Please read this prospectus before investing, and keep it on file for
future reference. It contains important information, including how the
fund invests and to help you decide if the fund's goal matches your
own.
To learn more about the fund and its investments, you can obtain a
copy of the fund's most recent financial report and portfolio listing,
or a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated
December 14 , 1998. The SAI has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is available along with other
related materials on the SEC's Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov).The SAI is incorporated herein by reference
(legally forms a part of the prospectus). For a free copy of either
document, call Fidelity at 1-800-544-1916, or your insurance company.
Shares of the fund may be purchased only by the separate accounts of
insurance companies, for the purpose of funding variable annuity and
variable life insurance contracts. The fund may not be available in
your state due to various insurance regulations. Please check with
your insurance company for availability. If the fund in this
prospectus is not available in your state, this prospectus is not to
be considered a solicitation. Please read this prospectus in
conjunction with the prospectus of the separate account of the
specific insurance product that accompanies this prospectus and keep
them on file for future reference.
MUTUAL FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED
BY, ANY DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION. SHARES ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC,
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO
INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
INVESTED.
LIKE ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT
BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
VIPIII-MID-pro-1298
1.712606.100
VARIABLE
INSURANCE
PRODUCTS
FUND III
INITIAL CLASS
SERVICE CLASS
Variable Insurance Products Fund III (the Trust) is designed to
provide investment vehicles for variable annuity and variable life
insurance contracts of various insurance companies. Mid Cap Portfolio
is a fund of the Trust.
MID CAP PORTFOLIO seeks to provide long-term growth of capital by
investing primarily in equity securities of companies with medium
market capitalizations.
PROSPECTUS
DECEMBER 14, 1998
(FIDELITY_LOGO_GRAPHIC)(registered trademark)
82 DEVONSHIRE STREET, BOSTON, MA 02109
CONTENTS
KEY FACTS 2 THE FUND AT A GLANCE
2 WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
THE FUND IN DETAIL 2 CHARTER How the fund is organized.
3 INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS The fund's overall
approach to investing.
5 BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES How operating costs are
calculated and what they include.
5 PERFORMANCE
ACCOUNT POLICIES 6 DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
6 TRANSACTION DETAILS Share price calculations and the
timing of purchases and redemptions.
KEY FACTS
THE FUND AT A GLANCE
Mid Cap Portfolio is designed to provide an investment vehicle for
variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts of various
insurance companies.
MANAGEMENT: Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) is the
management arm of Fidelity Investments, which was established in 1946
and is now America's largest mutual fund manager. Foreign affiliates
of FMR may help choose investments for the fund.
GOAL: Long-term growth of capital (increase in the value of the fund's
shares).
STRATEGY: Invests mainly in equity securities of companies with medium
market capitalizations.
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
The fund is designed for investors who are willing to ride out stock
market fluctuations in pursuit of potentially high long-term returns.
The fund is designed for investors who want to be invested in the
stock market for its long-term growth potential. The fund invests for
growth and does not pursue income.
The value of the fund's investments will vary from day to day, and
generally reflect changes in market conditions, interest rates, and
other company, political, or economic news. In the short-term, stock
prices can fluctuate dramatically in response to these factors. Over
time, however, stocks have shown greater growth potential than other
types of securities. When fund shares are redeemed, they may be worth
more or less than their original cost. By itself, the fund does not
constitute a balanced investment plan.
The fund is composed of multiple classes of shares. All classes of the
fund have a common investment objective and investment portfolio.
Initial Class shares, the original class of shares, are offered at net
asset value and are not subject to a 12b-1 fee. Service Class shares
are offered at net asset value and are subject to a 12b-1 fee. Because
Initial Class shares are not subject to a 12b-1 fee, Initial Class
shares are expected to have a higher total return than Service Class
shares (excluding charges and expenses attributable to any particular
insurance product). Initial Class and Service Class shares are offered
through this prospectus.
(checkmark)THE SPECTRUM OF FIDELITY
FUNDS
Broad categories of Fidelity funds are presented
here in order of ascending risk. Generally,
investors seeking to maximize return must
assume greater risk. Mid Cap Portfolio is in the
GROWTH category.
(solid bullet) MONEY MARKET Seeks income and stability
by investing in high-quality, short-term
investments.
(solid bullet) INCOME Seeks income by investing in bonds.
(solid bullet) ASSET ALLOCATION Seeks high total return with
reduced risk through a mix of stocks, bonds,
and short-term and money market instruments.
(solid bullet) GROWTH AND INCOME Seeks long-term growth
and income by investing in stocks and bonds.
(right arrow) GROWTH Seeks long-term growth by investing
mainly in stocks.
THE FUND IN DETAIL
CHARTER
MID CAP PORTFOLIO IS A MUTUAL FUND: an investment that pools
shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal. The fund
is a diversified fund of Variable Insurance Products Fund III (VIP
III), an open-end management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on July 14, 1994.
THE FUND IS GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES which is responsible for
protecting the interests of shareholders. The trustees are experienced
executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the
fund's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that
provide services to the fund, and review the fund's performance. The
trustees serve as trustees for other Fidelity funds. The majority of
trustees are not otherwise affiliated with Fidelity.
THE FUND MAY HOLD SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS AND MAIL PROXY
MATERIALS. These meetings may be called to elect or remove trustees,
change fundamental policies, approve a management contract, or for
other purposes. Shareholders not attending these meetings are
encouraged to vote by proxy. An insurance company issuing a variable
contract that participates in the fund will vote shares held in its
separate account as required by law and interpretations thereof, as
may be amended or changed from time to time. In accordance with
current law and interpretations thereof, a participating insurance
company is required to request voting instructions from policyowners
and must vote shares in the separate account in proportion to the
voting instructions received. The number of votes your insurance
company is entitled to is based upon the dollar value of its
investment. For a further discussion, please refer to your insurance
company's separate account prospectus.
Separate votes are taken by each class of shares, fund, or trust, if a
matter affects just that class of shares, fund, or trust,
respectively.
FMR AND ITS AFFILIATES
Fidelity Investments is one of the largest investment management
organizations in the United States and has its principal business
address at 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. It
includes a number of different subsidiaries and divisions which
provide a variety of financial services and products. The fund employs
various Fidelity companies to perform activities required for its
operation.
The fund is managed by FMR, which chooses the fund's investments and
handles its business affairs. Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.)
Inc. (FMR U.K.), in London, England, and Fidelity Management &
Research (Far East) Inc. (FMR Far East), in Tokyo, Japan, assist FMR
with foreign investments.
Katherine Collins is manager of VIP III Mid Cap Portfolio, which she
has managed since December 1998. She also manages another Fidelity
fund. Since joining Fidelity in 1990, Ms. Collins has worked as an
analyst and manager.
The fund has an investment objective similar to that of an existing
Fidelity fund. The fund's objective is most similar to that of
Fidelity Advisor Mid Cap Fund. The performance of the fund is not
expected to be the same as the performance of the existing Fidelity
fund due to dissimilarities in investments, economies of scale and
other factors. Various insurance-related costs at the insurance
company's separate account level will also affect performance.
The fund sells its shares to separate accounts of insurance companies
that are both affiliated and unaffiliated with FMR. The fund currently
does not foresee any disadvantages to policyowners arising out of the
fact that the fund offers its shares to separate accounts of various
insurance companies to serve as the investment medium for their
variable products. Nevertheless, the Board of Trustees intends to
monitor events in order to identify any material irreconcilable
conflicts which may possibly arise, and to determine what action, if
any, should be taken in response to such conflicts. If such a conflict
were to arise, one or more insurance companies' separate accounts
might be required to withdraw its investments in the fund and shares
of another fund may be substituted. This might force the fund to sell
securities at disadvantageous prices. In addition, the Board of
Trustees may refuse to sell shares of the fund to any separate account
or may suspend or terminate the offering of shares of the fund if such
action is required by law or regulatory authority or is in the best
interests of the shareholders of the fund.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that establishes procedures for
personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) distributes and markets
Fidelity's funds and services.
