SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (No. 2-11884)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 [X]
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (No. 811-649)
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 117 [X]
Fidelity Puritan Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
82 Devonshire St., Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number: 617-563-7000
Eric D. Roiter, Secretary
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective
( ) immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).
( ) on ( ) pursuant to paragraph (b).
( ) 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).
(X) on (September 29, 1999) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
( ) 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).
( ) on ( ) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
( ) this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Like securities of all mutual
funds, these securities have
not been approved or
disapproved by the
Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the
Securities and Exchange
Commission has not
determined if this
prospectus is accurate or
complete. Any
representation to the
contrary is a criminal
offense.
FIDELITY
BALANCED
FUND
(fund number 304, trading symbol FBALX)
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
CONTENTS
FUND SUMMARY 4 INVESTMENT SUMMARY
4 PERFORMANCE
5 FEE TABLE
FUND BASICS 6 INVESTMENT DETAILS
6 VALUING SHARES
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 7 BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
14 EXCHANGING SHARES
14 ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
17 DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN
DISTRIBUTIONS
17 TAX CONSEQUENCES
FUND SERVICES 17 FUND MANAGEMENT
18 FUND DISTRIBUTION
APPENDIX 18 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FUND SUMMARY
INVESTMENT SUMMARY
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
BALANCED FUND seeks income and capital growth consistent with
reasonable risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)'s principal investment
strategies include:
(small solid bullet) Investing approximately 60% of assets in stocks
and other equity securities and the remainder in investment-grade
bonds and other investment-grade debt securities (those of medium and
high quality) when its outlook is neutral.
(small solid bullet) Investing at least 25% of total assets in
fixed-income senior securities (including debt securities and
preferred stock).
(small solid bullet) Investing in domestic and foreign issuers.
(small solid bullet) With respect to equity investments, emphasizing
above-average income-producing equity securities, which tends to lead
to investments in stocks that have more "value" characteristics than
"growth" characteristics.
(small solid bullet) Analyzing a security's issuer using fundamental
factors and evaluating each security's current price relative to
estimated long-term value to select investments.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
The fund is subject to the following principal investment risks:
(small solid bullet) STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. Stock markets are
volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer,
political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Different
parts of the market can react differently to these developments.
(small solid bullet) INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Interest rate increases
can cause the price of a debt security to decrease.
(small solid bullet) FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign markets can be more
volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse
issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can
perform differently than the U.S. market.
(small solid bullet) PREPAYMENT. The ability of an issuer of a debt
security to repay principal prior to a security's maturity can cause
greater price volatility if interest rates change.
(small solid bullet) ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. The value of an
individual security or particular type of security can be more
volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than
the value of the market as a whole.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency.
When you sell your shares of the fund, they could be worth more or
less than what you paid for them.
PERFORMANCE
The following information illustrates the changes in the fund's
performance from year to year and compares the fund's performance to
the performance of a market index and an average of the performance of
similar funds over various periods of time. Balanced also compares its
performance to the performance of a combination of market indexes over
various periods of time. Returns are based on past results and are not
an indication of future performance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS
BALANCED
Calendar Years 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
% % % % % % % % % %
</TABLE>
Percentage (%)
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Row: 2, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 3, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 4, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 5, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 6, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 7, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 8, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 9, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 10, Col: 1, Value: nil
DURING THE PERIODS SHOWN IN THE CHART FOR BALANCED, THE HIGHEST RETURN
FOR A QUARTER WAS __% (QUARTER ENDING [CALENDAR QUARTER:
[MONTH][DATE]], [YEAR]) AND THE LOWEST RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS __%
(QUARTER ENDING [CALENDAR QUARTER: [MONTH][DATE]], [YEAR]).
THE YEAR-TO-DATE RETURN AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 FOR BALANCED WAS ___%.
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
For the periods ended Past 1 year Past 5 years Past 10 years
December 31, 1998
Balanced % % %
S&P 500 % % %
Lipper Balanced Funds Average % % %
Fidelity Balanced Composite % % %
Index
Fidelity Balanced Composite Index is a hypothetical representation of
the performance of the fund's general investment categories using a
weighting of 60% equity and 40% bond. The following indexes are used
to calculate the Composite Index: equity - the Standard & Poor's 500
Index (S&P 500(registered trademark)), and bond - the Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond Index. The index weightings of the Composite Index are
rebalanced monthly.
S&P 500 is a market capitalization-weighted index of common stocks.
The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted
index of investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including
government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities,
with maturities of one year or more.
Lipper Balanced Funds Average reflects the performance (excluding
sales charges) of mutual funds with similar objectives.
FEE TABLE
The following table describes the fees and expenses that are incurred
when you buy, hold, or sell shares of the fund. [The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund are based on historical
expenses, adjusted to reflect current fees.][The annual fund operating
expenses provided below for the fund do not reflect the effect of any
reduction of certain expenses during the period.] [The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund are based on historical
expenses.]
SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID BY THE INVESTOR DIRECTLY)
Sales charge (load) on None
purchases and reinvested
distributions
Deferred sales charge (load) None
on redemptions
Annual account maintenance $12.00
fee (for accounts under
$2,500)
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management fee %
Distribution and Service None
(12b-1) fee
Other expenses %
Total annual fund operating %
expenses
[A portion of the brokerage commissions that the fund pays is used to
reduce the fund's expenses. [In addition,] [[T/t]he 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 [this/these]
reduction[s], the total fund operating expenses would have been __%.]
This EXAMPLE helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Let's say, hypothetically, that the fund's annual return is 5% and
that your shareholder fees and the fund's annual operating expenses
are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates
the effect of fees and expenses, but is not meant to suggest actual or
expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For
every $10,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total
expenses if you close your account after the number of years
indicated:
1 year $
3 years $
5 years $
10 years $
FUND BASICS
INVESTMENT DETAILS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
BALANCED FUND seeks income and capital growth consistent with
reasonable risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
FMR manages the fund to maintain a balance between stocks and bonds.
When FMR's outlook is neutral, it will invest approximately 60% of the
fund's assets in stocks and other equity securities and the remainder
in investment-grade bonds and other investment-grade debt securities
(those of medium and high quality). FMR may vary from this target if
it believes stocks or bonds offer more favorable opportunities, but
will always invest at least 25% of the fund's total assets in
fixed-income senior securities (including debt securities and
preferred stock).
FMR may invest the fund's assets in securities of foreign issuers in
addition to securities of domestic issuers.
With respect to the fund's equity investments, FMR's emphasis on
above-average income-producing equity securities tends to lead to
investments in stocks that have more "value" characteristics than
"growth" characteristics. However, FMR is not constrained by any
particular investment style. In buying and selling securities for the
fund, FMR generally analyzes the issuer of a security using
fundamental factors (e.g., growth potential, earnings estimates and
management) and evaluates each security's current price relative to
its estimated long-term value.
FMR may lend the fund's securities to broker-dealers or other
institutions to earn income for the fund.
FMR may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures
contracts, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing
security prices, interest rates or other factors that affect security
values. If FMR's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not
achieve its objective.
DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL SECURITY TYPES
EQUITY SECURITIES represent an ownership interest, or the right to
acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Different types of equity
securities provide different voting and dividend rights and priority
in the event of the bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity securities
include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and
warrants.
DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer
usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and must
repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt
securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but
are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include
corporate bonds, government securities, and mortgage and other
asset-backed securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price
changes daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates
and in response to other economic, political or financial
developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be
affected by the types and maturities of the securities in which the
fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector,
and geographic location of an issuer, and the fund's level of
investment in the securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares
of the fund, they could be worth more or less than what you paid for
them.
The following factors may significantly affect the fund's performance:
STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. The value of equity securities fluctuates in
response to issuer, political, market and economic developments. In
the short term, equity prices can fluctuate dramatically in response
to these developments. Different parts of the market and different
types of equity securities can react differently to these
developments. For example, large cap stocks can react differently than
small cap stocks, and "growth" stocks can react differently than
"value" stocks. Issuer, political or economic developments can affect
a single issuer, issuers within an industry or economic sector or
geographic region, or the market as a whole.
INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Debt securities have varying levels of
sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a
debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when
interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage
securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes.
FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and
securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations
can involve additional risks relating to political, economic or
regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include
fluctuations in foreign currencies; withholding or other taxes;
trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks; and the
less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some
foreign markets. All of these factors can make foreign investments,
especially those in emerging markets, more volatile and potentially
less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can
perform differently than the U.S. market.
PREPAYMENT. Many types of debt securities, including mortgage
securities, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the
issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security's
maturity. Securities subject to prepayment generally offer less
potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and
similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate
environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features
on the price of a debt security can be difficult to predict and result
in greater volatility.
ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. Changes in the financial condition of an
issuer, changes in specific economic or political conditions that
affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general
economic or political conditions can affect the credit quality or
value of an issuer's securities. The value of securities of smaller,
less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger
issuers. Lower-quality debt securities (those of less than
investment-grade quality) tend to be more sensitive to these changes
than higher-quality debt securities.
In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, FMR
may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive
purposes. If FMR does so, different factors could affect the fund's
performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change
only by shareholder approval.
BALANCED FUND seeks income and capital growth consistent with
reasonable risk.
VALUING SHARES
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. Fidelity(registered trademark) normally calculates the fund's
NAV as of the close of business 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 Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). The fund's assets are valued as of this time for the
purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on
days when the NYSE is closed, the value of the fund's assets may be
affected on days when the fund is not open for business. In addition,
trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the
fund is open for business.
The fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of market
quotations. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of
amortized cost. If market quotations are not readily available for a
security or if a security's value has been materially affected by
events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which
the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or
market), that security may be valued by another method that the Board
of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. A security's
valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining
value.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fidelity Investments(registered trademark) 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.
For account, product and service information, please use the following
Web site and phone numbers:
(small solid bullet) For information over the Internet, visit
Fidelity's Web site at www.fidelity.com.
(small solid bullet) For accessing account information automatically
by phone, use TouchTone Xpress(registered trademark), 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For exchanges and redemptions, 1-800-544-7777.
(small solid bullet) For account assistance, 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and retirement information,
1-800-544-8888.
(small solid bullet) For brokerage information, 1-800-544-7272.
(small solid bullet) TDD - Service for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired,
1-800-544-0118 (9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Please use the following addresses:
BUYING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 770001
Cincinnati, OH 45277-0002
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
2300 Litton Lane - KH1A
Hebron, KY 41048
SELLING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 660602
Dallas, TX 75266-0602
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
Attn: Redemptions - CP6I
400 East Las Colinas Blvd.
Irving, TX 75039-5517
You may buy or sell shares of the fund through a retirement account or
an investment professional. If you invest through a retirement account
or an investment professional, the procedures for buying, selling and
exchanging shares of the fund and the account features and policies
may differ. Additional fees may also apply to your investment in the
fund, including a transaction fee if you buy or sell shares of the
fund through a broker or other investment professional.
Certain methods of contacting Fidelity, such as by telephone or
electronically, may be unavailable or delayed (for example, during
periods of unusual market activity). In addition, the level and type
of service available may be restricted based on criteria established
by Fidelity.
The different ways to set up (register) your account with Fidelity are
listed in the following table.
WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT TENANT
FOR YOUR GENERAL INVESTMENT NEEDS
RETIREMENT
FOR TAX-ADVANTAGED RETIREMENT SAVINGS
(solid bullet) TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS)
(solid bullet) ROTH IRAS
(solid bullet) ROLLOVER IRAS
(solid bullet) 401(K) PLANS AND CERTAIN OTHER 401(A)-QUALIFIED PLANS
(solid bullet) KEOGH PLANS
(solid bullet) SIMPLE IRAS
(solid bullet) SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS (SEP-IRAS)
(solid bullet) SALARY REDUCTION SEP-IRAS (SARSEPS)
(solid bullet) 403(B) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS
(solid bullet) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (457 PLANS)
GIFTS OR TRANSFERS TO A MINOR (UGMA, UTMA)
TO INVEST FOR A CHILD'S EDUCATION OR OTHER FUTURE NEEDS
TRUST
FOR MONEY BEING INVESTED BY A TRUST
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION
FOR INVESTMENT NEEDS OF CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS OR
OTHER GROUPS
BUYING SHARES
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's NAV. The fund's
shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be bought at the next NAV calculated after your
investment is received in proper form.
Short-term or excessive trading into and out of the fund may harm
performance by disrupting portfolio management strategies and by
increasing expenses. Accordingly, the fund may reject any purchase
orders, including exchanges, particularly from market timers or
investors who, in FMR's opinion, have a pattern of short-term or
excessive trading or whose trading has been or may be disruptive to
the fund. For these purposes, FMR may consider an investor's trading
history in the fund or other Fidelity funds, and accounts under common
ownership or control.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only
on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
(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) Fidelity 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 the fund or
Fidelity has incurred.
Certain financial institutions that have entered into sales agreements
with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) may enter confirmed
purchase orders on behalf of customers by phone, with payment to
follow no later than the time when the fund is priced on the following
business day. If payment is not received by that time, the order will
be canceled and the financial institution could be held liable for
resulting fees or losses.
MINIMUMS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $250
Through regular investment plans $100
MINIMUM BALANCE $2,000
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
A FIDELITY TRADITIONAL IRA, ROTH IRA, ROLLOVER IRA, SEP-IRA, AND KEOGH
ACCOUNTS.
There is no minimum account balance or initial or subsequent purchase
minimum for investments through Fidelity Portfolio Advisory
ServicesSM, a qualified state tuition program, certain Fidelity
retirement accounts funded through salary deduction, or accounts
opened with the proceeds of distributions from such retirement
accounts. In addition, the fund may waive or lower purchase minimums
in other circumstances.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money
Line(registered trademark)
to transfer from your bank
account.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Complete
and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address
under "Mail" below.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer from your bank
account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
P.O. BOX 770001 CINCINNATI, (small solid bullet) Complete
OH 45277-0002 and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address at
left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Make
your check payable to the
complete name of the fund.
Indicate your fund account
number on your check and
mail to the address at left.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Send a letter of instruction
to the address at left,
including your name, the
funds' names, the fund
account numbers, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be exchanged.
IN PERSON TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your application and check
to a Fidelity Investor
Center. Call 1-800-544-9797
for the center nearest you.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your check to a Fidelity
Investor Center. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
WIRE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-7777 to set up
your account and to arrange
a wire transaction.
(small solid bullet) Wire
within 24 hours to: Bankers
Trust Company, Bank Routing
# 021001033, Account #
00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your new
fund account number and your
name.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Wire to:
Bankers Trust Company, Bank
Routing # 021001033, Account
# 00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your fund
account number and your name.
AUTOMATICALLY TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Not
available.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Account
Builder(registered
trademark) or Direct Deposit.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Exchange
Service to exchange from a
Fidelity money market fund.
SELLING SHARES
The price to sell one share of the fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order
is received in proper form.
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 sell 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.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
(small solid bullet) If you are selling some but not all of your
shares, leave at least $2,000 worth of shares in the account to keep
it open ($500 for retirement accounts), except accounts not subject to
account minimums.
(small solid bullet) Normally, Fidelity will process redemptions by
the next business day, but Fidelity may take up to seven days to
process redemptions if making immediate payment would adversely affect
the fund.
(small solid bullet) Redemption proceeds (other than exchanges) may be
delayed until money from prior purchases sufficient to cover your
redemption has been received and collected. This can take up to seven
business days after a purchase.
(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) Redemption proceeds may be paid in securities or
other assets rather than in cash if the Board of Trustees determines
it is in the best interests of the fund.
(small solid bullet) You will not receive interest on amounts
represented by uncashed redemption checks.
(small solid bullet) Unless otherwise instructed, Fidelity will send a
check to the record address.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 (small solid bullet) Call the
phone number at left to
initiate a wire transaction
or to request a check for
your redemption.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM (small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
P.O. BOX 660602 DALLAS, TX SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
75266-0602 UTMA
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
your name, the fund's name,
your fund account number,
and the dollar amount or
number of shares to be sold.
The letter of instruction
must be signed by all
persons required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Call
1-800-544-6666 to request one.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the trust's name, the fund's
name, the trust's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the firm's name, the fund's
name, the firm's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-6666 for
instructions.
IN PERSON INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
UTMA
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
letter of instruction must
be signed by all persons
required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center to
request one. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center for
instructions. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
AUTOMATICALLY (small solid bullet) Use
Personal Withdrawal Service
to set up periodic
redemptions from your account.
EXCHANGING SHARES
An exchange involves the redemption of all or a portion of the shares
of one fund and the purchase of shares of another fund.
As a shareholder, you have the privilege of exchanging shares of the
fund for shares of other Fidelity funds.
However, you should note the following policies and restrictions
governing exchanges:
(small solid bullet) The fund you are exchanging into must be
available for sale in your state.
(small solid bullet) You may exchange only 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) Exchanges may have tax consequences for you.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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 will be counted together for purposes of the four
exchange limit.
(small solid bullet) The exchange limit may be modified for accounts
held by certain institutional retirement plans to conform to plan
exchange limits and Department of Labor regulations. See your plan
materials for further information.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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.
The fund may terminate or modify the exchange privilege in the future.
Other funds may have different exchange restrictions, and may impose
trading fees of up to 3.00% of the amount exchanged. Check each fund's
prospectus for details.
ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
FEATURES
The following features are available to buy and sell shares of the
fund.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS. Fidelity offers
convenient services that let you automatically transfer money into
your account, between accounts, or out of your account. While
automatic investment programs 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 retirement, a home, educational expenses,
and other long-term financial goals. Automatic withdrawal or exchange
programs can be a convenient way to provide a consistent income flow
or to move money between your investments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC ACCOUNT
BUILDER TO MOVE MONEY FROM
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO A
FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly or quarterly (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account,
complete the appropriate
section on the fund
application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for existing accounts,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
application.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
investment date.
DIRECT DEPOSIT TO SEND ALL OR
A PORTION OF YOUR PAYCHECK
OR GOVERNMENT CHECK TO A
FIDELITY FUND.A
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Every pay period (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account, check
the appropriate box on the
fund application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for an existing account,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
authorization form.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes you will need a new
authorization form. Call
1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site to
obtain one.
A BECAUSE ITS SHARE PRICE
FLUCTUATES, THE FUND MAY NOT
BE AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE FOR
DIRECT DEPOSIT OF YOUR
ENTIRE CHECK.
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
SERVICE TO MOVE MONEY FROM A
FIDELITY MONEY MARKET FUND
TO ANOTHER FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly, bimonthly, (small solid bullet) To set
quarterly, or annually up, call 1-800-544-6666
after both accounts are
opened.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
exchange date.
</TABLE>
PERSONAL WITHDRAWAL SERVICE
TO SET UP PERIODIC
REDEMPTIONS FROM YOUR
ACCOUNT TO YOU OR TO YOUR
BANK ACCOUNT.
FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
Monthly (small solid bullet) To set
up, call 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-6666 at least
three business days prior to
your next scheduled
withdrawal date.
OTHER FEATURES. The following other features are also available to buy
and sell shares of the fund.
WIRE
TO PURCHASE AND SELL SHARES VIA THE FEDERAL RESERVE WIRE SYSTEM.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Wire feature before
using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application when
opening your account, or call 1-800-544-7777 to add the feature after
your account is opened. Call 1-800-544-7777 before your first use to
verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) To sell shares by wire, you must designate the
U.S. commercial bank account(s) into which you wish the redemption
proceeds deposited.
FIDELITY MONEY LINE
TO TRANSFER MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AND YOUR FUND ACCOUNT.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Money Line feature
before using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application
and then call 1-800-544-7777 or visit Fidelity's Web site before your
first use to verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) Most transfers are complete within three business
days of your call.
(small solid bullet) Minimum purchase: $100
(small solid bullet) Maximum purchase: $100,000
FIDELITY ON-LINE XPRESS+(registered trademark)
TO MANAGE YOUR INVESTMENTS THROUGH YOUR PC.
CALL 1-800-544-7272 OR VISIT FIDELITY'S WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) For access to research and analysis tools.
FIDELITY ONLINE TRADING
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT OVER THE INTERNET AT FIDELITY'S WEB
SITE.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) To access third-party research on companies,
stocks, mutual funds and the market.
TOUCHTONE XPRESS
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY BY PHONE.
CALL 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) To review orders and mutual fund activity; and
(small solid bullet) To change your personal identification number
(PIN).
POLICIES
The following policies apply to you as a shareholder.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS that Fidelity sends to you include the
following:
(small solid bullet) Confirmation statements (after transactions
affecting your account balance except reinvestment of distributions in
the fund or another fund and certain transactions through automatic
investment or withdrawal programs).
(small solid bullet) Monthly or quarterly account statements
(detailing account balances and all transactions completed during the
prior month or quarter).
(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 Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544 if you
need additional copies of financial reports or prospectuses.
Electronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are
available at Fidelity's Web site. To participate in Fidelity's
electronic delivery program, call Fidelity or visit Fidelity's Web
site for more information.
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 conducted through the Internet, Fidelity
recommends the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. You
should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately
after you receive them. If you do not want the ability to sell and
exchange by telephone, call Fidelity for instructions.
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 the fund to withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and
redemptions.
Fidelity may 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 Fidelity, 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
accounts with Fidelity maintained by Fidelity Service Company, Inc. 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 $2,000 (except accounts not
subject to account minimums), you will be given 30 days' notice to
reestablish the minimum balance. If you do not increase your balance,
Fidelity may close your account and send the proceeds to you. Your
shares will be sold at the NAV on the day your account is closed.
Fidelity may charge a FEE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, such as providing
historical account documents.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its
investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to
shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from
its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to
shareholders as capital gain distributions.
The fund normally pays dividends in March, June, September, and
December and pays capital gain distributions in September and
December.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
When you open an account, specify on your application how you want to
receive your distributions. The following options may be available for
the fund's distributions:
1. REINVESTMENT OPTION. Your dividends 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 in additional shares of the fund. Your
dividends will be paid in cash.
3. CASH OPTION. Your dividends and capital gain distributions will be
paid in cash.
4. DIRECTED DIVIDENDS(registered trademark) OPTION. Your dividends
will be automatically invested in shares of another identically
registered Fidelity fund. Your capital gain distributions will be
automatically invested in shares of another identically registered
Fidelity fund, automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
fund, or paid in cash.
Not all distribution options are available for every account. If the
option you prefer is not listed on your account application, or if you
want to change your current option, call Fidelity.
If you elect to receive distributions paid in cash by check and the
U.S. Postal Service does not deliver your checks, your distribution
option may be converted to the Reinvestment Option. You will not
receive interest on amounts represented by uncashed distribution
checks.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax
consequences for you. If you are not investing through a
tax-advantaged retirement account, you should consider these tax
consequences.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributions you receive from the fund are
subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or
local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, the fund's dividends and distributions of
short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. The
fund's distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you
generally as capital gains.
If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed
income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the
full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price
back in the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be
taxable to you when you receive them, regardless of your distribution
option.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS. Your redemptions, including exchanges, may
result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital
gain or loss on your investment in the fund is the difference between
the cost of your shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
FUND SERVICES
FUND MANAGEMENT
Balanced is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders'
money and invests it toward a specified goal.
FMR is the fund's manager.
As of March 25, 1999, FMR had approximately $__ billion in
discretionary assets under management.
As the manager, FMR is responsible for choosing the fund's investments
and handling its business affairs.
Affiliates assist FMR with foreign investments:
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR
U.K.), in London, England, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
U.K. was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and advice
to FMR. Currently, FMR U.K. provides investment research and advice on
issuers based outside the United States and may also provide
investment advisory services for Balanced.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research Far East Inc. (FMR
Far East), in Tokyo, Japan, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
Far East was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and
advice to FMR. Currently, FMR Far East provides investment research
and advice on issuers based outside the United States and may also
provide investment advisory services for Balanced.
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), in Merrimack, New
Hampshire, serves as sub-adviser for the fund. FIMM is responsible for
choosing certain types of investments for the fund.
FIMM is an affiliate of FMR. As of March 29, 1999, FIMM had
approximately $____ in discretionary assets under management.
The fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by
FMR and other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information from and after January 1, 2000. FMR has
advised the fund that it is actively working on necessary changes to
its computer systems and expects that its systems, and those of other
major service providers, will be modified prior to January 1, 2000.
However, there can be no assurance that there will be no adverse
impact on the fund.
Stephen DuFour is Vice President and manager of Balanced, which he has
managed since July 1997. Previously, he managed other Fidelity funds.
Mr. DuFour joined Fidelity as an analyst in 1992, after earning his
MBA from the University of Chicago.
Kevin Grant is Vice President of Balanced and manager of its
fixed-income investments, which he has managed since February 1997. He
also manages several other Fidelity funds. Prior to joining Fidelity
in 1993, Mr. Grant was Vice President and Chief Mortgage Strategist at
Morgan Stanley for three years.
From time to time a manager, analyst or other Fidelity employee may
express views regarding a particular company, security, industry or
market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of
only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily
represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity
organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based
upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any
responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on
as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity
fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an
indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
investment accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that establishes
procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
The fund pays a management fee to FMR. 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, dividing by
twelve, and multiplying the result by the fund's average net assets
throughout the month.
The group fee rate is based on the average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by FMR. This rate cannot rise above 0.52%, and it
drops as total assets under management increase.
For July, 1999, the group fee rate was __%. The individual fund fee
rate is 0.15%.
The total management fee for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, was
__% of the fund's average net assets.
FMR pays FIMM, FMR U.K., and FMR Far East for providing assistance
with investment advisory services.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the fund for management
fees and other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the
ability to be repaid by the fund if expenses fall below the specified
limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement arrangements
can decrease the fund's expenses and boost its performance.
As of _______, approximately ____% of the fund's total outstanding
shares were held by [FMR/FMR and [an] FMR affiliate[s]/[an] FMR
affiliate[s]].]
FUND DISTRIBUTION
FDC distributes the fund's shares.
The fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that recognizes that
FMR may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits
or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses
incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in
the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services. FMR,
directly or through FDC, may pay intermediaries, such as banks,
broker-dealers and other service-providers, that provide those
services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such
payments.
To receive payments made pursuant to a Distribution and Service Plan,
intermediaries must sign the appropriate agreement with FDC in
advance.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions in a manner that takes into
account the sale of shares of the fund, provided that the fund
receives brokerage services and commission rates comparable to those
of other broker-dealers.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any representations,
other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related
statement of additional information (SAI), in connection with the
offer contained in this prospectus. If given or made, such other
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the fund or FDC. This prospectus and the related SAI do
not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to sell shares of the
fund to or to buy shares of the fund from any person to whom it is
unlawful to make such offer.
APPENDIX
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the
fund's financial history for the past 5 years. Certain information
reflects financial results for a single fund share. Total returns for
each period include the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions. This information has been audited by __________,
independent accountants, whose report, along with the fund's financial
highlights and financial statements, are included in the fund's annual
report. A free copy of the annual report is available upon request.
[Financial Highlights to be filed by subsequent amendment.]
You can obtain additional information about the fund. The fund's SAI
includes more detailed information about the fund and its investments.
The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (legally forms a part of
the prospectus). The fund's annual and semi-annual reports include a
discussion of the fund's holdings and recent market conditions and the
fund's investment strategies that affected performance.
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other
information or ask questions about the fund, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-8544. In addition, you may visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com for a free copy of a prospectus or an annual or
semi-annual report or to request other information.
The SAI, the fund's annual and semi-annual reports and other related
materials are available on the SEC's Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov). You can obtain copies of this information upon
paying a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of
the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. You can also review and copy
information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, at the SEC's
Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for
information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, FILE NUMBER 811-649
Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, Fidelity, Fidelity
Investments, TouchTone Xpress, Fidelity Money Line, Fidelity Automatic
Account Builder, Fidelity On-Line Xpress+, and Directed Dividends are
registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
Portfolio Advisory Services is a service mark of FMR Corp.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their
respective owners.
1.536305.102 BAL-pro-0999
FIDELITY BALANCED FUND
A FUND OF FIDELITY PURITAN TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus.
Portions of the fund's annual report are incorporated herein. The
annual report is supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of the prospectus, dated September
29, 1999, or an annual report, please call Fidelity(registered
trademark) at 1-800-544-8544 or visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and 15
Limitations
Portfolio Transactions 20
Valuation 21
Performance 21
Additional Purchase, Exchange 25
and Redemption Information
Distributions and Taxes 26
Trustees and Officers 26
Control of Investment Advisers 28
Management Contract 28
Distribution Services 31
Transfer and Service Agent 31
Agreements
Description of the Trust 32
Financial Statements 26
Appendix 32
BAL-ptb-0999
1.460209.102
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in
the prospectus . Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment
policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets
that may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a
policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage
limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the
fund's acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any
subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will
not be considered when determining whether the investment complies
with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment
limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations
described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS SET
FORTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY. 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. G overnment or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities , or securities of other investment companies )
if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be
invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer;
(2) issue senior securities, except in connection with the
insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise
permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(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 deemed to be an underwriter 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) 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.
(9) The fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a
single open-end management investment company with substantially the
same fundamental investment objective, policies, and limitations as
the fund.
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(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)).
(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 lend assets other than
securities to other parties, except by (a) lending money (up to
1 5% of the fund's net assets) to a registered investment
company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as
investment adviser or (b) acquiring loans, loan participations, or
other forms of direct debt instruments and, in connection therewith,
assuming any associated unfunded commitments of the sellers. (This
limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to
repurchase agreements.)
(vi) The fund does not currently intend to invest all of its assets in
the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and
limitations as the fund.
For purposes of investing at least 25% of the fund's total assets
in fixed-income senior securities (including debt securities and
preferred stock), FMR interprets "total assets" to exclude collateral
received for securities lending transactions.
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 were 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 6.
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which the fund may invest, strategies Fidelity
Management & Research Company (FMR) may employ in pursuit of the
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.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES represent interests in pools of mortgages,
loans, receivables or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment
of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by
the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by
letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements.
Asset-backed security values may also be affected by other factors
including changes in interest rates, the availability of information
concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the
servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or
receivables, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. In
addition, these securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
BORROWING. The fund may borrow from banks or from other
funds advised by FMR or its affiliates, or through reverse repurchase
agreements. If the fund borrows money, its share price may be subject
to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If the fund
makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this
may be considered a form of leverage.
CASH MANAGEMENT. A fund can hold uninvested cash or can invest it
in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase
agreements or shares of money market funds. Generally, these
securities offer less potential for gains than other types of
securities.
CENTRAL CASH FUNDS are money market funds managed by FMR or its
affiliates that seek to earn a high level of current income (free from
federal income tax in the case of a municipal money market fund) while
maintaining a stable $1.00 share price. The funds comply with
industry-standard requirements for money market funds regarding the
quality, maturity and diversification of their investments.
COMMON STOCK represents an equity or ownership interest in an
issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy,
the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over
the claims of those who own common stock.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks
or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder
or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash
or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A
convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion
by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances
(including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible
security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the
fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into
the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss
than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields
higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than
comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield,
convertible securities generally sell at prices above their
"conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to
be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion
value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time
depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and
interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value,
convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent
because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of
principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities.
However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of
the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same
extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the
underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible
securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time,
however, the difference between the market value of convertible
securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that
the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the
same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because
convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their
value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest
rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk,
and are often lower-quality securities.
EXPOSURE TO FOREIGN MARKETS. Foreign securities, foreign currencies,
and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign
operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks
inherent in U.S. investments.
Foreign investments involve risks relating to local political,
economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or
unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments, and may be affected by
actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S.
investors. Such actions may include expropriation or nationalization
of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or
on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. Additionally,
governmental issuers of foreign debt securities may be unwilling to
pay interest and repay principal when due and may require that the
conditions for payment be renegotiated. There is no assurance that
FMR will be able to anticipate these potential events or counter their
effects. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign
currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such
securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S.
dollar.
It is anticipated that in most cases the best available market for
foreign securities will be on an exchange or in over-the-counter (OTC)
markets located outside of the United States. Foreign stock markets,
while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as
developed as those in the United States, and securities of some
foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign security trading, settlement and
custodial practices (including those involving securities settlement
where fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment) are
often less developed than those in U.S. markets, and may result in
increased risk or substantial delays in the event of a failed trade or
the insolvency of, or breach of duty by, a foreign broker-dealer,
securities depository or foreign subcustodian. For example, many
foreign countries are less prepared than the United States to properly
process and calculate information related to dates from and after
January 1, 2000. As a result, some foreign markets, brokers, banks or
securities depositories could experience at least temporary
disruptions, which could result in difficulty buying and selling
securities in certain foreign markets and pricing foreign investments,
and foreign issuers could fail to pay timely dividends, interest or
principal. In addition, the costs associated with foreign
investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and
custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S.
markets. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform
accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and
standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
Adequate public information on foreign issuers may not be available,
and it may be difficult to secure dividends and information regarding
corporate actions on a timely basis. In general, there is less overall
governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges,
brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. OTC markets
tend to be less regulated than stock exchange markets and, in certain
countries, may be totally unregulated. Regulatory enforcement may be
influenced by economic or political concerns, and investors may have
difficulty enforcing their legal rights in foreign countries.
Some foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the
United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to such
transfer restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less
liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject
to such restrictions.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other "hybrid" forms of
ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global
Depositary Receipts (GDRs), are certificates evidencing ownership of
shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by
depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the
United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by
a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home
country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the
underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various
services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate
actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying
foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However,
ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with
investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign
exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the
underlying issuer's country.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in
emerging markets. Security prices in emerging markets can be
significantly more volatile than those in more developed markets,
reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established
markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets
may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of
nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and
prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less
protection of property rights than more developed countries. The
economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a
few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt
burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small
number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of
holdings difficult or impossible at times.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. A fund may conduct foreign currency
transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign
currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge
a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the
difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should
the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward
contracts are customized transactions that require a specific amount
of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a
specific date or range of dates in the future. Forward contracts are
generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The
parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the
contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and
complete the contemplated currency exchange.
The following discussion summarizes the principal currency management
strategies involving forward contracts that could be used by a fund. A
fund may also use swap agreements, indexed securities, and options and
futures contracts relating to foreign currencies for the same
purposes.
A "settlement hedge" or "transaction hedge" is designed to protect a
fund against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the
date a security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is
made or received. Entering into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in an underlying
security transaction for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars "locks in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security. Forward contracts to purchase or
sell a foreign currency may also be used by a fund in anticipation of
future purchases or sales of securities denominated in foreign
currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected
by FMR.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in
the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For
example, if a fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it
could enter into a forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return
for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible declines in the pound's
value. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a "position hedge,"
would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations,
but would not offset changes in security values caused by other
factors. A fund could also hedge the position by selling another
currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling. This
type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer
advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would
not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a direct hedge into U.S.
dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to
hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged
securities are denominated.
A fund may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment
exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting
exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency, or from one foreign
currency to another foreign currency. This type of strategy, sometimes
known as a "cross-hedge," will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to
the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that
is purchased, much as if a fund had sold a security denominated in one
currency and purchased an equivalent security denominated in another.
Cross-hedges protect against losses resulting from a decline in the
hedged currency, but will cause a fund to assume the risk of
fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchase s.
S uccessful use of currency management strategies will depend on
FMR's skill in analyzing currency values. Currency management
strategies may substantially change a fund's investment exposure to
changes in currency exchange rates and could result in losses to a
fund if currencies do not perform as FMR anticipates. For example, if
a currency's value rose at a time when FMR had hedged a fund by
selling that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not
participate in the currency's appreciation. If FMR hedges currency
exposure through proxy hedges, a fund could realize currency losses
from both the hedge and the security position if the two currencies do
not move in tandem. Similarly, if FMR increases a fund's exposure to a
foreign currency and that currency's value declines, a fund will
realize a loss. There is no assurance that FMR's use of currency
management strategies will be advantageous to a fund or that it will
hedge at appropriate times.
FUND'S RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. The fund does not intend to direct or
administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund, however,
may exercise its rights as a shareholder and may communicate its views
on important matters of policy to management, the Board of Directors,
and shareholders of a company when FMR determines that such matters
could have a significant effect on the value of the fund's investment
in the company. The activities in which a fund may engage, either
individually or in conjunction with others, may include, among others,
supporting or opposing proposed changes in a company's corporate
structure or business activities; seeking changes in a company's
directors or management; seeking changes in a company's direction or
policies; seeking the sale or reorganization of the company or a
portion of its assets; or supporting or opposing third-party takeover
efforts. This area of corporate activity is increasingly prone to
litigation and it is possible that a fund could be involved in
lawsuits related to such activities. FMR will monitor such activities
with a view to mitigating, to the extent possible, the risk of
litigation against a fund and the risk of actual liability if a fund
is involved in litigation. No guarantee can be made, however, that
litigation against a fund will not be undertaken or liabilities
incurred.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS. The following paragraphs pertain to futures and
options : C ombined Positions, Correlation of Price Changes,
Futures Contracts, Futures Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures and
Options Transactions, Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts,
Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies, OTC Options,
Purchasing Put and Call Options, and Writing Put and Call
Options .
COMBINED POSITIONS involve purchasing and writing options in
combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward
contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the
overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a
call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a
combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to
selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would
involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call
option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option
in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options
positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction
costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
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 invests, 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 sell a
specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price
at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer
and seller enter into the contract. Some currently available futures
contracts are based on specific securities, such as U.S. Treasury
bonds or notes, and some are based on indices of securities prices,
such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500 (registered
trademark) ). 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. The 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 fund intends to comply with Rule
4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, which limits the extent to which
the fund can commit assets to initial margin deposits and option
premiums.
In addition, the fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase
put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of
the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under
normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options
if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or
exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would
exceed 25% of its total assets under normal conditions; or (c)
purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option
premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the
fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options
attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying
securities, and do not apply to securities that incorporate features
similar to options.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts
and options, and the fund's 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.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES. Currency futures
contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except
that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and
are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency
futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The
underlying instrument of a currency option may be a foreign currency,
which generally is purchased or delivered in exchange for U.S.
dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a currency
call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the
purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying
currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to
options and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed
above. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase
and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to
different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased
or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or
forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected
to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors
that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for
example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in
the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting
from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value
of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to
many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to
match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the
fund's investments exactly over time.
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 . When writing an
option on a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin
payments to an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the
premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it
is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able
to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the
put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less
than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly,
however, because the premium received for writing the option should
mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the
option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon
exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options
are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls
generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall.
Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the
effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer
must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for
the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer
gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES cannot be sold or disposed of in the
ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they
are valued. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or
may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Board of
Trustees, FMR determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and,
through reports from FMR, the Board monitors investments in illiquid
securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, FMR
may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume
of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective
purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a
market and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it
trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics
and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other
credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the
method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the
security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and
obligations of the security).
INDEXED SECURITIES are instruments whose prices are indexed to the
prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or
other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not
always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or
coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or
statistic.
Mortgage-indexed securities, for example, could be structured to
replicate the performance of mortgage securities and the
characteristics of direct ownership .
C urrency-indexed securities typically are short-term to
intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest
rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more
specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S.
dollar-denominated securities. Currency-indexed securities may be
positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may
increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a
security that performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument,
or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase,
resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a
put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also
have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign
currencies relative to each other.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the
performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which
they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes
in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more
volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also
subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the
security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's
creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities
have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government
agencies.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING PROGRAM. Pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money
from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates. A fund will lend
through the program only when the returns are higher than those
available from an investment in repurchase agreements, and will borrow
through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the
cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend
overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be
called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a
higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed.
Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost
investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
INVESTMENT-GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Investment-grade debt securities
are medium and high-quality securities. Some may possess speculative
characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to
changes in the financial conditions of issuers. A debt 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 considered to be of
equivalent quality by FMR.
LOWER-QUALITY DEBT SECURITIES. Lower-quality debt securities
have poor protection with respect to the payment of interest and
repayment of principal, or may be in default. These securities are
often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss or
price changes due to changes in the issuer's capacity to pay. The
market prices of lower-quality debt securities may fluctuate more than
those of higher-quality debt securities and may decline significantly
in periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of
rising interest rates.
The market for lower-quality debt securities may be thinner and
less active than that for higher-quality debt securities, which can
adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse
publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the liquidity
of lower-quality debt securities and the ability of outside pricing
services to value lower-quality debt securities.
Because the risk of default is higher for lower-quality debt
securities, FMR's research and credit analysis are an especially
important part of managing securities of this type. FMR will attempt
to identify those issuers of high-yielding securities whose financial
condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. FMR's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset
coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial
strength of the issuer.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to
pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security
holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it
determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's
shareholders.
MORTGAGE SECURITIES are issued by government and non-government
entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A
mortgage security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a
mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying
pool of mortgages. Some mortgage securities, such as
collateralized mortgage obligations (or "CMOs"), make payments of both
principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make
semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay
principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage
securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those
on commercial real estate or residential properties. Stripped
mortgage securities are created when the interest and principal
components of a mortgage security are separated and sold as individual
securities. In the case of a stripped mortgage security, the
holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal
payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the
"interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same
underlying mortgage.
Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are pass-through securities
issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac, which guarantee payment of interest and repayment of
principal on Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs, respectively, are federally
chartered corporations supervised by the U.S. Government that act as
governmental instrumentalities under authority granted by Congress.
Fannie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its
obligations. Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are not backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
The value of mortgage securities may change due to shifts in
the market's perception of issuers and changes in interest rates. In
addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the
mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government
mortgage securities may offer higher yields than those issued
by government entities, but also may be subject to greater price
changes than government issues. Mortgage securities are subject
to prepayment risk, which is the risk that early principal payments
made on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction
in interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the
investor, causing it to be invested subsequently at a lower current
interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate environment,
mortgage security values may be adversely affected when
prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated,
resulting in the extension of the security's effective maturity and
the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term
instrument. The prices of stripped mortgage securities tend to
be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than those
of non-stripped mortgage securities.
In order to earn additional income for a fund, FMR may use a
trading strategy that involves selling mortgage securities and
simultaneously agreeing to purchase similar securities on a later date
at a set price. This trading strategy may result in an increased
portfolio turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable
gains.
PREFERRED STOCK represents an equity or ownership interest
in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has
precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event
an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners
of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred
and common stock.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. Equity real estate investment trusts
own real estate properties, while mortgage real estate investment
trusts make construction, development, and long-term mortgage loans.
Their value may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying
property of the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property
taxes, interest rates, and tax and regulatory requirements, such as
those relating to the environment. Both types of trusts are dependent
upon management skill, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy
cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the
possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under
the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from the
1940 Act.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve an agreement to purchase a
security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an
agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus
an agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon
rate or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the
risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the
securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market
daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus
the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased
may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has
agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could
result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolvent. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement transactions
with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
satisfactory by FMR.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES are subject to legal restrictions on their
sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be
costly to a fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in
privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, or in a registered
public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of
a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of
the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between
the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be
permitted to sell a security under an effective registration
statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to
develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than
prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or
broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that
security at an agreed-upon price and time. The fund will enter
into reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness
has been reviewed and found satisfactory by FMR. Such transactions may
increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets and may be
viewed as a form of leverage.
SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, including shares of
closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, and open-end
investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed
portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in
other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as
investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve
additional expenses at the investment company-level, such as portfolio
management fees and operating expenses. Certain types of investment
companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed
number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at
a premium or a discount to their net asset value. Others are
continuously offered at net asset value, but may also be traded in the
secondary market.
The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other
investment companies is limited by federal securities laws.
SECURITIES LENDING. A fund may lend securities to parties such as
broker-dealers or other institutions, including Fidelity Brokerage
Services, Inc. (FBSI). FBSI is a member of the New York Stock Exchange
and a subsidiary of FMR Corp.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the
securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. The
borrower provides the fund with collateral in an amount at least equal
to the value of the securities loaned. The fund maintains the ability
to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving
material events affecting securities loaned. If the borrower defaults
on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of
insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs
in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the
collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign
securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, a
fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in
the market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value
of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment
is purchased. Loans will be made only to parties deemed by FMR to be
in good standing and when, in FMR's judgment, the income earned would
justify the risks.
Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be
invested in other eligible securities. Investing this cash subjects
that investment, as well as the securities loaned, to market
appreciation or depreciation.
SHORT SALES. Stocks underlying a fund's convertible security
holdings can be sold short. For example, if FMR anticipates a decline
in the price of the stock underlying a convertible security held by a
fund , it may sell the stock short. If the stock price subsequently
declines, the proceeds of the short sale could be expected to offset
all or a portion of the effect of the stock's decline on the value of
the convertible security. The fund currently intends to hedge no more
than 15% of its total assets with short sales on equity securities
underlying its convertible security holdings under normal
circumstances.
A fund will be required to set aside securities equivalent in
kind and amount to those sold short (or securities convertible or
exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold them
aside while the short sale is outstanding. A fund will incur
transaction costs, including interest expenses, in connection with
opening, maintaining, and closing short sales.
SWAP AGREEMENTS can be individually negotiated and structured to
include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or
market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may
increase or decrease a fund's exposure to long- or short-term interest
rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values,
mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such
as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many
different forms and are known by a variety of names.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments
only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap
obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an
interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a
specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund's investment exposure from
one type of investment to another. For example, if the fund agreed to
exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the
swap agreement would tend to decrease the fund's exposure to U.S.
interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and
interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or
writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may
increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's investments
and its share price and yield.
The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is
the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors
that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund. If a
swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the
counterparty's creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
A fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement
either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an
offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly
creditworthy party.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POLICIES. The fund reserves the right to
invest without limitation in preferred stocks and investment-grade
debt instruments for temporary, defensive purposes.
WARRANTS. Warrants are instruments which entitle the holder to buy an
equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time.
Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to
changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a
warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying
security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital
appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with
respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if
it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can
make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
ZERO COUPON BONDS do not make interest payments; instead,
they are sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at
face value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay
current income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of
fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a
fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon
bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of the fund by FMR pursuant to authority contained in the
management contract. FMR is also responsible for the placement of
transaction orders for other investment companies and
investment 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; the
reasonableness of any commissions; and, if applicable, arrangements
for payment of fund expenses.
If FMR grants investment management authority to a sub-adviser (see
the section entitled "Management Contract"), that sub-adviser is
authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities, and will do so in accordance with the policies described
above.
Generally, commissions for investments traded on foreign exchanges
will be higher than for investments traded on U.S. exchanges and may
not be subject to negotiation.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who
provide research and execution services to the fund or other
investment 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 investment accounts; and effect securities
transactions and perform functions incidental thereto (such as
clearance and settlement).
The selection of such broker-dealers for transactions in equity
securities is generally made by FMR (to the extent possible consistent
with execution considerations) in accordance with a ranking of
broker-dealers determined periodically by FMR's investment staff based
upon the quality of research and execution services provided.
For transactions in fixed-income securities, FMR' s selection of
broker-dealers is generally based on the availability of a security
and its price and, to a lesser extent, on the overall quality of
execution and other services, including research, provided by the
broker-dealer.
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute transactions
on behalf of a fund may be useful to FMR in rendering investment
management services to that fund 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 a fund. 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.
Fixed-income securities are generally purchased from an issuer or
underwriter acting as principal for the securities, on a net basis
with no brokerage commission paid. However, the dealer is compensated
by a difference between the security's original purchase price and the
selling price, the so-called "bid-asked spread." Securities may also
be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting
fees.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, the
fund may pay a broker-dealer 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 the 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 that fund
or 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.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, FMR is authorized to
allocate portfolio transactions in a manner that takes into account
assistance received in the distribution of shares of the funds or
other Fidelity funds and to use the research services of brokerage and
other firms that have provided such assistance. FMR may use
research services provided by and place agency transactions with
National Financial Services Corporation (NFSC) and Fidelity Brokerage
Services Japan LLC (FBSJ), indirect subsidiaries of FMR Corp., if the
commissions are fair, reasonable, and comparable to commissions
charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms for similar
services. Prior to December 9, 1997, FMR used research services
provided by and placed agency transactions with Fidelity Brokerage
Services (FBS), an indirect subsidiary of FMR Corp.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers (including
affiliates of FMR) who have entered into arrangements with FMR under
which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the commissions paid by
a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses. The transaction
quality must, however, be comparable to those of other qualified
broker-dealers.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for investment 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.
The Trustees periodically review FMR's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions on behalf of the fund and review the commissions paid by
the 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 July 31, 1999 and 1998, the fund's
portfolio turnover rates were ___% and ___%, respectively. [Variations
in turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of shareholder
purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, or changes in FMR's
investment outlook.]
For the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund paid
brokerage commissions of $________, $_________, and $________,
respectively. Significant changes in brokerage commissions paid by
the fund from year to year may result from changing asset levels
throughout the year. The fund may pay both commissions and spreads in
connection with the placement of portfolio transactions.
During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $_______, $_______, and $_______,
respectively, to NFSC. NFSC is paid on a commission basis. During the
fiscal year ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the
aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions
involving approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions for which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [ The
difference between the percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions
paid to, and the percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions effected through, NFSC is a result of the low
commission rates charged by NFSC.] [NFSC has used a portion of the
commissions paid by the fund to reduce that fund's custodian or
transfer agent fees.]
During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____, respectively,
to FBS. FBS is paid on a commission basis. During the fiscal year
ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the aggregate
brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions involving
approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions for
which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The difference between the
percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected
through, FBS is a result of the low commission rates charged by FBS.]
[FBS has used a portion of the commissions paid by the fund to reduce
that fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.]
During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____, respectively,
to FBSJ. FBSJ is paid on a commission basis. During the fiscal year
ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the aggregate
brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions involving
approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions for
which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The difference between the
percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected
through, FBSJ is a result of the low commission rates charged by
FBSJ.] [FBSJ has used a portion of the commissions paid by the fund to
reduce that fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.]
During the fiscal year ended July 1999, the fund paid $__ in
brokerage commissions to firms that provided research services
involving approximately $__ of transactions. The provision of research
services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all this
business with such firms. [During the fiscal year ended July 1999, the
fund paid no brokerage commissions to firms that provided research
services.]
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures in conformity with
Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby a fund may purchase securities
that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of FMR
participates. These procedures prohibit the fund from directly or
indirectly benefiting an FMR affiliate in connection with such
underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where an FMR affiliate
participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may
apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities
that the fund could purchase in the underwriting.
From time to time the Trustees will review whether the recapture for
the benefit of the fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions
or similar fees paid by the fund on portfolio transactions is legally
permissible and advisable. The 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
the fund to seek such recapture.
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the
same as those of other funds managed by FMR or its affiliates,
investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of
other funds managed by FMR or investment 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 investment
accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds
and investment accounts are managed by the same investment
adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the
investment objective of more than one fund or investment
account.
When two or more funds 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 the fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and
prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that
the desirability of retaining FMR as investment adviser to the fund
outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to
simultaneous transactions.
VALUATION
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of the
fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its
liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares
outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the
primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities
for which the primary market is the United States are valued at last
sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most
equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United
States are valued using the official closing price or the last sale
price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last
sale price (on the local exchange) is unavailable, the last evaluated
quote or closing bid price normally is used. Securities of
other open-end investment companies are valued at their respective
NAVs.
Fixed-income securities and other assets for which market quotations
are readily available may be valued at market values determined by
such securities' most recent bid prices (sales prices if the principal
market is an exchange) in the principal market in which they normally
are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or
assets. Or, fixed-income securities and convertible securities may be
valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that
uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied
valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Use of pricing
services has been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of
pricing services are available, and the fund may use various pricing
services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market
quotations, if available.
Independent brokers or quotation services provide prices of foreign
securities in their local currency. F idelity S ervice
C ompany, Inc. (FSC) gathers all exchange rates daily at the
close of the NYSE using the last quoted price on the local currency
and then translates the value of foreign securities from their local
currencies into U.S. dollars. Any changes in the value of forward
contracts due to exchange rate fluctuations and days to maturity are
included in the calculation of NAV. If an event that is
expected to materially affect the value of a portfolio security occurs
after the close of an exchange or market on which that security
is traded, then that security will be valued in good faith by a
committee appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing
service are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost
or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of which approximate
current value .
The procedures set forth above need not be used to determine
the value of the securities owned by the fund if, in the opinion of a
committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method would
more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For
example , securities and other assets for which there is no readily
available market value may be valued in good faith by a committee
appointed by the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith
determination of the value of a security, the committee may review
price movements in futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading
trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional
trading.
PERFORMANCE
The fund may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the fund in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. The fund's share price,
yield, if available, and 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 the fund are computed by dividing the
fund's interest and dividend 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 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. Dividends from equity investments are treated as if they
were accrued on a daily basis, solely for the purposes of yield
calculations. 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. For the fund's investments denominated in
foreign currencies, income and expenses are calculated first in their
respective currencies, and then are converted to U.S. dollars, either
when they are actually converted or at the end of the 30-day or one
month period, whichever is earlier. Capital gains and losses generally
are excluded from the calculation as are gains and losses from
currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Income calculated for the purposes of calculating the 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, the 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 the fund's performance
and in providing a basis for comparison with other investment
alternatives. However, the 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
the 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 the 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.
RETURN CALCULATIONS. Returns quoted in advertising reflect all
aspects of the 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. A cumulative return reflects actual
performance over a stated period of time. Average annual returns
are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a
hypothetical historical investment in the 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 return of 100% over ten years would produce an average
annual 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 returns are a convenient means of comparing
investment alternatives, investors should realize that the fund's
performance is not constant over time, but changes from year to year,
and that average annual returns represent averaged figures as
opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual returns, the fund may quote
unaveraged or cumulative returns reflecting the simple change in value
of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and cumulative
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. 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
return . Returns may be quoted on a before-tax or after-tax
basis. Returns , yields, if applicable, and other performance
information may be quoted numerically or in a table, graph, or similar
illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using the fund's NAVs,
adjusted NAVs, and benchmark indexes may be used to exhibit
performance. An adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid by the
fund and reflects all elements of its return. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales
charges, if any.
MOVING AVERAGES. A fund may illustrate performance using moving
averages. A long-term moving average is the average of each week's
adjusted closing NAV for a specified period. A short-term moving
average is the average of each day's adjusted closing NAV for a
specified period. Moving Average Activity Indicators combine adjusted
closing NAVs from the last business day of each week with moving
averages for a specified period to produce indicators showing when an
NAV has crossed, stayed above, or stayed below its moving average.
On July 30, 1999, the 13-week and 39-week long-term moving averages
were $__ and $__, respectively, for Fidelity Balanced Fund.
CALCULATING HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows
performance for the fun d.
HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows the fund's
return for the fiscal period ended July 31, 1999.
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Average Annual Returns Cumulative Returns
Thirty-/Seven-Day Yield One Year Five Years Ten Years One Year Five Years Ten Years
Balanced % % % % % % %
</TABLE>
The following table shows the income and capital elements of the
fund's cumulative return. The table compares the fund's return to the
record of the 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 the fund. The S&P 500 and
DJIA comparisons are provided to show how the fund's 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. The fund has the ability to invest in securities
not included in either index, and its investment portfolio may or may
not be similar in composition to the indexes. The S&P 500 and DJIA
returns are based on the prices of unmanaged groups of stocks and,
unlike the fund's returns, do not include the effect of brokerage
commissions or other costs of investing.
During the 10-year period ended July 31, 1999 , a hypothetical
$10,000 investment in Fidelity Balanced Fund would have grown to
$______, assuming all distributions were reinvested. Returns
are based on past results and are not an indication of future
performance. Tax consequences of different investments have not been
factored into the figures below.
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FIDELITY BALANCED FUND INDEXES
Fiscal Period
Ended Value of Initial $10,000 Value of Reinvested Dividend Value of Reinvested Capital Total Value S&P 500
Investment Distributions Gain Distributions
1999 $ $ $ $ $
1998 $ $ $ $ $
1997 $ $ $ $ $
1996 $ $ $ $ $
1995 $ $ $ $ $
1994 $ $ $ $ $
1993 $ $ $ $ $
1992 $ $ $ $ $
1991 $ $ $ $ $
1990 $ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
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FIDELITY BALANCED FUND INDEXES
Fiscal Period Ended DJIA Cost of Living
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
1996 $ $
1995 $ $
1994 $ $
1993 $ $
1992 $ $
1991 $ $
1990 $ $
</TABLE>
Explanatory Notes: With an initial investment of $10,000 in the fund
on August 1, 1989, 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 $______ . 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 $______ for dividends and $____ for capital gain
distributions.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS. The 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 return, assume reinvestment of distributions, do not take
sales charges or trading fees into consideration, and are prepared
without regard to tax consequences. In addition to the mutual fund
rankings, the fund's performance may be compared to stock, bond, and
money market mutual fund performance indexes prepared by Lipper
or other organizations. When comparing these indexes , 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, the 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.
The fund's performance may also be compared to that of the
benchmark index representing the universe of securities in which the
fund may invest. The return of the index reflects reinvestment
of all dividends and capital gains paid by securities included in the
index. Unlike the fund's returns, however, the index's returns
do not reflect brokerage commissions, transaction fees, or other costs
of investing directly in the securities included in the index.
Balanced may compare its performance to that of the Fidelity
Balanced Composite Index which is a hypothetical representation of the
performance of the fund's general investment categories using a
weighting of 60% equity and 40% bond. The following indexes are used
to calculate the Fidelity Balanced Composite Index: Standard & Poor's
500 Index (S&P 500) for the equity category and the Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond Index for the bond category. The index weightings of
the Fidelity Balanced Composite Index are rebalanced monthly.
S&P 500 is a market capitalization-weighted index of common
stocks.
LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE BOND INDEX is a market
value-weighted index for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues,
including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed
securities. Issues included in the index have an outstanding par value
of at least $150 million and maturities of at least one year.
Government and corporate issues include all public obligations of the
U.S. Treasury (excluding flower bonds and foreign-targeted issues) and
U.S. Government agencies, as well as nonconvertible investment-grade,
SEC-registered corporate debt. Mortgage-backed securities include 15-
and 30-year fixed-rate securities backed by mortgage pools of the
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), and Fannie Mae. Asset-backed securities
include credit card, auto, and home equity loans.
The fund may compare its performance to that of the Standard & Poor's
500 Index, a market capitalization-weighted index of common
stocks.
Balanced may also compare its performance to the Lehman
Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, a market value-weighted index
for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government,
corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities. Issues
included in the index have an outstanding par value of at least $100
million and maturities of at least one year. Government and corporate
issues include all public obligations of the U.S. Treasury (excluding
flower bonds and foreign-targeted issues) and U.S. Government
agencies, as well as nonconvertible investment-grade, SEC-registered
corporate debt. Mortgage-backed securities include 15- and 30-year
fixed-rate securities backed by mortgage pools of the Government
National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (FHLMC), and Fannie Mae. Asset-backed securities include
credit card, auto, and home equity loans.
The 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, the fund may offer greater liquidity or higher
potential returns than CDs, the 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
indexes.
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 returns in the
same method as the funds. The funds may also compare performance to
that of other compilations or indexes that may be developed and
made available in the future.
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.
The fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. The 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
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, the fund may also discuss or
illustrate examples of interest rate sensitivity.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate the 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.
The 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.
The fund may be available for purchase through retirement plans or
other programs offering deferral of, or exemption from, income taxes,
which may produce superior after-tax returns over time. For example, a
$1,000 investment earning a taxable return of 10% annually would have
an after-tax value of $1,949 after ten years, assuming tax was
deducted from the return each year at a 31% rate. An equivalent
tax-deferred investment would have an after-tax value of $2,100 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted at a 31% rate from the
tax-deferred earnings at the end of the ten-year period.
