A MUTUAL FUND: an investment that pools shareholders'
money and invests it toward a specified goal. Each fund is a
diversified fund of Fidelity Municipal Trust, an open-end management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June
22, 1984.
EACH FUND IS GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES which is responsible for
protecting the interests of shareholders. The trustees are experienced
executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the
funds' activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that
provide services to the funds, and review the funds' performance. The
trustees serve as trustees for other Fidelity funds. The majority of
trustees are not otherwise affiliated with Fidelity.
THE FUNDS MAY HOLD SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS AND MAIL PROXY
MATERIALS. These meetings may be called to elect or remove trustees,
change fundamental policies, approve a management contract, or for
other purposes. Shareholders not attending these meetings are
encouraged to vote by proxy. Fidelity will mail proxy materials in
advance, including a voting card and information about the proposals
to be voted on. The number of votes you are entitled to is based upon
the dollar value of your investment.
FMR AND ITS AFFILIATES
The funds are managed by FMR, which chooses their investments and
handles their business affairs. Beginning January 1, 1999, FIMM,
located in Merrimack, New Hampshire, will have primary responsibility
for providing investment management services for the funds.
George Fischer is Vice President and manager of Spartan Insured
Municipal Income and Spartan Aggressive Municipal, which he has
managed since August 1995 and January 1998, respectively. He also
manages several other Fidelity funds. Since joining Fidelity in 1989,
Mr. Fischer has worked as an analyst and manager.
FIDELITY FACTS
Fidelity offers the broadest
selection of mutual funds
in the world.
(solid bullet) Number of Fidelity mutual
funds: over 226
(solid bullet) Assets in Fidelity mutual
funds: over $529 billion
(solid bullet) Number of shareholder
accounts: over 34 million
(solid bullet) Number of investment
analysts and portfolio
managers: over 265
(checkmark)
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that establishes procedures for
personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) distributes and markets
Fidelity's funds and services.
UMB Bank, n.a. (UMB) is each fund's transfer agent, and is located at
1010 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. UMB employs Fidelity Service
Company, Inc. (FSC) to perform transfer agent servicing functions for
each fund.
FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of FMR. Members of the Edward
C. Johnson 3d family are the predominant owners of a class of shares
of common stock representing approximately 49% of the voting power of
FMR Corp. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act),
control of a company is presumed where one individual or group of
individuals owns more than 25% of the voting stock of that company;
therefore, the Johnson family may be deemed under the 1940 Act to form
a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
FMR may use its broker-dealer affiliates and other firms that sell
fund shares to carry out a fund's transactions, provided that the fund
receives brokerage services and commission rates comparable to those
of other broker-dealers.
INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS
BOND FUNDS IN GENERAL. The yield and share price of a bond fund change
daily based on changes in interest rates and market conditions, and in
response to other economic, political or financial events. The types
and maturities of the securities a bond fund purchases and the credit
quality of their issuers will impact a bond fund's reaction to these
events.
The total return from a bond includes both income and price gains or
losses. While income is the most important component of bond returns
over time, a bond fund's emphasis on income does not mean the fund
invests only in the highest-yielding bonds available, or that it can
avoid losses of principal.
INTEREST RATE RISK. In general, bond prices rise when interest rates
fall and fall when interest rates rise. Longer-term bonds are usually
more sensitive to interest rate changes. In other words, the longer
the maturity of a bond, the greater the impact a change in interest
rates is likely to have on the bond's price. In addition, short-term
interest rates and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in
the same amount or in the same direction. A short-term bond tends to
react to changes in short-term interest rates and a long-term bond
tends to react to changes in long-term interest rates.
ISSUER RISK. The price of a bond is affected by the credit quality of
its issuer. Changes in the financial condition of an issuer, changes
in general economic conditions, and changes in specific economic
conditions that affect a particular type of issuer can impact the
credit quality of an issuer. Lower quality bonds generally tend to be
more sensitive to these changes than higher quality bonds.
MUNICIPAL MARKET RISK. Municipal securities are backed by the entity
that issued them and/or other revenue streams. Municipal security
values may be significantly affected by political changes as well as
uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation or the
rights of municipal securities holders.
FIDELITY'S APPROACH TO BOND FUNDS. In managing bond funds, FMR selects
a benchmark index which is representative of the universe of
securities in which a fund invests. FMR uses this benchmark as a guide
in structuring the fund and selecting its investments.
FMR allocates assets among different market sectors (for example,
general obligation bonds of a state or bonds financing a specific
project) and different maturities based on its view of the relative
value of each sector or maturity.
FMR focuses on assembling a portfolio of income-producing bonds that
it believes will provide the best balance between risk and return
within the universe of securities in which the fund invests. FMR's
evaluation of a potential investment includes an analysis of the
credit quality of the issuer, its structural features, its current
price compared to FMR's estimate of its long-term value, and any
short-term trading opportunities resulting from market inefficiencies.
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE MUNICIPAL seeks high current income that is free
from federal income tax by investing primarily in investment-grade
municipal securities. The fund will limit its investments in below
investment-grade securities to 35% of its assets. The benchmark index
for the fund is the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, a benchmark
of investment-grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or
more. FMR manages the fund to have similar overall interest rate risk
to the Index. As of December 31, 1997, the dollar-weighted average
maturity of the fund and the Index was approximately 13.9 and 13.98
years, respectively.
FMR normally invests at least 80% of the fund's assets in municipal
securities whose interest is free from federal income tax.
SPARTAN INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME seeks high current income that is
free from federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital,
by investing primarily in municipal bonds that are covered by
insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of interest and principal.
FMR normally invests 65% of the fund's total assets in these
securities. The balance, however, may be invested in other types of
securities, including uninsured municipal bonds.
The insurance coverage for municipal bonds is obtained either by the
bond's issuer or underwriter, or purchased by the fund. The fund pays
premiums for the insurance either directly or indirectly, and the
insurance increases the credit safety of the fund's investments but
decreases the fund's yield. It is important to note that the insurance
does not guarantee the market value of a security or the fund's
shares. As a result of the fund's emphasis on insured securities, the
fund's performance may be affected by conditions affecting the
municipal bond insurance industry generally. Insurance companies that
issue municipal insurance include: Ambac Assurance Corp., Connie Lee
Insurance Co., Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, Financial
Security Assurance, Inc., and Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Co.
Adverse changes in the financial condition of a single insurance
company could have a significant impact on municipal security values
and the value of the fund's holdings.
The benchmark index for the fund is the Lehman Brothers Insured
Municipal Bond Index, a benchmark of municipal bonds that are backed
by insurers with Aaa/AAA ratings and have maturities of one year or
more. FMR manages the fund to have similar overall interest rate risk
to the Index. As of December 31, 1997, the dollar-weighted average
maturity of the fund and the Index was approximately 13.3 and 15.69
years, respectively.
FMR normally invests at least 80% of the fund's assets in municipal
securities whose interest is free from federal income tax.
FMR may invest all of each fund's assets in municipal securities
issued to finance private activities. The interest from these
securities is a tax-preference item for purposes of the federal
alternative minimum tax.
FMR may use various techniques to hedge a portion of a fund's risks,
but there is no guarantee that these strategies will work as intended.
When you sell your shares of a fund, they may be worth more or less
than what you paid for them.
FMR normally invests each fund's assets according to its investment
strategy and does not expect to invest in federally taxable
obligations. Each fund also reserves the right to invest without
limitation in short-term instruments, to hold a substantial amount of
uninvested cash, or to invest more than normally permitted in
federally taxable obligations for temporary, defensive purposes.
SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which a fund may invest, strategies FMR may employ in
pursuit of a fund's investment objective, and a summary of related
risks. Any restrictions listed supplement those discussed earlier in
this section. A complete listing of each fund's limitations and more
detailed information about each fund's investments are contained in a
fund's SAI. Policies and limitations are considered at the time of
purchase; the sale of instruments is not required in the event of a
subsequent change in circumstances.
FMR may not buy all of these instruments or use all of these
techniques unless it believes that they are consistent with a fund's
investment objective and policies and that doing so will help a fund
achieve its goal. Fund holdings and recent investment strategies are
detailed in each fund's financial reports, which are sent to
shareholders twice a year. For a free SAI or financial report, call
1-800-544-8888.
DEBT SECURITIES. Bonds and other debt instruments are used by issuers
to borrow money from investors. The issuer generally pays the investor
a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest, and must repay the
amount borrowed at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon
bonds, do not pay current interest, but are sold at a discount from
their face values.
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997 Debt Holdings, by Rating
MOODY'S INVESTORS
SERVICE STANDARD & POOR'S
(AS A % OF INVESTMENTS) (AS A % OF INVESTMENTS)
Average of Average of
Rating total investments Rating total investments
INVESTMENT GRADE
Highest quality Aaa 37.1% AAA 35.3%
High quality Aa 9.2% AA 8.3%
Upper-medium grade A 9.2% A 11.5%
Medium grade Baa 22.0% BBB 18.0%
LOWER QUALITY
Moderately speculative Ba 2.8% BB 2.8%
Speculative B 0.1% B 1.0%
Highly speculative Caa 0.1% CCC 0%
Poor quality Ca 0% CC 0%
Lowest quality, no interest C 0.2% C 0%
In default, in arrears -- D 0.3%
REFER TO THE FUND'S SAI FOR A MORE COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF THESE
RATINGS.
THE FUND DOES NOT NECESSARILY RELY ON THE RATINGS OF MOODY'S OR S&P TO
DETERMINE COMPLIANCE WITH ITS DEBT QUALITY
POLICY. SECURITIES NOT RATED BY MOODY'S OR S&P AMOUNTED TO 14.3% OF
THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS. THIS PERCENTAGE MAY
INCLUDE SECURITIES RATED BY OTHER NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL
RATING ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS UNRATED SECURITIES.
UNRATED LOWER-QUALITY SECURITIES AMOUNTED TO 10.8% OF THE FUND'S
INVESTMENTS.
Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in
interest rates and varying degrees of credit quality. In general, bond
prices rise when interest rates fall, and fall when interest rates
rise. Longer-term bonds and zero coupon bonds are generally more
sensitive to interest rate changes.
Lower-quality debt securities (sometimes called "junk bonds") are
considered to have speculative characteristics, and involve greater
risk of default or price changes due to changes in the issuer's
creditworthiness, or they may already be in default. The market prices
of these securities may fluctuate more than higher-quality securities
and may decline significantly in periods of general or regional
economic difficulty.
The following table provides a summary of ratings assigned to debt
holdings (not including money market instruments) in Spartan
Aggressive Municipal's portfolio. These figures are dollar-weighted
averages of month-end portfolio holdings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997, and are presented as a percentage of total security
investments. These percentages are historical and do not necessarily
indicate the fund's current or future debt holdings.
RESTRICTIONS: Spartan Aggressive Municipal currently intends to limit
its investments in below investment-grade securities to less than 35%
of its assets and does not currently intend to invest more than 10% of
its total assets in bonds that are in default. A security is
considered to be investment-grade if it is rated investment-grade by
Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's, Duff & Phelps Credit
Rating Co., or Fitch IBCA, Inc., or is unrated but judged by FMR to be
of equivalent quality.
Spartan Insured Municipal Income invests only in investment-grade
securities. A security is considered to be investment-grade if it is
judged by FMR to be of equivalent quality to securities rated Baa or
BBB or higher by Moody's Investors Service or Standard & Poors,
respectively.
CREDIT AND LIQUIDITY SUPPORT. Issuers may employ various forms of
credit and liquidity enhancement, including letters of credit,
guarantees, puts and demand features, and insurance, provided by
foreign or domestic entities such as banks and other financial
institutions. These arrangements expose a fund to the credit risk of
the entity providing the credit or liquidity support. Changes in the
credit quality of the provider could affect the value of the security
and a fund's share price. In addition, in the case of foreign
providers of credit or liquidity support, extensive public information
about the provider may not be available, and unfavorable political,
economic, or governmental developments could affect its ability to
honor its commitment.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES are issued to raise money for a variety of public
or private purposes, including general financing for state and local
governments, or financing for specific projects or public facilities.
They may be fully or partially backed by the local government, or by
the credit of a private issuer or the current or anticipated revenues
from specific projects or assets. Because many municipal securities
are issued to finance similar types of projects, especially those
relating to education, health care, housing, transportation, and
utilities, the municipal markets can be affected by conditions in
those sectors. In addition, all municipal securities may be affected
by uncertainties regarding their tax status, legislative changes, or
rights of municipal securities holders. A municipal security may be
owned directly or through a participation interest.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES include interests in pools of purchase
contracts, financing leases, or sales agreements entered into by
municipalities. The value of these securities depends on many factors,
including changes in interest rates, the availability of information
concerning the pool and its structure, the credit quality of the
underlying assets, the market's perception of the servicer of the
pool, and any credit enhancement provided. In addition, these
securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES have interest rates that are
periodically adjusted either at specific intervals or whenever a
benchmark rate changes. Inverse floaters have interest rates that move
in the opposite direction from a benchmark, often making the
security's market value more volatile.
MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS are used by municipalities to acquire
land, equipment, or facilities. If the municipality stops making
payments or transfers its obligations to a private entity, the
obligation could lose value or become taxable.
OTHER MUNICIPAL SECURITIES may include obligations of U.S. territories
and possessions such as Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, and
their political subdivisions and public corporations.
PUT FEATURES entitle the holder to put (sell back) a security to the
issuer or another party. In exchange for this benefit, a fund may
accept a lower interest rate. Demand features and standby commitments
are types of put features.
PRIVATE ENTITIES may be involved in some municipal securities. For
example, industrial revenue bonds are backed by private entities, and
resource recovery bonds often involve private corporations. The
viability of a project or tax incentives could affect the value and
credit quality of these securities.
ADJUSTING INVESTMENT EXPOSURE. A fund can use various techniques to
increase or decrease its exposure to changing security prices,
interest rates, or other factors that affect security values. These
techniques may involve derivative transactions such as buying and
selling options and futures contracts, and purchasing indexed
securities.
FMR can use these practices to adjust the risk and return
characteristics of a fund's portfolio of investments. If FMR judges
market conditions incorrectly or employs a strategy that does not
correlate well with a fund's investments, these techniques could
result in a loss, regardless of whether the intent was to reduce risk
or increase return. These techniques may increase the volatility of a
fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the
magnitude of the risk assumed. In addition, these techniques could
result in a loss if the counterparty to the transaction does not
perform as promised.
ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES. Some investments may be determined
by FMR, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, to be
illiquid, which means that they may be difficult to sell promptly at
an acceptable price. The sale of some illiquid securities and some
other securities may be subject to legal restrictions. Difficulty in
selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a fund.
RESTRICTIONS: A fund may not purchase a security if, as a result, more
than 10% of its assets would be invested in illiquid securities.
WHEN-ISSUED AND FORWARD PURCHASE OR SALE TRANSACTIONS are trading
practices in which payment and delivery for the security take place at
a later date than is customary for that type of security. The market
value of the security could change during this period.
CASH MANAGEMENT. A fund may invest in money market securities and in a
money market fund available only to funds and accounts managed by FMR
or its affiliates, whose goal is to seek a high level of current
income exempt from federal income tax while maintaining a stable $1.00
share price. A major change in interest rates or a default on the
money market fund's investments could cause its share price to change.
DIVERSIFICATION. Diversifying a fund's investment portfolio can reduce
the risks of investing. This may include limiting the amount of money
invested in any one issuer or, on a broader scale, in any one industry
or type of project. Economic, business, or political changes can
affect all securities of a similar type.
RESTRICTIONS: With respect to 75% of its total assets, Spartan
Aggressive Municipal may not purchase a security if, as a result, more
than 5% would be invested in the securities of any one issuer. This
limitation does not apply to U.S. Government securities.
With respect to 75% of its assets, Spartan Insured Municipal Income
may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer.
This limitation does not apply to U.S. Government securities. The fund
may also invest more than 25% of its assets in bonds insured by the
same insurance company.
Each fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in tax-free
securities that finance similar types of projects.
BORROWING. Each fund may borrow from banks or from other funds advised
by FMR, or through reverse repurchase agreements. 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.
RESTRICTIONS: Each fund may borrow only for temporary or emergency
purposes, but not in an amount exceeding 331/3% of its total assets.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
Some of the policies and restrictions discussed on the preceding pages
are fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder
approval. The following paragraphs restate all those that are
fundamental. All policies stated throughout this prospectus, other
than those identified in the following paragraphs, can be changed
without shareholder approval.
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE MUNICIPAL seeks to provide a high current yield,
exempt from federal income tax.
Spartan Aggressive Municipal will normally invest at least 80% of its
assets in municipal securities whose interest is exempt from federal
tax.
With respect to 75% of its total assets, Spartan Aggressive Municipal
may not purchase a security if, as a result, more than 5% would be
invested in the securities of any one issuer. This limitation does not
apply to U.S. Government securities.
SPARTAN INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME seeks to provide as high a level of
federally tax-free income as is consistent with preservation of
capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of municipal bonds that
are covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal
and interest.
FMR will invest the fund's assets primarily in municipal bonds that
are: (1) insured under an insurance policy obtained by the issuer or
underwriter; or (2) insured under an insurance policy purchased by the
fund. Insurance will cover the timely payment of interest and
principal on municipal obligations and will be obtained from
recognized insurers.
The fund may invest in uninsured municipal obligations judged to be of
quality equivalent to the four highest ratings assigned by Moody's and
S&P (Baa, BBB, or better). Under normal market conditions, such
uninsured obligations may not exceed 35% of the fund's total assets.
The fund may enter into futures contracts solely as a hedge against
the effect that anticipated interest rate variations may have on the
value of its holdings.
The fund will normally invest at least 80% of its assets in municipal
securities whose interest is exempt from federal taxes.
During periods when FMR determines that a temporary defensive posture
in the market is appropriate, it will consider investments in cash or
cash equivalent short-term obligations, including short-term municipal
obligations as well as those which may be federally taxable.
With respect to 75% of its assets, the fund may not invest more than
5% of its total assets in any one issuer. This limitation does not
apply to U.S. Government securities.