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC)
performs transfer agent servicing functions for each class of the
fund.
(checkmark)FIDELITY FACTS
Fidelity offers the broadest selection of mutual
funds in the world.
(solid bullet) Number of Fidelity mutual funds: over 224
(solid bullet) Assets in Fidelity mutual funds: over
$ 591 billion
(solid bullet) Number of shareholder accounts: over 39
million
(solid bullet) Number of investment analysts and portfolio
managers: over 260
FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of FMR, FMR U.K., and FMR Far
East. Members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d family are the predominant
owners of a class of shares of common stock representing approximately
49% of the voting power of FMR Corp. Under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the 1940 Act), control of a company is presumed where one
individual or group of individuals owns more than 25% of the voting
stock of that company; therefore, the Johnson family may be deemed
under the 1940 Act to form a controlling group with respect to FMR
Corp.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions to its broker-dealer
affiliates and in a manner that takes into account the sale of the
shares of Fidelity's variable insurance funds, provided that the fund
receives brokerage services and commission rates comparable to those
of other broker-dealers.
INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS
The fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in
equity securities of companies with medium market capitalizations. FMR
normally invests at least 65% of the fund's total assets in these
securities. The fund has the flexibility, however, to invest the
balance in other market capitalizations and security types.
Medium market capitalization companies are those whose market
capitalization is similar to the market capitalization of companies in
the S&P MidCap 400 at the time of the fund's investment. Companies
whose capitalization no longer meets this definition after purchase
continue to be considered medium-capitalized for purposes of the 65%
policy. As of October 30 , 1998, the S&P MidCap 400 included
companies with capitalizations between $ 185 million and
$ 27.9 billion. S&P MidCap 400 Index is an unmanaged index of
medium capitalization stocks. The size of companies in the S&P MidCap
400 changes with market conditions and the composition of the index.
Investing in medium capitalization stocks may involve greater risk
than investing in large capitalization stocks, because they can be
subject to more abrupt or erratic movements. However, they tend to
involve less risk than stocks of small capitalization companies.
The value of the fund's domestic and foreign investments varies in
response to many factors. Stock values fluctuate in response to the
activities of individual companies and general market and economic
conditions. Investments in foreign securities may involve risks in
addition to those of U.S. investments, including increased political
and economic risk, as well as exposure to currency fluctuations.
FMR may use various investment techniques to hedge a portion of the
fund's risks, but there is no guarantee that these strategies will
work as FMR intends. Also, as a mutual fund, the fund seeks to spread
investment risk by diversifying its holdings among many companies and
industries. Of course, when fund shares are redeemed, they may be
worth more or less than their original cost.
FMR normally invests the fund's assets according to its investment
strategy. The fund also reserves the right to invest without
limitation in preferred stocks and investment-grade debt instruments
for temporary, defensive purposes.
SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
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. Any restrictions listed supplement those discussed earlier in
this section. A complete listing of the fund's limitations and more
detailed information about the fund's investments are contained in the
fund's SAI. Policies and limitations are considered at the time of
purchase; the sale of instruments is not required in the event of a
subsequent change in circumstances.
FMR may not buy all of these instruments or use all of these
techniques unless it believes that they are consistent with the fund's
investment objective and policies and that doing so will help the fund
achieve its goal. Fund holdings and recent investment strategies are
detailed in the fund's financial reports, which are sent to
shareholders twice a year. For a free SAI or financial report, contact
your insurance company.
EQUITY SECURITIES may include common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and warrants. Common stocks, the most familiar
type, represent an equity (ownership) interest in a corporation.
Although equity securities have a history of long-term growth in
value, their prices fluctuate based on changes in a company's
financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions.
Smaller companies are especially sensitive to these factors.
RESTRICTIONS: With respect to 75% of its total assets, the fund may
not purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a
single issuer. This limitation does not apply to securities of other
investment companies.
DEBT SECURITIES. Bonds and other debt instruments are used by issuers
to borrow money from investors. The issuer generally pays the investor
a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest, and must repay the
amount borrowed at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon
bonds, do not pay current interest, but are sold at a discount from
their face values.
Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in
interest rates and varying degrees of credit quality. In general, bond
prices rise when interest rates fall, and fall when interest rates
rise. Longer-term bonds and zero coupon bonds are generally more
sensitive to interest rate changes.
Lower-quality debt securities (sometimes called "junk bonds") are
considered to have speculative characteristics and involve greater
risk of default or price changes due to changes in the issuer's
creditworthiness, or they may already be in default. The market prices
of these securities may fluctuate more than higher-quality securities
and may decline significantly in periods of general or regional
economic difficulty.
RESTRICTIONS: Purchase of a debt security is consistent with the
fund's debt quality policy if it is rated at or above the stated level
by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) or rated in the equivalent
categories by Standard & Poor's (S&P), or is unrated but judged to be
of equivalent quality by FMR. The fund currently intends to limit its
investments in lower than Baa-quality debt securities to less than 35%
of its assets.
EXPOSURE TO FOREIGN MARKETS. Foreign securities, foreign currencies,
and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign
operations may involve additional risks and considerations. These
include risks relating to political, economic, or regulatory
conditions in foreign countries; fluctuations in foreign currencies;
withholding or other taxes; trading, settlement, custodial, and other
operational risks; and the potentially less stringent investor
protection and disclosure standards of foreign markets. 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. All of these factors can make
foreign investments, especially those in emerging markets, more
volatile and potentially less liquid than U.S. investments.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a repurchase agreement, the fund buys a
security at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back at a
higher price. Delays or losses could result if the other party to the
agreement defaults or becomes insolvent.
ADJUSTING INVESTMENT EXPOSURE. The fund can use various techniques to
increase or decrease its exposure to changing security prices,
interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices, or other
factors that affect security values. These techniques may involve
derivative transactions such as buying and selling options and futures
contracts, entering into currency exchange contracts or swap
agreements, and purchasing indexed securities.
FMR can use these practices to adjust the risk and return
characteristics of the fund's portfolio of investments. If FMR judges
market conditions incorrectly or employs a strategy that does not
correlate well with the fund's investments, these techniques could
result in a loss, regardless of whether the intent was to reduce risk
or increase return. These techniques may increase the volatility of
the fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the
magnitude of the risk assumed. In addition, these techniques could
result in a loss if the counterparty to the transaction does not
perform as promised.
ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES. Some investments may be determined
by FMR, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, to be
illiquid, which means that they may be difficult to sell promptly at
an acceptable price. The sale of some illiquid securities, and some
other securities, may be subject to legal restrictions. Difficulty in
selling securities may result in a loss or may be costly to the fund.
RESTRICTIONS: The fund may not purchase a security if, as a result,
more than 10% of its assets would be invested in illiquid securities.
OTHER INSTRUMENTS may include securities of closed-end investment
companies and real estate-related instruments.
CASH MANAGEMENT. The fund may invest in money market securities, in
repurchase agreements, and in a money market fund available only to
funds and accounts managed by FMR or its affiliates, whose goal is to
seek a high level of current income while maintaining a stable $1.00
share price. A major change in interest rates or a default on the
money market fund's investments could cause its share price to change.
DIVERSIFICATION. Diversifying a fund's investment portfolio can reduce
the risks of investing. This may include limiting the amount of money
invested in any one issuer or, on a broader scale, in any one
industry.