As of July 31, 1999, FMR advised over $__ billion in municipal
fund assets, $__ billion in taxable fixed-income fund assets, $__
billion in money market fund assets, $___ billion in equity
fund assets, $__ billion in international fund assets, and $___
billion in Spartan fund assets. The fund 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.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE, EXCHANGE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
If t he 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 the 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 inconvenienc es.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS. A portion of the fund's income may qualify for the
dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders to
the extent that the fund's income is derived from qualifying
dividends. Because the fund may earn other types of income, such as
interest, short-term capital gains, and non-qualifying dividends, the
percentage of dividends from the fund that qualifies for the deduction
generally will be less than 100%. A portion of the fund's dividends
derived from certain U.S. Government securities and securities of
certain other investment companies may be exempt from state and local
taxation.
CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. The fund's long-term capital
gain distributions are federally taxable to shareholders generally as
capital gains.
[As of July 31 , 1999, the fund had a capital loss
carryforward aggregating approximately $____. This loss carryforward,
of which $___, $___, and $___will expire on July 31 , 199_,
____, and ____ , respectively, is available to offset future capital
gains.]
RETURNS OF CAPITAL. If the fund's distributions exceed its
taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all
or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of
capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce
each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher
reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares
on which the distribution was received are sold.
FOREIGN TAX CREDIT OR DEDUCTION. Foreign governments may withhold
taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund with respect
to foreign securities. Foreign governments may also impose taxes on
other payments or gains with respect to foreign securities. Because
the fund does not currently anticipate that securities of foreign
issuers will constitute more than 50% of its total assets at the end
of its fiscal year, shareholders should not expect to be
eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their
federal income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes withheld.
TAX STATUS OF THE FUND. The fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal tax on
income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to
qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being
subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund
intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income
and net realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on
a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules
applicable to regulated investment companies.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION. The information above is only a summary of some
of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its
shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax
consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine
whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or
loss or other tax consequence to you. In addition to federal
income taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on
fund distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local
personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers
to determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax
situation.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of
the trust are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and
is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The
Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout
the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual
arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and
review the fund's performance. Except 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 or its affiliates . The business
address of each Trustee, Member of the Advisory Board, and officer who
is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act ) 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 (registered trademark) , 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 ( 69 ), 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. ; and a Director of FDC.
J. GARY BURKHEAD ( 58 ), 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 ( 67 ), 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 ( 67 ), 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 ( 55 ), 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 a Director of 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). Mr. Gates also is a Trustee of the Forum for International
Policy and of the Endowment Association of the College of William and
Mary. In addition, he is a member of the National Executive Board of
the Boy Scouts of America.
E. BRADLEY JONES ( 71 ), 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 ( 66 ), 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
previously served as a Director of General Re Corporation
(reinsurance, 1987-1998) and Valuation Research Corp. (appraisals and
valuations, 1993-1995). He serves as Chairman of the Board of
Directors of National Arts Stabilization Inc., Chairman of the Board
of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital Association, Director of the
Yale-New Haven Health Services Corp. (1998), 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 ( 56 ), 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 (registered trademark) 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 ( 65 ), 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 ( 71 ), 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 ( 66) , Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the Board,
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).
*ROBERT C. POZEN ( 52 ), 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 ( 70 ), 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).
RICHARD A. SPILLANE, JR. ( 48 ), is Vice President of certain
Equity Funds and Senior Vice President of FMR (1997). Since joining
Fidelity, Mr. Spillane is Chief Investment Officer for Fidelity
International, Limited. Prior to that position, Mr. Spillane served as
Director of Research.
STEPHEN M. DUFOUR (33), is Vice President of Fidelity Balanced Fund
(1998) . Since joining Fidelity in 1992, Mr. DuFour has
worked as an analyst and manage r .
KEVIN E. GRANT (39), is Vice President of Fidelity Balanced
Fund (1997), and other funds advised by FMR .
Since joining Fidelity in 1993, Mr. Grant has managed a
variety of Fidelity funds .
ERIC D. ROITER (50), Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998) and
General Counsel of FMR (1998) and Vice President and Clerk of FDC
(1998). Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was with the law firm of
Debevoise & Plimpton, as an associate (1981-1984) and as a partner
(1985-1997), and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981). Mr. Roiter was an
Adjunct Member, Faculty of Law, at Columbia University Law School
(1996-1997).
RICHARD A. SILVER ( 52 ), 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).
MATTHEW N. KARSTETTER (38), Deputy Treasurer (1998), is Deputy
Treasurer of the Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR (1998).
Before joining FMR, Mr. Karstetter served as Vice President of
Investment Accounting and Treasurer of IDS Mutual Funds at American
Express Financial Advisors (1996-1998). Prior to 1996, Mr. Karstetter
was Vice President, Mutual Fund Services at State Street Bank & Trust
(1991-1996).
JOHN H. COSTELLO ( 52 ), Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of
FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH ( 53 ), 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).
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation
of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board of the fund for his
or her services for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 , or
calendar year ended December 31, 1998 , as applicable.
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COMPENSATION TABLE
Trustees and Members of the Aggregate Compensation from Total Compensation from the
Advisory Board Balanced[B,]C Fund Complex* A
Edward C. Johnson 3d ** $ 0 $ 0
J. Gary Burkhead ** $ 0 $ 0
Ralph F. Cox $ $ 223,500
Phyllis Burke Davis $ $ 220,500
Robert M. Gates $ $223,500
E. Bradley Jones $ $ 222,000
Donald J. Kirk $ $ 226,500
Peter S. Lynch ** $ 0 $ 0
William O. McCoy $ $ 223,500
Gerald C. McDonough $ $ 273,500
Marvin L. Mann $ $ 220,500
Robert C. Pozen** $ 0 $ 0
Thomas R. Williams $ $223,500
</TABLE>
* Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998
for 23 7 funds in the complex.
** Interested Trustees of the fund and Mr. Burkhead are compensated by
FMR.
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, 1998, the Trustees accrued required
deferred compensation from the funds as follows: Ralph F. Cox,
$75,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $75,000; Robert M. Gates, $75,000; 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 F. Cox, $55,039; Marvin L. Mann, $55,039; Thomas R.
Williams, $63,433; and William O. McCoy, $55,039.
B Compensation figures include cash, and may include amounts required
to be deferred and amounts deferred at the election of Trustees.
C The following amounts are required to be deferred by each
non-interested Trustee: Ralph F. Cox, $__; Phyllis Burke Davis, $__;
Robert M. Gates, $__; E. Bradley Jones, $__; Donald J. Kirk, $__;
William O. McCoy, $__;] Gerald C. McDonough, $__; Marvin L. Mann, $__;
and Thomas R. Williams, $__.
D Certain of the non-interested Trustees' aggregate compensation from
the fund includes accrued voluntary deferred compensation as follows:
[trustee name, dollar amount of deferred compensation, fund name];
[trustee name, dollar amount of deferred compensation, fund name]; and
[trustee name, dollar amount of deferred compensation, fund name].
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 _______________, approximately __% of the fund's total
outstanding shares was held by [FMR] [[and] [an] FMR affiliate[s]].
FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of [FMR] [[and] [this/these]
FMR affiliate[s]]. By virtue of his ownership interest in FMR Corp.,
as described in the "Control of Investment Advisers" section on page
___, Mr. Edward C. Johnson 3d, President and Trustee of the fund, may
be deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares. As of the above
date, with the exception of Mr. Johnson 3d's deemed ownership of the
fund's shares, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and
officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's total outstanding shares.]
[As of _______________, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board,
and officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's total outstanding shares.]
[As of _________________, the following owned of record or
beneficially 5% or more (up to and including 25%) of the fund's
outstanding shares:]
[As of _________________, approximately ____% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by [NAME OF SHAREHOLDER].]
[A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a
fund's outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person. That
shareholder's vote could have a more significant effect on matters
presented at a shareholders' meeting than votes of other
shareholders.]
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR Corp., organized in 1972, is the ultimate parent company of
FMR, Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), FMR U.K., and
FMR Far East. 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 investment 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.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
The fund has entered into a management contract with FMR, pursuant to
which FMR furnishes investment advisory and other services.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Under the terms of its management contract with
the 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 the fund with all necessary office
facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments,
compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are
"interested persons" of the trust or of FMR, and all personnel of the
fund or FMR performing services relating to research,
statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FMR or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services
necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include
providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization;
supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents,
accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the
fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting
shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and the
registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing
management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing
reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to
the Trustees.
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, pricing and bookkeeping agent, and
securities lending agent, the fund pays all of its expenses that are
not assumed by those parties. The 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. The 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 the fund's transfer agent
agreement, the transfer agent bears the costs of providing these
services to existing shareholders. Other expenses paid by the 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. The 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 FEE. For the services of FMR under the management contract,
the 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Assets Annualized Rate Group Net Assets Effective Annual Fee Rate
0 - $3 billion .5200% $ 0.5 billion .5200%
3 - 6 .4900 25 .4238
6 - 9 .4600 50 .3823
9 - 12 .4300 75 .3626
12 - 15 .4000 100 .3512
15 - 18 .3850 125 .3430
18 - 21 .3700 150 .3371
21 - 24 .3600 175 .3325
24 - 30 .3500 200 .3284
30 - 36 .3450 225 .3249
36 - 42 .3400 250 .3219
42 - 48 .3350 275 .3190
48 - 66 .3250 300 .3163
66 - 84 .3200 325 .3137
84 - 102 .3150 350 .3113
102 - 138 .3100 375 .3090
138 - 174 .3050 400 .3067
174 - 210 .3000 425 .3046
210 - 246 .2950 450 .3024
246 - 282 .2900 475 .3003
282 - 318 .2850 500 .2982
318 - 354 .2800 525 .2962
354 - 390 .2750 550 .2942
390 - 426 .2700
426 - 462 .2650
462 - 498 .2600
498 - 534 .2550
Over 534 .2500
</TABLE>
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 $___ billion of group net assets - the approximate level for
July 1999 was __%, which is the weighted average of the
respective fee rates for each level of group net assets up to $__
billion.
The fund's individual fund fee rate is 0.15%. Based on the average
group net assets of the funds advised by FMR for July 1999 , the
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
Fidelity Balanced Fund 0.___% + 0.15% = 0.__%
</TABLE>
One-twelfth of the management fee rate is applied to the fund's
average net assets for the month, giving a dollar amount which
is the fee for that month.
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997 , the
fund paid FMR management fees of $_________, $____________, and
$__________, respectively.
On August 1, 1996, FMR reduced the individual fund fee rate paid by
Fidelity Balanced Fund from 0.20% to 0.15%.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of
the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes,
securities lending fees , brokerage commissions, and
extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision or termination.
FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements
in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of
the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fund's returns and
yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower
its returns and yield.
SUB-ADVISERS. On behalf of the fund, FMR has entered into a
sub-advisory agreement with FIMM pursuant to which FIMM has
responsibility for choosing certain types of investments for the
fund.
Under the terms of the sub-advisory agreement for the fund, FMR
pays FIMM fees equal to 50% of the management fee payable to FMR with
respect to that portion of the fund's assets that are managed by FIMM.
The fees paid to FIMM are not reduced by any voluntary or mandatory
expense reimbursements that may be in effect from time to time.
On behalf of the fund, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, FMR
paid FIMM a fee of $______.
On behalf of the fund , FMR has entered into sub-advisory
agreements with FMR U.K. and FMR Far East. Pursuant to the
sub-advisory agreements, FMR may receive investment advice and
research services outside the United States from the sub-advisers.
On behalf of the fund , FMR may also grant investment
management authority as well as the authority to buy and sell
securities if FMR believes it would be beneficial to the fund.
Unde r the sub-advisory agreements FMR pays the fees of FMR U.K.
and FMR Far East. For providing non-discretionary investment advice
and research services, FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East fees equal
to 110% and 105%, respectively, of FMR U.K.'s and FMR Far East's costs
incurred in connection with providing investment advice and research
services.
On behalf of the fund, for providing discretionary investment
management and executing portfolio transactions, FMR pays FMR U.K. and
FMR Far East a fee equal to 50% of its monthly management fee rate
with respect to the fund's average net assets managed by the
sub-adviser on a discretionary basis.
For providing investment advice and research services, fees paid to
FMR U.K. and FMR Far East for the past three fiscal years are
shown in the table below.
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, no fees were paid to FMR U.K. and FMR Far East on behalf
of the fund for the past three fiscal years.]
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, fees paid to FMR U.K. and FMR Far East for the past
three fiscal years are shown in the table below.
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an
affiliate of FMR. 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 agreement
calls for FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other
business, to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are
continuously offered at NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses
in connection with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan on behalf
of the fund (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the
Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund may not
engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that is
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund except
pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The
Plan, as approved by the Trustees, allows the fund and FMR to incur
certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect
payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
Under the 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. The Plan
specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenue,
as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay FDC for
expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to
result in the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services.
In addition, the Plan provides that FMR, directly or through FDC, may
pay intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers and other
service-providers, that provide those services. Currently, the Board
of Trustees has authorized such payments for Fidelity Balanced Fund
shares.
[Payments made by FMR either directly or through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended 1999 amounted to $____.]
[FMR made no payments either directly or through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended 1999.]
Prior to approving the Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all
pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and
determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will
benefit the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees
noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by the fund other than
those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund. To the
extent that the Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in
connection with the distribution of fund shares, additional sales of
fund shares or stabilization of cash flows may result.
Furthermore, certain shareholder support services may be provided more
effectively under the Plan by local entities with whom
shareholders have other relationships.
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 fund 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.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plan. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with FSC, an
affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreement, FSC performs
transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder services for the
fund.
For providing transfer agency services, FSC receives an account fee
and an asset-based fee each paid monthly with respect to each account
in the 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 and fund type. The account fees are
subject to increase based on postage rate changes.
The asset-based fees are subject to adjustment if the year-to-date
total return of the S&P 500 exceeds a positive or negative 15%.
FSC also collects small account fees from certain accounts with
balances of less than $2,500.
In addition, FSC receives the pro rata portion of the transfer agency
fees applicable to shareholder accounts in a qualified state tuition
program (QSTP), as defined under the Small Business Job Protection Act
of 1996, managed by FMR or an affiliate and in each Fidelity
Freedom Fund and Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund, funds of funds
managed by an FMR affiliate, according to the percentage of the
QSTP's, Freedom Fund's or Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund's assets
that is invested in the fund, subject to certain limitations in the
case of Fidelity Four-in-One Index 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.
The fund has also entered into a service agent agreement with FSC.
Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends
for the fund, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting
records, and administers the fund's securities lending program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a
monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout
the month.
The annual rates for pricing and bookkeeping services for the fund
are 0.0450% of the first $500 million of average net assets, 0.0265%
of average net assets between $500 million and $3 billion, and 0.0010%
of average net assets in excess of $3 billion. The fee, not including
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, is limited to a minimum of
$60,000 per year.
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid FSC pricing and bookkeeping fees, including reimbursement for
related out-of-pocket expenses, of $____, $____, and $____,
respectively.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC receives
fees based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
[For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999 , 1998, and 1997, the
fund paid no securities lending fees.]
[For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid securities lending fees of $__, $__, and $__, respectively.]
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST ORGANIZATION. Fidelity Balanced Fund is a fund
of Fidelity Puritan Trust , an open-end management investment
company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 1,
1984. Currently, there are four funds in the trust: Fidelity Balanced
Fund, Fidelity Global Balanced Fund, Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund,
and Fidelity Puritan(registered trademark) Fund. The Trustees are
permitted to create additional funds in the trust.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of
each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund,
and constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying
assets of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the
liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any general
expenses of the trust shall be allocated between or among any one or
more of the funds.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. The trust is an entity commonly known as
a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law,
shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held
personally liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and
expenses of the trust or fund. The Declaration of Trust provides that
the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the
payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each
agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the
trust or the Trustees relating to the trust or to a fund shall include
a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust or
to one or more funds and its or their assets. The Declaration of Trust
further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on
or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each
fund's property of any shareholder or former shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the fund solely by reason of
his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his
or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Declaration of
Trust also provides that each fund shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or
obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the
risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in
view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is
remote.
VOTING RIGHTS. Each fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one vote for each
dollar of net asset value that you own. The voting rights of
shareholders can be changed only by a shareholder vote. Shares may be
voted in the aggregate, by fund and by class.
The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are
fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading
"Shareholder Liability" above.
The trust or any of its funds may be terminated upon the sale of
its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management investment
company or series thereof, or upon liquidation and distribution of its
assets. Generally, the merger of the trust or a fund with another
entity or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the trust or
a fund to another entity requires approval by a vote of shareholders
of the trust or the fund. The Trustees may, however, reorganize or
terminate the trust or any of its funds without prior shareholder
approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the trust,
shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the
underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the
event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund, shareholders of
that fund are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund
available for distribution.
CUSTODIAN. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian
is responsible for the safekeeping of a fund's assets and the
appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies.
The Bank of New York and The Chase Manhattan Bank, each
headquartered in New York, also may serve as special purpose
custodians of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement
transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, and
members of the Board of Trustees may, from time to time,
conduct transactions with various banks, including banks serving as
custodians for certain funds advised by FMR. The Boston branch of the
fund's custodian leases its office space from an affiliate of
FMR at a lease payment which, when entered into, was consistent with
prevailing market rates. 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. _____________ , serves as independent accountant for
the fund. The auditor examines financial statements for the fund and
provides other audit, tax, and related services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the
fiscal period ended July 31, 1999, and report of the auditor, are
included in the fund's annual report and are incorporated herein by
reference.
APPENDIX
Fidelity, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, Fidelity Focus,
Fidelity Investments, Magellan and Puritan are registered trademarks
of FMR Corp.
THE THIRD PARTY MARKS APPEARING ABOVE ARE THE MARKS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Like securities of all mutual
funds, these securities have
not been approved or
disapproved by the
Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the
Securities and Exchange
Commission has not
determined if this
prospectus is accurate or
complete. Any
representation to the
contrary is a criminal
offense.
FIDELITY
PURITAN(registered trademark)
FUND
(fund number 004, trading symbol FPURX)
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
CONTENTS
FUND SUMMARY 3 INVESTMENT SUMMARY
2 PERFORMANCE
3 FEE TABLE
FUND BASICS 4 INVESTMENT DETAILS
5 VALUING SHARES
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 5 BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
12 EXCHANGING SHARES
12 ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
15 DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN
DISTRIBUTIONS
16 TAX CONSEQUENCES
FUND SERVICES 16 FUND MANAGEMENT
16 FUND DISTRIBUTION
APPENDIX 17 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FUND SUMMARY
INVESTMENT SUMMARY
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. Puritan Fund seeks income and capital growth
consistent with reasonable risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES. Fidelity Management & Research
Company (FMR)'s principal investment strategies include:
(small solid bullet) Investing approximately 60% of assets invested in
stocks and other equity securities and the remainder in bonds and
other debt securities, including lower-quality debt securities, when
its outlook is neutral.
(small solid bullet) Investing at least 25% of total assets in
fixed-income senior securities (including debt securities and
preferred stock).
(small solid bullet) Investing in domestic and foreign issuers.
(small solid bullet) With respect to equity investments, emphasizing
above-average income-producing equity securities, which tends to lead
to investments in stocks that have more "value" characteristics than
"growth" characteristics.
(small solid bullet) Analyzing a security's issuer using fundamental
factors and evaluating each security's current price relative to
estimated long-term value to select investments.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS. The fund is subject to the following
principal investment risks:
(small solid bullet) STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. Stock markets are
volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer,
political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Different
parts of the market can react differently to these developments.
(small solid bullet) INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Interest rate increases
can cause the price of a debt security to decrease.
(small solid bullet) FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign markets can be more
volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse
issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can
perform differently than the U.S. market.
(small solid bullet) PREPAYMENT. The ability of an issuer of a debt
security to repay principal prior to a security's maturity can cause
greater price volatility if interest rates change.
(small solid bullet) ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. The value of an
individual security or particular type of security can be more
volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than
the value of the market as a whole. Lower-quality debt securities
(those of less than investment-grade quality) can be more volatile due
to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory,
market or economic developments.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency.
When you sell your shares of the fund, they could be worth more or
less than what you paid for them.
PERFORMANCE
The following information illustrates the changes in the fund's
performance from year to year and compares the fund's performance to
the performance of a market index and an average of the performance of
similar funds over various periods of time. Puritan Fund also compares
its performance to the performance of a combination of market indexes
over various periods of time. Returns are based on past results and
are not an indication of future performance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS
PURITAN FUND
Calendar Years 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
% % % % % % % % % %
</TABLE>
Percentage (%)
Row: 1, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 2, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 3, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 4, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 5, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 6, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 7, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 8, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 9, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 10, Col: 1, Value: nil
DURING THE PERIODS SHOWN IN THE CHART FOR PURITAN FUND, THE HIGHEST
RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS __% (QUARTER ENDING [MONTH][DATE]], [YEAR])
AND THE LOWEST RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS __% (QUARTER ENDING
[MONTH][DATE]], [YEAR]).
THE YEAR-TO-DATE RETURN AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 FOR PURITAN FUND WAS __%.
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
For the periods ended Past 1 year Past 5 years Past 10 years
December 31, 1998
Puritan Fund % % %
S&P 500 % % %
Lipper Balanced Funds Average % % %
Fidelity Balanced % % %
Composite Index
[If FMR had not reimbursed certain fund expenses during these periods,
the fund's returns would have been lower.]
Fidelity Balanced Composite Index is a hypothetical representation of
the performance of the fund's general investment categories using a
weighting of 60% equity and 40% bond. The following indexes are used
to calculate the Composite Index: equity - the Standard & Poor's 500
Index (S&P 500(registered trademark)), and bond - the Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond Index. The index weightings of the Composite Index are
rebalanced monthly.
S&P 500 is a market capitalization-weighted index of common stocks.
The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted
index of investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including
government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities,
with maturities of one year or more.
Lipper Balanced Funds Average reflects the performance (excluding
sales charges) of mutual funds with similar objectives.
FEE TABLE
The following table describes the fees and expenses that are incurred
when you buy, hold, or sell shares of the fund. [The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund are based on historical
expenses, adjusted to reflect current fees.] [The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund do not reflect the
effect of any reduction of certain expenses during the period.] [The
annual fund operating expenses provided below for the fund are based
on historical expenses.]
SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID BY THE INVESTOR DIRECTLY)
Sales charge (load) on None
purchases and reinvested
distributions
Deferred sales charge (load) None
on redemptions
Annual account maintenance $12.00
fee (for
accounts under $2,500)
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management fee %
Distribution and Service None
(12b-1) fee
Other expenses %
Total annual fund operating %
expenses
[A portion of the brokerage commissions that the fund pays is used to
reduce the fund's expenses. In addition, the 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 would have been __% for Puritan
Fund.]]
This EXAMPLE helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Let's say, hypothetically, that the fund's annual return is 5% and
that your shareholder fees and the fund's annual operating expenses
are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates
the effect of fees and expenses, but is not meant to suggest actual or
expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For
every $10,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total
expenses if you close your account after the number of years
indicated:
1 year $
3 years $
5 years $
10 years $
FUND BASICS
INVESTMENT DETAILS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:
PURITAN FUND seeks income and capital growth consistent with
reasonable risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
FMR manages the fund to maintain a balance between stocks and bonds.
When FMR's outlook is neutral, it will invest approximately 60% of the
fund's assets in stocks and other equity securities and the remainder
in bonds and other debt securities, including lower-quality debt
securities. FMR may vary from this target if it believes stocks or
bonds offer more favorable opportunities, but will always invest at
least 25% of the fund's total assets in fixed-income senior securities
(including debt securities and preferred stock).
FMR may invest the fund's assets in securities of foreign issuers in
addition to securities of domestic issuers.
With respect to the fund's equity investments, FMR's emphasis on above
average income-producing equity securities tends to lead to
investments in stocks that have more "value" characteristics than
"growth" characteristics. However, FMR is not constrained by any
particular investment style. In buying and selling securities for the
fund, FMR generally analyzes the issuer of a security using
fundamental factors (e.g., growth potential, earnings estimates and
management) and evaluates each security's current price relative to
its estimated long-term value.
FMR may lend the fund's securities to broker-dealers or other
institutions to earn income for the fund.
FMR may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures
contracts, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing
security prices, interest rates or other factors that affect security
values. If FMR's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not
achieve its objective.
DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL SECURITY TYPES:
EQUITY SECURITIES represent an ownership interest, or the right to
acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Different types of
equity securities provide different voting and dividend rights and
priority in the event of the bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity
securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities and warrants.
DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer
usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and must
repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt
securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but
are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include
corporate bonds, government securities, and mortgage and other
asset-backed securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS:
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price
changes daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates
and in response to other economic, political or financial
developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be
affected by the types and maturities of the securities in which the
fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector,
and geographic location of an issuer, and the fund's level of
investment in the securities of that issuer. When you sell your
shares of the fund, they could be worth more or less than what you
paid for them.
The following factors may significantly affect the fund's performance:
STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. The value of equity securities fluctuates in
response to issuer, political, market and economic developments. In
the short term, equity prices can fluctuate dramatically in response
to these developments. Different parts of the market and different
types of equity securities can react differently to these
developments. For example, large cap stocks can react differently
than small cap stocks, and "growth" stocks can react differently than
"value" stocks. Issuer, political or economic developments can affect
a single issuer, issuers within an industry or economic sector or
geographic region, or the market as a whole.
INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Debt securities have varying levels of
sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a
debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when
interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage
securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes.
FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and
securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations
can involve additional risks relating to political, economic or
regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include
fluctuations in foreign currencies; withholding or other taxes;
trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks; and the
less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some
foreign markets. All of these factors can make foreign investments,
especially those in emerging markets, more volatile and potentially
less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can
perform differently than the U.S. market.
PREPAYMENT. Many types of debt securities, including mortgage
securities, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the
issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security's
maturity. Securities subject to prepayment generally offer less
potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment, and
similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate
environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features
on the price of a debt security can be difficult to predict and result
in greater volatility.
ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. Changes in the financial condition of an
issuer, changes in specific economic or political conditions that
affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general
economic or political conditions can affect the credit quality or
value of an issuer's securities. The value of securities of smaller,
less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger
issuers. Lower-quality debt securities (those of less than
investment-grade quality) tend to be more sensitive to these changes
than higher-quality debt securities.
Lower-quality debt securities involve greater risk of default or price
changes due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer. The value
of lower-quality debt securities often fluctuates in response to
company, political or economic developments and can decline
significantly over short periods of time or during periods of general
or regional economic difficulty.
In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, FMR
may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive
purposes. If FMR does so, different factors could affect the fund's
performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change
only by shareholder approval.
PURITAN FUND seeks income and capital growth consistent with
reasonable risk.
VALUING SHARES
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. Fidelity(registered trademark) normally calculates the fund's
NAV as of the close of business 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 Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). The fund's assets are valued as of this time for the
purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on
days when the NYSE is closed, the value of the fund's assets may be
affected on days when the fund is not open for business. In addition,
trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the
fund is open for business.
The fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of market
quotations. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of
amortized cost. If market quotations are not readily available for a
security or if a security's value has been materially affected by
events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which
the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or
market), that security may be valued by another method that the Board
of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. A security's
valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining
value.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fidelity Investments(registered trademark) 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.
For account, product and service information, please use the following
Web site and phone numbers:
(small solid bullet) For information over the Internet, visit
Fidelity's Web site at www.fidelity.com.
(small solid bullet) For accessing account information automatically
by phone, use TouchTone Xpress(registered trademark), 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For exchanges and redemptions, 1-800-544-7777.
(small solid bullet) For account assistance, 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and retirement information,
1-800-544-8888.
(small solid bullet) For brokerage information, 1-800-544-7272.
(small solid bullet) TDD - Service for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired,
1-800-544-0118 (9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Please use the following addresses:
BUYING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 770001
Cincinnati, OH 45277-0002
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
2300 Litton Lane - KH1A
Hebron, KY 41048
SELLING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 660602
Dallas, TX 75266-0602
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
Attn: Redemptions - CP6I
400 East Las Colinas Blvd.
Irving, TX 75039-5517
You may buy or sell shares of the fund through a retirement account or
an investment professional. If you invest through a retirement account
or an investment professional, the procedures for buying, selling and
exchanging shares of the fund and the account features and policies
may differ. Additional fees may also apply to your investment in the
fund, including a transaction fee if you buy or sell shares of the
fund through a broker or other investment professional.
Certain methods of contacting Fidelity, such as by telephone or
electronically, may be unavailable or delayed (for example, during
periods of unusual market activity). In addition, the level and type
of service available may be restricted based on criteria established
by Fidelity.
The different ways to set up (register) your account with Fidelity are
listed in the following table.
WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT TENANT
FOR YOUR GENERAL INVESTMENT NEEDS
RETIREMENT
FOR TAX-ADVANTAGED RETIREMENT SAVINGS
(solid bullet) TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS)
(solid bullet) ROTH IRAS
(solid bullet) ROLLOVER IRAS
(solid bullet) 401(K) PLANS AND CERTAIN OTHER 401(A)-QUALIFIED PLANS
(solid bullet) KEOGH PLANS
(solid bullet) SIMPLE IRAS
(solid bullet) SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS (SEP-IRAS)
(solid bullet) SALARY REDUCTION SEP-IRAS (SARSEPS)
(solid bullet) 403(B) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS
(solid bullet) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (457 PLANS)
GIFTS OR TRANSFERS TO A MINOR (UGMA, UTMA)
TO INVEST FOR A CHILD'S EDUCATION OR OTHER FUTURE NEEDS
TRUST
FOR MONEY BEING INVESTED BY A TRUST
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION
FOR INVESTMENT NEEDS OF CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS OR
OTHER GROUPS
BUYING SHARES
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's NAV. The fund's
shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be bought at the next NAV calculated after your
investment is received in proper form.
Short-term or excessive trading into and out of the fund may harm
performance by disrupting portfolio management strategies and by
increasing expenses. Accordingly, the fund may reject any purchase
orders, including exchanges, particularly from market timers or
investors who, in FMR's opinion, have a pattern of short-term or
excessive trading or whose trading has been or may be disruptive to
the fund. For these purposes, FMR may consider an investor's trading
history in the fund or other Fidelity funds, and accounts under common
ownership or control.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only
on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
(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) Fidelity 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 the fund or
Fidelity has incurred.
Certain financial institutions that have entered into sales agreements
with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) may enter confirmed
purchase orders on behalf of customers by phone, with payment to
follow no later than the time when the fund is priced on the following
business day. If payment is not received by that time, the order will
be canceled and the financial institution could be held liable for
resulting fees or losses.
MINIMUMS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $250
Through regular investment plans $100
MINIMUM BALANCE $2,000
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
A FIDELITY TRADITIONAL IRA, ROTH IRA, ROLLOVER IRA, SEP-IRA, AND KEOGH
ACCOUNTS.
These minimums may be lower for purchases through a Fidelity
GoalPlannerSM account. There is no minimum account balance or initial
or subsequent purchase minimum for investments through Fidelity
Portfolio Advisory ServicesSM, a qualified state tuition program,
certain Fidelity retirement accounts funded through salary deduction,
or accounts opened with the proceeds of distributions from such
retirement accounts. In addition, the fund may waive or lower purchase
minimums in other circumstances.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money
Line(registered trademark)
to transfer from your bank
account.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Complete
and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address
under "Mail" below.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer from your bank
account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
P.O. BOX 770001 CINCINNATI, (small solid bullet) Complete
OH 45277-0002 and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address at
left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Make
your check payable to the
complete name of the fund.
Indicate your fund account
number on your check and
mail to the address at left.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Send a letter of instruction
to the address at left,
including your name, the
funds' names, the fund
account numbers, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be exchanged.
IN PERSON TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your application and check
to a Fidelity Investor
Center. Call 1-800-544-9797
for the center nearest you.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your check to a Fidelity
Investor Center. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
WIRE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-7777 to set up
your account and to arrange
a wire transaction.
(small solid bullet) Wire
within 24 hours to: Bankers
Trust Company, Bank Routing
# 021001033, Account #
00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your new
fund account number and your
name.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Wire to:
Bankers Trust Company, Bank
Routing # 021001033, Account
# 00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your fund
account number and your name.
AUTOMATICALLY TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Not
available.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Account
Builder(registered
trademark) or Direct Deposit.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Exchange
Service to exchange from a
Fidelity money market fund.
SELLING SHARES
The price to sell one share of the fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order
is received in proper form.
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 sell 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.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
(small solid bullet) If you are selling some but not all of your
shares, leave at least $2,000 worth of shares in the account to keep
it open ($500 for retirement accounts), except accounts not subject to
account minimums.
(small solid bullet) Normally, Fidelity will process redemptions by
the next business day, but Fidelity may take up to seven days to
process redemptions if making immediate payment would adversely affect
the fund.
(small solid bullet) Redemption proceeds (other than exchanges) may be
delayed until money from prior purchases sufficient to cover your
redemption has been received and collected. This can take up to seven
business days after a purchase.
(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) Redemption proceeds may be paid in securities or
other assets rather than in cash if the Board of Trustees determines
it is in the best interests of the fund.
(small solid bullet) You will not receive interest on amounts
represented by uncashed redemption checks.
(small solid bullet) Unless otherwise instructed, Fidelity will send a
check to the record address.
To sell shares issued with certificates, call Fidelity for
instructions. The fund no longer issues share certificates.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 (small solid bullet) Call the
phone number at left to
initiate a wire transaction
or to request a check for
your redemption.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM (small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
P.O. BOX 660602 DALLAS, TX SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
75266-0602 UTMA
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
your name, the fund's name,
your fund account number,
and the dollar amount or
number of shares to be sold.
The letter of instruction
must be signed by all
persons required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Call
1-800-544-6666 to request one.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the trust's name, the fund's
name, the trust's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the firm's name, the fund's
name, the firm's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-6666 for
instructions.
IN PERSON INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
UTMA
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
letter of instruction must
be signed by all persons
required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center to
request one. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center for
instructions. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
AUTOMATICALLY (small solid bullet) Use
Personal Withdrawal Service
to set up periodic
redemptions from your account.
EXCHANGING SHARES
An exchange involves the redemption of all or a portion of the shares
of one fund and the purchase of shares of another fund.
As a shareholder, you have the privilege of exchanging shares of the
fund for shares of other Fidelity funds.
However, you should note the following policies and restrictions
governing exchanges:
(small solid bullet) The fund you are exchanging into must be
available for sale in your state.
(small solid bullet) You may exchange only 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) Exchanges may have tax consequences for you.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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 will be counted together for purposes of the four
exchange limit.
(small solid bullet) The exchange limit may be modified for accounts
held by certain institutional retirement plans to conform to plan
exchange limits and Department of Labor regulations. See your plan
materials for further information.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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.
The fund may terminate or modify the exchange privilege in the future.
Other funds may have different exchange restrictions, and may impose
trading fees of up to 3.00% of the amount exchanged. Check each fund's
prospectus for details.
ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
FEATURES
The following features are available to buy and sell shares of the
fund.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS. Fidelity offers
convenient services that let you automatically transfer money into
your account, between accounts, or out of your account. While
automatic investment programs 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 retirement, a home, educational expenses,
and other long-term financial goals. Automatic withdrawal or exchange
programs can be a convenient way to provide a consistent income flow
or to move money between your investments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC ACCOUNT
BUILDER TO MOVE MONEY FROM
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO A
FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly or quarterly (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account,
complete the appropriate
section on the fund
application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for existing accounts,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
application.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
investment date.
DIRECT DEPOSIT TO SEND ALL OR
A PORTION OF YOUR PAYCHECK
OR GOVERNMENT CHECK TO A
FIDELITY FUND.A
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Every pay period (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account, check
the appropriate box on the
fund application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for an existing account,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
authorization form.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes you will need a new
authorization form. Call
1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site to
obtain one.
A BECAUSE ITS SHARE PRICE
FLUCTUATES, THE FUND MAY NOT
BE AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE FOR
DIRECT DEPOSIT OF YOUR
ENTIRE CHECK.
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
SERVICE TO MOVE MONEY FROM A
FIDELITY MONEY MARKET FUND
TO ANOTHER FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly, bimonthly, (small solid bullet) To set
quarterly, or annually up, call 1-800-544-6666
after both accounts are
opened.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
exchange date.
</TABLE>
PERSONAL WITHDRAWAL SERVICE
TO SET UP PERIODIC
REDEMPTIONS FROM YOUR FUND
ACCOUNT TO YOU OR TO YOUR
BANK ACCOUNT.
FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
Monthly (small solid bullet) To set
up, call 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-6666 at least
three business days prior to
your next scheduled
withdrawal date.
OTHER FEATURES. The following other features are also available to buy
and sell shares of the fund.
WIRE
TO PURCHASE AND SELL SHARES VIA THE FEDERAL RESERVE WIRE SYSTEM.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Wire feature before
using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application when
opening your account, or call 1-800-544-7777 to add the feature after
your account is opened. Call 1-800-544-7777 before your first use to
verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) To sell shares by wire, you must designate the
U.S. commercial bank account(s) into which you wish the redemption
proceeds deposited.
FIDELITY MONEY LINE
TO TRANSFER MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AND YOUR FUND ACCOUNT.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Money Line feature
before using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application
and then call 1-800-544-7777 or visit Fidelity's Web site before your
first use to verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) Most transfers are complete within three business
days of your call.
(small solid bullet) Minimum purchase: [$____]
(small solid bullet) Maximum purchase: $100,000
FIDELITY ON-LINE XPRESS+(registered trademark)
TO MANAGE YOUR INVESTMENTS THROUGH YOUR PC.
CALL 1-800-544-7272 OR VISIT FIDELITY'S WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) For access to research and analysis tools.
FIDELITY ONLINE TRADING
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT OVER THE INTERNET AT FIDELITY'S WEB
SITE.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) To access third-party research on companies,
stocks, mutual funds and the market.
TOUCHTONE XPRESS
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY BY PHONE.
CALL 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) To review orders and mutual fund activity; and
(small solid bullet) To change your personal identification number
(PIN).
POLICIES
The following policies apply to you as a shareholder.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS that Fidelity sends to you include the
following:
(small solid bullet) Confirmation statements (after transactions
affecting your account balance except reinvestment of distributions in
the fund or another fund and certain transactions through automatic
investment or withdrawal programs).
(small solid bullet) Monthly or quarterly account statements
(detailing account balances and all transactions completed during the
prior month or quarter).
(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 Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544 if you
need additional copies of financial reports or prospectuses.
Electronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are
available at Fidelity's Web site. To participate in Fidelity's
electronic delivery program, call Fidelity or visit Fidelity's Web
site for more information.
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 conducted through the Internet, Fidelity
recommends the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. You
should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately
after you receive them. If you do not want the ability to sell and
exchange by telephone, call Fidelity for instructions.
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 the fund to withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and
redemptions.
Fidelity may 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 Fidelity, 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
accounts with Fidelity maintained by Fidelity Service Company, Inc. 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 $2,000 (except accounts not
subject to account minimums), you will be given 30 days' notice to
reestablish the minimum balance. If you do not increase your balance,
Fidelity may close your account and send the proceeds to you. Your
shares will be sold at the NAV on the day your account is closed.
Fidelity may charge a FEE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, such as providing
historical account documents.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its
investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to
shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from
its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to
shareholders as capital gains distributions.
The fund normally pays dividends in March, June, September, and
December and pays capital gain distributions in September and
December.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
When you open an account, specify on your application how you want to
receive your distributions. The following options may be available for
the fund's distributions:
1. REINVESTMENT OPTION. Your dividends 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 in additional shares of the fund. Your
dividends will be paid in cash.
3. CASH OPTION. Your dividends and capital gain distributions will be
paid in cash.
4. DIRECTED DIVIDENDS(registered trademark) OPTION. Your dividends
will be automatically invested in shares of another identically
registered Fidelity fund. Your capital gain distributions will be
automatically invested in shares of another identically registered
Fidelity fund, automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
fund, or paid in cash.
Not all distribution options are available for every account. If the
option you prefer is not listed on your account application, or if you
want to change your current option, call Fidelity.
If you elect to receive distributions paid in cash by check and the
U.S. Postal Service does not deliver your checks, your distribution
option may be converted to the Reinvestment Option. You will not
receive interest on amounts represented by uncashed distribution
checks.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax
consequences for you. If you are not investing through a
tax-advantaged retirement account, you should consider these tax
consequences.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributions you receive from the fund are
subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or
local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, the fund's dividends and distributions of
short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. The
fund's distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you
generally as capital gains.
If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed
income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the
full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price
back in the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be
taxable to you when you receive them, regardless of your distribution
option.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS. Your redemptions, including exchanges, may
result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital
gain or loss on your investment in the fund is the difference between
the cost of your shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
FUND SERVICES
FUND MANAGEMENT
Puritan Fund is a mutual fund, an investment that pools shareholders'
money and invests it toward a specified goal.
FMR is the fund's manager.
[As of __, [month] [day] [year]], FMR had approximately $__ billion in
discretionary assets under management.]
As the manager, FMR is responsible for choosing the fund's investments
and handling its business affairs.
Affiliates assist FMR with foreign investments:
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR
U.K.), in London, England, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
U.K. was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and advice
to FMR. Currently, FMR U.K. provides investment research and advice on
issuers based outside the United States and may also provide
investment advisory services for Puritan Fund.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research Far East Inc. (FMR
Far East), in Tokyo, Japan, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
Far East was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and
advice to FMR. Currently, FMR Far East provides investment research
and advice on issuers based outside the United States and may also
provide investment advisory services for Puritan Fund.
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (FIMM), in Merrimack, New
Hampshire, serves as sub-adviser for the fund. FIMM is responsible for
choosing certain types of investments for the fund.
FIMM is an affiliate of FMR. As of [month] [day] [year]], FIMM had
approximately $____ in discretionary assets under management.
The fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by
FMR and other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information from and after January 1, 2000. FMR has
advised the fund that it is actively working on necessary changes to
its computer systems and expects that its systems, and those of other
major service providers, will be modified prior to January 1, 2000.
However, there can be no assurance that there will be no adverse
impact on the fund.
Bettina Doulton is vice president and manager of Puritan Fund, which
she has managed since March 1996. She also manages another Fidelity
fund. Since joining Fidelity in 1986, Ms. Doulton has worked as a
research assistant, analyst and manager.
From time to time a manager, analyst or other Fidelity employee may
express views regarding a particular company, security, industry or
market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of
only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily
represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity
organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based
upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any
responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on
as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity
fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an
indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
investment accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that establishes
procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
The fund pays a management fee to FMR. 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, dividing by
twelve, and multiplying the result by the fund's average net assets
throughout the month.
The group fee rate is based on the average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by FMR. This rate cannot rise above 0.52%, and it
drops as total assets under management increase.
For July 1999, the group fee rate was __%. The individual fund fee
rate is 0.15%.
The total management fee for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, was
__% of the fund's average net assets.
FMR pays FIMM, FMR U.K., and FMR Far East for providing assistance
with investment advisory services.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the fund for management
fees and other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the
ability to be repaid by the fund if expenses fall below the specified
limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement arrangements,
which may be terminated by FMR at any time, can decrease the fund's
expenses and boost its performance.
[As of ______], approximately ____% of the fund's total outstanding
shares were held by [FMR/FMR and [an] FMR affiliate[s]/[an] FMR
affiliate[s]].]
FUND DISTRIBUTION
FDC distributes the fund's shares.
The fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that recognizes that
FMR may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits
or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses
incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in
the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services. FMR,
directly or through FDC, may pay intermediaries, such as banks,
broker-dealers and other service-providers, that provide those
services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such
payments.
To receive payments made pursuant to a Distribution and Service Plan,
intermediaries must sign the appropriate agreement with FDC in
advance.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions in a manner that takes into
account the sale of shares of the fund, provided that the fund
receives brokerage services and commission rates comparable to those
of other broker-dealers.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any representations,
other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related
statement of additional information (SAI), in connection with the
offer contained in this prospectus. If given or made, such other
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the fund or FDC. This prospectus and the related SAI do
not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to sell shares of the
fund to or to buy shares of the fund from any person to whom it is
unlawful to make such offer.
APPENDIX
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the
fund's financial history for the past 5 years. Certain information
reflects financial results for a single fund share. Total returns for
each period include the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions.
This information has been audited by __________________, independent
accountants, whose report, along with the fund's financial highlights
and financial statements, are included in the fund's annual report. A
free copy of the annual report is available upon request.
[Financial Highlights to be filed by subsequent amendment.]
You can obtain additional information about the fund. The fund's SAI
includes more detailed information about the fund and its investments.
The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (legally forms a part of
the prospectus). The fund's annual and semi-annual reports include a
discussion of the fund's holdings and recent market conditions and the
fund's investment strategies that affected performance.
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other
information or ask questions about the fund, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-8544. In addition, you may visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com for a free copy of a prospectus or an annual or
semi-annual report or to request other information.
The SAI, the fund's annual and semi-annual reports and other related
materials are available on the SEC's Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov). You can obtain copies of this information upon
paying a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of
the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. You can also review and copy
information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, at the SEC's
Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for
information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, FILE NUMBER, 811-649
Puritan, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, Fidelity, Fidelity
Investments, TouchTone Xpress, Fidelity Money Line, Fidelity Automatic
Account Builder, Fidelity On-Line Xpress, and Directed Dividends are
registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
Fidelity GoalPlanner and Fidelity Portfolio Advisory Services are
service marks of FMR Corp.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their
respective owners.
1.702749.102 PUR-pro-0999
FIDELITY PURITAN(registered trademark) FUND
A FUND OF FIDELITY PURITAN TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SE PTEMBER 29,1999
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus.
Portions of the fund's annual report ar e incorporated herein. The
annual report is supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of the prospectus, dated September
29, 1999, or an annual report, please call Fidelity(registered
trademark) at 1-800-544-8544 or visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and 14
Limitations
Portfolio Transactions 19
Valuation 20
Performance 21
Additional Purchase, Exchange 25
and Redemption Information
Distributions and Taxes 25
Trustees and Officers 25
Control of Investment Advisers 27
Management Contract 28
Distribution Services 30
Transfer and Service Agent 31
Agreements
Description of the Trust 31
Financial Statements 26
Appendix 32
PUR -ptb-0999
1.460519.102
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in
the prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy
or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that
may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy
regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation
will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's
acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any
subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will
not be considered when determining whether the investment complies
with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment
limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations
described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS SET
FORTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY. 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,
or securities of o ther investment companies) if, as a result,
(a) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of that issuer;
(2) issue senior securities, except in connection with the
insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the Securities and Ex change Commission or as
otherwise 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) 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
repurchase agreements.
(9) The fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a
single open-end management investment company with substantially the
same fundamental investment objective, policies, and limitations as
the fund.
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(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 borro wings for purposes of fundamental
investment limitation (3)).
(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 lend assets other than
securities to other parties, except by (a) lending money (up t o
15 % of the fund's net assets) to a registered investment company
or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment
adviser or (b) acquiring loans, loan participations, or other forms of
direct debt instruments and, in connection therewith, assuming any
associated unfunded commitments of the sellers. (This limitation does
not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase
agreements.)
(vi) The fund does not currently intend to invest all of its assets in
the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and
limitations as the fund.
For purposes of investing at least 25% of the fund's total assets
in fixed-income senior securities (including debt securities and
prefe rred stock), FMR interprets "total assets" to exclude
collateral received for securities lending transactions.
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 were 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 6.
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which the fund may invest, strategies FMR may employ in
pursuit of the 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.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES represent interests in pools of mortgages,
loans, receivables or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment
of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by
the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by
letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements.
Asset-backed security values may also be affected by ot her
factors including changes in inte rest rates, the avail ability
of information concerning the pool and its structure, the
creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator
of the loans or receivables, or the entities providing the credit
enhancement. In addition, these securities may be subject to
prepayment risk.
BORROW ING. The fund may borrow from banks or from other
funds advised by FMR or its affiliates, or through reverse repurchase
agreements. If the fund borrows money, its share price may be subject
to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If the fund
makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this
may be considered a form of leverage.
CASH MANAGEMENT. A fund can hold uninvested cash or can invest it
in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase
agreements or shares of money market funds. Generally, these
securities offer less potential for gains than other types of
securities.
CENTRAL CASH FUNDS are money market funds managed by FMR or its
affiliates that seek to earn a high level of current income (free from
federal income tax in the case of a municipal money market fund) while
maintaining a stable $1.00 share price. The funds comply with
industry-standard requirements for money market funds regarding the
quality, maturity and diversification of their investments.
COMMON STOCK represents an equity or ownership interest in an
issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy,
the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take
precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks
or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder
or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash
or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A
convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion
by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances
(including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible
security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the
fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into
the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss
than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields
higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than
comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield,
convertible securities generally sell at prices above their
"conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to
be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion
value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time
depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and
interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value,
convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent
because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of
principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities.
However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of
the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same
extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the
underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible
securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time,
however, the difference between the market value of convertible
securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that
the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the
same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because
convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their
value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest
rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk,
and are often lower-quality securities.
EXPOSURE TO FOREIGN MARKETS. Foreign securities, foreign currencies,
and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign
operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks
inherent in U.S. investments.
Foreign investments involve risks relating to local political,
economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or
unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments, and may be affected by
actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S.
investors. Such actions may include expropriation or nationalization
of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or
on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. Additionally,
governmental issuers of foreign debt securities may be unwilling to
pay interest and repay principal when due and may require that the
conditions for payment be renegotiated. There is no assurance that FMR
will be able to anticipate these potential eve nts or counter their
effects. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign
currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such
securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S.
dollar.
It is anticipated that in most cases the best available market for
foreign securities will be on an exchange or in over-the-counter (OTC)
markets located outside of the United States. Foreign stock markets,
while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as
developed as those in the United States, and securities of some
foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign security trading, settlement and
custodial practices (including those involving securities settlement
where fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment) are
often less developed than those in U.S. markets, and may result in
increased risk or substantial delays in the event of a failed trade or
the insolvency of, or breach of duty by, a foreign broker-dealer,
securities depository or foreign subcustodian. For e xample, many
foreign countries are less prepared than the United States to properly
process and calculate information related to dates from and after
January 1, 2000. As a result, some foreign markets, brokers, banks or
securities depositories could experience at least temporary
disruptions, which could result in difficulty buying and selling
securities in certain foreign markets and pricing foreign investments,
and foreign issuers could fail to pay timely dividends, interest
or principal. In addition, the costs associated with foreign
investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and
custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S.
markets. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform
accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and
standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
Adequate public information on foreign issuers may not be available,
and it may be difficult to secure dividends and information regarding
corporate actions on a timely basis. In general, there is less overall
governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges,
brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. OTC markets
tend to be less regulated than stock exchange markets and, in certain
countries, may be totally unregulated. Regulatory enforcement may be
influenced by economic or political concerns, and investors may have
difficulty enforcing their legal rights in foreign countries.
Some foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the
United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to such
transfer restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less
liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject
to such restrictions.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other "hybrid" forms of
ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global
Depositary Receipts (GDRs), are certificates evidencing ownership of
shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by
depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the
United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by
a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home
country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the
underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various
services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate
actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying
foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However,
ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with
investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign
exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the
underlying issuer's country.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in
emerging markets. Security prices in emerging markets can be
significantly more volatile than those in more developed markets,
reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established
markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets
may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of
nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and
prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less
protection of property rights than more developed countries. The
economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a
few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt
burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small
number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of
holdings difficult or impossible at times.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. A fund may conduct foreign currency
transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign
currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge
a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the
difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should
the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward
contracts are customized transactions that require a specific amount
of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a
specific date or range of dates in the future. Forward contracts are
generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The
parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the
contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and
complete the contemplated currency excha n ge.
The following discussion summarizes the principal currency management
strategies involving forward contracts that could be used by a fund. A
fund may also use swap agreements, indexed securities, and options and
futures contracts relating to foreign currencies for the same
purposes.
A "settlement hedge" or "transaction hedge" is designed to protect a
fund against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the
date a security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is
made or received. Entering into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in an underlying
security transaction for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars "locks in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security. Forward contracts to purchase or
sell a foreign currency may also be used by a fund in anticipation of
future purchases or sales of securities denominated in foreign
currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected
by FMR.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in
the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For
example, if a fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it
could enter into a forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return
for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible declines in the pound's
value. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a "position hedge,"
would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations,
but would not offset changes in security values caused by other
factors. A fund could also hedge the position by selling another
currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling. This
type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer
advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would
not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a direct hedge into U.S.
dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to
hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged
securities are denominated.
A fund may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment
exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting
exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency, or from one foreign
currency to another foreign currency. This type of strategy, sometimes
known as a "cross-hedge," will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to
the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that
is purchased, much as if a fund had sold a security denominated in one
currency and purchased an equivalent security denominated in another.
Cross-hedges protect against losses resulting from a decline in the
hedged currency, but will cause a fund to assume the risk of
fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases.
Su ccessful use of currency management strategies will depend on
FMR's skill in analyzing currency values. Currency management
strategies may substantially change a fund's investment exposure to
changes in currency exchange rates and could result in losses to a
fund if currencies do not perform as FMR anticipates. For example, if
a currency's value rose at a time when FMR had hedged a fund by
selling that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not
participate in the currency's appreciation. If FMR hedges currency
exposure through proxy hedges, a fund could realize currency losses
from both the hedge and the security position if the two currencies do
not move in tandem. Similarly, if FMR increases a fund's exposure to a
foreign currency and that currency's value declines, a fund will
realize a loss. There is no assurance that FMR's use of currency
management strategies will be advantageous to a fund or that it will
hedge at appropriate times.
FUND'S RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. The fund does not intend to direct or
administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund, however,
may exercise its rights as a shareholder and may communicate its views
on important matters of policy to management, the Board of Directors,
and shareholders of a company when FMR determines that such matters
could have a significant effect on the value of the fund's investment
in the company. The activities in which a fund may engage, either
individually or in conjunction with others, may include, among others,
supporting or opposing proposed changes in a company's corporate
structure or business activities; seeking changes in a company's
directors or management; seeking changes in a company's direction or
policies; seeking the sale or reorganization of the company or a
portion of its assets; or supporting or opposing third-party takeover
efforts. This area of corporate activity is increasingly prone to
litigation and it is possible that a fund could be involved in
lawsuits related to such activities. FMR will monitor such activities
with a view to mitigating, to the extent possible, the risk of
litigation against a fund and the risk of actual liability if a fund
is involved in litigation. No guarantee can be made, however, that
litigation against a fund will not be undertaken or liabilities
incurred.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS. The following paragraphs pertain to futures and
option s: Com bined Positions, Correlation of Price Changes,
Futures Contracts, Futures Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures and
Options Transactions, Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts,
Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies, OTC Options,
Purchasing Put and Call Options, and Writing Put and Call
Options.
COMBINED POSITIONS involve purchasing and writing options in
combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward
contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the
overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a
call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a
combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to
selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would
involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call
option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option
in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options
positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction
costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
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 invests, 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 sell a
specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price
at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer
and seller enter into the contract. Some currently available futures
contracts are based on specific securities, such as U.S. Treasury
bonds or notes, and some are based on indices of securities prices,
such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500(Registered
trademark)). 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. The 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 fund intends to comply with Rule
4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, which limits the extent to which
the fund can commit assets to initial margin deposits and option
premiums.
In addition, the fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase
put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of
the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under
normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options
if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or
exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would
exceed 25% of its total assets under normal conditions; or (c)
purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option
premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the
fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options
attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying
securities, and do not apply to securities that incorporate features
similar to options.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts
and options, and the fund's 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.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES. Currency futures
contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except
that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and
are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency
futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The
underlying instrument of a currency option may be a foreign currency,
which generally is purchased or delivered in exchange for U.S.
dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a currency
call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the
purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying
currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to
options and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed
above. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase
and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to
different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased
or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or
forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected
to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors
that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for
example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in
the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting
from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value
of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to
many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to
match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the
fund's investments exactly over time.
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 c hanges. When writing an
option on a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin
payments to an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the
premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it
is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able
to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the
put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less
than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly,
however, because the premium received for writing the option should
mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the
option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon
exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options
are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls
generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall.
Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the
effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer
must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for
the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer
gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
I LLIQUID SECURITIES cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary
course of business at approximately the prices at which they are
valu ed. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or
may be costly to a fund. 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
se cu ri ties. In determining the liquidity of a fund's
investments, FMR may consider various factors, including (1) the
frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of
dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer
undertakings to make a market and (4) the nature of the security
and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender
features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any
letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings,
the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time
required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or
offset the rights and obligations of the sec urity).
INDEXED SECURITIES are instruments whose prices are indexed to
the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or
other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not
always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or
coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or
statistic.
Mortgage-indexed securities, for example, could be structured to
replicate the performance of mortgage securities and the
characteristics of direct ownership.
Curre ncy-indexed securities typically are short-term to
intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest
rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more
specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S.
dollar-denominated securities. Currency-indexed securities may be
positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may
increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a
security that performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument,
or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase,
resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a
put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also
have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign
currencies relative to each other.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the
performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which
they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes
in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more
volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also
subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the
security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's
creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities
have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government
agencies.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING PROGRAM. Pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money
from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates. A fund will lend
through the program only when the returns are higher than those
available from an investment in repurchase agreements, and will borrow
through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the
cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend
overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be
called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a
higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed.
Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost
investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
INVESTMENT-GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Investment- grade debt securities
are medium and high-quality securities. Some may possess speculative
characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to
changes in the financial conditions of issuers. A debt 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 unrat ed but considered to be
of equivalent quality by FMR.
LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Direct debt instruments are
interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other
borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans and loan
participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or
other receivables), or to other parties. Direct debt instruments
involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the
borrower and may offer less legal protection to the purchaser in the
event of fraud or misrepresentation, or there may be a requirement
that a fund supply add itional cash to a borrower on demand.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend
primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of
int erest and repayment of principal. If scheduled interest or
principal payments are not made, the value of the instrument may be
adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured provide more
protections than an unsecured loan in the event of failure to make
scheduled interest or principal payments. However, there is no
assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would
satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral could be
liquidated. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor
involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off
their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount
owed. Direct indebtedness of developing countries also involves a risk
that the governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the
debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal
when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial
institution's interests with respect to a loan may involve additional
risks. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the purchaser could
become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and
liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In
addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of
lender liability, a purchaser could be held liable as a co-lender.
Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of insolvency of the
lending ban k or other i ntermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution
that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of
the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms
of the loan or other indebtedness, the purchaser has direct recourse
against the borrower, the purchaser may have to rely on the agent to
apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If assets held
by the agent for the benefit of a purchaser were determined to be
subject to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the purchaser
might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan
or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal or
interest.
Direct indebtedness may include letters of credit, revolving credit
facilities, or other standby financing commitments that obligate
purchasers to make additional cash payments on demand. These
commitments may have the effect of requiring a purchaser to increase
its investment in a borrower at a time when it would not otherwise
have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it unlikely that
the am ount will ever be repaid.