Each fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one
industry. This limitation does not apply to U.S. Government
securities.
Each fund may borrow only for temporary or emergency purposes, but not
in an amount exceeding 331/3% of its total assets.
BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
Like all mutual funds, the funds pay fees related to their daily
operations. Expenses paid out of a fund's assets are reflected in its
share price or dividends; they are neither billed directly to
shareholders nor deducted from shareholder accounts.
Each fund pays a MANAGEMENT FEE to FMR for managing its investments
and business affairs. Each fund also pays OTHER EXPENSES, which are
explained on page .
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the funds for
management fees and other expenses above a specified limit. FMR
retains the ability to be repaid by a fund if expenses fall below the
specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement
arrangements, which may be terminated at any time without notice, can
decrease a fund's expenses and boost its performance.
MANAGEMENT FEE
The management fee is calculated and paid to FMR every month. The fee
is calculated by adding a group fee rate to an individual fund fee
rate, multiplying the result by the fund's monthly average net assets
and dividing by twelve.
UNDERSTANDING THE
MANAGEMENT FEE
The management fee FMR
receives is designed to be
responsive to changes in FMR's
total assets under
management. Building this
variable into the fee
calculation assures
shareholders that they will pay
a lower rate as FMR's assets
under management increase.
(checkmark)
The group fee rate is based on the average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by FMR. This rate cannot rise above 0.37%, and it
drops as total assets under management increase.
FMR has voluntarily agreed to limit Spartan Aggressive Municipal's
total operating expenses to an annual rate of 0.53% of average net
assets. This agreement will continue until December 31, 1999.
For December 1997, the group fee rate was .1372%. The individual fund
fee rate is 0.25% for Spartan Aggressive Municipal and 0.25% for
Spartan Insured Municipal Income.
Because of a reimbursement arrangement, the total management fee, as a
percentage of each fund's average net assets, for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997, was 0.40% for Spartan Aggressive Municipal
and 0.39% for Spartan Insured Municipal Income.
Beginning January 1, 1999, FIMM will have primary responsibility for
managing the funds' investments. FMR will pay FIMM, 50% of its
management fee (before expense reimbursements) for FIMM's services.
OTHER EXPENSES
While the management fee is a significant component of the funds'
annual operating costs, the funds have other expenses as well.
UMB is the transfer and service agent for each fund. UMB has entered
into sub-agreements with FSC under which FSC performs transfer agency,
dividend disbursing, shareholder servicing, and accounting functions
for the funds. These services include processing shareholder
transactions, valuing each fund's investments, and calculating each
fund's share price and dividends.
Under the terms of the sub-agreements, FSC receives all related fees
paid to UMB by each fund.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, transfer agency and
pricing and bookkeeping fees paid (as a percentage of average net
assets) amounted to the following. These amounts are before expense
reductions, if any.
Transfer Agency and
Pricing and Bookkeeping
Fees Paid by Fund
Spartan Aggressive 0.16%
Spartan Insured 0.17%
Each fund also pays other expenses, such as legal, audit, and
custodian fees; in some instances, proxy solicitation costs; and the
compensation of trustees who are not affiliated with Fidelity. A
broker-dealer may use a portion of the commissions paid by a fund to
reduce that fund's custodian or transfer agent fee.
Each fund has adopted a DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN. Each plan
recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenues, as well as
its past profits or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC
for expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of fund
shares. FMR directly, or through FDC, may make payments to third
parties, such as banks or broker-dealers, that engage in the sale of,
or provide shareholder support services for, the fund's shares.
Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such payments.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the portfolio turnover
rates for Spartan Aggressive Municipal and Spartan Insured Municipal
Income were 49% and 24%, respectively. These rates vary from year to
year.
YOUR ACCOUNT
DOING BUSINESS WITH FIDELITY
Fidelity Investments was established in 1946 to manage one of
America's first mutual funds. Today, Fidelity is the largest mutual
fund company in the country, and is known as an innovative provider of
high-quality financial services to individuals and institutions.
In addition to its mutual fund business, the company operates one of
America's leading discount brokerage firms, Fidelity Brokerage
Services, Inc. (FBSI). Fidelity is also a leader in providing
tax-advantaged retirement plans for individuals investing on their own
or through their employer.
Fidelity is committed to providing investors with practical
information to make investment decisions. Based in Boston, Fidelity
provides customers with complete service 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year, through a network of telephone service centers around the
country.
To reach Fidelity for general information, call these numbers:
(small solid bullet) For mutual funds, 1-800-544-8888
(small solid bullet) For brokerage, 1-800-544-7272
If you would prefer to speak with a representative in person, Fidelity
has over 80 walk-in Investor Centers across the country.
TYPES OF ACCOUNTS
You may set up an account directly in a fund or, if you own or intend
to purchase individual securities as part of your total investment
portfolio, you may consider investing in a fund through a brokerage
account.
You may purchase or sell shares of the funds through an investment
professional, including a broker, who may charge you a transaction fee
for this service. If you invest through FBSI, another financial
institution, or an investment professional, read their program
materials for any special provisions, additional service features or
fees that may apply to your investment in a fund. Certain features of
the fund, such as the minimum initial or subsequent investment
amounts, may be modified.
The different ways to set up (register) your account with Fidelity are
listed in the table that follows.
WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT TENANT
FOR YOUR GENERAL INVESTMENT NEEDS
Individual accounts are owned by one person. Joint accounts can have
two or more owners (tenants).
GIFTS OR TRANSFERS TO A MINOR (UGMA, UTMA)
TO INVEST FOR A CHILD'S EDUCATION OR OTHER FUTURE NEEDS
These custodial accounts provide a way to give money to a child and
obtain tax benefits. An individual can give up to $10,000 a year per
child without paying federal gift tax. Depending on state laws, you
can set up a custodial account under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
(UGMA) or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA).
TRUST
FOR MONEY BEING INVESTED BY A TRUST
The trust must be established before an account can be opened.
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION
FOR INVESTMENT NEEDS OF CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, OR
OTHER GROUPS
Requires a special application.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
THE PRICE TO BUY ONE SHARE of each fund is the fund's net asset value
per share (NAV). Each fund's shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be purchased at the next NAV calculated after your
investment is received in proper form. Each fund's NAV is normally
calculated each business day at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Shares of
Spartan Aggressive Municipal and Spartan Insured Municipal Income are
offered to current shareholders only, except for investments through
Fidelity Portfolio Advisory Services for shareholders of Spartan
Aggressive Municipal Fund.
Each fund reserves the right to reject any specific purchase order,
including certain purchases by exchange. See "Exchange Restrictions"
on page . Purchase orders may be refused if, in FMR's opinion they
would disrupt management of a fund.
IF YOU ARE NEW TO FIDELITY, complete and sign an account application
and mail it along with your check. You may also open your account in
person or by wire as described on page . If there is no application
accompanying this prospectus, call 1-800-544-8888.
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE MONEY INVESTED IN A FIDELITY FUND, you can:
(small solid bullet) Mail in an application with a check, or
(small solid bullet) Open your account by exchanging from another
Fidelity fund.
If you buy shares by check or Fidelity Money Line(registered
trademark), and then sell those shares by any method other than by
exchange to another Fidelity fund, the payment may be delayed for up
to seven business days to ensure that your previous investment has
cleared.
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $10,000
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $1,000
Through regular investment plans* $500
MINIMUM BALANCE $5,000
*FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT REGULAR INVESTMENT PLANS, PLEASE REFER TO
"INVESTOR SERVICES," PAGE .
These minimums may vary for investments through Fidelity Portfolio
Advisory Services. Refer to the program materials for details.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 (PHONE_GRAPHIC)
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) EXCHANGE FROM ANOTHER FIDELITY FUND (SMALL SOLID BULLET) EXCHANGE FROM ANOTHER FIDELITY FUND
ACCOUNT WITH THE SAME REGISTRATION, ACCOUNT WITH THE SAME REGISTRATION,
INCLUDING NAME, ADDRESS, AND INCLUDING NAME, ADDRESS, AND
TAXPAYER ID NUMBER. TAXPAYER ID NUMBER.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) USE FIDELITY MONEY LINE TO TRANSFER
FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. CALL BEFORE
YOUR FIRST USE TO VERIFY THAT THIS
SERVICE IS IN PLACE ON YOUR ACCOUNT.
MAXIMUM MONEY LINE: UP TO
$100,000.
MAIL (MAIL_GRAPHIC)
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) COMPLETE AND SIGN THE APPLICATION. (SMALL SOLID BULLET) MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO THE
MAKE YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO THE COMPLETE NAME OF THE FUND. INDICATE
COMPLETE NAME OF THE FUND. MAIL TO YOUR FUND ACCOUNT NUMBER ON YOUR
THE ADDRESS INDICATED ON THE CHECK AND MAIL TO THE ADDRESS PRINTED
APPLICATION. ON YOUR ACCOUNT STATEMENT.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) EXCHANGE BY MAIL: CALL
1-800-544-6666 FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
IN PERSON (HAND_GRAPHIC)
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) BRING YOUR APPLICATION AND CHECK TO (SMALL SOLID BULLET) BRING YOUR CHECK TO A FIDELITY INVESTOR
A FIDELITY INVESTOR CENTER. CALL CENTER. CALL 1-800-544-9797 FOR THE
1-800-544-9797 FOR THE CENTER CENTER NEAREST YOU.
NEAREST YOU.
WIRE (WIRE_GRAPHIC)
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) CALL 1-800-544-7777 TO SET UP YOUR (SMALL SOLID BULLET) WIRE TO:
ACCOUNT AND TO ARRANGE A WIRE BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
TRANSACTION. BANK ROUTING #021001033,
SMALL SOLID BULLET) WIRE WITHIN 24 HOURS TO: ACCOUNT #00163053.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, SPECIFY THE COMPLETE NAME OF THE
BANK ROUTING #021001033, FUND AND INCLUDE YOUR ACCOUNT
ACCOUNT #00163053. NUMBER AND YOUR NAME.
SPECIFY THE COMPLETE NAME OF THE
FUND AND INCLUDE YOUR NEW ACCOUNT
NUMBER AND YOUR NAME.
AUTOMATICALLY (AUTOMATIC_GRAPHIC)
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) NOT AVAILABLE. (SMALL SOLID BULLET) USE FIDELITY AUTOMATIC ACCOUNT
BUILDER. SIGN UP FOR THIS SERVICE
WHEN OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT, OR CALL
1-800-544-6666 TO ADD IT.
(TDD_GRAPHIC) TDD - SERVICE FOR THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED: 1-800-544-0118
</TABLE>
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You can arrange to take money out of your fund account at any time by
selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares.
THE PRICE TO SELL ONE SHARE of each fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order
is received in proper form. Each fund's NAV is normally calculated
each business day at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.
IF YOU ARE SELLING SOME BUT NOT ALL OF YOUR SHARES, leave at least
$5,000 worth of shares in the account to keep it open.
TO SELL SHARES BY BANK WIRE OR FIDELITY MONEY LINE, you will need to
sign up for these services in advance.
CERTAIN REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE. It is designed to
protect you and Fidelity from fraud. Your request must be made in
writing and include a signature guarantee if any of the following
situations apply:
(small solid bullet) You wish to redeem more than $100,000 worth of
shares,
(small solid bullet) Your account registration has changed within the
last 30 days,
(small solid bullet) The check is being mailed to a different address
than the one on your account (record address),
(small solid bullet) The check is being made payable to someone other
than the account owner, or
(small solid bullet) The redemption proceeds are being transferred to
a Fidelity account with a different registration.
You should be able to obtain a signature guarantee from a bank, broker
(including Fidelity Investor Centers), dealer, credit union (if
authorized under state law), securities exchange or association,
clearing agency, or savings association. A notary public cannot
provide a signature guarantee.
SELLING SHARES IN WRITING
Write a "letter of instruction" with:
(small solid bullet) Your name,
(small solid bullet) The fund's name,
(small solid bullet) Your fund account number,
(small solid bullet) The dollar amount or number of shares to be
redeemed, and
(small solid bullet) Any other applicable requirements listed in the
table that follows.
Unless otherwise instructed, Fidelity will send a check to the record
address. Deliver your letter to a Fidelity Investor Center, or mail it
to:
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 660602
Dallas, TX 75266-0602
CHECKWRITING
If you have a checkbook for your account in Spartan Insured Municipal
Income, you may write an unlimited number of checks. Do not, however,
try to close out your account by check.
ACCOUNT TYPE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
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PHONE 1-800-544-777 (PHONE_GRAPHIC)
ALL ACCOUNT TYPES (SMALL SOLID BULLET) MAXIMUM CHECK REQUEST: $100,000.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) FOR MONEY LINE TRANSFERS TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT;
MINIMUM: $10; MAXIMUM: UP TO $100,000.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) YOU MAY EXCHANGE TO OTHER FIDELITY FUNDS IF
BOTH ACCOUNTS ARE REGISTERED WITH THE SAME
NAME(S), ADDRESS, AND TAXPAYER ID NUMBER.
MAIL OR IN PERSON (MAIL_GRAPHIC)(HAND_GRAPHIC)
INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT, (SMALL SOLID BULLET) THE LETTER OF INSTRUCTION MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, PERSONS REQUIRED TO SIGN FOR TRANSACTIONS,
UGMA, UTMA EXACTLY AS THEIR NAMES APPEAR ON THE ACCOUNT.
TRUST (SMALL SOLID BULLET) THE TRUSTEE MUST SIGN THE LETTER INDICATING
CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE. IF THE TRUSTEE'S NAME IS NOT
IN THE ACCOUNT REGISTRATION, PROVIDE A COPY OF THE
TRUST DOCUMENT CERTIFIED WITHIN THE LAST 60 DAYS.
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION (SMALL SOLID BULLET) AT LEAST ONE PERSON AUTHORIZED BY CORPORATE
RESOLUTION TO ACT ON THE ACCOUNT MUST SIGN THE
LETTER.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) INCLUDE A CORPORATE RESOLUTION WITH CORPORATE
SEAL OR A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, (SMALL SOLID BULLET) CALL 1-800-544-6666 FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
WIRE (WIRE_GRAPHIC)
ALL ACCOUNT TYPES (SMALL SOLID BULLET) YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THE WIRE FEATURE BEFORE
USING IT. TO VERIFY THAT IT IS IN PLACE, CALL
1-800-544-6666. MINIMUM WIRE: $5,000.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) YOUR WIRE REDEMPTION REQUEST MUST BE RECEIVED
IN PROPER FORM BY FIDELITY BEFORE 4:00 P.M.
EASTERN TIME FOR MONEY TO BE WIRED ON THE
NEXT BUSINESS DAY.
CHECK (CHECK_GRAPHIC)
ALL ACCOUNT TYPES (SMALL SOLID BULLET) MINIMUM CHECK: $1,000.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) ALL ACCOUNT OWNERS MUST SIGN A SIGNATURE CARD
TO RECEIVE A CHECKBOOK.
(TDD_GRAPHIC) TDD - SERVICE FOR THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED: 1-800-544-0118
</TABLE>
INVESTOR SERVICES
Fidelity provides a variety of services to help you manage your
account.
INFORMATION SERVICES
FIDELITY'S TELEPHONE REPRESENTATIVES are available 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. Whenever you call, you can speak with someone equipped to
provide the information or service you need.
24-HOUR SERVICE
ACCOUNT ASSISTANCE
1-800-544-6666
ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS
1-800-544-7777
PRODUCT INFORMATION
1-800-544-8888
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT ASSISTANCE
1-800-544-4774
TOUCHTONE XPRESSSM
1-800-544-5555
AUTOMATED SERVICE
(checkmark)
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS that Fidelity sends to you include the
following:
(small solid bullet) Confirmation statements (after every transaction,
except reinvestments, that affects your account balance or your
account registration)
(small solid bullet) Account statements (quarterly)
(small solid bullet) Financial reports (every six months)
To reduce expenses, only one copy of most financial reports and
prospectuses will be mailed to your household, even if you have more
than one account in the fund. Call 1-800-544-6666 if you need copies
of financial reports, prospectuses, or historical account information.
TRANSACTION SERVICES
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. You may sell your fund shares and buy shares of
other Fidelity funds by telephone or in writing.
Note that exchanges out of a fund are limited to four per calendar
year, and that they may have tax consequences for you. For details on
policies and restrictions governing exchanges, including circumstances
under which a shareholder's exchange privilege may be suspended or
revoked, see page .
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS let you set up periodic redemptions from
your account.
FIDELITY MONEY LINE(registered trademark) enables you to transfer
money by phone between your bank account and your fund account. Most
transfers are complete within three business days of your call.
REGULAR INVESTMENT PLANS
One easy way to pursue your financial goals is to invest money
regularly. Fidelity offers convenient services that let you transfer
money into your fund account, or between fund accounts, automatically.
While regular investment plans do not guarantee a profit and will not
protect you against loss in a declining market, they can be an
excellent way to invest for a home, educational expenses, and other
long-term financial goals.
REGULAR INVESTMENT PLANS
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC ACCOUNT BUILDERSM
TO MOVE MONEY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO A FIDELITY FUND
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MINIMUM FREQUENCY SETTING UP OR CHANGING
$500 MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY (SMALL SOLID BULLET) FOR A NEW ACCOUNT, COMPLETE THE APPROPRIATE SECTION ON THE FUND
APPLICATION.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) FOR EXISTING ACCOUNTS, CALL 1-800-544-6666 FOR AN APPLICATION.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT OR FREQUENCY OF YOUR INVESTMENT, CALL
1-800-544-6666 AT LEAST THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR NEXT
SCHEDULED INVESTMENT DATE.
</TABLE>
DIRECT DEPOSIT
TO SEND ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR PAYCHECK OR GOVERNMENT CHECK TO A
FIDELITY FUNDA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
MINIMUM FREQUENCY SETTING UP OR CHANGING
$500 EVERY PAY PERIOD (SMALL SOLID BULLET) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX ON THE FUND APPLICATION, OR CALL
1-800-544-6666 FOR AN AUTHORIZATION FORM.