RESTRICTIONS: With respect to 75% of its total assets, the fund may
not purchase a security if, as a result, more than 5% would be
invested in the securities of any one issuer. This limitation does not
apply to U.S. Government securities or to securities of other
investment companies.
The fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one
industry. This limitation does not apply to U.S. Government
securities.
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.
RESTRICTIONS: The fund may borrow only for temporary or emergency
purposes, but not in an amount exceeding 331/3% of its total assets.
LENDING securities to broker-dealers and institutions, including
Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc. (FBSI), an affiliate of FMR, is a
means of earning income. This practice could result in a loss or a
delay in recovering the fund's securities. The fund may also lend
money to other funds advised by FMR.
RESTRICTIONS: Loans, in the aggregate, may not exceed 331/3% of the
fund's total assets.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) LIMITATIONS. In addition to the above,
the fund also follows certain limitations imposed by the IRS on
separate accounts of insurance companies relating to the tax-deferred
status of variable contracts. More specific information may be
contained in your insurance company's separate account prospectus.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
Some of the policies and restrictions discussed on the preceding pages
are fundamental, that is, subject to change only by shareholder
approval. The following paragraphs restate all those that are
fundamental. All policies stated throughout this prospectus, other
than those identified in the following paragraphs, can be changed
without shareholder approval.
The fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
With respect to 75% of its total assets, the fund may not purchase a
security if, as a result, more than 5% would be invested in the
securities of any one issuer and may not purchase more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. These limitations do
not apply to U.S. Government securities or to securities of other
investment companies.
The fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one
industry. This limitation does not apply to U.S. Government
securities.
The fund may borrow only for temporary or emergency purposes, but not
in an amount exceeding 331/3% of its total assets.
Loans, in the aggregate, may not exceed 33% of the fund's total
assets.
BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
Like all mutual funds, the fund pays fees related to its daily
operations. Expenses paid out of each Class's assets are reflected in
that class's share price.
The fund pays a MANAGEMENT FEE to FMR for managing its investments and
business affairs. FMR in turn pays fees to affiliates who provide
assistance with these services. The fund also pays OTHER EXPENSES,
which are explained below.
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 at any time without notice, can decrease the
fund's expenses and boost its performance.
MANAGEMENT FEE
The management fee is calculated and paid to FMR every month. The fee
is calculated by adding a group fee rate to an individual fund fee
rate, dividing by twelve, and multiplying the result by the fund's
monthly 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 Octo ber 1998, the group fee rate was 0.29 %. The
individual fund fee rate is 0.30%.
FMR HAS SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS with FMR U.K. and FMR Far East. These
sub-advisers provide FMR with investment research and advice on
issuers based outside the United States. Under the sub-advisory
agreements, FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East fees equal to 110% and
105%, respectively, of the costs of providing these services.
The sub-advisers may also provide investment management services. In
return, FMR pays FMR U.K. and FMR Far East a fee equal to 50% of its
management fee rate with respect to the fund's investments that the
sub-adviser manages on a discretionary basis.
OTHER EXPENSES
While the management fee is a significant component of the fund's
annual operating costs, the fund has other expenses as well.
FIIOC performs transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and shareholder
servicing functions for Initial Class and Service Class of the fund.
Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC) calculates the net asset value
per share (NAV) and dividends of the fund, maintains the fund's
general accounting records, and administers the fund's securities
lending program.
The fund has entered into arrangements with its custodian whereby
credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances may be used
to reduce custodian expenses.
FMR has voluntarily agreed to reimburse the fund to the extent that
total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, and extraordinary expenses), as a percentage of its
average net assets, exceed 1.00% for Initial Class shares and 1.10%
for Service Class shares.
The fund also pays other expenses, such as legal, audit, and custodian
fees; in some instances, proxy solicitation costs; and the
compensation of trustees who are not affiliated with Fidelity. A
broker-dealer may use a portion of the commissions paid by the fund to
reduce the fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.
For Initial Class shares, the fund has adopted a DISTRIBUTION AND
SERVICE PLAN. This Plan recognizes that FMR may use its management fee
revenues, as well as its past profits or its resources from any other
source, to pay FDC for expenses incurred in connection with the
distribution of Initial Class shares. FMR, directly or through FDC,
may make payments to third parties, such as banks or broker-dealers,
that engage in the sale of, or provide shareholder support services
for, Initial Class shares. Currently, the Board of Trustees has
authorized such payments.
For Service Class shares, the fund has adopted a DISTRIBUTION AND
SERVICE PLAN. Under the plan, Service Class of the fund is authorized
to pay FDC (for remittance quarterly to an insurance company) a 12b-1
fee as compensation for its services and expenses in connection with
the distribution of Service Class shares. Depending on an insurance
company's corporate structure and applicable state law, FDC may remit
payments to the insurance company's affiliated broker-dealer or other
affiliated company, rather than to the insurance company itself.
Under the plan for Service Class, the fund may pay FDC a 12b-1 fee at
an annual rate of 0.25% of its average net assets, or such lesser
amount as the Trustees may determine from time to time. Service Class
of the fund currently pays FDC a 12b-1 fee at an annual rate of 0.10%
of its average net assets throughout the month. Service Class 12b-1
fee rates may be increased only when the Trustees believe that it is
in the best interests of Variable Product owners to do so. (For
purposes of this discussion, "Variable Product" refers to a variable
annuity contract or variable life insurance policy for which shares of
the fund are available as underlying investment options.)
Up to the full amount of the Service Class 12b-1 fee may be reallowed
to insurance companies as compensation for their services in
connection with the distribution of Service Class shares and for
providing support services to Variable Product owners, based upon the
level of such services provided. These services may include, without
limitation: answering questions about the fund from Variable Product
owners; receiving and answering correspondence from Variable Product
owners (including requests for prospectuses and statements of
additional information for the fund); performing sub-accounting with
respect to Variable Product values allocated to the fund; preparing,
printing and distributing reports of values to Variable Product owners
who have contract values allocated to the fund; printing and
distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information, any
supplements thereto, and shareholder reports; preparing, printing and
distributing marketing materials for Variable Products; assisting
customers in completing applications for Variable Products and
selecting underlying mutual fund investment options; preparing,
printing and distributing sub-account performance figures for
sub-accounts investing in fund shares; and providing other reasonable
assistance in connection with the distribution of fund shares to
insurers.
The Service Class plan specifically recognizes that FMR may make
payments from its management fee revenue, past profits, or other
resources to FDC for expenses incurred in connection with the
distribution of Service Class shares, including payments made to
insurance companies and others that provide shareholder support
services or engage in the sale of Service Class shares. The Board of
Trustees of the fund has authorized such payments.
The fund's portfolio turnover rate varies from year to year. High
turnover rates increase transaction costs and may increase capital
gains. FMR considers these effects when evaluating the anticipated
benefits of short-term investing.
PERFORMANCE
The fund's total return may be quoted in advertising in accordance
with current law and interpretations thereof.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
TOTAL RETURN is the change in value of an investment over a given
period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. A
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN reflects actual performance over a stated
period of time. An AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN is a hypothetical rate
of return that, if achieved annually, would have produced the same
cumulative total return if performance had been constant over the
entire period. Average annual total returns smooth out variations in
performance; they are not the same as actual year-by-year results.
Other illustrations of fund performance may show moving averages over
specified periods.
The fund's recent strategies, performance, and holdings are detailed
twice a year in financial reports, which are sent to all shareholders.
For additional performance information, contact your insurance company
for a free annual report.
TOTAL RETURNS QUOTED FOR A CLASS INCLUDE THE CLASS'S EXPENSES, BUT MAY
NOT INCLUDE CHARGES AND EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY PARTICULAR
INSURANCE PRODUCT. BECAUSE SHARES OF THE FUND MAY BE PURCHASED ONLY
THROUGH VARIABLE ANNUITY AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS, YOU
SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE PROSPECTUS OF THE INSURANCE PRODUCT YOU
HAVE CHOSEN FOR INFORMATION ON RELEVANT CHARGES AND EXPENSES.