The fund limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any
one issuer or in issuers within the same industry (see the fund's
investment limitations). For purposes of these limitations, a fund
generally will treat the borrower as the "issuer" of indebtedness held
by the fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other
lending institution serves as financial intermediary between a fund
and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the fund the
direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC
interpretations require a fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat
both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as
"issuers" for these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an
issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in
indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of
intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying
borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
LOWER-QUALITY DEBT SECURITIES. Lower-quality debt securities have poor
protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of
principal, or may be in default. These securities are often considered
to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss or price changes
due to changes in the issuer's capacity to pay. The market prices of
lower-quality debt securities may fluctuate more than those of
higher-quality debt securities and may decline significantly in
periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow peri ods 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
adver sely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse
publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the liquidity
of lower-quality debt securities and the ability of outside pricing
services to value lower-quality debt securities.
Beca u se the risk of default is higher for lower-quality debt
securities, FMR's research and credit analysis are an especially
important part of managing securities of this type. FMR will attempt
to identify those issuers of high-yielding securities whose financial
condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. FMR's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset
coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial
strength of the issuer.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to
pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security
holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it
determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
MORTG AGE SECURITI ES are issued by government and non-government
entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A
mortga ge securi ty is an obligation of the issuer backed by a
mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying
pool of mortgages. Some mortga ge se curities, such as
collateralized mortgage obligations (or "CMOs"), make payments of both
principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make
semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay
principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortga ge
sec urities are based on different types of mortgages, including
those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Stripped
mortgag e se curities are created when the interest and principal
components of a mortgage security are separated and sold as individual
securities. In the case of a stripp ed mort gage security, the
holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal
payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the
"interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same
underlying mortgage.
F annie Maes and Freddie Macs are pass-through securities issued
by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. Fannie Mae and F reddie
Mac, which guarantee payment of interest and repayment of principal on
Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs, respectively, are federally chartered
corporations supervised by the U.S. Government that act as
governmental instrumentalities under authority granted by Congress.
Fannie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its
obligations. Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are not backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
The value of m ortgage sec urities may change due to shifts in
the market's perception of issuers and changes in interest rates. In
ad dition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the
mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government mortgage
securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government
entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than
government issu es. Mortgage securities are subject to
prepayment risk, which is the risk that early principal payments made
on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction in
interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the
investor, causing it to be invested su bsequ ently at a lower
current interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate
environment, mortgage security values may be adversely affected when
prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated,
resulting in the extension of the security's eff ectiv e maturity
and the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term
instrument. The prices of stripped mortgage securities ten d to
b e more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than
those of non-stripped mortgage securities.
In or der to earn additional income for a fund, FMR may use a
trading strategy that involves selling mortgage securities and
simultaneously agreeing to purchase similar securities on a later date
at a set price. This trading strategy may result in an increased
portfolio turnover ra te which increases costs and may increase
taxable gains.
PREFERRED STOCK is a class of equity or ownership in an issuer that
pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common
stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is
liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take
precedence over the clai ms of those who own preferred and common
stock.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. Equity real estate investment trusts
own real estate properties, while mortgage real estate investment
trusts make construction, development, and long-term mortgage loans.
Their value may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying
property of the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property
taxes, interest rates, and tax and regulatory requirements, such as
those relating to the environment. Both types of trusts are dependent
upon management skill, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy
cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the
possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under
the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from the
1940 Act.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve a n agreement to purchase a
security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an
agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus
an agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon
rate or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the
risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the
securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market
daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus
the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased
may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has
agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could
result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolve nt. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement
transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and
found satisfactory by FMR.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES a re subject to legal restrictions on their
sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be
costly to a fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in
privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, o r in a registered
public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a
registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the
registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the
time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted
to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If,
during such a period, adverse market condition s were to
develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed
when it decided to seek registration of the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or
b ro ker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that
security at an agreed-upon price and time. The fund will enter into
reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness has
been reviewed and found satisfactory by FMR. Such transactions may
increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets and may be
viewed as a form of leverage.
SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, i ncluding shares of
closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, and open-end
investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed
portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in
other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as
investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve
additional expenses at the investment company-level, such as
portfolio management fees and operating expenses. Certain types of
investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies,
issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or
over-the-c ounter at a premium or a discount to their net asset
value. Others are continuously offered at net asset value, but may
also b e t raded in the secondary market.
The e xt ent to which a fund can invest in securities of other
investment companies is limited by federal securities laws.
SECURITIES LENDING. A fund may lend securities to parties such as
broker-dealers or oth er institut ions, including Fidelity
Brokerage Services, Inc. (FBSI). FBSI is a member of the New York
Stock Exchange and a subsidiary of FMR Corp.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the
securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. The
borrower provides the fund with collateral in an amount at least equal
to the value of the securities loaned. The fund maintains the ability
to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving
material events affecting securities loaned. If the borrower defaults
on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of
insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs
in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the
collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign
securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, a
fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in
the market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value
of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment
is purchased. Loans will be made only to parties deemed by FMR to be
in good standing and when, in FMR's judgment, the income earned
w ould justify the risks.
Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be
invested in other eligible securities. Investing this cash subjects
that investment, a s well as the securities loaned, to market
appreciation or depreciation.
SHORT SALES. St ocks underlying a fund's convertible security
holdings can be sold short. For example, if FMR anticipates a decline
in the price of the stock underlying a convertible security
held by a fund, it may sell the stock short. If the stock price
subsequently declines, the proceeds of the short sale could be
expected to offset all or a portion of the effect of the stock's
decline on the value of the convertible security. The fund currently
intends to hedge no more than 15% of its total assets with short sales
on equity securities underlying its convertible security holdings
under normal circumstances.
A fund will be r equired to set aside securities equivalent in
kind and amount to those sold short (or securities convertible or
exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold them
aside while the short sale is outstanding. A fund will incur
transaction costs, including interest expenses, in connection with
opening, maintaining, and closing short sales.
SWAP AGREEMENTS can be individually negotiated and structured to
include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or
market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may
increase or decrease a fund's exposure to long- or short-term interest
rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values,
mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such
as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many
different forms and are known by a variety of names.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments
only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap
obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an
interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a
specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund's investment exposure from
one type of investment to another. For example, if the fund agreed to
exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the
swap agreement would tend to decrease the fund's exposure to U.S.
interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and
interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or
writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may
increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's
inves tments and its share price and yield.
The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is
the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors
that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund. If a
swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the
counterparty's creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
A fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement
either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an
offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly
creditworthy party.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POLICIES. The fund r eserves the right to
invest without limitation in preferred stocks and investment-grade
debt instruments for temporary, defensive purpos es.
WARRANTS. Warrants are instruments which entitle the holder to buy an
equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time.
Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to
changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a
warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying
security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital
appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with
respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if
it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can
make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
ZERO COUPON BONDS do not make interest payments; in stead, 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 the fund by FMR pursuant to authority contained in the
management contract. FMR is also responsible for the placement of
transaction orders for other investment companies and i nvestment
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; the reasonableness
of any commissions; and, if applicable, arrangements for payment of
fund expenses.
If FMR grants investment management authority to a sub-adviser (see
the section entitled "Management Contract"), that sub-adviser is
authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities, and will do so in accordance with the policies described
above.
Generally, commissions for investments traded on foreign exchanges
will be higher than for investments traded on U.S. exchanges and may
not be subject to negotiation.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who
provide research and execution services to the fund or other
investme nt 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 inv estment accounts; and effect securities
transactions and perform functions incidental thereto (such as
clearance and settlement).
The selection of such broker-dealers for transactions in equity
securities is generally made by FMR (to the extent possible consistent
with execution considerations) in accordance with a ranking of
broker-dealers determined periodically by FMR's investment staff based
upon the quality of research and execution services provided.
For transactions in fixed-income securities, FMR's selection of
broker-dealers is generally based on the availability of a security
and its price and, to a lesser extent, on the overall quality of
execution and other services, including research, provided by the
broker-dealer.
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute transactions
on behalf of a fund may be useful to FMR in rendering investment
management services to that fund 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 a fund. 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.
Fixed-income securities are generally purchased from an issuer or
underwriter acting as principal for the securities, on a net basis
with no brokerage commission paid. However, the dealer is compensated
by a difference between the security's original purchase price and the
selling price, the so-called "bid-asked spread." Securities may also
be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting
fees.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, the
fund may pay a broker-dealer 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 the 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 that fund
or 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.
To the exte nt per mitted by applicable law, FMR is authorized to
allocate portfolio transactions in a manner that takes into account
a ssistance received in the distribution of shares of the funds or
other Fidelity funds and to use the research services of brokerage and
other fir ms that have provided such assistance. FMR may use
research services provided by and place agency transactions with
National Financial Services Corporation (NFSC) and Fidelity Brokerage
Services Japan LLC (FBSJ), indirect subsidiaries of FMR Corp., if the
commissions are fair, reasonable, and comparable to commissions
charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms for similar
services. Prior to December 9, 1997, FMR used research services
provided by and placed agency transactions with Fidelity Brokerage
Services (FBS), an indirect subsidiary of FMR Corp.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers (including
affiliates of FMR) who have entered into arrangements with FMR under
which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the commissions paid by
a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses. The transaction
quality must, however, be comparable to those of other qualified
broker-dealers.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for inve stmen t 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.
The Trustees periodically review FMR's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions on behalf of the fund and review the commissions paid by
the 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 July 31, 1999 and 1998, the fu nd' s
portfolio turnover rates were ___% and ___%, respectively. [Variations
in turnover r ate ma y be due to a fluctuating volume of
shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, or
changes in FMR's inv es tment outlook.]
[For the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the f und
paid brokerage commissions of $________, $_________, and
$_______ _, resp ectively. Significant changes in brokerage
commissions paid by the fund from year to year may result from
changing asset levels throug ho ut the year.] The fund may pay
both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of
portfolio transactions. [For the fiscal years ended July 1999,
1 998, and 1997, the fund paid no brokerage commissions.]
[ During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $_______, $_______, and $_______,
respectively, to NFSC. NFSC is paid on a commission basis. [During the
fiscal year ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the
aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions
involving approximately __% of the aggre gate dollar amount of
transactions for which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The
difference between the percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions
paid to, and the percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions effected through, NFSC is a re sult of the low
commission rates charged by NFSC.] [NFSC has used a portion of the
commissions paid by the fund to reduce that fun d' s custodian
or transfe r agent fees.]
[During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund paid
b roke rage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____,
respectively, to FBS. FBS is paid on a commission basis. [During
the fiscal year ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of
the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions
involving approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions for which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The
difference between the percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions
paid to, and the percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions effected through, FBS is a result of the low commission
rates charged by FB S.] [FBS has used a portion of the commissions
paid by the fund to reduce that fund's custodian or transfer age nt
fees.]]
[During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund paid
br ok erage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____,
respectively, to FBSJ. FBSJ is paid on a commission basis. [During
the fiscal year ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of
the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions
involving approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions for which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The
difference between the percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions
paid to, and the percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions effected through, FBSJ is a result of the low commission
rates charged by FBSJ.][ FBSJ has used a portion of the commissions
paid by the fund to reduce that fund's custodian or t ransfer agent
fees.]]
[During the fiscal year ended July, 1999 the fund paid $__ in
brokerage commissi on s to firms that provided research services
involving appr oximately $__ of transactions. The provision of
research services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all
this business with such firms.] [During the fiscal year ended July
1999, the fund paid no brokerage commissions to firms that provided
research servic es.]
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures in conformity with
Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby a fund may purchase securities
that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of FMR
participates. These procedures prohibit the fund from directly or
indirectly benefiting an FMR affiliate in connection with such
underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where an FMR affiliate
participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may
apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities
that the fund could purchase in the underwriting.
From time to time the Trustees will review whether the recapture for
the benefit of the fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions
or similar fees paid by the fund on portfolio transactions is legally
permissible and advisable. The 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
the fund to seek such recapture.
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the
same as those of other funds managed by FMR or its affiliates,
investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those
of other funds managed by FMR or investment 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 investment accounts.
Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds and
investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser,
particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment
objective of more than one fund or investment account.
When two or more funds 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 the fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and
prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that
the desirability of retaining FMR as investment adviser to the fund
outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to
simultaneous transactions.
VALUATION
The fun d's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of the
fund's invest ments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its
liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares
outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the
primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities
for which the primary market is the United States are valued at last
sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most
equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United
States are valued using the official closing price or the last sale
price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last
sale price (on the local exchange) is unavailable, the last evaluated
quote or cl osing bid price normally is used. Securities of
other open-end investment companies are valued at their respective
NAVs.
Fixed-income securities and other assets for which market quotations
are readily available may be valued at market values determined by
such securities' most recent bid prices (sales prices if the principal
market is an exchange) in the principal market in which they normally
are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or
assets. Or, fixed-income securities and convertible securities may be
valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that
uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied
valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Use of pricing
services has been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of
pricing services are available, and the fund may use various pricing
services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market
quotations, if available.
Indep endent br okers or quotation services provide prices of
foreign securities in their local currency. Fidelity Service Company
( FS C) gathers all exchange rates daily at the close of the NYSE
using the last quoted price on the local currency and then translates
the value of foreign securities from their local currencies into U.S.
dollars. Any changes in the value of forward contracts due to exchange
rate fluctuations and days to maturity are included in the calculation
of NAV. If an event that is expected to materially affect the
value of a portfolio security occurs after the close of an exchange
o r market o n which that security is traded, then that security
will be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of
Trustees.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing
service are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost
or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of which approximate
current v alue.
The procedures set forth above need not be used to de te rmine
the value of the securities owned by the fund if, in the opinion of a
c ommittee appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method
would more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For
example, securities and other assets for which there is no readily
available market value may be valued in good faith by a committee
appointed by the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith
determination of the value of a security, the committee may review
price movements in futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading
trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional
tradin g.
PERFORMANCE
The fund may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the fund in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. The fund's share price,
yield, if available, and r etur n 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 the fund are computed by dividing the
fund's interest and dividend 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 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. Dividends from equity investments are treated as if they
were accrued on a daily basis, solely for the purposes of yield
calculations. 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. For the fund's investments denominated in
foreign currencies, income and expenses are calculated first in their
respective currencies, and then are converted to U.S. dollars, either
when they are actually converted or at the end of the 30-day or one
month period, wh ichever is earlier.
Income calculated for the purposes of calculating the 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, the 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.
Yi eld information may be useful in reviewing the fund's
performance and in providing a basis for comparison with other
investment alternatives. However, the 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
the 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 the 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.
RE TUR N CALCULATIONS. Returns quoted in advertising reflect all
aspects of the 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. A cumulative return reflects actual
performance over a stated period of time. Average annual returns are
calculated by determining the grow th or decline in value of a
hypothetical historical investment in the 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
cum ulative return of 100% over ten years would produce an
average an nual 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 annu al retu rns are a convenient means of
comparing investment alternatives, investors should realize that the
fund's performance is not constant over time, but changes from year to
year, and that av erage a nnual re tur ns re present
averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of
the fund.
In addition to average annual returns, the fu nd may quote
unaveraged or cumulative returns reflecting the simple change in value
of a n investment over a stated period. Average annual and
cumulative returns may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar
amount, and may b e calculated for a single investment, a series of
investments, or a series of redemptions, over any time period. 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 return. Returns may be quoted on a before-tax or
after-tax basis. Returns may or may not include the effect of the
fund's small account fee. Excluding the fund's small account fee from
a return calculation produces a hig her return figure. Returns,
yields, if applicable, and other performance information may be quoted
numerically or in a table, graph, or similar illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using the fund's NAV s,
adjusted NAVs, and benchmark indexes may be used to exhibit
performance. An adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid by the
fund and reflects all elements of its return. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales
charges, if any.
MOVING AVERAGES. A fund may illustrate performance using moving
averages. A long-term moving average is the average of each week's
adjusted closing NAV for a specified period. A short-term moving
average is the average of each day's adjusted closing NAV for a
specified period. Moving Average Activity Indicators combine adjusted
closing NAVs from the last business day of each week with moving
averages for a specified period to produce indicators showing when an
NAV has crossed, stayed above, or stayed below its moving average. On
Jul y 31, 1999, the 13-week and 39-week long-term moving
averages were $__ and $__, respectively, for Puritan.
CALCULATING HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The f ollowing table
shows perfor mance for the fund.
HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The followin g tab le shows the fund's
return for the fiscal periods ended July 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Annual Returns Cumulative Returns
One Year Five Years Ten Years One Year Five Years Ten Years
Puritan Fund % % % % % %
</TABLE>
[Note: If FMR had not reimburse d certai n fund expenses
during these periods, the fund's returns would have been lower.]
The following table shows the income and capital elements of the
fund's c umulativ e return. The table compares the fund's return
to the record of the 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 the fund. The S&P 500
an d DJI A comparisons are provided to show how the fund's 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. The fund has the ability to invest in securities
not included in either index, and its investment portfolio may or may
not be similar in composition to the indexes. The S&P 500 and DJIA
returns are based on the prices of unmanaged groups of stocks and,
unlike the fund's returns, do not include the effect of brokerage
commissions or other costs of investing.
During the 10-year period ended July 31, 1 999, a hypothetical
$10,000 investment in Puritan would have grown to $______, assuming
all distributions were reinvested. R eturn s are based on past
results and are not an indication of future performance. Tax
consequences of different investments have not been factored into the
figures below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PURITAN INDEXES
Fiscal Year
Ended Value of Initial $10,000 Value of Reinvested Dividend Value of Reinvested Capital Total Value S&P 500
Investment Distributions Gain Distributions
1999 $ $ $ $ $
1998 $ $ $ $ $
1997 $ $ $ $ $
1996 $ $ $ $ $
1995 $ $ $ $ $
1994 $ $ $ $ $
1993 $ $ $ $ $
1992 $ $ $ $ $
1991 $ $ $ $ $
1990 $ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
PURITAN INDEXES
Fiscal Year Ended DJIA Cost of Living
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
1996 $ $
1995 $ $
1994 $ $
1993 $ $
1992 $ $
1991 $ $
1990 $ $
</TABLE>
Explanatory Notes: With an initial investment of $10,000 in the fund
on August 1,19 89, the n et 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 $______. 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
ha ve amounted to $______ for dividends and $_____ for capital gain
distributions. The figures in the table do not include the effect of
the fund's 2. 00% sales charge (which was in effect during the
period August 1,1989 through _______).
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS. The 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 o n return, assume reinvestment of distributions, do
not take sales charges or trading fees into consideration, and are
prepared without regard to tax consequences. In addition to the mutual
fund rankings, the fund's performance may be compared to stock, bond,
and money market mutual fund performance i ndexe s prepared by
Lipper or other organizations. When comparing these in dexes, it
i s 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, the 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.
The fund's performance may also be compared to that of t he
b enchmark index representing the universe of securities in which
the fund may invest. The r etu rn of the index reflects
reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains paid by securities
included in the index. Unlike the fund's returns, however, t he
index's re turns do not reflect brokerage commissions, transaction
fees, or other costs of investing directly in the securities included
in the index.
P uritan may compare its performance to that of the Fidelity
Balanced Composite Index which is a hypothetical representation of the
performance of the fund's general investment categories using a
weighting of 60% equity and 40% bond. The following indexes are used
to calculate the Fidelity Balanced Composite Index: Standard & Poor's
500 Index (S&P 500) for the equity category and the Lehman
Br others Aggregate Bond Index for the bond category. The index
weightings of the Fidelity Balanced Composite Index are rebalanced
monthly.
S&P 500 is a market capital ization-we ighted index of common
stocks.
LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE BOND INDEX is a market value-weighted index
for inve stment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including
government, corpora te, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed
securities. Issues included in the index have an outstanding par value
of at least $150 million and maturities of at least one year.
Government and corporate issues include all public obligations of the
U.S. Treasury (excluding flower bonds and foreign-targeted issues) and
U.S. Government agencies, as well as nonconvertible investment-grade,
SEC-registered corporate debt. Mortgage-backed securities include 15-
and 30-year fixed-rate securities backed by mortgage pools of the
Government Nationa l Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), and Fannie Mae . Asset-backed
securities include credit card, auto, and home equity loans.
The fund may compare its perfor mance to that of the Standard &
Poor's 500 Index, a market capitalization-weighted index of common
stocks.
Puritan may compare its performance to the Lehman Brothers Aggregate
Bond Index, a market value-weight ed index for investment-grade
fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed,
and mortgage-backed securities. Issues included in the index have an
outstanding par value of at least $1 5 0 million and
maturities of at least one year. Government and corporate issues
include all public obligations of the U.S. Treasury (excluding flower
bonds and foreign-targeted issues) and U.S. Government agencies, as
well as nonconvertible investment-grade, SEC-registered corporate
debt. Mortgage-backed securities include 15- and 30-year fixed-rate
securities backed by mortgage pools of the Government National
Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(FHLMC), and Fannie Mae. Asset-backed securities include credit card,
auto, and home equity loans.
The 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, the fund may offer greater liquidity or higher
potential returns than CDs, the 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
ind exes.
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 r eturns in
the same method as the funds. The funds may also compare performance
to that of other compilations or inde xes tha t may be developed
and made available in the future.
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.
The fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. The 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
re turns 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, the fund may also discuss or
illustrate examples of interest rate sensitivity.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate the 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.
The 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.
The fund may be available for purchase through retirement plans or
other programs offering deferral of, or exemption from, income taxes,
which may produce superior after-tax returns over time. For example, a
$1,000 investment earning a taxable return of 10% annually would have
an after-tax value of $1,949 after ten years, assuming tax was
deducted from the return each year at a 31% rate. An equivalent
tax-deferred investment would have an after-tax value of $2,100 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted at a 31% rate from the
tax-deferred earnings at the end of the ten-year period.
As of July 31, 1 999, FMR advised over $__ billion in municipal
fund assets, $__ billion in taxable fixed-income fund assets, $__
billion in money market fund assets, $ ___ billio n in equity
fund assets, $__ billion in international fund assets, and $___
billion in Spartan fund assets. The fund 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.
The fund may be advertised as an investment choice under the Fidelity
College Savings Plan mutual fund option. Advertising may contain
illustrations of projected future college costs based on assumed rates
of inflation and examples of hypothetical performance. Advertising for
the Fidelity College Savings Plan mutual fund option may be used in
conjunction with advertising for the Fidelity College Savings Plan
brokerage option, a product offered through Fidelity Brokerage
Services, Inc.
A DDITIONAL PURCHASE, EXCHANGE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
If the Trustees dete rmine 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 the 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 inconvenien ces.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS. A portion of the fund's income may qualify for the
dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders to
the extent that the fund's income is derived from qualifying
dividends. Because the fund may earn other types of income, such as
interest, short -term capital gains, and non-qualifying
dividends, the percentage of dividends from the fund that qualifies
for the deduction generally will be less than 10 0%. A portion
of the fund's dividends derived from certain U.S. Government
securities and securities of cer ta in other investment companies
may be exempt from state and local taxation.
CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. The fund's long-term capital gain
distributions are federally taxable to shareholders generally as
capital ga ins.
[As of July 31, 19 99, th e fund had a capital loss carryforward
aggregating approximately $____. This loss carryforward, of which
$___, $___, and $___wi l l expire on July 31, 199_, ____, and
____, respectively, is available to offset future capital gains.]
RETURNS OF CAPITAL. If th e fu nd's distributions exceed its
taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all
or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may
be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of
capital distribution will genera lly not be taxable, but will
reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a
higher reported capital gain or lowe r reported capital loss
w hen those shares on which the distribution was received are
sold.
FOREIGN TAX CREDIT OR DEDUCTION. Foreig n governments may
withhold taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund with
respect to foreign securities. Foreign governments may also impose
taxes on other payments or gains with respect to foreign securities.
Because the fund does not currently anticipate that securities of
foreign issuers will constitute more than 50% of its total assets at
the end of its fiscal year, shareholders should not expect to
be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their
federal income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes withheld.
TAX STATUS OF THE FUND. The fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapte r M of the
I nternal R evenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal
tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order
to qualify as a regulated investment compa ny, a nd avoid being
subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund
intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income
and net realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on
a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules
applicable to regulated investment companies.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION. The information above is only a summary of some
of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its
shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax
consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine
whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or
loss or other tax conse quence to you. In addition to federal
income taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on
fund distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local
personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers
to determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax
situa tion .
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of
the trust are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund
and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The
Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout
the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual
arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and
review the fund's performance. Except 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 FM R or its aff iliates. The business address of each
Trustee, Member of the Advisory Board, and officer who is an
"interested person" (as defined in t he 1940 Act) is 82
Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, which is also the
address of FMR. The business address of all the other Trustees is
Fidelity Invest ment s(Registered trademark), 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 3 d (69), T rustee 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.; and a Dire ctor of FDC. Abigail
Johnson, Vice President of Puritan Fund, is Mr. Johnson's
daughter.
ABIGAIL P. JOHNSON (37), is Vice Pre sident of certain Equity
Funds (1997), and is a Director of FMR Corp. (1994). Before assuming
her current responsi bilities, Ms. Johnson managed a number of
Fidelity funds. Edward C. Johnson 3d, Trustee and President of
t he Funds, is Ms. Johnson's father.
J. GARY BURKHEAD ( 58), 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 (67 ), 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 ( 67), 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 (55), 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 a Director of 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). Mr. Gates also is a Trustee of the Forum for International
Policy and of the Endowment Association of the College of William and
Mary. In addition, he is a member of the National Executive Board of
the Boy Scouts of America.
E. BRADLEY JONES (71), 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 ( 66 ), 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
previously served as a Director of General Re Corporation
(reinsuranc e, 198 7-1998) and Valuation Research Corp.
(appraisals and valuations, 1993-1995). He serves as Chairman of the
Board of Directors of National Arts Stabilization Inc., Chairman of
the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital Association, Director
of the Yale-New Haven Health Services Corp. (1998), 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 (5 6), Tr ustee, 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 Ma ge llan(Registered trademark) 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 (65), 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 ( 71), 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 ( 66) , Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the Board,
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 (chemical s, 19 93), Imation Corp. (imaging and
information storage, 1997).
*ROBERT C. POZEN (52), 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 ( 70), T rustee, 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).
RICHA RD A. SPILLANE, JR. (48), is Vice President of certain Equity
Funds and Senior Vice President of FMR (1997). Since joining Fidelity,
Mr. Spillane is Chief Investment Officer for Fidelity
International, Limited. Prior to that position, Mr. Spillane served as
Director of Research.
B ET TINA DOULTON (34), is Vice President of Fidelity Puritan
Fund (1996) and another fund advised by FMR. Since 1993, Ms.
Do ult on has managed a variety of Fidelity funds. Prior to
assuming those responsibilities, Ms. Doulton served as a research
assistant and eq uit y analyst.
ERIC D. ROITER ( 50 ), Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998)
and General Counsel of FMR (1998) and Vice President and Clerk of FDC
(1 998). Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was with the law
firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, as an associate (1981-1984) and as a
partner (1985-1997), and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981). Mr. Roiter was an
Adjunct Member, Faculty of Law, at Columbia University Law School
(1996-1997).
RICHARD A. SILVER (52), 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).
MAT THEW N. KARSTETTER (38), Deputy Treasurer (1998), is Deputy
Treasurer of the Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR (1998).
Before joining FMR, Mr. Karstetter served as Vice President of
Investment Accounting and Treasurer of IDS Mutual Funds at American
Express Financial Advisors (1996-1998). Prior to 1996, Mr. Karstetter
was Vice President, Mutual Fund Services at State Street Bank &
Trust (1991-1996).
JOHN H. COSTELLO (52 ), Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of
FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH (53), Assista nt Tr easurer (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).
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation
of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board of the fund for his
or her services for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1 999, or
calendar year ended December 31, 1998, as applicable.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
COMPENSATION TABLE
Trustees and Members of the Aggregate Compensation from Total Compensation from the
Advisory Board Puritan Fund [B,]C [,D] Fund Complex* A
Edward C. Johnson 3d ** $ 0 $ 0
J. Gary Burkhead ** $ 0 $ 0
Ralph F. Cox $ $ 223,500
Phyllis Burke Davis $ $ 220,500
Robert M. Gates $ $223,500
E. Bradley Jones $ $ 222,000
Donald J. Kirk $ $ 226,500
Peter S. Lynch ** $ 0 $ 0
William O. McCoy $ $ 223,500
Gerald C. McDonough $ $ 273,500
Marvin L. Mann $ $ 220,500
Robert C. Pozen** $ 0 $ 0
Thomas R. Williams $ $223,500
</TABLE>
* Information is for the calendar year ended Decemb er 31, 1998
for 237 funds in the complex.
** Interested Trustees of the fund and Mr. Burkhead are compensated by
FMR.
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, 1998, t he Trustees accrued
required deferred compensation from the funds as follows: Ralph F.
Cox, $75,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $75,000; Robert M. Gate s,
$7 5,000; 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 fol lows: Ral ph F. Cox, $55 ,039;
Marvin L. Mann, $55,039; Thomas R. Williams, $63,433; and William O.
McCoy, $55,039.
[B Compensation figures include c a sh, and may include amounts
required to be deferred and amounts deferred at the election of
T rus tees.]
[C The fol lowing amounts are required to be deferred by each
non-interested Trustee: Ralph F. Cox, $__; Phyllis Burke Davis, $__;
Robe rt M. Gates, $__;] E. Bradley Jones, $__; Donald J. Kirk, $__;
William O. McCoy, $__;] Gerald C. McDonough, $__; Mar vin L.
Mann, $__; and Thomas R. Williams, $__.]
[D Certain o f th e non-interested Trustees' aggregate
compensation from the fund includes accrued voluntary deferred
compensation as follows: [ trustee name, dollar amount of deferred
compensation, fund name]; [trustee name, dollar amount of deferred
compensation, fund name]; and [trustee name, dollar amount of
deferred compensation, fund name].]
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 [], approximately __% of the fund's total outstanding shares
was held by [FMR] [[and] [an] FMR affiliate[s]]. FMR Corp. is the
ultimate parent company of [FMR] [[and] [this/these] FMR
affiliate[s]]. By virtue of his ownership interest in FMR Corp., as
described in the "Control of Investment Adviser[s]" section on page
___, Mr. Edward C. Johnson 3d, President and Trustee of the fund, may
be deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares. As of the above
date, with the exception of Mr. Johnson 3d's deemed ownership of the
fund's shares, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and
officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's total outstanding s har es.]
[As of [], the Truste es , Members of the Advisory Board, and
officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's tota l outstanding shares.]
[As of [], the following o wned o f record or beneficially 5% or
more (up to and including 25%) of the fund's outstanding shares:]
[As of [], approximately ____% of the fun d's total outstanding
shares were held by [].]
[A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a
fund's outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person. That
shareholder's vote could have a more significant effect on matters
presented at a shareholders' meeting than votes of other
shareholder s.]
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR Corp., organized in 1972, is the ultimate parent company of
FMR, FIMM, FMR U.K. and FMR Far East. 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 investment 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.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
The fund has entered into a management contract with FMR, pursuant to
which FMR furnishes investment advisory and other services.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Under the terms of its management contract with
the 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, po licies a nd
limitations. FMR also provides the fund with all necessary office
facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments,
compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are
"interested persons" of the trust or of FMR, and all personnel of the
fund or FMR performing services relating to research, stat istical
a nd investment activities.
In addition, FMR or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services
necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include
providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization;
supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents,
accountants, under writers an d other persons dealing with the
fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting
shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and the
registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing
management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing
reports, evalu ations 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, pricing and bookkeeping agent, and
securities lending agent, as applicable, the fund pays all of its
expenses that are not assumed by those parties. The 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. The 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 the fund's
transfer agent agreement, the transfer agent bears the costs of
providing these services to existing shareholders. Other expenses paid
by the 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. The 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 FEE. For the services of FMR under the management contract,
the 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Assets Annualized Rate Group Net Assets Effective Annual Fee Rate
0 - $3 billion .5200% $ 0.5 billion .5200%
3 - 6 .4900 25 .4238
6 - 9 .4600 50 .3823
9 - 12 .4300 75 .3626
12 - 15 .4000 100 .3512
15 - 18 .3850 125 .3430
18 - 21 .3700 150 .3371
21 - 24 .3600 175 .3325
24 - 30 .3500 200 .3284
30 - 36 .3450 225 .3249
36 - 42 .3400 250 .3219
42 - 48 .3350 275 .3190
48 - 66 .3250 300 .3163
66 - 84 .3200 325 .3137
84 - 102 .3150 350 .3113
102 - 138 .3100 375 .3090
138 - 174 .3050 400 .3067
174 - 210 .3000 425 .3046
210 - 246 .2950 450 .3024
246 - 282 .2900 475 .3003
282 - 318 .2850 500 .2982
318 - 354 .2800 525 .2962
354 - 390 .2750 550 .2942
390 - 426 .2700
426 - 462 .2650
462 - 498 .2600
498 - 534 .2550
Over 534 .2500
</TABLE>
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
rat e at $___ bill ion of group net assets - the approximate
level for July 1 999 - was __%, which is the weighted average of
the respective fee rates for each level of group net assets up to $__
billion.
The fund's individu al fund f ee rate is 0.15%. Based on the
average group net assets of the funds advised by FMR for July 1999,
the 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
Puritan Fund 0.___% + 0.15% = 0.___%
</TABLE>
One-twelfth of t he mana gement fee rate is applied to the fund's
average net assets for the month, giving a dollar amount which is the
fee for that month.
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid FMR manage ment fees of $_________, $____________, and
$__________, respectively.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of
the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes,
securitie s lending fees, brokerage commissions, and
extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision or termination.
FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements
in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of
the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fun d's returns and
yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lowe r
its returns a nd yield.
SUB-ADVISERS. On behalf of the fund , FMR has entered into a
sub-advisory agreement with FIMM pursuant to which FIMM has
responsibility for choosing certain types of inve stments for the
fund.
Under the terms of the sub-advisory agreement for the fund, FMR
pays FIMM fees equal to 50% of the management fee payable to FMR with
respect to that portion of the fund's assets that are managed by FIMM.
The fees paid to FIMM are not reduced by any voluntary or
manda tory expe ns e reimbursements that may be in effect from
time to time.
On behalf of the fun d, f or the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999,
FMR paid FIMM a fee of $______.
On behalf of Puritan, FMR has entered into sub-advisory
agreements with FMR U.K. and FMR Far East. Pursuant to the
sub-advisory agreements, FMR may receive investment advice and
research services outside the United States from the sub-advisers.
On behalf of the fund, FMR may also grant F MR U.K. and FMR Far
East investment management authority as well as the authority
to buy and sell securities if FMR believes it would be
beneficial to the fund.
Under the sub-advi so ry agreements FMR pays the fees of FMR U.K.
and FMR Far East. For providing non-discretionary investment advice
and research services, FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East fees equal
to 110% and 105%, respectively, of FMR U.K.'s and FMR Far East's costs
incurred in connection with providing investment advice and research
services.
On behalf of the fund, for providing discretionary investment
management and executing portfolio transactions, FMR pays FMR U.K. and
FMR Far East a fee equal to 50% of its monthly management fee rate
with respect to the fund's average net assets managed by the
sub-adviser on a discretionary basis.
For providing investment advice and research services, fees paid to
FMR U. K. and FMR Far East for the past three fiscal years are
shown in the table below.
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, no fees were paid to FMR U.K. and FMR Far East o n
behalf of the fund for the past three fiscal years.]
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, fees paid to FMR U.K. and FMR Far East for the pa st
three fiscal years are shown in the table below.
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
[No fe es were paid to FM R U.K. and FMR Far East on behalf of
the fund for the past three fiscal years.]
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an
affiliate of FMR. 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 agreement
calls for FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other
business, to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are
continuously offered at NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses
in connection with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan on
behalf of the fund (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act (the Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund may
not engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that is
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund except
pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The
Plan, as approved by the Trustees, allows the fund and FMR to incur
certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect
payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
Under the 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. The Plan
specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenue,
as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay FDC for
expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to
result in the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services.
In addition, the Plan provides that FMR, directly or through FDC, may
pay intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers and other
service-providers, that provide those services. Currently, the Board
of Trustees has authorized such payments for Puritan shares.
[Payments made by FMR either directly or through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended 1999 amounted to $____ for
Puritan.]
[FMR made no payments either directly or through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended 1999.]
Prior to approving the Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all
pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and
determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will
benefit the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees
noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by the fund other than
those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund. To the
extent that the Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in
connection with the distribution of fund shares, additional sales of
fund shares or stabilization of cash flows may result. Furthermore,
certain shareholder support services may be provided more effectively
under the Plan by local entities with whom shareholders have other
relationships.
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 fund 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.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plan. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with FSC, an
affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreement, FSC performs
transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder services for the
fund.
For providing transfer agency services, FSC receives an account fee
and an asset-based fee each paid monthly with respect to each account
in the 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 ty pe and fun d type. The account fees are
subject to increase based on postage rate changes.
The asset-based fees are subject to adjustment if the year-to-date
total return of the S&P 500 exceeds a positive or negative 15%.
FSC also collects small account fees from certain accounts with
balances of less than $2,500.
In addition, FSC receives the pro rata portion of the transfer agency
fees applicable to shareholder accounts in a qualified state tuition
program (QSTP), as defined under the Small Business Job Protection Act
of 1996, managed by FMR or an affiliate and in each Fidelity Freedom
Fu nd and Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund, funds of funds
managed by an FMR affiliate, according to the percenta ge of the
QSTP's, Freedom Fund's or Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund's assets
that is invested in the fund, subject to certain limitations in the
case of Fidelity Four-in- One Index 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.
The fund has also entered into a service agent agreement with FSC.
Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends
for the fund, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting
records, and administers the fund's securities lending program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly
fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
The ann ual rate s for pricing and bookkeeping services for the
fund are 0.0450% of the first $500 million of average net assets,
0.0265% of average net assets between $500 million and $3
billion, and 0.0010% of average net assets in excess of $3 billion.
The fee, not inc ludin g reimbursement for out-of-pocket
expenses, is limited to a minimu m of $60,000 per year.
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
pai d FSC pricing and bookkeeping fees, including reimbursement for
related out-of-pocket expenses, of $____, $____, and $____,
respective ly.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC receives
fees based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
[F or the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid securities lending fees of $__, $__, and $__, respectively.]
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST ORGANIZATION. Fidelity Puritan Fund is a fund of Fidelity
Puritan Trust, an open-end management investment company org anized
as a Massachusetts business trust on October 1, 1984. Currently,
there are four funds in the trust: Fidelity Balanced Fund,
Fidelity Global Balanced Fund, Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund and
Fidelity Puritan Fund. The Truste es are permitted to create
additional fund s in the trust.
The asset s of the trust received for the issue or sale of
shares of each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds
thereof, subje ct to the rights of creditors, are allocated to
such fund, and constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The
underlying assets of each fund in the trus t shall be charged
with the liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any
general expenses of the trust shall be allocated between or among any
one or more of the funds.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. Th e trust i s an entity commonly known as
a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law,
shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held
personally liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Dec laration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and
expenses of the trust or fund. The Declaration of Trust provides that
the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the
payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each
agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the
trust or the Trustees relatin g to the trust or to a fund shall
include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the
trust or to one or more funds and its or their assets. The
Declaration of Trust further provides that shareholders of a fund
shall not have a claim on or right to any assets belonging to any
other f und.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each
fund's property of any shareholder or for mer shar eholder held
personally liable for th e obligations of the fund solely by reason
of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of
his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The
Declaration of Trust also provides that each fund shall, upon request,
assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any
act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus,
the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund
itself would be unable to meet its o bligations. FMR believes that,
in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders
is remote.
VOTING RIGHTS. Ea ch fund's capital consists of shares of
beneficial interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one
vote for each dolla r of net asset value that you own. The
voting rights of shareholders can be changed only by a shareholder
vote. Shares may be voted in the agg regate , by fund and by
class.
The shares hav e no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are
fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading
"Shareholder Liability" above.
The trust or any o f its funds may be terminated upon the sale of
its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management investment
company or series thereof, or upon liquidation and distribution of its
assets. Generally, the merger of the trust or a fund with another
entity or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the trust or
a fund to another entity requires approval by a vote of shareholders
of the trust or the fund. The Trustees may, however, reorganize or
terminate the trust or any of its funds without prior shareholder
approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the trust,
shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the
underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the
event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund, shareholders of
that fund are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the
fund available for distribution.
CUSTODIAN. The Chase Manhattan Bank, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New
York, New York, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian
is responsible for the safekeeping of a fund's assets and the
appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agenc i es.
The Ba nk of N ew York, headquartered in New York, also may serve
as a special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with
repurchase agreement transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, and
members of the Board of Trustees may, from time to time,
conduct transactions with various banks, including banks serving as
custodians for certain funds advised by FMR. Transactions that have
occurred to date include mortgages and personal and general business
loans. In the judgment of FMR, the terms and conditions of those
transactions were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or
other fund relationships.
AUDITOR. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 16 0 Federal Street,
B oston, Massachusetts, serves as independent accountant for the
fund. The auditor examines financial statements for the fund and
provides other audit, tax, and related services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 19 99 , and report of the auditor, are
included in the fund's annual repor t and are incorporated
herein by reference.
APPENDIX
Puritan, Fidelity , Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design,
Fidelity Focus, Fidelity Investments, and Magellan are registered
trademarks of FMR Corp.
THE THIRD PARTY MARKS APPEARING ABOVE ARE THE MARKS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Like securities of all mutual
funds, these securities have
not been approved or
disapproved by the
Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the
Securities and Exchange
Commission has not
determined if this
prospectus is accurate or
complete. Any
representation to the
contrary is a criminal
offense.
FIDELITY(registered trademark)
GLOBAL BALANCED
FUND
(fund number 334, trading symbol FGBLX)
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
CONTENTS
FUND SUMMARY 3 INVESTMENT SUMMARY
3 PERFORMANCE
4 FEE TABLE
FUND BASICS 5 INVESTMENT DETAILS
6 VALUING SHARES
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 6 BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
13 EXCHANGING SHARES
13 ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
16 DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN
DISTRIBUTIONS
16 TAX CONSEQUENCES
FUND SERVICES 16 FUND MANAGEMENT
17 FUND DISTRIBUTION
APPENDIX 17 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FUND SUMMARY
INVESTMENT SUMMARY
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. Global Balanced Fund seeks income and capital
growth consistent with reasonable risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES. Fidelity Management & Research
Company (FMR)'s principal investment strategies include:
(small solid bullet) Investing in equity and debt securities,
including lower-quality debt securities issued anywhere in the world.
(small solid bullet) Investing at least 25% of the fund's total assets
in fixed-income senior securities (including debt securities and
preferred stock).
(small solid bullet) Allocating investments across countries and
regions considering the size of the market in each country relative to
the size of the world market as a whole.
(small solid bullet) Analyzing a security's issuer using fundamental
factors and evaluating each security's current price relative to
estimated long-term value in selecting investments.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS. The fund is subject to the following
principal investment risks:
(small solid bullet) STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. Stock markets are
volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer,
political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Different
parts of the market can react differently to these developments.
(small solid bullet) INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Interest rate increases
can cause the price of a debt security to decrease.
(small solid bullet) FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign markets, particularly
emerging markets, can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to
increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or
economic developments and can perform differently than the U.S.
market.
(small solid bullet) PREPAYMENT. The ability of an issuer of a debt
security to repay principal prior to a security's maturity can cause
greater price volatility if interest rates change.
(small solid bullet) ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. The value of an
individual security or particular type of security can be more
volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than
the value of the market as a whole. Lower-quality debt securities
(those of less than investment-grade quality) can be more volatile due
to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory,
market or economic developments.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency.
When you sell your shares of the fund, they could be worth more or
less than what you paid for them.
PERFORMANCE
The following information illustrates the changes in the fund's
performance from year to year and compares the fund's performance to
the performance of a market index and an average of the performance of
similar funds over various periods of time. The fund also compares its
performance to the performance of an additional index over various
periods of time. Returns are based on past results and are not an
indication of future performance.
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS
GLOBAL BALANCED
Calendar Years 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
% % % % %
Percentage (%)
Row: 1, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 2, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 3, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 4, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 5, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 6, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 7, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 8, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 9, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 10, Col: 1, Value: nil
DURING THE PERIOD SHOWN IN THE CHART FOR GLOBAL BALANCED, THE HIGHEST
RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS __% (QUARTER ENDING [MONTH][DATE], [YEAR])
AND THE LOWEST RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS __% (QUARTER ENDING
[MONTH][DATE], [YEAR]).
THE YEAR-TO-DATE RETURN AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 FOR GLOBAL BALANCED WAS
__%.
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
For the periods ended Past 1 year Past 5 years Life of fundA,B
December 31, 1998
Global Balanced % % %
Morgan Stanley Capital Int'l. % % %
World Index
SB World Gov't. Bond Index, % % %
Unhedged
Lipper Global Flexible Port. % % %
Funds Average
A BEGINNING JANUARY 1 OF THE CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE FUND'S
COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
B FROM JANUARY 1, 1994.
Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index is a market
capitalization-weighted index that is designed to represent the
performance of developed stock markets throughout the world. As of
December 31, 1998, the index included over ___ equity securities of
companies domiciled in ____ countries.
Salomon Brothers World Government Bond Index is a market
value-weighted index of debt issues traded in 14 world government bond
markets.
Lipper Global Flexible Portfolio Funds Average reflects the
performance (excluding sales charges) of mutual funds with similar
objectives.
FEE TABLE
The following table describes the fees and expenses that are incurred
when you buy, hold, or sell shares of the fund. [The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund do not reflect the
effect of any reduction of certain expenses during the period.] [The
annual fund operating expenses provided below for the fund are based
on historical expenses.]
SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID BY THE INVESTOR DIRECTLY)
Sales charge (load) on None
purchases and reinvested
distributions
Deferred sales charge (load) None
on redemptions
Annual account maintenance $12.00
fee (for accounts under
$2,500)
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management fee %
Distribution and Service None
(12b-1) fee
Other expenses %
Total annual fund operating %
expenses
[A portion of the brokerage commissions that the fund pays is used to
reduce the fund's expenses. [In addition,] [T/t]he 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 would have been __%.]
This EXAMPLE helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Let's say, hypothetically, that the fund's annual return is 5% and
that your shareholder fees and the fund's annual operating expenses
are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates
the effect of fees and expenses, but is not meant to suggest actual or
expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For
every $10,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total
expenses if you close your account after the number of years
indicated:
1 year $
3 years $
5 years $
10 years $
FUND BASICS
INVESTMENT DETAILS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:
GLOBAL BALANCED FUND seeks income and capital growth consistent with
reasonable risk.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
FMR invests the fund's assets in equity and debt securities, including
lower-quality debt securities issued anywhere in the world, including
the United States. The proportions of the fund's assets invested in
each type of security vary based on FMR's interpretation of economic
conditions and underlying security values. However, FMR always invests
at least 25% of the fund's total assets in fixed-income senior
securities (including debt securities and preferred stock).
FMR normally diversifies the fund's investments across different
countries and regions. In allocating the fund's investments across
countries and regions, FMR will consider the size of the market in
each country and region relative to the size of the world market as a
whole.
In buying and selling securities for the fund, FMR generally analyzes
the issuer of a security using fundamental factors (e.g., growth
potential, earnings estimates and management) and evaluates each
security's current price relative to its estimated long-term value.
FMR may lend the fund's securities to broker-dealers or other
institutions to earn income for the fund.
FMR may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures
contracts, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing
security prices, interest rates or other factors that affect security
values. If FMR's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not
achieve its objective.
DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL SECURITY TYPES:
EQUITY SECURITIES represent an ownership interest, or the right to
acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Different types of equity
securities provide different voting and dividend rights and priority
in the event of the bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity securities
include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and
warrants.
DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer
usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and must
repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt
securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay interest but are
sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include
corporate bonds, government securities, and mortgage and other
asset-backed securities.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS:
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price
changes daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates
and in response to other economic, political or financial
developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be
affected by the types of the securities in which the fund invests, the
financial condition, industry and economic sector, and geographic
location of an issuer, and the fund's level of investment in the
securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares of the fund, they
could be worth more or less than what you paid for them.
The following factors may significantly affect the fund's performance:
STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. The value of equity securities fluctuates in
response to issuer, political, market and economic developments. In
the short term, equity prices can fluctuate dramatically in response
to these developments. Different parts of the market and different
types of equity securities can react differently to these
developments. For example, large cap stocks can react differently than
small cap stocks, and "growth" stocks can react differently than
"value" stocks. Issuer, political or economic developments can affect
a single issuer, issuers within an industry or economic sector or
geographic region, or the market as a whole.
INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Debt securities have varying levels of
sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a
debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when
interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage
securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes.
FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and
securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations
can involve additional risks relating to political, economic or
regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include
fluctuations in foreign currencies; withholding or other taxes;
trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks; and the
less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some
foreign markets. For example, many foreign countries are less prepared
than the United States to properly process and calculate information
related to dates from and after January 1, 2000, which could result in
difficulty pricing foreign investments and failure by foreign issuers
to pay timely dividends, interest or principal. All of these factors
can make foreign investments, especially those in emerging markets,
more volatile and potentially less liquid than U.S. investments. In
addition, foreign markets can perform differently than the U.S.
market.
Investing in emerging markets involves risks in addition to and
greater than those generally associated with investing in more
developed foreign markets. The extent of foreign development;
political stability; market depth, infrastructure and capitalization;
and regulatory oversight are generally less than in more developed
markets. Emerging market economies can be subject to greater social,
economic, regulatory and political uncertainties. All of these factors
can make emerging market securities more volatile and potentially less
liquid than securities issued in more developed markets.
PREPAYMENT. Many types of debt securities, including mortgage
securities, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the
issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security's
maturity. Securities subject to prepayment generally offer less
potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and
similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate
environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features
on the price of a debt security can be difficult to predict and result
in greater volatility.
ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. Changes in the financial condition of an
issuer, changes in specific economic or political conditions that
affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general
economic or political conditions can affect the credit quality or
value of an issuer's securities. The value of securities of smaller,
less well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger
issuers. Lower-quality debt securities (those of less than
investment-grade quality) tend to be more sensitive to these changes
than higher-quality debt securities.
Lower-quality debt securities involve greater risk of default or price
changes due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer. The value
of lower-quality debt securities often fluctuates in response to
company, political or economic developments and can decline
significantly over short periods of time or during periods of general
or regional economic difficulty.
In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, FMR
may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive
purposes. If FMR does so, different factors could affect the fund's
performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change
only by shareholder approval.
GLOBAL BALANCED FUND seeks income and capital growth consistent with
reasonable risk.
VALUING SHARES
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. Fidelity normally calculates the fund's NAV as of the close of
business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. However, NAV
may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as
permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund's
assets are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing the
fund's NAV.
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on
days when the NYSE is closed, the value of the fund's assets may be
affected on days when the fund is not open for business. In addition,
trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the
fund is open for business.
The fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of market
quotations. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of
amortized cost. If market quotations are not readily available for a
security or if a security's value has been materially affected by
events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which
the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or
market), that security may be valued by another method that the Board
of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. A security's
valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining
value.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fidelity Investments(registered trademark) 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.
For account, product and service information, please use the following
Web site and phone numbers:
(small solid bullet) For information over the Internet, visit
Fidelity's Web site at www.fidelity.com.
(small solid bullet) For accessing account information automatically
by phone, use TouchTone Xpress(registered trademark), 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For exchanges and redemptions, 1-800-544-7777.
(small solid bullet) For account assistance, 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and retirement information,
1-800-544-8888.
(small solid bullet) For brokerage information, 1-800-544-7272.
(small solid bullet) TDD - Service for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired,
1-800-544-0118 (9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Please use the following addresses:
BUYING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 770001
Cincinnati, OH 45277-0002
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
2300 Litton Lane - KH1A
Hebron, KY 41048
SELLING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 660602
Dallas, TX 75266-0602
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
Attn: Redemptions - CP6I
400 East Las Colinas Blvd.
Irving, TX 75039-5517
You may buy or sell shares of the fund through a retirement account or
an investment professional. If you invest through a retirement account
or an investment professional, the procedures for buying, selling and
exchanging shares of the fund and the account features and policies
may differ. Additional fees may also apply to your investment in the
fund, including a transaction fee if you buy or sell shares of the
fund through a broker or other investment professional.
Certain methods of contacting Fidelity, such as by telephone or
electronically, may be unavailable or delayed (for example, during
periods of unusual market activity). In addition, the level and type
of service available may be restricted based on criteria established
by Fidelity.
The different ways to set up (register) your account with Fidelity are
listed in the following table.
WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT TENANT
FOR YOUR GENERAL INVESTMENT NEEDS
RETIREMENT
FOR TAX-ADVANTAGED RETIREMENT SAVINGS
(solid bullet) TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS)
(solid bullet) ROTH IRAS
(solid bullet) ROLLOVER IRAS
(solid bullet) 401(K) PLANS AND CERTAIN OTHER 401(A)-QUALIFIED PLANS
(solid bullet) KEOGH PLANS
(solid bullet) SIMPLE IRAS
(solid bullet) SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS (SEP-IRAS)
(solid bullet) SALARY REDUCTION SEP-IRAS (SARSEPS)
(solid bullet) 403(B) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS
(solid bullet) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (457 PLANS)
GIFTS OR TRANSFERS TO A MINOR (UGMA, UTMA)
TO INVEST FOR A CHILD'S EDUCATION OR OTHER FUTURE NEEDS
TRUST
FOR MONEY BEING INVESTED BY A TRUST
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION
FOR INVESTMENT NEEDS OF CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS OR
OTHER GROUPS
BUYING SHARES
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's NAV. The fund's
shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be bought at the next NAV calculated after your
investment is received in proper form.
Short-term or excessive trading into and out of the fund may harm
performance by disrupting portfolio management strategies and by
increasing expenses. Accordingly, the fund may reject any purchase
orders, including exchanges, particularly from market timers or
investors who, in FMR's opinion, have a pattern of short-term or
excessive trading or whose trading has been or may be disruptive to
the fund. For these purposes, FMR may consider an investor's trading
history in the fund or other Fidelity funds, and accounts under common
ownership or control.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only
on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
(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) Fidelity 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 the fund or
Fidelity has incurred.
Certain financial institutions that have entered into sales agreements
with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) may enter confirmed
purchase orders on behalf of customers by phone, with payment to
follow no later than the time when the fund is priced on the following
business day. If payment is not received by that time, the order will
be canceled and the financial institution could be held liable for
resulting fees or losses.
MINIMUMS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $250
Through regular investment plans $100
MINIMUM BALANCE $2,000
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
A FIDELITY TRADITIONAL IRA, ROTH IRA, ROLLOVER IRA, SEP-IRA, AND KEOGH
ACCOUNTS.
There is no minimum account balance or initial or subsequent purchase
minimum for investments through Fidelity Portfolio Advisory
ServicesSM, a qualified state tuition program, certain Fidelity
retirement accounts funded through salary deduction, or accounts
opened with the proceeds of distributions from such retirement
accounts. In addition, the fund may waive or lower purchase minimums
in other circumstances.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money
Line(registered trademark)
to transfer from your bank
account.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Complete
and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address
under "Mail" below.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer from your bank
account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
P.O. BOX 770001 CINCINNATI, (small solid bullet) Complete
OH 45277-0002 and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address at
left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Make
your check payable to the
complete name of the fund.
Indicate your fund account
number on your check and
mail to the address at left.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Send a letter of instruction
to the address at left,
including your name, the
funds' names, the fund
account numbers, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be exchanged.
IN PERSON TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your application and check
to a Fidelity Investor
Center. Call 1-800-544-9797
for the center nearest you.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your check to a Fidelity
Investor Center. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
WIRE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-7777 to set up
your account and to arrange
a wire transaction.
(small solid bullet) Wire
within 24 hours to: Bankers
Trust Company, Bank Routing
# 021001033, Account #
00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your new
fund account number and your
name.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Wire to:
Bankers Trust Company, Bank
Routing # 021001033, Account
# 00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your fund
account number and your name.
AUTOMATICALLY TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Not
available.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Account
Builder(registered
trademark) or Direct Deposit.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Exchange
Service to exchange from a
Fidelity money market fund.
SELLING SHARES
The price to sell one share of the fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order
is received in proper form.
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 sell 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.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
(small solid bullet) If you are selling some but not all of your
shares, leave at least $2,000 worth of shares in the account to keep
it open ($500 for retirement accounts), except accounts not subject to
account minimums.
(small solid bullet) Normally, Fidelity will process redemptions by
the next business day, but Fidelity may take up to seven days to
process redemptions if making immediate payment would adversely affect
the fund.
(small solid bullet) Redemption proceeds (other than exchanges) may be
delayed until money from prior purchases sufficient to cover your
redemption has been received and collected. This can take up to seven
business days after a purchase.
(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) Redemption proceeds may be paid in securities or
other assets rather than in cash if the Board of Trustees determines
it is in the best interests of the fund.
(small solid bullet) You will not receive interest on amounts
represented by uncashed redemption checks.
(small solid bullet) Unless otherwise instructed, Fidelity will send a
check to the record address.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 (small solid bullet) Call the
phone number at left to
initiate a wire transaction
or to request a check for
your redemption.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM (small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
P.O. BOX 660602 DALLAS, TX SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
75266-0602 UTMA
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
your name, the fund's name,
your fund account number,
and the dollar amount or
number of shares to be sold.
The letter of instruction
must be signed by all
persons required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Call
1-800-544-6666 to request one.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the trust's name, the fund's
name, the trust's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the firm's name, the fund's
name, the firm's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-6666 for
instructions.
IN PERSON INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
UTMA
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
letter of instruction must
be signed by all persons
required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center to
request one. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center for
instructions. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
AUTOMATICALLY (small solid bullet) Use
Personal Withdrawal Service
to set up periodic
redemptions from your account.
EXCHANGING SHARES
An exchange involves the redemption of all or a portion of the shares
of one fund and the purchase of shares of another fund.
As a shareholder, you have the privilege of exchanging shares of the
fund for shares of other Fidelity funds.
However, you should note the following policies and restrictions
governing exchanges:
(small solid bullet) The fund you are exchanging into must be
available for sale in your state.
(small solid bullet) You may exchange only 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) Exchanges may have tax consequences for you.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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 will be counted together for purposes of the four
exchange limit.
(small solid bullet) The exchange limit may be modified for accounts
held by certain institutional retirement plans to conform to plan
exchange limits and Department of Labor regulations. See your plan
materials for further information.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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.
The fund may terminate or modify the exchange privilege in the future.
Other funds may have different exchange restrictions, and may impose
trading fees of up to 3.00% of the amount exchanged. Check each fund's
prospectus for details.
ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
FEATURES
The following features are available to buy and sell shares of the
fund.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS. Fidelity offers
convenient services that let you automatically transfer money into
your account, between accounts, or out of your account. While
automatic investment programs 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 retirement, a home, educational expenses,
and other long-term financial goals. Automatic withdrawal or exchange
programs can be a convenient way to provide a consistent income flow
or to move money between your investments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC ACCOUNT
BUILDER TO MOVE MONEY FROM
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO A
FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly or quarterly (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account,
complete the appropriate
section on the fund
application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for existing accounts,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
application.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
investment date.
DIRECT DEPOSIT TO SEND ALL OR
A PORTION OF YOUR PAYCHECK
OR GOVERNMENT CHECK TO A
FIDELITY FUND.A
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Every pay period (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account, check
the appropriate box on the
fund application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for an existing account,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
authorization form.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes you will need a new
authorization form. Call
1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site to
obtain one.
A BECAUSE ITS SHARE PRICE
FLUCTUATES, THE FUND MAY NOT
BE AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE FOR
DIRECT DEPOSIT OF YOUR
ENTIRE CHECK.