(SMALL SOLID BULLET) CHANGES REQUIRE A NEW AUTHORIZATION FORM.
</TABLE>
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE SERVICE
TO MOVE MONEY FROM A FIDELITY MONEY MARKET FUND TO ANOTHER FIDELITY
FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
MINIMUM FREQUENCY SETTING UP OR CHANGING
$500 Monthly, bimonthly, (small solid bullet) To establish, call 1-800-544-6666 after both accounts are
quarterly, or annually opened.
(small solid bullet) To change the amount or frequency of your investment, call
1-800-544-6666.
</TABLE>
A BECAUSE THEIR SHARE PRICES FLUCTUATE, THESE FUNDS MAY NOT BE
APPROPRIATE CHOICES FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT OF YOUR ENTIRE CHECK.
SHAREHOLDER AND ACCOUNT POLICIES
DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS, AND TAXES
Each fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income
and capital gains to shareholders each year. Income dividends are
declared daily and paid monthly. Capital gains are normally
distributed in February and December.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
When you open an account, specify on your application how you want to
receive your distributions. If the option you prefer is not listed on
the application, call 1-800-544-6666 for instructions. Each fund
offers four options:
1. REINVESTMENT OPTION. Your dividend and capital gain distributions
will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the fund. If
you do not indicate a choice on your application, you will be assigned
this option.
2. INCOME-EARNED OPTION. Your capital gain distributions will be
automatically reinvested, but you will be sent a check for each
dividend distribution.
3. CASH OPTION. You will be sent a check for your dividend and capital
gain distributions.
4. DIRECTED DIVIDENDS(registered trademark) OPTION. Your dividend and
capital gain distributions will be automatically invested in another
identically registered Fidelity fund.
Dividends will be reinvested at the fund's NAV on the last day of the
month. Capital gain distributions will be reinvested at the NAV as of
the date the fund deducts the distribution from its NAV. The mailing
of distribution checks will begin within seven days, or longer for a
December ex-dividend date.
UNDERSTANDING
DISTRIBUTIONS
AS A FUND SHAREHOLDER, YOU ARE
ENTITLED TO YOUR SHARE OF THE
FUND'S NET INCOME AND GAINS
ON ITS INVESTMENTS. THE FUND
PASSES ITS EARNINGS ALONG TO ITS
INVESTORS AS DISTRIBUTIONS.
EACH FUND EARNS INTEREST FROM
ITS INVESTMENTS. THESE ARE
PASSED ALONG AS DIVIDEND
DISTRIBUTIONS. THE FUND MAY
REALIZE CAPITAL GAINS IF IT SELLS
SECURITIES FOR A HIGHER PRICE
THAN IT PAID FOR THEM. THESE
ARE PASSED ALONG AS CAPITAL
GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS.
(CHECKMARK)
TAXES
As with any investment, you should consider how an investment in a
tax-free fund could affect you. Below are some of the funds' tax
implications.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Interest income that a fund earns is
distributed to shareholders as income dividends. Interest that is
federally tax-free remains tax-free when it is distributed.
However, gain on the sale of tax-free bonds results in taxable
distributions. Short-term capital gains and a portion of the gain on
bonds purchased at a discount are distributed as dividends and taxed
as ordinary income. Capital gain distributions are taxed as long-term
capital gains. These distributions are taxable when they are paid,
whether you take them in cash or reinvest them. However, distributions
declared in December and paid in January are taxable as if they were
paid on December 31. Fidelity will send you a statement showing the
tax status of distributions, and will report to the IRS the amount of
any taxable distributions, paid to you in the previous year.
The interest from some municipal securities is subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax. Each fund may invest up to 100% of its assets
in these securities. Individuals who are subject to the tax must
report this interest on their tax returns.
A portion of a fund's dividends may be free from state or local taxes.
Income from investments in your state are often tax-free to you. Each
year, Fidelity will send you a breakdown of your fund's income from
each state to help you calculate your taxes.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, 100% of each fund's
income dividends was free from federal income tax and 13.04% of
Spartan Aggressive Municipal's and 3.05% of Spartan Insured Municipal
Income's income dividends were subject to the federal alternative
minimum tax.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS. Your redemptions - including exchanges to other
Fidelity funds - are subject to capital gains tax. A capital gain or
loss is the difference between the cost of your shares and the price
you receive when you sell them.
Whenever you sell shares of a fund, Fidelity will send you a
confirmation statement showing how many shares you sold and at what
price. You will also receive a consolidated transaction statement
every January. However, it is up to you or your tax preparer to
determine whether this sale resulted in a capital gain and, if so, the
amount of tax to be paid. Be sure to keep your regular account
statements; the information they contain will be essential in
calculating the amount of your capital gains.
"BUYING A DIVIDEND." If you buy shares when a fund has realized but
not yet distributed income or capital gains, you will pay the full
price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back in
the form of a taxable distribution.
TRANSACTION DETAILS
THE FUNDS ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open. FSC normally calculates each fund's NAV as of the
close of business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.
EACH FUND'S NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV is computed by
adding the value of the fund's investments, cash, and other assets,
subtracting its liabilities, and then dividing the result by the
number of shares outstanding.
Each fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of information
furnished by a pricing service or market quotations, if available, or
by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately
reflects fair value.
WHEN YOU SIGN YOUR ACCOUNT APPLICATION, you will be asked to certify
that your social security or taxpayer identification number is correct
and that you are not subject to 31% backup withholding for failing to
report income to the IRS. If you violate IRS regulations, the IRS can
require a fund to withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and
redemptions.
YOU MAY INITIATE MANY TRANSACTIONS BY TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONICALLY.
Fidelity will not be responsible for any losses resulting from
unauthorized transactions if it follows reasonable security procedures
designed to verify the identity of the investor. Fidelity will request
personalized security codes or other information, and may also record
calls. For transactions through the Internet, Fidelity recommends the
use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. You should verify
the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you
receive them. If you do not want the ability to redeem and exchange by
telephone, call Fidelity for instructions.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO REACH FIDELITY BY PHONE (for example, during
periods of unusual market activity), consider placing your order by
mail or by visiting a Fidelity Investor Center.
EACH FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT to suspend the offering of shares for a
period of time.
WHEN YOU PLACE AN ORDER TO BUY SHARES, your shares will be purchased
at the next NAV calculated after your investment is received in proper
form. Note the following:
(small solid bullet) All of your purchases must be made in U.S.
dollars and checks must be drawn on U.S. banks.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity does not accept cash.
(small solid bullet) When making a purchase with more than one check,
each check must have a value of at least $50.
(small solid bullet) Each fund reserves the right to limit the number
of checks processed at one time.
(small solid bullet) If your check does not clear, your purchase will
be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees a fund or
its transfer agent has incurred.
(small solid bullet) You begin to earn dividends as of the first
business day following the day of your purchase.
TO AVOID THE COLLECTION PERIOD associated with check and Money Line
purchases, consider buying shares by bank wire, U.S. Postal money
order, U.S. Treasury check, Federal Reserve check, or direct deposit
instead.
CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS that have entered into sales agreements
with FDC may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of customers by
phone, with payment to follow no later than the time when a fund is
priced on the following business day. If payment is not received by
that time, the financial institution could be held liable for
resulting fees or losses.
WHEN YOU PLACE AN ORDER TO SELL SHARES, your shares will be sold at
the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form.
Note the following:
(small solid bullet) Normally, redemption proceeds will be mailed to
you on the next business day, but if making immediate payment could
adversely affect a fund, it may take up to seven days to pay you.
(small solid bullet) Shares will earn dividends through the date of
redemption; however, shares redeemed on a Friday or prior to a holiday
will continue to earn dividends until the next business day.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Money Line redemptions generally will be
credited to your bank account on the second or third business day
after your phone call.
(small solid bullet) Each fund may hold payment on redemptions until
it is reasonably satisfied that investments made by check or Fidelity
Money Line have been collected, which can take up to seven business
days.
(small solid bullet) Remember to keep shares in your account in order
to be eligible to purchase additional shares of Spartan Aggressive
Municipal or Spartan Insured Municipal Income.
(small solid bullet) Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates
postponed when the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays),
when trading on the NYSE is restricted, or as permitted by the SEC.
(small solid bullet) If you sell shares by writing a check and the
amount of the check is greater than the value of your account, your
check will be returned to you and you may be subject to additional
charges.
FIDELITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DEDUCT AN ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE of
$12.00 from accounts with a value of less than $2,500, subject to an
annual maximum charge of $24.00 per shareholder. It is expected that
accounts will be valued on the second Friday in November of each year.
Accounts opened after September 30 will not be subject to the fee for
that year. The fee, which is payable to the transfer agent, is
designed to offset in part the relatively higher costs of servicing
smaller accounts. This fee will not be deducted from Fidelity
brokerage accounts, retirement accounts (except non-prototype
retirement accounts), accounts using regular investment plans, or if
total assets with Fidelity exceed $30,000. Eligibility for the $30,000
waiver is determined by aggregating Fidelity accounts maintained by
FSC or FBSI which are registered under the same social security number
or which list the same social security number for the custodian of a
Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act account.
IF YOUR ACCOUNT BALANCE FALLS BELOW $5,000, you will be given 30 days'
notice to reestablish the minimum balance. If you do not increase your
balance, Fidelity reserves the right to close your account and send
the proceeds to you. Your shares will be redeemed at the NAV on the
day your account is closed.
FIDELITY MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR SPECIAL SERVICES, such as providing
historical account documents, that are beyond the normal scope of its
services.
FDC may, at its own expense, provide promotional incentives to
qualified recipients who support the sale of shares of the funds
without reimbursement from the funds. Qualified recipients are
securities dealers who have sold fund shares or others, including
banks and other financial institutions, under special arrangements in
connection with FDC's sales activities. In some instances, these
incentives may be offered only to certain institutions whose
representatives provide services in connection with the sale or
expected sale of significant amounts of shares.
EXCHANGE RESTRICTIONS
As a shareholder, you have the privilege of exchanging shares of a
fund for shares of other Fidelity funds. However, you should note the
following:
(small solid bullet) The fund you are exchanging into must be
available for sale in your state.
(small solid bullet) You may only exchange between accounts that are
registered in the same name, address, and taxpayer identification
number.
(small solid bullet) Before exchanging into a fund, read its
prospectus.
(small solid bullet) If you exchange into a fund with a sales charge,
you pay the percentage-point difference between that fund's sales
charge and any sales charge you have previously paid in connection
with the shares you are exchanging. For example, if you had already
paid a sales charge of 2% on your shares and you exchange them into a
fund with a 3% sales charge, you would pay an additional 1% sales
charge.
(small solid bullet) Exchanges may have tax consequences for you.
(small solid bullet) Because excessive trading can hurt fund
performance and shareholders, each fund reserves the right to
temporarily or permanently terminate the exchange privilege of any
investor who makes more than four exchanges out of the fund per
calendar year. Accounts under common ownership or control, including
accounts with the same taxpayer identification number, will be counted
together for purposes of the four exchange limit.
(small solid bullet) Each fund reserves the right to refuse exchange
purchases by any person or group if, in FMR's judgment, the fund would
be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its
investment objective and policies, or would otherwise potentially be
adversely affected.
(small solid bullet) Your exchanges may be restricted or refused if a
fund receives or anticipates simultaneous orders affecting significant
portions of the fund's assets. In particular, a pattern of exchanges
that coincides with a "market timing" strategy may be disruptive to a
fund.
Although the funds will attempt to give you prior notice whenever they
are reasonably able to do so, they may impose these restrictions at
any time. The funds reserve the right to terminate or modify the
exchange privilege in the future.
OTHER FUNDS MAY HAVE DIFFERENT EXCHANGE RESTRICTIONS, and may impose
administrative fees of up to 1.00% and trading fees of up to 1.50% of
the amount exchanged. Check each fund's prospectus for details.
This prospectus is printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks.
SPARTAN(registered trademark) AGGRESSIVE MUNICIPAL FUND
AND
SPARTAN(registered trademark) INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
FUNDS OF FIDELITY MUNICIPAL TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 26, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus but
should be read in conjunction with the funds' current Prospectus
(dated February 26, 1998). Please retain this document for future
reference. The funds' Annual Reports are separate documents supplied
with this SAI. To obtain a free additional copy of the Prospectus or
an Annual Report, please call Fidelity at 1-800-544-8888.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and Limitations
Portfolio Transactions
Valuation
Performance
Additional Purchase, Exchange and Redemption Information
Distributions and Taxes
FMR
Trustees and Officers
Management Contracts
Distribution and Service Plans
Contracts with FMR Affiliates
Description of the Trust
Financial Statements
Appendix
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)
DISTRIBUTOR
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC)
TRANSFER AGENT
UMB Bank, n.a. (UMB)
and Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC)
FAT/ITP-ptb-0298
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in
the Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy
or limitation states a maximum percentage of a 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.
A fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940
Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment
limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations
described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE MUNICIPAL FUND
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS SET
FORTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY. THE FUND MAY NOT:
(1) 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)
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;
(2) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment
Company Act of 1940;
(3) 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;
(4) 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;
(5) 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 tax-exempt obligations issued or guaranteed by a
U.S. territory or possession or a state or local government, or a
political subdivision of any of the foregoing) 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;
(6) 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);
(7) 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); or
(8) 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.
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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 fundamental investment
limitation (3)). The fund will not borrow from other funds advised by
FMR or its affiliates if total outstanding borrowings immediately
after such borrowing would exceed 15% of the fund's total assets.
(iv) The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if,
as a result, more than 10% of its net assets would be invested in
securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be
sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the prices at which they are valued.
(v) The fund does not currently intend to engage in repurchase
agreements or make loans, but this limitation does not apply to
purchases of debt securities.
For purposes of limitations (1) and (5), FMR identifies the issuer of
a security depending on its terms and conditions. In identifying the
issuer, FMR will consider the entity or entities responsible for
payment of interest and repayment of principal and the source of such
payments; the way in which assets and revenues of an issuing political
subdivision are separated from those of other political entities; and
whether a governmental body is guaranteeing the security.
With respect to limitation (iv), if through a change in values, net
assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more
than 10% of its net assets was invested in illiquid securities, it
would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
For the fund's limitations on futures and options transactions, see
the section entitled "Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions"
on page 5.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF SPARTAN INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS SET
FORTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY. THE FUND MAY NOT:
(1) purchase the securities of any issuer (except the United States
government, its agencies or its instrumentalities) if, with respect to
75% of its assets, it would cause more than 5% of its total assets to
be invested in the securities of that issuer (As used in this document
and in the Prospectus, the entity which has the ultimate
responsibility for the payment of interest and principal on a
particular security will be treated as its issuer.);
(2) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment
Company Act of 1940;
(3) 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;
(4) 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;
(5) 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 tax-exempt obligations issued or guaranteed by a
U.S. territory or possession or a state or local government, or a
political subdivision of any of the foregoing) if, as a result, more
than 25% of the fund's total assets would be invested in securities of
companies whose principal business activities are in the same
industry;
(6) 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);
(7) 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); or
(8) 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.
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(i) With respect to 75% of its total assets, the fund does not
currently intend to 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, the fund would own more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
(iv) 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 fundamental investment
limitation (3)). The fund will not borrow from other funds advised by
FMR or its affiliates if total outstanding borrowings immediately
after such borrowing would exceed 15% of the fund's total assets.
(v) The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as
a result, more than 10% of its net assets would be invested in
securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be
sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the prices at which they are valued.
(vi) The fund does not currently intend to engage in repurchase
agreements or make loans, but this limitation does not apply to
purchases of debt securities.
For purposes of limitations (1) and (5), FMR identifies the issuer of
a security depending on its terms and conditions. In identifying the
issuer, FMR will consider the entity or entities responsible for
payment of interest and repayment of principal and the source of such
payments; the way in which assets and revenues of an issuing political
subdivision are separated from those of other political entities; and
whether a governmental body is guaranteeing the security.
With respect to limitation (v) , if through a change in values,
net assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where
more than 10% of its net assets was invested in illiquid securities,
it would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
For the fund's limitations on futures and options transactions, see
the section entitled "Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions"
on page .
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which a fund may invest, strategies FMR may employ in
pursuit of a fund's investment objective, and a summary of related
risks. FMR may not buy all of these instruments or use all of these
techniques unless it believes that doing so will help the fund achieve
its goal.
AFFILIATED BANK TRANSACTIONS. A fund may engage in transactions with
financial institutions that are, or may be considered to be,
"affiliated persons" of the fund under the 1940 Act. These
transactions may involve repurchase agreements with custodian banks;
short-term obligations of, and repurchase agreements with, the 50
largest U.S. banks (measured by deposits); municipal securities; U.S.
Government securities with affiliated financial institutions that are
primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency transactions;
and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive orders issued
by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Trustees
has established and periodically reviews procedures applicable to
transactions involving affiliated financial institutions.
DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS. Securities may be bought and sold on a
delayed-delivery or when-issued basis. These transactions involve a
commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined
price or yield, with payment and delivery taking place after the
customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no
interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. The
funds may receive fees or price concessions for entering into
delayed-delivery transactions.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, 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 delayed-delivery purchases
are outstanding, the delayed-delivery purchases may result in a form
of leverage. When delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, a fund
will set aside appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial
account to cover the purchase obligations. When a fund has sold a
security on a delayed-delivery basis, 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 delayed-delivery transaction, may sell the
underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital
gains or losses for the fund.
FEDERALLY TAXABLE SECURITIES. Under normal conditions, a municipal
fund does not intend to invest in securities whose interest is
federally taxable. However, from time to time on a temporary basis, a
municipal fund may invest a portion of its assets in fixed-income
securities whose interest is subject to federal income tax.
Should a municipal fund invest in federally taxable securities, it
would purchase securities that, in FMR's judgment, are of high
quality. These would include securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, obligations of
domestic banks, and repurchase agreements. A municipal bond fund's
standards for high-quality, taxable securities are essentially the
same as those described by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's)
in rating corporate obligations within its two highest ratings of
Prime-1 and Prime-2, and those described by Standard & Poor's (S&P) in
rating corporate obligations within its two highest ratings of A-1 and
A-2.