Excluding these charges from quotations of a class's performance has
the effect of increasing the performance quoted. You should bear in
mind the effect of these charges when comparing the fund's performance
to that of other mutual funds.
TOTAL RETURNS ARE BASED ON PAST RESULTS AND ARE NOT AN INDICATION OF
FUTURE PERFORMANCE.
ACCOUNT POLICIES
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
For a discussion of the tax status of your variable insurance
contract, refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's separate
account. It is suggested you keep all statements you receive to assist
in your personal recordkeeping.
It is expected that shares of the fund will be held under the terms of
variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. Under current
tax law, dividend or capital gain distributions from the fund are not
currently taxable when left to accumulate within a variable annuity or
variable life insurance contract. Depending on the variable contract,
withdrawals from the contract may be subject to ordinary income tax
and, in addition, to a 10% penalty tax on withdrawals before age 59
1/2.
The fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes. The fund intends to pay out all of its net investment income
and net realized capital gains, if any, for each year. Any dividends
from the fund will be distributed at least annually. Normally, net
realized capital gains, if any, are distributed each year for the
fund. Such income and capital gain distributions from the fund are
automatically reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the
fund. The fund makes dividend and capital gain distributions on a
per-share basis for each class. After each distribution from the fund,
the fund's share price drops by the amount of the distribution.
Because dividend and capital gain distributions are reinvested, the
total value of an account will not be affected because, although the
shares will have a lower price, there will be correspondingly more of
them.
TRANSACTION DETAILS
THE FUND IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open. FSC normally calculates each class's NAV as of the
close of business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.
A CLASS'S NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV of each class is
computed by adding that class's pro rata share of the value of the
fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting that class's
pro rata share of the value of the fund's liabilities, subtracting the
liabilities allocated to that class, and dividing the result by the
number of shares of that class that are outstanding.
The fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of market
quotations. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty
days or less for which quotations are not readily available are valued
on the basis of amortized cost. This method minimizes the effect of
changes in a security's market value. Foreign securities are valued on
the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are
traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars
using current exchange rates. In addition, if quotations are not
readily available, or if the values have been materially affected by
events occurring after the closing of a foreign market, assets may be
valued by another method that the Board of Trustees believes
accurately reflects fair value.
A CLASS'S OFFERING PRICE (price to buy one share) is its NAV. A
class's REDEMPTION PRICE (price to sell one share) is its NAV.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT to suspend the offering of shares for a
period of time. The fund also reserves the right to reject any
specific purchase order. Purchase orders may be refused if, in FMR's
opinion, they would disrupt management of the fund.
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.
INVESTMENTS AND REDEMPTIONS. Investments may be made only by separate
accounts established and maintained by insurance companies for the
purpose of funding variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts. Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's
separate account for information on how to invest in and redeem from
the fund.
Each participating insurance company receives orders from its variable
contract owners to purchase or redeem shares of the fund each business
day. That night, all orders received by that insurance company on that
business day are aggregated, and the insurance company places a net
purchase or redemption order for shares of the fund the morning of the
next business day. These orders are generally executed at the NAV that
was computed at the close of the previous business day in order to
provide a match between the variable contract owners' orders to the
insurance companies and the insurance companies' orders to the fund.
In some cases, an insurance company's order for fund shares may be
executed at the NAV next computed after the order is actually
transmitted to the fund.
Redemption proceeds will normally be wired to the insurance company on
the next business day after receipt of the redemption instructions by
the fund, but in no event later than 7 days following receipt of
instructions. The fund may suspend redemptions or postpone payment
dates on days when the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or
holidays), when trading on the NYSE is restricted, or as permitted by
the SEC.
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III:
MID CAP PORTFOLIO
INITIAL CLASS AND SERVICE CLASS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DECEMBER 14 , 1998
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus but
should be read in conjunction with the fund's current Prospectus
(dated December 14 , 1998) for Initial Class and Service Class
shares. Please retain this document for future reference. To obtain a
free additional copy of a Prospectus or an Annual Report, please call
Fidelity at 1-800-544-1916, or your insurance company.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and Limitations 8
Portfolio Transactions 13
Valuation 14
Performance 14
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information 15
Distributions and Taxes 15
FMR 16
Trustees and Officers 16
Management Contract 18
Distribution and Service Plans 20
Contracts with FMR Affiliates 20
Description of the Trust 21
Appendix 22
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR U.K.)
Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (FMR Far East)
DISTRIBUTOR
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC)
TRANSFER AGENT
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC)
CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
VIPIII-MC-ptb-1298
1.712607.100
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 as permitted under the Investment
Company Act of 1940;
(3) borrow money, except that the fund (i) may borrow money for
temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) or
(ii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements, provided that (i) and
(ii) in combination (borrowings) do not exceed 33 1/3% of its total
assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than
borrowings). Any borrowings that come to exceed 33 1/3% of the value
of the fund's total assets by reason of a decline in net assets will
be reduced within three days (exclusive of 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 its 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 managed by Fidelity
Management & Research Company or an affiliate or successor with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies, and
limitations as the fund.
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS FOR THE FUND ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL
AND MAY BE CHANGED, AS REGULATORY AGENCIES PERMIT, WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER
APPROVAL.
(i) The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short,
unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in
kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that
transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to
constitute selling securities short.
(ii) The fund does not currently intend to purchase securities on
margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are
necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin
payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures
contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
(iii) The fund may borrow money only (a) from a bank or from a
registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an
affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse
repurchase agreements with any party (reverse repurchase agreements
are treated as borrowings for purposes of fundamental investment
limitation (3)). The fund will not borrow from other funds advised by
FMR or its affiliates if total outstanding borrowings immediately
after such borrowing would exceed 15% of the fund's total assets.
(iv) The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if,
as a result, more than 10% of its net assets would be invested in
securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be
sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the prices at which they are valued.
(v) The fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than
securities to other parties, except by: (a) lending money (up to 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 in oil, gas, or
other mineral exploration or development programs or leases.
With respect to limitation (iv), if through a change in values, net
assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more
than 10% of its net assets was invested in illiquid securities, it
would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
For the fund's limitations on futures and options transactions, see
the section entitled "Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions"
on page .
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.
CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES are investment companies that issue a
fixed number of shares which trade on a stock exchange or
over-the-counter. Closed-end investment companies are professionally
managed and may invest in any type of security. Shares of closed-end
investment companies may trade at a premium or a discount to their net
asset value. A fund may purchase shares of closed-end investment
companies to facilitate investment in certain foreign countries.
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. 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. 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. A fund may use currency
forward contracts for any purpose consistent with its investment
objective.
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.
Under certain conditions, SEC guidelines require mutual funds to set
aside appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to
cover currency forward contracts. As required by SEC guidelines, a
fund will segregate assets to cover currency forward contracts, if
any, whose purpose is essentially speculative. A fund will not
segregate assets to cover forward contracts entered into for hedging
purposes, including settlement hedges, position hedges, and proxy
hedges.
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: Asset Coverage for Futures and Options Positions, Combined
Positions, Correlation of Price Changes, Futures Contracts, Futures
Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions,
Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts, Options and Futures
Relating to Foreign Currencies, OTC Options, Purchasing Put and Call
Options, and Writing Put and Call Options.
ASSET COVERAGE FOR FUTURES AND OPTIONS POSITIONS. The fund will comply
with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of
options and futures strategies by mutual funds and, if the guidelines
so require, will set aside appropriate liquid assets in a segregated
custodial account in the amount prescribed. Securities held in a
segregated account cannot be sold while the futures or option strategy
is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets.