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
SERVICE TO MOVE MONEY FROM A
FIDELITY MONEY MARKET FUND
TO ANOTHER FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly, bimonthly, (small solid bullet) To set
quarterly, or annually up, call 1-800-544-6666
after both accounts are
opened.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
exchange date.
PERSONAL WITHDRAWAL SERVICE
TO SET UP PERIODIC
REDEMPTIONS FROM YOUR
ACCOUNT TO YOU OR TO YOUR
BANK ACCOUNT.
FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
Monthly (small solid bullet) To set
up, call 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-6666 at least
three business days prior to
your next scheduled
withdrawal date.
</TABLE>
OTHER FEATURES. The following other features are also available to buy
and sell shares of the fund.
WIRE
TO PURCHASE AND SELL SHARES VIA THE FEDERAL RESERVE WIRE SYSTEM.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Wire feature before
using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application when
opening your account, or call 1-800-544-7777 to add the feature after
your account is opened. Call 1-800-544-7777 before your first use to
verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) To sell shares by wire, you must designate the
U.S. commercial bank account(s) into which you wish the redemption
proceeds deposited.
FIDELITY MONEY LINE
TO TRANSFER MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AND YOUR FUND ACCOUNT.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Money Line feature
before using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application
and then call 1-800-544-7777 or visit Fidelity's Web site before your
first use to verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) Most transfers are complete within three business
days of your call.
(small solid bullet) Minimum purchase: $100
(small solid bullet) Maximum purchase: $100,000
FIDELITY ON-LINE XPRESS+(registered trademark)
TO MANAGE YOUR INVESTMENTS THROUGH YOUR PC.
CALL 1-800-544-7272 OR VISIT FIDELITY'S WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) For access to research and analysis tools.
FIDELITY ONLINE TRADING
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT OVER THE INTERNET AT FIDELITY'S WEB
SITE.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) To access third-party research on companies,
stocks, mutual funds and the market.
TOUCHTONE XPRESS
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY BY PHONE.
CALL 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) To review orders and mutual fund activity; and
(small solid bullet) To change your personal identification number
(PIN).
POLICIES
The following policies apply to you as a shareholder.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS that Fidelity sends to you include the
following:
(small solid bullet) Confirmation statements (after transactions
affecting your account balance except reinvestment of distributions in
the fund or another fund and certain transactions through automatic
investment or withdrawal programs).
(small solid bullet) Monthly or quarterly account statements
(detailing account balances and all transactions completed during the
prior month or quarter).
(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 Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544 if you
need additional copies of financial reports or prospectuses.
Electronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are
available at Fidelity's Web site. To participate in Fidelity's
electronic delivery program, call Fidelity or visit Fidelity's Web
site for more information.
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 conducted through the Internet, Fidelity
recommends the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. You
should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately
after you receive them. If you do not want the ability to sell and
exchange by telephone, call Fidelity for instructions.
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 the fund to withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and
redemptions.
Fidelity may 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 Fidelity, 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
accounts with Fidelity maintained by Fidelity Service Company, Inc. 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 $2,000 (except accounts not
subject to account minimums), you will be given 30 days' notice to
reestablish the minimum balance. If you do not increase your balance,
Fidelity may close your account and send the proceeds to you. Your
shares will be sold at the NAV on the day your account is closed.
Fidelity may charge a FEE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, such as providing
historical account documents.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its
investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to
shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from
its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to
shareholders as capital gain distributions.
The fund normally pays dividends and capital gain distributions in
September and December.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
When you open an account, specify on your application how you want to
receive your distributions. The following options may be available for
the fund's distributions:
1. REINVESTMENT OPTION. Your dividends 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 in additional shares of the fund. Your
dividends will be paid in cash.
3. CASH OPTION. Your dividends and capital gain distributions will be
paid in cash.
4. DIRECTED DIVIDENDS(registered trademark) OPTION. Your dividends
will be automatically invested in shares of another identically
registered Fidelity fund. Your capital gain distributions will be
automatically invested in shares of another identically registered
Fidelity fund, automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
fund, or paid in cash.
Not all distribution options are available for every account. If the
option you prefer is not listed on your account application, or if you
want to change your current option, call Fidelity.
If you elect to receive distributions paid in cash by check and the
U.S. Postal Service does not deliver your checks, your distribution
option may be converted to the Reinvestment Option. You will not
receive interest on amounts represented by uncashed distribution
checks.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax
consequences for you. If you are not investing through a
tax-advantaged retirement account, you should consider these tax
consequences.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributions you receive from the fund are
subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or
local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, the fund's dividends and distributions of
short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. The
fund's distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you
generally as capital gains.
If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed
income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the
full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price
back in the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be
taxable to you when you receive them, regardless of your distribution
option.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS. Your redemptions, including exchanges, may
result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital
gain or loss on your investment in the fund is the difference between
the cost of your shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
FUND SERVICES
FUND MANAGEMENT
Global Balanced is a mutual fund, an investment that pools
shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
FMR is the fund's manager.
As of [month] [day] [year], FMR had approximately $__ billion in
discretionary assets under management.
As the manager, FMR is responsible for choosing the fund's investments
and handling its business affairs.
Affiliates assist FMR with foreign investments:
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR
U.K.), in London, England, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
U.K. was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and advice
to FMR. Currently, FMR U.K. provides investment research and advice on
issuers based outside the United States and may also provide
investment advisory services for Global Balanced.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research Far East Inc. (FMR
Far East), in Tokyo, Japan, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
Far East was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and
advice to FMR. Currently, FMR Far East provides investment research
and advice on issuers based outside the United States and may also
provide investment advisory services for Global Balanced.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity International Investment Advisors
(FIIA), in Pembroke, Bermuda, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. As
of [month] [day], [year], FIIA had approximately $___ in discretionary
assets under management. Currently, FIIA provides investment research
and advice on issuers based outside the United States and may also
provide investment advisory services for Global Balanced.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.)
Limited (FIIA(U.K.)L), in London, England, serves as a sub-adviser for
the fund. As of [month] [day], [year], FIIA(U.K.)L had approximately
$___ in discretionary assets under management. Currently, FIIA(U.K.)L
provides investment research and advice on issuers based outside the
United States and may also provide investment advisory services for
Global Balanced.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Investment Japan Ltd. (FIJ), in Tokyo,
Japan, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. As of [month] [day],
[year], FIJ had approximately $___ in discretionary assets under
management. Currently, FIJ provides investment research and advice on
issuers based outside the United States and may also provide
investment advisory services for Global Balanced.
The fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by
FMR and other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information from and after January 1, 2000. FMR has
advised the fund that it is actively working on necessary changes to
its computer systems and expects that its systems, and those of other
major service providers, will be modified prior to January 1, 2000.
However, there can be no assurance that there will be no adverse
impact on the fund.
Richard Mace is Vice President and manager of Global Balanced, which
he has managed since March 1996. He also manages several other
Fidelity funds. Since joining Fidelity in 1987, Mr. Mace has worked as
a manager and analyst.
From time to time a manager, analyst or other Fidelity employee may
express views regarding a particular company, security, industry or
market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of
only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily
represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity
organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based
upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any
responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on
as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity
fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an
indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
investment accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that establishes
procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
The fund pays a management fee to FMR. 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, dividing by
twelve, and multiplying the result by the fund's average net assets
throughout the month.
The group fee rate is based on the average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by FMR. This rate cannot rise above 0.52%, and it
drops as total assets under management increase.
For July 1999, the group fee rate was __%. The individual fund fee
rate is 0.45%.
The total management fee for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, was
__% of the fund's average net assets.
FMR pays FMR U.K., FMR Far East, FIJ and FIIA for providing assistance
with investment advisory services, and FIIA in turn pays FIIA(U.K.)L.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the fund for management
fees and other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the
ability to be repaid by the fund if expenses fall below the specified
limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement arrangements,
which may be terminated by FMR at any time, can decrease the fund's
expenses and boost its performance.
[As of July 31, 1999, approximately ____% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by [FMR/FMR and [an] FMR
affiliate[s]/[an] FMR affiliate[s].]
FUND DISTRIBUTION
FDC distributes the fund's shares.
The fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that recognizes that
FMR may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits
or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses
incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in
the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services. FMR,
directly or through FDC, may pay intermediaries, such as banks,
broker-dealers and other service-providers, that provide those
services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such
payments.
To receive payments made pursuant to a Distribution and Service Plan,
intermediaries must sign the appropriate agreement with FDC in
advance.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions in a manner that takes into
account the sale of shares of the fund, provided that the fund
receives brokerage services and commission rates comparable to those
of other broker-dealers.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any representations,
other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related
statement of additional information (SAI), in connection with the
offer contained in this prospectus. If given or made, such other
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the fund or FDC. This prospectus and the related SAI do
not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to sell shares of the
fund to or to buy shares of the fund from any person to whom it is
unlawful to make such offer.
APPENDIX
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the
fund's financial history for the past 5 years. Certain information
reflects financial results for a single fund share. Total returns for
each period include the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions. This information has been audited by
________________________, independent accountants, whose report, along
with the fund's financial highlights and financial statements, are
included in the fund's annual report. A free copy of the annual report
is available upon request.
[Financial Highlights to be filed by subsequent amendment.]
You can obtain additional information about the fund. The fund's SAI
includes more detailed information about the fund and its investments.
The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (legally forms a part of
the prospectus). The fund's annual and semi-annual reports include a
discussion of the fund's holdings and recent market conditions and the
fund's investment strategies that affected performance.
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other
information or ask questions about the fund, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-8544. In addition, you may visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com for a free copy of a prospectus or an annual or
semi-annual report or to request other information.
The SAI, the fund's annual and semi-annual reports and other related
materials are available on the SEC's Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov). You can obtain copies of this information upon
paying a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of
the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. You can also review and copy
information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, at the SEC's
Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for
information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, FILE NUMBER, 811-649
Fidelity, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, Fidelity
Investments, TouchTone Xpress, Fidelity Money Line, Fidelity
Automatic Account Builder, Fidelity On-Line Express+, and Directed
Dividends are registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
Portfolio Advisory Services is a service mark of FMR Corp.
1.536307.102 GBL-pro-0999
FIDELITY GLOBAL BALANCED FUND
A FUND OF FIDELITY PURITAN TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus.
Portions of the fund 's annual report are incorporated herein. The
annual report is supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of the prospectus, dated September
29, 1999, or an annual report, please call Fidelity(registered
trademark) at 1-800-544-8544 or visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and 15
Limitations
Special Considerations 20
Regarding Africa
Special Considerations 21
Regarding Canada
Special Considerations 21
Regarding Europe
Special Considerations 23
Regarding Asia
Special Considerations 30
Regarding Latin America
Special Considerations 31
Regarding the Russian
Federation
Portfolio Transactions 32
Valuation 33
Performance 34
Additional Purchase, Exchange 41
and Redemption Information
Distributions and Taxes 41
Trustees and Officers 41
Control of Investment Advisers 44
Management Contract 44
Distribution Services 47
Transfer and Service Agent 47
Agreements
Description of the Trust 48
Financial Statements 49
Appendix 48
GBL-ptb-0999
1.460210.102
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in
the prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy
or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that
may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy
regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation
will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's
acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any
subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will
not be considered when determining whether the investment complies
with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
1940 Act) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment
limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations
described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS SET
FORTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY. 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 ,
or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (a)
more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of that issuer;
(2) issue senior securities, except in connection with the
insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise
permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(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) 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.
(9) The fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a
single open-end management investment company with substantially the
same fundamental investment objective, policies, and limitations as
the fund.
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(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)).
(iv) The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if,
as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in
securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be
sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the prices at which they are valued.
(v) The fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than
securities to other parties, except by (a) lending money (up to
15% of the fund's net assets) to a registered investment
company or portfolio for which FMR or an affiliate serves as
investment adviser or (b) acquiring loans, loan participations, or
other forms of direct debt instruments and, in connection therewith,
assuming any associated unfunded commitments of the sellers. (This
limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to
repurchase agreements.)
(vi) The fund does not currently intend to invest all of its assets in
the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and
limitations as the fund.
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 15% of its net assets were 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 the fund may invest, strategies Fidelity
Management & Research Company (FMR) may employ in pursuit of the
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.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES represent interests in pools of mortgages,
loans, receivables or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment
of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by
the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by
letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements.
Asset-backed security values may also be affected by other factors
including changes in interest rates, the availability of information
concerning the pool and its structure , the creditworthiness of the
servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or
receivables, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. In
addition, these securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
BORROWING. The fund may borrow from banks or from other
funds advised by FMR or its affiliates, or through reverse repurchase
agreements. If the fund borrows money, its share price may be subject
to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If the fund
makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this
may be considered a form of leverage.
CASH MANAGEMENT. A fund can hold uninvested cash or can invest it
in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase
agreements or shares of money market funds. Generally, these
securities offer less potential for gains than other types of
securities.
CENTRAL CASH FUNDS are money market funds managed by FMR or its
affiliates that seek to earn a high level of current income (free from
federal income tax in the case of a municipal money market fund) while
maintaining a stable $1.00 share price. The funds comply with
industry-standard requirements for money market funds regarding the
quality, maturity and diversification of their investments.
COMMON STOCK represents an equity or ownership interest in an
issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy,
the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over
the claims of those who own common stock.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks
or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder
or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash
or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A
convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion
by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances
(including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible
security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the
fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into
the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss
than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields
higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than
comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield,
convertible securities generally sell at prices above their
"conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to
be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion
value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time
depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and
interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value,
convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent
because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of
principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities.
However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of
the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same
extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the
underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible
securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time,
however, the difference between the market value of convertible
securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that
the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the
same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because
convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their
value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest
rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk,
and are often lower-quality securities.
EXPOSURE TO FOREIGN MARKETS. Foreign securities, foreign currencies,
and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign
operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks
inherent in U.S. investments.
Foreign investments involve risks relating to local political,
economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or
unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments, and may be affected by
actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S.
investors. Such actions may include expropriation or nationalization
of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or
on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. Additionally,
governmental issuers of foreign debt securities may be unwilling to
pay interest and repay principal when due and may require that the
conditions for payment be renegotiated. There is no assurance that
FMR will be able to anticipate these potential events or counter their
effects. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign
currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such
securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S.
dollar.
It is anticipated that in most cases the best available market for
foreign securities will be on an exchange or in over-the-counter (OTC)
markets located outside of the United States. Foreign stock markets,
while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as
developed as those in the United States, and securities of some
foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign security trading, settlement and
custodial practices (including those involving securities settlement
where fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment) are
often less developed than those in U.S. markets, and may result in
increased risk or substantial delays in the event of a failed trade or
the insolvency of, or breach of duty by, a foreign broker-dealer,
securities depository or foreign subcustodian. For example, many
foreign countries are less prepared than the United States to properly
process and calculate information related to dates from and after
January 1, 2000. As a result, some foreign markets, brokers, banks or
securities depositories could experience at least temporary
disruptions, which could result in difficulty buying and selling
securities in certain foreign markets and pricing foreign investments,
and foreign issuers could fail to pay timely dividends, interest or
principal. In addition, the costs associated with foreign
investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and
custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S.
markets. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform
accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and
standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
Adequate public information on foreign issuers may not be available,
and it may be difficult to secure dividends and information regarding
corporate actions on a timely basis. In general, there is less overall
governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges,
brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. OTC markets
tend to be less regulated than stock exchange markets and, in certain
countries, may be totally unregulated. Regulatory enforcement may be
influenced by economic or political concerns, and investors may have
difficulty enforcing their legal rights in foreign countries.
Some foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the
United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to such
transfer restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less
liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject
to such restrictions.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other "hybrid" forms of
ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global
Depositary Receipts (GDRs), are certificates evidencing ownership of
shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by
depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the
United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by
a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home
country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the
underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various
services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate
actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying
foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However,
ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with
investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign
exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the
underlying issuer's country.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in
emerging markets. Security prices in emerging markets can be
significantly more volatile than those in more developed markets,
reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established
markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets
may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of
nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and
prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less
protection of property rights than more developed countries. The
economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a
few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt
burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small
number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of
holdings difficult or impossible at times.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. A fund may conduct foreign currency
transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign
currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge
a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the
difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should
the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward
contracts are customized transactions that require a specific amount
of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a
specific date or range of dates in the future. Forward contracts are
generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The
parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the
contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and
complete the contemplated currency exchange.
The following discussion summarizes the principal currency management
strategies involving forward contracts that could be used by a fund. A
fund may also use swap agreements, indexed securities, and options and
futures contracts relating to foreign currencies for the same
purposes.
A "settlement hedge" or "transaction hedge" is designed to protect a
fund against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the
date a security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is
made or received. Entering into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in an underlying
security transaction for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars "locks in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security. Forward contracts to purchase or
sell a foreign currency may also be used by a fund in anticipation of
future purchases or sales of securities denominated in foreign
currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected
by FMR.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in
the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For
example, if a fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it
could enter into a forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return
for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible declines in the pound's
value. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a "position hedge,"
would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations,
but would not offset changes in security values caused by other
factors. A fund could also hedge the position by selling another
currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling. This
type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer
advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would
not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a direct hedge into U.S.
dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to
hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged
securities are denominated.
A fund may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment
exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting
exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency, or from one foreign
currency to another foreign currency. This type of strategy, sometimes
known as a "cross-hedge," will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to
the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that
is purchased, much as if a fund had sold a security denominated in one
currency and purchased an equivalent security denominated in another.
Cross-hedges protect against losses resulting from a decline in the
hedged currency, but will cause a fund to assume the risk of
fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases.
Successful use of currency management strategies will depend on
FMR's skill in analyzing currency values. Currency management
strategies may substantially change a fund's investment exposure to
changes in currency exchange rates and could result in losses to a
fund if currencies do not perform as FMR anticipates. For example, if
a currency's value rose at a time when FMR had hedged a fund by
selling that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not
participate in the currency's appreciation. If FMR hedges currency
exposure through proxy hedges, a fund could realize currency losses
from both the hedge and the security position if the two currencies do
not move in tandem. Similarly, if FMR increases a fund's exposure to a
foreign currency and that currency's value declines, a fund will
realize a loss. There is no assurance that FMR's use of currency
management strategies will be advantageous to a fund or that it will
hedge at appropriate times.
FOREIGN REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Foreign repurchase agreements involve
an agreement to purchase a foreign security and to sell that
security back to original seller at an agreed-upon price in either
U.S. dollars or foreign currency. Unlike typical U.S. repurchase
agreements, foreign repurchase agreements may not be fully
collateralized at all times. The value of a security purchased by a
fund may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has
agreed to repurchase the security. In the event of default by the
counterparty, the fund may suffer a loss if the value of the security
purchased is less than the agreed-upon repurchase price, or if the
fund is unable to successfully assert a claim to the collateral under
foreign laws. As a result, foreign repurchase agreements may involve
higher credit risks than repurchase agreements in U.S. markets, as
well as risks associated with currency fluctuations. In addition, as
with other emerging market investments, repurchase agreements with
counterparties located in emerging markets or relating to emerging
markets may involve issuers or counterparties with lower credit
ratings than typical U.S. repurchase agreements.
FUND'S RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. The fund does not intend to direct or
administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund, however,
may exercise its rights as a shareholder and may communicate its views
on important matters of policy to management, the Board of Directors,
and shareholders of a company when FMR determines that such matters
could have a significant effect on the value of the fund's investment
in the company. The activities in which a fund may engage, either
individually or in conjunction with others, may include, among others,
supporting or opposing proposed changes in a company's corporate
structure or business activities; seeking changes in a company's
directors or management; seeking changes in a company's direction or
policies; seeking the sale or reorganization of the company or a
portion of its assets; or supporting or opposing third-party takeover
efforts. This area of corporate activity is increasingly prone to
litigation and it is possible that a fund could be involved in
lawsuits related to such activities. FMR will monitor such activities
with a view to mitigating, to the extent possible, the risk of
litigation against a fund and the risk of actual liability if a fund
is involved in litigation. No guarantee can be made, however, that
litigation against a fund will not be undertaken or liabilities
incurred.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS. The following paragraphs pertain to futures and
options: Combined Positions, Correlation of Price Changes,
Futures Contracts, Futures Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures and
Options Transactions, Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts,
Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies, OTC Options,
Purchasing Put and Call Options, and Writing Put and Call Options.
C OMBINED POSITIONS involve purchasing and writing options in
combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward
contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the
overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a
call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a
combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to
selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would
involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call
option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option
in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options
positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction
costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
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 invests, 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 sell a
specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price
at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer
and seller enter into the contract. Futures can be held until their
delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a liquid secondary
market is available.
Futures may be based on foreign indexes such as the CAC 40 (France),
DAX 30 (Germany), EuroTop 100 (Europe), IBEX (Spain), FTSE 100 (United
Kingdom), All Ordinary (Australia), Hang Seng (Hong Kong), and Nikkei
225, Nikkei 300 and TOPIX (Japan).
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.
Although futures exchanges generally operate similarly in the United
States and abroad, foreign futures exchanges may follow trading,
settlement and margin procedures that are different from those for
U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts traded outside the United States may
involve greater risk of loss than U.S.-traded contracts, including
potentially greater risk of losses due to insolvency of a futures
broker, exchange member or other party that may owe initial or
variation margin to a fund. Because initial and variation margin
payments may be measured in foreign currency, a futures contract
traded outside the United States may also involve the risk of foreign
currency fluctuation.
LIMITATIONS ON FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS. The 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 fund intends to comply with Rule
4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, which limits the extent to which
the fund can commit assets to initial margin deposits and option
premiums.
In addition, the fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase
put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of
the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under
normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options
if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or
exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would
exceed 25% of its total assets under normal conditions; or (c)
purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option
premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the
fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options
attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying
securities, and do not apply to securities that incorporate features
similar to options.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts
and options, and the fund's 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.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES. Currency futures
contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except
that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and
are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency
futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The
underlying instrument of a currency option may be a foreign currency,
which generally is purchased or delivered in exchange for U.S.
dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a currency
call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the
purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying
currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to
options and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed
above. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase
and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to
different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased
or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or
forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected
to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors
that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for
example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in
the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting
from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value
of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to
many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to
match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the
fund's investments exactly over time.
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 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. When writing an
option on a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin
payments to an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the
premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it
is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able
to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the
put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less
than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly,
however, because the premium received for writing the option should
mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the
option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon
exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options
are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls
generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall.
Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the
effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer
must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for
the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer
gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES cannot be sold or disposed of in the
ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they
are valued. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss
or may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Board of
Trustees, FMR determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and,
through reports from FMR, the Board monitors investments in illiquid
securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's
investments, FMR may consider various factors, including (1) the
frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of
dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer
undertakings to make a market and (4) the nature of the
security and the market in which it trades (including any
demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements
for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement
features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting
offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability
to assign or offset the rights and obligations o f the
security).
I NDEXED SECURITIES are instruments whose prices are indexed to
the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or
other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not
always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or
coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or
statistic.
C urrency-indexed securities typically are short-term to
intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest
rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more
specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S.
dollar-denominated securities. Currency-indexed securities may be
positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may
increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a
security that performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument,
or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase,
resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a
put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also
have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign
currencies relative to each other.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the
performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which
they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes
in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more
volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also
subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the
security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's
creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities
have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government
agencies.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING PROGRAM. Pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money
from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates. A fund will lend
through the program only when the returns are higher than those
available from an investment in repurchase agreements, and will borrow
through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the
cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend
overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be
called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a
higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed.
Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost
investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
INVESTMENT-GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Investment-grade debt securities
are medium and high-quality securities. Some may possess speculative
characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to
changes in the financial conditions of issuers. A debt 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 considered to be of
equivalent quality by FMR.
ISSUER LOCATION. FMR determines where an issuer is located by looking
at such factors as the issuer's country of organization, the primary
trading market for the issuer's securities, and the location of the
issuer's assets, personnel, sales, and earnings. The issuer of a
security is considered to be located in a particular country if (1)
the security is issued or guaranteed by the government of the country
or any of its agencies, political subdivisions, or instrumentalities;
(2) the security has its primary trading market in that country; or
(3) the issuer is organized under the laws of that country, derives at
least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods sold, investments
made, or services performed in the country, or has at least 50% of its
assets located in the country.
LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Direct debt instruments are
interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other
borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans and loan
participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or
other receivables), or to other parties. Direct debt instruments
involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the
borrower and may offer less legal protection to the purchaser in the
event of fraud or misrepresentation, or there may be a requirement
that a fund supply additional cash to a borrower on demand.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend
primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of
interest and repayment of principal. I f scheduled interest or
principal payments are not made, the value of the instrument may be
adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured provide more
protections than an unsecured loan in the event of failure to make
scheduled interest or principal payments. However, there is no
assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would
satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral could be
liquidated. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor
involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off
their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount
owed. Direct indebtedness of developing countries also involves a risk
that the governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the
debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal
when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial
institution's interests with respect to a loan may involve additional
risks. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the purchaser could
become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and
liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In
addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of
lender liability, a purchaser could be held liable as a co-lender.
Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of insolvency of the
lending bank or other intermediary .
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution
that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of
the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms
of the loan or other indebtedness, the purchaser has direct recourse
against the borrower, the purchaser may have to rely on the agent to
apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If assets held
by the agent for the benefit of a purchaser were determined to be
subject to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the purchaser
might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan
or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal or
interest.
Direct indebtedness may include letters of credit, revolving credit
facilities, or other standby financing commitments that obligate
purchasers to make additional cash payments on demand. These
commitments may have the effect of requiring a purchaser to increase
its investment in a borrower at a time when it would not otherwise
have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it unlikely that
the amount will ever be repaid .
The fund limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any
one issuer or in issuers within the same industry (see the fund's
investment limitations). For purposes of these limitations, a fund
generally will treat the borrower as the "issuer" of indebtedness held
by the fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other
lending institution serves as financial intermediary between a fund
and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the fund the
direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC
interpretations require a fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat
both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as
"issuers" for these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an
issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in
indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of
intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying
borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
LOWER-QUALITY DEBT SECURITIES. Lower-quality debt securities have poor
protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of
principa l or may be in default. These securities are often
considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss or price
changes due to changes in the issuer's capacity to pay. The market
prices of lower-quality debt securities may fluctuate more than those
of higher-quality debt securities and may decline significantly in
periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of
rising interest rates.
T he 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.
A dverse 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.
Becaus e the risk of default is higher for lower-quality debt
securities, FMR's research and credit analysis are an especially
important part of managing securities of this type. FMR will attempt
to identify those issuers of high-yielding securities whose financial
condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. FMR's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset
coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial
strength of the issuer.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to
pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security
holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it
determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
MORTGAGE SECURITIES are issued by government and non-government
entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A
mortgage security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a mortgage
or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of
mortgages. Some mortgage securities, such as collateralized
mortgage obligations (or "CMOs"), make payments of both principal and
interest at a range of specified intervals; others make semiannual
interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at
maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage s ecurities are based
on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real
estate or residential properties. Stripped mortgage securities are
created when the interest and principal components of a
mortgag e security are separated and sold as individual
securities. In the case of a stripped mortgag e se curity, the
holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal
payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the
"interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same
underlying mortgage.
Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are pass-through securities
issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac, which guarantee payment of interest and repayment of
principal on Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs, respectively, are federally
chartered corporations supervised by the U.S. Government that act as
governmental instrumentalities under authority granted by Congress.
Fannie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its
obligations. Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are not backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
The value of mortgage s ecurities may change due to shifts in
the market's perception of issuers and changes in interest rates. In
addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the
mortgage s ecurities market as a whole. Non-government
mortgage s ecurities may offer higher yields than those issued
by government entities, but also may be subject to greater price
changes than government issues. Mortgage securities are subject to
prepayment risk, which is the risk that early principal payments made
on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction in
interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the
investor, causing it to be invested subsequently at a lower current
interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate environment,
mortgage security values may be adversely affected when prepayments on
underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated, resulting in the
extension of the security's effective maturity and the related
increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term instrument. The
prices of stripped mortgage s ecurities tend to be more volatile
in response to changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped
mortgage se curities.
In order to earn additional income for a fund, FMR may use a
trading strategy that involves selling mortgage securities and
simultaneously agreeing to purchase similar securities on a later date
at a set price. This trading strategy may result in an increased
portfolio turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable
gains.
PREFERRED STOCK is a class of equity or ownership in an issuer that
pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common
stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is
liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take
precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common
stock.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve an agreement to purchase a security
and to sell that security back to the original seller at an
agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus
an agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon
rate or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the
risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the
securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market
daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus
the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased
may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has
agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could
result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolvent. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement
transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and
found satisfactory by FMR.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES are subject to legal restrictions on their
sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be
costly to a fund . Restricted securities generally can be sold in
privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, or in a registered
public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a
registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the
registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the
time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted
to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If,
during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop,
the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed
when it decided to seek registration of the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or
broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that
security at an agreed-upon price and time. T he fund 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 fund assets and may be
viewed as a form of leverage.
SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, including shares of
closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, and open-end
investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed
portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in
other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as
investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve
additional expenses at the investment company-level, such as portfolio
management fees and operating expenses. Certain types of investment
companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed
number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at
a premium or a discount to their net asset value. Others are
continuously offered at net asset value, but may also be traded in the
secondary market.
The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other
investment companies is limited by federal securities laws.
SECURITIES LENDING. A fund may lend securities to parties such as
broker-dealers or other institutions, including Fidelity Brokerage
Services, Inc. (FBSI). FBSI is a member of the New York Stock Exchange
and a subsidiary of FMR Corp.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the
securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. The
borrower provides the fund with collateral in an amount at least equal
to the value of the securities loaned. The fund maintains the ability
to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving
material events affecting securities loaned. If the borrower defaults
on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of
insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs
in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the
collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign
securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, a
fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in
the market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value
of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment
is purchased. Loans will be made only to parties deemed by FMR to be
in good standing and when, in FMR's judgment, the income earned would
justify the risks.
Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be
invested in other eligible securities. Investing this cash subjects
that investment, as well as the securities loaned, to market
appreciation or depreciation.
SHORT SALES. Stocks underlying a fund's convertible security
holdings can be sold short. For example, if FMR anticipates a
decline in the price of the stock underlying a convertible security
held by a fund , it may sell the stock short. If the stock price
subsequently declines, the proceeds of the short sale could be
expected to offset all or a portion of the effect of the stock's
decline on the value of the convertible security. The fund currently
intends to hedge no more than 15% of its total assets with short sales
on equity securities underlying its convertible security holdings
under normal circumstances.
A fund will be required to set aside securities equivalent in
kind and amount to those sold short (or securities convertible or
exchangeable into such securities) and will be required to hold them
aside while the short sale is outstanding. A fund will incur
transaction costs, including interest expenses, in connection with
opening, maintaining, and closing short sales.
SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS are issued or guaranteed by foreign
governments or their agencies, including debt of Latin American
nations or other developing countries. Sovereign debt may be in the
form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments
such as loans or loan participations. Sovereign debt of developing
countries may involve a high degree of risk, and may be in default or
present the risk of default. Governmental entities responsible for
repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal
and pay interest when due, and may require renegotiation or
rescheduling of debt payments. In addition, prospects for repayment of
principal and payment of interest may depend on political as well as
economic factors. Although some sovereign debt, such as Brady Bonds,
is collateralized by U.S. Government securities, repayment of
principal and payment of interest is not guaranteed by the U.S.
Government.
SWAP AGREEMENTS can be individually negotiated and structured to
include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or
market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may
increase or decrease a fund's exposure to long- or short-term interest
rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values,
mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such
as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many
different forms and are known by a variety of names.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments
only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap
obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an
interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a
specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund's investment exposure from
one type of investment to another. For example, if the fund agreed to
exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the
swap agreement would tend to decrease the fund's exposure to U.S.
interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and
interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or
writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may
increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's investments
and its share price and yield.
The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is
the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors
that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund. If a
swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the
counterparty's creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
A fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement
either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an
offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly
creditworthy party.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POLICIES. The fund reserves the right to
invest without limitation in preferred stocks and investment-grade
debt instruments for temporary, defensive purposes.
WARRANTS. Warrants are instruments which entitle the holder to buy an
equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time.
Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to
changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a
warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying
security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital
appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with
respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if
it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can
make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
ZERO COUPON BONDS do not make interest payments; instead,
they are sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at
face value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay
current income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of
fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a
fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon
bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING AFRICA
Africa is a highly diverse and politically unstable continent of over
50 countries and 720 million people. Civil wars, coups and even
genocidal warfare have beset much of this region in recent years.
Nevertheless, it is home to an abundance of natural resources,
including natural gas, aluminum, crude oil, copper, iron, bauxite,
cotton, diamonds and timber. Wealthier countries generally have strong
connections to European partners, and evidence of these relationships
is seen in the growing market capitalization and foreign investment of
these countries. Economic performance is closely tied to world
commodity markets, particularly oil, and also to weather conditions,
such as drought.
Five African countries are among the 20 fastest growing in the world
(Uganda, Ivory Coast, Botswana, Angola and Zimbabwe ) , with GDP
growth rates ranging from 5.5% to 6.0%. Two countries, Yemen and
Bahrain, are experiencing growth at or below 2.0%, and one country,
Libya, is experiencing (-4.0%) negative growth.
African economic growth is projected to remain higher than in any
recent year other than 1996. The relatively small effects of the Asian
crisis are attributable to the comparatively low levels of private
capital flows to most countries in the regions. Africa can be
negatively impacted from the slowdown in global growth, and its
effects on commodity prices.
Several African countries in the north have substantial oil reserves
and accordingly their economies react strongly to world oil prices.
They share a regional and sometimes religious identification with the
oil producing nations of the Middle East and can be strongly affected
by political and economic developments in those countries. As in the
south, weather conditions also have a strong impact on many of their
natural resources, and, as was the case in 1995, severe drought can
adversely effect economic growth.
Twelve African countries have active equity markets (Bahrain,
Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, South Africa,
Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). The oldest market, in Egypt, was
established in 1883, while the youngest, in Zambia, was established in
1994. Four additional markets have been established since 1989, and
the mean age for all equity markets is 40 years old. A total of 1,830
firms are listed on the respective exchanges. Total market
capitalization for these countries in 1996 was $290 billion, an
average increase of 54% over 1995 levels.
The South African market is the largest in Africa and has a
capitalization of more than ten times that of all the other African
markets combined. In 1997, the country's Johannesburg Stock Exchange
fell by 6.8%, due largely to weakening commodity prices and a slowdown
in the South African economy. The market decline extended into 1998 as
the South African rand declined versus the world's major currencies.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING CANADA
Canada is a confederation of ten provinces with a parliamentary system
of government. Canada is the world's second largest nation by landmass
and is inhabited by 30.2 million people, most of whom are descendants
of France, the United Kingdom and indigenous peoples. The country has
a workforce of over 15 million people in various industries such as
trade, manufacturing, mining, finance, construction and government.
While the country has many institutions which closely parallel the
United States, such as a transparent stock market and similar
accounting practices, it differs from the United States in that it has
an extensive social welfare system, much more akin to European welfare
states.
The confederated structures combined with recent financial pressure on
the federal government have pushed provinces, Quebec in particular, to
call for a revaluation of the legal and financial relationships
between the federal government in Ottawa and the provinces. Recent
referendums on Quebec sovereignty have been narrowly defeated and the
issue appears far from resolved. However, in August of 1998, the
country's Supreme Court decided that Quebec does not have the right to
secede unilaterally, removing any immediate threat that Canada will
break up. Nevertheless, the Canadian markets could continue to react
to any periodic escalations of separatist calls.
Canada is one of the richest nations in the world in terms of natural
resources. The country is a major producer of such commodities as
forest products, mining, metals, and agricultural products.
Additionally, energy related products such as oil, gas, and
hydroelectricity are important components of their economy.
Accordingly, the Canadian stock market is strongly represented by
basic material stocks, and movements in the supply and demand of
industrial materials, agriculture, and energy, both domestically and
internationally, can have a strong effect on market performance.
The United States is Canada's largest trading partner and
approximately 80% of Canadian merchandise traded in 1997 was with the
United States. Automobiles and auto parts accounted for the largest
export items followed by energy, mining and forest products. Canada is
the largest energy supplier to the United States, while the United
States is Canada's largest foreign investor. United States investment
has been largely focused on financial, energy, metals and mining
businesses. The expanding economic and financial integration of the
United States and Canada will likely make the Canadian economy and
securities markets increasingly sensitive to U.S. economic and market
events.
For United States investors in Canadian markets, currency has become
an important determinant of investment return. Since Canada let its
dollar float in 1970, its value has been in a steady decline against
its United States counterpart. While the decline has enabled Canada to
stay competitive with its more efficient southern neighbor, which buys
four-fifths of its exports, United States investors have seen their
investment returns eroded by the impact of currency conversion.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING EUROPE
Europe can be divided into two distinct categories of market
development: the developed economies of Western Europe and the
transition economies of Eastern Europe.
Any discussion of European national economies and securities markets
must be made with an eye to the impact that the European Union (EU)
and European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) w ill have upon
the future of these countries as well as the rest of the world. The
scope and magnitude of these economic and political initiatives dwarfs
anything attempted to date. If successful, the EU will change or erase
many political, economic, cultural and market distinctions that define
and differentiate each of the Continent's countries today. The
third and final stage of the EMU was implemented on January 1,
1999.
The E U consists of 15 countries of western Europe: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United
Kingdom. The six founding countries first formed an economic community
in the 1950s to bring down trade barriers such as taxes and quotas, to
eliminate technical restrictions such as special standards and
regulations for foreigners, and to coordinate various industrial
policies, such as those pertaining to agriculture. Since that time the
group has admitted new members and, in time, may expand its membership
to other nations such as those of Eastern Europe. The EU has as its
goal, the creation of a single, unified market that would be, at over
370 million people, the largest in the developed world and through
which goods, people and capital could move freely.
A second component of the EU is the establishment of a single currency
- - the Euro, to replace each member country's domestic currencies. In
preparation for the creation of the Euro, the Exchange Rate Mechanism
(ERM) was established to keep the various national currencies at a
pre-specified value relative to each other. The year 1997 is
significant for membership in the EU as it is the initial reference
year for evaluating debt levels and deficits within the criteria set
forth by the Maastricht treaty. Specifically, the Maastricht criteria
include, among other indicators, an inflation rate below 3.3%, a
public debt below 60% of GDP, and a deficit of 3% or less of GDP.
Failure to meet the Maastricht levels would disqualify any country
from membership.
On May 3, 1998 the European Council of Ministers formally announced
the "first wave" of EMU participants. They are: Austria, Belgium,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Portugal and Spain. On January 1, 1999, the Euro became a
currency, while the bank notes used by EMU's eleven members remain
legal tender. After a three year transition period, the Euro will
begin circulating on January 1, 2002. Six months later, today's
currencies will cease to exist.
Many foreign and domestic businesses are establishing or increasing
their presence in Europe in anticipation of the new unified single
market. Clear, confident visions of a diverse, multi-industrial,
unified market under a single currency have been the impetus for much
of the recent corporate restructuring initiatives as well as for the
increased mergers and acquisitions activity in the region. A
successful EMU could prove to be an engine for sustained growth
throughout Europe.
While the securities markets view the introduction of the Euro as
inevitable, the success of the union is not wholly assured. Europe
must grapple with a number of challenges, any one of which could
threaten the survival of this monumental undertaking. For example,
eleven disparate economies must adjust to a unified monetary system,
the absence of exchange rate flexibility and the loss of economic
sovereignty. The Continent's economies are diverse, its governments
decentralized and its cultures differ widely. Unemployment is
historically high and could pose a political risk that one or more
countries might exit the union placing the currency and banking system
in jeopardy.
For those countries in Western and Eastern Europe that were not
included in the first round of the EU implementation, the prospects
for eventual membership serves as a strong political impetus for many
governments to employ tight fiscal and monetary policies. Particularly
for the Eastern European countries, aspirations to join the EU are
likely to push governments to act decisively. At the same time, there
could become an increasingly widening gap between rich and poor both
within the aspiring countries and also those countries who are close
to meeting membership criteria and those who are not. Realigning
traditional alliances could result in altering trading relationships
and potentially provoking divisive socio-economic splits.
The economies of Eastern Europe are embarking on the transition from
communism at different paces with appropriately different
characteristics. The transition countries also display sharp contrasts
in performance. Those that are most advanced in the transformation
process are now reaping the rewards of comprehensive reform and
stabilization policies pursued with determination over recent years.
These include Poland, the Baltic countries, Croatia, the Czech
Republic, Hungary, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia. Conversely, those
that are less advanced in the transition are struggling with a number
of policy challenges to strengthen their economies. Several countries
have made good progress, and in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic, inflation has fallen considerably
in recent years. Nevertheless, the East European markets are
particularly vulnerable to weakness in the world's other emerging
countries and are particularly sensitive to events in Russia. For
example, in mid-1998 when economic and political turmoil forced the
Russian government to devalue its currency and restructure its debt
payments, the other markets in Eastern Europe suffered significant
destabilization of which the extent and duration is still unknown.
FRANCE. France is a republic of over 58 million people in the historic
if not the geographic center of Western Europe. The Fifth French
Republic, established in the early postwar period under Charles de
Gaulle, provides for a strong Presidency which can appoint its own
cabinet but must win approval of a parliamentary majority. The
government was founded upon the French cultural values of liberty,
brotherhood and egalitarianism. In France, this latter value often
translates into a government burden of providing job security. The
result is a large, vast bureaucracy in the public sector and strict
employment and labor laws in the private sector. In addition, a
significant portion of government economic policy revolves around
regulating and protecting domestic industries, particularly farming
and manufacturing. Finally, the French government frequently owns high
majority or minority interests in large companies, particularly
utility, transport and communications concerns. While privatization
has been a popular movement in many other European countries, it has
encountered a stalled stop-and-go cycle in France.
The French economy is the world's fourth-largest Western
industrialized economy, with a GDP of $1538 billion in 1996. The
nation has substantial agricultural resources, a diversified modern
industrial system, and a highly skilled labor force. France's economy
boasts a sophisticated industrial manufacturing base, which includes
not only high technology (information technology and
telecommunications, vehicles, aircraft, computer equipment, etc.) but
also a number of very large companies producing consumer goods. The
country's industrial structure is unusual for an industrialized
economy because the state still controls a large proportion of the
heavy strategic goods industries as well as institutions such as banks
and communications companies. The agricultural sector continues to be
important; however, most farms are small by European standards and
require massive government support. Exports are an economic strong
point and the nation has enjoyed trade surpluses in recent years.
Leading exports include chemicals, electronics and automotive and
aircraft machinery, while imports are dominated by petroleum,
industrial machinery and electronics. Their main trading partners are
the United States, Japan, and other EU countries.
The country is one of the largest consumers of nuclear energy,
obtaining nearly 75% of its total electricity needs from reactors.
While it has some small deposits of oil and gas, it remains heavily
dependent on imports for most of its needs.
In recent years, the country's economic growth has been hindered by a
series of general strikes. The government's efforts to reduce spending
to meet the Maastricht criteria have prompted strikes and unrest from
France's powerful trade unions. In addition, striking workers have
pushed their demands for a lower retirement age and a reduction in the
work week. With an unemployment rate above 12%, the country's labor
markets are not functioning efficiently. France's pay-as-you-go
pension program is an additional deterrent to economic growth as
spending on pensions account for a tenth of GDP. While all parties
agree that the system must be replaced, no agreement has been reached
on an alternative.
France went to the polls in May 1997 after a surprise decision to hold
early elections by conservative President Jacques Chirac. Chirac's
calculation was to capitalize on popular support before he was forced
to undertake austere fiscal measures to meet the Maastricht criteria.
Voters responded that they were more concerned about the country's
high level of unemployment and Chirac's party lost enough seats in the
parliament that the president must now share power for the remaining
five years in office with a socialist-led government. This change
could set back the previous government's pledges to continue its
privatization initiatives, restrain spending, support the franc, and
endure fiscal austerity. It also calls into question whether the
French people have the will to adhere to the EMU convergence criteria
over the next few years.
The stock market in France has undergone both gradual and dramatic
changes in recent years, keeping pace with global trends toward
deregulation, privatization, and cross border activities, allowing
Paris to maintain its position as the world's fourth-largest financial
center. Until 1996, the Paris Bourse was the country's sole stock
exchange, providing access to all listed French securities. Since
then, foreign interest has been stimulated by the creation of new
markets, such as the Nouveau March<UNDEF>, for riskier, growth
oriented, small corporations. While the listings of these combined
markets are fairly diverse, financial companies a ccount for
approximately one-third of the total. The system underwent many
regulatory changes in the late 1980s, taking steps toward combating
insider trading and ensuring market transparency.
GERMANY. Germany is the largest economy in all of Europe and is the
third largest economy in the world behind the United States and Japan.
The country occupies a central position in Western Europe with strong
cultural and economic ties with the countries of Eastern Europe and
borders on no less than six other Western European countries. The
country's size, location and proven industrial ability have
historically thrust it to the center of European economic life, a
position it was able to re-attain in the wake of the post-war period.
More recently, Germany has used this position as a platform to
champion the cause of the EU, and also to absorb and transform the
devastated economy of its former communist eastern half.
The German economy is heavily industrialized, with a strong emphasis
on manufacturing. The manufacturing sector is driven by small and
medium-sized companies, most of which are very efficient and dynamic.
Germany, nevertheless, has many large industries and manufacturing is
dominated by the production of motor vehicles, precision engineering,
brewing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and heavy metal products.
The economy has benefited from a strong export performance throughout
the decade. Exports, weighted heavily in the industrial machinery,
autos and chemicals sectors, have provided the economy with positive
trade balances. Exports are the main engine of GDP growth,
highlighting Germany's dependence on the prosperity of its trading
partners. Five out of its top six trading partners are fellow EU
members (the sixth is the United States), while very low levels of
trade are conducted with Asian and Latin American countries. Germany
stands very well poised to supply the emerging markets of central
Europe. It is already the largest European foreign investor in the
Czech Republic and the largest trading partner for Poland and Hungary.
Accordingly, any weakness in the emerging market economies might
likely dampen demand for German goods, to the detriment of the German
economy. As most of these emerging markets aspire to join the EU, it
is possible that a larger EU could alter Germany's trading
relationships due to new quotas, tax rates, exchange rates and other
factors which will come with EU membership.
The recent performance of the German economy must be evaluated within
the context of the 1990 reunification of the eastern and western
states. GDP growth dropped markedly during the early years of
reunification. Industry in Eastern Germany is still catching up.
Workers in Eastern Germany earn two-thirds of western wages but
produce only half as much. In addition, one of the byproducts of
assimilating East Germany into the state has been the need to
restructure many of the government services to accommodate the new and
substantially less affluent citizens. Significant tax and welfare
reforms have yet to be undertaken, and pressure is mounting on the
government to address these issues. Unemployment rates have begun to
cause some discontent among German citizens whose culture generally
places strong emphasis on a social compact .
Germany is faced with other significant economic challenges.
Unemployment is currently above 12% as the country experiences its
longest period of slow growth since the Second World War. The
government's ability to deal with the problem is limited by its
efforts to meet the stringent Maastricht criteria for convergence.
There are also growing concerns about the exodus of German companies
relocating abroad in order to avoid the country's high labor costs. In
the longer run, Germany's government must alter the peculiar mix of
capitalism, welfarism and consensus that sets the country apart. Those
decisions will be politically sensitive - especially if they
antagonize the powerful trade unions or the country's many family-run
firms.
Germany's stock market has enjoyed dramatic growth in volume as the
main DAX index has soared over the past two years. Much of the
market's strength has been attributed to the dollar's recovery and
rising corporate earnings. In addition, a number of changes have
occurred recently to support the share-buying explosion and to
establish a German equity culture. A number of initial public
offerings were launched as the government sought to divest itself of
ownership in such businesses as the nation's telephone utility and
post office businesses to ease budgetary pressures. The government
also created a supervisory authority which has outlawed insider
trading and established stiffer company reporting standards intended
to further increase the appeal of Germany's stock market.
Nevertheless, while there has been progress in broadening the investor
base, shares remain overwhelmingly in the hands of institutions and
companies.
The German central bank is one of the world's strongest and most
independent. Their high interest rates have contributed to a
controlled growth of the stock market and a steadily decreasing
inflation rate. Keeping the Deutsche Mark strong in leading up to EMU
was a priority for the bank. Nevertheless, exports have thrived
despite the currency's strong position.
A founding member of the EU and the most ardent proponent of EMU,
Germany is seen as the primary player in Union economics and politics.
Seeking to consolidate this position, recent government policy has put
a strong emphasis on the maintenance of a strong currency and the
achievement of the Maastricht criteria.
NORDIC COUNTRIES. Increasing economic globalization and the expansion
of the EU have forced the Nordic Countries to scale back their
historically liberal welfare spending policies. While public spending
has dropped from average levels, the cutbacks in social programs have
sparked drops in domestic demand and increases in unemployment.
Nevertheless, the Nordic economies are experiencing positive growth
fueled largely by strong exports and low interest rates. The
E MU put pressure on each nation to maintain their economies
in line with requirements of the Maastricht treaty criteria and the
fiscal and political issues remain central in political debates.
Of the Nordic countries, Finland, Denmark and Sweden are all members
of the EU. Only Norway has elected not to join. However, the decision
likely will not isolate the Norwegian economy from those of its Nordic
neighbors. The country maintains a "shadow membership" in the EU, by
which it seeks to stay as closely informed as possible and to make its
voice heard on the issues. This may ensure that it will become more
closely aligned with the rest of Europe as time passes. One
significant aspect of opting out of the EU is that the central bank is
free to pursue its own agenda, such as setting inflation targets as
opposed to exchange rate targets. Inflation patterns and currency
stability could prove to be issues that may separate the policy
decisions of Norway from the other Nordic countries.
Politically, the countries of this region are historically known for
their approach to policy making that emphasizes consensus. The most
common type of government among the Nordic countries is dominated by
long-standing, left-of-center parties which often align themselves
with smaller centrist parties for majority support. The landscape,
however, is so fractured that governing from a minority position is
common. The absence of a clear majority party slows and sometimes
arrests policy making. The strongest opposition comes from traditional
European conservative parties, which have gained support in recent
years with the decline of the welfare state and the need for the
libertarian policies necessary to compete and integrate with free
markets. None of the Nordic countries face any serious risk of any
anti-democratic political change. However, in Sweden, the prospects of
the present government will depend on its ability to create more jobs
and maintain the economy for EMU. A large minority of voters
are also disappointed about the benefits which membership in the EU
was expected to bring and have been increasingly voicing anti-EU
sentiments. However, in May 1998 , Finland was formally
admitted in the "first wave" of the EMU.
Industry in the region is heavily resource-oriented. Denmark's
agricultural sector remains the backbone of the economy although other
industries have been developing rapidly in recent years, with
engineering, food processing, pharmaceuticals, brewing and
shipbuilding gaining in importance. Finland's major industry is
forestry which supplies a large paper and timber products sector. It
also produces household goods and telecommunications equipment and has
an extremely important heavy goods sector producing ships, cement,
steel and machine tools. In Sweden, the manufacturing sector dominates
the economy and includes major industries which range from motor
vehicles to aerospace, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, timber, pulp and
paper. Several of the country's export-oriented industries (in
particular forestry, mining and steel) are suffering as the country's
high wages squeeze them out of foreign markets. Norway's oil-driven
economy has provided its citizens with one of the highest standards of
living in the world. However, they must prepare for the time, due to
arrive early in the next century, when their vast reserves run out.
Reliance on exports concentrated in a few sectors tie these countries
closely to one another.
Economically, the Nordic countries are strong export economies that
take advantage of their abundant natural resources. They are also very
closely tied both to each other and to the rest of Europe. Most
countries have witnessed low levels of positive growth in the last six
years. Finland is the exception. As a significant portion of its trade
is with Russia, Finland suffered in the early years of the collapse of
the Soviet Union. However, in the past two years its economy has
recorded some of the highest growth rates in Western Europe while
having the lowest rate of inflation. Similarly, after five years of
recession, the overall outlook for the Swedish economy is also vastly
improved. A stringent package of spending cuts and tax increases has
brought down the budget deficit to a level that is well within the EMU
target. Exports are recovering as other parts of Europe are coming out
of recession and its inflation is among the lowest in Western Europe.
However, the one weak spot in both countries' economies is a
persistently high unemployment rate. Finland's unemployment, at 17%,
is the second highest in Europe after Spain, and Finland's rate
represents only a marginal improvement over the previous year.
Norway's oil driven economy is the envy of many and unemployment is
just a little over five percent.
A portion of the region's unemployment woes can be attributed to the
cultural ethic which was advanced during the years of the welfare
state. Subsequent cuts in public spending, particularly in those
sectors that traditionally rely on large government spending,
exacerbated the problem. Labor market reform will be a critical issue
in these countries as public spending is cut back. Pensions and
structural issues such as union regulations all need to be reformed, a
task which brings both challenges and unpopularity to the government
that accepts it. Not only will labor market reforms give governments a
daunting challenge; they could also cause the public to regret their
participation in the EMU. One positive point is that the countries
boast very high standards of living, which create healthy and highly
educated workforces.
The stock markets in Scandinavia are of medium size, and frequently
are strongly influenced by a small number of large multinational
firms. For example, in Sweden thirty firms constituted 75% of the
market's total capitalization and market turnover in 1997. Weighing
heavily in the equity markets are the electronics, forest products,
mining and manufacturing sectors. Market capitalization is highest in
Sweden at $273 billion, while the others are between $74 and $94
billion. Sweden also leads in numbers of firms (261) listed. Other
countries' listings range from 126 (Finland) to 249 (Denmark).
Performance of Nordic country indexes tend to be skewed owing to the
dominant weightings that a few large companies have in the index. For
example, the market capitalization of Finnish telecommunications
equipment manufacturer Nokia comprises about one-third of the total
market capitalization of the Finnish exchange and has a substantial
impact upon the performance of the companies in the HEX Index.
UNITED KINGDOM. The United Kingdom is the world's sixth largest
economy and is home to one of the oldest, most established, and most
active stock markets. An island nation, it built an empire of
strategically located trading posts such as Hong Kong and India. While
today the empire is largely dissolved, trade remains a very key
component of the U.K. economy. Strong domestic sectors are services,
natural energy resources, and heavy industry, including steel, autos,
and machinery. Imports generally emphasize food and manufacturing
components. The United Kingdom's trading partners are predominately
established market economies, such as the United States, Japan, and
other member countries of the European Union. The United Kingdom, via
the North Sea, also has substantial petroleum resources.
The London Stock Exchange is comprised of six offices scattered
throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It lists over 2900
firms, and trades both foreign and domestic securities as well as
securities issued by the British Government. A vast majority of the
firms listed (80%) are from the United Kingdom. Total market
capitalization in 1997 was over $5,440 billion. Such size prevents the
stock market from being overly sensitive to the performance of
individual firms.
In 1997 the U.K. posted its sixth year of recovery with GDP growth of
3.5%, the third highest in the EU. The labor market also appears to
have improved as pay settlements and wages remain under control
despite the u nemployment rate falling from 6.5% to 5% over the
year. The strengthening economy prompted a sharp acceleration in
consumer spending and, in response, the nation's Monetary Policy
Committee was forced to raise base rates. The interest rate rise added
fuel to an already robust sterling which rose 8.6% in 1997 after
appreciating by 15.6% in 1996. This proved particularly damaging to
the manufacturing sector and, although exports held up well during the
year, there were early indications that a decline was underway.
Inflation is low, making the country attractive for foreign
investment. Investment is especially attractive to the United States,
with which the United Kingdom shares many market similarities. Each
country is the other's largest foreign investment partner.
Under Conservative Party leadership in the early 1980s, the United
Kingdom privatized many state-run utilities, such as British Gas and
British Telecom. The success of these efforts is evidence both of the
strong entrepreneurial spirit of British society and also a
fundamental rejection of the welfare state policies that dominated the
scene in the early post-war period. Even today, the Labour Party has
shed much of its socialist economic platform, reflecting a strong
break away from policies that continue to be popular in other European
countries. Eager to attract foreign investment the new administration
is not expected to undo any of the major reforms put in place by the
Conservatives during their last 18 years in power. Some changes could
include an increase in spending on social programs, a slowing of
privatization, and an increase in corporate taxes. Tight monetary
policy and interest rate hikes could be used to keep inflation below
the government's self-imposed 2.5% ceiling. In addition, the
government will probably wish to rebuild ties with the rest of the EU
and has already taken steps to get the pound back into the European
system by increasing the independence of the country's central bank.
Nevertheless, there appears to be some nervousness among many
investors who see the U.K. market lagging behind the continental
European stock markets where they see more compelling prospects for
economic growth. In addition, the manufacturing industry is suffering
from the pound's lofty valuation and many fear that an economic
slowdown could spread to the services sector.
The political scene in London is largely shaped by positions regarding
EMU. Pro Europe MPs in the Tory opposition leadership were
marginalized after the 1997 election, further polarizing the positions
of the two parties. Despite this expression of support, the United
Kingdom continues to be overtly less enthusiastic about EMU than other
countries in Europe and has not committed itself to immediately
joining the new currency once it is established. While the new
government has stated that it hopes to meet the Maastricht criteria,
it is less a self-imposed pressure on the U.K. government than it is
for other countries in the Union. Signing on to the EU Social Charter
would neutralize the policies which have set the United Kingdom above
other countries in attracting investment, such as wages and employment
conditions.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING ASIA
Asia has undergone an impressive economic transformation in the past
decade. Many developing economies, utilizing substantial foreign
investments, established themselves as inexpensive producers of
manufactured and re-manufactured consumer goods for export. As
household incomes rose, middle classes increased, stimulating domestic
consumption. In recent years, large projects in infrastructure and
energy resource development have been undertaken, and have benefited
from cheap labor, foreign investment, and a business friendly
regulatory environment. During the course of development, democratic
governments fought to maintain the stability and control necessary to
attract investment and provide labor. Subsequently, Asian countries
today are coming under increasing, if inconsistent, pressure from
western governments regarding human rights practices.
Manufacturing exports declined significantly in 1997, due to drops in
demand, increased competition, and strong performance of the U.S.
dollar. This significant decline is particularly true of electronics,
a critical industry for several Asian economies. Declines in exports
reveal how much of the recent growth in these countries is dependent
on their trading partners. Many Asian exports are priced in U.S.
dollars, while the majority of its imports are paid for in local
currencies. A stable exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Asian
currencies is important to Asian trade balances.
Despite the impressive economic growth experienced by Asia's emerging
economies, currency and economic concerns have recently roiled these
markets. Over the summer of 1997, a plunge in Thailand's currency set
off a wave of currency depreciations throughout South and Southeast
Asia. The Thai crisis was brought on by the country's failure to take
steps to curb its current-account deficit, reduce short-term foreign
borrowing and strengthen its troubled banking industry, which was
burdened by speculative property loans. Most of Southeast Asia's stock
markets tumbled in reaction to these events. Investors were heavy
sellers as they became increasingly concerned that other countries in
the region, faced with similar problems, would have to allow their
currencies to weaken further or take steps that would choke off
economic growth and erode company profits. For U.S. investors, the
impact of the market declines were further exacerbated by the effect
of the decline in the value of local currencies versus the U.S.
dollar.