Proposals to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption
for interest on municipal securities are introduced before Congress
from time to time. Proposals also may be introduced before state
legislatures that would affect the state tax treatment of a municipal
fund's distributions. If such proposals were enacted, the availability
of municipal securities and the value of a municipal fund's holdings
would be affected and the Trustees would reevaluate the fund's
investment objectives and policies.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS. The following paragraphs pertain to futures and
options: Asset Coverage for Futures and Options Positions, Combined
Positions, Correlation of Price Changes, Futures Contracts, Futures
Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions,
Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts, OTC Options, Purchasing
Put and Call Options, and Writing Put and Call Options.
ASSET COVERAGE FOR FUTURES AND OPTIONS POSITIONS. The funds will
comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage
of options and futures strategies by mutual funds and, if the
guidelines so require, will set aside appropriate liquid assets in a
segregated custodial account in the amount prescribed. Securities held
in a segregated account cannot be sold while the futures or option
strategy is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable
assets. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a
large percentage of a fund's assets could impede portfolio management
or the fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current
obligations.
COMBINED POSITIONS may involve purchasing and writing options in
combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward
contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the
overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a
call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a
combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to
selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would
involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call
option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option
in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options
positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction
costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
CORRELATION OF PRICE CHANGES. Because there are a limited number of
types of exchange-traded options and futures contracts, it is likely
that the standardized contracts available will not match a fund's
current or anticipated investments exactly. A fund may invest in
options and futures contracts based on securities with different
issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in
which the fund typically invest, which involves a risk that the
options or futures position will not track the performance of the
fund's other investments.
Options and futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their
underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a
fund's investments well. Options and futures prices are affected by
such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates,
changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time
remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect
security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result
from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and
the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and
futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price
fluctuation limits or trading halts. A fund may purchase or sell
options and futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the
securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to
attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the
contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in
all cases. If price changes in a fund's options or futures positions
are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may
fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not
offset by gains in other investments.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. In purchasing a futures contract, the buyer agrees
to purchase a specified underlying instrument at a specified future
date. In selling a futures contract, the seller agrees to a specified
underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price at which
the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer and
seller enter into the contract. Some currently available futures
contracts are based on specific securities, such as U.S. Treasury
bonds or notes, and some are based on indices of securities prices,
such as the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index. Futures can be held until
their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a liquid
secondary market is available.
The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in
tandem with the value of its underlying instrument. Therefore,
purchasing futures contracts will tend to increase a fund's exposure
to positive and negative price fluctuations in the underlying
instrument, much as if it had purchased the underlying instrument
directly. When a fund sells a futures contract, by contrast, the value
of its futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to
the market. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset
both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the
underlying instrument had been sold.
FUTURES MARGIN PAYMENTS. The purchaser or seller of a futures contract
is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument unless
the contract is held until the delivery date. However, both the
purchaser and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a
futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), when the
contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically equal
to a percentage of the contract's value. If the value of either
party's position declines, that party will be required to make
additional "variation margin" payments to settle the change in value
on a daily basis. The party that has a gain may be entitled to receive
all or a portion of this amount. Initial and variation margin payments
do not constitute purchasing securities on margin for purposes of a
fund's investment limitations. In the event of the bankruptcy of an
FCM that holds margin on behalf of a fund, the fund may be entitled to
return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received
by the FCM's other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the
fund.
LIMITATIONS ON FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS. Each fund has filed a
notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term
"commodity pool operator" with the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association, which regulate
trading in the futures markets. The funds intend to comply with Rule
4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, which limits the extent to which
the funds can commit assets to initial margin deposits and option
premiums.
In addition, each fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase
put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of
the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under
normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options
if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or
exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would
exceed 25% of its total assets; or (c) purchase call options if, as a
result, the current value of option premiums for call options
purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the fund's total assets.
These limitations do not apply to options attached to or acquired or
traded together with their underlying securities, and do not apply to
securities that incorporate features similar to options.
The above limitations on the funds' investments in futures contracts
and options, and the funds' policies regarding futures contracts and
options discussed elsewhere in this SAI, may be changed as regulatory
agencies permit.
LIQUIDITY OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS. There is no assurance a
liquid secondary market will exist for any particular options or
futures contract at any particular time. Options may have relatively
low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close
to the underlying instrument's current price. In addition, exchanges
may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options and futures
contracts, and may halt trading if a contract's price moves upward or
downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days
when the price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is
imposed, it may be impossible to enter into new positions or close out
existing positions. If the secondary market for a contract is not
liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could
prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially
could require a fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or
expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a fund's
access to other assets held to cover its options or futures positions
could also be impaired.
OTC OPTIONS. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized
with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract
size, and strike price, the terms of over-the-counter (OTC) options
(options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through
negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this
type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility
to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally involve
greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed
by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
PURCHASING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. By purchasing a put option, the
purchaser obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the
option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for
this right, the purchaser pays the current market price for the option
(known as the option premium). Options have various types of
underlying instruments, including specific securities, indices of
securities prices, and futures contracts. The purchaser may terminate
its position in a put option by allowing it to expire or by exercising
the option. If the option is allowed to expire, the purchaser will
lose the entire premium. If the option is exercised the purchaser
completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. A
purchaser may also terminate a put option position by closing it out
in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary
market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if
security prices fall substantially. However, if the underlying
instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of
purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss
(limited to the amount of the premium, plus related transaction
costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put
options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right
to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the
option's strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate
in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk
limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same
time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not
rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
WRITING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. The writer of a put or call option takes
the opposite side of the transaction from the option's purchaser. In
return for receipt of the premium, the writer assumes the obligation
to pay the strike price for the option's underlying instrument if the
other party to the option chooses to exercise it. The writer may seek
to terminate a position in a put option before exercise by closing out
the option in the secondary market at its current price. If the
secondary market is not liquid for a put option, however, the writer
must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option
is outstanding, regardless of price changes, and must continue to set
aside assets to cover its position. When writing an option on a
futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin payments to a
FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the
premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it
is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able
to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the
put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less
than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly,
however, because the premium received for writing the option should
mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the
option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon
exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options
are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls
generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall.
Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the
effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer
must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for
the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer
gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS are investments that cannot be sold or disposed
of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at
which they are valued. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees,
FMR determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and, through
reports from FMR, the Board monitors investments in illiquid
instruments. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, FMR
may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency of trades
and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers
in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, (4) the
nature of the security (including any demand or tender features), and
(5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to
assign or offset the fund's rights and obligations relating to the
investment).
Investments currently considered by FMR to be illiquid include
over-the-counter options. Also, FMR may determine some restricted
securities and municipal lease obligations to be illiquid. However,
with respect to over-the-counter options a fund writes, all or a
portion of the value of the underlying instrument may be illiquid
depending on the assets held to cover the option and the nature and
terms of any agreement the fund may have to close out the option
before expiration.
In the absence of market quotations, illiquid investments are priced
at fair value as determined in good faith by a committee appointed by
the Board of Trustees.
INDEXED SECURITIES are instruments whose prices are indexed to the
prices of other securities, securities indices, or other financial
indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt
securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is
determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. Indexed
securities may have principal payments as well as coupon payments that
depend on the performance of one or more interest rates. Their coupon
rates or principal payments may change by several percentage points
for every 1% interest rate change.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the
performance of the security or other instrument to which they are
indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes. Indexed
securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments.
Indexed securities are also subject to the credit risks associated
with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline
substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates.
INSURANCE FEATURE. Under normal market conditions, the insured fund
will invest primarily in municipal bonds that, at the time of
purchase, either (1) are insured under fund insurance issued to the
fund by an insurer or (2) are insured under an insurance policy
obtained by the issuer or underwriter of such municipal bonds at the
time of original issuance thereof (issuer insurance). If a municipal
bond is already covered by issuer insurance when acquired by the fund,
then coverage will not be duplicated by fund insurance; if a municipal
bond is not covered by issuer insurance, it may be covered by fund
insurance purchased by the fund. The fund may also purchase municipal
notes that are insured, although, in general, municipal notes are not
presently issued with issuer insurance, and the fund does not
generally expect to cover municipal notes under its fund insurance.
Accordingly, the fund does not presently expect that any significant
portion of the municipal notes it purchases will be covered by
insurance. Securities other than municipal bonds and notes purchased
by the fund will not be covered by insurance. Based upon the expected
composition of the fund, FMR estimates that the annual premiums for
fund insurance will range from .10% to .35% of the fund's average net
assets. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the fund did
not purchase any portfolio insurance. Although the insurance feature
reduces certain financial risks, the premiums for fund insurance,
which are paid from the fund's assets, and the restrictions on
investments imposed by fund insurance guidelines, reduce the fund's
current yield.
Insurance will cover the timely payment of interest and principal on
municipal obligations and will be obtained from recognized insurers.
In order to be considered as eligible insurance by the fund, such
insurance policies must guarantee the timely payment of all principal
and interest on the municipal bonds as they become due. However, such
insurance may provide that in the event of non-payment of interest or
principal when due, with respect to an insured municipal bond, the
insurer is not obligated to make such payment until a specified time
period (which may be thirty days or more) after it has been notified
by the fund that such non-payment has occurred. For these purposes, a
payment of principal is due only at final maturity of the municipal
bond and not at the time any earlier sinking fund payment is due. The
insurance does not guarantee the market value of the municipal bonds
or the value of the shares of the fund and, except as described below
and in the section entitled "Valuation of Portfolio Securities," has
no effect on the price or redemption value of fund shares.
Municipal bonds are generally eligible for insurance under fund
insurance if, at the time of purchase by the fund, they are identified
separately or by category in qualitative guidelines furnished by the
fund insurer and are in compliance with the aggregate limitations on
amounts set forth in such guidelines. Premium variations are based in
part on the rating of the municipal bond being insured at the time the
fund purchases the bond. The insurer may prospectively withdraw
particular municipal bonds from the classifications of bonds eligible
for insurance or change the aggregate amount limitation of each issue
or category of eligible municipal bonds, but must continue to insure
the full amount of such bonds previously acquired which the insurer
has indicated are eligible so long as they remain in the fund. The
qualitative guidelines and aggregate amount limitations established by
the insurer from time to time will not necessarily be the same as
those the fund or FMR would use to govern selection of municipal bonds
for the fund's investments. Therefore, from time to time such
guidelines and limitations may affect investment decisions.
Because coverage under the fund insurance terminates upon sale of a
municipal bond from the fund, the insurance does not have any effect
on the resale value of such a bond. Therefore, FMR may decide to
retain any insured municipal bonds which are in default or, in FMR's
view, in significant risk of default, and place a value on the
insurance. This value will be equal to the difference between the
market value of the defaulted municipal bond and the market value of
similar municipal bonds that are not in default. As a result, FMR may
be limited in its ability to manage the fund to the extent that it
holds defaulted municipal bonds, which will limit its ability in
certain circumstances to purchase other municipal bonds. While a
defaulted municipal bond is held by the fund, the fund continues to
pay the insurance premium thereon but also collects interest payments
from the insurer and retains the right to collect the full amount of
principal from the insurer when the municipal bond comes due. The fund
expects that the market value of a defaulted municipal bond covered by
issuer insurance will generally be greater than the market value of an
otherwise comparable defaulted municipal bond covered by fund
insurance.
PRINCIPAL BOND INSURERS. AMBAC Indemnity Corporation (AMBAC Indemnity)
is a Wisconsin-domiciled stock insurance corporation regulated by the
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin and
licensed to do business in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with admitted assets of approximately
$5.69 billion (unaudited) and statutory capital of approximately
$1.384 billion (unaudited) as of June 30, 1996. Statutory capital
consists of AMBAC Indemnity's policyholders' surplus and statutory
contingency reserve. AMBAC Indemnity is a wholly owned subsidiary of
AMBAC Inc., a 100% publicly-held company. Moody's and S&P have both
assigned a triple-A claims-paying ability rating to AMBAC Indemnity.
Financial Security Assurance (FSA) is a "Aaa/AAA" rated monoline stock
insurance company incorporated in the State of Maryland. FSA is a
publicly owned company whose shares are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange.
FSA is authorized to provide insurance in 49 states, the District of
Columbia and three U.S. territories. FSA focuses on insuring municipal
securities. Their policies guarantee the timely payment of principal
and interest when due for payment on new issue and secondary market
issue municipal bond transactions. FSA's claims-paying ability is
rated "Triple-A" by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's. Therefore, if
FSA insures an issue with a stand alone rating of less than
"Triple-A", such issue would be "upgraded" to "Aaa/AAA" by virtue of
FSA's insurance.
As of June 30, 1996, FSA had $53.3 billion in net exposure
outstanding. The total statutory policyholders' surplus and
contingency reserve of FSA was $661.7 million (unaudited) and the
total assets were $1.516 billion (unaudited) as of June 30, 1996.
FGIC Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Financial
Guaranty Insurance Company, is a leading insurer of municipal bonds,
including new issues and bonds held in unit investment trusts and
mutual funds. Municipal bonds insured by Financial Guaranty are rated
Aaa/AAA/AAA by Moody's, S&P, and Fitch IBCA, respectively. In
accordance with statutory accounting principles, Financial Guaranty's
capital base as of June 30, 1996 totalled $1.485 billion (unaudited),
comprised of capital and surplus of $1.069 billion and a contingency
reserve of $4.5 million.
Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation (MBIA) is the principal
operating subsidiary of MBIA Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed
company. MBIA Inc. is not obligated to pay debts of, or claims against
MBIA. MBIA is a limited liability corporation rather than a several
liability association. MBIA is domiciled in the state of New York and
licensed to do business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Moody's rates all bond issues
insured by MBIA "Aaa" and short-term loans "MIG-1," both designated to
be of the highest quality; S&P rates all new issues insured by MBIA
"AAA" Prime Grade. As of June 30, 1996, MBIA had total assets of
$7.869 billion (unaudited) and total capital and surplus of $2.189
billion (unaudited) determined in accordance with statutory accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING PROGRAM. Pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money
from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates; however, municipal
funds currently intend to participate in this program only as
borrowers. A fund will borrow through the program only when the costs
are equal to or lower than the costs of bank loans. Interfund
borrowings normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration
of seven days. Loans may be called on one day's notice. A fund may
have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund
loan is called or not renewed.
INVERSE FLOATERS have variable interest rates that typically move in
the opposite direction from movements in prevailing short-term
interest rate levels - rising when prevailing short-term interest
rates fall, and vice versa. The prices of inverse floaters can be
considerably more volatile than the prices of bonds with comparable
maturities.
LOWER-QUALITY DEBT SECURITIES. Lower-quality debt securities have poor
protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of
principal. 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 high-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. If market
quotations are not available, lower-quality debt securities will be
valued in accordance with procedures established by the Board of
Trustees including the use of outside pricing services. Judgement
plays a greater role in valuing high-yield debt securities than is the
case for securities for which more external sources for quotations and
last-sale information are available. Adverse publicity and changing
investor perceptions may affect the liquidity of lower-quality debt
securities and the ability of outside pricing services to value
lower-quality debt securities.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others to
pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security
holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it
determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
MUNICIPAL LEASES and participation interests therein may take the form
of a lease, an installment purchase, or a conditional sale contract
and are issued by state and local governments and authorities to
acquire land or a wide variety of equipment and facilities. Generally,
a fund will not hold these obligations directly as a lessor of the
property, but will purchase a participation interest in a municipal
obligation from a bank or other third party. A participation interest
gives the purchaser a specified, undivided interest in the obligation
in proportion to its purchased interest in the total amount of the
issue.
Municipal leases frequently have risks distinct from those associated
with general obligation or revenue bonds. State constitutions and
statutes set forth requirements that states or municipalities must
meet to incur debt. These may include voter referenda, interest rate
limits, or public sale requirements. Leases, installment purchases, or
conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the
leased asset to pass to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a
means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment
without meeting their constitutional and statutory requirements for
the issuance of debt. Many leases and contracts include
"non-appropriation clauses" providing that the governmental issuer has
no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract
unless money is appropriated for such purposes by the appropriate
legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis.
Non-appropriation clauses free the issuer from debt issuance
limitations.
MUNICIPAL MARKET DISRUPTION RISK. The value of municipal securities
may be affected by uncertainties in the municipal market related to
legislation or litigation involving the taxation of municipal
securities or the rights of municipal securities holders in the event
of a bankruptcy. Municipal bankruptcies are relatively rare, and
certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governing such
bankruptcies are unclear and remain untested. Further, the application
of state law to municipal issuers could produce varying results among
the states or among municipal securities issuers within a state. These
legal uncertainties could affect the municipal securities market
generally, certain specific segments of the market, or the relative
credit quality of particular securities. Any of these effects could
have a significant impact on the prices of some or all of the
municipal securities held by a fund.
EDUCATION. In general, there are two types of education-related bonds;
those issued to finance projects for public and private colleges and
universities, and those representing pooled interests in student
loans. Bonds issued to supply educational institutions with funds are
subject to the risk of unanticipated revenue decline, primarily the
result of decreasing student enrollment or decreasing state and
federal funding. Among the factors that may lead to declining or
insufficient revenues are restrictions on students' ability to pay
tuition, availability of state and federal funding, and general
economic conditions. Student loan revenue bonds are generally offered
by state (or substate) authorities or commissions and are backed by
pools of student loans. Underlying student loans may be guaranteed by
state guarantee agencies and may be subject to reimbursement by the
United States Department of Education through its guaranteed student
loan program. Others may be private, uninsured loans made to parents
or students which are supported by reserves or other forms of credit
enhancement. Recoveries of principal due to loan defaults may be
applied to redemption of bonds or may be used to re-lend, depending on
program latitude and demand for loans. Cash flows supporting student
loan revenue bonds are impacted by numerous factors, including the
rate of student loan defaults, seasoning of the loan portfolio, and
student repayment deferral periods of forbearance. Other risks
associated with student loan revenue bonds include potential changes
in federal legislation regarding student loan revenue bonds, state
guarantee agency reimbursement and continued federal interest and
other program subsidies currently in effect.