As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large
percentage of the fund's assets could impede portfolio management or
the fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current
obligations.
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). 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
file d 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, and must continue to set
aside assets to cover its position. When writing an option on a
futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin payments to
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 INVESTMENTS are investments that cannot be sold or disposed
of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at
which they are valued. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees,
FMR determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and, through
reports from FMR, the Board monitors investments in illiquid
instruments. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, FMR
may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency of trades
and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers
in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, (4) the
nature of the security (including any demand or tender features), and
(5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to
assign or offset the fund's rights and obligations relating to the
investment).
Investments currently considered by FMR to be illiquid include
repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to repayment of
principal and payment of interest within seven days, over-the-counter
options, and non-government stripped fixed-rate mortgage-backed
securities. Also, FMR may determine some restricted securities,
government-stripped fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, loans and
other direct debt instruments, emerging market securities, and swap
agreements to be illiquid. However, with respect to over-the-counter
options a fund writes, all or a portion of the value of the underlying
instrument may be illiquid depending on the assets held to cover the
option and the nature and terms of any agreement the fund may have to
close out the option before expiration.
In the absence of market quotations, illiquid investments are priced
at fair value as determined in good faith by a committee appointed by
the Board of Trustees.
INDEXED SECURITIES are instruments whose prices are indexed to the
prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, precious
metals or other commodities, 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.
Gold-indexed securities typically provide for a maturity value that
depends on the price of gold, resulting in a security whose price
tends to rise and fall together with gold prices. 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.
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 are
subject to a fund's policies regarding the quality of debt securities.
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. Direct debt instruments may not
be rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating service. 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. Direct debt instruments that are
not in the form of securities may offer less legal protection to the
purchaser in the event of fraud or misrepresentation. In the absence
of definitive regulatory guidance, FMR uses its research to attempt to
avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely
affect a fund.
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. A fund will set aside appropriate
liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its potential
obligations under standby financing commitments.
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.
While the market for high-yield corporate debt securities has been in
existence for many years and has weathered previous economic
downturns, the 1980s brought a dramatic increase in the use of such
securities to fund highly leveraged corporate acquisitions and
restructurings. Past experience may not provide an accurate indication
of the future performance of the high-yield bond market, especially
during periods of economic recession.
The market for lower-quality debt securities may be thinner and less
active than that for higher-quality debt securities, which can
adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. If market
quotations are not available, lower-quality debt securities will be
valued in accordance with procedures established by the Board of
Trustees, including the use of outside pricing services. Judgment
plays a greater role in valuing high-yield debt securities than is the
case for securities for which more external sources for quotations and
last-sale information are available. Adverse publicity and changing
investor perceptions may affect the liquidity of lower-quality debt
securities and the ability of outside pricing services to value
lower-quality debt securities.
Since 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.
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. In a repurchase agreement, a fund purchases a
security and simultaneously commits to sell that security back to the
original seller at an agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the
purchase price plus an agreed-upon incremental amount which is
unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. As
protection against the risk that the original seller will not fulfill
its obligation, the securities are held in a separate account at a
bank, marked-to-market daily, and maintained at a value at least equal
to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. While it does
not presently appear possible to eliminate all risks from these
transactions (particularly the possibility that the value of the
underlying security will be less than the resale price, as well as
delays and costs to a fund in connection with bankruptcy proceedings),
the fund will engage in repurchase agreement transactions with parties
whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by
FMR.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES generally can be sold in privately negotiated
transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, or in a registered public offering. Where
registration is required, a fund may be obligated to pay all or part
of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse
between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may
be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration
statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to
develop, a fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed
when it decided to seek registration of the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or
broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that
security at an agreed-upon price and time. While a reverse repurchase
agreement is outstanding, a fund will maintain appropriate liquid
assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its obligation under
the agreement. The 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 LENDING. A fund may lend securities to parties such as
broker-dealers or institutional investors, 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, to earn additional income. Since there
may be delays in the recovery of loaned securities, or even a loss of
rights in collateral supplied should the borrower fail financially,
loans will be made only to parties deemed by FMR to be of good
standing. Furthermore, they will only be made if, in FMR's judgment,
the consideration to be earned from such loans would justify the risk.
FMR understands that it is the current view of the SEC Staff that a
fund may engage in loan transactions only under the following
conditions: (1) the fund must receive 100% collateral in the form of
cash or cash equivalents (e.g., U.S. Treasury bills or notes) from the
borrower; (2) the borrower must increase the collateral whenever the
market value of the securities loaned (determined on a daily basis)
rises above the value of the collateral; (3) after giving notice, the
fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (4) the fund must
receive reasonable interest on the loan or a flat fee from the
borrower, as well as amounts equivalent to any dividends, interest, or
other distributions on the securities loaned and to any increase in
market value; (5) the fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in
connection with the loan; and (6) the Board of Trustees must be able
to vote proxies on the securities loaned, either by terminating the
loan or by entering into an alternative arrangement with the borrower.
Cash received through loan transactions may be invested in other
eligible securities. Investing this cash subjects that investment, as
well as the security loaned, to market forces (i.e., capital
appreciation or depreciation).
SHORT SALES "AGAINST THE BOX." A fund may sell securities short when
it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind or
amount to the securities sold short. Such short sales are known as
short sales "against the box." 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.
A fund will maintain appropriate liquid assets in a segregated
custodial account to cover its current obligations under swap
agreements. If a fund enters into a swap agreement on a net basis, it
will segregate assets with a daily value at least equal to the excess,
if any, of the fund's accrued obligations under the swap agreement
over the accrued amount the fund is entitled to receive under the
agreement. If a fund enters into a swap agreement on other than a net
basis, it will segregate assets with a value equal to the full amount
of the fund's accrued obligations under the agreement.
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.
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 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 Contracts"), 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 accounts
over which FMR or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. Such
services may include advice concerning the value of securities; the
advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities; and
the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of
securities. In addition, such broker-dealers may furnish analyses and
reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors
and trends, portfolio strategy, and performance of accounts; 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.
FMR is authorized to use research services provided by and to place
portfolio transactions with brokerage firms that have provided
assistance in the distribution of shares of the fund or shares of
other Fidelity funds to the extent permitted by law. FMR may use
research services provided by and place agency transactions with
National Financial Services Corporation (NFSC) 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.
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 Variable
Insurance Product fund's or other Fidelity funds and to use the
research services of brokerage and other firms that have provided such
assistance.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for accounts which they or their affiliates manage, unless certain
requirements are satisfied. Pursuant to such requirements, the Board
of Trustees has authorized NFSC to execute portfolio transactions on
national securities exchanges in accordance with approved procedures
and applicable SEC rules.
The Trustees of the fund 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.
Because a high turnover rate increases transaction costs and may
increase taxable gains, FMR carefully weighs the anticipated benefits
of short-term investing against these consequences. An increased
turnover rate is due to a greater volume of shareholder purchase
orders, short-term volatility and other special market conditions.
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 accounts managed by FMR affiliates. It
sometimes happens that the same security is held in the portfolio of
more than one of these funds or accounts. Simultaneous transactions
are inevitable when several funds and accounts are managed by the same
investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable
for the investment objective of more than one fund or account.
When two or more funds are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or
sale of the same security, the prices and amounts are allocated in
accordance with procedures believed to be appropriate and equitable
for the 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
FSC normally determines the fund's net asset value per share (NAV) as
of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time). The valuation of portfolio securities is determined as
of this time for the purpose of computing the fund's NAV.
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 last 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.