The same kind of concerns that effected Thailand and other Southeast
Asian countries subsequently spread to North Asia. To widely varying
degrees, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong all faced related currency
and/or equity market declines. Due to continued weakness in the
Japanese economy combined with the reliance of Asian economies on
intra-Asian trade and capital flows, most of the region was mired in
their worst recessions since World War II.
Investors continue to face considerable risk in Asian markets as
political, economic and currency turmoil has continued to undermine
market valuations throughout the first half of 1998. Rising
unemployment, food shortages and declining purchasing power could lead
to social unrest and threaten the orderly functioning of government.
Currency devaluations also increase pressure on both the consumers who
must pay more for imported goods and on many businesses that must deal
with the rising costs of raw materials. For U.S. investors, weakening
local currencies erode their returns in these markets upon currency
translation. Certainly, the resolve of the region's governments to
adhere to International Monetary Fund-mandated benchmarks will be
sorely tested, as their implementation could further exacerbate these
pressures on the nation's populace and businesses. In addition,
Japan's paralysis is fast becoming a problem for Asia. Worsening
Japanese banking problems could lead to a contraction of credit for
all of Asia and slow rehabilitation in the region. Similarly, a
significant portion of both domestic and foreign investors have fled
these markets in favor of safer havens outside of the region and will
not likely return until they see more evidence that these problems are
being effectively addressed. The scope and magnitude of the tasks that
these countries face in resolving their problems could mean that
investors will see a continuation of high market volatility over an
extended period.
JAPAN. A country of 126 million with a labor force of 64 million
people, Japan is renowned as the preeminent economic miracle of the
post-war era. Fueled by public investment, protectionist trade
policies, and innovative management styles, the Japanese economy has
transformed itself since World War II into the world's second largest
economy. An island nation with limited natural resources, Japan has
developed a strong heavy industrial sector and is highly dependent on
international trade. Strong domestic industries are automotive,
electronics, and metals. Needed imports revolve around raw materials
such as oil, forest products, and iron ore. Subsequently, Japan is
sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices. With only 19% of its
land suitable for cultivation, the agricultural industry is small and
largely protected. While the United States is Japan's largest single
trading partner, close to half of Japan's trade is conducted with
developing nations, almost all of which are in southeast Asia.
Investment patterns generally mirror these trade relationships. Japan
has over $100 billion of direct investment in the United States.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) is the largest of eight exchanges in
Japan. The exchanges divide the market for domestic stocks into two
sections, with larger companies assigned to the first section and
newly listed or smaller companies assigned to the second. In 1997,
1,805 firms were listed on the TSE, 96% of which were domestic. Some
believe that the TSE has a tendency to be strongly influenced by the
performance of a small circle of large cap firms that dominate the
market. The two key indexes are the Tokyo Stock Price Index (TOPIX)
and the Nikkei. In 1997, TSE performance was disappointing, with the
TOPIX down 28% for the year.
Since Japan's bubble economy collapsed seven years ago, the nation has
drifted between modest growth and recession. By mid-year 1998 the
world's second largest economic power had slipped into its deepest
recession since World War II. Much of the blame can be placed on
government inaction in implementing long-neglected structural reforms
despite strong and persistent proddings from the International
Monetary Fund and the G-7 nations. Steps have been taken to institute
deregulation and liberalization of protected areas of the economy, but
the pace of change has been disappointedly slow.
Unemployment levels, already at record rates when measured by the
broader criteria used in many other countries, have been an area of
increasing concern and a major cause of recent voter dissatisfaction
with recent governments. However, the most pressing need for action is
the daunting task of overhauling the nation's financial institutions
and securing public support for taxpayer-funded bailouts. Banks, in
particular, must dispose of their huge overhang of bad loans and trim
their balance sheets in preparation for greater competition from
foreign financial institutions as more areas of the financial sector
are opened. Successful financial sector reform would allow Japan's
financial institutions to act as a catalyst for economic recovery at
home and across the troubled Asian region. Further steps toward
complete financial liberalization are in the initial stages of
implementation. Proposals under consideration could lower many
barriers allowing foreign firms greater and cheaper access to funds,
and the recent relaxation of restrictions on the insurance market also
promise greater access to foreign companies. A large factor in
determining the pace and scope of recovery is the government's
handling of deregulation programs, a delicate task given the recent
changes in Japanese politics.
Recent political initiatives in Japan have fundamentally transformed
Japanese political life, ushering in a new attitude which is strongly
reverberating in the economy. The Japanese Parliament (the Diet) had
been consistently dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
since 1955. The LDP dynasty, recently fraught with scandal,
corruption, accusations of maintaining a virtual monopoly, effectively
ended in 1994 as a result of electoral reform measures that brought
Diet seats to previously underrepresented areas. The first election
under this new system was held in October 1996. While the LDP remained
as the ruling party, it did so from a minority position. A key result
of the electoral reforms has been a strengthening of ideas of
opposition parties. Indeed, many of the LDP's recent reforms
originated with the leaders of the opposition New Frontier Party. The
LDP's ability to consistently produce bold innovations in a
politically competitive environment is untested. The opposition
parties suffer from structural and organizational weaknesses.
Infighting and defections are common. This inexperience with a true
multi-party system has caused the rise and fall of four coalition
governments in recent years. Between the adjusting of the monolithic
LDP to a more demanding and competitive system and the settling of the
opposition parties, Japan's political environment remains unstable.
The desire for electoral reform arose out of what many see as a basic
change in Japanese public opinion in recent years. Faced with
recurring scandal and corruption, Japanese society has come to demand
more accountability from their leaders, more transparency in their
institutions, and less interference from their intensely bureaucratic
government. This attitude was reflected in the results of the recent
election where candidates of the LDP party were heavily defeated in an
election for the upper house of parliament and prime minister
Hashimoto was forced to resign. The election results were considered
to be a repudiation of the government's failure to come to grips with
the country's economic decline, widening corruption scandals and a
lack of any discernable progress in addressing the nation's banking
problems.
Nevertheless, sustaining reforms and recovery are not guaranteed.
Drops in consumption, increased budget deficits, or halting
deregulation could exacerbate the nation's economic woes. Furthermore,
as a trade-dependent nation long used to high levels of government
protection, it is unclear how the Japanese economy will react to the
potential adoption of the trade liberalization measures which are
constantly promoted by their trading partners. In addition, as the
largest economy in a rapidly changing and often volatile region of the
world, external events such as the Korean conflict could effect Japan.
As many of the governments of Southeast Asia frequently face domestic
discontent, and as many of these countries are Japanese trading
partners and investment recipients, their internal stability and its
impact on regional security are of tremendous importance to Japan.
Also of concern are Japan's trade and current-account surpluses. If
they continue to grow, they could lead to an increase in trade
friction between Japan and the United States. Additionally, with
inflationary pressures largely absent and wholesale prices falling,
Japan may be entering a period of deflation. A deflationary
environment would both hit corporate profits and increase the debt
burden of Japan's most highly leveraged companies.
CHINA AND HONG KONG. China is one of the world's last remaining
communist systems, and the only one that appears poised to endure due
to its measured embrace of capitalist institutions. It is the world's
most populous nation, with 1.22 billion people creating a workforce of
699 million people. Today's Chinese economy, roughly separated between
the largely agricultural interior provinces and the more
industrialized coastal and southern provinces, has its roots in the
reforms of the recently deceased communist leader Deng Xiaoping.
Originally an orthodox communist system, China undertook economic
reforms in 1978 by providing broad autonomy to certain industries and
establishing special economic zones (SEZs) to attract foreign
investment (FDI). Attracted to low labor costs and favorable
government policies, investment flowed from many sources, with Hong
Kong, Taiwan, and the United States leading the way. Most of this
investment h as been concentrated in the southern provinces,
establishing manufacturing facilities to process goods for re-export.
The result has been a steadily high level of real GDP growth,
averaging 11.35% per year so far this decade. With this growth has
come a doubling of total consumption, a tripling of real incomes for
many workers, and a reduction in the number of people living in
absolute poverty from 270 to 100 million people. Today there is a
market of more than 80 million people who are now able to afford
middle class western goods.
Such success has not come without negatives. As a communist system in
transition, there still exist high levels of subsidies to state-owned
enterprises (SOE) which are not productive. At the end of 1997, it was
reported that close to half of the SOEs ran losses. In addition, the
inefficiencies endemic to communist systems, with their parallel (thus
redundant) political, economic and governmental policy bodies,
contribute to high levels of inflation. Fighting inflation and
attempting to cool runaway growth has forced the government to
repeatedly implement periods of fiscal and monetary austerity.
Periodic intervention seems to be their chosen method of guarding
against overheating.
Performance in 1997 reflects this dynamic between growth, inflation,
and the government's attempts to control them. Growth slowed to 9.1%,
largely as a result of a tightening of credits to SOEs. Policy was a
mix between a loose monetary stance and some relatively austere fiscal
positions. While growth was a priority, it came at the cost of
double-digit inflation.
China has two stock exchanges that are set up to accommodate foreign
investment, in Shenzhen and in Shanghai. In both cases, foreign
trading is limited to a special class of shares (Class B) which was
created for that purpose. Only foreign investors may own Class B
shares, but the government must approve sales of Class B shares among
foreign investors. As of December 1997, there were 51 companies with
Class B shares on the two exchanges, for a total Class B market
capitalization of $2.1 billion U.S. dollars. In 1997, all of China's
stock market indices finished the year below the level at which they
began it. These markets were buoyed by strong speculative buying in
the year's second quarter. Market valuations peaked in September and
were subsequently hit by a heavy sell off from October onwards.
In Shanghai, all "B" shares are denominated in Chinese renminbi but
all transactions in "B" shares must be settled in U.S. dollars. All
distributions made on "B" shares are also payable in U.S. dollars, the
exchange rate being the weighted average exchange rate for the U.S.
dollar as published by the Shanghai Foreign Exchange Adjustment
Center. In Shenzhen, the purchase and sale prices for "B" shares are
quoted in Hong Kong dollars. Dividends and other lawful revenue
derived from "B" shares are calculated in renminbi but payable in Hong
Kong dollars, the rate of exchange being the average rate published by
the Shenzhen Foreign Exchange Adjustment Center. There are no foreign
exchange restrictions on the repatriation of gains made on or income
derived from "B" shares, subject to the repayment of taxes imposed by
China thereon.
China's proven ability to nurture domestic consumption and expand
export markets leads many to believe that the bulk of its growth has
yet to be seen. Most sources, notably the World Bank, predict future
growth levels through the year 2000 of over 7%. This auspicious
indicator notwithstanding, there are a few special considerations
regarding China's future. While this list is not all-inclusive, it
does highlight some internal and external forces that have a strong
influence on the country's future.
To begin with the internal issues, one matter is that infrastructure
bottlenecks could prove to be a problem, as most FDI has been
concentrated in manufacturing and industry at the expense of badly
needed transportation and power improvements. Secondly, as with all
transition economies, the ability to develop and sustain a credible
legal, regulatory, and tax system could influence the course of
investments. Third, environmentalists warn of the current and looming
problems regarding pollution and resource destruction, a common result
of such industrial growth in developing economies which can't afford
effective environmental protection. This is a particularly noteworthy
issue, given the size of the country's agricultural sector. Lastly,
given China's unique method of transition there exists the possibility
that further economic liberalization could give rise to new social
issues which have heretofore been effectively mitigated. One such
issue is the possible dismantling of inefficient state-owned
enterprises, something which is potentially socially explosive given
the communist policy of providing social welfare through the firm.
Exposing what many economists feel is a high level of open
unemployment and widening the gap between the newly empowered business
class and the disenfranchised could pressure the government to retreat
on the road to reform and continue with massive state spending.
Regarding external issues, China's position in the world economy and
its relationship with the United States also have a strong influence
on it's economic performance. The country has recently enjoyed an
almost uninterrupted positive trade balance. As the largest country
amidst the fastest growing region in the world, China and its
multi-million person ethnic diaspora have a significant role to play
in Asian growth. Should China ascend to become a member of the World
Trade Organization (WTO), as it desires, such movements of capital and
goods will become easier.
Export growth in China has recently been subject to fluctuations
caused by external political events, such as the U.S. elections and
debates over human rights issues. U.S. policy (specifically most
favored nation status) is frequently reconsidered by various elements
of the U.S. government in reaction to a variety of issues, from
nuclear proliferation to Tibetan rights. Significant changes in U.S.
policy could impact China's growth, as close to 9% of their GDP is
trade with the U.S. and the U.S. represents the third biggest investor
in China.
Perhaps the strongest influence on the Chinese economy is the policy
that is set by the political leaders in Beijing and this is somewhat
of an open question as the death of Deng has created a slight vacuum
in Chinese political society. A large part of Deng's strength derived
from a newly empowered business class endeared to him and it is
unclear if any of his successors can harness this loyalty as
effectively as he did. Sustained growth is one possible way to win
over this constituency, leading many to believe that the future
Chinese leadership will respect market forces at least as much as Deng
did. Choosing between double digit growth and reduced inflation could
continue to be a central economic question, with 1997 (Deng
influenced) decisions pointing to an acceptance of lower, albeit still
high, GDP growth.
Another key political player is the Chinese army. With provocative
situations occurring in Taiwan and the Korean peninsula, and with ever
present pressure from internal democrats, the military is in a
position of leverage regarding the shaping of the future political
scene. Finally, there is the communist party, long seen as a loser
amongst the beneficiaries of Deng's reforms. Many view the battle
between the party and the middle class as a zero sum game and as the
leadership settles, respective alliances and constituencies could
determine how much the government pursues its growth strategy.
As with almost all foreign investments, U.S. investors face the
significant risk of currency devaluation by the Chinese government.
Despite assurances from officials reemphasizing China's policy
commitment to maintain the current exchange rate of the renminbi
against the U.S. dollar, many observers believe that this policy will
be soon tested as China monitors the effect of regional devaluations
on exports. Government authorities feel that China has boosted its
international reputation by refraining from devaluing the renminbi at
a time when such a move could further destabilize the currencies of
its neighbors. Nevertheless, Chinese authorities have recently hinted
that a continued slide in the Japanese yen would make it very
difficult for them to maintain their promise not to devalue. If
efforts to prevent the slide in the yen fail, then China may be pushed
into devaluing their currency. For U.S. investors, a devaluation would
erode the investment returns on their investments.
The last significant force in the Chinese economy is the acquisition
on July 1, 1997 of Hong Kong as a Special Autonomous Region (SAR). For
the past 99 years as a British Colony, Hong Kong has established
itself as the world's freest market and more recently as an economic
gateway between China and the west.
A tiny, 814 square mile area adjacent to the coast of southern China
with a population of 6.3 million, Hong Kong has a long established
history as a global trading center. Originally a manufacturing-based
economy, most of these businesses have migrated to southern China. In
their place has emerged a developed, mature service economy which
currently accounts for approximately 80% of its Gross Domestic
Product. Hong Kong trades over $400 billion in goods and services each
year with countries throughout the world, notably China, Japan, and
the U.S. Its leading exports are textiles and electronics while
imports tend to revolve around foodstuffs and raw materials. Hong
Kong's currency, the HK dollar, was pegged to the US dollar at
HK7.7=$1 in 1983 and investors consider it to be a stable mechanism in
enduring confidence lapses and speculator attacks. The operation of a
currency board and accumulation of U.S. dollars in its monetary fund
is partly responsible for this stability.
The stock market (SEHK) listed 658 publicly traded companies by the
end of 1997, with total capitalization at $413 billion U.S. dollars. A
significant portion of SEHK firms are in real estate, and are
sensitive to fluctuations in the property markets. 1997 was a
tumultuous year for the Hong Kong stock market as a speculative attack
on the Hong Kong dollar in October provoked a global sell-off in
equities. Investors were shocked as the Hong Kong market, long
regarded as a safe-haven, plunged 40% in October. The stock market's
decline and the attack on the local currency sent interest rates
soaring, precipitating an erosion in local property values. This in
turn put additional pressure on the banking sector which is heavily
geared to real estate. The Hong Kong market's dramatic downturn
illustrates how vulnerable it is to the Asian region's economic
problems. The structural problems besetting Hong Kong's neighbors in
Southeast and Northeast Asia may not be quickly resolved. Exports to
the Asian region may remain depressed as the process of economic
reform in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and
South Korea will likely hold back economic growth in the area.
Accordingly, Hong Kong and China will likely be more dependent upon
demand from the U.S. and Europe for some time to come.
As a trade center, Hong Kong's economy is very closely tied to that of
its trading partners, particularly China and the United States. In the
wake of Deng's reforms, Hong Kong and China have become increasingly
interdependent economically. Currently, China is Hong Kong's largest
trading partner. After Taiwan, Hong Kong is the largest foreign
investor in China, accounting for about 60 percent of overall foreign
direct investment. Hong Kong plays a particularly significant role as
an intermediary in U.S.-China trade. In 1996, it handled 56% of
China's exports to the U.S. and 49% of Chinese imports from the U.S.
The critical question regarding the future of Hong Kong is how the
Chinese leadership will exert its influence now that it has become a
Special Autonomous Region (SAR). This new status is in accordance with
pledges made at the Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong
made by the Chinese and British governments in 1984. Leading up to the
hand over of the colony, the Chinese government has pledged to uphold
the Basic Law of 1990 which states that Hong Kong's status as an
unfettered financial center will remain intact for at least 50 years
after 1997. Part of this status includes retaining the legal,
financial and monetary systems (specifically the HK$/US$ peg) which
guarantee economic freedom and foster market expansion.
Many investors and citizens are closely monitoring Chinese actions in
order to assess their actual commitment to these principles. Already
there is evidence of a clear, if slow, current of political change
coming from Beijing. Certain actions, such as the curbing of media
freedoms, indicate that there is the possibility of significant
interference from communist authorities. More significant was the
clash between the U.K. and Chinese governments over China's abolition
of the elected legislature and subsequent installation of governmental
leaders in both the executive and the legislature who are directly
appointed by Beijing. Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, appointed as the first Chief
Executive of the SAR, has surrounded himself with like-minded
Machiavellian figures who have strong ties to both market successes
and Beijing leaders. They are portrayed as believing in the powers of
capitalism and central authority, if not democracy, leading some to
speculate that the SAR could develop into a South Korean style of
corporatism which preserves the economic status quo without
incorporating further political freedoms.
In assessing the prospects for Hong Kong's future, it must be noted
that China has a very strong interest in a prosperous SAR.
Particularly if Beijing pursues a growth strategy as it has in the
past, Hong Kong can be a key agent in China's economic policy. Desire
for investment and new technologies necessary for modernization is a
strong incentive to send positive signals through the treatment of
Hong Kong. This is reinforced by the respect Hong Kong is due given
its role in China's recent dynamic performance.
To be sure, there are more adamant concerns over the effect of the
acquisition. Many are skeptical of Beijing's ability to leave the
currency alone. Some note the continuous drop in GDP as evidence that
Hong Kong has yet to mature as a service economy and that the
workforce hasn't fully adjusted to the switch out of manufacturing.
Additionally, by tying Hong Kong so closely with China, it now must
weather the ups and downs of Beijing's relationship with the U.S. Most
Favored Nation Status now means just as much, if not more, to the
SAR as it does to Beijing, with some asserting that revoking
MFN could result in substantial losses in trade, income, and jobs.
Hong Kong's competitive advantage has traditionally been a mix of
geography, market freedoms and entrepreneurial spirit. The
preservation of these advantages is now a function of the island's
independence from Beijing. Today's investors will be vigilant in
measuring how much of that independence is retained after July 1,
1997.
AUSTRALIA. Australia is a 3 million square mile continent (about the
size of the 48 continental United States) with a predominantly
European ethnic population of 18.2 million people. A member of the
British Commonwealth, its government is a democratic, federal-state
system.
The country has a western style capitalist economy with a workforce of
9.2 million people that is concentrated in services, mining, and
agriculture. Australia's large agricultural sector specializes in
wheat and sheep rearing and together, these two activities account for
more than half of the country's export revenues. Australia also
possesses abundant natural resources such as bauxite, coal, iron ore,
copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead,
zinc, diamonds, natural gas, and oil. The health of the country's
domestic economy is particularly sensitive to movements in the world
prices of these commodities. Primary trading partners are the United
States, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and
Germany. Imports revolve around machinery and high technology
equipment.
Historically, Australia's strong points were its agricultural and
mining sectors. While this is still true to a large extent, the
government managed to boost its manufacturing sector by undertaking
protective measures in the 1970's and early 1980's. These have
subsequently been liberalized in an effort to spur growth in the
industrial sector. Today's economy is more diverse, as manufacturers'
share of total exports is increasing. Part of the government's effort
to make manufacturing more competitive was a floating of the
Australian dollar in 1984, precipitating an initial depreciation, and
a campaign to reduce taxes. Such reforms have attracted foreign
investment, particularly in the transport and manufacturing sectors.
Restrictions do exist on investment in certain areas as media, mining
and some real estate.
With inflation well under control but unemployment stubbornly high and
signs of cyclical slack in the economy, Australia's monetary policy is
focused on preserving the low inflation environment while keeping
monetary conditions conducive to stronger economic growth. The
government has set a goal of achieving a government budget surplus in
fiscal year 1998/1999.
Australia is fully integrated into the world economy, participating in
GATT and also more regional trade associations such as the Asia and
the Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Future growth could
result from their movement towards regional economic liberalization,
but a countervailing force is the reality that some export markets in
Europe could be lost to continued European economic integration.
After suffering a significant recession in 1990-91, the Australian
economy has enjoyed six years of expansion. The medium-term outlook
appears favorable, with domestic spending supported by low interest
rates, improving consumer confidence and a strengthening labor market.
GDP growth has increased steadily throughout 1997. However, weakness
in commodity prices, particularly metal prices, coupled with an
increase in the nation's current account deficit have placed
significant pressure on the Australian dollar.
Investors should be aware that, while Australia's prospects for strong
economic growth appear favorable over the long-term, many sectors
currently face significant risks arising from the recent turbulence in
Asian countries, which account altogether for almost 60 percent of
Australia's exports. While projections already embody a more subdued
outlook for growth in these countries, there is a risk of this outlook
deteriorating further, especially in Japan and Korea.
Due to the large position that the agriculture and natural resource
sectors have in the nation's export driven economy, any weakness in
commodity prices may negatively impact both the economy and stock
prices. In addition, United States investors face the risk that their
investment returns from investments in Australia could be eroded if
the Australian currency declines relative to the United States dollar.
INDONESIA. Indonesia is a country that encompasses over 17,000 islands
on which live 195 million people. It is a mixed economy that balances
free enterprise with significant government intervention. Deregulation
policies, diversification of strong domestic sectors, and investment
in infrastructure projects have all contributed to high levels of
growth since the late 1980's. Indonesia's economy grew at 7.1% in
1996, the exact average of its performance for the current decade.
Growth in the 1990's had been fairly steady, hovering between 6.5-7.5%
for the most part, peaking at 8.1% in 1995. Moderate growth in
investment, including public investment, and also in import growth,
helped to slowdown GDP growth. Growth has been accompanied by
moderately high levels of inflation.
In recent years, Indonesia had been undergoing a diversification of
the core of its economy. No longer strictly revolving around oil and
textiles, it is now gaining strength in high technology manufactures,
such as electronics. Indonesia consistently runs a positive trade
balance. Strong export performers are oil, gas, and textiles and
apparel. Oil, once responsible for 80% of export revenues, now
accounts for only 25%, an indication of how far other (mostly
manufacturing and apparel) sectors have developed. Main imports are
raw materials and capital goods.
However, as with many of its Asian neighbors, Indonesia's bright
prospects came to a sudden halt in August of 1997 when the plunging
Thai baht began to destabilize the rupiah. By mid-year 1998 the local
currency had fallen more than 80% against the dollar, and hugely
increased the cost of servicing foreign debts; a collapse of the real
economy, and a growing number of bad loans. Various central bank
initiatives, including a doubling of interest rates, failed to halt
the currency's depreciation. The nation's banks, unable to service
their extensive short-term borrowings, were suddenly in danger of
collapse. Of more than 200 local banks, a mere handful were estimated
to be solvent at mid-year 1998.
The social effects of this decline have been devastating. By the end
of 1998 the government expects 47% of the population to be living
below the poverty line and unemployment is expected to surpass 20% of
the workforce. This has led to an increase in social tensions and food
riots and large-scale strikes have broken out sporadically. Rioting
and attacks upon the country's business-oriented ethnic Chinese
population have prompted as many as 80,000 to flee the country. Rising
popular opposition forced President Suharto to resign less than three
months after being appointed to his seventh consecutive five-year term
and was replaced by his vice-president, B. J. Habibie. The political
upheaval and resulting uncertainty has resulted in the further erosion
in public confidence at home and abroad.
The breakdown in public confidence in the Indonesian economy will
likely be difficult to reverse, and will prolong the period of
recovery. Resumption of lending by multilateral institutions under a
rescue package drawn up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may
speed up the process of restoring the faith in the government's
efforts to shore up the banking system. Nevertheless, even if the two
critical outstanding issues of restructuring the corporate sector's
external debt and shoring up the banking sector can be resolved this
year, the economy will remain weak in 1999 and recover only slowly in
the following years.
The Indonesian stock market plunged to record lows in 1997 under the
combined impact of the country's economic implosion, political
uncertainty and social unrest. The market's retreat continued into
mid-1998 as domestic and foreign investors fled the market for safer
havens overseas. While many investors believe that the market's steep
decline has brought valuations of a number of Indonesian companies to
very attractive levels, there remains considerable risk particularly
for foreign investors. As with most foreign investments, United States
investors could see their investment returns eroded if the Indonesian
currency declines in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Secondly, any
escalation of rioting and other forms of social unrest could be a
major obstacle in the path of economic recovery. Thirdly, many
question the will of the Indonesian government and its people to
accept the conditions of economic reform as mandated by the IMF.
Fourth, the Indonesian economy, currency and securities markets are
extremely sensitive to events that take place within the Asian region
and their fortunes are somewhat dependent upon how well other Asian
nations resolve their own economic and currency problems.
MALAYSIA. 1997 saw Malaysia's GDP growth slow to 7.4%, down from over
8.2% in 1996 and 9.5% in 1995. Inflation has been kept relatively low
at 3.8%. Performance in 1996 avoided the economy's potential
overheating as export growth, investment, and consumption all slowed.
A large part of Malaysia's recent growth is due to its manufacturing
industries, particularly electronics and semiconductors. This has led
to an increased reliance on imports; thus the economy is sensitive to
shifts in foreign production and demand. This is particularly true
regarding its main trading partners: the United States, Japan, and
Singapore. Such shifts were partly responsible for the slowdown in
1997. In addition, monetary policies to stem the threat of overheating
were evident, but the country still needs massive public and private
investment to finance several large infrastructure projects.
Government industrial policy seeks investment to create more value
added high technology manufacturing and service sectors in order to
decrease the emphasis on low skilled manufacturing. Already U.S.
investors have invested over $9 billion, and most of this is in
electronics and energy projects.
However, like its Asian neighbors, Malaysia has stumbled in its dash
to become a developed nation by 2020. The grandiose ambitions of
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad have been set back by its
worst-ever currency crisis, which also brought a sharp fall in the
country's stock market. An overheated property market, a growing
current-account deficit and a highly leveraged economy, precipitated
much of the country's problems. Following the sharp decline of
Thailand's currency, the Malaysian ringgit came under severe pressure.
The Malaysian central bank attempted to defend the currency and the
resulting spikes in interbank rates marked the start of a period of
escalating interest rates. Once the central bank ceased using foreign
exchange reserves to slow the ringgit's depreciation in the
region-wide currency slide, the Malaysian currency quickly weakened
versus the United States dollar and by year end had declined by 35%.
By mid-year 1998, the outlook for the Malaysian economy remained bleak
as economists predicted that the economy would shrink by at least 5
percent this year, the first contraction in 13 years. The likelihood
that Malaysia will be forced to seek IMF assistance is increasing.
Although Malaysia does not have the high level of foreign debt that
has overwhelmed its Asian neighbors, domestic lending, at 170 percent
of GDP, was the highest in Southeast Asia when the currency crisis
struck. The nation's banks are now faced with a growing number of
unpaid loans as more businesses are struggling to stay afloat in the
sagging economic environment.
Adding to the bleak outlook is the government's seemingly confused and
erratic response to the nation's serious economic and currency crisis.
The Prime Minister is increasingly at odds with the finance minister
on what policies the country has to institute to remedy the country's
serious problems. Prime Minister Mahathir has abandoned the tight
money, financially conservative recovery policy endorsed by the IMF
and has placed the blame for the nation's troubles on foreign currency
and stock market speculators. The move risks triggering another round
of currency devaluations, inflation and, in the long run, economic
collapse.
Investors should be aware that investing in Malaysia currently entails
a number of potential risks, not the least of which is the
increasingly erratic economic policies of the Malaysian government
that are counter to the advice of the IMF and many of the developed
nations. In addition, the government appears to be escalating its
hostile attitude toward foreign investors. In September of 1998
Malaysian authorities imposed new restrictions on the foreign exchange
and securities markets. Included were limitations in repatriating the
investment proceeds of foreign investors.
While the Malaysian population has been relatively passive during the
first year of the economic meltdown, there could be mounting social
unrest if the crisis is prolonged. Should the country finally adopt
IMF remedies the Malaysian people may be reluctant to accept the
additional sacrifices that they will be called upon to endure. This
could seriously undermine the recovery of Malaysia's economy as well
as its currency and stock market. An increasingly hostile government
towards foreign investors could also lead to additional curbs on the
free access to their funds. As with other Asian markets, currency risk
remains substantial.
SINGAPORE. Since achieving independence from the British in 1965,
Singapore has repeatedly elected the People's Action Party (PAP) as
their government. It is a party that is so consistent it has only
offered up two prime ministers in this 32-year period. Elections in
January 1997 returned the PAP to power, signaling satisfaction with
their policy of close coordination with the private sector to
stimulate investment. Typical policies include selective tax
incentives, subsidies for R&D, and joint ventures with private firms.
While the combination of consistent leadership and interventionist
policies is sometimes seen as impeding civil liberties and
laissez-faire economics, it has produced an attractive investment
environment.
The Singapore economy is almost devoid of agriculture and natural
resources, not surprising given the island nation's geographic size.
Its strongest sector is manufacturing, particularly of electronics,
machinery and petroleum and chemical products. They produce 45% of the
world's computer disk drives. Major trading partners are Japan,
Malaysia and the United States.
The economic situation in Singapore registered a passable year in 1996
but weakened in early 1997, dragged down by the downturn in the global
electronics industry. However, it ended the year on a firmer footing
as real GDP growth rose from 4.1% in the first quarter to 7% by the
fourth quarter. Inflation remained low and the current account balance
maintained its large surplus. Property values have declined recently,
impacted by continuing oversupply.
Although Singapore boasts one of the strongest economies in Asia,
investors in that market face a number of possible risks. Chief among
these is that the country is not immune to the region's economic
troubles, as Singapore's neighbors account for nearly one-quarter of
its trade. Any prolonged regional economic downturn could slow its
growth. In addition, analysts believe that there is considerable
downside risk in the current Singapore dollar exchange rate and any
decline in the Singapore currency versus the U.S. dollar could erode
the investment return of United States investors in that
market .
SOUTH KOREA. South Korea has been one of the more spectacular economic
stories of the post-war period. Coming out of a civil war in the
mid-1950's, the country found itself with a destroyed economy and
boundaries that excluded most of the peninsula's mineral and
industrial resources. It proceeded over the next 40 years to create a
society that includes a highly skilled and educated labor force and an
economy that exploited the large amounts of foreign aid given to it by
the United States and other countries. Exports of labor intensive
products such as textiles initially drove the economy and were
eventually replaced by heavy industries such as automobiles.
Hostile relations with North Korea dictate large expenditures on the
military and political uncertainty and potential famine in the north
has put the south on high alert. Any kind of significant military
effort could have multiple effects, both positive and negative, on the
economy. South Korea's lack of natural resources put a premium on
imported energy products, making the economy very sensitive to oil
prices.
Since 1991, GDP growth has fluctuated widely between 5% and 9%,
settling down at 5.6% last year. Currently the labor market is in need
of restructuring, and its rigidity has hurt performance. Relations
between labor and the large conglomerates, or Chaebols, could prove to
be a significant influence on future growth. Inflation in the same
period has been consistently dropping, save a brief rise in 1994 and
finished the year at 4.5%. The country consistently runs trade
deficits, and the current account deficit widened sharply in 1996,
more than doubling to $19.3 billion. South Korea's strong domestic
sectors are electronics, textiles and industrial machinery. Exports
revolve around electronics, textiles, automobiles, steel and footwear,
while imports focus on oil, food, chemicals and metals.
The stock market (Korea Stock Exchange) is currently undergoing
liberalization to include more foreign participation, which was only
first allowed in 1992, but the bond market remains off limits until
1999. Foreign ownership has since been increased to 55% for all listed
stocks except three. The foreign ownership liberalization is in
response to the KSE 1996 performance, which was down 18%. The number
of listed companies totaled 726 in 1997, a decline of 34 from the
previous year, while the market's capitalization plummeted 70 percent
from its 1996 level.
Over the calendar year 1997, the Korean stock market extended its
two-year decline plunging by 42% to its lowest year-end level since
1986. The collapse came as a direct result of the Asian region's
currency crisis and the failure of several Korean conglomerates. In
the summer of 1997 , the South Korean won hit record lows
against the U.S. dollar as a series of nationwide labor strikes
aggravated the already escalating trade deficit. Despite aggressive
official intervention to support the local currency, the won had
fallen from 860 to 914 to the U.S. dollar by year-end.
The Korean market poses risks for current and prospective investors.
The Korean government will need to maintain public support to
implement the radical and difficult restructuring of the economy
demanded by the IMF under a $58 million loan package. This opposition
could come from the country's major conglomerates that have yet to
institute necessary restructuring initiatives, and from workers
protesting against rising unemployment.
In addition, relations with its long-standing enemy, North Korea have
been worsening as widespread famine could prompt another attack on its
southern neighbor to divert the attention of its people from their
suffering. More importantly, South Korea's heavy reliance on exporting
to the Asian region holds its economy hostage to the economic fortunes
of its neighbors.
THAILAND. The Thai economy has witnessed a fundamental transition in
recent years. Traditionally it was a strong producer of textiles,
minerals and agricultural products, but more recently it has tried to
build high technology export industries. This proved particularly
fortuitous in the mid 1990s when flooding wiped out much of their
traditional exports, but the newer industries remained strong, keeping
the growth rate above 8%. (This level had been achieved through the
1990s, giving the economy a name as one of the fastest growing in the
region.) Successive governments have also taken steps toward reducing
the influence of central planning, opening its market to foreigners
and abandoning five-year plans. This restructuring is still underway,
and the change can cause difficulty at times.
The political situation in Thailand is tenuous. Democracy has a short
history in the country, and power is alternatively obtained by the
military, a non-elected bureaucratic elite, and democratically elected
officials. The frequent transfers of power have generally gone without
divisive, bloody conflicts, but there are bitter differences between
the military and the political parties. Free elections in 1992 and
again in 1995 have produced non-military democratic leaders from
different parties, a healthy sign of party competition. More recently,
the dramatic downturn in the economy generated demands from all
sectors of society for the resignation of Prime Minister Chavalit. The
worsening economic situation threatened social stability of the nation
and the Prime Minister resigned after barely one year in power.
In 1997 GDP contracted by approximately 0.3%, compared with 7.2%
growth in 1996 and 8.6% in 1995. The 1997 current account deficit was
1.9% of GDP as against 7.9% in 1996. Inflation was 5.6%, however, the
government has projected a 16.2% rate for 1998. One cause for
Thailand's economic downturn was a decline in export growth as its
manufacturing industry faces stiff competition from low priced
competitors and its agriculture has suffered a severe drop in
production. In 1996, Thailand's currency, the baht, was linked to a
U.S. dollar dominated basket, and monetary policy had remained tight
to keep that link strong and avoid inflationary pressures.
The situation changed in early 1997, however, with the revelation of
many bad bank loans and a bubbling of property prices due to
over-investment. Many companies, faced with slowing exports, stopped
servicing their debts. Many other firms have stayed alive only with
infusions of public cash, and the government has been slow to let many
property laden financial firms fail. The stock market has reacted
strongly, dropping to new lows for the decade. Reluctant to float the
baht, indeed promising that it wouldn't, the government relented in
early July hoping to revive export and stock market growth. The
subsequent devaluation (approximately 20% against the dollar in the
first month) led to the need for a $16 billion loan coordinated by the
IMF to shore up foreign reserves. Most of the loan came from
neighboring countries led by Japan, indicating their desire to both
protect their own investments in Thailand, and also mitigate the
effect of the devaluation on their home currencies.
The total impact of the entire situation is negative, particularly on
inflation, unemployment and foreign debt. Significant turnover and a
major gamble on the currency has put the government in a precarious
position, especially given the fact that it is a six party coalition.
Dissatisfaction amongst the military, always a political factor, is
high.
The new Thai government has produced mixed results in their efforts to
remedy the country's serious economic woes. Crucial to Thailand's
recovery are both the outcome of newly instituted economic and banking
reforms and the outlook for both China's and Malaysia's economies.
Looking forward, currency risk remains high and the baht will likely
be highly vulnerable to regional contagion.
INDIA. India is the second most populous and seventh largest
country in the world. Although the country occupies only 2.4% of the
world's land area, it supports over 15% of the world's population.
Only China has a larger population. The Indian government is
classified as a federation, or union, and is, under its constitution a
"sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic" composed of 25
states and 7 union territories. Like the United States, it has a
federal form of government. However, the central government in India
has greater power in relation to its states, and is patterned after
the British parliamentary system.
India's population was estimated at 952 million in 1997 and has
been projected to double by the year 2028. Religion, caste, and
language are major determinants of social and political organization.
Although 83% of the people are Hindu, India also is the home of more
than 120 million Muslims - one of the world's largest Muslim
populations. Despite economic modernization and laws countering
discrimination against the lower end of the class structure, the caste
system remains an important factor in Indian society.
India has the world's fifth largest economy in terms of purchasing
power parity. About 62% of the population depends directly on
agriculture. Industry and services sectors are growing in importance
and account for 29% and 42% of GDP, respectively, while agriculture
contributes about 29%. More than 35% of the population lives below the
poverty line, but a large and growing middle class of 150 - 200
million has disposable income for consumer goods. In the industrial
sector, India now manufactures a variety of finished products for
domestic use and export.
India gained independence in 1947 after two centuries of British
colonial rule. Economic policies in the first four decades of
independence were driven by its leaders' deep distrust of foreign
economic interests and admiration for the Soviet model of centrally
planned industrialization. Accordingly, the country has followed a
policy regime that has been characterized by extreme protectionism and
public sector dominance in strategic sectors. Nevertheless, India has
developed a large and diversified private sector, and agriculture has
remained almost entirely in private hands.
India's treatment of foreign investment has been alternatively
encouraging, ambivalent or difficult, depending on the industry sector
involved. Most industries are open to limited investment by
multinational companies while others are closed to foreign investors.
Sectors closed to foreign investment currently number five: mineral
oils; railway transport; war ships and the military-related areas of
aircraft; atomic energy; and associated minerals. Although recent
measures have liberalized the investment limits on a number of major
industries, several political parties, deeply hostile to foreign
investment, have made these issues the subject of pre-election
rhetoric.
India has a large and active stock market which ranks twentieth
globally in market value. There are 23 recognized stock exchanges in
India. The BSE is the premier exchange; accounting for more than
one-third of trading volume, over 70% of listed capital and over 90%
of market capitalization. As of the end of 1997 there were 5,842
listed companies on the BSE with a total market value of US$128.27
billion.
Relations between India and its neighbors have been fraught with
difficulties. India disputes Pakistan's claims to part of Kashmir, and
repeated attempts at mediation have not resolved this conflict. The
dispute has triggered wars between the two countries in 1947, 1965 and
1971. More recently, India's nuclear tests prompted Pakistan to reply
in kind, despite Western efforts to dissuade it. Economic sanctions
imposed by the U.S. and other industrialized countries following the
nuclear tests in May of 1998 have not been without consequences. While
their short-term, direct effect on the economy has been relatively
modest, the indirect and medium-term consequences of sanctions could
become more serious. Relations with Nepal, with Bhutan and with China
are marred by China's two territorial claims in the nation's east and
north. Historical suspicions remain following the 1962 border war
between India and China and the two countries have continued to work
towards expanding their political and economic influence in the South
Asian region.
While India presents many attractions for U.S. investors, there
are a number of factors that could pose considerable risk to those
investing in this market: Contemporary politics have become
increasingly unpredictable since the resounding defeat of Congress in
1996 after decades at the helm. The alignment of political forces has
become increasingly erratic among factions, parties and interest
groups. Some factions within the current administration have been
hostile to foreign investment and could impose measures that would be
detrimental to the interests and rights of these investors.
India's foreign relations in the region remain fragile and the
possibility of increased tensions or open warfare is an ever-present
danger to the stability of the market. In addition, the monetary cost
of economic sanctions resulting from recent nuclear tests could
substantially impact economic growth and corporate profits. Sanctions
affect India in several ways. Crucially, there will be a deferment or
loss of direct aid and concessional loans, from multilateral agencies
(notably the World Bank) and bilateral donors (the U.S., Japan and
Canada, among others). The loss of export credit and guarantees,
notably from the US Export-Import Bank could delay and increase the
cost of large infrastructure and foreign investment projects. This, in
turn, could have a negative impact upon creditor and investor
confidence in the Indian market.
Relative to the more mature markets of the world, the level of
corporate disclosure in India is very low and companies are generally
less disposed to act in the best interests of their shareholders.
Accordingly, investors face a much more difficult task in ascertaining
the true investment worth of a particular stock.
As with most other emerging markets, the Indian market has been
negatively impacted by recent economic and currency turmoil in the
world's less developed regions and is likely to be similarly impacted
in any future weakness. Currency fluctuation is an additional risk to
U.S. investors as any weakening in the value of the Indian rupee
versus the U.S. dollar could erode the value of their investments upon
currency translation.
TAIWAN. Taiwan is one of the most densely populated
countries in the world, with a population of over 20 million, or 1,504
persons per square mile. Most Taiwanese are descendants of immigrants
who came from China's Fukien and Kwantung provinces over 100 years
ago. Mandarin is the official language while English is taught to all
students as their first foreign language, beginning in the seventh
grade.
Although settled by Chinese in the seventeenth century, Taiwan
(also called Formosa) was ruled by Japan from 1895-1945 and
subsequently reverted to Chinese administration at the end of World
War II. In 1949, nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek took control of
the island after fleeing mainland China with two million supporters,
following his defeat at the hands of the communists. Since that time,
Taiwan has been governed by the right-wing Kuomintang (KMT) which was
founded by Chiang Kai-shek. In 1996 the island held its first popular
presidential elections in which the KMT retained its control.
Both the Taipei and Beijing governments consider Taiwan an integral
part of China. The KMT has vowed to reconquer the mainland while The
People's Republic of China has urged Taiwan to accept a peaceful
reunification with the mainland. China has proposed that they regain
sovereignty over Taiwan on the basis of a "`one country - two
systems'" arrangement similar to that of the recent reunification of
Hong Kong. Nevertheless, China has periodically threatened to annex
Taiwan through military action.
Under the KMT government, Taiwan achieved a remarkable record of
economic growth with the assistance of massive U.S. aid in the early
years of the post war period. Today, Taiwan has one of the world's
strongest economies and is among the ten leading capital exporters.
Between 1980 and 1990 real GDP expanded at an average annual rate of
7.9%. During 1990-95 an annual GDP growth rate of 6.6% was recorded.
In 1996, compared with the previous year, GDP increased by 5.7% in
real terms, while it was anticipated that growth would exceed 6.0% in
1997 and 1998. Between 1960 and 1973 the island's exports rose 20 fold
and real GDP increased 3.3 times. Even more remarkable, as the shift
of millions of people from villages to cities took place, was the high
level of employment. Between 1964 and 1995 the unemployment rate
rarely exceeded 2% of the work force in any year.
Prior to 1967 foreign sources played a large role in financing
capital formation expansion, but thereafter domestic savings financed
the entire growth of net capital formation. By 1986 the ratio of
national gross savings to GDP had reached 38.5%. Thereafter the ratio
declined, standing at 26.0% in 1996. The expansion of foreign trade
was the major reason for Taiwan's rapid capital growth. Much of the
growth in exports could be attributed to the competitiveness of its
exports in price and quality in world markets.
Since the mid-1990s the island's traditional reliance upon light
industry has gradually given way to high technology activities, as
emphasis shifted from labor-intensive to capital-intensive production.
The electrical and electronic machinery sector continued to show
particularly strong growth in the 1990s as did the chemical sector.
Taiwan also has eleven vehicle manufacturers, all of which have
contracted joint ventures with foreign companies. By the mid-1990s
Taiwan had become one of the world's largest producers of personal
computers and semiconductors.
Taiwan has a large and active stock market ranking twelfth by
market value among the world's markets. The TSE in Taipei is the only
official stock exchange in Taiwan, although there is also a small OTC
market. At the end of 1997 there were 404 companies listed on the TSE
with a market capitalization of US$288.1 billion. The market is
dominated by individual investors, who account for 90.7% of total
turnover in listed shares. Many local institutions, such as banks,
insurance companies or pension funds, are prohibited or restricted
from investing in listed shares. Foreign individuals and institutional
investors meeting certain criteria have been able to invest in the
market directly since 1990 but are subject to certain limits. Foreign
involvement in the market through qualified foreign institutional
investors and mutual funds is small but growing.
Investing in Taiwan entails special risks as well as those risks
that are common to other emerging markets. Taiwan's relations with The
People's Republic of China remain fragile. The conflict between the
entrenched nationalization of China and the nascent nationalism of
Taiwan persists and armed conflict between the two nations remains a
possibility. Beijing continues its policy of attempting to isolate
Taiwan and could use its growing economic power and political
influence to interfere with the nation's trade with the rest of the
world's economies.
In addition, the Taiwan market has been one of the most volatile
in Asia over the past decade. The country did not escape the effects
of the Asian economic and currency crises in 1997 and 1998 and could
continue to be negatively impacted by an extension of the current
regional turmoil. The nation's heavy dependence upon trade and
manufacturing partnerships with foreign companies also leaves it
particularly vulnerable to downturns in the global economies. Currency
fluctuation is an additional risk to U. S. investors as any weakening
in the value of the local currency versus the U.S. dollar could erode
the value of their investments upon currency conversion.
THE PHILIPPINES. The Philippines is a developing democratic
republic. After 300 years of Spanish rule, the United States acquired
the Philippines from Spain in 1898 and ruled for 48 years. The country
subsequently gained its independence from the United States in 1946.
The nation, as provided by the 1987 Constitution, is a democratic
republican state with a presidential form of government. However,
since its independence, the government has been periodically roiled by
military coups, martial law and political assassinations.
The Filipino population consists of approximately 70 million
people, primarily of Indo-Malay, Chinese and Spanish descent. Thirteen
percent of the population lives within the Metro Manila area. Most
Filipinos are bilingual, with English as the basic language in
business, government, schools, and everyday communication. While there
are 87 languages spoken throughout the Philippines, the official
language is Filipino, which is spoken mainly in the Metro Manila area
and widely used in the mass media.
The Philippine economy is basically agricultural if
food-processing manufacture is included. Agriculture (including
forestry and fishing) contributed 21.5% of GDP in 1996, and engaged
39.8% of the employed labor force, while industry (including mining,
manufacturing, construction and power) contributed 31.9% of GDP and
engaged 16.5% of the employed labor force.
Manufacturing accounted for 22.6% of GDP in 1996 and engaged 9.8%
of the labor force. The principal branches of manufacturing are food
products, petroleum refineries, electrical machinery, chemical
products, beverages, metals and textiles.
The services sector contributed 46.6% of GDP in 1996, and engaged
43.7% of the employed labor force. Remittances from Filipino workers
abroad constituted the Government's principal source of foreign
exchange, while tourism remains a significant sector of the
economy.
In 1995 the Philippines recorded a trade deficit and a deficit on
the current account of the balance of payments. The principal source
of imports was Japan, which accounted for 22.1% of the total. Other
significant suppliers were the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,
the Republic of Korea and Taiwan. The United States was the principal
market for exports (35.8%), while other purchasers were Japan,
Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Under the regime of General Fidel Ramos, installed in 1992, the
economic performance of the Philippines improved dramatically, owing
to extensive structural reforms, including the dismantling of
protectionist legislation and the liberalization of trade, foreign
investment and foreign exchange controls. However, economic growth was
adversely affected by the regional financial crisis in 1997. The
effective devaluation of the peso in July caused a collapse of the
stock market and led to rising inflation and the depletion of foreign
exchange reserves. The absence of large foreign investment inflows,
which had previously contributed to an overall surplus on the balance
of payments despite a recurrent account deficit, resulted in an
overall deficit in 1997.
The Philippine stock exchange (PSE) is the country's only exchange
and ranks thirty-sixth in total market capitalization among the
world's markets. The total number of companies listed on the exchange
was 221 in 1997. Individual domestic investors are the majority
participants while foreign investment is dominated by the Taiwanese,
who are closely followed by the Japanese and Hong Kong Chinese.
Foreign investors are generally allowed to acquire 100% of the equity
of a Philippine listed company, although there are businesses where
foreign ownership is restricted by law.
Foreign investors face special risks when investing in the
Philippines. The country's economy and stock market have historically
been highly sensitive to changes in the Asian region's economies and
this has been amply demonstrated in recent years. After posting
dramatic gains in the four years preceding Asia's financial crisis in
mid-1997, the Philippine stock market plummeted in response to the
spreading economic, political turmoil in Southeast Asia and Japan. The
market's weakness was further exacerbated as foreign investors pulled
out of the market in large numbers.
Weakening conditions in neighboring countries has also negatively
impacted the Philippine peso. Plummeting currencies in Thailand,
Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia sent the Philippine peso into a
steady decline. Over the 1997 calendar year, the value of the peso
fell by 52 percent versus the U.S. dollar.
For U.S. investors, currency fluctuation presents an additional
risk to investing in the Philippines as a weakening peso can erode the
investment returns on their investments in that country.
Because the Philippines is highly dependent upon the United
States, Japan and the Southeast Asian countries as the primary
purchasers of its exports, its economy is particularly sensitive to
changes in the economic fortunes of these nations.
Although the Philippine political climate appears to have improved
over the past few years, investors should be aware that the country
has periodically been subjected to military coups, martial law, and
widespread political corruption since it gained independence. Several
past administrations have instituted policies that have also been
detrimental to the domestic economy and the rights of its citizens.
Cronyism and corruption have also been rampant in both government and
the business community to the detriment of the interests of corporate
shareholders.
PAKISTAN. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was founded in
1947, when the British partitioned the South Asian subcontinent into
two states: India and Pakistan. (East Pakistan broke away to become
Bangladesh in 1971). The Pakistan constitution of 1973, amended
substantially in 1985, provides for a President (Chief of State) who
is elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of the
federal parliament and members of the four provincial legislatures.
The National Assembly in a special session elects a Prime Minister.
Following the election, the President invites the Prime Minister to
create a government. The constitution permits a vote of "no
confidence" against the Prime Minister by a majority of the National
Assembly. In practice, the army has a strong voice in the
decision-making process and few Presidents have been able to oppose
its interests for long.
Relations between Pakistan and India have been fraught with
difficulties. India disputes Pakistan's claims to part of Kashmir, and
repeated attempts at mediation have not resolved this conflict. The
dispute has triggered wars between the two countries in 1947, 1965 and
1971. India has accused Pakistan of fomenting religious and political
unrest and in 1994 there were frequent disturbances in the region. The
two sides frequently exchange gunfire. More recently, India's nuclear
tests prompted Pakistan to reply in kind, despite Western efforts to
dissuade it. Economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other
industrialized countries following the nuclear tests have not been
without consequences. While their short-term, direct effect on the
economy has been relatively modest, the indirect and medium-term
consequences of sanctions could become more serious as the resumption
of IMF funding is currently in jeopardy.
With a per capita GDP of about $470, Pakistan is considered a
low-income country by the World Bank. No more than 39% of adults are
literate and life expectancy at birth is about 62 years. Relatively
few resources have been devoted to socio-economic development or
infrastructure projects. Inadequate provision of social services and
high population growth have contributed to a persistence of poverty
and unequal income distribution.
The country's principal natural resource is arable land (25% of
the total land area is under cultivation). Agriculture accounts for
24% of GDP and employs about 50% of the labor force. Wheat, cotton,
and rice together account for almost 70% of the value of total crop
output and are among the country's major exports. Pakistan's
manufacturing sector accounts for about 20% of GDP. Cotton textile
production and apparel manufacturing are Pakistan's largest
industries, accounting for about 50% of total exports. Other major
industries include cement, fertilizer, sugar, steel, tobacco,
chemicals, machinery and food processing.
Weak world demand for its exports and domestic political
uncertainty have contributed to the nation's widening trade deficit.
The nation continues to rely heavily on imports of such materials as
petroleum products, capital goods, industrial raw materials and
consumer products and the resulting external imbalance has left
Pakistan with a growing foreign debt burden. Annual debt service now
exceeds 27% of export earnings.
Pakistan has three stock exchanges located in Karachi, Lahore and
Islamabad. The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) is dominant, accounting
for approximately 80% of equity transactions in Pakistan. The KSE
ranks forty-eighth among the world's markets and had a market
capitalization of $11 billion in 1997. At the end of that year there
were 781 companies listed on the KSE. The combined market
capitalization of the 20 largest companies represented 71.7% of the
market total.
U.S. investors should be aware that there are a number of factors
that could pose special risks to investing in Pakistan securities.
Among these is the country's long history of government instability
marked by military coups, political assassinations and frequent
outbreaks of violent rioting, strikes and ethnic unrest. While recent
governments have made some progress on addressing some of the
country's social and economic ills, the current administration is
faced with a number of serious crises. The country appears to be close
to defaulting on its international commitments. With no debt
repayments made since August of 1998, Pakistan faces the possibility
of outright default unless it can secure a bailout package and debt
rescheduling. Recent talks with the IMF on a debt rescue package broke
down and a default could precipitate declines in the nation's trade
and currency. By November of 1998, foreign investment had slowed
dramatically in response to a rise in investment risk and new
restrictions imposed by the central bank designed to limit the outflow
of foreign exchange.
Corruption within the government and business community remains a
problem and corporate managers are generally not focused on improving
shareholder interests.
The threat of war with India over the disputed province of Kashmir
remains a threat to peace in the region and any outbreak of
hostilities would likely plunge the nation's economy into deep
depression and further erode the relative value of its currency versus
the world's major currencies.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING LATIN AMERICA
Latin America represents one of the world's more advanced emerging
markets. With a total population of 427 million people and its
abundant natural resources, the area is a prime trading partner for
the United States and Canada. L atin American exports represent,
on average, 16.6% of GDP. Strong export sectors are petroleum,
manufactured goods, agricultural commodities such as coffee and beef,
and metals and mining products. GDP growth in Latin America as a
region was 3.4% in 1996, up from 0.1% in 1995. Recognizing the
important role of international trade as a component of GDP, the
countries of Latin America have formed strong regional trade
organizations, notably Mercado Comun del Sur (MERCOSUR). Talk
of extending the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
down through Latin America indicates some desire to tie the economies
even closer to those of the north.
Politically, Latin American countries generally have strong
presidential systems closely modeled after the United States.
The transition to democrac y is largely complete in most
countries. All countries enjoy good relations with the United
States, with whom they cooperate on a range of non-economic matters,
such as preservation of the environment and drug control. Monetarist
minded governments were responsible for the successful staving off of
contagion from the 1995 currency crisis in Mexico, increasing
their stature in the eyes of most capital market participants.
ARGENTINA. Prior to 1989, Argentine politics were characterized by
populist leaders, sometimes democratically elected and sometimes not,
who ruled with the overt support of the military. Coups and outright
military rule were not uncommon. Economic policies were highly
protectionist, with significant barriers and restrictions on foreign
trade and investment. Markets were highly regulated and the state was
heavily involved in many industries. Inflation was routinely high and
growth stagnant.
President Carlos Menem was first elected to office in 1989 and
undertook a program of deregulation, liberalization and macroeconomic
reform. The results have been positive. GDP growth in 1997 was 8.0%,
up from 4.4% in 1996 and -4.4% in 1995. Argentina's growth, averaging
over 6% from 1991 to 1997, had been driven primarily by domestic
consumption. Immediately after the Mexican crisis, bank liquidity
was restrained. However, deposits have since returned to the system
surpassing the levels that existed prior to the crisis and liquidity
is very much improved. Lending also increased and consumer spending
rebounded although it has slowed somewhat due to the most recent
Brazilian crisis. The positive effect is that inflation, well over
150% at the beginning of the decade, was 0.4% in 1996. Still
troublesome for Argentina is unemployment, quite high at 15%. Menem's
economic liberalization policies have succeeded in attracting foreign
investment. From the U.S. alone, approximately $10 billion was
invested by 1996. Investors have been most attracted to the
telecommunications, finance, and energy sectors.
Argentina enjoys a positive trade balance. The export economy is
heavily weighted toward agriculture, which represents 60% of the total
value of all Argentine exports. Primary products are livestock,
oilseeds, and grain. Argentina's single biggest trading partner is
Brazil, and the United States is the second. Primary imports are
machinery, vehicles and chemicals.
The resignation of Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo in July 1996 was
initially greeted with skepticism from the markets. Cavallo was widely
recognized as the man responsible for ensuring the convertibility of
the peso by pegging it to the dollar, a move which saved Argentina
from the hyperinflation and continuous drops in output which could
have followed from the Mexican crisis in 1994. Confidence was quickly
restored, however, with the appointment of Roque Fernandez, who
promptly reaffirmed commitment to Cavallo's plan and introduced
further measures for fiscal stability.
T he next presidential election is due in 1999. In accordance
with the constitution, Menem, a member of the Peronist party, can not
seek a third consecutive term. The next election is likely to present
a third candidate to the voters beyond the traditional contestants
from the Peronist and Radical parties. Frepaso, a center-left
alliance, first emerged in the 1995 elections and by 1999 could build
itself up enough to promote a viable alternative to the older parties.
It is uncertain how policies would be effected by the systemic change
from a predominantly two party system to a three party one.
The Argentine stock market reached an all-time high in October of
1997 in response to rising corporate earnings and strong economic
growth. However, the market underwent a significant correction due
largely to the "contagion effect" of the Asian economic and currency
crisis and the Mervel index ended the year only 5.9% ahead.
While there was little direct impact from the Asian crisis on
Argentina's economy, foreign investors fled the market, as they feared
that Asia's currency problems would spread to Latin America.
The Argentine market may pose special risks for investors. As an
emerging nation, Argentina's stock market may be particularly
vulnerable to widespread economic, currency and market turmoil such as
we have seen recently in Asia. These crises may prompt investors to
become increasingly averse to emerging market exposure on concern that
the impact of these events will spread to other countries. In
addition, mutual funds that invest in emerging markets may be forced
to sell holdings in countries that have little similarity with the
markets in trouble, merely to raise cash to meet redemptions.
Similarly, the Asian crisis has accelerated a growing imbalance
between supply and demand for basic commodities such as oil, metals,
pulp, grains and others. This could impact the Argentinean stock
market where energy stocks (oil, gas and electricity) comprise
approximately 40% of the market's total value. A currency devaluation
by one or more of its Latin American neighbors could precipitate a
recession and political pressure for competitive devaluation to
protect the country's trade competitiveness.
While Argentina's political situation is relatively stable, there is
a high degree of dissatisfaction with the government's inability to
lower the country's high unemployment rate. This could eventually lead
to social unrest and a turnove r of the government to the
control of parties less favorable to investors.
BRAZIL. Brazil is the largest country in South America and is home to
vast amounts of natural resources. Its 155 million people are
descendants from indigenous tribes and European immigrants. They live
in diverse socio-economic conditions, from the urban cities of Sao
Paolo to the undeveloped trading posts of the distant regions.