ELECTRIC UTILITIES. The electric utilities industry has been
experiencing, and will continue to experience, increased competitive
pressures. Federal legislation in the last two years will open
transmission access to any electricity supplier, although it is not
presently known to what extent competition will evolve. Other risks
include: (a) the availability and cost of fuel, (b) the availability
and cost of capital, (c) the effects of conservation on energy demand,
(d) the effects of rapidly changing environmental, safety, and
licensing requirements, and other federal, state, and local
regulations, (e) timely and sufficient rate increases, and (f)
opposition to nuclear power.
HEALTH CARE. The health care industry is subject to regulatory action
by a number of private and governmental agencies, including federal,
state, and local governmental agencies. A major source of revenues for
the health care industry is payments from the Medicare and Medicaid
programs. As a result, the industry is sensitive to legislative
changes and reductions in governmental spending for such programs.
Numerous other factors may affect the industry, such as general and
local economic conditions; demand for services; expenses (including
malpractice insurance premiums); and competition among health care
providers. In the future, the following elements may adversely affect
health care facility operations: adoption of legislation proposing a
national health insurance program; other state or local health care
reform measures; medical and technological advances which dramatically
alter the need for health services or the way in which such services
are delivered; changes in medical coverage which alter the traditional
fee-for-service revenue stream; and efforts by employers, insurers,
and governmental agencies to reduce the costs of health insurance and
health care services.
HOUSING. Housing revenue bonds are generally issued by a state,
county, city, local housing authority, or other public agency. They
generally are secured by the revenues derived from mortgages purchased
with the proceeds of the bond issue. It is extremely difficult to
predict the supply of available mortgages to be purchased with the
proceeds of an issue or the future cash flow from the underlying
mortgages. Consequently, there are risks that proceeds will exceed
supply, resulting in early retirement of bonds, or that homeowner
repayments will create an irregular cash flow. Many factors may affect
the financing of multi-family housing projects, including acceptable
completion of construction, proper management, occupancy and rent
levels, economic conditions, and changes to current laws and
regulations.
TRANSPORTATION. Transportation debt may be issued to finance the
construction of airports, toll roads, highways, or other transit
facilities. Airport bonds are dependent on the general stability of
the airline industry and on the stability of a specific carrier who
uses the airport as a hub. Air traffic generally follows broader
economic trends and is also affected by the price and availability of
fuel. Toll road bonds are also affected by the cost and availability
of fuel as well as toll levels, the presence of competing roads and
the general economic health of an area. Fuel costs and availability
also affect other transportation-related securities, as do the
presence of alternate forms of transportation, such as public
transportation.
WATER AND SEWER. Water and sewer revenue bonds are often considered to
have relatively secure credit as a result of their issuer's
importance, monopoly status, and generally unimpeded ability to raise
rates. Despite this, lack of water supply due to insufficient rain,
run-off, or snow pack is a concern that has led to past defaults.
Further, public resistance to rate increases, costly environmental
litigation, and Federal environmental mandates are challenges faced by
issuers of water and sewer bonds.
REFUNDING CONTRACTS. Securities may be purchased on a when-issued
basis in connection with the refinancing of an issuer's outstanding
indebtedness. Refunding contracts require the issuer to sell and a
purchaser to buy refunded municipal obligations at a stated price and
yield on a settlement date that may be several months or several years
in the future. A purchaser generally will not be obligated to pay the
full purchase price if the issuer fails to perform under a refunding
contract. Instead, refunding contracts generally provide for payment
of liquidated damages to the issuer (currently 15-20% of the purchase
price). A purchaser may secure its obligations under a refunding
contract by depositing collateral or a letter of credit equal to the
liquidated damages provisions of the refunding contract. When required
by SEC guidelines, each fund will place liquid assets in a segregated
custodial account equal in amount to its obligations under refunding
contracts.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a repurchase agreement, a fund purchases a
security and simultaneously commits 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. While it does
not presently appear possible to eliminate all risks from these
transactions (particularly the possibility that the value of the
underlying security will be less than the resale price, as well as
delays and costs to a fund in connection with bankruptcy proceedings),
the funds will engage in repurchase agreement transactions with
parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
satisfactory by FMR.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES generally can be sold in privately negotiated
transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, or in a registered public offering. Where
registration is required, a fund 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, a fund 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. While a reverse repurchase
agreement is outstanding, a fund will maintain appropriate liquid
assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its obligation under
the agreement. The funds will enter into reverse repurchase agreements
with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
satisfactory by FMR. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in
the market value of funds assets and may be viewed as a form of
leverage.
SOURCES OF CREDIT OR LIQUIDITY SUPPORT. FMR may rely on its evaluation
of the credit of a band or other entity in determining whether to
purchase a security supported by a letter of credit guarantee, put or
demand feature, insurance or other source of credit or liquidity.
STANDBY COMMITMENTS are puts that entitle holders to same-day
settlement at an exercise price equal to the amortized cost of the
underlying security plus accrued interest, if any, at the time of
exercise. A fund may acquire standby commitments to enhance the
liquidity of portfolio securities.
Ordinarily a fund will not transfer a standby commitment to a third
party, although it could sell the underlying municipal security to a
third party at any time. A fund may purchase standby commitments
separate from or in conjunction with the purchase of securities
subject to such commitments. In the latter case, the fund would pay a
higher price for the securities acquired, thus reducing their yield to
maturity.
Issuers or financial intermediaries may obtain letters of credit or
other guarantees to support their ability to buy securities on demand.
FMR may rely upon its evaluation of a bank's credit in determining
whether to purchase an instrument supported by a letter of credit. In
evaluating a foreign bank's credit, FMR will consider whether adequate
public information about the bank is available and whether the bank
may be subject to unfavorable political or economic developments,
currency controls, or other governmental restrictions that might
affect the bank's ability to honor its credit commitment.
Standby commitments are subject to certain risks, including the
ability of issuers of standby commitments to pay for securities at the
time the commitments are exercised; the fact that standby commitments
are not generally marketable and the possibility that the maturities
of the underlying securities may be different from those of the
commitments.
TENDER OPTION BONDS are created by coupling an intermediate- or
long-term, fixed-rate, municipal bond (generally held pursuant to a
custodial arrangement) with a tender agreement that gives the holder
the option to tender the bond at its face value. As consideration for
providing the tender option, the sponsor (usually a bank,
broker-dealer, or other financial institution) receives periodic fees
equal to the difference between the bond's fixed coupon rate and the
rate (determined by a remarketing or similar agent) that would cause
the bond, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date
of such determination. After payment of the tender option fee, a fund
effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the
prevailing short-term tax-exempt rate. In selecting tender option
bonds for the bonds, FMR will consider the creditworthiness of the
issuer of the underlying bond, the custodian, and the third party
provider of the tender option. In certain instances, a sponsor may
terminate a tender option if, for example, the issuer of the
underlying bond defaults on interest payments.
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. 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.
In many instances bonds and participation interests have tender
options or demand features that permit the holder to tender (or put)
the bonds to an institution at periodic intervals and to receive the
principal amount thereof. Variable rate instruments structured in this
fashion considered to be essentially equivalent to other variable rate
securities. The IRS has not ruled whether the interest on these
instruments is fixed-rate tax-exempt bonds that are subject to third
party puts and participation interests in such bonds held by a bank in
trust or otherwise may have similar features.
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.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of each fund by FMR pursuant to authority contained in the
fund's management contract. FMR is also responsible for the placement
of transaction orders for other investment companies and accounts for
which it or its affiliates act as investment adviser. In selecting
broker-dealers, subject to applicable limitations of the federal
securities laws, FMR considers various relevant factors, including,
but not limited to, the size and type of the transaction; the nature
and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold;
the execution efficiency, settlement capability, and financial
condition of the broker-dealer firm; the broker-dealer's execution
services rendered on a continuing basis; and the reasonableness of any
commissions.
The funds may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who
provide research and execution services to the funds or other accounts
over which FMR or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. Such
services may include advice concerning the value of securities; the
advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities; and
the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of
securities. In addition, such broker-dealers may furnish analyses and
reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors
and trends, portfolio strategy, and performance of accounts; effect
securities transactions, and perform functions incidental thereto
(such as clearance and settlement). The selection of such
broker-dealers generally is made by FMR (to the extent possible
consistent with execution considerations) based upon the quality of
research and execution services provided.
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute transactions
on behalf of the funds may be useful to FMR in rendering investment
management services to the funds or its other clients, and conversely,
such research provided by broker-dealers who have executed transaction
orders on behalf of other FMR clients may be useful to FMR in carrying
out its obligations to the funds. The receipt of such research has not
reduced FMR's normal independent research activities; however, it
enables FMR to avoid the additional expenses that could be incurred if
FMR tried to develop comparable information through its own efforts.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws,
broker-dealers may receive commissions for agency transactions that
are in excess of the amount of commissions charged by other
broker-dealers in recognition of their research and execution
services. In order to cause each fund to pay such higher commissions,
FMR must determine in good faith that such commissions are reasonable
in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by such executing broker-dealers, viewed in terms of a
particular transaction or FMR's overall responsibilities to the funds
and its other clients. In reaching this determination, FMR will not
attempt to place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and research
services provided, or to determine what portion of the compensation
should be related to those services.
FMR is authorized to use research services provided by and to place
portfolio transactions with brokerage firms that have provided
assistance in the distribution of shares of the funds, or shares of
other Fidelity funds to the extent permitted by law. FMR may use
research services provided by and place agency transactions with
National Financial Services Corporation (NFSC), an indirect subsidiary
of FMR Corp., if the commissions are fair, reasonable, and comparable
to commissions charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms
for similar services.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for accounts which they or their affiliates manage, unless certain
requirements are satisfied. Pursuant to such requirements, the Board
of Trustees has authorized NFSC to execute portfolio transactions on
national securities exchanges in accordance with approved procedures
and applicable SEC rules.
Each fund's Trustees periodically review FMR's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions on behalf of the funds and review the commissions paid by
each fund over representative periods of time to determine if they are
reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
For the fiscal periods ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the portfolio
turnover rates were 49% and 35%, respectively for Spartan Aggressive
Municipal and 24% and 31%, respectively for Spartan Insured Municipal
Income.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the
funds paid no brokerage commissions.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the funds paid no fees
to brokerage firms that provided research services.
From time to time the Trustees will review whether the recapture for
the benefit of the funds of some portion of the brokerage commissions
or similar fees paid by the funds on portfolio transactions is legally
permissible and advisable. Each fund seeks to recapture soliciting
broker-dealer fees on the tender of portfolio securities, but at
present no other recapture arrangements are in effect. The Trustees
intend to continue to review whether recapture opportunities are
available and are legally permissible and, if so, to determine in the
exercise of their business judgment whether it would be advisable for
each fund to seek such recapture.
Although the Trustees and officers of each fund are substantially the
same as those of other funds managed by FMR, investment decisions for
each fund are made independently from those of other funds managed by
FMR or accounts managed by FMR affiliates. It sometimes happens that
the same security is held in the portfolio of more than one of these
funds or accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when
several funds and accounts are managed by the same investment adviser,
particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment
objective of more than one fund or account.
When two or more funds are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or
sale of the same security, the prices and amounts are allocated in
accordance with procedures believed to be appropriate and equitable
for each fund. In some cases this system could have a detrimental
effect on the price or value of the security as far as each fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the funds to
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and
prices for the funds. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that
the desirability of retaining FMR as investment adviser to each fund
outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to
simultaneous transactions.
VALUATION
Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC) normally determines each fund's
net asset value per share (NAV) as of the close of the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The valuation of
portfolio securities is determined as of this time for the purpose of
computing each fund's NAV.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods. If quotations are
not available, fixed-income securities are usually valued on the basis
of information furnished by a pricing service that uses a valuation
matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied valuations and
electronic data processing techniques. Use of pricing services has
been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of pricing services
are available, and the funds may use various pricing services or
discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market
quotations, if available. Securities of other open-end investment
companies are valued at their respective NAVs.
Securities and other assets for which there is no readily available
market value are valued in good faith by a committee appointed by the
Board of Trustees. The procedures set forth above need not be used to
determine the value of the securities owned by a fund if, in the
opinion of a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other
method would more accurately reflect the fair market value of such
securities.
PERFORMANCE
The funds may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the funds in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. Each fund's share price,
yield, and total return fluctuate in response to market conditions and
other factors, and the value of fund shares when redeemed may be more
or less than their original cost.
YIELD CALCULATIONS. Yields for a fund are computed by dividing the
fund's interest income for a given 30-day or one-month period, net of
expenses, by the average number of shares entitled to receive
distributions during the period, dividing this figure by the fund's
net asset value (NAV) at the end of the period, and annualizing the
result (assuming compounding of income) in order to arrive at an
annual percentage rate. Income is calculated for purposes of yield
quotations in accordance with standardized methods applicable to all
stock and bond funds. In general, interest income is reduced with
respect to bonds trading at a premium over their par value by
subtracting a portion of the premium from income on a daily basis, and
is increased with respect to bonds trading at a discount by adding a
portion of the discount to daily income. Capital gains and losses
generally are excluded from the calculation.
Income calculated for the purposes of calculating a fund's yield
differs from income as determined for other accounting purposes.
Because of the different accounting methods used, and because of the
compounding of income assumed in yield calculations, a fund's yield
may not equal its distribution rate, the income paid to your account,
or the income reported in the fund's financial statements.
Yield information may be useful in reviewing a fund's performance and
in providing a basis for comparison with other investment
alternatives. However, each fund's yield fluctuates, unlike
investments that pay a fixed interest rate over a stated period of
time. When comparing investment alternatives, investors should also
note the quality and maturity of the portfolio securities of
respective investment companies they have chosen to consider.
Investors should recognize that in periods of declining interest rates
a fund's yield will tend to be somewhat higher than prevailing market
rates, and in periods of rising interest rates the fund's yield will
tend to be somewhat lower. Also, when interest rates are falling, the
inflow of net new money to a fund from the continuous sale of its
shares will likely be invested in instruments producing lower yields
than the balance of the fund's holdings, thereby reducing the fund's
current yield. In periods of rising interest rates, the opposite can
be expected to occur.
A fund's tax-equivalent yield is the rate an investor would have to
earn from a fully taxable investment before taxes to equal the fund's
tax-free yield. Tax-equivalent yields are calculated by dividing a
fund's yield by the result of one minus a stated federal income tax
rate. If only a portion of a fund's yield is tax-exempt, only that
portion is adjusted in the calculation.
The following table shows the effect of a shareholder's tax status on
effective yield under federal income tax laws for 1998. It shows the
approximate yield a taxable security must provide at various income
brackets to produce after-tax yields equivalent to those of
hypothetical tax-exempt obligations yielding from 4% to 8%. Of course,
no assurance can be given that a fund will achieve any specific
tax-exempt yield. While the funds invest principally in obligations
whose interest is exempt from federal income tax, other income
received by the funds may be taxable.
1998 TAX RATES AND TAX-EQUIVALENT YIELDS
Taxable Income* 1998
Federal
Marginal Rate**
Single Return Joint Return
$ 0 - $ 25,350 $ 0 - $ 42,350 15.00%
25,351 - 61,400 42,351 - 102,300 28.00%
61,401 - 128,100 102,301 - 155,950 31.00%
128,101 - 278,450 155,951 - 278,450 36.00%
over 278,450 over 278,450 39.60%
If your federal rate in 1998 is:
15.00% 28.00% 31.00% 36.00% 39.60%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
To match these Your taxable investment would have to earn the following yield:
tax-free yields:
</TABLE>
4.0% 4.71% 5.56% 5.80% 6.25% 6.62%
4.5% 5.29% 6.25% 6.52% 7.03% 7.45%
5.0% 5.88% 6.94% 7.25% 7.81% 8.28%
5.5% 6.47% 7.64% 7.97% 8.59% 9.11%
6.0% 7.06% 8.33% 8.70% 9.38% 9.93%
6.5% 7.65% 9.03% 9.42% 10.16% 10.76%
7.0% 8.24% 9.72% 10.14% 10.94% 11.59%
7.5% 8.82% 10.42% 10.87% 11.72% 12.42%
8.0% 9.41% 11.11% 11.59% 12.50% 13.25%
* Net amount subject to federal income tax after deductions and
exemptions. Assumes ordinary income only.
** Excludes the impact of the phaseout of personal exemptions,
limitations on itemized deductions, and other credits, exclusions, and
adjustments which may increase a taxpayer's marginal tax rate. An
increase in a shareholder's marginal tax rate would increase that
shareholder's tax-equivalent yield.
Each fund may invest a portion of its assets in obligations that are
subject to federal income tax. When a fund invests in these
obligations, its tax-equivalent yields will be lower. In the table
above, tax-equivalent yields are calculated assuming investments are
100% federally tax-free.
TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS. Total returns quoted in advertising reflect
all aspects of a fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting
dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the fund's
NAV over a stated period. Average annual total returns are calculated
by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical
historical investment in a fund over a stated period, and then
calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have
produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had
been constant over the period. For example, a cumulative total return
of 100% over ten years would produce an average annual total return of
7.18%, which is the steady annual rate of return that would equal 100%
growth on a compounded basis in ten years. While average annual total
returns are a convenient means of comparing investment alternatives,
investors should realize that a fund's performance is not constant
over time, but changes from year to year, and that average annual
total returns represent averaged figures as opposed to the actual
year-to-year performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual total returns, a fund may quote
unaveraged or cumulative total returns reflecting the simple change in
value of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and
cumulative total returns may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar
amount, and may be calculated for a single investment, a series of
investments, or a series of redemptions, over any time period. Total
returns may be broken down into their components of income and capital
(including capital gains and changes in share price) in order to
illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions
to total return. Total returns may be quoted on a before-tax or
after-tax basis. Total returns, yields, and other performance
information may be quoted numerically or in a table, graph, or similar
illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using a fund's net asset values,
adjusted net asset values, and benchmark indices may be used to
exhibit performance. An adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid
by a fund and reflects all elements of its return. Unless otherwise
indicated, a fund's adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales charges,
if any.
HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following tables show each fund's yields,
tax-equivalent yields, and total returns for periods ended December
31, 1997.
The tax-equivalent yield is based on a 36% federal income tax rate.
Note that each fund may invest in securities whose income is subject
to the federal alternative minimum tax.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Annual Total Returns Cumulative Total Returns
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thirty-Da Tax- One Five Ten One Five Ten
y Yield Equivalent Year Years Years Year Years Years
Yield
Spartan Aggressive 4.35% 6.80% 10.29% 7.03% 8.63% 10.29% 40.43% 128.73%
Spartan Insured 4.22% 6.59% 9.54% 7.20% 8.31% 9.54% 41.59% 122.14%
</TABLE>
Note: If FMR had not reimbursed certain fund expenses during these
periods, each fund's yield and total returns would have been lower.
The following tables show the income and capital elements of each
fund's cumulative total return. The tables compare each fund's return
to the record of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500), the Dow
Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and the cost of living, as measured
by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), over the same period. The CPI
information is as of the month-end closest to the initial investment
date for each fund. The S&P 500 and DJIA comparisons are provided to
show how each fund's total return compared to the record of a broad
unmanaged index of common stocks and a narrower set of stocks of major
industrial companies, respectively, over the same period. Because each
fund invests in fixed-income securities, common stocks represent a
different type of investment from the funds. Common stocks generally
offer greater growth potential than the funds, but generally
experience greater price volatility, which means greater potential for
loss. In addition, common stocks generally provide lower income than
fixed-income investments such as the funds. The S&P 500 and DJIA
returns are based on the prices of unmanaged groups of stocks and,
unlike each fund's returns, do not include the effect of brokerage
commissions or other costs of investing.
The following tables show the growth in value of a hypothetical
$10,000 investment in each fund during the 10-year period ended
December 31, 1997, assuming all distributions were reinvested. The
figures below reflect the fluctuating interest rates and bond prices
of the specified periods and should not be considered representative
of the dividend income or capital gain or loss that could be realized
from an investment in a fund today. Tax consequences of different
investments have not been factored into the figures below.
During the 10-year period ended December 31, 1997, a hypothetical
$10,000 investment in Spartan Aggressive Municipal would have grown to
$22,873.
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE MUNICIPAL FUND INDICES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended Value of Value of Value of Total S&P 500 DJIA Cost of
Initial Reinvested Reinvested Value Living
$10,000 Dividend Capital Gain
Investment Distributions Distributions
1997 $ 10,961 $ 11,103 $ 809 $ 22,873 $ 52,577 $ 54,688 $ 13,977
1996 $ 10,499 $ 9,464 $ 775 $ 20,738 $ 39,424 $ 43,801 $ 13,744
1995 $ 10,786 $ 8,451 $ 789 $ 20,026 $ 32,063 $ 34,032 $ 13,302
1994 $ 9,991 $ 6,709 $ 731 $ 17,431 $ 23,305 $ 24,891 $ 12,972
1993 $ 11,396 $ 6,354 $ 758 $ 18,508 $ 23,002 $ 23,712 $ 12,634
1992 $ 10,980 $ 5,055 $ 252 $ 16,287 $ 20,896 $ 20,268 $ 12,296
1991 $ 10,906 $ 3,938 $ 75 $ 14,919 $ 19,412 $ 18,890 $ 11,950
1990 $ 10,564 $ 2,784 $ 0 $ 13,348 $ 14,877 $ 15,192 $ 11,594
1989 $ 10,619 $ 1,799 $ 0 $ 12,418 $ 15,356 $ 15,274 $ 10,927
1988 $ 10,471 $ 869 $ 0 $ 11,340 $ 11,661 $ 11,592 $ 10,442
</TABLE>
Explanatory Notes: With an initial investment of $10,000 in Spartan
Aggressive on January 1, 1988 the net amount invested in fund shares
was $10,000. The cost of the initial investment ($10,000) together
with the aggregate cost of reinvested dividends and capital gain
distributions for the period covered (their cash value at the time
they were reinvested) amounted to $21,627. If distributions had not
been reinvested, the amount of distributions earned from the fund over
time would have been smaller, and cash payments for the period would
have amounted to $7,351 for dividends and $540 for capital gain
distributions.
During the 10-year period ended December 31, 1997, a hypothetical
$10,000 investment in Spartan Insured Municipal Income would have
grown to $22,214.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SPARTAN INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND INDICES
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended Value of Value of Value of Total S&P 500 DJIA Cost of
Initial Reinvested Reinvested Value Living
$10,000 Dividend Capital Gain
Investment Distributions Distributions
1997 $ 11,979 $ 9,493 $ 742 $ 22,214 $ 52,577 $ 54,688 $ 13,977
1996 $ 11,477 $ 8,092 $ 711 $ 20,280 $ 39,424 $ 43,801 $ 13,744
1995 $ 11,622 $ 7,218 $ 720 $ 19,560 $ 32,063 $ 34,032 $ 13,302
1994 $ 10,319 $ 5,535 $ 628 $ 16,482 $ 23,305 $ 24,891 $ 12,972
1993 $ 11,940 $ 5,371 $ 551 $ 17,862 $ 23,002 $ 23,712 $ 12,634
1992 $ 11,313 $ 4,231 $ 146 $ 15,690 $ 20,896 $ 20,268 $ 12,296
1991 $ 11,226 $ 3,313 $ 0 $ 14,539 $ 19,412 $ 18,890 $ 11,950
1990 $ 10,705 $ 2,326 $ 0 $ 13,031 $ 14,877 $ 15,192 $ 11,594
1989 $ 10,666 $ 1,504 $ 0 $ 12,170 $ 15,356 $ 15,274 $ 10,927
1988 $ 10,405 $ 714 $ 0 $ 11,119 $ 11,661 $ 11,592 $ 10,442
</TABLE>
Explanatory Notes: With an initial investment of $10,000 in Spartan
Insured Municipal Income on January 1, 1988 the net amount invested in
fund shares was $10,000. The cost of the initial investment ($10,000)
together with the aggregate cost of reinvested dividends and capital
gain distributions for the period covered (their cash value at the
time they were reinvested) amounted to $19,489. If distributions had
not been reinvested, the amount of distributions earned from the fund
over time would have been smaller, and cash payments for the period
would have amounted to $6,338 for dividends and $500 for capital gain
distributions.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS. A fund's performance may be compared to the
performance of other mutual funds in general, or to the performance of
particular types of mutual funds. These comparisons may be expressed
as mutual fund rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
(Lipper), an independent service located in Summit, New Jersey that
monitors the performance of mutual funds. Generally, Lipper rankings
are based on total return, assume reinvestment of distributions, do
not take sales charges or trading fees into consideration, and are
prepared without regard to tax consequences. Lipper may also rank
funds based on yield. In addition to the mutual fund rankings, a
fund's performance may be compared to stock, bond, and money market
mutual fund performance indices prepared by Lipper or other
organizations. When comparing these indices, it is important to
remember the risk and return characteristics of each type of
investment. For example, while stock mutual funds may offer higher
potential returns, they also carry the highest degree of share price
volatility. Likewise, money market funds may offer greater stability
of principal, but generally do not offer the higher potential returns
available from stock mutual funds.
From time to time, a fund's performance may also be compared to other
mutual funds tracked by financial or business publications and
periodicals. For example, the fund may quote Morningstar, Inc. in its
advertising materials. Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating
service that rates mutual funds on the basis of risk-adjusted
performance. Rankings that compare the performance of Fidelity funds
to one another in appropriate categories over specific periods of time
may also be quoted in advertising.
A fund's performance may also be compared to that of a benchmark index
representing the universe of securities in which the fund may invest.
The total return of a benchmark index reflects reinvestment of all
dividends and capital gains paid by securities included in the index.
Unlike a fund's returns, however, the index returns do not reflect
brokerage commissions, transaction fees, or other costs of investing
directly in the securities included in the index.
The funds may compare to the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, a
total return performance benchmark for investment-grade municipal
bonds with maturities of at least one year. In addition, Spartan
Insured Municipal Income may compare its performance to that of the
Lehman Brothers Insured Municipal Bond Index, a total return
performance benchmark for municipal bonds that are backed by insurers
with Aaa/AAA ratings and have maturities of at least one year. Issues
included in each index have been issued after December 31, 1990 and
have an outstanding par value of at least $50 million. Subsequent to
December 31, 1995, zero coupon bonds and issues subject to the
alternative minimum tax are included in each index.
A fund may be compared in advertising to Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
or other investments issued by banks or other depository institutions.
Mutual funds differ from bank investments in several respects. For
example, a fund may offer greater liquidity or higher potential
returns than CDs, a fund does not guarantee your principal or your
return, and fund shares are not FDIC insured.
Fidelity may provide information designed to help individuals
understand their investment goals and explore various financial
strategies. Such information may include information about current
economic, market, and political conditions; materials that describe
general principles of investing, such as asset allocation,
diversification, risk tolerance, and goal setting; questionnaires
designed to help create a personal financial profile; worksheets used
to project savings needs based on assumed rates of inflation and
hypothetical rates of return; and action plans offering investment
alternatives. Materials may also include discussions of Fidelity's
asset allocation funds and other Fidelity funds, products, and
services.
Ibbotson Associates of Chicago, Illinois (Ibbotson) provides
historical returns of the capital markets in the United States,
including common stocks, small capitalization stocks, long-term
corporate bonds, intermediate-term government bonds, long-term
government bonds, Treasury bills, the U.S. rate of inflation (based on
the CPI), and combinations of various capital markets. The performance
of these capital markets is based on the returns of different indices.
Fidelity funds may use the performance of these capital markets in
order to demonstrate general risk-versus-reward investment scenarios.
Performance comparisons may also include the value of a hypothetical
investment in any of these capital markets. The risks associated with
the security types in any capital market may or may not correspond
directly to those of the funds. Ibbotson calculates total returns in
the same method as the funds. The funds may also compare performance
to that of other compilations or indices that may be developed and
made available in the future.
A fund may compare and contrast in advertising the relative advantages
of investing in a mutual fund versus an individual municipal bond.
Unlike tax-free mutual funds, individual municipal bonds offer a
stated rate of interest and, if held to maturity, repayment of
principal. Although some individual municipal bonds might offer a
higher return, they do not offer the reduced risk of a mutual fund
that invests in many different securities. The initial investment
requirements and sales charges of many tax-free mutual funds are lower
than the purchase cost of individual municipal bonds, which are
generally issued in $5,000 denominations and are subject to direct
brokerage costs.
In advertising materials, Fidelity may reference or discuss its
products and services, which may include other Fidelity funds;
retirement investing; brokerage products and services; model
portfolios or allocations; saving for college or other goals; and
charitable giving. In addition, Fidelity may quote or reprint
financial or business publications and periodicals as they relate to
current economic and political conditions, fund management, portfolio
composition, investment philosophy, investment techniques, the
desirability of owning a particular mutual fund, and Fidelity services
and products. Fidelity may also reprint, and use as advertising and
sales literature, articles from Fidelity Focus(Registered trademark),
a quarterly magazine provided free of charge to Fidelity fund
shareholders.
A fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. A fund may quote various measures of volatility and
benchmark correlation in advertising. In addition, the fund may
compare these measures to those of other funds. Measures of volatility
seek to compare the fund's historical share price fluctuations or
total returns to those of a benchmark. Measures of benchmark
correlation indicate how valid a comparative benchmark may be. All
measures of volatility and correlation are calculated using averages
of historical data. In advertising, a fund may also discuss or
illustrate examples of interest rate sensitivity.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate a fund's price movements over specific
periods of time. Each point on the momentum indicator represents the
fund's percentage change in price movements over that period.
A fund may advertise examples of the effects of periodic investment
plans, including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a
program, an investor invests a fixed dollar amount in a fund at
periodic intervals, thereby purchasing fewer shares when prices are
high and more shares when prices are low. While such a strategy does
not assure a profit or guard against loss in a declining market, the
investor's average cost per share can be lower than if fixed numbers
of shares are purchased at the same intervals. In evaluating such a
plan, investors should consider their ability to continue purchasing
shares during periods of low price levels.
As of December 31, 1997, FMR advised over $30 billion in tax-free fund
assets, $99 billion in money market fund assets, $395 billion in
equity fund assets, $71 billion in international fund assets, and $24
billion in Spartan fund assets. The funds may reference the growth and
variety of money market mutual funds and the adviser's innovation and
participation in the industry. The equity funds under management
figure represents the largest amount of equity fund assets under
management by a mutual fund investment adviser in the United States,
making FMR America's leading equity (stock) fund manager. FMR, its
subsidiaries, and affiliates maintain a worldwide information and
communications network for the purpose of researching and managing
investments abroad.
In addition to performance rankings, each fund may compare its total
expense ratio to the average total expense ratio of similar funds
tracked by Lipper. A fund's total expense ratio is a significant
factor in comparing bond and money market investments because of its
effect on yield.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE, EXCHANGE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
Each fund is open for business and its net asset value per share (NAV)
is calculated each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for
trading. The NYSE has designated the following holiday closings for
1998: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Presidents' Day,
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day (observed), Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Although FMR expects the same
holiday schedule to be observed in the future, the NYSE may modify its
holiday schedule at any time. In addition, each fund will not process
wire purchases and redemptions on days when the Federal Reserve Wire
System is closed.
FSC normally determines each fund's NAV as of the close of the NYSE
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). However, NAV may be calculated
earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted by the
SEC. To the extent that portfolio securities are traded in other
markets on days when the NYSE is closed, a fund's NAV may be affected
on days when investors do not have access to the fund to purchase or
redeem shares. In addition, trading in some of a fund's portfolio
securities may not occur on days when the fund is open for business.
If the Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payments
undesirable, redemption payments may be made in whole or in part in
securities or other property, valued for this purpose as they are
valued in computing each fund's NAV. Shareholders receiving securities
or other property on redemption may realize a gain or loss for tax
purposes, and will incur any costs of sale, as well as the associated
inconveniences.
Pursuant to Rule 11a-3 under the 1940 Act, each fund is required to
give shareholders at least 60 days' notice prior to terminating or
modifying its exchange privilege. Under the Rule, the 60-day
notification requirement may be waived if (i) the only effect of a
modification would be to reduce or eliminate an administrative fee,
redemption fee, or deferred sales charge ordinarily payable at the
time of an exchange, or (ii) the fund suspends the redemption of the
shares to be exchanged as permitted under the 1940 Act or the rules
and regulations thereunder, or the fund to be acquired suspends the
sale of its shares because it is unable to invest amounts effectively
in accordance with its investment objective and policies.
In the Prospectus, each fund has notified shareholders that it
reserves the right at any time, without prior notice, to refuse
exchange purchases by any person or group if, in FMR's judgment, the
fund would be unable to invest effectively in accordance with its
investment objective and policies, or would otherwise potentially be
adversely affected.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DISTRIBUTIONS. If you request to have distributions mailed to you and
the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your checks, or if your checks
remain uncashed for six months, Fidelity may reinvest your
distributions at the then-current NAV. All subsequent distributions
will then be reinvested until you provide Fidelity with alternate
instructions.
DIVIDENDS. To the extent that each fund's income is designated as
federally tax-exempt interest, the daily dividends declared by the
fund are also federally tax-exempt. Short-term capital gains are
distributed as dividend income, but do not qualify for the
dividends-received deduction. Each fund will send each shareholder a
notice in January describing the tax status of dividend and capital
gain distributions (if any) for the prior year.
Shareholders are required to report tax-exempt income on their federal
tax returns. Shareholders who earn other income, such as Social
Security benefits, may be subject to federal income tax on up to 85%
of such benefits to the extent that their income, including tax-exempt
income, exceeds certain base amounts.
Each fund purchases municipal securities whose interest FMR believes
is free from federal income tax. Generally, issuers or other parties
have entered into covenants requiring continuing compliance with
federal tax requirements to preserve the tax-free status of interest
payments over the life of the security. If at any time the covenants
are not complied with, or if the IRS otherwise determines that the
issuer did not comply with relevant tax requirements, interest
payments from a security could become federally taxable retroactive to
the date the security was issued. For certain types of structured
securities, the tax status of the pass-through of tax-free income may
also be based on the federal tax treatment of the structure.
As a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, interest on certain
"private activity" securities is subject to the federal alternative
minimum tax (AMT), although the interest continues to be excludable
from gross income for other tax purposes. Interest from private
activity securities is a tax preference item for the purposes of
determining whether a taxpayer is subject to the AMT and the amount of
AMT to be paid, if any. Private activity securities issued after
August 7, 1986 to benefit a private or industrial user or to finance a
private facility are affected by this rule.
A portion of the gain on municipal bonds purchased with market
discount after April 30, 1993 and short-term capital gains distributed
by a municipal fund are taxable to shareholders as dividends, not as
capital gains.
Corporate investors should note that a tax preference item for
purposes of the corporate AMT is 75% of the amount by which adjusted
current earnings (which includes tax-exempt interest) exceeds the
alternative minimum taxable income of the corporation. If a
shareholder receives an exempt-interest dividend and sells shares at a
loss after holding them for a period of six months or less, the loss
will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of the exempt-interest
dividend.
CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. Long-term capital gains earned by each
fund on the sale of securities and distributed to shareholders are
federally taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length
of time shareholders have held their shares. If a shareholder receives
a capital gain distribution on shares of a fund, and such shares are
held six months or less and are sold at a loss, the portion of the
loss equal to the amount of the capital gain distribution will be
considered a long-term loss for tax purposes. Short-term capital gains
distributed by each fund are taxable to shareholders as dividends, not
as capital gains.
As of December 31, 1997, Spartan Insured Municipal Income Fund hereby
designates approximately $351,000 as a capital gain dividend for the
purpose of the dividend-paid deduction.