Foreign securities are valued based on prices furnished by independent
brokers or quotation services which express the value of 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 extraordinary event that is
expected to materially affect the value of a portfolio security occurs
after the close of an exchange on which that security is traded, then
that security will be valued as determined 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. In addition, 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. 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 market value of such securities.
PERFORMANCE
A class may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the funds in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. The class's share price and
total return fluctuate in response to market conditions and other
factors, and the value of a fund's shares when redeemed may be more or
less than their original cost.
TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS. Total returns quoted in advertising reflect
all aspects of a class's return, including the effect of reinvesting
dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the
class's NAV over a stated period. A class's total return may be
calculated by using the performance data of a previously existing
class prior to the date that the new class commenced operations,
adjusted to reflect differences in sales charges but not 12b-1 fees.
Average annual total returns are calculated by determining the growth
or decline in value of a hypothetical historical investment in a class
over a stated period, and then calculating the annually compounded
percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate
of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. For
example, a cumulative total return of 100% over ten years would
produce an average annual total return of 7.18%, which is the steady
annual rate of return that would equal 100% growth on a compounded
basis in ten years. While average annual total returns are a
convenient means of comparing investment alternatives, investors
should realize that a class's performance is not constant over time,
but changes from year to year, and that average annual total returns
represent averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year
performance of a class.
In addition to average annual total returns, a class may quote
unaveraged or cumulative total returns reflecting the simple change in
value of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and
cumulative total returns may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar
amount, and may be calculated for a single investment, a series of
investments, or a series of redemptions, over any time period. Total
returns may be broken down into their components of income and capital
(including capital gains and changes in share price) in order to
illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions
to total return. Total returns may be quoted on a before-tax or
after-tax basis. Total returns, yields, and other performance
information may be quoted numerically or in a table, graph, or similar
illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using a class's NAVs, adjusted
NAVs, and benchmark indices may be used to exhibit performance. An
adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid by a fund and reflects
all elements of a class's return. Unless otherwise indicated, a
class'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.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS. A class's performance may be compared to the
performance of other mutual funds in general, or to the performance of
particular types of mutual funds. These comparisons may be expressed
as mutual fund rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
(Lipper), an independent service located in Summit, New Jersey that
monitors the performance of mutual funds. Generally, Lipper rankings
are based on total return, assume reinvestment of distributions, do
not take sales charges or trading fees into consideration, and are
prepared without regard to tax consequences. In addition to the mutual
fund rankings, a class's performance may be compared to stock, bond,
and money market mutual fund performance indices prepared by Lipper or
other organizations. When comparing these indices, it is important to
remember the risk and return characteristics of each type of
investment. For example, while stock mutual funds may offer higher
potential returns, they also carry the highest degree of share price
volatility. Likewise, money market funds may offer greater stability
of principal, but generally do not offer the higher potential returns
available from stock mutual funds.
From time to time, a class's performance may also be compared to other
mutual funds tracked by financial or business publications and
periodicals. For example, the fund may quote Morningstar, Inc. in its
advertising materials. Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating
service that rates mutual funds on the basis of risk-adjusted
performance. Rankings that compare the performance of Fidelity funds
to one another in appropriate categories over specific periods of time
may also be quoted in advertising.
A class's performance may also be compared to that of a benchmark
index representing the universe of securities in which the fund may
invest. The total return of a benchmark index reflects reinvestment of
all dividends and capital gains paid by securities included in the
index. Unlike a class's returns, however, the index returns do not
reflect brokerage commissions, transaction fees, or other costs of
investing directly in the securities included in the index.
The fund may compare its performance to that of the Standard & Poor's
MidCap 400 Index, a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 400
medium-capitalization 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 indices.
Fidelity funds may use the performance of these capital markets in
order to demonstrate general risk-versus-reward investment scenarios.
Performance comparisons may also include the value of a hypothetical
investment in any of these capital markets. The risks associated with
the security types in any capital market may or may not correspond
directly to those of the funds. Ibbotson calculates total returns in
the same method as the funds. The funds may also compare performance
to that of other compilations or indices that may be developed and
made available in the future.
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.
In advertising materials and registration statements, Fidelity and
insurance companies may refer to each portfolio of Variable Insurance
Products Fund (VIP), Variable Insurance Products Fund II (VIP II), and
Variable Insurance Products Fund III (VIP III) either with or without
the name "Fidelity" before the trust's name (or acronym). In either
case, however, the trust's name (or acronym) will appear before the
portfolio's name to distinguish the portfolio from other Fidelity
funds.
A fund may be advertised as part of certain asset allocation programs
involving other Fidelity or non-Fidelity mutual funds. These asset
allocation programs may advertise a model portfolio and its
performance results.
A fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. A class of 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 a class's historical share price
fluctuations or total returns to those of a benchmark. Measures of
benchmark correlation indicate how valid a comparative benchmark may
be. All measures of volatility and correlation are calculated using
averages of historical data.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate price movements over specific periods of
time for each class of the fund. Each point on the momentum indicator
represents the class'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 is available only through the purchase of variable annuity
and variable life insurance contracts offering deferral of income
taxes on earnings, 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.
Individuals holding shares of a fund through a variable annuity or
variable life insurance contract may receive additional tax benefits
from the deferral of income taxes associated with variable contracts.
Individuals should consult their tax advisors to determine the effect
of holding variable contracts on their individual tax situations.
As of October 31, 1998 , FMR advised over $ 32 billion in
municipal fund assets, $ 118 billion in money market fund
assets, $ 436 billion in equity fund assets, $ 13 billion
in international fund assets, and $ 28 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.
YIELDS AND TOTAL RETURNS QUOTED FOR A CLASS INCLUDE THE CLASS'S
EXPENSES, BUT MAY NOT INCLUDE CHARGES AND EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY
PARTICULAR INSURANCE PRODUCT. BECAUSE YOU CAN PURCHASE SHARES OF THE
FUND ONLY THROUGH A VARIABLE ANNUITY AND/OR A VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
CONTRACT, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE PROSPECTUS OF THE INSURANCE
PRODUCT YOU HAVE CHOSEN FOR INFORMATION ON RELEVANT CHARGES AND
EXPENSES. Excluding these charges from quotations of a class's
performance has the effect of increasing the performance quoted.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
The fund is open for business and its net asset value per share (NAV)
is calculated each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for
trading. The NYSE has designated the following holiday closings for
1998: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Presidents' Day,
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day (observed), Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Although FMR expects the same
holiday schedule to be observed in the future, the NYSE may modify its
holiday schedule at any time. In addition, on days when the Federal
Reserve Wire System is closed, federal funds wires cannot be sent.
FSC normally determines each class's NAV as of the close of the NYSE
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). However, NAV may be calculated
earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted by the
SEC. To the extent that portfolio securities are traded in other
markets on days when the NYSE is closed, a class's NAV may be affected
on days when investors do not have access to the fund to purchase or
redeem shares. In addition, trading in some of a fund's portfolio
securities may not occur on days when the fund is open for business.
If the Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payments
undesirable, redemption payments may be made in whole or in part in
securities or other property, valued for this purpose as they are
valued in computing class'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
For a discussion of tax consequences of variable contracts, please
refer to your insurance company's separate account prospectus.
Variable contracts purchased through insurance company separate
accounts provide for the accumulation of all earnings from interest,
dividends, and capital appreciation without current federal income tax
liability to the owner. Depending on the variable contract,
distributions from the contract may be subject to ordinary income tax
and a 10% penalty tax on distributions before age 59 1/2. Only the
portion of a distribution attributable to income is subject to federal
income tax. Investors should consult with competent tax advisers for a
more complete discussion of possible tax consequences in a particular
situation.
Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that the
investments of a separate account underlying a variable insurance
contract (or the investments of a mutual fund, the shares of which are
owned by the variable separate account) must be "adequately
diversified" in order for the contract to be treated as an annuity or
life insurance for tax purposes. The Treasury Department has issued
regulations prescribing these diversification requirements. The fund
intends to comply with these requirements.
TAX STATUS OF THE FUND. The fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" for tax purposes so that it will not be
liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to
shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company
and avoid being subject to federal income or excise taxes at the fund
level, 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. Income
and capital gain distributions are reinvested in additional shares of
the same class of the fund. This is done to preserve the
tax-advantaged status of the variable contracts.
If a fund purchases shares in certain foreign investment entities,
defined as passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) in the
Internal Revenue Code, it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on
a portion of any excess distribution or gain from the disposition of
such shares. Interest charges may also be imposed on a fund with
respect to deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.
Generally, the fund will elect to mark-to-market any PFIC shares.
Unrealized gains will be recognized as income for tax purposes and
must be distributed to shareholders as dividends.
The fund is treated as a separate entity from the other funds, if any,
of its trust for tax purposes.
FMR
All of the stock of FMR is owned by FMR Corp., its parent organized in
1972. The voting common stock of FMR Corp. is divided into two
classes. Class B is held predominantly by members of the Edward C.
Johnson 3d family and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter
acted upon by the voting common stock. Class A is held predominantly
by non-Johnson family member employees of FMR Corp. and its affiliates
and is entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson
family group and all other Class B shareholders have entered into a
shareholders' voting agreement under which all Class B shares will be
voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares. Under
the 1940 Act, control of a company is presumed where one individual or
group of individuals owns more than 25% of the voting stock of that
company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting common stock and
the execution of the shareholders' voting agreement, members of the
Johnson family may be deemed, under the 1940 Act, to form a
controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
At present, the principal operating activities of FMR Corp. are those
conducted by its division, Fidelity Investments Retail Marketing
Company, which provides marketing services to various companies within
the Fidelity organization.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that sets forth all employees'
fiduciary responsibilities regarding the funds, establishes procedures
for personal investing and restricts certain transactions. For
example, all personal trades in most securities require pre-clearance,
and participation in initial public offerings is prohibited. In
addition, restrictions on the timing of personal investing in relation
to trades by Fidelity funds and on short-term trading have been
adopted.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of
the trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has
held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the
last five years. All persons named as Trustees and Members of the
Advisory Board also serve in similar capacities for other funds
advised by FMR. The business address of each Trustee, Member of the
Advisory Board, and officer who is an "interested person" (as defined
in the 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 ( 68 ), 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. Abigail Johnson, Vice President of certain
Equity Funds, is Mr. Johnson's daughter.
J. GARY BURKHEAD ( 57 ), 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 ( 66 ), Trustee, is President of RABAR Enterprises
(management consulting - engineering industry, 1994). Prior to
February 1994, he was President of Greenhill Petroleum Corporation
(petroleum exploration and production). Until March 1990, Mr. Cox was
President and Chief Operating Officer of Union Pacific Resources
Company (exploration and production). He is a Director of USA Waste
Services, Inc. (non-hazardous waste, 1993), CH2M Hill Companies
(engineering), Rio Grande, Inc. (oil and gas production), and Daniel
Industries (petroleum measurement equipment manufacturer). In
addition, he is a member of advisory boards of Texas A&M University
and the University of Texas at Austin.
PHYLLIS BURKE DAVIS ( 66 ), Trustee. Prior to her retirement in
September 1991, Mrs. Davis was the Senior Vice President of Corporate
Affairs of Avon Products, Inc. She is currently a Director of
BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications), Eaton Corporation
(manufacturing, 1991), and the TJX Companies, Inc. (retail stores),
and previously served as a Director of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
(1985-1991) and Nabisco Brands, Inc. In addition, she is a member of
the President's Advisory Council of The University of Vermont School
of Business Administration.
ROBERT M. GATES ( 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 is a
Director of General Re Corporation (reinsurance), and he previously
served as a Director of Valuation Research Corp. (appraisals and
valuations, 1993-1995). In addition, he serves as Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the National Arts Stabilization 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 ( 55 ), Trustee, is Vice Chairman and Director of
FMR. Prior to May 31, 1990, he was a Director of FMR and Executive
Vice President of FMR (a position he held until March 31, 1991); Vice
President of Fidelity Magellan Fund and FMR Growth Group Leader; and
Managing Director of FMR Corp. Mr. Lynch was also Vice President of
Fidelity Investments Corporate Services (1991-1992). In addition, he
serves as a Trustee of Boston College, Massachusetts Eye & Ear
Infirmary, Historic Deerfield (1989) and Society for the Preservation
of New England Antiquities, and as an Overseer of the Museum of Fine
Arts of Boston.
WILLIAM O. McCOY ( 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 ( 70 ), 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 ( 65 ), Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the Board,
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).
ABIGAIL P. JOHNSON ( 36 ), 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.
ROBERT A. LAWRENCE ( 46 ), is Vice President of certain Equity
Funds (1997), Vice President of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund
(1995) and Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II (1996), and Senior
Vice President of FMR (1993).
KATHERINE COLLINS ( 30 ), is manager of VIP III Mid Cap
Portfolio, which she has managed since December 1998. She also manages
another Fidelity fund. Since joining Fidelity in 1990, Ms. Collins has
worked as an analyst and manager.
RICHARD A. SPILLANE, JR. ( 47 ), 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.
ERIC D. ROITER ( 50 ), Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998)
and General Counsel of FMR (1998). Mr. Roiter was an Adjunct Member,
Faculty of Law, at Columbia University Law School (1996-1997). Prior
to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton
(1981-1997) and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981).
RICHARD A. SILVER ( 51 ), 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).
JOHN H. COSTELLO ( 52 ), Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of
FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH ( 52 ), 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 an estimate 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 December 31, 1999, or the
calendar year ended December 31, 1997, as applicable.
COMPENSATION TABLE
Trustees and Aggregate Total
Members of the Advisory Board Compensation Compensation
from the from the
FundB,+ Fund Complex*,A
J. Gary Burkhead** $ 0 $ 0
Ralph F. Cox $ 25 $ 214,500
Phyllis Burke Davis $ 25 $ 210,000
Robert M. Gates $ 25 $176,000
Edward C. Johnson 3d** $ 0 $ 0
E. Bradley Jones $ 25 $ 211,500
Donald J. Kirk $ 25 $ 211,500
Peter S. Lynch** $ 0 $ 0
William O. McCoy $ 25 $ 214,500
Gerald C. McDonough $ 31 $ 264,500
Marvin L. Mann $ 25 $ 214,500
Robert C. Pozen** $ 0 $ 0
Thomas R. Williams $ 25 $ 214,500
* Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 1997 for 230
funds in the complex.
** Interested Trustees of the fund and Mr. Burkhead are compensated by
FMR.
+ Figures presented are estimated for the fund's first full fiscal
year ending December 31, 1999.
A Compensation figures include cash and amounts required to be
deferred, and may include amounts deferred at the election of
Trustees. For the calendar year ended December 31, 1997, the Trustees
accrued required deferred compensation from the funds as follows:
Ralph F. Cox, $75,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $75,000; Robert M. Gates,
$62,500; E. Bradley Jones, $75,000; Donald J. Kirk, $75,000; William
O. McCoy, $75,000; Gerald C. McDonough, $87,500; Marvin L. Mann,
$75,000; and Thomas R. Williams, $75,000. Certain of the
non-interested Trustees elected voluntarily to defer a portion of
their compensation: Ralph F. Cox, $53,699; Marvin L. Mann, $53,699;
and Thomas R. Williams, $62,462.
B Compensation figures include cash.