Industrial development has been concentrated in specific areas. The
disenfranchised population is quite large and is a source of many of
Brazil's social problems.
The Brazilian economy is currently undergoing extensive reforms,
stemming from a 1994 effort to stabilize the currency called the Real
Plan. With the aim of curbing inflation, a new currency, the Real, was
introduced and supported via a floating exchange band . The plan
has stabilized the exchange rate and controlled inflation which
was at 2,700% in 1994. Inflation in 1995 dropped to 81%, and fell even
further in 1996, settling at 18.7%. Perhaps the most remarkable
achievement for the Brazilian economy in 1997 was the lowest rate of
inflation in the past 40 years, as the National Consumer Price Index
increased just 7.48%. At the same time, however, the Real Plan has
sent the trade and current account balances into a deficit. The
current account deficit is expected to reach $30 billion in 1998,
equivalent to 3.6% of GDP.
Other objectives of the administration of the current President,
Fernando Henrique Cardoso, are trade liberalization and privatization,
but these efforts are sporadic and often stalled by special interests
in the legislature. Some privatization efforts are performing well,
particularly in the utilities sector. Utilities and telecommunications
have been key draws for foreign investment, and foreign direct
investment (FDI) is coming in at record levels. In 1998 the
country received over $20 billion from privatizations .
Still, there are restrictions against investments in certain
industries, such as metals and mining.
Traditionally a primarily agricultural economy, a strong
industrial sector has developed which produces metals, chemicals, and
manufactured consumer goods. Agriculture still plays a significant
role, however, representing 11% of the GDP, 40% of exports and
employing over 35% of the workforce. Primary agricultural products are
grains, coffee, and cattle. Regarding energy and utilities, the
country is a leading producer of hydroelec tric power, but is
dependent on imports for oil.
Presidential elections were held in October of 1998 and
President Cardoso won with 53% of the vote. This should insure
continuity in policy, which will be much needed given the difficulties
caused by the recent instability in the global markets and its impact
on Brazil.
In 1997 the Brazilian stock market rose to an all-time high in the
first quarter. Over the summer, the speculative attack on the Thai
currency triggered a sharp reversal in the Brazilian market, as
investors feared a raid on the Brazilian real. However, the market
ended the year with a gain of 4.34%. By mid-year 1998 the Brazilian
market plummeted amid growing concern that Brazil, Latin America's
largest economy, might suffer the confidence crisis that had caused
large currency devaluations in Russia and Asia.
Investing in Brazil could entail special risks: High unemployment is
the chief challenge facing Brazil's president Cardoso following his
reelection in October of 1998 . Joblessness is at a record high and
social unrest could hinder his progress in subduing inflation and
denationalizing government ownership of many of its businesses .
Brazil could be a likely target for a renewed attack on its currency.
The economy is in a more precarious state: interest rates remain high
and, despite austerity measures, little progress has been made in
reducing the current account deficit. This poses particular risk for
U.S. investors who would see their investment returns eroded if the
Brazilian real were to be devalued.
Overall, Brazil remains vulnerable to both external shocks and
changing sentiment due to worsening domestic indicators or political
risk.
CHILE. Chile is a transition economy which has recently made great
strides toward putting its authoritarian, statist, past behind itself.
In all of Latin America, it is the country with the highest rates of
growth. Averaging 7.3% so far this decade, GDP grew at 6.0% in 1996,
down from 6.6% the previous year. Inflation has been steadily
declining and is down over 15% in the last five years. Inflation in
1997 was 6.0%, a 0.6% drop over 1996. Unemployment in 1996 was 6.2%,
particularly low for the Latin American region. Chile is still
considered to have one of the best performing stock markets in the
region.
Per formance of the Chilean stock market was lackluster in 1997
as weak copper prices and rising interest rates led to a contraction
in the domestic economy. Also contributing to the market's weakness
was the contagion effect of the Asian economic and currency crises, a
decline in pulp and steel prices, and uncertainty about the growth
prospects of its Latin American neighbors. These factors combined to
produce a 15% decline in the stock market for the 1997 calendar year.
The market weakness carried through into the first half of the next
year.
Eduardo Frei is President and is due for reelection in 1999.
President Frei has been trying to decentralize the government but
encounters stiff opposition from the powerful trade unions; also high
on Frei's agenda is tax reform.
There is a considerable military component to political life in
Chile. Constitutional reforms, currently in progress, are
attempting to further diminish the role and influence of the military.
A successf ul outcome requires that the military acquiesce as it is
stripped of its political powers.
Investors in the Chilean market face special risks. The Chilean
market is particularly sensitive to the fluctuation in the
international price of copper and pulp on the international markets
and they have a significant impact on the nation's economy and stock
market.
As is typical of most emerging markets, much of the Chilean market
equity is firmly held by controlling families and their associates.
Accordingly, these owners may not always act in the interests of
outside shareholders. In addition, any weakness in the Chilean
currency versus the dollar could erode the investment returns to U.S.
investors upon currency conversion.
MEXICO. The Mexican economy has recovered fairly well since the
currency crisis of December 1994 thanks in large part to growth in
exports, peso stabilization, and massive financial assistance from the
United States. GDP growth rose to 7.3%, with consumer spending and
investment leading the way. A major positive factor supporting growth
during 1997 was the strength of the peso, which closed the year little
changed from its 1996 year-end level. In addition, the nation's
inflation rate declined to 15.7% from the 27.7% rate of 1996. This
marked the second straight year of improvement. Inflation is the chief
concern of the central bank, which takes active measures such as the
setting of wage ceilings and the adjustment of interest rates to
control it. Domestic consumption, while improved, has yet to return to
pre-1994 levels, and has also contributed to the containment of
inflation.
The Mexican economy is very strong in manufacturing and natural
resources, specifically oil. Manufacturing alone counts for 22% of the
Mexican GDP and 21% of all urban employment. The economy is also very
closely tied to the United States, which is responsible for 60% of all
foreign investment and with whom it conducts over 75% of all trade.
Trade pacts such as NAFTA further integrate the economies, giving the
United States strong incentives to provide assistance in times of
crisis. NAFTA also enabled the recent recovery, given the ease
with which it allows increases in exports and investment. The Mexican
stock market listed 194 companies with total capitalization of $156
billion in 1997 .
Internally, the various people of the Mexican states have recently
experienced a great deal of dissatisfaction with their relationship to
the federal government. Most notably, in Chiapas there have been armed
uprisings by indigenous groups demanding further autonomy. While the
rebellions have not strongly shaken financial markets, they serve as a
reminder of the diversity of Mexico, of the vast socio-economic gaps
between various peoples, and of the potential for such groups to
demand the attention of both their government and the world.
Politically, the landscape changed fundamentally in July 1997. The
defeat of candidates from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)
in legislative elections signaled the end of decades of one party
rule. Citizens now have the confidence that their votes count and that
the PRI is no longer invincible. Winning every presidential election
since its founding in 1929, the PRI was the country's monolithic
political machine, maintaining power through rigged elections and
ruling in an environment rife with intrigue and corruption. Internal
pressures including armed rebellion from domestic interest groups,
extensive crises and scandals caused by intra-party rivalries and
corruption, and deteriorating relationships with foreign countries
over financial mismanagement and mutual social problems all
contributed to the establishment of fully free and unfettered
elections. Numerous electoral reforms implemented since 1989 have
aided in the further opening of the Mexican political system and
opposition parties have made historic gains in elections at all
levels. Much of the impetus for establishing a real two party system
in Mexico can be credited to President Zedillo and the PRI majority in
Congress. During 1995-96 the political parties negotiated
constitutional amendments to address electoral campaign fairness
issues, which passed unanimously. The response from the Mexican people
was clear as a record number of registered voters cast ballots. Though
they took the most votes (39%) for the 500-member Lower House of
Congress, the PRI has lost their majority. Mid-term elections held in
July of 1997, also saw large gains for opposition parties and marked a
significant step in Mexico's political transformation. Market
reaction to the new Mexican political world was positive. The IPC
index, consisting of 35 of the most representative stocks on the
Mexican Stock Exchange, rose 3.25% the day after the election. Further
financial implications of the new landscape are as yet uncertain.
Relevant considerations are the effect of the new configurations on
government consensus and policy making, the demands of newly empowered
groups on economic and other resources, the balance of power between
the executive and the legislature, and the ability of the government
to maintain law and order.
M exico's stock market fell sharply in late 1997 and continued
its descent through mid-1998 as the worsening Asian economic and
currency crises threatened to cause problems for Mexico's trade
balance and raised questions concerning the sustainability of its
economic growth. Foreign investors fled the Mexican market, as they
feared that Asia's currency problems would spread to Latin America.
Investors in Mexico face a number of potential risks. As an emerging
nation, Mexico's stock market may be particularly vulnerable to
widespread economic, currency and stock market turmoil such as that
recently experienced in Asia and Russia. These crises may prompt
investors to become increasingly averse to emerging market exposure on
concern that the impact of these events will spread to other
countries. In addition, mutual funds that invest in emerging markets
may be forced to sell holdings in countries that have little
similarity with the troubled markets, merely to raise cash to meet
redemptions. Similarly, because the United States is Mexico's largest
trading partner, any economic downturn in the U.S. economy can have a
strongly adverse impact upon Mexico's economy and stock market.
While Mexico's political situation is relatively stable, there is a
high degree of dissatisfaction with the government's inability to
effectively address the nation's growing social problems, particularly
in the country's less developed regions. Occasional flair-ups of
strikes and armed rebellion could pose a threat to Mexico's political
and economic stability.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The Russian Federation is the largest republic of the Commonwealth of
Independent States with a 1995 population of 147,500,000. It is about
one and four fifths of the land area of the United States and occupies
most of Eastern Europe and north Asia.
Russia has had a long history of political and economic turbulence.
The USSR lasted 69 years and for more than half that time it ranked as
a nuclear superpower. In the 1930's tens of millions of its citizens
were collectivized under state agricultural and industrial enterprises
and millions died in political purges and the vast penal and labor
system or in state-created famines. During World War II, as many as 20
million Soviet citizens died. After decades of communist rule, the
Soviet Union was dissolved on December 8, 1991 following a failed coup
attempt against the government of Mikhail Gorbachev. On the day that
the leaders declared that the Soviet Union ceased to exist, the Soviet
republics were invited to join with Russia in the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS). At one time or another those that have
agreed to join have included the Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan
and Kyrgyzstan, but a number have dropped out since or have only
observer status. Each of the republics is a sovereign state that
controls its own economy and natural resources and collects its own
taxes, providing only minimal support to the CIS.
Boris Yeltsin, President of Russia, inherited the mantle of economic
and political chaos. With the freeing of most prices he staked his
political life on the rapid creation of a free market economy. Since
1991 Yeltsin and his Russian reformers have been faced with the
daunting task of stabilizing the Russian economy while transforming it
into a modern and efficient structure able to compete in international
markets and respond to the needs of the Russian people. To date, their
efforts have yielded widely mixed results. On the one hand, they have
made some impressive progress. Since 1992, they have abolished central
planning, decontrolled prices, unified the foreign exchange market,
made the ruble convertible, and privatized two thirds of the economy.
They have accomplished this in spite of the crushing burdens inherited
from the communist system: huge industrial enterprises that are
unprofitable, an obsolete capital stock, a crumbling energy sector,
huge external debt, and armies that had to be repatriated and
resettled at home.
Russia remains a paradox among the major economies of the world in
that it is a country marked by stagnation in production levels, but
has few constraints on growth. Labor supply is adequate and savings
are high. In addition, there is almost unlimited scope for increasing
productivity through the introduction of improved technologies,
production process and market-oriented managerial development. There
are 147 million consumers who are slowly increasing their buying power
and education standards are high. Russia is also rich in natural
resources. It has 40% of the world's natural gas reserves, 6% of its
oil, 25% of coal, diamonds, gold and nickel, and 30% of timber and
bauxite. Approximately ten million people are engaged in agriculture
and they produce half of the region's grain, meat, milk, and other
dairy products.
The main reason for the continued poor performance of the Russian
economy is the country's failure to mobilize the resources that are
available. While the official unemployment rate was at 10.6% in 1996,
up to half of the working population is, in effect, unemployed or, to
a significant degree, underemployed in inefficient and unproductive
industries. Much of the country's savings have been siphoned off
through capital flight. Russia's technological potential for
assimilating both domestic and foreign technologies is not being
exploited. Industry privatization and restructuring initiatives have
generally failed to mobilize the available factors of production as
the country's privatization program virtually ensures the predominance
of the old management teams that are largely non market-oriented in
their management approach. Approximately 80% of Russian privatized
companies continue to be majority-owned by insiders and only 10% are
owned by investors with large enough stakes to influence the running
of the company.
In July 1996, Boris Yeltsin was re-elected for a second term and it
was hoped that the election would mark the start of a more stable
period of economic growth. However, macroeconomic indicators in 1996
proved contradictory. On the one hand, the Russian government
continued its strict credit policies, and the annual inflation rate
for 1997 dropped to 11%, down from 22% in 1996. Inflation has since
remained below 3% a month through the first half of 1997. In addition,
expenditure cuts trimmed the budget deficit to 7% of GDP for the first
nine months of 1996.
By the end of 1997, GDP was up 0.4% following 1996's 6% fall, and
industrial production was up by 1.9%. Non-payment continues to
represent a serious problem for the economy, particularly in the
energy sector.
While Russia is widely believed to be one of the most risky markets in
Eastern Europe, it is also recognized for its potential for positive
returns. However, the market has been essentially liquidity driven and
concentrated in very few of the country's largest companies. At just
$129 billion, the total capitalization of the stock market accounts
for just 28.7 percent of GDP. The majority of investors in Russian
equities are small and medium-sized United States hedge funds. In
addition, several country specific funds have been established to make
direct and portfolio investments in Russian companies. To facilitate
foreign investment, a number of the larger Russian companies have
issued equity in the form of American depository receipts while six
big firms have issued securities in the form of Russian depository
certificates. These certificates are issued and marketed by the Bank
of New York. Any investment in Russia is risky and deciding which
companies will perform well at this stage of the country's
transformation is far from easy. A combination of poor accounting
standards, inept management, limited shareholder rights and the
criminalization of large sectors of the economy pose a significant
risk, particularly to foreign investors.
In 1996 the Russian market delivered the world's best stock market
performance and was among the top performing markets in the first half
of 1997. However, the market's strength masked a rapidly deteriorating
political and economic picture. Many of the country's economic reform
initiatives have floundered as the proceeds of IMF and other
assistance have been squandered or stolen. Taxes were not being
collected and Russian banks, suffering from a collapsed ruble, could
not meet the demands of either domestic depositors or foreign
creditors. In August of 1998 the Yeltsin government effectively
devalued the Russian ruble by approximately 34% to strengthen the
ailing banking system and stimulate demand for Russian exports. In
addition the government announced a restructuring of its local
debt that would allow a 90-day moratorium on banks' foreign loans
and a rescheduling of $40 billion in domestic debt. These actions were
viewed by investors as being tantamount to default and they fled the
Russian stock and bond markets. President Yeltsin's relations
with the communist dominated Duma worsened and there was talk among
the body of beginning impeachment proceedings against the president.
By August of 1998 the ruble had fallen by 70 percent and food prices
soared, heightening fears of social unrest. By early September the
Russian economy appeared to be slipping out of control and the
government in a state of paralysis as the President and the Duma
feuded over remedial initiatives. Many observers fear that country's
communist party could regain control of the government and end free
market reforms, which could further negatively impact stock prices.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of the fund by FMR pursuant to authority contained in the
management contract. FMR is also responsible for the placement of
transaction orders for other investment companies and investment
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; the reasonableness
of any commissions; and, if applicable, arrangements for payment of
fund expenses.
If FMR grants investment management authority to a sub-adviser (see
the section entitled "Management Contract"), that sub-adviser is
authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities, and will do so in accordance with the policies described
above.
Generally, commissions for investments traded on foreign exchanges
will be higher than for investments traded on U.S. exchanges and may
not be subject to negotiation.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who
provide research and execution services to the fund or other
investment 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 investment accounts; and effect securities transactions
and perform functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and
settlement).
The selection of such broker-dealers for transactions in equity
securities is generally made by FMR (to the extent possible consistent
with execution considerations) in accordance with a ranking of
broker-dealers determined periodically by FMR's investment staff based
upon the quality of research and execution services provided.
For transactions in fixed-income securities, FMR's selection of
broker-dealers is generally based on the availability of a security
and its price and, to a lesser extent, on the overall quality of
execution and other services, including research, provided by the
broker-dealer.
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute transactions
on behalf of a fund may be useful to FMR in rendering investment
management services to that fund 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 a fund. 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.
Fixed-income securities are generally purchased from an issuer or
underwriter acting as principal for the securities, on a net basis
with no brokerage commission paid. However, the dealer is compensated
by a difference between the security's original purchase price and the
selling price, the so-called "bid-asked spread." Securities may also
be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting
fees.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, the
fund may pay a broker-dealer 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 the 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 that fund
or 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.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, FMR is authorized
to allocate portfolio transactions in a manner that takes into
account assistance received in the distribution of shares of the fund
or other Fidelity funds and to use the research services of
brokerage and other firms that have provided such assistance. FMR
may use research services provided by and place agency transactions
with National Financial Services Corporation (NFSC) and Fidelity
Brokerage Services Japan LLC (FBSJ), indirect subsidiaries of FMR
Corp., if the commissions are fair, reasonable, and comparable to
commissions charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms for
similar services. Prior to December 9, 1997, FMR used research
services provided by and placed agency transactions with Fidelity
Brokerage Services (FBS), an indirect subsidiary of FMR Corp.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers (including
affiliates of FMR) who have entered into arrangements with FMR under
which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the commissions paid by
a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses. The transaction
quality must, however, be comparable to those of other qualified
broker-dealers.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for investment 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.
The Trustees periodically review FMR's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions on behalf of the fund and review the commissions paid by
the 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 July 31, 1999 and July 31, 1998, the
fund's portfolio turnover rates were ___% and ___%.Variations in
turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of shareholder
purchase and redemption orders or market conditions, or changes in
FMR's investment outlook.
For the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund paid
brokerage commissions of $________, $________, and $_______,
respectively. Significant changes in brokerage commissions paid by the
fund from year to year may result from changing asset levels
throughout the year. The fund may pay both commissions and spreads in
connection with the placement of portfolio transactions.
[During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $_______, $______, and $_____,
respectively, to NFSC. NFSC is paid on a commission basis. [During the
fiscal year ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the
aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions
involving approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions for which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The
difference between the percentage of aggregate bro kerage
commissions paid to, and the percentage of the aggregate dollar amount
of transactions effected through, NFSC is a result of the low
commission rates charged by NFSC.] [ NFSC has used a portion of the
commissions paid by the fund to reduce that fund's custodian or
transfer agent fees.]
[During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____, respectively,
to FBS. FBS is paid on a commission basis. [During the fiscal year
ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the aggregate
brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions involving
approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions for
which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The difference between the
percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected
through, FBS is a result of the low commission rates charged by FBS.]
[FBS has used a portion of the commissions paid by the fund to reduce
that fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.]
[During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund paid
brokerage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____, respectively,
to FBSJ. FBSJ is paid on a commission basis. [During the fiscal year
ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the aggregate
brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions involving
approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions for
which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The difference between the
percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected
through, FBSJ is a result of the low commission rates charged by
FBSJ.] FBSJ has used a portion of the commissions paid by the fund to
reduce that fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.]
[During the fiscal year ended July 1999 the fund paid $__ in brokerage
commissions to firms that provided research services involving
approximately $__ of transactions. The provision of research services
was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all this business
with such firms.] [During the fiscal year ended July 1999, the fund
paid no brokerage commissions to firms that provided research
services.]
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures in conformity with
Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby a fund may purchase securities
that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of FMR
participates. These procedures prohibit the fund from directly or
indirectly benefiting an FMR affiliate in connection with such
underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where an FMR affiliate
participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may
apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities
that the fund could purchase in the underwriting.
From time to time the Trustees will review whether the recapture for
the benefit of the fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions
or similar fees paid by the fund on portfolio transactions is legally
permissible and advisable. The 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
the fund to seek such recapture.
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the
same as those of other funds managed by FMR or its affiliates,
investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of
other funds managed by FMR or investment 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 investment
accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds
and investment accounts are managed by the same investment
adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the
investment objective of more than one fund or investment
account.
When two or more funds 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 the fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and
prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that
the desirability of retaining FMR as investment adviser to the fund
outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to
simultaneous transactions.
VALUATION
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a
single share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of
the fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its
liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares
outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the
primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities
for which the primary market is the United States are valued at last
sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most
equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United
States are valued using the official closing price or the last sale
price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last
sale price (on the local exchange) is unavailable, the last evaluated
quote or closing bid price normally is used. Securities of
other open-end investment companies are valued at their respective
NAVs.
Fixed-income securities and other assets for which market quotations
are readily available may be valued at market values determined by
such securities' most recent bid prices (sales prices if the principal
market is an exchange) in the principal market in which they normally
are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or
assets. Or, fixed-income securities and convertible securities may be
valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that
uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied
valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Use of pricing
services has been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of
pricing services are available, and the fund may use various pricing
services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market
quotations, if available.
Independent brokers or quotation services provide prices of
foreign securities in their local currency. Fidelity Services
Corporation (FSC) gathers all exchange rates daily at the close of the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) using the last quoted price on the
local currency and then translates the value of foreign securities
from their local currencies into U.S. dollars. Any changes in the
value of forward contracts due to exchange rate fluctuations and days
to maturity are included in the calculation of NAV. If an even t
that is expected to materially affect the value of a portfolio
security occurs after the close of an exchange or market on which that
security is traded, then that security will be valued in good faith by
a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing
service are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost
or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of which approximate
current value .
The procedures set forth above need not be used to determine the value
of the securities owned by the fund if, in the opinion of a committee
appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method would more
accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For example,
securities and other assets for which there is no readily available
market value may be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by
the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith determination of the
value of a security, the committee may review price movements in
futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading trends, the bid/ask
quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional trading.
PERFORMANCE
The fund may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the fund in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. The fund's share price, yield
, if available, and 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 the fund are computed by dividing the
fund's interest and dividend 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 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. Dividends from equity investments are treated as if they
were accrued on a daily basis, solely for the purposes of yield
calculations. 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. For the fund's investments denominated in
foreign currencies, income and expenses are calculated first in their
respective currencies, and then are converted to U.S. dollars, either
when they are actually converted or at the end of the 30-day or one
month period, whichever is earlier. Capital gains and losses generally
are excluded from the calculation as are gains and losses from
currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Income calculated for the purposes of calculating the 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, the 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.
Y ield information may be useful in reviewing the fund's
performance and in providing a basis for comparison with other
investment alternatives. However, the 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
the 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 the 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.
R ETURN CALCULATIONS. R eturns quoted in advertising
reflect all aspects of the 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. A cumulative return
reflects actual performance over a stated period of time. Average
annual returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in
value of a hypothetical historical investment in the 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 return of 100% over ten years would produce an average
annual 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 returns are a convenient means of comparing investment
alternatives, investors should realize that the fund's performance is
not constant over time, but changes from year to year, and that
average annual returns represent averaged figures as opposed to the
actual year-to-year performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual r eturns, the fund may quote
unaveraged or cumulative ret urns reflecting the simple change
in value of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and
cumulative r eturns 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. 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 r eturn. R eturns may be quoted on a before-tax or
after-tax basis. Returns may or may not include the effect of the
fund's small account fee. Excluding the fund's small account fee from
a return calculation produces a higher return figure. R eturns,
yields, if applicable , and other performance information may be
quoted numerically or in a table, graph, or similar illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using the fund's NAVs ,
adjusted NAVs , and benchmark indexes may be used to exhibit
performance. An adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid by the
fund and reflects all elements of its return. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales
charges, if any.
MOVING AVERAGES. A fund may illustrate performance using moving
averages. A long-term moving average is the average of each week's
adjusted closing NAV for a specified period. A short-term moving
average is the average of each day's adjusted closing NAV for a
specified period. Moving Average Activity Indicators combine adjusted
closing NAVs from the last business day of each week with moving
averages for a specified period to produce indicators showing when an
NAV has crossed, stayed above, or stayed below its moving average.
On July 30, 1999, the 13-week and 39-week long-term moving averages
were $__ and $__, respective ly, for Global Balanced.
CALCULATING HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows
performance for the fund .
HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows the fund's return
for the fiscal periods ended July 31, 199 9.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thirty Day Yield Average Annual Returns Cumulative Returns
One Year Five Years Life of Fund* One Year Five Years
Global Balanced % % % % % %
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Cumulative Returns
Life of Fund*
Global Balanced %
</TABLE>
* From February 1, 1993 (commencement of operations).
[ Note: If FMR had not reimbursed certain fund expenses during
these periods, the fund's yield would have been ___%.]
[Note: If FMR had not reimbursed certain fund expenses during these
periods, the fund's returns would have been lower.]
The following table shows the income and capital elements of the
fund's cumulative return. The table compares the fund's return to the
record of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500 (registered
trademark) ), 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 the fund. The S&P 500 and DJIA comparisons
are provided to show how the fund's 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. The
fund has the ability to invest in securities not included in either
index, and its investment portfolio may or may not be similar in
composition to the indexes. The S&P 500 and DJIA returns are based on
the prices of unmanaged groups of stocks and, unlike the fund's
returns, do not include the effect of brokerage commissions or other
costs of investing.
During the period from February 1, 1993 (commencement of operations)
to July 31, 199 9 , a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Global
Balanced would have grown to $______, assuming all
distributions were reinvested. R eturns are based on past
results and are not an indication of future performance. Tax
consequences of different investments (with the exception of foreign
tax withholdings) have not been factored into the figures below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FIDELITY GLOBAL BALANCED FUND
Period Ended Value of Initial $10,000 Value of Reinvested Dividend Value of Reinvested Capital Total Value
Investment Distributions Gain Distributions
1999 $ $ $ $
1998 $ $ $ $
1997 $ $ $ $
1996 $ $ $ $
1994 $ $ $ $
1993* $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FIDELITY GLOBAL BALANCED FUND INDEXES
Period Ended S&P 500 DJIA Cost of Living**
1999 $ $ $
1998 $ $ $
1997 $ $ $
1996 $ $ $
1994 $ $ $
1993* $ $ $
</TABLE>
* From February 1, 1993 (commencement of operations).
** From month-end closest to initial investment date.
Explanatory Notes: With an initial investment of $10,000 in the fund
on February 1, 1993, 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 $ ______. 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 $ ______ for dividends and $ _____
for capital gain distributions.
INTERNATIONAL INDEXES, MARKET CAPITALIZATION, AND NATIONAL
STOCK MARKET RETURN
The following tables show the total market capitalization of certain
countries according to the Morgan Stanley Capital International
indexes database, the total market capitalization of Latin American
countries according to the International Finance Corporation Emerging
Markets database, and the performance of national stock markets as
measured in U.S. dollars by the Morgan Stanley Capital International
stock market indexes for the twelve months ended July 31, 1999 .
Of course, these results are not indicative of future stock market
performance or the funds' performance. Market conditions during the
periods measured fluctuated widely. Brokerage commissions and other
fees are not factored into the values of the indexes.
MARKET CAPITALIZATION. Companies outside the United States now make up
nearly two-thirds of the world's stock market capitalization.
According to Morgan Stanley Capital International, the size of the
markets as measured in U.S. dollars grew from $ ____ billion in
19 __ to $ ____ billion in 1999.
The following table measures the total market capitalization of
certain countries according to the Morgan Stanley Capital
International indexes database. The value of the markets are measured
in billions of U.S. dollars as of July 31, 1999.
TOTAL MARKET CAPITALIZATION
Australia $ Japan $
Austria Netherlands
Belgium Norway
Canada Singapore/Malaysia
Denmark Spain
France Sweden
Germany Switzerland
Hong Kong United Kingdom
Italy United States
The following table measures the total market capitalization of Latin
American countries according to the International Finance Corporation
Emerging Markets database. The value of the markets is measured in
billions of U.S. dollars as of July 31, 1999.
TOTAL MARKET CAPITALIZATION - LATIN AMERICA
Argentina $
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Mexico
Venezuela
Total Latin America $______
NATIONAL STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. Certain national stock markets have
outperformed the U.S. stock market. The first table below represents
the performance of national stock markets as measured in U.S. dollars
by the Morgan Stanley Capital International stock market indexes for
the twelve months ended July 31, 1999 . The second table shows
the same performance as measured in local currency. Each table
measures r eturn based on the period's change in price,
dividends paid on stocks in the index, and the effect of reinvesting
dividends net of any applicable foreign taxes. These are unmanaged
indexes composed of a sampling of selected companies representing an
approximation of the market structure of the designated country.
STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE
MEASURED IN U.S. DOLLARS
Australia % Japan %
Austria Netherlands
Belgium Norway
Canada Singapore/Malaysia
Denmark Spain
France Sweden
Germany Switzerland
Hong Kong United Kingdom
Italy United States
STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE
MEASURED IN LOCAL CURRENCY
Australia % Japan %
Austria Netherlands
Belgium Norway
Canada Singapore/Malaysia
Denmark Spain
France Sweden
Germany Switzerland
Hong Kong United Kingdom
Italy United States
The following table shows the average annualized stock market
returns measured in U.S. dollars as of July 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE
Five Years Ended Ten Years Ended
1999 1999
Germany
Hong Kong
Japan
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
</TABLE>
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS. The 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 return, assume reinvestment of distributions, do not take
sales charges or trading fees into consideration, and are prepared
without regard to tax consequences. In addition to the mutual fund
rankings, the fund's performance may be compared to stock, bond, and
money market mutual fund performance indexes prepared by Lipper or
other organizations. When comparing these indexes, 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, the 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.
The fund's performance may also be compared to that of the benchmark
index representing the universe of securities in which the fund may
invest. The return of the index reflects reinvestment of all
dividends and capital gains paid by securities included in the index.
Unlike the fund's returns, however, the index's returns do not reflect
brokerage commissions, transaction fees, or other costs of investing
directly in the securities included in the index.
Global Balanced may compare its performance to that of the Morgan
Stanley Capital International (MSCI)World Index , a market
capitalization-weighted index that is designed to represent the
performance of developed stock markets throughout the world. Effective
October 1, 1998, the country of Malaysia was removed from this
index. The index returns reflect the inclusion of Malaysia prior to
October 1, 1998. Stocks are selected for the MSCI i ndex on
the basis of industry representation, liquidity, sufficient float, and
avoidance of cross-ownership.
Global Balanced may compare its performance to that of the Salomon
Brothers World Government Bond Index, Unhedged, a market
value -weighted index of debt issues traded in 14 world government
bond markets. Issues included in the Index have fixed-rate coupons and
maturities of one year or more.
The 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, the fund may offer greater liquidity or higher
potential returns than CDs, the 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 indexes.
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 returns in
the same method as the funds. The funds may also compare performance
to that of other compilations or indexes that may be developed and
made available in the future.
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.
The fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. The 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
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, the fund may also discuss or illustrate examples
of interest rate sensitivity.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate the 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.
The 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.
The fund may be available for purchase through retirement plans or
other programs offering deferral of, or exemption from, income taxes,
which may produce superior after-tax returns over time. For example, a
$1,000 investment earning a taxable return of 10% annually would have
an after-tax value of $1,949 after ten years, assuming tax was
deducted from the return each year at a 31% rate. An equivalent
tax-deferred investment would have an after-tax value of $2,100 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted at a 31% rate from the
tax-deferred earnings at the end of the ten-year period.
As of July 3 1, 1999 , FMR advised over $__ billion in municipal
fund assets, $ __ b illion in taxable fixed-income fund assets,
$__ billion in money market fund assets, $___ billion in equity
fund assets, $__ billion in international fund assets, and
$ ___ billion in Spartan(registered trademark) fund assets. The
fund 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.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE, EXCHANGE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
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 the 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 .
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS. Because the fund invests significantly in foreign
securities, corporate shareholders should not expect fund dividends to
qualify for the dividends-received deduction. Short-term capital gains
are taxable as dividends, but do not qualify for the
dividends-received deductio n.
CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. The fund's long-term capital gain
distributions are federally taxable to shareholders generally as
capital gains.
[As of July 31, 1999, the fund had a capital loss carryforward
aggregating approximately $____. This loss carryforward, of which
$___, $___, and $___will expire on July 31, ____, ____, and ____ ,
respectively, is available to offset future capital gains.]
RETURNS OF CAPITAL. If the fund's distributions exceed its
taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all
or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of
capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce
each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher
reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares
on which the distribution was received are sold.
FOREIGN TAX CREDIT OR DEDUCTION . Foreign governments may
withhold taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund
with respect to foreign securities. Foreign governments may also
impose taxes on other payments or gains with respect to foreign
securities. If, at the close of its fiscal year, more than 50% of the
fund's total assets is invested in securities of foreign issuers, the
fund may elect to pass through eligible foreign taxes paid and thereby
allow shareholders to take a deduction or, if they meet certain
holding period requirements with respect to fund shares, a credit
on their individual tax returns.
TAX STATUS OF THE F UND. The fund intends to qualify each
year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal tax on
income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to
qualify as a regulated investment company , and avoid being
subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund
intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income
and net realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on
a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules
applicable to regulated investment companies.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION. The information above is only a summary
of some of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its
shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax
consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine
whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or
loss or other tax consequence to you. In addition to federal
income taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on
fund distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local
personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers
to determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax
situation.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of
the trust are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund
and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The
Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout
the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual
arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and
review the fund's performance. Except 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 or its affiliates. The business
address of each Trustee, Member of the Advisory Board, and officer who
is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act ) 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 (69), 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.; and a Director of FDC.
J. GARY BURKHEAD ( 58) , 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 ( 67 ), 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 ( 67 ), 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 ( 55) , 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 a Director of 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). Mr. Gates also is a Trustee of the Forum for International
Policy and of the Endowment Association of the College of William and
Mary. In addition, he is a member of the National Executive Board of
the Boy Scouts of America.
E. BRADLEY JONES ( 71 ), 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 ( 66) , 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
previously served as a Director of General Re Corporation
(reinsurance, 1987-1998 ) and Valuation Research Corp.
(appraisals and valuations, 1993-1995). H e serves as Chairman
of the Board of Directors of National Arts Stabilization Inc.,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital
Association, Director of the Yale-New Haven Health Services Corp.
(1998), 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 ( 56 ), 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 (registered trademark) 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 ( 65 ), 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 ( 71 ), 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 ( 66) , Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the Board,
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).
*ROBERT C. POZEN ( 52 ), 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 ( 70 ), 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).
RICHARD A. SPILLANE, JR. ( 48 ), is Vice President of certain
Equity Funds and Senior Vice President of FMR (1997). Since joining
Fidelity, Mr. Spillane is Chief Investment Officer for Fidelity
International, Limited. Prior to that position, Mr. Spillane served as
Director of Research.
RICHARD R. MACE, JR. (37) , is Vice President of Fidelity
Global Balanced Fund (1996) and other funds advised by FMR. Prior to
his current responsibilities, Mr. Mace managed a variety of Fidelity
funds.
ERIC D. ROITER ( 50) , Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998)
and General Counsel of FMR (1998) and Vice President and Clerk of
FDC (1998). Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was with the law
firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, as an associate (1981-1984) and as a
partner (1985-1997 ), and served as an Assistant General Counsel of
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981). Mr. Roiter
was an Adjunct Member, Faculty of Law, at Columbia University Law
School (1996-1997).
RICHARD A. SILVER ( 52 ), 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).
MATTHEW N. KARSTETTER ( 38 ), Deputy Treasurer (1998), is Deputy
Treasurer of the Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR (1998).
Before joining FMR, Mr. Karstetter served as Vice President of
Investment Accounting and Treasurer of IDS Mutual Funds at American
Express Financial Advisors (1996-1998). Prior to 1996, Mr. Karstetter
was Vice President, Mutual Fund Services at State Street Bank & Trust
(1991-1996).
JOHN H. COSTELLO ( 52) , Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of
FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH ( 53 ), 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).
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation
of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board of the fund for his
or her services for the fiscal year ended July 31, 199 9 , or
calendar year ended December 31, 199 8, as applicable.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
COMPENSATION TABLE
Trustees and Members of the Aggregate Compensation from Total Compensation from the
Advisory Board Global Balanced Fund [B] C Fund Complex* A
Edward C. Johnson 3d ** $ $
J. Gary Burkhead ** $ $
Ralph F. Cox $ $
Phyllis Burke Davis $ $
Robert M. Gates $ $
E. Bradley Jones $ $
Donald J. Kirk $ $
Peter S. Lynch ** $ $
William O. McCoy $ $
Gerald C. McDonough $ $
Marvin L. Mann $ $
Robert C. Pozen** $ $
Thomas R. Williams $ $
</TABLE>
* Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 199 8
f or 23 7 funds in the complex.
** Interested Trustees of the fund and Mr. Burkhead are compensated by
FMR.
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, 199 8 , the
Trustees accrued required deferred compensation from the funds as
follows: Ralph F. Cox, $ ______; Phyllis Burke Davis,
$ ______ ; Robert M. Gates, $______; E. Bradley Jones,
$ ______; Donald J. Kirk, $______; William O. McCoy, $ ______;
Gerald C. McDonough, $______; Marvin L. Mann, $______; and Thomas
R. Williams, $ ______. C ertain of the non-interested Trustees
elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their compensation as
follows: Ralph F. Cox, $ ______; M arvin L. Mann, $ ______;
Thomas R. Williams, $ ______; and William O. McCoy,
$ ______ .
[B Compensation figures include cash, and may include amounts
required to be deferred and amounts deferred at the election of
Trustees.]
[C The following amounts are required to be deferred by each
non-interested Trustee: Ralph F. Cox, $__; Phyllis Burke Davis, $__;
Robert M. Gates, $__; E. Bradley Jones, $__; Donald J. Kirk, $__;
William O. McCoy, $__; Gerald C. McDonough, $__; Marvin L. Mann, $__;
and Thomas R. Williams, $__.
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 July 31, 1999, approximately __% of the fund's total
outstanding shares was held by [FMR] [[and] [an] FMR affiliate[s]].
FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of [FMR] [[and] [this/these]
FMR affiliate[s]]. By virtue of his ownership interest in FMR Corp.,
as described in the "Control of Investment Advisers" section on page
___, Mr. Edward C. Johnson 3d, President and Trustee of the fund, may
be deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares. As of the above
date, with the exception of Mr. Johnson 3d's deemed ownership of the
fund's shares, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and
officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's total outstanding shares.]
[As of July 31, 1999, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board,
and officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's total outstanding shares.]
[As of July 31, 1999, the following owned of record or beneficially
5% or more (up to and including 25%) of the fund's outstanding
shares:]
[As of July 31, 1999, approximately ____% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by [NAME OF SHAREHOLDER].]
[A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a
fund's outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person. That
shareholder's vote could have a more significant effect on matters
presented at a shareholders' meeting than votes of other
shareholders.]
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR Corp., organized in 1972, is the ultimate parent company of
FMR, Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K). and
Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (FMR Far East). 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 International Limited (FIL), a Bermuda company formed in
1968, is the ultimate parent company of Fidelity International
Investment Advisors (FIIA), Fidelity Investments Japan Ltd. ( FIJ) and
Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited (FIIA
(U.K.)L). Edward C. Johnson 3d, Johnson family members, and various
trusts for the benefit of the Johnson family own, directly or
indirectly, more than 25% of the voting common stock of FIL. FIL
provides investment advisory services to non-U.S. investment companies
and institutional investors investing in securities throughout the
world.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
investment 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.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
The fund has entered into a management contract with FMR, pursuant to
which FMR furnishes investment advisory and other services.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Under the terms of its management contract with
the 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 a nd
limitations. FMR also provides the fund with all necessary office
facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments,
compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are
"interested persons" of the trust or of FMR, and all personnel of the
fund or FMR performing services relating to research, statistical and
investment activities.
In addition, FMR or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services
necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include
providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization;
supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents,
accountants, underwriters a nd other persons dealing with the
fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting
shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and the
registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing
management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing
reports, evaluation s and a nalyses 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, pricing and bookkeeping agent, and
securities lending agent, the fund pays all of its expenses that are
not assumed by those parties. The 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. The 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 the fund's transfer agent
agreement, the transfer agent bears the costs of providing these
services to existing shareholders. Other expenses paid by the 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. The 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 FEE. For the services of FMR under the management contract,
the 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Assets Annualized Rate Group Net Assets Effective Annual Fee Rate
0 - $3 billion .5200% $ 0.5 billion .5200%
3 - 6 .4900 25 .4238
6 - 9 .4600 50 .3823
9 - 12 .4300 75 .3626
12 - 15 .4000 100 .3512
15 - 18 .3850 125 .3430
18 - 21 .3700 150 .3371
21 - 24 .3600 175 .3325
24 - 30 .3500 200 .3284
30 - 36 .3450 225 .3249
36 - 42 .3400 250 .3219
42 - 48 .3350 275 .3190
48 - 66 .3250 300 .3163
66 - 84 .3200 325 .3137
84 - 102 .3150 350 .3113
102 - 138 .3100 375 .3090
138 - 174 .3050 400 .3067
174 - 210 .3000 425 .3046
210 - 246 .2950 450 .3024
246 - 282 .2900 475 .3003
282 - 318 .2850 500 .2982
318 - 354 .2800 525 .2962
354 - 390 .2750 550 .2942
390 - 426 .2700
426 - 462 .2650
462 - 498 .2600
498 - 534 .2550
Over 534 .2500
</TABLE>
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 $ ___ billion of group net assets - the approximate
level for July 199 9 was __% , which is the weighted
average of the respective fee rates for each level of group net assets
up to $ __ billion.
The fund's individual fund fee rate is 0.45% . Based on the average
group net assets of the funds advised by FMR for July 1999, the 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
Global Balanced 0.___% + 0.45% = 0.___%
</TABLE>
One-twelfth of the management fee rate is applied to the fund's
average net asset s f or the m onth, giving a dollar amount
which is the fee for that month .
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 199 7, the
fund paid FMR management fees of $ _________, $______, and $______,
respectively.
F MR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a
portion of the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest,
taxes, securities lending fees, brokerage commissions, and
extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision or termination.
FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements
in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of
the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fund's returns and
yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower its
returns and yield.
SUB-ADVISERS. On behalf of Global Balanced, FMR has entered into
sub-advisory agreements with FMR U.K., FMR Far East, FIJ, and FIIA.
FIIA, in turn, has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with
FIIA(U.K.)L. Pursuant to the sub-advisory agreements, FMR may receive
investment advice and research services outside the United States from
the sub-advisers.
On behalf of the fund, FMR may also grant the sub-advisers investment
management authority as well as the authority to buy and sell
securities if FMR believes it would be beneficial to the fund.
U nder the sub-advisory agreements FMR pays the fees of FMR
U.K., FMR Far East, FIJ, and FIIA. FIIA, in turn, pays the fees of
FIIA(U.K.)L. For providing non-discretionary investment advice and
research services the sub-advisers are compensated as follows:
(small solid bullet) FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East fees equal to
110% and 105%, respectively, of FMR U.K.'s and FMR Far East's costs
incurred in connection with providing investment advice and research
services.
(small solid bullet) FMR pays FIIA and FIJ fees equal to 30% of FMR's
monthly management fee with respect to the average net assets held by
the fund for which the sub-adviser has provided FMR with investment
advice and research services.
(small solid bullet) FIIA pays FIIA(U.K.)L a fee equal to 110% of
FIIA(U.K.)L's costs incurred in connection with providing investment
advice and research services.
For providing discretionary investment management and executing
portfolio transactions, the sub-advisers are compensated as follows:
(small solid bullet) FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East a fee
equal to 50% of its monthly management fee with respect to the fund's
average net assets managed by the sub-adviser on a discretionary
basis.
(small solid bullet) FMR pays FIJ and FIIA a fee equal to 57% of
its monthly management fee with respect to the fund's average net
assets managed by the sub-adviser on a discretionary basis.
(small solid bullet) FIIA pays FIIA(U.K.)L a fee equal to 110% of
FIIA(U.K.)L's costs incurred in connection with providing
discretionary investment management services.]
[For investment advice and research services, no fees were paid to
[Name(s) of Foreign Sub-adviser(s)] on behalf of the fund for the past
three fiscal years.]
[ For providing investment advice and research services, fees
paid to [Name(s) of Foreign Sub-adviser(s)] on behalf of Global
Balanced for the past three fiscal years are shown in the table
below. ]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East FIIA FIIA(U.K.)L FIJ
1999 $ $ $ $ $
1998 $ $ $ $ $
1997 $ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, no fees were paid to [Name(s) of Foreign Sub-adviser(s)]
on behalf of the fund for the past three fiscal years.]
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, fees paid to [Name(s) of Foreign Sub-adviser(s)] for the
past three fiscal years are shown in the table below.]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East FIIA* FIIA(U.K.)L FIJ*
1999 $ $ $ $ $
1998 $ $ $ $ $
1997 $ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
*Prior to August 1, 1999, FMR paid FIIA and FIJ a fee equal to 50%
of its monthly management fee with respect to the fund's average net
assets managed by the sub-adviser on a discretionary basis.
[No fees were paid to [Name(s) of Foreign Sub-adviser(s)] on behalf of
the fund for the past three fiscal years .]
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an
affiliate of FMR. 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 agreement
calls for FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other
business, to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are
continuously offered at NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses
in connection with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan on behalf
of the fund (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the
Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund may not
engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that is
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund except
pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The
Plan, as approved by the Trustees, allows the fund and FMR to incur
certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect
payment of the fund of distribution expenses.
Under the 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. The Plan
specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenue,
as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay FDC for
expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to
result in the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support
services. In addition, the Plan provides that FMR, directly or
through FDC, may pay intermediaries , such as banks,
broker-dealers and other service-providers , that provide
those services . Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized
such payments for Global Balanced shares.
[Payments made by FMR either directly or through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended 1999 amounted to $____.
[FMR made no payments either directly or through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended 1999.]
Prior to approving the Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all
pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and
determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will
benefit the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees
noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by the fund other than
those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund. To the
extent that the Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in
connection with the distribution of fund shares, additional sales of
fund shares or stabilization of cash flows may result.
Furthermore, certain shareholder support services may be provided more
effectively under the Plan by local entities with whom shareholders
have other relationships.
The Glass-Steagall Act generally prohibits federally and state
chartered or supervised banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling o r 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 fund 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.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plan. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with FSC, an
affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreement, FSC performs
transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder services for the
fund.
For providing transfer agency services, FSC receives an account fee
and an asset-based fee each paid monthly with respect to each account
in the 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 and fund type. The account fees
are subject to increase based on postage rate changes.
The asset-based fees are subject to adjustment if the year-to-date
total return of the S&P 500 exceeds a positive or negative 15%.
FSC also collects small account fees from certain accounts with
balances of less than $2,500.
In addition, FSC receives the pro rata portion of the transfer agency
fees applicable to shareholder accounts in a qualified state tuition
program (QSTP), as defined under the Small Business Job Protection Act
of 1996, managed by FMR or an affiliate and in each Fidelity
Freedom Fund and Fidelity Four-In-One Index Fund , fund s
of funds managed by an FMR affiliate, according to the percentage
of the QSTP's, Freedom Fund's or Fidelity Four-In-One Index
Fund' s assets that is invested in the fund, subject to certain
limitations in case of Fidelity Four-In-One Index 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.
The fund has also entered into a service agent agreement with FSC .
Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the NAV and
dividends for the fund, maintains the fund's portfolio and general
accounting records, and administers the fund's securities lending
program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly
fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
The annual rates for pricing and bookkeeping services for the fund are
0 .0550% of the first $500 million of average net assets,
0.0425% of average net assets between $500 million and $3
billion , and 0.0010% of average net assets in excess of $3
billion. The fee, not including reimbursement for out-of-pocket
expenses, is limited to a minimum of $60,000 per year.
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid FSC pricing and bookkeeping fees, including reimbursement for
related out-of-pocket expenses, of $____, $______, and $______,
respectively.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC receives
fees based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
[For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid no securities lending fees.]
[For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid securities lending fees of $__, $__, and $__, respectively.]
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST ORGANIZATION. F idelity Global Balanced Fund is a fund of
Fidelity Puritan Trust, an open-end management investment company
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 1, 1984.
Currently there are four funds in the trust: Fidelity
Balanced Fund, Fidelity Global Balanced Fund, Fidelity Low-Priced
Stock Fund, and Fidelity Puritan (registered trademark) Fund.
The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds in the
trust.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of
each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund, and
constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying assets
of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the liabilities and
expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the trust
shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. The trust is an entity commonly known as a
"Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders
of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally
liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and
expenses of the trust or fund. The Declaration of Trust provides
that the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except
for the payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each
agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the
trust or the Trustees relating to the trust or to a fund shall include
a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust or
to one or more funds and its or their assets. The Declaration of
Trust further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a
claim on or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each
fund's property of any shareholder or former shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the fund solely by reason of
his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his
or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Declaration of
Trust also provides that each fund shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or
obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the
risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in
view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is
remote.
VOTING RIGHTS. Each fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one vote for
each dollar of net asset value that you own. The voting rights of
shareholders can be changed only by a shareholder vote. Shares may be
voted in the aggregate, by fund and by class .
The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are fully
paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading
"Shareholde r Liability" above.
The trust or any of its funds may be terminated upon the sale
of its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management
investment company, or series thereof, or upon liquidation and
distribution of its assets. Generally, the merger of a trust or a
fund with another entity or the sale of substantially all of its
assets of the trust or a fund to another entity requires approval by a
vote of shareholders of the trust or the fund. The Trustees may
however, reorganize or terminate the trust or any of its funds without
prior shareholder approval. In the event of the dissolution or
liquidation of the trust, shareholders of each of its funds are
entitled to receive the underlying assets of such fund available for
distribution. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a
fund, shareholders of that fund are entitled to receive the underlying
assets of the fund available for distribution.
CUSTODIAN. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian
is responsible for the safekeeping of a fund's assets and the
appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies.
T he Bank of New York and The Chase Manhattan Bank, each
headquartered in New York, also may serve as special purpose
custodians of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement
transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, and members
of the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, conduct transactions
with various banks, including banks serving as custodians for certain
funds advised by FMR. The Boston branch of the fund's custodian leases
its office space from an affiliate of FMR at a lease payment which,
when entered into, was consistent with prevailing market rates.
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. _________________________________,
__________________, Boston, Massachusetts, serves as independent
accountant for the fund. The auditor examines financial statements for
the fund and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 199 9, and report of the auditor, are
included in the fund's annual report and are incorporated
herein by reference.
APPENDIX
Fidelity, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design , Fidelity
Focus, Spartan, Magellan, and Puritan are registered trademarks
of FMR Corp.
THE THIRD PARTY MARKS APPEARING ABOVE ARE THE MARKS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Like securities of all mutual
funds, these securities have
not been approved or
disapproved by the
Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the
Securities and Exchange
Commission has not
determined if this
prospectus is accurate or
complete. Any
representation to the
contrary is a criminal
offense.
FIDELITY
LOW-PRICED STOCK
FUND
(fund number 316, trading symbol FLPSX)
PROSPECTUS
SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
CONTENTS
FUND SUMMARY 3 INVESTMENT SUMMARY
3 PERFORMANCE
4 FEE TABLE
FUND BASICS 5 INVESTMENT DETAILS
6 VALUING SHARES
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 6 BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
13 EXCHANGING SHARES
13 ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
16 DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN
DISTRIBUTIONS
17 TAX CONSEQUENCES
FUND SERVICES 17 FUND MANAGEMENT
17 FUND DISTRIBUTION
APPENDIX 19 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FUND SUMMARY
INVESTMENT SUMMARY
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
LOW-PRICED STOCK FUND seeks capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)'s principal investment
strategies include:
(small solid bullet) Normally investing at least 65% of total assets
in low-priced common stocks (those priced at or below $35 per share),
which can lead to investments in small and medium-sized companies.
(small solid bullet) Potentially investing in stocks not considered
low-priced.
(small solid bullet) Investing in domestic and foreign issuers.
(small solid bullet) Investing in either "growth" stocks or "value"
stocks or both.
(small solid bullet) Using fundamental analysis of each issuer's
financial condition and industry position and market and economic
conditions to select investments.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
The fund is subject to the following principal investment risks:
(small solid bullet) STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. Stock markets are
volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer,
political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Different
parts of the market can react differently to these developments.
(small solid bullet) FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign markets can be more
volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse
issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can
perform differently than the U.S. market.
(small solid bullet) ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. The value of an
individual security or particular type of security can be more
volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than
the value of the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller
issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency.
When you sell your shares of the fund, they could be worth more or
less than what you paid for them.
PERFORMANCE
The following information illustrates the changes in the fund's
performance from year to year and compares the fund's performance to
the performance of a market index and an average of the performance of
similar funds over various periods of time. Returns are based on past
results and are not an indication of future performance.
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS
The returns in the chart do not include the effect of Low-Priced
Stock's front-end sales charge. If the effect of the sales charge were
reflected, returns would be lower than those shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
LOW-PRICED STOCK
Calendar Years 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
% % % % % % % % %
</TABLE>
Percentage (%)
Row: 1, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 2, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 3, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 4, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 5, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 6, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 7, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 8, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 9, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 10, Col: 1, Value: nil
DURING THE PERIODS SHOWN IN THE CHART FOR LOW-PRICED STOCK, THE
HIGHEST RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS __% (QUARTER ENDING [CALENDAR
QUARTER: [MONTH][DATE]], [YEAR]) AND THE LOWEST RETURN FOR A QUARTER
WAS __% (QUARTER ENDING [CALENDAR QUARTER: [MONTH][DATE]], [YEAR]).
THE YEAR-TO-DATE RETURN AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 FOR LOW-PRICED STOCK WAS
__%.
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
The returns in the following table include the effect of the fund's
3.00% maximum applicable front-end sales charge.
For the periods ended Past 1 year Past 5 years Life of fundA
December 31, 1998
Low-Priced Stock % % %B
Russell 2000 % % %B
Lipper Small Cap Funds Average % % %B
A BEGINNING JANUARY 1 OF THE CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE FUND'S
COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
B FROM JANUARY 1, 1990.
[If FMR had not reimbursed certain fund expenses during these periods,
the fund's returns would have been lower.]
Russell 2000(registered trademark) Index is a market
capitalization-weighted index of 2,000 small company stocks.
Lipper Small Cap Funds Average reflects the performance (excluding
sales charges) of mutual funds with similar objectives.
FEE TABLE
The following table describes the fees and expenses that are incurred
when you buy, hold, or sell shares of the fund. [The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund are based on historical
expenses, adjusted to reflect current fees.] [The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund do not reflect the
effect of any expense reimbursements or reduction of certain expenses
during the period. The annual fund operating expenses provided below
for the fund are based on historical expenses.]
SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID BY THE INVESTOR DIRECTLY)
Maximum sales charge (load) 3.00%
on purchases (as a % of
offering price)A
Sales charge (load) on None
reinvested distributions
Deferred sales charge (load) None
on redemptions
Redemption fee on shares 1.50%
held less than 90 days (as a
% of amount redeemed)
Annual account maintenance $12.00
fee (for accounts under
$2,500)
A LOWER SALES CHARGES MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR ACCOUNTS OVER $250,000.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management fee %
Distribution and Service None
(12b-1) fee
Other expenses %
Total annual fund operating %
expenses
[A portion of the brokerage commissions that the fund pays is used to
reduce the fund's expenses. In addition, the 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 [this/these]
reduction[s], the total fund operating expenses [, after reimbursement
for Low-Priced Stock, would have been __%.]]]
This EXAMPLE helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Let's say, hypothetically, that the fund's annual return is 5% and
that your shareholder fees and the fund's annual operating expenses
are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates
the effect of fees and expenses, but is not meant to suggest actual or
expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For
every $10,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total
expenses if you close your account after the number of years
indicated:
1 year $
3 years $
5 years $
10 years $
FUND BASICS
INVESTMENT DETAILS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
LOW-PRICED STOCK FUND seeks capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
FMR normally invests at least 65% of the fund's total assets in
low-priced common stocks. Low-priced stocks are those that are priced
at or below $35 per share at the time of the fund's investment. Stocks
whose prices rise above $35 after purchase continue to be considered
low-priced for purposes of the 65% policy. For convertible preferred
stocks, FMR may consider the price of the security itself or the price
of the security into which it is convertible.
The fund's strategy is based on the premise that low-priced stocks may
offer significant growth potential because they are often overlooked
by many investors or because the public is overly pessimistic about
the issuer's prospects. The fund's strategy can lead to investments
in small and medium-sized companies. FMR may also invest the fund's
assets in stocks not considered low-priced.
FMR may invest the fund's assets in securities of foreign issuers in
addition to securities of domestic issuers.
FMR is not constrained by any particular investment style. At any
given time, FMR may tend to buy "growth" stocks or "value" stocks, or
a combination of both types. In buying and selling securities for the
fund, FMR relies on fundamental analysis of each issuer and its
potential for success in light of its current financial condition, its
industry position, and economic and market conditions. Factors
considered include growth potential, earnings estimates and
management.
FMR may lend the fund's securities to broker-dealers or other
institutions to earn income for the fund.
FMR may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures
contracts, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing
security prices or other factors that affect security values. If FMR's
strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not achieve its
objective.
DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL SECURITY TYPES
EQUITY SECURITIES represent an ownership interest, or the right to
acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Different types of
equity securities provide different voting and dividend rights and
priority in the event of the bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity
securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities and warrants.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price
changes daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates
and in response to other economic, political or financial
developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be
affected by the types of the securities in which the fund invests, the
financial condition, industry and economic sector, and geographic
location of an issuer, and the fund's level of investment in the
securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares of the fund, they
could be worth more or less than what you paid for them.
The following factors may significantly affect the fund's performance:
STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. The value of equity securities fluctuates in
response to issuer, political, market and economic developments. In
the short term, equity prices can fluctuate dramatically in response
to these developments. Different parts of the market and different
types of equity securities can react differently to these
developments. For example, large cap stocks can react differently
than small cap stocks, and "growth" stocks can react differently than
"value" stocks. Issuer, political or economic developments can affect
a single issuer, issuers within an industry or economic sector or
geographic region, or the market as a whole.
FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and
securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations
can involve additional risks relating to political, economic or
regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include
fluctuations in foreign currencies; withholding or other taxes;
trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks; and the
less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some
foreign markets. All of these factors can make foreign investments,
especially those in emerging markets, more volatile and potentially
less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can
perform differently than the U.S. market.
ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. Changes in the financial condition of an
issuer, changes in specific economic or political conditions that
affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general
economic or political conditions can affect the value of an issuer's
securities. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known
issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. Smaller
issuers may have more limited product lines, markets or financial
resources.
In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, FMR
may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive
purposes. If FMR does so, different factors could affect the fund's
performance and the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The policy discussed below is fundamental, that is, subject to change
only by shareholder approval.
LOW-PRICED STOCK FUND seeks capital appreciation.
VALUING SHARES
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. Fidelity(registered trademark) normally calculates the fund's
NAV as of the close of business 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 Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). The fund's assets are valued as of this time for the
purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on
days when the NYSE is closed, the value of the fund's assets may be
affected on days when the fund is not open for business. In addition,
trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the
fund is open for business.
The fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of market
quotations. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of
amortized cost. If market quotations are not readily available for a
security or if a security's value has been materially affected by
events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which
the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or
market), that security may be valued by another method that the Board
of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. A security's
valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining
value.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fidelity Investments(registered trademark) 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.