As of December 31, 1997, Spartan Aggressive Municipal Fund had a
capital loss carryforward aggregating approximately $14,750,000, of
which $183,000, $5,404,000, and $9,163,000 will expire on December 31,
2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. Of the loss carryforwards expiring
on December 31, 2002 and 2003, $183,000 and $798,000, respectively,
were acquired in the merger and are available to offset future capital
gains of the fund to the extent provided by regulators.
TAX STATUS OF THE FUNDS. Each fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" for tax purposes so that it will not be
liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to
shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company
and avoid being subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund
level, each fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net
investment income and net realized capital gains within each calendar
year as well as on a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with
other tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies.
Each fund is treated as a separate entity from the other funds, if
any, of its trust for tax purposes.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION. The information above is only a summary of some
of the tax consequences generally affecting each fund and its
shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax
consequences. In addition to federal income taxes, shareholders may be
subject to state and local taxes on fund distributions, and shares may
be subject to state and local personal property taxes. Investors
should consult their tax advisers to determine whether a fund is
suitable to their particular tax situation.
FMR
All of the stock of FMR is owned by FMR Corp., its parent organized in
1972. The voting common stock of FMR Corp. is divided into two
classes. Class B is held predominantly by members of the Edward C.
Johnson 3d family and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter
acted upon by the voting common stock. Class A is held predominantly
by non-Johnson family member employees of FMR Corp. and its affiliates
and is entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson
family group and all other Class B shareholders have entered into a
shareholders' voting agreement under which all Class B shares will be
voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares. Under
the 1940 Act, control of a company is presumed where one individual or
group of individuals owns more than 25% of the voting stock of that
company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting common stock and
the execution of the shareholders' voting agreement, members of the
Johnson family may be deemed, under the 1940 Act, to form a
controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
At present, the principal operating activities of FMR Corp. are those
conducted by its division, Fidelity Investments Retail Marketing
Company, which provides marketing services to various companies within
the Fidelity organization.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that sets forth all employees'
fiduciary responsibilities regarding the funds, establishes procedures
for personal investing and restricts certain transactions. For
example, all personal trades in most securities require pre-clearance,
and participation in initial public offerings is prohibited. In
addition, restrictions on the timing of personal investing in relation
to trades by Fidelity funds and on short-term trading have been
adopted.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of
the trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has
held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the
last five years. All persons named as Trustees and Members of the
Advisory Board also serve in similar capacities for other funds
advised by FMR. The business address of each Trustee, Member of the
Advisory Board, and officer who is an "interested person" (as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940) is 82 Devonshire Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109, which is also the address of FMR. The
business address of all the other Trustees is Fidelity Investments,
P.O. Box 9235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9235. Those Trustees who
are "interested persons" by virtue of their affiliation with either
the trust or FMR are indicated by an asterisk (*).
*EDWARD C. JOHNSON 3d (67), Trustee and President, is Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of FMR Corp.; a Director and Chairman
of the Board and of the Executive Committee of FMR; Chairman and a
Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (1998),
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., and Fidelity Management &
Research (Far East) Inc.
J. GARY BURKHEAD (56), Member of the Advisory Board (1997), is Vice
Chairman and a Member of the Board of Directors of FMR Corp. (1997)
and President of Fidelity Personal Investments and Brokerage Group
(1997). Previously, Mr. Burkhead served as President of Fidelity
Management & Research Company.
RALPH F. COX (65), Trustee, is President of RABAR Enterprises
(management consulting-engineering industry, 1994). Prior to February
1994, he was President of Greenhill Petroleum Corporation (petroleum
exploration and production). Until March 1990, Mr. Cox was President
and Chief Operating Officer of Union Pacific Resources Company
(exploration and production). He is a Director of USA Waste Services,
Inc. (non-hazardous waste, 1993), CH2M Hill Companies (engineering),
Rio Grande, Inc. (oil and gas production), and Daniel Industries
(petroleum measurement equipment manufacturer). In addition, he is a
member of advisory boards of Texas A&M University and the University
of Texas at Austin.
PHYLLIS BURKE DAVIS (66), Trustee. Prior to her retirement in
September 1991, Mrs. Davis was the Senior Vice President of Corporate
Affairs of Avon Products, Inc. She is currently a Director of
BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications), Eaton Corporation
(manufacturing, 1991), and the TJX Companies, Inc. (retail stores),
and previously served as a Director of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
(1985-1991) and Nabisco Brands, Inc. In addition, she is a member of
the President's Advisory Council of The University of Vermont School
of Business Administration.
ROBERT M. GATES (54), Trustee (1997), is a consultant, author, and
lecturer (1993). Mr. Gates was Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) from 1991-1993. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Gates served as
Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy National
Security Advisor. Mr. Gates is currently a Trustee for the Forum For
International Policy, a Board Member for the Virginia Neurological
Institute, and a Senior Advisor of the Harvard Journal of World
Affairs. In addition, Mr. Gates also serves as a member of the
corporate board for LucasVarity PLC (automotive components and diesel
engines), Charles Stark Draper Laboratory (non-profit), NACCO
Industries, Inc. (mining and manufacturing), and TRW Inc. (original
equipment and replacement products).
E. BRADLEY JONES (70), Trustee. Prior to his retirement in 1984, Mr.
Jones was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LTV Steel Company.
He is a Director of TRW Inc. (original equipment and replacement
products), Consolidated Rail Corporation, Birmingham Steel
Corporation, and RPM, Inc. (manufacturer of chemical products), and he
previously served as a Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (mining and
manufacturing, 1985-1995), Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
(1985-1995), and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (mining), and as a Trustee of
First Union Real Estate Investments. In addition, he serves as a
Trustee of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where he has also been a
member of the Executive Committee as well as Chairman of the Board and
President, a Trustee and member of the Executive Committee of
University School (Cleveland), and a Trustee of Cleveland Clinic
Florida.
DONALD J. KIRK (65), Trustee, is Executive-in-Residence (1995) at
Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a financial
consultant. From 1987 to January 1995, Mr. Kirk was a Professor at
Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Prior to 1987, he was
Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Mr. Kirk is a
Director of General Re Corporation (reinsurance), and he previously
served as a Director of Valuation Research Corp. (appraisals and
valuations, 1993-1995). In addition, he serves as Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the National Arts Stabilization Fund, Chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital Association, a
Member of the Public Oversight Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants' SEC Practice Section (1995), and as a
Public Governor of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (1996).
*PETER S. LYNCH (54), Trustee, is Vice Chairman and Director of FMR.
Prior to May 31, 1990, he was a Director of FMR and Executive Vice
President of FMR (a position he held until March 31, 1991); Vice
President of Fidelity Magellan Fund and FMR Growth Group Leader; and
Managing Director of FMR Corp. Mr. Lynch was also Vice President of
Fidelity Investments Corporate Services (1991-1992). In addition, he
serves as a Trustee of Boston College, Massachusetts Eye & Ear
Infirmary, Historic Deerfield (1989) and Society for the Preservation
of New England Antiquities, and as an Overseer of the Museum of Fine
Arts of Boston.
WILLIAM O. McCOY (64), Trustee (1997), is the Vice President of
Finance for the University of North Carolina (16-school system, 1995).
Prior to his retirement in December 1994, Mr. McCoy was Vice Chairman
of the Board of BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications, 1984) and
President of BellSouth Enterprises (1986). He is currently a Director
of Liberty Corporation (holding company, 1984), Weeks Corporation of
Atlanta (real estate, 1994), Carolina Power and Light Company
(electric utility, 1996), and the Kenan Transport Co. (1996).
Previously, he was a Director of First American Corporation (bank
holding company, 1979-1996). In addition, Mr. McCoy serves as a member
of the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill (1994) and for the Kenan-Flager Business School
(University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1988).
GERALD C. McDONOUGH (68), Trustee and Chairman of the non-interested
Trustees, is Chairman of G.M. Management Group (strategic advisory
services). Mr. McDonough is a Director of York International Corp.
(air conditioning and refrigeration), Commercial Intertech Corp.
(hydraulic systems, building systems, and metal products, 1992), CUNO,
Inc. (liquid and gas filtration products, 1996), and Associated
Estates Realty Corporation (a real estate investment trust, 1993). Mr.
McDonough served as a Director of ACME-Cleveland Corp. (metal working,
telecommunications, and electronic products) from 1987-1996 and
Brush-Wellman Inc. (metal refining) from 1983-1997.
MARVIN L. MANN (64), Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the Board,
President, and Chief Executive Officer of Lexmark International, Inc.
(office machines, 1991). Prior to 1991, he held the positions of Vice
President of International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") and
President and General Manager of various IBM divisions and
subsidiaries. Mr. Mann is a Director of M.A. Hanna Company (chemicals,
1993), Imation Corp. (imaging and information storage, 1997), and
Infomart (marketing services, 1991), a Trammell Crow Co. In addition,
he serves as the Campaign Vice Chairman of the Tri-State United Way
(1993) and is a member of the University of Alabama President's
Cabinet.
*ROBERT C. POZEN (51), Trustee (1997) and Senior Vice President, is
also President and a Director of FMR (1997); and President and a
Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (1998),
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (1997), and Fidelity
Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (1997). Previously, Mr. Pozen
served as General Counsel, Managing Director, and Senior Vice
President of FMR Corp.
THOMAS R. WILLIAMS (69), Trustee, is President of The Wales Group,
Inc. (management and financial advisory services). Prior to retiring
in 1987, Mr. Williams served as Chairman of the Board of First
Wachovia Corporation (bank holding company), and Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of The First National Bank of Atlanta and First
Atlanta Corporation (bank holding company). He is currently a Director
of ConAgra, Inc. (agricultural products), Georgia Power Company
(electric utility), National Life Insurance Company of Vermont,
American Software, Inc., and AppleSouth, Inc. (restaurants, 1992).
DWIGHT D. CHURCHILL (44), is Vice President of Bond Funds, Group
Leader of the Bond Group, Senior Vice President of FMR (1997), and
Vice President of FIMM (1998). Mr. Churchill joined Fidelity in 1993
as Vice President and Group Leader of Taxable Fixed-Income
Investments.
FRED L. HENNING, JR. (58), is Vice President of Fidelity's
Fixed-Income Group (1995), Senior Vice President of FMR (1995), and
Senior Vice President of FIMM (1998). Before assuming his current
responsibilities, Mr. Henning was head of Fidelity's Money Market
Division.
GEORGE A. FISCHER (36), is Vice President of Spartan Aggressive
Municipal Income Fund (1998), Spartan Insured Municipal Income Fund
(1997) and other funds advised by FMR. Prior to his current
responsibilities, Mr. Fischer has managed a variety of Fidelity funds.
ERIC D. ROITER (49), Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998) and
General Counsel of FMR (1998). Mr. Roiter was an Adjunct Member,
Faculty of Law, at Columbia University Law School (1996-1997). Prior
to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton
(1981-1997) and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981).
RICHARD A. SILVER (50), Treasurer (1997), is Treasurer of the Fidelity
funds and is an employee of FMR (1997). Before joining FMR, Mr. Silver
served as Executive Vice President, Fund Accounting & Administration
at First Data Investor Services Group, Inc. (1996-1997). Prior to
1996, Mr. Silver was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
at The Colonial Group, Inc. Mr. Silver also served as Chairman of the
Accounting/Treasurer's Committee of the Investment Company Institute
(1987-1993).
THOMAS D. MAHER (52), Assistant Vice President, is Assistant Vice
President of Fidelity's Municipal Bond Funds (1996) and of Fidelity's
Money Market Funds.
JOHN H. COSTELLO (51), Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH (51), Assistant Treasurer (1994), is an employee of
FMR (1994). Prior to becoming Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity
funds, Mr. Rush was Chief Compliance Officer of FMR Corp. (1993-1994)
and Chief Financial Officer of Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc.
(1990-1993).
THOMAS J. SIMPSON (37), Assistant Treasurer, is Assistant Treasurer of
Fidelity's municipal bond funds (1996) and of Fidelity's money market
funds (1996) and an employee of FMR (1996). Prior to joining FMR, Mr.
Simpson was Vice President and Fund Controller of Liberty Investment
Services (1987-1995).
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation
of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board of each fund for his
or her services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
COMPENSATION TABLE
Trustees Aggregate Aggregate Total
and Compensation Compensation Compensation
Members of the Advisory Board from Spartan from Spartan from the
AggressiveB InsuredB Fund Complex*,A
J. Gary Burkhead** $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Ralph F. Cox $ 371 $ 135 214,500
Phyllis Burke Davis $ 363 $ 132 210,000
Robert M. Gates*** $ 309 $ 111 176,000
Edward C. Johnson 3d** $ 0 $ 0 0
E. Bradley Jones $ 365 $ 133 211,500
Donald J. Kirk $ 365 $ 133 211,500
Peter S. Lynch** $ 0 $ 0 0
William O. McCoy**** $ 379 $ 138 214,500
Gerald C. McDonough $ 457 $ 166 264,500
Marvin L. Mann $ 371 $ 135 214,500
Robert C. Pozen** $ 0 $ 0 0
Thomas R. Williams $ 371 $ 135 214,500
</TABLE>
* Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 1997 for 230
funds in the complex.
** Interested Trustees of the funds and Mr. Burkhead are compensated
by FMR.
*** Mr. Gates was appointed to the Board of Trustees effective March
1, 1997.
**** Mr. McCoy was appointed to the Board of Trustees effective
January 1, 1997.
A Compensation figures include cash, amounts required to be deferred,
and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees. For the
calendar year ended December 31, 1997, the Trustees accrued required
deferred compensation from the funds as follows: Ralph F. Cox,
$75,000, Phyllis Burke Davis, $75,000, Robert M. Gates, $62,500, E.
Bradley Jones, $75,000, Donald J. Kirk, $75,000, William O. McCoy,
$75,000, Gerald C. McDonough, $87,500, Marvin L. Mann, $75,000 and
Thomas R. WIlliams, $75,000. Certain of the non-interested Trustees
elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their compensation as
follows: Ralph E. Cox, $53,699, Marvin L. Mann, $53,699, and Thomas R.
Williams, $62,462.
B Compensation figures include cash.
Under a deferred compensation plan adopted in September 1995 and
amended in November 1996 (the Plan), non-interested Trustees must
defer receipt of a portion of, and may elect to defer receipt of an
additional portion of, their annual fees. Amounts deferred under the
Plan are subject to vesting and are treated as though equivalent
dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of
Fidelity funds including funds in each major investment discipline and
representing a majority of Fidelity's assets under management (the
Reference Funds). The amounts ultimately received by the Trustees
under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance
of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan
will have a negligible effect on a fund's assets, liabilities, and net
income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services
of any Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the
Trustee. A fund may invest in the Reference Funds under the Plan
without shareholder approval.
As of December 31, 1997, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board,
and officers of each fund owned, in the aggregate, less than 1% of
each fund's total outstanding shares.
As of December 31, 1997, the following owned of record or beneficially
5% or more of a fund's outstanding shares: Spartan Aggressive
Municipal: National Financial Services Corporation, Boston, MA
(13.88%) and Spartan Insured Municipal Income: National Financial
Services Corporation, Boston, MA (14.68%).
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
FMR is manager of Spartan Aggressive Municipal and Spartan Insured
Municipal Income pursuant to management contracts dated March 1, 1993
and January 1, 1994, respectively, which were approved by shareholders
on February 17, 1993 and December 15, 1993, respectively.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Each fund employs FMR to furnish investment
advisory and other services. Under the terms of its management
contract with each fund, FMR 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. FMR also provides each fund with all necessary office
facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments,
compensates all officers of each fund and all Trustees who are
"interested persons" of the trust or of FMR, and all personnel of each
fund or FMR performing services relating to research, statistical, and
investment activities.
In addition, FMR or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services
necessary for the operation of each fund. These services include
providing facilities for maintaining each fund's organization;
supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents,
accountants, underwriters, and other persons dealing with each fund;
preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting
shareholder relations; maintaining each fund's records and the
registration of each fund's shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing
management and shareholder services for each fund; and furnishing
reports, evaluations, and analyses on a variety of subjects to the
Trustees.
MANAGEMENT-RELATED EXPENSES. In addition to the management fee payable
to FMR and the fees payable to the transfer, dividend disbursing, and
shareholder servicing agent, and pricing and bookkeeping agent, each
fund pays all of its expenses that are not assumed by those parties.
Each fund pays for the typesetting, printing, and mailing of its proxy
materials to shareholders, legal expenses, and the fees of the
custodian, auditor and non-interested Trustees. Each fund's management
contract further provides that the fund will pay for typesetting,
printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional
information, notices, and reports to shareholders; however, under the
terms of each fund's transfer agent agreement, the transfer agent
bears the costs of providing these services to existing shareholders.
Other expenses paid by each fund include interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, the fund's proportionate share of insurance premiums and
Investment Company Institute dues, and the costs of registering shares
under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state
securities laws. Each fund is also liable for such non-recurring
expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which the
fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its
officers and Trustees with respect to litigation.
MANAGEMENT FEES. For the services of FMR under the management
contract, each fund pays FMR a monthly management fee which has two
components: a group fee rate and an individual fund fee rate.
The group fee rate is based on the monthly average net assets of all
of the registered investment companies with which FMR has management
contracts.
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Annualized Group Net Effective Annual
Assets Rate Assets Fee Rate
0 - $3 billion .3700% $ 0.5 billion .3700%
3 - 6 .3400 25 .2664
6 - 9 .3100 50 .2188
9 - 12 .2800 75 .1986
12 - 15 .2500 100 .1869
15 - 18 .2200 125 .1793
18 - 21 .2000 150 .1736
21 - 24 .1900 175 .1695
24 - 30 .1800 200 .1658
30 - 36 .1750 225 .1629
36 - 42 .1700 250 .1604
42 - 48 .1650 275 .1583
48 - 66 .1600 300 .1565
66 - 84 .1550 325 .1548
84 - 120 .1500 350 .1533
120 - 174 .1450 400 .1507
174 - 228 .1400
228 - 282 .1375
282 - 336 .1350
Over 336 .1325
SPARTAN AGGRESSIVE MUNICIPAL: Under the fund's current management
contract with FMR, the group fee rate is based on a schedule with
breakpoints ending at .1400% for average group assets in excess of
$174 billion. The additional breakpoints shown above for average group
assets in excess of $228 billion were voluntarily adopted by FMR on
November 1, 1993.
On August 1, 1994, FMR voluntarily revised the prior extensions to the
group fee rate schedule, and added new breakpoints for average group
assets in excess of $156 billion and under $372 billion as shown in
the schedule below. The revised group fee rate schedule is identical
to the above schedule for average group assets under $156 billion.
On January 1, 1996, FMR voluntarily added new breakpoints to the
revised schedule for average group assets in excess of $372 billion,
pending shareholder approval of a new management contract reflecting
the revised schedule and additional breakpoints. The revised group fee
rate schedule and its extensions provide for lower management fee
rates as FMR's assets under management increase. For average group
assets in excess of $156 billion, the revised group fee rate schedule
with additional breakpoints voluntarily adopted by FMR is as follows:
SPARTAN INSURED MUNICIPAL INCOME: Prior to January 1, 1994, the group
fee rate was based on a schedule with breakpoints ending at .1500% for
average group assets in excess of $84 billion. The group fee rate
breakpoints shown above for average group assets in excess of $120
billion and under $228 billion were voluntarily adopted by FMR on
January 1, 1992. The additional breakpoints shown above for average
group assets in excess of $228 billion were voluntarily adopted by FMR
on November 1, 1993. The fund's current management contract reflects
these extensions of the group fee rate schedule.
On August 1, 1994, FMR voluntarily revised the prior extensions to the
group fee rate schedule, and added new breakpoints for average group
assets in excess of $156 billion and under $372 billion as shown in
the schedule below. The revised group fee rate schedule is identical
to the above schedule for average group assets under $156 billion.
On January 1, 1996, FMR voluntarily added new breakpoints to the
revised schedule for average group assets in excess of $372 billion,
pending shareholder approval of a new management contract reflecting
the revised schedule and additional breakpoints. The revised group fee
rate schedule and its extensions provide for lower management fee
rates as FMR's assets under management increase. For average group
assets in excess of $156 billion, the revised group fee rate schedule
with additional breakpoints voluntarily adopted by FMR is as follows:
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Annualized Group Net Effective Annual
Assets Rate Assets Fee Rate
120 - $156 billion .1450% $ 150 billion .1736%
156 - 192 .1400 175 .1690
192 - 228 .1350 200 .1652
228 - 264 .1300 225 .1618
264 - 300 .1275 250 .1587
300 - 336 .1250 275 .1560
336 - 372 .1225 300 .1536
372 - 408 .1200 325 .1514
408 - 444 .1175 350 .1494
444 - 480 .1150 375 .1476
480 - 516 .1125 400 .1459
Over 516 .1100 425 .1443
450 .1427
475 .1413
500 .1399
525 .1385
550 .1372
The group fee rate is calculated on a cumulative basis pursuant to the
graduated fee rate schedule shown above on the left. The schedule
above on the right shows the effective annual group fee rate at
various asset levels, which is the result of cumulatively applying the
annualized rates on the left. For example, the effective annual fee
rate at $549 billion of group net assets - the approximate level for
December 1997 - was 0.1372%, which is the weighted average of the
respective fee rates for each level of group net assets up to $549
billion.
The individual fund fee rates for Spartan Aggressive Municipal and
Spartan Insured Municipal Income are 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively.
Based on the average group net assets of the funds advised by FMR for
December 1997, each fund's annual management fee rate would be
calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Group Fee Rate Individual Fund Fee Rate Management Fee Rate
Spartan Aggressive 0.1372% + 0.25% = 0.3872%
Spartan Insured 0.1372% + 0.25% = 0.3872%
</TABLE>
Effective March 1, 1997, FMR voluntarily reduced the individual fund
fee rate for Spartan Aggressive Municipal from 0.30% to 0.25%.
One-twelfth of this annual management fee rate is applied to each
fund's net assets averaged for the most recent month, giving a dollar
amount, which is the fee for that month.
The following table shows the amount of management fees paid by each
fund to FMR for the past three fiscal years.
Fund Fiscal Years Ended Management Fees
December 31 Paid to FMR
Spartan Aggressive 1997 $ 3,518,347
1996 $ 3,873,699
1995 $ 3,996,093
Spartan Insured 1997 $ 1,248,531
1996 $ 1,340,200
1995 $ 1,388,652
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of
a fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, and extraordinary 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 by FMR will increase a fund's total returns and
yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by a fund will lower its
total returns and yield.
Effective August 1, 1997, and April 1, 1997, for Spartan Aggressive
Municipal and Spartan Insured Municipal Income, respectively, FMR
voluntarily agreed, subject to revision or termination, to reimburse
the funds (through December 31, 1999, for Spartan Aggressive
Municipal) if and to the extent that the the fund's aggregate
operating expenses, including management fees, were in excess of an
annual rate of its average net assets. The tables below show the
periods of reimbursement and levels of expense limitations; the dollar
amount of management fees incurred under each fund's contract before
reimbursement; and the dollar amount of management fees reimbursed by
FMR under the expense reimbursement for each period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Periods of Aggregate Fiscal Years Management Amount of
Expense Limitation Operating Ended Fee Management
From To Expense December 31 Before Fee
Limitation Reimbursement Reimbursement
Spartan Aggressive 8/1/97 12/31/97 0.53% 1997 $ 1,521,466 $ 128,466
4/1/97 7/31/97 0.55% $ 1,099,975 $ 53,459
1/1/97 3/31/97 -- $ 896,906 --
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Period of Aggregate Fiscal Years Management Amount of
Expense Limitation Operating Ended Fee Management
From To Expense December 31 Before Fee
Limitation Reimbursement Reimbursement
Spartan Insured 4/1/97 12/31/97 0.55% 1997 $ 931,620 $ 84,280
1/1/97 3/31/97 -- $ 316,911 --
</TABLE>
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
The Trustees have approved Distribution and Service Plans on behalf of
each fund (the Plans) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the
Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund may not
engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that is
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund except
pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The
Plans, as approved by the Trustees, allow the funds and FMR to incur
certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect
payment by the funds of distribution expenses.
Under each Plan, if the payment of management fees by the fund to FMR
is deemed to be indirect financing by the fund of the distribution of
its shares, such payment is authorized by the Plan. Each Plan
specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenue,
as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay FDC for
expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of fund shares.
In addition, each Plan provides that FMR, directly or through FDC, may
make payments to third parties, such as banks or broker-dealers, that
engage in the sale of fund shares, or provide shareholder support
services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such
payments for shares.
FMR made no payments either directly or through FDC to third parties
for the fiscal year ended 1997.
Prior to approving each Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all
pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and
determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will
benefit the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees
noted that each Plan does not authorize payments by the fund other
than those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund. To
the extent that each Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in
connection with the distribution of fund shares, additional sales of
fund shares may result. Furthermore, certain shareholder support
services may be provided more effectively under the Plans by local
entities with whom shareholders have other relationships.
The Plan for each of Spartan Aggressive Municipal and Spartan Insured
Municipal Income was approved by shareholders of both funds on
December 30, 1996.
The Glass-Steagall Act generally prohibits federally and state
chartered or supervised banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling, or distributing securities. Although the scope
of this prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly
defined by the courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, FDC believes
that the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from performing
shareholder support services, or servicing and recordkeeping
functions. FDC intends to engage banks only to perform such functions.
However, changes in federal or state statutes and regulations
pertaining to the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates
or subsidiaries, as well as further judicial or administrative
decisions or interpretations, could prevent a bank from continuing to
perform all or a part of the contemplated services. If a bank were
prohibited from so acting, the Trustees would consider what actions,
if any, would be necessary to continue to provide efficient and
effective shareholder services. In such event, changes in the
operation of the funds might occur, including possible termination of
any automatic investment or redemption or other services then provided
by the bank. It is not expected that shareholders would suffer any
adverse financial consequences as a result of any of these
occurrences. In addition, state securities laws on this issue may
differ from the interpretations of federal law expressed herein, and
banks and other financial institutions may be required to register as
dealers pursuant to state law.
Each fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plans. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
CONTRACTS WITH FMR AFFILIATES
Each fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with UMB. Under
the terms of the agreements, UMB provides transfer agency, dividend
disbursing, and shareholder services for each fund. UMB in turn has
entered into sub-transfer agent agreements with FSC, an affiliate of
FMR. Under the terms of the sub-agreements, FSC performs all
processing activities associated with providing these services for
each fund and receives all related transfer agency fees paid to UMB.
For providing transfer agency services, FSC receives an account fee
and an asset-based fee each paid monthly with respect to each account
in a fund. For retail accounts and certain institutional accounts,
these fees are based on account size and fund type. For certain
institutional retirement accounts, these fees are based on fund type.
For certain other institutional retirement accounts, these fees are
based on account type (i.e., omnibus or non-omnibus) and, for
non-omnibus accounts, fund type. The account fees are subject to
increase based on postage rate changes.
FSC also collects small account fees from certain accounts with
balances of less than $2,500.
In addition, UMB receives the pro rata portion of the transfer agency
fees applicable to shareholder accounts in each Fidelity Freedom Fund,
a fund of funds managed by an FMR affiliate, according to the
percentage of the Freedom Fund's assets that is invested in a fund.
FSC pays out-of-pocket expenses associated with providing transfer
agent services. In addition, FSC 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.
Each fund has also entered into a service agent agreement with UMB.
Under the terms of the agreements, UMB provides pricing and
bookkeeping services for each fund. UMB in turn has entered into
sub-service agent agreements with FSC. Under the terms of the
sub-agreements, FSC performs all processing activities associated with
providing these services, including calculating the NAV and dividends
for each fund and maintaining each fund's portfolio and general
accounting records, and receives all related pricing and bookkeeping
fees paid to UMB.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly
fee based on each fund's average daily net assets throughout the
month. The annual fee rates for pricing and bookkeeping services are
.0400% of the first $500 million of average net assets and .0200% of
average net assets in excess of $500 million. The fee, not including
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, is limited to a minimum of
$60,000 and a maximum of $800,000 per year.
Pricing and bookkeeping fees, including reimbursement for
out-of-pocket expenses, paid by the funds to FSC for the past three
fiscal years are shown in the table below.
Fund 1997 1996 1995
Spartan Aggressive $ 296,257 $ 296,466 $ 301,000
Spartan Insured $ 138,000 $ 147,373 $ 152,059
Each fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an
affiliate of FMR organized as a Massachusetts corporation on July 18,
1960. FDC is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. The distribution agreements call for FDC to use all
reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure
purchasers for shares of the fund, which are continuously offered at
NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses in connection with the
offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST'S ORGANIZATION. Spartan Aggressive Municipal Fund and Spartan
Insured Municipal Income Fund are funds of Fidelity Municipal Trust,
an open-end management investment company originally organized as a
Maryland corporation on November 22, 1976 and reorganized as a
Massachusetts business trust on June 22, 1984, at which time its name
changed from Fidelity Municipal Bond, Inc. to Fidelity Municipal Bond
Fund. On March 1, 1986, the trust's name was changed to Fidelity
Municipal Trust. Currently, there are seven funds of the trust:
Spartan Aggressive Municipal Fund, Spartan Insured Municipal Income
Fund, Spartan Michigan Municipal Income Fund, Spartan Minnesota
Municipal Income Fund, Spartan Ohio Municipal Income, Spartan
Pennsylvania Municipal Income Fund, and Fidelity Advisor Municipal
Bond. On July 16, 1997, Fidelity Aggressive Municipal Fund acquired
all of the assets of Spartan Aggressive Municipal Fund. On August 1,
1997 Fidelity Aggressive Municipal Fund was renamed Spartan Aggressive
Municipal Fund. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to
create additional funds.
In the event that FMR ceases to be the investment adviser to the trust
or a fund, the right of the trust or fund to use the identifying names
"Fidelity" and "Spartan" may be withdrawn. There is a remote
possibility that one fund might become liable for any misstatement in
its prospectus or statement of additional information about another
fund.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of
each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
subject only to the rights of creditors, are especially allocated to
such fund, and constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The
underlying assets of each fund are segregated on the books of account,
and are to be charged with the liabilities with respect to such fund
and with a share of the general expenses of the trust. Expenses with
respect to the trust are to be allocated in proportion to the asset
value of funds, except where allocations of direct expense can
otherwise be fairly made. The officers of the trust, subject to the
general supervision of the Board of Trustees, have the power to
determine which expenses are allocable to a given fund, or which are
general or allocable to all of the funds. In the event of the
dissolution or liquidation of the trust, shareholders of each fund of
that trust are entitled to receive as a class the underlying assets of
such fund available for distribution.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY. The trust is an entity of the type
commonly known as "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts
law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be
held personally liable for the obligations of the trust. The
Declaration of Trust provides that the trust shall not have any claim
against shareholders except for the payment of the purchase price of
shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or instrument
entered into or executed by the trust or its Trustees shall include a
provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust and
its assets. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out
of each fund's property of any shareholder held personally liable for
the obligations of the fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides
that each fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim
made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and
satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder
incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the fund itself would be unable to
meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in view of the above, the
risk of personal liability to shareholders is remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees, if they
have exercised reasonable care, will not be liable for any neglect or
wrongdoing, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects Trustees
against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their
office.
VOTING RIGHTS. Each fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. As a shareholder, you receive one vote for each dollar value
of net asset value you own. The shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights; the voting and dividend rights, the right of
redemption, and the privilege of exchange are described in the
Prospectus. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set
forth under the heading "Shareholder and Trustee Liability" above.
Shareholders representing 10% or more of the trust or a fund may, as
set forth in the Declaration of Trust, call meetings of the trust or a
fund for any purpose related to the trust or fund, as the case may be,
including, in the case of a meeting of the entire trust, the purpose
of voting on removal of one or more Trustees. The trust or any fund
may be terminated upon the sale of its assets to another open-end
management investment company, or upon liquidation and distribution of
its assets, if approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the
trust or the fund, as determined by the current value of each
shareholder's investment in the fund or trust. If not so terminated,
the trust and the funds will continue indefinitely.
CUSTODIAN. UMB Bank, n.a., 1010 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri,
is custodian of the assets of the funds. The custodian is responsible
for the safekeeping of a fund's assets and the appointment of any
subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. The custodian takes no part
in determining the investment policies of a fund or in deciding which
securities are purchased or sold by a fund. However, a fund may invest
in obligations of the custodian and may purchase securities from or
sell securities to the custodian.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, and the
Board of Trustees may, from time to time, conduct transactions with
various banks, including banks serving as custodians for certain funds
advised by FMR. Transactions that have occurred to date include
mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of
FMR, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not
influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund
relationships.
AUDITOR. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., One Post Office Square, Boston,
Massachusetts serves as the funds' independent accountant. The auditor
examines financial statements for the funds and provides other audit,
tax, and related services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Each fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the
fiscal period ended December 31, 1997, and reports of the auditors,
are included in each fund's Annual Report, which are separate reports
supplied with this SAI. The funds' financial statements, including the
financial highlights, and reports of the auditors are incorporated
herein by reference. For a free additional copy of a fund's Annual
Report, contact Fidelity at 1-800-544-8888, 82 Devonshire Street,
Boston, MA 02109.
APPENDIX
DOLLAR-WEIGHTED AVERAGE MATURITY is derived by multiplying the value
of each investment by the time remaining to its maturity, adding these
calculations, and then dividing the total by the value of the fund's
portfolio. An obligation's maturity is typically determined on a
stated final maturity basis, although there are some exceptions to
this rule.
For example, if it is probable that the issuer of an instrument will
take advantage of a maturity-shortening device, such as a call,
refunding, or redemption provision, the date on which the instrument
will probably be called, refunded, or redeemed may be considered to be
its maturity date. When a municipal bond issuer has committed to call
an issue of bonds and has established an independent escrow account
that is sufficient to, and is pledged to, refund that issue, the
number of days to maturity for the prerefunded bond is considered to
be the number of days to the announced call date of the bonds.
The descriptions that follow are examples of eligible ratings for the
funds. A fund may, however, consider the ratings for other types of
investments and the ratings assigned by other rating organizations
when determining the eligibility of a particular investment.
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL
OBLIGATIONS
Moody's ratings for long-term municipal obligations fall within nine
categories. They range from Aaa (highest quality) to C (lowest
quality). Those bonds within the Aa through B categories that Moody's
believes possess the strongest credit attributes within those
categories are designated by the symbol "1."
AAA - Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality.
They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a
large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure.
While the various protective elements are likely to change, such
changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
AA - Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are
generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the
best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa
securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater
amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
A - Bonds that are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations.
Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered
adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to
impairment sometime in the future.
BAA - Bonds that are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade
obligations, (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for
the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such
bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have
speculative characteristics as well.
BA - Bonds that are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements;
their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and
thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the
future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B - Bonds that are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or
of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of
time may be small.
CAA - Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may
be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect
to principal or interest.
CA - Bonds that are rated Ca represent obligations which are
speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have
other marked short-comings.
C - Bonds that are rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds and
issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment standing.
DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL DEBT
Municipal debt issues may be designated by Standard & Poor's as either
investment grade ("AAA" through "BBB") or speculative grade ("BB"
through "D"). While speculative grade debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. Ratings from
AA through CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus sign (+) or
minus sign (-) to show relative standing within the major rating
categories.
AAA - Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's to a debt obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.
AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in
small degree.
A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt
in higher rated categories.
BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay
interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in
higher-rated categories.
BB - Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than
other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely
interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used
for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied BBB- rating.
B - Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently
has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments.
Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair
capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC - Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to
default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and
economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment
of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and
repay principal. The CCC rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or
B- rating.
CC - Debt rated CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C - The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C
rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition
has been filed but debt service payments are continued.
CI - The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest
is being paid.
D - Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date
due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P
believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The
D rating will also be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if
debt service payments are jeopardized.