For account, product and service information, please use the following
Web site and phone numbers:
(small solid bullet) For information over the Internet, visit
Fidelity's Web site at www.fidelity.com.
(small solid bullet) For accessing account information automatically
by phone, use TouchTone Xpress(registered trademark), 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For exchanges and redemptions, 1-800-544-7777.
(small solid bullet) For account assistance, 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and retirement information,
1-800-544-8888.
(small solid bullet) For brokerage information, 1-800-544-7272.
(small solid bullet) TDD - Service for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired,
1-800-544-0118 (9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Please use the following addresses:
BUYING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 770001
Cincinnati, OH 45277-0002
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
2300 Litton Lane - KH1A
Hebron, KY 41048
SELLING SHARES
Fidelity Investments
P.O. Box 660602
Dallas, TX 75266-0602
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS
Fidelity Investments
Attn: Redemptions - CP6I
400 East Las Colinas Blvd.
Irving, TX 75039-5517
You may buy or sell shares of the fund through a retirement account or
an investment professional. If you invest through a retirement account
or an investment professional, the procedures for buying, selling and
exchanging shares of the fund and the account features and policies
may differ. Additional fees may also apply to your investment in the
fund, including a transaction fee if you buy or sell shares of the
fund through a broker or other investment professional.
Certain methods of contacting Fidelity, such as by telephone or
electronically, may be unavailable or delayed (for example, during
periods of unusual market activity). In addition, the level and type
of service available may be restricted based on criteria established
by Fidelity.
The different ways to set up (register) your account with Fidelity are
listed in the following table.
WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT TENANT
FOR YOUR GENERAL INVESTMENT NEEDS
RETIREMENT
FOR TAX-ADVANTAGED RETIREMENT SAVINGS
(solid bullet) TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS)
(solid bullet) ROTH IRAS
(solid bullet) ROLLOVER IRAS
(solid bullet) 401(K) PLANS AND CERTAIN OTHER 401(A)-QUALIFIED PLANS
(solid bullet) KEOGH PLANS
(solid bullet) SIMPLE IRAS
(solid bullet) SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS (SEP-IRAS)
(solid bullet) SALARY REDUCTION SEP-IRAS (SARSEPS)
(solid bullet) 403(B) CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS
(solid bullet) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (457 PLANS)
GIFTS OR TRANSFERS TO A MINOR (UGMA, UTMA)
TO INVEST FOR A CHILD'S EDUCATION OR OTHER FUTURE NEEDS
TRUST
FOR MONEY BEING INVESTED BY A TRUST
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION
FOR INVESTMENT NEEDS OF CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS OR
OTHER GROUPS
BUYING SHARES
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's offering price or
the fund's NAV, depending on whether you pay a sales charge.
If you pay a sales charge, your price will be the fund's offering
price. When you buy shares of the fund at the offering price, Fidelity
deducts the appropriate sales charge and invests the rest in the fund.
If you qualify for a sales charge waiver, your price will be the
fund's NAV.
The offering price of the fund is its NAV divided by the difference
between one and the applicable sales charge percentage. The maximum
sales charge is 3.00% of the offering price.
Your shares will be bought at the next offering price or NAV, as
applicable, calculated after your investment is received in proper
form.
Short-term or excessive trading into and out of the fund may harm
performance by disrupting portfolio management strategies and by
increasing expenses. Accordingly, the fund may reject any purchase
orders, including exchanges, particularly from market timers or
investors who, in FMR's opinion, have a pattern of short-term or
excessive trading or whose trading has been or may be disruptive to
the fund. For these purposes, FMR may consider an investor's trading
history in the fund or other Fidelity funds, and accounts under common
ownership or control.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only
on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
(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) Fidelity 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 the fund or
Fidelity has incurred.
Certain financial institutions that have entered into sales agreements
with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) may enter confirmed
purchase orders on behalf of customers by phone, with payment to
follow no later than the time when the fund is priced on the following
business day. If payment is not received by that time, the order will
be canceled and the financial institution could be held liable for
resulting fees or losses.
MINIMUMS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $250
Through regular investment plans $100
MINIMUM BALANCE $2,000
For certain Fidelity retirement accountsA $500
A FIDELITY TRADITIONAL IRA, ROTH IRA, ROLLOVER IRA, SEP-IRA, AND KEOGH
ACCOUNTS.
There is no minimum account balance or initial or subsequent purchase
minimum for investments through Fidelity Portfolio Advisory
ServicesSM, a qualified state tuition program, certain Fidelity
retirement accounts funded through salary deduction, or accounts
opened with the proceeds of distributions from such retirement
accounts. In addition, the fund may waive or lower purchase minimums
in other circumstances.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money
Line(registered trademark)
to transfer from your bank
account.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Complete
and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address
under "Mail" below.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer from your bank
account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
P.O. BOX 770001 CINCINNATI, (small solid bullet) Complete
OH 45277-0002 and sign the application.
Make your check payable to
the complete name of the
fund. Mail to the address at
left.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Make
your check payable to the
complete name of the fund.
Indicate your fund account
number on your check and
mail to the address at left.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
from another Fidelity fund.
Send a letter of instruction
to the address at left,
including your name, the
funds' names, the fund
account numbers, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be exchanged.
IN PERSON TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your application and check
to a Fidelity Investor
Center. Call 1-800-544-9797
for the center nearest you.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Bring
your check to a Fidelity
Investor Center. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
WIRE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-7777 to set up
your account and to arrange
a wire transaction.
(small solid bullet) Wire
within 24 hours to: Bankers
Trust Company, Bank Routing
# 021001033, Account #
00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your new
fund account number and your
name.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Wire to:
Bankers Trust Company, Bank
Routing # 021001033, Account
# 00163053.
(small solid bullet) Specify
the complete name of the
fund and include your fund
account number and your name.
AUTOMATICALLY TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Not
available.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Account
Builder(registered
trademark) or Direct Deposit.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Automatic Exchange
Service to exchange from a
Fidelity money market fund.
SELLING SHARES
The price to sell one share of the fund is the fund's NAV, minus the
redemption fee (short-term trading fee), if applicable.
The fund will deduct a short-term trading fee of 1.50% from the
redemption amount if you sell your shares after holding them less than
90 days. This fee is paid to the fund rather than Fidelity, and is
designed to offset the brokerage commissions, market impact, and other
costs associated with fluctuations in fund asset levels and cash flow
caused by short-term shareholder trading.
If you bought shares on different days, the shares you held longest
will be redeemed first for purposes of determining whether the
short-term trading fee applies. The short-term trading fee does not
apply to shares that were acquired through reinvestment of
distributions.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order
is received in proper form, minus the short-term trading fee, if
applicable.
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 sell 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.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
(small solid bullet) If you are selling some but not all of your
shares, leave at least $2,000 worth of shares in the account to keep
it open ($500 for retirement accounts), except accounts not subject to
account minimums.
(small solid bullet) Normally, Fidelity will process redemptions by
the next business day, but Fidelity may take up to seven days to
process redemptions if making immediate payment would adversely affect
the fund.
(small solid bullet) Redemption proceeds (other than exchanges) may be
delayed until money from prior purchases sufficient to cover your
redemption has been received and collected. This can take up to seven
business days after a purchase.
(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) Redemption proceeds may be paid in securities or
other assets rather than in cash if the Board of Trustees determines
it is in the best interests of the fund.
(small solid bullet) You will not receive interest on amounts
represented by uncashed redemption checks.
(small solid bullet) Unless otherwise instructed, Fidelity will send a
check to the record address.
KEY INFORMATION
PHONE 1-800-544-7777 (small solid bullet) Call the
phone number at left to
initiate a wire transaction
or to request a check for
your redemption.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
(small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
Call the phone number at left.
INTERNET WWW.FIDELITY.COM (small solid bullet) Exchange
to another Fidelity fund.
(small solid bullet) Use
Fidelity Money Line to
transfer to your bank account.
MAIL FIDELITY INVESTMENTS INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
P.O. BOX 660602 DALLAS, TX SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
75266-0602 UTMA
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
your name, the fund's name,
your fund account number,
and the dollar amount or
number of shares to be sold.
The letter of instruction
must be signed by all
persons required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Call
1-800-544-6666 to request one.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the trust's name, the fund's
name, the trust's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Send a
letter of instruction to the
address at left, including
the firm's name, the fund's
name, the firm's fund
account number, and the
dollar amount or number of
shares to be sold. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Call
1-800-544-6666 for
instructions.
IN PERSON INDIVIDUAL, JOINT TENANT,
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, UGMA,
UTMA
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
letter of instruction must
be signed by all persons
required to sign for
transactions, exactly as
their names appear on the
account.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
(small solid bullet) The
account owner should
complete a retirement
distribution form. Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center to
request one. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
TRUST
(small solid bullet) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. The
trustee must sign the letter
of instruction 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) Bring a
letter of instruction to a
Fidelity Investor Center.
Call 1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you. At least
one person authorized by
corporate resolution to act
on the account must sign the
letter of instruction.
(small solid bullet) Include
a corporate resolution with
corporate seal or a
signature guarantee.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR,
CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN
(small solid bullet) Visit a
Fidelity Investor Center for
instructions. Call
1-800-544-9797 for the
center nearest you.
AUTOMATICALLY (small solid bullet) Use
Personal Withdrawal Service
to set up periodic
redemptions from your account.
EXCHANGING SHARES
An exchange involves the redemption of all or a portion of the shares
of one fund and the purchase of shares of another fund.
As a shareholder, you have the privilege of exchanging shares of the
fund for shares of other Fidelity funds.
However, you should note the following policies and restrictions
governing exchanges:
(small solid bullet) The fund you are exchanging into must be
available for sale in your state.
(small solid bullet) You may exchange only 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) Exchanges may have tax consequences for you.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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 will be counted together for purposes of the four
exchange limit.
(small solid bullet) The exchange limit may be modified for accounts
held by certain institutional retirement plans to conform to plan
exchange limits and Department of Labor regulations. See your plan
materials for further information.
(small solid bullet) The fund may 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.
The fund may terminate or modify the exchange privilege in the future.
Other funds may have different exchange restrictions, and may impose
trading fees of up to 3.00% of the amount exchanged. Check each fund's
prospectus for details.
ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
FEATURES
The following features are available to buy and sell shares of the
fund.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT AND WITHDRAWAL PROGRAMS. Fidelity offers
convenient services that let you automatically transfer money into
your account, between accounts, or out of your account. While
automatic investment programs 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 retirement, a home, educational expenses,
and other long-term financial goals. Automatic withdrawal or exchange
programs can be a convenient way to provide a consistent income flow
or to move money between your investments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC ACCOUNT
BUILDER TO MOVE MONEY FROM
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO A
FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly or quarterly (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account,
complete the appropriate
section on the fund
application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for existing accounts,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
application.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
investment date.
DIRECT DEPOSIT TO SEND ALL OR
A PORTION OF YOUR PAYCHECK
OR GOVERNMENT CHECK TO A
FIDELITY FUND.A
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Every pay period (small solid bullet) To set
up for a new account, check
the appropriate box on the
fund application.
(small solid bullet) To set
up for an existing account,
call 1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site for an
authorization form.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes you will need a new
authorization form. Call
1-800-544-6666 or visit
Fidelity's Web site to
obtain one.
A BECAUSE ITS SHARE PRICE
FLUCTUATES, THE FUND MAY NOT
BE AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE FOR
DIRECT DEPOSIT OF YOUR
ENTIRE CHECK.
FIDELITY AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
SERVICE TO MOVE MONEY FROM A
FIDELITY MONEY MARKET FUND
TO ANOTHER FIDELITY FUND.
MINIMUM FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
$100 Monthly, bimonthly, (small solid bullet) To set
quarterly, or annually up, call 1-800-544-6666
after both accounts are
opened.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call 1-800-544-6666
at least three business days
prior to your next scheduled
exchange date.
</TABLE>
PERSONAL WITHDRAWAL SERVICE
TO SET UP PERIODIC
REDEMPTIONS FROM YOUR
ACCOUNT TO YOU OR TO YOUR
BANK ACCOUNT.
FREQUENCY PROCEDURES
Monthly (small solid bullet) To set
up, call 1-800-544-6666.
(small solid bullet) To make
changes, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-6666 at least
three business days prior to
your next scheduled
withdrawal date.
(small solid bullet) Because
of Low-Priced Stock's
front-end sales charge, you
may not want to set up a
systematic withdrawal
program when you are buying
Low-Priced Stock shares on a
regular basis.
OTHER FEATURES. The following other features are also available to buy
and sell shares of the fund.
WIRE
TO PURCHASE AND SELL SHARES VIA THE FEDERAL RESERVE WIRE SYSTEM.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Wire feature before
using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application when
opening your account, or call 1-800-544-7777 to add the feature after
your account is opened. Call 1-800-544-7777 before your first use to
verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) To sell shares by wire, you must designate the
U.S. commercial bank account(s) into which you wish the redemption
proceeds deposited.
FIDELITY MONEY LINE
TO TRANSFER MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AND YOUR FUND ACCOUNT.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Money Line feature
before using it. Complete the appropriate section on the application
and then call 1-800-544-7777 or visit Fidelity's Web site before your
first use to verify that this feature is set up on your account.
(small solid bullet) Most transfers are complete within three business
days of your call.
(small solid bullet) Minimum purchase: $100
(small solid bullet) Maximum purchase: $100,000
FIDELITY ON-LINE XPRESS+(registered trademark)
TO MANAGE YOUR INVESTMENTS THROUGH YOUR PC.
CALL 1-800-544-7272 OR VISIT FIDELITY'S WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) For access to research and analysis tools.
FIDELITY ONLINE TRADING
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT OVER THE INTERNET AT FIDELITY'S WEB
SITE.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) To review recent account history;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading; and
(small solid bullet) To access third-party research on companies,
stocks, mutual funds and the market.
TOUCHTONE XPRESS(registered trademark)
TO ACCESS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY BY PHONE.
CALL 1-800-544-5555.
(small solid bullet) For account balances and holdings;
(small solid bullet) For mutual fund and brokerage trading;
(small solid bullet) To obtain quotes;
(small solid bullet) To review orders and mutual fund activity; and
(small solid bullet) To change your personal identification number
(PIN).
POLICIES
The following policies apply to you as a shareholder.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS that Fidelity sends to you include the
following:
(small solid bullet) Confirmation statements (after transactions
affecting your account balance except reinvestment of distributions in
the fund or another fund and certain transactions through automatic
investment or withdrawal programs).
(small solid bullet) Monthly or quarterly account statements
(detailing account balances and all transactions completed during the
prior month or quarter).
(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 Fidelity at 1-800-544-8544 if you
need additional copies of financial reports or prospectuses.
Electronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are
available at Fidelity's Web site. To participate in Fidelity's
electronic delivery program, call Fidelity or visit Fidelity's Web
site for more information.
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 conducted through the Internet, Fidelity
recommends the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. You
should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately
after you receive them. If you do not want the ability to sell and
exchange by telephone, call Fidelity for instructions.
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 the fund to withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and
redemptions.
Fidelity may deduct an ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE of $12.00 from accounts
with a value of less than $2,500 (including any amount paid as a sales
charge), 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 Fidelity, 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 accounts with
Fidelity maintained by Fidelity Service Company, Inc. 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 $2,000 (except accounts not
subject to account minimums), you will be given 30 days' notice to
reestablish the minimum balance. If you do not increase your balance,
Fidelity may close your account and send the proceeds to you. Your
shares will be sold at the NAV, minus the short-term trading fee, if
applicable, on the day your account is closed.
Fidelity may charge a FEE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, such as providing
historical account documents.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its
investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to
shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from
its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to
shareholders as capital gain distributions.
The fund normally pays dividends and capital gain distributions in
September and December.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
When you open an account, specify on your application how you want to
receive your distributions. The following options may be available for
the fund's distributions:
1. REINVESTMENT OPTION. Your dividends 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 in additional shares of the fund. Your
dividends will be paid in cash.
3. CASH OPTION. Your dividends and capital gain distributions will be
paid in cash.
4. DIRECTED DIVIDENDS(registered trademark) OPTION. Your dividends
will be automatically invested in shares of another identically
registered Fidelity fund. Your capital gain distributions will be
automatically invested in shares of another identically registered
Fidelity fund, automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
fund, or paid in cash.
Not all distribution options are available for every account. If the
option you prefer is not listed on your account application, or if you
want to change your current option, call Fidelity.
If you elect to receive distributions paid in cash by check and the
U.S. Postal Service does not deliver your checks, your distribution
option may be converted to the Reinvestment Option. You will not
receive interest on amounts represented by uncashed distribution
checks.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax
consequences for you. If you are not investing through a
tax-advantaged retirement account, you should consider these tax
consequences.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributions you receive from the fund are
subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or
local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, the fund's dividends and distributions of
short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. The
fund's distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you
generally as capital gains.
If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed
income or capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the
full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price
back in the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be
taxable to you when you receive them, regardless of your distribution
option.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS. Your redemptions, including exchanges, may
result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital
gain or loss on your investment in the fund is the difference between
the cost of your shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
FUND SERVICES
FUND MANAGEMENT
Low-Priced Stock is a mutual fund, an investment that pools
shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) is the fund's manager.
As of __, FMR had approximately $__ billion in discretionary assets
under management.
As the manager, FMR is responsible for choosing the fund's investments
and handling its business affairs.
Affiliates assist FMR with foreign investments:
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR
U.K.), in London, England, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
U.K. was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and advice
to FMR. Currently, FMR U.K. provides investment research and advice on
issuers based outside the United States and may also provide
investment advisory services for Low-Priced Stock.
(small solid bullet) Fidelity Management & Research Far East Inc. (FMR
Far East), in Tokyo, Japan, serves as a sub-adviser for the fund. FMR
Far East was organized in 1986 to provide investment research and
advice to FMR. Currently, FMR Far East provides investment research
and advice on issuers based outside the United States and may also
provide investment advisory services for Low-Priced Stock.
The fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by
FMR and other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information from and after January 1, 2000. FMR has
advised the fund that it is actively working on necessary changes to
its computer systems and expects that its systems, and those of other
major service providers, will be modified prior to January 1, 2000.
However, there can be no assurance that there will be no adverse
impact on the fund.
Joel Tillinghast is Vice President and manager of Low-Priced Stock,
which he has managed since December 1989. Since joining Fidelity in
1986, Mr. Tillinghast has worked as an analyst and manager.
From time to time a manager, analyst or other Fidelity employee may
express views regarding a particular company, security, industry or
market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of
only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily
represent the views of Fidelity or any other person in the Fidelity
organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based
upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any
responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on
as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Fidelity
fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an
indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fidelity fund.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
investment accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that establishes
procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
The fund pays a management fee to FMR. The management fee is
calculated and paid to FMR every month. The fee is determined by
calculating a basic fee and then applying a performance adjustment.
The performance adjustment either increases or decreases the
management fee, depending on how well the fund has performed relative
to the Russell 2000.
Management fee = Basic fee +/- Performance adjustment
The basic fee is calculated by adding a group fee rate to an
individual fund fee rate, dividing by twelve, and multiplying the
result by the fund's average net assets throughout the month.
The group fee rate is based on the average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by FMR. This rate cannot rise above 0.52%, and it
drops as total assets under management increase.
For July 1999, the group fee rate was __%. The individual fund fee
rate is 0.35%.
The basic fee for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 was __% of the
fund's average net assets.
The performance adjustment rate is calculated monthly by comparing
over the performance period the fund's performance to that of the
Russell 2000.
The performance period is the most recent 36-month period.
The performance adjustment rate is divided by twelve and multiplied by
the fund's average net assets throughout the month, and the resulting
dollar amount is then added to or subtracted from the basic fee. The
maximum annualized performance adjustment rate is (plus/minus) .20% of
the fund's average net assets over the performance period.
The total management fee for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, was
__% of the fund's average net assets.
FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East for providing assistance with
investment advisory services.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the fund for management
fees and other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the
ability to be repaid by the fund if expenses fall below the specified
limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement arrangements,
which may be terminated by FMR at any time, can decrease the fund's
expenses and boost its performance.
[As of July 31, 1999, approximately ____% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by [FMR/FMR and [an] FMR
affiliate[s]/[an] FMR affiliate[s]].]
FUND DISTRIBUTION
FDC distributes the fund's shares.
You may pay a sales charge when you buy your shares.
FDC collects the sales charge.
The fund's sales charge may be reduced if you buy directly through
Fidelity or through prototype or prototype-like retirement plans
sponsored by FMR or FMR Corp. The amount you invest, plus the value of
your account, must fall within the ranges shown below. Purchases made
with assistance or intervention from a financial intermediary are not
eligible for a sales charge reduction.
Sales Charge
Ranges As a % of offering price As an approximate % of net
amount invested
$0 - 249,999 3.00% 3.09%
$250,000 - 499,999 2.00% 2.04%
$500,000 - 999,999 1.00% 1.01%
$1,000,000 or more none none
FDC may pay a portion of sales charge proceeds to securities dealers
who have sold the fund's shares, or to others, including banks and
other financial institutions (qualified recipients), under special
arrangements in connection with FDC's sales activities. The sales
charge paid to qualified recipients is 1.50% of the fund's offering
price.
The sales charge will also be reduced by the percentage of any sales
charge you previously paid on investments in other Fidelity funds or
by the percentage of any sales charge you would have paid if the
reductions in the table above had not existed. These sales charge
credits only apply to purchases made in one of the ways listed below,
and only if you continuously owned Fidelity fund shares, maintained a
Fidelity brokerage core account, or participated in The CORPORATEplan
for Retirement Program.
1. By exchange from another Fidelity fund.
2. With proceeds from a transaction in a Fidelity brokerage core
account, including any free credit balance, core money market fund, or
margin availability, to the extent such proceeds were derived from
redemption proceeds from another Fidelity fund.
3. As a participant in The CORPORATEplan for Retirement Program when
shares are bought through plan-qualified loan repayments, and for
exchanges into and out of the Managed Income Portfolio.
The fund's sales charge will not apply:
1. If you buy shares as part of an employee benefit plan having more
than 200 eligible employees or a minimum of $3 million in plan assets
invested in Fidelity mutual funds.
2. To shares in a Fidelity account bought with the proceeds of a
distribution from an employee benefit plan, provided that at the time
of the distribution, the employer or its affiliate maintained a plan
that both qualified for waiver (1) above and had at least some of its
assets invested in Fidelity-managed products. (Distributions
transferred to an IRA account must be transferred within 60 days from
the date of the distribution. All other distributions must be
transferred directly into a Fidelity account).
3. If you are a charitable organization (as defined for purposes of
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) investing $100,000 or
more.
4. If you buy shares for a charitable remainder trust or life income
pool established for the benefit of a charitable organization (as
defined for purposes of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code).
5. If you are an investor participating in the Fidelity Trust
Portfolios program.
6. To shares bought by a mutual fund or a qualified state tuition
program for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment manager.
7. To shares bought through Portfolio Advisory Services or Fidelity
Charitable Advisory Services.
8. If you are a current or former trustee or officer of a Fidelity
fund or a current or retired officer, director, or regular employee of
FMR Corp. or Fidelity International Limited or their direct or
indirect subsidiaries (a Fidelity trustee or employee), the spouse of
a Fidelity trustee or employee, a Fidelity trustee or employee acting
as custodian for a minor child, or a person acting as trustee of a
trust for the sole benefit of the minor child of a Fidelity trustee or
employee.
9. If you are a bank trust officer, registered representative, or
other employee of a qualified recipient, as defined on page 22.
10. To contributions and exchanges to a prototype or prototype-like
retirement plan sponsored by FMR Corp. or FMR and which is marketed
and distributed directly to plan sponsors or participants without any
assistance or intervention from any intermediary distribution channel.
11. If you invest through a non-prototype pension or profit-sharing
plan that maintains all of its mutual fund assets in Fidelity mutual
funds, provided the plan executes a Fidelity non-prototype sales
charge waiver agreement confirming its qualification.
12. If you are a registered investment adviser (RIA) buying for your
discretionary accounts, provided you execute a Fidelity RIA load
waiver agreement which specifies certain aggregate minimum and
operating provisions. Except for correspondents of National Financial
Services Corporation, this waiver is available only for shares bought
directly from Fidelity, and is unavailable if the RIA is part of an
organization principally engaged in the brokerage business.
13. If you are a trust institution or bank trust department buying for
your non-discretionary, non-retirement fiduciary accounts, provided
you execute a Fidelity Trust load waiver agreement which specifies
certain aggregate minimum and operating provisions. This waiver is
available only for shares bought either directly from Fidelity or
through a bank-affiliated broker, and is unavailable if the trust
department or institution is part of an organization not principally
engaged in banking or trust activities.
More detailed information about waivers (1), (2), (5), (10), and (11)
is contained in the statement of additional information (SAI). A
representative of your plan or organization should call Fidelity for
more information.
To qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver, you must notify
Fidelity in advance of your purchase.
The fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that recognizes that
FMR may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits
or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses
incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in
the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services. FMR,
directly or through FDC, may pay intermediaries, such as banks,
broker-dealers and other service-providers, that provide those
services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such
payments.
To receive sales concessions and waivers and payments made pursuant to
a Distribution and Service Plan, qualified recipients must sign the
appropriate agreement with FDC in advance.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions in a manner that takes into
account the sale of shares of the fund, provided that the fund
receives brokerage services and commission rates comparable to those
of other broker-dealers.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any representations,
other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related SAI,
in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus. If given or
made, such other information or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the fund or FDC. This prospectus and
the related SAI do not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to
sell shares of the fund to or to buy shares of the fund from any
person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer.
APPENDIX
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the
fund's financial history for the past 5 years. Certain information
reflects financial results for a single fund share. Total returns for
each period include the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions. This information has been audited by ___________,
independent accountants, whose report, along with the fund's financial
highlights and financial statements, are included in the fund's annual
report. A free copy of the annual report is available upon request.
[Financial Highlights to be filed by subsequent amendment.]
You can obtain additional information about the fund. The fund's SAI
includes more detailed information about the fund and its investments.
The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (legally forms a part of
the prospectus). The fund's annual and semi-annual reports include a
discussion of the fund's holdings and recent market conditions and the
fund's investment strategies that affected performance.
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other
information or ask questions about the fund, call Fidelity at
1-800-544-8544. In addition, you may visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com for a free copy of a prospectus or an annual or
semi-annual report or to request other information.
The SAI, the fund's annual and semi-annual reports and other related
materials are available on the SEC's Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov). You can obtain copies of this information upon
paying a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of
the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. You can also review and copy
information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, at the SEC's
Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for
information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, FILE NUMBER, 811-649.
Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, Fidelity, Fidelity
Investments, TouchTone Xpress, Fidelity Money Line, Fidelity Automatic
Account Builder, Fidelity On-Line Xpress+, and Directed Divideds are
registered trademarks of FMR Corp.
Portfolio Advisory Services is a service mark of FMR Corp.
The third party marks appearing above are the marks of their
respective owners.
1.701609.102 LPS-pro-0999
FIDELITY LOW-PRICED STOCK FUND
A FUND OF FIDELITY PURITAN TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus.
Portions of the fund's annual report are incorporated herein. The
annual report is supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of the prospectus, dated September
29, 1999, or an annual report, please call Fidelity(registered
trademark) at 1-800-544-8544 or visit Fidelity's Web site at
www.fidelity.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and 16
Limitations
Portfolio Transactions 21
Valuation 22
Performance 22
Additional Purchase, Exchange 26
and Redemption Information
Distributions and Taxes 27
Trustees and Officers 27
Control of Investment Advisers 29
Management Contract 30
Distribution Services 32
Transfer and Service Agent 33
Agreements
Description of the Trust 33
Financial Statements
Appendix 34
LPS-ptb-0999
1.473513.102
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in
the prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy
or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that
may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy
regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation
will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's
acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any
subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will
not be considered when determining whether the investment complies
with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment
limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations
described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS SET
FORTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY. 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, or securities of other investment companies )
if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be
invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the fund would hold
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer;
(2) issue senior securities, except in connection with the
insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise
permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(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) 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.
(9) The fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities
of a single open-end management investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and
limitations as the fund.
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(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)).
(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 lend assets other than
securities to other parties, except by (a) lending money (up to 15% of
the fund's net assets) to a registered investment company or portfolio
for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b)
acquiring loans, loan participations, or other forms of direct debt
instruments and, in connection therewith, assuming any associated
unfunded commitments of the sellers. (This limitation does not apply
to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements.)
(vi) The fund does not currently intend to invest all of its assets in
the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and
limitations as the fund.
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 were invested in illiquid
securities, it would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
For purposes of normally investing at least 65% of the fund's total
assets in low-priced common and preferred stocks, Fidelity Management
& Research Company (FMR) interprets "total assets" to exclude
collateral received for securities lending transactions.
For the fund's limitations on futures and options transactions, see
the section entitled "Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions"
on page 6.
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which the fund may invest, strategies FMR may employ in
pursuit of the 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.
BORROWING. The fund may borrow from banks or from other
funds advised by FMR or its affiliates, or through reverse repurchase
agreements. If the fund borrows money, its share price may be subject
to greater fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If the fund
makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this
may be considered a form of leverage.
CASH MANAGEMENT. A fund can hold uninvested cash or can invest it
in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase
agreements or shares of money market funds. Generally, these
securities offer less potential for gains than other types of
securities.
CENTRAL CASH FUNDS are money market funds managed by FMR or its
affiliates that seek to earn a high level of current income (free from
federal income tax in the case of a municipal money market fund) while
maintaining a stable $1.00 share price. The funds comply with
industry-standard requirements for money market funds regarding the
quality, maturity and diversification of their investments.
COMMON STOCK represents an equity or ownership interest in an
issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy,
the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over
the claims of those who own common stock.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks
or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder
or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash
or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A
convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion
by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances
(including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible
security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the
fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into
the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss
than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields
higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than
comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield,
convertible securities generally sell at prices above their
"conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to
be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion
value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time
depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and
interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value,
convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent
because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of
principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities.
However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of
the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same
extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the
underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible
securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time,
however, the difference between the market value of convertible
securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that
the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the
same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because
convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their
value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest
rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk,
and are often lower-quality securities.
DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money. The
issuer usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest,
and must repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security.
Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay interest
but are sold at a deep discount from their face values. Debt
securities include corporate bonds, government securities, and
mortgage and other asset-backed securities.
EXPOSURE TO FOREIGN MARKETS. Foreign securities, foreign currencies,
and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign
operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks
inherent in U.S. investments.
Foreign investments involve risks relating to local political,
economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or
unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments, and may be affected by
actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S.
investors. Such actions may include expropriation or nationalization
of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or
on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. Additionally,
governmental issuers of foreign debt securities may be unwilling to
pay interest and repay principal when due and may require that the
conditions for payment be renegotiated. There is no assurance that
FMR will be able to anticipate these potential events or counter their
effects. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign
currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such
securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S.
dollar.
It is anticipated that in most cases the best available market for
foreign securities will be on an exchange or in over-the-counter (OTC)
markets located outside of the United States. Foreign stock markets,
while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as
developed as those in the United States, and securities of some
foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign security trading, settlement and
custodial practices (including those involving securities settlement
where fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment) are
often less developed than those in U.S. markets, and may result in
increased risk or substantial delays in the event of a failed trade or
the insolvency of, or breach of duty by, a foreign broker-dealer,
securities depository or foreign subcustodian. For example, many
foreign countries are less prepared than the United States to properly
process and calculate information related to dates from and after
January 1, 2000. As a result, some foreign markets, brokers, banks or
securities depositories could experience at least temporary
disruptions, which could result in difficulty buying and selling
securities in certain foreign markets and pricing foreign investments,
and foreign issuers could fail to pay timely dividends, interest or
principal. In addition, the costs associated with foreign
investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and
custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S.
markets. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform
accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and
standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
Adequate public information on foreign issuers may not be available,
and it may be difficult to secure dividends and information regarding
corporate actions on a timely basis. In general, there is less overall
governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges,
brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. OTC markets
tend to be less regulated than stock exchange markets and, in certain
countries, may be totally unregulated. Regulatory enforcement may be
influenced by economic or political concerns, and investors may have
difficulty enforcing their legal rights in foreign countries.
Some foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the
United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to such
transfer restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less
liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject
to such restrictions.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other "hybrid" forms of
ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global
Depositary Receipts (GDRs), are certificates evidencing ownership of
shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by
depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the
United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by
a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home
country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the
underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various
services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate
actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying
foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However,
ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with
investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign
exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the
underlying issuer's country.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in
emerging markets. Security prices in emerging markets can be
significantly more volatile than those in more developed markets,
reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established
markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets
may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of
nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and
prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less
protection of property rights than more developed countries. The
economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a
few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt
burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small
number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of
holdings difficult or impossible at times.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. A fund may conduct foreign currency
transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign
currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge
a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the
difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should
the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward
contracts are customized transactions that require a specific amount
of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a
specific date or range of dates in the future. Forward contracts are
generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The
parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the
contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and
complete the contemplated currency exchange.
The following discussion summarizes the principal currency management
strategies involving forward contracts that could be used by a fund. A
fund may also use swap agreements, indexed securities, and options and
futures contracts relating to foreign currencies for the same
purposes.
A "settlement hedge" or "transaction hedge" is designed to protect a
fund against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the
date a security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is
made or received. Entering into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in an underlying
security transaction for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars "locks in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security. Forward contracts to purchase or
sell a foreign currency may also be used by a fund in anticipation of
future purchases or sales of securities denominated in foreign
currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected
by FMR.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in
the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For
example, if a fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it
could enter into a forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return
for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible declines in the pound's
value. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a "position hedge,"
would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations,
but would not offset changes in security values caused by other
factors. A fund could also hedge the position by selling another
currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling. This
type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer
advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would
not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a direct hedge into U.S.
dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to
hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged
securities are denominated.
A fund may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment
exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting
exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency, or from one foreign
currency to another foreign currency. This type of strategy, sometimes
known as a "cross-hedge," will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to
the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that
is purchased, much as if a fund had sold a security denominated in one
currency and purchased an equivalent security denominated in another.
Cross-hedges protect against losses resulting from a decline in the
hedged currency, but will cause a fund to assume the risk of
fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases.
Successful use of currency management strategies will depend on FMR's
skill in analyzing currency values. Currency management strategies may
substantially change a fund's investment exposure to changes in
currency exchange rates and could result in losses to a fund if
currencies do not perform as FMR anticipates. For example, if a
currency's value rose at a time when FMR had hedged a fund by selling
that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not participate in
the currency's appreciation. If FMR hedges currency exposure through
proxy hedges, a fund could realize currency losses from both the hedge
and the security position if the two currencies do not move in tandem.
Similarly, if FMR increases a fund's exposure to a foreign currency
and that currency's value declines, a fund will realize a loss. There
is no assurance that FMR's use of currency management strategies will
be advantageous to a fund or that it will hedge at appropriate times.
FUND'S RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. The fund does not intend to direct or
administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund, however,
may exercise its rights as a shareholder and may communicate its views
on important matters of policy to management, the Board of Directors,
and shareholders of a company when FMR determines that such matters
could have a significant effect on the value of the fund's investment
in the company. The activities in which a fund may engage, either
individually or in conjunction with others, may include, among others,
supporting or opposing proposed changes in a company's corporate
structure or business activities; seeking changes in a company's
directors or management; seeking changes in a company's direction or
policies; seeking the sale or reorganization of the company or a
portion of its assets; or supporting or opposing third-party takeover
efforts. This area of corporate activity is increasingly prone to
litigation and it is possible that a fund could be involved in
lawsuits related to such activities. FMR will monitor such activities
with a view to mitigating, to the extent possible, the risk of
litigation against a fund and the risk of actual liability if a fund
is involved in litigation. No guarantee can be made, however, that
litigation against a fund will not be undertaken or liabilities
incurred.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS. The following paragraphs pertain to futures and
options: Combined Positions , Correlation of Price Changes,
Futures Contracts, Futures Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures and
Options Transactions, Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts,
Options and Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies, OTC Options,
Purchasing Put and Call Options, and Writing Put and Call Options.
COMBINED POSITIONS involve purchasing and writing options in
combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward
contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the
overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a
call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a
combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to
selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would
involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call
option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option
in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options
positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction
costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
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 invests, 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 sell a
specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price
at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer
and seller enter into the contract. Some currently available futures
contracts are based on specific securities, such as U.S. Treasury
bonds or notes, and some are based on indices of securities prices,
such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500(registered
trademark) ). 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. The 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 fund intends to comply with Rule
4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, which limits the extent to which
the fund can commit assets to initial margin deposits and option
premiums.
In addition, the fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase
put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of
the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under
normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options
if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or
exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would
exceed 25% of its total assets under normal conditions; or (c)
purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option
premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the
fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options
attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying
securities, and do not apply to securities that incorporate features
similar to options.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts
and options, and the fund's 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.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES. Currency futures
contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except
that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and
are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency
futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The
underlying instrument of a currency option may be a foreign currency,
which generally is purchased or delivered in exchange for U.S.
dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a currency
call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the
purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying
currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to
options and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed
above. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase
and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to
different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased
or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or
forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected
to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors
that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for
example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in
the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting
from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value
of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to
many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to
match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the
fund's investments exactly over time.
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 . When writing an
option on a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin
payments to an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the
premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it
is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able
to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the
put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less
than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly,
however, because the premium received for writing the option should
mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the
option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon
exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options
are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls
generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall.
Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the
effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer
must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for
the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer
gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES cannot be sold or disposed of in the
ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they
are valued. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or
may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Board of
Trustees, FMR determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and,
through reports from FMR, the Board monitors investments in illiquid
securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, FMR
may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume
of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective
purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a
market and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it
trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics
and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other
credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the
method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the
security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and
obligations of the security).
INDEXED SECURITIES are instruments whose prices are indexed to the
prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or
other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not
always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or
coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or
statistic.
Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term to
intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest
rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more
specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S.
dollar-denominated securities. Currency-indexed securities may be
positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may
increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a
security that performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument,
or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase,
resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a
put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also
have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign
currencies relative to each other.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the
performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which
they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes
in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more
volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also
subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the
security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's
creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities
have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government
agencies.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING PROGRAM. Pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money
from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates. A fund will lend
through the program only when the returns are higher than those
available from an investment in repurchase agreements, and will borrow
through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the
cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend
overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be
called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a
higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed.
Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost
investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
INVESTMENT-GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Investment-grade debt securities
are medium and high-quality securities. Some may possess speculative
characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to
changes in the financial conditions of issuers. A debt 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 considered to be of
equivalent quality by FMR.
LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Direct debt instruments are
interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other
borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans and loan
participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or
other receivables), or to other parties. Direct debt instruments
involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the
borrower and may offer less legal protection to the purchaser in the
event of fraud or misrepresentation, or there may be
a requirement that a fund supply additional cash to
a borrower on demand.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend
primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of
interest and repayment of principal. If scheduled interest or
principal payments are not made, the value of the instrument may be
adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured provide more
protections than an unsecured loan in the event of failure to make
scheduled interest or principal payments. However, there is no
assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would
satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral could be
liquidated. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor
involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off
their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount
owed. Direct indebtedness of developing countries also involves a risk
that the governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the
debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal
when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial
institution's interests with respect to a loan may involve additional
risks. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the purchaser could
become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and
liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In
addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of
lender liability, a purchaser could be held liable as a co-lender.
Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of insolvency of the
lending bank or other intermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial
institution that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers
the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless,
under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness, the purchaser has
direct recourse against the borrower, the purchaser may have to rely
on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower.
If assets held by the agent for the benefit of a purchaser were
determined to be subject to the claims of the agent's general
creditors, the purchaser might incur certain costs and delays in
realizing payment on the loan or loan participation and could suffer a
loss of principal or interest.
Direct indebtedness may include letters of credit, revolving credit
facilities, or other standby financing commitments that obligate
purchasers to make additional cash payments on demand. These
commitments may have the effect of requiring a purchaser to increase
its investment in a borrower at a time when it would not otherwise
have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it unlikely that
the amount will ever be repaid.
The fund limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in
any one issuer or in issuers within the same industry (see the fund's
investment limitations). For purposes of these limitations, a fund
generally will treat the borrower as the "issuer" of indebtedness held
by the fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other
lending institution serves as financial intermediary between a fund
and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the fund the
direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC
interpretations require a fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat
both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as
"issuers" for these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an
issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in
indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of
intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying
borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
LOWER-QUALITY DEBT SECURITIES. Lower-quality debt securities have poor
protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of
principal, or may be in default. These securities are often considered
to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss or price changes
due to changes in the issuer's capacity to pay. The market prices of
lower-quality debt securities may fluctuate more than those of
higher-quality debt securities and may decline significantly in
periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of
rising interest rates.
The market for lower-quality debt securities may be thinner and
less active than that for higher-quality debt securities, which can
adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse
publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the liquidity
of lower-quality debt securities and the ability of outside pricing
services to value lower-quality debt securities.
Because the risk of default is higher for lower-quality debt
securities, FMR's research and credit analysis are an especially
important part of managing securities of this type. FMR will attempt
to identify those issuers of high-yielding securities whose financial
condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. FMR's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset
coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial
strength of the issuer.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to
pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security
holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it
determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
PREFERRED STOCK represents an equity or ownership
interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate
and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends.
In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the
claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who
own preferred and common stock.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. Equity real estate investment trusts
own real estate properties, while mortgage real estate investment
trusts make construction, development, and long-term mortgage loans.
Their value may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying
property of the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property
taxes, interest rates, and tax and regulatory requirements, such as
those relating to the environment. Both types of trusts are dependent
upon management skill, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy
cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the
possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under
the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from the
1940 Act.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve an agreement to purchase a
security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an
agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus
an agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon
rate or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the
risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the
securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market
daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus
the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased
may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has
agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could
result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolvent. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement transactions
with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
satisfactory by FMR.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES are subject to legal restrictions on their
sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be
costly to a fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in
privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, or in a registered
public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a
registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the
registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the
time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted
to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If,
during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop,
the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed
when it decided to seek registration of the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or
broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that
security at an agreed-upon price and time. The fund will enter
into reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness
has been reviewed and found satisfactory by FMR. Such transactions may
increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets and may be
viewed as a form of leverage.
SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, including shares of
closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, and open-end
investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed
portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in
other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as
investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve
additional expenses at the investment company-level, such as portfolio
management fees and operating expenses. Certain types of investment
companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed
number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at
a premium or a discount to their net asset value. Others are
continuously offered at net asset value, but may also be traded in the
secondary market.
The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other
investment companies is limited by federal securities laws.
SECURITIES LENDING. A fund may lend securities to parties such as
broker-dealers or other institutions , including Fidelity
Brokerage Services, Inc. (FBSI). FBSI is a member of the New York
Stock Exchange and a subsidiary of FMR Corp.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the
securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. The
borrower provides the fund with collateral in an amount at least equal
to the value of the securities loaned. The fund maintains the ability
to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving
material events affecting securities loaned. If the borrower defaults
on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of
insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs
in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the
collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign
securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, a
fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment
inthe market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the
value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement
investment is purchased. Loans will be made only to parties deemed by
FMR to be in good standing and when, in FMR's judgment, the income
earned would justify the risks.
Cash received as collatera l through loan transactions may be
invested in other eligible securities. Investing this cash subjects
that investment, as well as the securities loaned, to market
appreciation or depreciation.
SHORT SALES "AGAINST THE BOX" are short sales of securities that
a fund owns or has the right to obtain (equivalent in kind
or amount to the securities sold short ). If a fund enters into
a short sale against the box, it will be required to set aside
securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short
(or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and
will be required to hold such securities while the short sale is
outstanding. The fund will incur transaction costs, including interest
expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short
sales against the box.
SWAP AGREEMENTS can be individually negotiated and structured to
include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or
market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may
increase or decrease a fund's exposure to long- or short-term interest
rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values,
mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such
as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many
different forms and are known by a variety of names.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments
only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap
obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an
interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a
specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund's investment exposure from
one type of investment to another. For example, if the fund agreed to
exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the
swap agreement would tend to decrease the fund's exposure to U.S.
interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and
interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or
writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may
increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's investments
and its share price.
The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is
the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors
that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund. If a
swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the
counterparty's creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
A fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement
either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an
offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly
creditworthy party.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POLICIES. The fund reserves the right to
invest without limitation in preferred stocks and investment-grade
debt instruments for temporary, defensive purposes.
WARRANTS. Warrants are instruments which entitle the holder to buy an
equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time.
Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to
changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a
warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying
security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital
appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with
respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if
it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can
make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
ZERO COUPON BONDS do not make interest payments; instead,
they are sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at
face value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay
current income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of
fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a
fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon
bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of the fund by FMR pursuant to authority contained in the
management contract. FMR is also responsible for the placement of
transaction orders for other investment companies and investment
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; the reasonableness
of any commissions; and, if applicable, arrangements for payment of
fund expenses.
If FMR grants investment management authority to a sub-adviser (see
the section entitled "Management Contract"), that sub-adviser is
authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities, and will do so in accordance with the policies described
above.
Generally, commissions for investments traded on foreign exchanges
will be higher than for investments traded on U.S. exchanges and may
not be subject to negotiation.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who
provide research and execution services to the fund or other
investment 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 investment accounts; and effect securities
transactions and perform functions incidental thereto (such as
clearance and settlement).
The selection of such broker-dealers for transactions in equity
securities is generally made by FMR (to the extent possible consistent
with execution considerations) in accordance with a ranking of
broker-dealers determined periodically by FMR's investment staff based
upon the quality of research and execution services provided.
For transactions in fixed-income securities, FMR's selection of
broker-dealers is generally based on the availability of a security
and its price and, to a lesser extent, on the overall quality of
execution and other services, including research, provided by the
broker-dealer.
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute transactions
on behalf of a fund may be useful to FMR in rendering investment
management services to that fund 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 a fund. 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.
Fixed-income securities are generally purchased from an issuer or
underwriter acting as principal for the securities, on a net basis
with no brokerage commission paid. However, the dealer is compensated
by a difference between the security's original purchase price and the
selling price, the so-called "bid-asked spread." Securities may also
be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting
fees.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, the
fund may pay a broker-dealer 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 the 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 that fund
or 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.
To the extent permitted by applicable law , FMR is authorized to
allocate portfolio transactions in a manner that
takes into account assistance received in the
distribution of shares of the funds or other Fidelity funds
and to use the research services of brokerage and other
firms that have provided such assistance. FMR may use research
services provided by and place agency transactions with National
Financial Services Corporation (NFSC) and Fidelity Brokerage Services
Japan LLC (FBSJ), indirect subsidiaries of FMR Corp., if the
commissions are fair, reasonable, and comparable to commissions
charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms for similar
services. Prior to December 9, 1997, FMR used research services
provided by and placed agency transactions with Fidelity Brokerage
Services (FBS), an indirect subsidiary of FMR Corp.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers (including
affiliates of FMR) who have entered into arrangements with FMR under
which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the commissions paid by
a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses. The transaction
quality must, however, be comparable to those of other qualified
broker-dealers.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for investment 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.
The Trustees periodically review FMR's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions on behalf of the fund and review the commissions paid by
the 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 July 31, 1999 and 1998, the fund's
portfolio turnover rates were ___% and ___% , respectively.
[Variations in turnover rate may be due to a fluctuating volume of
shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, or
changes in FMR's investment outlook.]
For the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997 , the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $________, $_________, and
$________, respectively. Significant changes in brokerage
commissions paid by the fund from year to year may result from
changing asset levels throughout the year. The fund may pay both
commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions.
During the fiscal years ended J uly 1999, 1998 and 1997 , the
fund paid brokerage commissions of $_______, $_______, and
$_______, respectively, to NFSC. NFSC is paid on a commission
basis. During the fiscal year ended July 1999, this amounted to
approximately __% of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the
fund for transactions involving approximately __% of the
aggregate dollar amount of transactions for which the fund paid
brokerage commissions. [The difference between the percentage of
aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the percentage of the
aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected through, NFSC is a
result of the low commission rates charged by NFSC.] [ NFSC has used a
portion of the commissions paid by the fund to reduce that fund's
custodian or transfer agent fees.]
During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997 , the
fund paid brokerage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____,
respectively, to FBS. FBS is paid on a commission basis. During the
fiscal year ended July 1999 , this amounted to approximately
__% of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund for
transactions involving approximately __% of the aggregate
dollar amount of transactions for which the fund paid brokerage
commissions. [The difference between the percentage of aggregate
brokerage commissions paid to, and the percentage of the aggregate
dollar amount of transactions effected through, FBS is a result of the
low commission rates charged by FBS.] [FBS has used a portion of the
commissions paid by the fund to reduce that fund's custodian or
transfer agent fees.]
[During the fiscal years ended July 1999, 1998 and 1997, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $_____, $_____ and $_____, respectively,
to FBSJ. FBSJ is paid on a commission basis. [During the fiscal year
ended July 1999, this amounted to approximately __% of the aggregate
brokerage commissions paid by the fund for transactions involving
approximately __% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions for
which the fund paid brokerage commissions. [The difference between the
percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected
through, FBSJ is a result of the low commission rates charged by
FBSJ.][FBSJ has used a portion of the commissions paid by the fund to
reduce that fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.]]
During the fiscal year ended July, 1999 , the fund paid $__
in brokerage commissions to firms that provided research services
involving approximately $__ of transactions. The provision of
research services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all
this business with such firms. [During the fiscal year ended July
1999, the fund paid no brokerage commissions to firms that provided
research services.]
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures in conformity with
Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby a fund may purchase securities
that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of FMR
participates. These procedures prohibit the fund from directly or
indirectly benefiting an FMR affiliate in connection with such
underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where an FMR affiliate
participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may
apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities
that the fund could purchase in the underwriting.
From time to time the Trustees will review whether the recapture for
the benefit of the fund of some portion of the brokerage commissions
or similar fees paid by the fund on portfolio transactions is legally
permissible and advisable. The 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
the fund to seek such recapture.
Although the Trustees and officers of the fund are substantially the
same as those of other funds managed by FMR or its affiliates,
investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of
other funds managed by FMR or investment 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 investment
accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds
and investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser,
particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment
objective of more than one fund or investment account.
When two or more funds 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 the fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and
prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that
the desirability of retaining FMR as investment adviser to the fund
outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to
simultaneous transactions.
VALUATION
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of the
fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its
liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares
outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the
primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities
for which the primary market is the United States are valued at last
sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most
equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United
States are valued using the official closing price or the last sale
price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last
sale price (on the local exchange) is unavailable, the last evaluated
quote or closing bid price normally is used. Securities of
other open-end investment companies are valued at their respective
NAVs.
Fixed-income securities and other assets for which market quotations
are readily available may be valued at market values determined by
such securities' most recent bid prices (sales prices if the principal
market is an exchange) in the principal market in which they normally
are traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities or
assets. Or, fixed-income securities and convertible securities may be
valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service that
uses a valuation matrix which incorporates both dealer-supplied
valuations and electronic data processing techniques. Use of pricing
services has been approved by the Board of Trustees. A number of
pricing services are available, and the fund may use various pricing
services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market
quotations, if available.
Independent brokers or quotation services provide prices
of foreign securities in their local currency. FSC gathers all
exchange rates daily at the close of the NYSE using the last quoted
price on the local currency and then translates the value of foreign
securities from their local currencies into U.S. dollars. Any changes
in the value of forward contracts due to exchange rate fluctuations
and days to maturity are included in the calculation of NAV. If an
event that is expected to materially affect the value of a portfolio
security occurs after the close of an exchange or market on
which that security is traded, then that security will be valued
in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or
less for which market quotations and information furnished by a
pricing service are not readily available are valued either at
amortized cost or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of
which approximate current value.
The procedures set forth above need not be used to determine the
value of the securities owned by the fund if, in the opinion of a
committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method would
more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For
example, securities and other assets for which there is no readily
available market value may be valued in good faith by a committee
appointed by the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith
determination of the value of a security, the committee may review
price movements in futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading
trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional
trading.
PERFORMANCE
The fund may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the fund in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. The fund's share price and
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.
RETURN CALCULATIONS. Returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects
of the 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. A cumulative return reflects actual performance
over a stated period of time. Average annual returns are
calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a
hypothetical historical investment in the 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
return of 100% over ten years would produce an average
annual 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 returns are a convenient means of comparing
investment alternatives, investors should realize that the fund's
performance is not constant over time, but changes from year to year,
and that average annual returns represent averaged figures as
opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual returns , the fund may quote
unaveraged or cumulative returns reflecting the simple change
in value of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and
cumulative 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.
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 return . Returns may be quoted on a
before-tax or after-tax basis. Returns may or may not include
the effect of the fund's maximum sales charge and short-term
trading fee . Excluding the fund's sales charge or short-term
trading fee from a return calculation produces a higher return figure.
Returns and other performance information may be quoted
numerically or in a table, graph, or similar illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using the fund's NAVs,
adjusted NAVs , and benchmark indexes may be used to
exhibit performance. An adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid
by the fund and reflects all elements of its return. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales
charges, if any.
MOVING AVERAGES. A growth fund may illustrate performance using moving
averages. A long-term moving average is the average of each week's
adjusted closing NAV for a specified period. A short-term moving
average is the average of each day's adjusted closing NAV for a
specified period. Moving Average Activity Indicators combine adjusted
closing NAVs from the last business day of each week with moving
averages for a specified period to produce indicators showing when an
NAV has crossed, stayed above, or stayed below its moving average. On
July 30, 1999, the 13-week and 39-week long-term moving
averages were $__ and $__, respectively.
CALCULATING HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows
performance for the fund. The fund has a maximum front-end sales
charge of 3% which is included in the average annual and cumulative
returns.
Returns do not include the effect of the fund's 1.5% short-term
trading fee, applicable to shares held less than 90 days.
HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows the fund's
return for the fiscal periods ended July 31,
1999 .
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Annual Returns Cumulative Returns
One Year Five Years Life of Fund* One Year Five Years Life of Fund*
Low-Priced Stock % % % % % %
</TABLE>
* From December 27, 1989 (commencement of operations).
[Note: If [FMR/Strategic Advisers] had not reimbursed certain fund
expenses during these periods, the fund's returns would have been
lower.]
The following table shows the income and capital elements of the
fund's cumulative return . The table compares the fund's return
to the record of the 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 the fund. The S&P 500 and
DJIA comparisons are provided to show how the fund's 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. The fund has the ability to invest in securities
not included in either index, and its investment portfolio may or may
not be similar in composition to the indexes. The S&P 500 and DJIA
returns are based on the prices of unmanaged groups of stocks and,
unlike the fund's returns, do not include the effect of brokerage
commissions or other costs of investing.
During the period from December 27, 1989 (commencement of operations)
to July 31, 1999, a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Low-Priced
Stock would have grown to $______ , including the effect of the
fund's maximum sales charge and assuming all distributions were
reinvested. Returns are based on past results and are not an
indication of future performance. Tax consequences of different
investments have not been factored into the figures below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
LOW-PRICED STOCK FUND INDEXES
Period Ended Value of Initial $10,000 Value of Reinvested Dividend Value of Reinvested Capital Total Value S&P 500
Investment Distributions Gain Distributions
1999 $ $ $ $ $
1998 $ $ $ $ $
1997 $ $ $ $ $
1996 $ $ $ $ $
1995 $ $ $ $ $
1994 $ $ $ $ $
1993 $ $ $ $ $
1992 $ $ $ $ $
1991 $ $ $ $ $
1990 $ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
LOW-PRICED STOCK FUND INDEXES
Period Ended DJIA Cost of Living**
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
1996 $ $
1995 $ $
1994 $ $
1993 $ $
1992 $ $
1991 $ $
1990 $ $
</TABLE>
* From December 27, 1989 (commencement of operations).
** From month-end closest to initial investment date.
Explanatory Notes: With an initial investment of $10,000 in the fund
on December 27, 1989, assuming the maximum sales charge had
been in effect, the net amount invested in fund shares was
$_____ . 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 $______ . 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 $______ for dividends and $_____
for capital gain distributions. The figures in the table do not
include the effect of the fund's 1.5% short-term trading fee
applicable to shares held less than 90 days.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS. The 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 return , assume reinvestment of distributions, do
not take sales charges or trading fees into consideration, and are
prepared without regard to tax consequences. In addition to the mutual
fund rankings, the fund's performance may be compared to stock, bond,
and money market mutual fund performance indexes prepared by
Lipper or other organizations. When comparing these indexes , 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, the 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.
The fund's performance may also be compared to that of the
benchmark index representing the universe of securities in which the
fund may invest. The return of the index reflects
reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains paid by securities
included in the index. Unlike the fund's returns, however, the
index's returns do not reflect brokerage commissions,
transaction fees, or other costs of investing directly in the
securities included in the index.
Low-Priced Stock may compare its performance to that of the Russell
2000 Index, a market capitalization-weighted index of 2,000
small company stocks.
The 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, the fund may offer greater liquidity or higher
potential returns than CDs, the 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
indexes .
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 returns in
the same method as the funds. The funds may also compare performance
to that of other compilations or indexes that may be developed and
made available in the future.
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.
The fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. The 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
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.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate the 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.
The 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.
The fund may be available for purchase through retirement plans or
other programs offering deferral of, or exemption from, income taxes,
which may produce superior after-tax returns over time. For example, a
$1,000 investment earning a taxable return of 10% annually would have
an after-tax value of $1,949 after ten years, assuming tax was
deducted from the return each year at a 31% rate. An equivalent
tax-deferred investment would have an after-tax value of $2,100 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted at a 31% rate from the
tax-deferred earnings at the end of the ten-year period.
As of July 31, 1999, FMR advised over $__ billion in municipal
fund assets, $__ billion in taxable fixed-income fund assets,
$__ billion in money market fund assets, $___ billion in
equity fund assets, $__ billion in international fund assets,
and $___ billion in Spartan fund assets. The fund 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.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE, EXCHANGE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
Pursuant to Rule 22d-1 under the 1940 Act, FDC exercises its right to
waive the fund's front-end sales charge on shares acquired through
reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions or in
connection with a fund's merger with or acquisition of any investment
company or trust. In addition, FDC has chosen to waive the fund's
front-end sales charge in certain instances due to sales efficiencies
and competitive considerations. The sales charge will not apply:
1. to shares purchased in connection with an employee benefit plan
(including the Fidelity-sponsored 403(b) and corporate IRA programs
but otherwise as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act) maintained by a U.S. employer and having more than 200 eligible
employees, or a minimum of $3,000,000 in plan assets invested in
Fidelity mutual funds, or as part of an employee benefit plan
maintained by a U.S. employer that is a member of a parent-subsidiary
group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code, with "50%" substituted for "80%") any member of
which maintains an employee benefit plan having more than 200 eligible
employees, or a minimum of $3,000,000 in plan assets invested in
Fidelity mutual funds, or as part of an employee benefit plan
maintained by a non-U.S. employer having 200 or more eligible
employees, or a minimum of $3,000,000 in assets invested in Fidelity
mutual funds, the assets of which are held in a bona fide trust for
the exclusive benefit of employees participating therein;
2. to shares purchased by an insurance company separate account used
to fund annuity contracts purchased by employee benefit plans
(including 403(b) programs, but otherwise as defined in the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act), which, in the aggregate, have either
more than 200 eligible employees or a minimum of $3,000,000 in assets
invested in Fidelity funds;
3. to shares in a Fidelity account purchased (including purchases by
exchange) with the proceeds of a distribution from an employee benefit
plan provided that: (i) at the time of the distribution, the
employer, or an affiliate (as described in waiver (1 ) above) of
such employer, maintained at least one employee benefit plan
that qualified for waiver (1) above and that had at least
some portion of its assets invested in one or more mutual funds
advised by FMR, or in one or more investment accounts or pools
advised by Fidelity Management Trust Company; and (ii) either (a) the
distribution is transferred from the plan to a Fidelity IRA account
within 60 days from the date of the distribution or (b) the
distribution is transferred directly from the plan into another
Fidelity account;
4. to shares purchased by a charitable organization (as defined for
purposes of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) investing
$100,000 or more;
5. to shares purchased for a charitable remainder trust or life income
pool established for the benefit of a charitable organization (as
defined for purposes of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code);
6. to shares purchased by an investor participating in the Fidelity
Trust Portfolios program (these investors must make initial
investments of $100,000 or more in the Trust Portfolios funds and
must, during the initial six-month period, reach and maintain an
aggregate balance of at least $500,000 in all accounts and subaccounts
purchased through the Trust Portfolios program);
7. to shares purchased by a mutual fund or a qualified state tuition
program for which FMR or an affiliate serves as investment manager;
8. to shares purchased through Portfolio Advisory ServicesSM or
Fidelity Charitable Advisory Services;
9. to shares purchased by a current or former Trustee or officer of a
Fidelity fund or a current or retired officer, director, or regular
employee of FMR Corp. or Fidelity International Limited or their
direct or indirect subsidiaries (a Fidelity Trustee or employee), the
spouse of a Fidelity Trustee or employee, a Fidelity Trustee or
employee acting as custodian for a minor child, or a person acting as
trustee of a trust for the sole benefit of the minor child of a
Fidelity Trustee or employee;
10. to shares purchased by a bank trust officer, registered
representative, or other employee of a qualified recipient. Qualified
recipients are securities dealers or other entities, including banks
and other financial institutions, who have sold the fund's shares
under special arrangements in connection with FDC's sales activities;
11. to shares purchased by contributions and exchanges to the
following prototype or prototype-like retirement plans sponsored by
FMR Corp. or FMR and that are marketed and distributed directly to
plan sponsors or participants without any intervention or assistance
from any intermediary distribution channel: The Fidelity Traditional
IRA, The Fidelity Roth IRA, The Fidelity Rollover IRA , The
Fidelity SEP-IRA and SARSEP, The Fidelity SIMPLE IRA, The Fidelity
Retirement Plan, Fidelity Defined Benefit Plan, The Fidelity Group
IRA, The Fidelity 403(b) Program, The Fidelity Investments 401(a)
Prototype Plan for Tax-Exempt Employers, and The CORPORATEplan for
Retirement (Profit Sharing and Money Purchase Plan);
12. to shares purchased as part of a pension or profit-sharing plan as
defined in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code that maintains
all of its mutual fund assets in Fidelity mutual funds, provided the
plan executes a Fidelity non-prototype sales charge waiver request
form confirming its qualification;
13. to shares purchased by a registered investment adviser (RIA) for
his or her discretionary accounts, provided he or she executes a
Fidelity RIA load waiver agreement which specifies certain aggregate
minimum and operating provisions. This waiver is available only for
shares purchased directly from Fidelity, without a broker, unless
purchased through a brokerage firm which is a correspondent of
National Financial Services Corporation (NFSC). The waiver is
unavailable, however, if the RIA is part of an organization
principally engaged in the brokerage business, unless the brokerage
firm in the organization is an NFSC correspondent; or
14. to shares purchased by a trust institution or bank trust
department for its non-discretionary, non-retirement fiduciary
accounts, provided it executes a Fidelity Trust load waiver agreement
which specifies certain aggregate minimum and operating provisions.
This waiver is available only for shares purchased either directly
from Fidelity or through a bank-affiliated broker, and is unavailable
if the trust department or institution is part of an organization not
principally engaged in banking or trust activities.
The fund's sales charge may be reduced to reflect sales charges
previously paid, or that would have been paid absent a reduction for
some purchases made directly with Fidelity as noted in the prospectus,
in connection with investments in other Fidelity funds. This includes
reductions for investments in prototype-like retirement plans
sponsored by FMR or FMR Corp., which are listed above.
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 the 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.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS. A portion of the fund's income may qualify for
the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders
to the extent that the fund's income is derived from qualifying
dividends. Because the fund may earn other types of income, such as
interest, short-term capital gains, and non-qualifying dividends, the
percentage of dividends from the fund that qualifies for the deduction
generally will be less than 100%. A portion of the fund's dividends
derived from certain U.S. Government securities and securities of
certain other investment companies may be exempt from state and local
taxation.
CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. The fund's long-term capital
gain distributions are federally taxable to shareholders generally as
capital gains.
[As of July 31, 1999, the fund had a capital loss carryforward
aggregating approximately $____. This loss carryforward, of which
$___, $___, and $___will expire on July 31, 199_, ____, and ____ ,
respectively, is available to offset future capital gains.]
RETURNS OF CAPITAL. If the fund's distributions exceed its
taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all
or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of
capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce
each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher
reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares
on which the distribution was received are sold.
FOREIGN TAX CREDIT OR DEDUCTION. Foreign governments may
withhold taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund with
respect to foreign securities. Foreign governments may also impose
taxes on other payments or gains with respect to foreign securities.
Because the fund does not currently anticipate that securities of
foreign issuers will constitute more than 50% of its total assets at
the end of its fiscal year, shareholders should not expect to be
eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their
federal income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes withheld.
TAX STATUS OF THE FUND. The fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income
and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as
a regulated investment company , and avoid being subject to
federal income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund intends to
distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net
realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on a
fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules
applicable to regulated investment companies.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION. The information above is only a summary of some
of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its
shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax
consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine
whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or
loss or other tax consequence to you. In addition to federal
income taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on
fund distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local
personal property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers
to determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax
situation.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of
the trust are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund
and is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The
Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout
the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual
arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and
review the fund's performance. Except 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 or its affiliates . The business
address of each Trustee, Member of the Advisory Board, and officer who
is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act ) 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(registered trademark) , 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 ( 69 ), 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.; and a Director of FDC. Abigail Johnson, Vice
President of Low-Priced Stock , is Mr. Johnson's daughter.
ABIGAIL P. JOHNSON (37), is Vice President of certain Equity Funds
(1997), and is a Director of FMR Corp. (1994). Before assuming her
current responsibilities, Ms. Johnson managed a number of Fidelity
funds. Edward C. Johnson 3d, Trustee and President of the Funds, is
Ms. Johnson's father.
J. GARY BURKHEAD (58 ), 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 (67 ), 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 (67) , 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 (55) , 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 a Director of 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). Mr. Gates also is a Trustee of the Forum for International
Policy and of the Endowment Association of the College of William and
Mary. In addition, he is a member of the National Executive Board of
the Boy Scouts of America.
E. BRADLEY JONES (71) , 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 ( 66 ), 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
previously served as a Director of General Re Corporation
(reinsurance, 1987-1998) and Valuation Research Corp.
(appraisals and valuations, 1993-1995). He serves as Chairman
of the Board of Directors of National Arts Stabilization Inc.,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital
Association, Director of the Yale-New Haven Health Services Corp.
(1998), 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 ( 56) , 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(registered trademark) 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 ( 65) , 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 ( 71 ), 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 (66 ), Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the
Board, 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).
*ROBERT C. POZEN (52) , 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 (70) , 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).
JOEL TILLINGHAST (41) , is Vice President of Fidelity Low-Priced
Stock Fund.
ERIC D. ROITER ( 50 ), Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998)
and General Counsel of FMR (1998) and Vice President and Clerk of
FDC (1998) . Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was with the law
firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, as an associate (1981-1984) and as a
partner (1985-1997), and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981). Mr. Roiter was an
Adjunct Member, Faculty of Law, at Columbia University Law School
(1996-1997).
RICHARD A. SILVER ( 52 ), 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).
MATTHEW N. KARSTETTER (38), Deputy Treasurer (1998), is Deputy
Treasurer of the Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR (1998).
Before joining FMR, Mr. Karstetter served as Vice President of
Investment Accounting and Treasurer of IDS Mutual Funds at American
Express Financial Advisors (1996-1998). Prior to 1996, Mr. Karstetter
was Vice President, Mutual Fund Services at State Street Bank & Trust
(1991-1996).
JOHN H. COSTELLO ( 52) , Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of
FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH ( 53 ), 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).
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation
of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board of the fund for his
or her services for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, or
calendar year ended December 31, 1998 , as applicable.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
COMPENSATION TABLE
Trustees and Members of the Aggregate Compensation from Total Compensation from the
Advisory Board Low-Priced Stock FundB,C Fund Complex* A
Edward C. Johnson 3d ** $ 0 $ 0
J. Gary Burkhead ** $ 0 $ 0
Ralph F. Cox $ $ 223,500
Phyllis Burke Davis $ $ 220,500
Robert M. Gates [$ ] [$223,500]
E. Bradley Jones $ $ 222,000
Donald J. Kirk $ $ 226,500
Peter S. Lynch ** $ 0 $ 0
William O. McCoy [$ ] [$ 223,500]
Gerald C. McDonough $ $ 273,500
Marvin L. Mann $ $ 220,500
Robert C. Pozen** [$ 0] [$ 0]
Thomas R. Williams $ $223,500
</TABLE>
* Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998
for 237 funds in the complex.
** Interested Trustees of the fund and Mr. Burkhead are compensated by
FMR.
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, 1998 , the Trustees accrued
required deferred compensation from the funds as follows: Ralph F.
Cox, $75,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $75,000; Robert M. Gates,
$75,000 ; 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 F. Cox, $55,039 ; Marvin L.
Mann, $55,039 ; Thomas R. Williams, $63,433; and William O.
McCoy, $55,039.
[B Compensation figures include cash, and may include amounts
required to be deferred and amounts deferred at the election of
Trustees.]
[C The following amounts are required to be deferred by each
non-interested Trustee: Ralph F. Cox, $__; Phyllis Burke Davis, $__;
[Robert M. Gates, $__;] E. Bradley Jones, $__; Donald J. Kirk, $__;
[William O. McCoy, $__;] Gerald C. McDonough, $__; Marvin L. Mann,
$__; and Thomas R. Williams, $__.]
[D Certain of the non-interested Trustees' aggregate compensation
from the fund includes accrued voluntary deferred compensation as
follows: [].]
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 July 31, 1999, approximately __% of the fund's total
outstanding shares was held by [FMR] [[and] [an] FMR affiliate[s]].
FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of [FMR] [[and] [this/these]
FMR affiliate[s]]. By virtue of his ownership interest in FMR Corp.,
as described in the "Control of Investment Adviser[s]" section on page
___, Mr. Edward C. Johnson 3d, President and Trustee of the fund, may
be deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares. As of the above
date, with the exception of Mr. Johnson 3d's deemed ownership of the
fund's shares, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and
officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's total outstanding shares.]
[As of July 31, 1999, the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board,
and officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate, less than __% of the
fund's total outstanding shares.]
[As of July 31, 1999, the following owned of record or beneficially
5% or more (up to and including 25%) of the fund's outstanding
shares:]
[As of July 31, 1999, approximately ____% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by [].]
[A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a
fund's outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person. That
shareholder's vote could have a more significant effect on matters
presented at a shareholders' meeting than votes of other
shareholders.]
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR Corp., organized in 1972, is the ultimate parent company of
FMR, FMR U.K. and FMR Far East. 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 investment 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.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
The fund has entered into a management contract with FMR, pursuant to
which FMR furnishes investment advisory and other services.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Under the terms of its management contract with
the 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 the fund with all necessary office
facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments,
compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are
"interested persons" of the trust or of FMR, and all personnel of the
fund or FMR performing services relating to research,
statistical and investment activities.
In addition, FMR or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services
necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include
providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization;
supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents,
accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the
fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting
shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and the
registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing
management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing
reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to
the Trustees.
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, pricing and bookkeeping agent, and
securities lending agent, the fund pays all of its expenses
that are not assumed by those parties. The 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. The 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 the fund's
transfer agent agreement, the transfer agent bears the costs of
providing these services to existing shareholders. Other expenses paid
by the 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. The 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 FEE. For the services of FMR under the management contract,
the fund pays FMR a monthly management fee which has two components: a
basic fee, which is the sum of a group fee rate and an individual fund
fee rate, and a performance adjustment based on a comparison of the
fund's performance to that of the Russell 2000 Index.
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Assets Annualized Rate Group Net Assets Effective Annual Fee Rate
0 - $3 billion .5200% $ 0.5 billion .5200%
3 - 6 .4900 25 .4238
6 - 9 .4600 50 .3823
9 - 12 .4300 75 .3626
12 - 15 .4000 100 .3512
15 - 18 .3850 125 .3430
18 - 21 .3700 150 .3371
21 - 24 .3600 175 .3325
24 - 30 .3500 200 .3284
30 - 36 .3450 225 .3249
36 - 42 .3400 250 .3219
42 - 48 .3350 275 .3190
48 - 66 .3250 300 .3163
66 - 84 .3200 325 .3137
84 - 102 .3150 350 .3113
102 - 138 .3100 375 .3090
138 - 174 .3050 400 .3067
174 - 210 .3000 425 .3046
210 - 246 .2950 450 .3024
246 - 282 .2900 475 .3003
282 - 318 .2850 500 .2982
318 - 354 .2800 525 .2962
354 - 390 .2750 550 .2942
390 - 426 .2700
426 - 462 .2650
462 - 498 .2600
498 - 534 .2550
Over 534 .2500
</TABLE>
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 $___ billion of group net assets - the approximate
level for July 1999 was __% , which is the weighted
average of the respective fee rates for each level of group net assets
up to $__ billion.
The fund's individual fund fee rate is 0.35% . Based on the average
group net assets of the funds advised by FMR for July 1999 , the
fund's annual basic fee rate would be calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Group Fee Rate Individual Fund Fee Rate Basic Fee Rate
Low-Priced Stock 0.___% + 0.35% = 0.___%
</TABLE>
One-twelfth of the basic fee rate is applied to the fund's
average net assets for the month , giving a dollar
amount which is the fee for that month.
COMPUTING THE PERFORMANCE ADJUSTMENT. The basic fee for Low-Priced
Stock is subject to upward or downward adjustment, depending upon
whether, and to what extent, the fund's investment performance for the
performance period exceeds, or is exceeded by, the record over the
same period of the Russell 2000 Index for Low-Priced Stock .
The performance period consists of the most recent month plus the
previous 35 months.
Each percentage point of difference, calculated to the nearest
0.01% (up to a maximum difference of (plus/minus)10.00) is
multiplied by a performance adjustment rate of 0.02% .
The performance comparison is made at the end of each month. One
twelfth (1/12) of this rate is then applied to the fund's average net
assets throughout the month , giving a dollar amount
which will be added to (or subtracted from) the basic fee.
The maximum annualized adjustment rate is (plus/minus)0.20% of the
fund's average net assets over the performance period.
The fund's performance is calculated based on change in NAV. For
purposes of calculating the performance adjustment, any dividends or
capital gain distributions paid by the fund are treated as if
reinvested in that fund's shares at the NAV as of the record date for
payment.
The record of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index)is based on change
in value and is adjusted for any cash distributions from the companies
whose securities compose the Index. Because the adjustment to the
basic fee is based on the fund's performance compared to the
investment record of the Index, the controlling factor is not whether
the fund's performance is up or down per se, but whether it is up or
down more or less than the record of the Index. Moreover, the
comparative investment performance of the fund is based solely on the
relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative
performance over a longer or shorter period of time.
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997 , the
fund paid FMR management fees of $_______, $___________ and
$___________, respectively. The amount of these management fees
includes both the basic fee and the amount of the performance
adjustment, if any. For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998,
and 1997 the upward performance adjustments amounted to $______ ,
$_______, and $_________, respectively.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of
the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes,
securities lending fees , brokerage commissions, and
extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision or termination.
FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements
in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of
the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fund's returns ,
and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower its returns.
SUB-ADVISERS. On behalf of Low-Priced Stock , FMR has entered
into sub-advisory agreements with FMR U.K. and FMR Far East. Pursuant
to the sub-advisory agreements, FMR may receive investment advice and
research services outside the United States from the sub-advisers.
On behalf of the fund, FMR may also grant FMR U.K. and FMR Far
East investment management authority as well as the authority to
buy and sell securities if FMR believes it would be beneficial to the
fund.
Under the sub-advisory agreements FMR pays the fees of FMR U.K.
and FMR Far East. For providing non-discretionary investment advice
and research services, FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East fees equal
to 110% and 105%, respectively, of FMR U.K.'s and FMR Far East's costs
incurred in connection with providing investment advice and research
services.
On behalf of the fund, for providing discretionary investment
management and executing portfolio transactions, FMR pays FMR U.K. and
FMR Far East a fee equal to 50% of its monthly management fee rate
(including any performance adjustment) with respect to the fund's
average net assets managed by the sub-adviser on a discretionary
basis.
For providing investment advice and research services, fees paid to
FMR U.K. and FMR Far East for the past three fiscal years are
shown in the table below.
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, no fees were paid to [] on behalf of the fund for the
past three fiscal years.]
[For discretionary investment management and execution of portfolio
transactions, fees paid to [] [on behalf of []] for the past three
fiscal years are shown in the table below.]
Fiscal Year Ended July 31 FMR U.K. FMR Far East
1999 $ $
1998 $ $
1997 $ $
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an
affiliate of FMR. 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 agreement
calls for FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other
business, to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are
continuously offered. Promotional and administrative expenses in
connection with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
During the fiscal years ended July 31 1999, 1998, and 1997, FDC
collected sales charge revenue of $____, $____, and $____,
respectively, on purchases of fund shares and, of these amounts,
retained $____, $____, and $____, respectively.
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan on
behalf of the fund (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act (the Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund may
not engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that is
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund except
pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The
Plan, as approved by the Trustees, allows the fund and FMR to incur
certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect
payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
Under the 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. The Plan
specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenue,
as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay FDC for
expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to
result in the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services.
In addition, the Plan provides that FMR, directly or through FDC, may
pay intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers and other
service-providers, that provide those services. Currently, the Board
of Trustees has authorized such payments for Low-Priced Stock
shares.
[Payments made by FMR [either directly or] through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended 1999 amounted to $____.]
[FMR made no payments [either directly or] through FDC to
intermediaries for the fiscal year ended1999.]
Prior to approving the Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all
pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and
determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will
benefit the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees
noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by the fund other than
those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund. To the
extent that the Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in
connection with the distribution of fund shares, additional sales of
fund shares or stabilization of cash flows may result. Furthermore,
certain shareholder support services may be provided more effectively
under the Plan by local entities with whom shareholders have other
relationships.
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 fund 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.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plan. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with FSC, an
affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreement, FSC performs
transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder services for the
fund.
For providing transfer agency services, FSC receives an account fee
and an asset-based fee each paid monthly with respect to each account
in the 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 and fund type. The account fees are
subject to increase based on postage rate changes.
The asset-based fees are subject to adjustment if the year-to-date
total return of the S&P 500 exceeds a positive or negative 15%.
FSC also collects small account fees from certain accounts with
balances of less than $2,500.
In addition, FSC receives the pro rata portion of the transfer agency
fees applicable to shareholder accounts in a qualified state tuition
program (QSTP), as defined under the Small Business Job Protection Act
of 1996, managed by FMR or an affiliate and in each Fidelity
Freedom Fund and Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund , funds
of funds managed by an FMR affiliate, according to the percentage of
the QSTP's, Freedom Fund's or Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund's
assets that is invested in the fund , subject to certain limitations
in the case of Fidelity Four-in-One Index 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.
The fund has also entered into a service agent agreement with FSC.
Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends
for the fund, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting
records, and administers the fund's securities lending program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a
monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout
the month.
The annual rates for pricing and bookkeeping services for the fund
are 0.0450% of the first $500 million of average net assets, 0.0265%
of average net assets between $500 million and $3 billion, and 0.0010%
of average net assets in excess of $3 billion. The fee, not including
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, is limited to a minimum of
$60,000 per year.
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997 , the
fund paid FSC pricing and bookkeeping fees, including reimbursement
for related out-of-pocket expenses, of $____, $____, and $____ ,
respectively.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC receives
fees based on the number and duration of individual securities loans.
[For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid no securities lending fees.]
[For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the fund
paid securities lending fees of $__, $__, and $__, respectively.]
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST ORGANIZATION. Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund is a fund of
Fidelity Puritan Trust, an open-end management investment company
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 1, 1984.
Currently, there are four funds in the trust: Fidelity Balanced Fund,
Fidelity Global Balanced Fund, Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund, and
Fidelity Puritan(Registered trademark) Fund. The Trustees are
permitted to create additional funds in the trust.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of
each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund, and
constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying assets
of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the liabilities and
expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the trust
shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. The trust is an entity commonly known as a
"Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders
of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally
liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations, and
expenses of the trust or fund. The Declaration of Trust provides that
the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the
payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each
agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the
trust or the Trustees relating to the trust or to a fund shall include
a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust or
to one or more funds and its or their assets. The Declaration of Trust
further provides that shareholders of a fund shall not have a claim on
or right to any assets belonging to any other fund.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each
fund's property of any shareholder or former shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the fund solely by reason of
his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his
or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Declaration of
Trust also provides that each fund shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or
obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the
risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in
view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is
remote.
VOTING RIGHTS. Each fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one vote for each
dollar of net asset value that you own. The voting rights of
shareholders can be changed only by a shareholder vote. Shares may be
voted in the aggregate, by fund and by class.
The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are
fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading
"Shareholder Liability" above.
The trust or any of its funds may be terminated upon the sale of
its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management investment
company or series thereof, or upon liquidation and distribution of its
assets. Generally, the merger of the trust or a fund with another
entity or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the trust or
a fund to another entity requires approval by a vote of shareholders
of the trust or the fund. The Trustees may, however, reorganize or
terminate the trust or any of its funds without prior shareholder
approval. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the trust,
shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the
underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the
event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund, shareholders of
that fund are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund
available for distribution.
CUSTODIAN. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian
is responsible for the safekeeping of a fund's assets and the
appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. The
Bank of New York and The Chase Manhattan Bank, each headquartered
in New York, also may serve as special purpose custodians of certain
assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, and members
of the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, conduct transactions
with various banks, including banks serving as custodians for certain
funds advised by FMR. The Boston branch of the fund's custodian leases
its office space from an affiliate of FMR at a lease payment which,
when entered into, was consistent with prevailing market rates.
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. ____________________, Boston, Massachusetts, serves
as independent accountant for the fund. The auditor examines financial
statements for the fund and provides other audit, tax, and related
services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, and report of the auditor,
are in cluded in the fund's annual report and are incorporated
herein by reference.
APPENDIX
Fidelity, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, Fidelity Focus,
Fidelity Investments, Magellan, and Puritan, are registered trademarks
of FMR Corp.
Portfolio Advisory Services is a service mark of FMR Corp.
THE THIRD PARTY MARKS APPEARING ABOVE ARE THE MARKS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
FIDELITY PURITAN TRUST
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated September 16,
1994 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(b) Bylaws of the Trust, as amended and dated May 19, 1994, are
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2(a) of Fidelity
Union Street Trust's (File No. 2-50318) Post-Effective Amendment
No. 87.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) (1) Management Contract between Fidelity Puritan Fund and
Fidelity Management & Research Company dated August 1, 1994,
is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(a) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(2) Management Contract between Fidelity Balanced Fund and
Fidelity Management & Research Company, dated August 1,
1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(b) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(3) Management Contract between Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
and Fidelity Management & Research Company, dated August 1,
1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(c) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(4) Management Contract between Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
and Fidelity Management & Research Company, dated August 1,
1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(d) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(5) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Puritan Fund between
Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. and Fidelity
Management & Research Company, dated August 1, 1994, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(e) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(6) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Balanced Fund between
Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. and Fidelity
Management & Research Company, dated August 1, 1994, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(f) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(7) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
between Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. and
Fidelity Management & Research Company, dated August 1,
1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(g) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(8) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Puritan Fund between
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and Fidelity
Management & Research Company, dated August 1, 1994, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(h) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(9) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Balanced Fund between
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and Fidelity
Management & Research Company, dated August 1, 1994, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(i) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(10) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
between Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and
Fidelity Management & Research Company, dated August 1,
1994, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(j) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 109.
(11) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
between Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. and
Fidelity Management & Research Company dated January 14,
1993, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(l) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 108.
(12) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
between Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. and
Fidelity Management & Research Company dated January 14,
1993, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(m) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 108.
(13) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity
International Investment Advisors dated January 14, 1993, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(m) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 111.
(14) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
between Fidelity International Investment Advisors (U.K.)
Limited and Fidelity International Investment Advisors dated
January 14, 1993, is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 5(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 111.
(15) Sub-Advisory Agreement for Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
between Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity
Investments Japan Ltd., dated January 14, 1993 is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(o) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 111.
(e) (1) General Distribution Agreement between Registrant on behalf
of Fidelity Puritan Fund and Fidelity Distributors
Corporation, dated April 1, 1987, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 6(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No.
111.
(2) General Distribution Agreement between Registrant on behalf
of Fidelity Balanced Fund and Fidelity Distributors
Corporation, dated April 1, 1987, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 6(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No.
111.
(3) Amendment to General Distribution Agreements between
Registrant on behalf of Fidelity Puritan Fund and Fidelity
Balanced Fund, respectively, and Fidelity Distributors
Corporation, dated January 1, 1988, is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 6(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No.
111.
(4) General Distribution Agreement between Fidelity Low-Priced
Stock Fund and Fidelity Distributors Corporation dated
December 14, 1989, is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 6(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 111.
(5) General Distribution Agreement between Registrant on behalf
of Fidelity Global Balanced Fund, and Fidelity Distributors
Corporation dated January 14, 1993, is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 6(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No.
111.
(6) Amendments to the General Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant on behalf of Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund and
Fidelity Distributors Corporation, dated March 14, 1996 and
July 15, 1996, are incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 6(k) of Fidelity Select Portfolios' Post-Effective
Amendment No. 57 (File No. 2-69972).
(7) Amendments to the General Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant on behalf of Fidelity Puritan Fund and Fidelity
Distributors Corporation, dated March 14, 1996 and July 15,
1996, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6(l)
of Fidelity Select Portfolios' Post-Effective Amendment No.
57 (File No. 2-69972).
(8) Amendments to the General Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant on behalf of Fidelity Balanced Fund and Fidelity
Distributors Corporation, dated March 14, 1996 and July 15,
1996, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6(b)
of Fidelity Court Street Trust's Post-Effective Amendment
No. 61 (File No. 2-58774).
(9) Amendments to the General Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant on behalf of Fidelity Global Balanced Fund and
Fidelity Distributors Corporation, dated March 14, 1996 and
July 15, 1996, are incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 6(a) of Fidelity Court Street Trust's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 61 (File No. 2-58774).
(f) (1) Retirement Plan for Non-Interested Person Trustees,
Directors or General Partners, as amended on November 16,
1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(a) of
Fidelity Select Portfolio's (File No. 2-69972)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 54.
(2) The Fee Deferral Plan for Non-Interested Person Directors
and Trustees of the Fidelity Funds, effective as of
September 14, 1995 and amended through November 14, 1996, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(b) of Fidelity
Aberdeen Street Trust's (File No. 33-43529) Post-Effective
Amendment No. 19.
(g) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, dated August 1, 1994, between
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. and Fidelity Puritan Trust on
behalf of Fidelity Puritan Fund is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Fidelity Investment Trust's (File
No. 2-90649) Post-Effective Amendment No. 59.
(1) Appendix A, dated May 19, 1999, to the Custodian Agreement,
dated August 1, 1994, between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
and Fidelity Puritan Trust on behalf of Fidelity Puritan
Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit g(2) of
Fidelity Charles Street Trust's (File No. 2-73133)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 65.
(2) Appendix B, dated March 18, 1999, to the Custodian
Agreement, dated August 1, 1994, between The Chase Manhattan
Bank, N.A. and Fidelity Puritan Trust on behalf of Fidelity
Puritan Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
g(3) of Fidelity Charles Street Trust's (File No. 2-73133)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 65.
(3) Addendum, dated October 21, 1996, to the Custodian
Agreement, dated August 1, 1994, between the Chase Manhattan
Bank, N.A. and the Fidelity Puritan Trust on behalf of
Fidelity Puritan Fund is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit g(4) of Fidelity Charles Street Trust's (File No.
2-73133) Post-Effective Amendment No. 65.
(4) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, dated September 1, 1994,
between Brown Brothers Harriman & Company and Fidelity
Puritan Trust on behalf of Fidelity Balanced Fund, Fidelity
Global Balanced Fund, and Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund are
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Fidelity
Commonwealth Trust's (File No. 2-52322) Post-Effective
Amendment No. 56.
(5) Appendix A, dated January 14, 1999, to the Custodian
Agreement, dated September 1, 1994, between Brown Brothers
Harriman & Company and Fidelity Puritan Trust on behalf of
Fidelity Balanced Fund, Fidelity Global Balanced Fund, and
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund is filed herein as Exhibit
g(2) of Fidelity Commonwealth Trust's (File No. 2-52322)
Post Effective Amendment No. 68.
(6) Appendix B, dated March 18, 1999, to the Custodian
Agreement, dated September 1, 1994, between Brown Brothers
Harriman & Company and Fidelity Puritan Trust on behalf of
Fidelity Balanced Fund, Fidelity Global Balanced Fund, and
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund is filed herein as Exhibit
g(3) of Fidelity Commonwealth Trust's (File No. 2-52322)
Post Effective Amendment No. 68.
(7) Addendum, dated October 21, 1996, to the Custodian
Agreement, dated September 1, 1994, between Brown Brothers
Harriman & Company and the Fidelity Puritan Trust on behalf
of Fidelity Balanced Fund, Fidelity Global Balanced Fund,
and Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit g(4) of Fidelity Commonwealth Trust's
(File No. 2-52322) Post-Effective Amendment No. 68.
(8) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among The Bank of
New York, J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and the Registrant,
dated February 12, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 8(d) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios'
(File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(9) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement
between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, dated
February 12, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 8(e) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios'
(File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(10) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among Chemical Bank,
Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and the Registrant, dated
November 13, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 8(f) of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios'
(File No. 2-74808) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(11) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement
between Chemical Bank and the Registrant, dated November 13,
1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(g) of
Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(12) Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of
New York and the Registrant, dated May 11, 1995, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(h) of Fidelity
Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(13) First Amendment to Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement
between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, dated July
14, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(i)
of Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74808)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Not applicable.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) (1) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between
Fidelity Global Balanced Fund and Fidelity Distributors
Corporation, is filed herein as Exhibit m(1).
(2) Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between
Fidelity Balanced Fund and Fidelity Distributors
Corporation, is filed herein as Exhibit m(2).
(n) Not applicable.
Item 24. Trusts Controlled by or under Common Control with this Trust
The Board of Trustees of the Trust is the same as the board of other
Fidelity funds, each of which has Fidelity Management & Research
Company, or an affiliate, as its investment adviser. In addition, the
officers of the Trust are substantially identical to those of the
other Fidelity funds. Nonetheless, the Trust takes the position that
it is not under common control with other Fidelity funds because the
power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the
result of an official position with the respective trusts.
Item 25. Indemnification
Article XI, Section 2 of the Declaration of Trust sets forth the
reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification
shall be provided to any past or present Trustee or officer. It states
that the Trust shall indemnify any present or past trustee or officer
to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability, and all
expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any
claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she is involved by
virtue of his or her service as a trustee or officer and against any
amount incurred in settlement thereof. Indemnification will not be
provided to a person adjudged by a court or other adjudicatory body to
be liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his
or her duties (collectively, "disabling conduct"), or not to have
acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action
was in the best interest of the Trust. In the event of a settlement,
no indemnification may be provided unless there has been a
determination, as specified in the Declaration of Trust, that the
officer or trustee did not engage in disabling conduct.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Distribution Agreement, the Trust
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its
directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against
any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the
reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees
incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person
acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the registration
statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information,
shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the
Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading
under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law. However,
the Trust does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it
harmless to the extent that the statement or omission was made in
reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the
Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor. In no case is the indemnity
of the Trust in favor of the Distributor or any person indemnified to
be deemed to protect the Distributor or any person against any
liability to the Issuer or its security holders to which the
Distributor or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Pursuant to the agreement by which Fidelity Service Company, Inc.
("FSC") is appointed transfer agent, the Trust agrees to indemnify and
hold FSC harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting
from:
(1) any claim, demand, action or suit brought by any person other
than the Trust, including by a shareholder, which names FSC and/or the
Trust as a party and is not based on and does not result from FSC's
willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of
duties, and arises out of or in connection with FSC's performance
under the Transfer Agency Agreement; or
(2) any claim, demand, action or suit (except to the extent
contributed to by FSC's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence
or reckless disregard of its duties) which results from the negligence
of the Trust, or from FSC's acting upon any instruction(s) reasonably
believed by it to have been executed or communicated by any person
duly authorized by the Trust, or as a result of FSC's acting in
reliance upon advice reasonably believed by FSC to have been given by
counsel for the Trust, or as a result of FSC's acting in reliance upon
any instrument or stock certificate reasonably believed by it to have
been genuine and signed, countersigned or executed by the proper
person.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers
(1) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY (FMR)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
FMR serves as investment adviser to a number of other investment
companies. The directors and officers of the Adviser have held,
during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a
substantial nature.
Edward C. Johnson 3d Chairman of the Board and
Director of FMR; President
and Chief Executive Officer
of FMR Corp.; Chairman of
the Board and Director of
FMR Corp., Fidelity
Investments Money
Management, Inc. (FIMM),
Fidelity Management &
Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR
U.K.), and Fidelity
Management & Research (Far
East) Inc. (FMR Far East);
Chairman of the Executive
Committee of FMR; Director
of Fidelity Investments
Japan Limited (FIJ);
President and Trustee of
funds advised by FMR.
Robert C. Pozen President and Director of
FMR; Senior Vice President
and Trustee of funds advised
by FMR; President and
Director of FIMM, FMR U.K.,
and FMR Far East;
Previously, General Counsel,
Managing Director, and
Senior Vice President of FMR
Corp.
Peter S. Lynch Vice Chairman of the Board
and Director of FMR.
John H. Carlson Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Dwight D. Churchill Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of Bond
Funds advised by FMR; Vice
President of FIMM.
Brian Clancy Vice President of FMR and
Treasurer of FMR, FIMM, FMR
U.K., and FMR Far East.
Barry Coffman Vice President of FMR.
Arieh Coll Vice President of FMR.
Frederic G. Corneel Tax Counsel of FMR.
Stephen G. Manning Assistant Treasurer of FMR,
FIMM, FMR U.K., FMR Far
East; Vice President and
Treasurer of FMR Corp.;
Treasurer of Strategic
Advisers, Inc.
William Danoff Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Scott E. DeSano Vice President of FMR.
Penelope Dobkin Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Walter C. Donovan Vice President of FMR.
Bettina Doulton Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Margaret L. Eagle Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
William R. Ebsworth Vice President of FMR.
Richard B. Fentin Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Gregory Fraser Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Jay Freedman Assistant Clerk of FMR; Clerk
of FMR Corp., FMR U.K., FMR
Far East, and Strategic
Advisers, Inc.; Secretary of
FIMM; Associate General
Counsel FMR Corp.
David L. Glancy Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Barry A. Greenfield Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Boyce I. Greer Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of Money
Market Funds advised by FMR;
Vice President of FIMM.
Bart A. Grenier Senior Vice President of FMR;
Vice President of
High-Income Funds advised by
FMR.
Robert J. Haber Vice President of FMR.
Richard C. Habermann Senior Vice President of FMR;
Vice President of funds
advised by FMR.
Fred L. Henning Jr. Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of
Fixed-Income Funds advised
by FMR.
Bruce T. Herring Vice President of FMR.
Robert F. Hill Vice President of FMR;
Director of Technical
Research.
Abigail P. Johnson Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of funds
advised by FMR; Director of
FMR Corp.; Associate
Director and Senior Vice
President of Equity Funds
advised by FMR.
David B. Jones Vice President of FMR.
Steven Kaye Senior Vice President of FMR
and of a fund advised by FMR.
Francis V. Knox Vice President of FMR;
Compliance Officer of FMR
U.K. and FMR Far East.
Harris Leviton Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Bradford E. Lewis Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Richard R. Mace Jr. Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Charles A. Mangum Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Kevin McCarey Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Neal P. Miller Vice President of FMR.
Jacques Perold Vice President of FMR.
Alan Radlo Vice President of FMR.
Eric D. Roiter Vice President and General
Counsel and Clerk of FMR and
Secretary of funds advised
by FMR.
Lee H. Sandwen Vice President of FMR.
Patricia A. Satterthwaite Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Fergus Shiel Vice President of FMR.
Richard A. Silver Vice President of FMR.
Carol A. Smith-Fachetti Vice President of FMR.
Steven J. Snider Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Thomas T. Soviero Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Richard Spillane Senior Vice President of FMR;
Associate Director and
Senior Vice President of
Equity Funds advised by FMR;
Previously, Senior Vice
President and Director of
Operations and Compliance of
FMR U.K.
Thomas M. Sprague Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Robert E. Stansky Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Scott D. Stewart Vice President of FMR.
Thomas Sweeney Vice President of FMR.
Beth F. Terrana Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Yoko Tilley Vice President of FMR.
Joel C. Tillinghast Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Robert Tuckett Vice President of FMR.
Jennifer Uhrig Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
George A. Vanderheiden Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of funds
advised by FMR; Director of
FMR Corp.
Steven S. Wymer Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
(2) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (U.K.) INC. (FMR U.K.)
25 Lovat Lane, London, EC3R 8LL, England
FMR U.K. provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management
& Research Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company. The
directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following
positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
Edward C. Johnson 3d Chairman of the Board and
Director of FMR U.K., FMR,
FMR Corp., FIMM, and FMR Far
East; President and Chief
Executive Officer of FMR
Corp.; Chairman of the
Executive Committee of FMR;
Director of Fidelity
Investments Japan Limited
(FIJ); President and Trustee
of funds advised by FMR.
Robert C. Pozen President and Director of FMR
U.K.; Senior Vice President
and Trustee of funds advised
by FMR; President and
Director of FIMM, FMR, and
FMR Far East; Previously,
General Counsel, Managing
Director, and Senior Vice
President of FMR Corp.
Brian Clancy Treasurer of FMR U.K., FMR
Far East, FMR, and FIMM and
Vice President of FMR.
Stephen G. Manning Assistant Treasurer of FMR
U.K., FMR, FMR Far East, and
FIMM; Vice President and
Treasurer of FMR Corp.;
Treasurer of Strategic
Advisers, Inc.
Francis V. Knox Compliance Officer of FMR
U.K. and FMR Far East; Vice
President of FMR.
Jay Freedman Clerk of FMR U.K., FMR Far
East, FMR Corp. and
Strategic Advisers, Inc.;
Assistant Clerk of FMR;
Secretary of FIMM; Associate
General Counsel FMR Corp.
Susan Englander Hislop Assistant Clerk of FMR U.K.,
FMR Far East and FIMM.
Sarah H. Zenoble Senior Vice President and
Director of Operations and
Compliance.
(3) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (Far East) INC. (FMR Far East)
Shiroyama JT Mori Bldg., 4-3-1 Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo 105,
Japan
FMR Far East provides investment advisory services to Fidelity
Management & Research Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company.
The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have held the following
positions of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years.
Edward C. Johnson 3d Chairman of the Board and
Director of FMR Far East,
FMR, FMR Corp., FIMM, and
FMR U.K.; Chairman of the
Executive Committee of FMR;
President and Chief
Executive Officer of FMR
Corp.; Director of Fidelity
Investments Japan Limited
(FIJ); President and Trustee
of funds advised by FMR.
Robert C. Pozen President and Director of FMR
Far East; Senior Vice
President and Trustee of
funds advised by FMR;
President and Director of
FIMM, FMR U.K., and FMR;
Previously, General Counsel,
Managing Director, and
Senior Vice President of FMR
Corp.
Robert H. Auld Senior Vice President of FMR
Far East.
Brian Clancy Treasurer of FMR Far East,
FMR U.K., FMR, and FIMM and
Vice President of FMR.
Francis V. Knox Compliance Officer of FMR Far
East and FMR U.K.; Vice
President of FMR.
Jay Freedman Clerk of FMR Far East, FMR
U.K., FMR Corp. and
Strategic Advisers, Inc.;
Assistant Clerk of FMR;
Secretary of FIMM; Associate
General Counsel FMR Corp.
Susan Englander Hislop Assistant Clerk of FMR Far
East, FMR U.K. and FIMM.
Stephen G. Manning Assistant Treasurer of FMR
Far East, FMR, FMR U.K., and
FIMM; Vice President and
Treasurer of FMR Corp.;
Treasurer of Strategic
Advisers, Inc.
Billy Wilder Vice President of FMR Far
East; President and
Representative Director of
Fidelity Investments Japan
Limited.
(4) FIDELITY INVESTMENTS MONEY MANAGEMENT, INC. (FIMM)
Contra Way, Merrimack, NH 03054
FIMM provides investment advisory services to Fidelity Management &
Research Company. The directors and officers of the Sub-Adviser have
held the following positions of a substantial nature during the past
two fiscal years.
Edward C. Johnson 3d Chairman of the Board and
Director of FIMM, FMR, FMR
Corp., FMR Far East, and FMR
U.K.; Chairman of the
Executive Committee of FMR;
President and Chief
Executive Officer of FMR
Corp.; Director of Fidelity
Investments Japan Limited
(FIJ); President and Trustee
of funds advised by FMR.
Robert C. Pozen President and Director of
FIMM; Senior Vice President
and Trustee of funds advised
by FMR; President and
Director of FIMM, FMR U.K.,
and FMR Far East;
Previously, General Counsel,
Managing Director, and
Senior Vice President of FMR
Corp.
Fred L. Henning Jr. Senior Vice President of
FIMM; Senior Vice President
of FMR and Vice President of
Fixed-Income Funds advised
by FMR.
Boyce I. Greer Vice President of FIMM;
Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of Money
Market Funds advised by FMR.
Dwight D. Churchill Vice President of FIMM;
Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of Bond
Funds advised by FMR.
Laura B. Cronin Treasurer of FIMM, FMR Far
East, FMR U.K., and FMR and
Vice President of FMR.
Jay Freedman Secretary of FIMM; Clerk of
FMR U.K., FMR Far East, FMR
Corp., and Strategic
Advisers, Inc.; Assistant
Clerk of FMR; Secretary of
FIMM; Associate General
Counsel FMR Corp.
Susan Englander Hislop Assistant Clerk of FIMM, FMR
U.K., and FMR Far East.
Stephen G. Manning Assistant Treasurer of FIMM,
FMR U.K., FMR Far East, and
FMR; Vice President and
Treasurer of FMR Corp.;
Treasurer of Strategic
Advisers, Inc.
(5) FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (FIIA)
Pembroke Hall, 42 Crow Lane, Pembroke HM19, Bermuda
The directors and officers of FIIA have held, during the past two
fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
Robert H. Auld Director of FIIA and Senior
Vice President of Fidelity
Management & Research (Far
East) Inc. (FMR Far East).
Anthony J. Bolton Director of FIIA, Fidelity
International Investment
Advisors (U.K.) Limited
(FIIA(U.K.)L), Fidelity
Investment Management
Limited (FIML (U.K.)),
Fidelity Investment Services
Limited (FISL (U.K.)), and
Fidelity Investments
International (FII).
Brett P. Goodin Director, Vice President,
Secretary and Chief Legal
Officer of many Fidelity
International Limited (FIL)
companies.
Simon Haslam Director of FIIA, FISL
(U.K.), and FII; Previously,
Chief Financial Officer of
FIL; Company Secretary of
Fidelity Investments Group
of Companies (U.K.).
K.C. Lee Director of FIIA and Fidelity
Investments Management (Hong
Kong) Limited.
Peter Phillips Director of FIIA and Fidelity
Investments Management (Hong
Kong) Limited.
Frank Mutch Director of FIIA.
Richard A. Wane Secretary of FIIA.
Terrence V. Richards Assistant Secretary of FIIA.
David J. Saul President and Director of
FIIA; Previously, Director
of Fidelity International
Limited; and numerous
companies and funds in the
FIL group.
(6) FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT ADVISORS (U.K.) LIMITED
(FIIA(U.K.)L)
26 Lovat Lane, London, EC3R 8LL, England
The directors and officers of FIIA(U.K.)L have held, during the past
two fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
Anthony J. Bolton Director of FIIA(U.K.)L,
Fidelity International
Investment Advisors (FIIA),
Fidelity Investment
Management Limited (FIML
(U.K.)), Fidelity Investment
Services Limited (FISL
(U.K.)), and Fidelity
Investments International
(FII).
Pamela Edwards Director of FIIA(U.K.)L, FISL
(U.K.), and FII; Previously,
Director of Legal Services
for Europe.
Simon Haslam Director of FIIA, FISL
(U.K.), and FII; Chief
Financial Officer of FIL
(U.K.); Previously, Company
Secretary of Fidelity
Investments Group of
Companies (U.K.).
Sally Walden Director of FIIA(U.K.)L and
FISL (U.K.).
Sally Hinchliffe Assistant Company Secretary
of Fidelity International
Group of Companies (U.K.).
Emma Barratt Assistant Company Secretary
of Fidelity International
Group of Companies (U.K.).
(7) FIDELITY INVESTMENTS JAPAN LIMITED (FIJ)
Shiroyama JT Mori Bldg., 4-3-1 Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo 105,
Japan
The directors and officers of FIJ have held, during the past two
fiscal years, the following positions of a substantial nature.
Edward C. Johnson 3d Director of FIJ; Chairman of
the Board and Director of
FMR Far East, FMR, FMR
Corp., FMR U.K., and FIMM;
Chairman of the Executive
Committee of FMR; President
and Chief Executive Officer
of FMR Corp.; President and
Trustee of funds advised by
FMR.
Yasuo Kuramoto Vice Chairman, Representative
Director of FIJ.
Billy Wilder President and Representative
Director of FIJ; Vice
President of FMR Far East.
Simon Fraser Director and Chief Investment
Officer of FIJ.
Simon Haslam Director of FIJ; Chief
Financial Officer of
Fidelity International
Limited.
Noboru Kawai Director and General Manager
of Administration of FIJ.
Tetsuzo Nishimura Director and Vice President
of Broker Distribution of FIJ.
Hiroshi Yamashita Managing Director and
Portfolio Manager of FIJ.
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) acts as distributor for
all funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
(b)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
Business Address* with Underwriter with Fund
Edward C. Johnson 3d Director Trustee and President
Michael Mlinac Director None
James Curvey Director None
Martha B. Willis President None
Eric D. Roiter Vice President Secretary
Caron Ketchum Treasurer and Controller None
Gary Greenstein Assistant Treasurer None
Jay Freedman Assistant Clerk None
Linda Holland Compliance Officer None
* 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are
maintained by Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Service
Company, Inc. or Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations
Company, Inc., 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109, or the
respective custodian for Fidelity Puritan Fund: The Chase Manhattan
Bank, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY, or the respective
custodian for Fidelity Balanced Fund, Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund,
and Fidelity Global Balanced Fund: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40
Water Street, Boston, MA.
Item 29. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 13th day
of July 1999.
Fidelity Puritan Trust
By /s/Edward C. Johnson 3d (dagger)
Edward C. Johnson 3d, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
(Signature) (Title) (Date)
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d President and Trustee July 13, 1999
(dagger)
Edward C. Johnson 3d (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/Richard A. Silver Treasurer July 13, 1999
Richard A. Silver
/s/Robert C. Pozen Trustee July 13, 1999
Robert C. Pozen
/s/Ralph F. Cox Trustee July 13, 1999
*
Ralph F. Cox
/s/Phyllis Burke Davis Trustee July 13, 1999
*
Phyllis Burke Davis
/s/Robert M. Gates Trustee July 13, 1999
**
Robert M. Gates
/s/E. Bradley Jones Trustee July 13, 1999
*
E. Bradley Jones
/s/Donald J. Kirk Trustee July 13, 1999
*
Donald J. Kirk
/s/Peter S. Lynch Trustee July 13, 1999
*
Peter S. Lynch
/s/Marvin L. Mann Trustee July 13, 1999
*
Marvin L. Mann
/s/William O. McCoy Trustee July 13, 1999
*
William O. McCoy
/s/Gerald C. McDonough Trustee July 13, 1999
*
Gerald C. McDonough
/s/Thomas R. Williams Trustee July 13, 1999
*
Thomas R. Williams
(dagger) Signatures affixed by Robert C. Pozen pursuant to a power of
attorney dated July 17, 1997 and filed herewith.
* Signature affixed by Robert C. Hacker pursuant to a power of
attorney dated December 19, 1996 and filed herewith.
** Signature affixed by Robert C. Hacker pursuant to a power of
attorney dated March 6, 1997 and filed herewith.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned President and Director, Trustee, or General
Partner, as the case may be, of the following investment companies:
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Institutional Cash
Fidelity Advisor Series III Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional
Fidelity Advisor Series V Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Massachusetts
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Municipal Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Money Market Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street
Trust Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Municipal Trust
Trust II Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Capital Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Trust
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Concord Street Trust Trust II
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Contrafund Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Court Street Trust Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Select Portfolios
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Sterling Performance
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Performance Fidelity Trend Fund
Portfolio, L.P. Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Financial Trust Investments-Government
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Securities
Fidelity Government Fund, L.P.
Securities Fund Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Hastings Street Trust Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Yen Performance
Portfolio, L.P.
Newbury Street Trust
Variable Insurance Products
Fund
Variable Insurance Products
Fund II
Variable Insurance Products
Fund III
in addition to any other investment company for which Fidelity
Management & Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment
adviser and for which the undersigned individual serves as President
and Director, Trustee, or General Partner (collectively, the "Funds"),
hereby constitute and appoint Robert C. Pozen my true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power
to him to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacity, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A, or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A, Form N-8A, or any successor thereto, any
Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other
instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such
things in my name and on my behalf in connection therewith as said
attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate, to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, and all related requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. This power of attorney is effective for all documents
filed on or after August 1, 1997.
WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d_ July 17, 1997
Edward C. Johnson 3d
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned Directors, Trustees, or General Partners, as the
case may be, of the following investment companies:
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Government
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund Securities Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Hastings Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series III Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional Cash
Fidelity Advisor Series V Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Institutional
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Institutional Trust
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Massachusetts
Trust Municipal Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Money Market Trust
Trust II Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street
Fidelity Capital Trust Trust
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Contrafund Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Court Street Trust Trust II
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Daily Tax-Exempt Fund Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Fidelity Select Portfolios
Performance Fidelity Sterling Performance
Portfolio, L.P. Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity Financial Trust Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity U.S.
Investments-Government
Securities
Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Yen Performance
Portfolio, L.P.
Variable Insurance Products
Fund
Variable Insurance Products
Fund II
plus any other investment company for which Fidelity Management &
Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and for
which the undersigned individual serves as Directors, Trustees, or
General Partners (collectively, the "Funds"), hereby constitute and
appoint Arthur J. Brown, Arthur C. Delibert, Stephanie A. Djinis,
Robert C. Hacker, Thomas M. Leahey, Richard M. Phillips, and Dana L.
Platt, each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact,
with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them,
to sign for us and in our names in the appropriate capacities, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration
Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in
connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names
and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deems
necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all
related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. I
hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power
of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after January
1, 1997.
WITNESS our hands on this nineteenth day of December, 1996.
/s/Edward C. Johnson /s/Peter S.
3d___________ Lynch________________
Edward C. Johnson 3d Peter S. Lynch
/s/J. Gary /s/William O.
Burkhead_______________ McCoy______________
J. Gary Burkhead William O. McCoy
/s/Ralph F. Cox /s/Gerald C.
__________________ McDonough___________
Ralph F. Cox Gerald C. McDonough
/s/Phyllis Burke /s/Marvin L.
Davis_____________ Mann________________
Phyllis Burke Davis Marvin L. Mann
/s/E. Bradley /s/Thomas R. Williams
Jones________________ ____________
E. Bradley Jones Thomas R. Williams
/s/Donald J. Kirk
__________________
Donald J. Kirk
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned Director, Trustee, or General Partner, as the case
may be, of the following investment companies:
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Government
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund Securities Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Hastings Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series III Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional Cash
Fidelity Advisor Series V Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Institutional
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Institutional Trust
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Massachusetts
Trust Municipal Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Money Market Trust
Trust II Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street
Fidelity Capital Trust Trust
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Contrafund Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Court Street Trust Trust II
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Daily Tax-Exempt Fund Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Fidelity Select Portfolios
Performance Fidelity Sterling Performance
Portfolio, L.P. Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity Financial Trust Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity U.S.
Investments-Government
Securities
Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Yen Performance
Portfolio, L.P.
Variable Insurance Products
Fund
Variable Insurance Products
Fund II
plus any other investment company for which Fidelity Management &
Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and for
which the undersigned individual serves as Director, Trustee, or
General Partner (collectively, the "Funds"), hereby constitute and
appoint Arthur J. Brown, Arthur C. Delibert, Stephanie A. Djinis,
Robert C. Hacker, Thomas M. Leahey, Richard M. Phillips, and Dana L.
Platt, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with
full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to
sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration
Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in
connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name
and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem
necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all
related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. I
hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power
of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after March 1,
1997.
WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.
/s/Robert M. Gates March 6, 1997
Robert M. Gates
Exhibit m(1)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
of Fidelity Puritan Street Trust:
Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
1. This Distribution and Service Plan (the "Plan"), when effective in
accordance with its terms, shall be the written plan contemplated by
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") of
Fidelity Global Balanced Fund (the "Portfolio"), a series of shares of
Fidelity Puritan Street Trust (the "Trust").
2. The Fund has entered into a General Distribution Agreement with
respect to the Portfolio with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (the
"Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity Management &
Research Company (the "Adviser"), under which the Distributor uses all
reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure
purchasers for the Portfolio's shares of beneficial interest
("shares"). Under the agreement, the Distributor pays the expenses of
printing and distributing any prospectuses, reports and other
literature used by the Distributor, advertising, and other promotional
activities in connection with the offering of shares of the Portfolio
for sale to the public. It is recognized that the Adviser may use its
management fee revenues as well as past profits or its resources from
any other source, to make payment to the Distributor with respect to
any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Portfolio
shares, including the activities referred to above.
3. The Adviser directly, or through the Distributor, may, subject to
the approval of the Trustees, make payments to securities dealers and
other third parties who engage in the sale of shares or who render
shareholder support services, including but not limited to providing
office space, equipment and telephone facilities, answering routine
inquiries regarding the Portfolio, processing shareholder transactions
and providing such other shareholder services as the Fund may
reasonably request.
4. The Portfolio will not make separate payments as a result of this
Plan to the Adviser, Distributor or any other party, it being
recognized that the Portfolio presently pays, and will continue to
pay, a management fee to the Adviser. To the extent that any payments
made by the Portfolio to the Adviser, including payment of management
fees, should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Portfolio
within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such payments
shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
5. This Plan shall become effective upon the first business day of
the month following approval by a vote of at least a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio" (as defined in the
Act), the plan having been approved by a vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and who have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan
or in any agreements related to this Plan (the "Independent
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on this Plan.
6. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, remain
in effect from the date specified above until April 30, 2000 and from
year to year thereafter, provided, however, that such continuance is
subject to approval annually by a vote of a majority of the Trustees
of the Fund, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees,
provided that (a) any amendment to authorize direct payments by the
Portfolio to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the
sale of shares of the Portfolio, or to increase materially the amount
spent by the Portfolio for distribution shall be effective only upon
approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Portfolio, and (b) any material amendments of this Plan shall
be effective only upon approval in the manner provided in the first
sentence in this paragraph.
7. This Plan may be terminated at any time, without the payment of
any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Portfolio.
8. During the existence of this Plan, the Fund shall require the
Adviser and/or Distributor to provide the Fund, for review by the
Fund's Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least
quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended in connection with
financing any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of
shares of the Portfolio (making estimates of such costs where
necessary or desirable) and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
9. This Plan does not require the Adviser or Distributor to perform
any specific type or level of distribution activities or to incur any
specific level of expenses for activities primarily intended to result
in the sale of shares of the Portfolio.
10. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder liability as set
forth in the Fund's Declaration of Trust or other organizational
document, any obligations assumed by the Portfolio pursuant to this
Plan and any agreements related to this Plan shall be limited in all
cases to the Portfolio and its assets, and shall not constitute
obligations of any other series of shares of the Fund.
11. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan
shall not be affected thereby.
Exhibit m(2)
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
of Fidelity Puritan Trust:
Fidelity Balanced Fund
1. This Distribution and Service Plan (the "Plan"), when effective in
accordance with its terms, shall be the written plan contemplated by
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") of
Fidelity Balanced Fund (the "Portfolio"), a series of shares of
Fidelity Puritan Trust (the "Fund").
2. The Fund has entered into a General Distribution Agreement with
respect to the Portfolio with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (the
"Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity Management &
Research Company (the "Adviser"), under which the Distributor uses all
reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure
purchasers for the Portfolio's shares of beneficial interest
("shares"). Under the agreement, the Distributor pays the expenses of
printing and distributing any prospectuses, reports and other
literature used by the Distributor, advertising, and other promotional
activities in connection with the offering of shares of the Portfolio
for sale to the public. It is recognized that the Adviser may use its
management fee revenues as well as past profits or its resources from
any other source, to make payment to the Distributor with respect to
any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Portfolio
shares, including the activities referred to above.
3. The Adviser directly, or through the Distributor, may, subject to
the approval of the Trustees, make payments to securities dealers and
other third parties who engage in the sale of shares or who render
shareholder support services, including but not limited to providing
office space, equipment and telephone facilities, answering routine
inquiries regarding the Portfolio, processing shareholder transactions
and providing such other shareholder services as the Fund may
reasonably request.
4. The Portfolio will not make separate payments as a result of this
Plan to the Adviser, Distributor or any other party, it being
recognized that the Portfolio presently pays, and will continue to
pay, a management fee to the Adviser. To the extent that any payments
made by the Portfolio to the Adviser, including payment of management
fees, should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Portfolio
within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such payments
shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
5. This Plan shall become effective upon the first business day of
the month following approval by a vote of at least a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio" (as defined in the
Act), the plan having been approved by a vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and who have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan
or in any agreements related to this Plan (the "Independent
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on this Plan.
6. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, remain
in effect from the date specified above until April 30, 2000 and from
year to year thereafter, provided, however, that such continuance is
subject to approval annually by a vote of a majority of the Trustees
of the Fund, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees,
provided that (a) any amendment to authorize direct payments by the
Portfolio to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the
sale of shares of the Portfolio, or to increase materially the amount
spent by the Portfolio for distribution, shall be effective only upon
approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Portfolio, and (b) any material amendments of this Plan shall
be effective only upon approval in the manner provided in the first
sentence in this paragraph.
7. This Plan may be terminated at any time, without the payment of
any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Portfolio.
8. During the existence of this Plan, the Fund shall require the
Adviser and/or Distributor to provide the Fund, for review by the
Fund's Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least
quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended in connection with
financing any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of
shares of the Portfolio (making estimates of such costs where
necessary or desirable) and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
9. This Plan does not require the Adviser or Distributor to perform
any specific type or level of distribution activities or to incur any
specific level of expenses for activities primarily intended to result
in the sale of shares of the Portfolio.
10. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder liability as set
forth in the Fund's Declaration of Trust or other organizational
document, any obligations assumed by the Portfolio pursuant to this
Plan and any agreements related to this Plan shall be limited in all
cases to the Portfolio and its assets, and shall not constitute
obligations of any other series of shares of the Fund.
11. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan
shall not be affected thereby.