Under a deferred compensation plan adopted in September 1995 and
amended in November 1996 (the Plan), non-interested Trustees must
defer receipt of a portion of, and may elect to defer receipt of an
additional portion of, their annual fees. Amounts deferred under the
Plan are subject to vesting and are treated as though equivalent
dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of
Fidelity funds including funds in each major investment discipline and
representing a majority of Fidelity's assets under management (the
Reference Funds). The amounts ultimately received by the Trustees
under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance
of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan
will have a negligible effect on a fund's assets, liabilities, and net
income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services
of any Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the
Trustee. A fund may invest in the Reference Funds under the Plan
without shareholder approval.
As of the public offering of shares of the fund, 100% of the each
classes total outstanding shares were held by FMR, or its affiliates.
FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of FMR and these affiliates.
By virtue of his ownership interests in FMR Corp., as described in the
"FMR" section on page 16 , Mr. Edward C. Johnson 3d, President
and Trustee of the fund, may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of
these shares.
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.
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, as applicable, the fund or each class
thereof, as applicable, 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 of the applicable classes. 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.
The following is the fee schedule for the Mid Cap Portfolio.
<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 $ 591 billion of group net assets - the approximate
level for the month ended October 199 8 - was
0.2910% , which is the weighted average of the respective fee rates
for each level of group net assets up to $ 591 billion.
The fund's individual fund fee rate is .30%. Based on the average
group net assets of the funds advised by FMR for October
199 8 , the fund's annual management fee rate would be
calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Group Fee Rate Individual Fund Fee Rate Management Fee Rate
0.2910 % + 0.30% = 0.5910 %
</TABLE>
One-twelfth of this annual management fee rate is applied to the
fund's net assets averaged for the most recent month, giving a dollar
amount, which is the fee for that month.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of
the class's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes,
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 class's total returns, and repayment of the
reimbursement by the class will lower its total returns.
FMR has voluntarily agreed, subject to revision or termination, to
reimburse a fund if, and to the extent that, its aggregate operating
expenses, including management fees, exceed a specified annual rate
for the fund. The following provides the expense cap information: (
1.00%) for Initial Class shares and ( 1.10%) for Service Class shares
of the fund.
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.
Currently, FMR U.K. and FMR Far East each focus on issuers in
countries other than the United States such as those in Europe, Asia,
and the Pacific Basin.
FMR U.K. and FMR Far East, which were organized in 1986, are wholly
owned subsidiaries of FMR. 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
with respect to the fund's average net assets managed by the
sub-adviser on a discretionary basis.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
The Trustees have approved Distribution and Service Plans on behalf of
Service Class of the fund and Initial Class of the fund (the Plans)
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the Rule). The Rule
provides in substance that a mutual fund may not engage directly or
indirectly in financing any activity that is primarily intended to
result in the sale of shares of the fund except pursuant to a plan
approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The Plans, as approved
by the Trustees, allow Service Class and Initial Class of the funds
and FMR to incur certain expenses that might be considered to
constitute direct or indirect payment by the funds of distribution
expenses.
Pursuant to the Service Class Plans for the fund, FDC is paid a
monthly distribution fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of Service
Class's average net assets determined at the close of business on each
day throughout the month. Currently, the Trustees have approved a
monthly distribution fee for Service Class with a 12b-1 Plan at an
annual rate of 0.10% of its average net assets. This fee rate may be
increased only when, in the opinion of the Trustees, it is in the best
interests of Variable Product owners to do so. (For purposes of this
discussion, "Variable Product" refers to a variable annuity contract
or variable life insurance policy for which shares of the fund are
available as underlying investment options.)
Under each Plan, if the payment of management fees by the fund to FMR
is deemed to be indirect financing by the fund of the distribution of
its shares, such payment is authorized by the Plan. The Service Class
Plan specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee
revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay
FDC for expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of
Service Class shares, including payments made to third parties that
engage in the sale of Service Class shares or to third parties,
including banks, that render shareholder support services. The Initial
Class Plan specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee
revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay
FDC for expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of
Initial Class shares. In addition, the Initial Class Plan provides
that FMR, directly or through FDC, may make payments to third parties,
such as banks or broker-dealers, that engage in the sale of Initial
Class shares, or provide shareholder support services. Currently, the
Board of Trustees has authorized such payments for Service Class and
Initial Class shares.
Payments may be made by FMR, either directly or through FDC, to third
parties.
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 applicable class of the fund and Variable Product owners.
In particular, the Trustees noted that the Initial Class Plan does not
authorize payments by Initial Class of 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 shares of the applicable class, additional sales of
fund shares may result. Furthermore, certain shareholder support
services may be provided more efficiently under the Plans by insurance
companies and their affiliates with whom Variable Product owners have
other relationships.
The Service Class Plan does not provide for specific payments by
Service Class of any of the expenses of FDC, or obligate FDC or FMR to
perform any specific type or level of distribution activities or incur
any specific level of expense in connection with distribution
activities. After payments by FDC for advertising, marketing and
distribution, and payments to third parties, the amounts remaining, if
any, may be used as FDC may elect.
The Glass-Steagall Act generally prohibits federally and state
chartered or supervised banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling, or distributing securities. Although the scope
of this prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly
defined by the courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, FDC believes
that the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from performing
shareholder support services, or servicing and recordkeeping
functions. FDC intends to engage banks only to perform such functions.
However, changes in federal or state statutes and regulations
pertaining to the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates
or subsidiaries, as well as further judicial or administrative
decisions or interpretations, could prevent a bank from continuing to
perform all or a part of the contemplated services. If a bank were
prohibited from so acting, the Trustees would consider what actions,
if any, would be necessary to continue to provide efficient and
effective shareholder services. In such event, changes in the
operation of the funds might occur, including possible termination of
any automatic investment or redemption or other services then provided
by the bank. It is not expected that shareholders would suffer any
adverse financial consequences as a result of any of these
occurrences. In addition, state securities laws on this issue may
differ from the interpretations of federal law expressed herein, and
banks and other financial institutions may be required to register as
dealers pursuant to state law.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plans. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
CONTRACTS WITH FMR AFFILIATES
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with FIIOC, an
affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreements, FIIOC maintains
the master accounts of the participating insurance companies. For
providing transfer agency services, FIIOC receives an asset-based fee
of 0.067% for each account. For the fund, 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%. FIIOC pays out-of-pocket expenses
associated with providing transfer agent services. In addition, FIIOC
bears the expense of typesetting, printing and mailing prospectuses,
statements of additional information, and all other reports, notices,
and statements to shareholders allocable to the master account of
participating insurance companies.
The fund has entered into a service agent agreement with FSC, an
affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreements, FSC calculates
the NAV and dividends for each class of the fund, maintains the
portfolio and general accounting records of the fund, and administers
the securities lending program for the fund.
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 fee rates for pricing and bookkeeping services are 0.06%
for the first $500 million of average net assets and 0.03% for average
net assets in excess of $500 million. The fee, not including
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, for the fund is limited to a
minimum of $60,000 and a maximum of $800,000 per year.
For administering the securities lending program of the fund, FSC
receives fees based on the number and duration of individual
securities loans.
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an
affiliate of FMR organized as a Massachusetts corporation on July 18,
1960. FDC is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and is a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. The distribution agreements call for FDC to use all
reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure
purchasers for shares of the fund, which are continuously offered at
NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses in connection with the
offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST ORGANIZATION. The fund is a fund of Variable Insurance Products
Fund III, an open-end management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on July 14, 1994. The name of the trust
was changed from Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund to Variable Insurance
Products Fund III on December 30, 1996.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to create additional
funds.
Investments in the trust may be made only by the separate accounts of
insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity and
variable life insurance contracts issued by insurance companies.
In the event that FMR ceases to be the investment adviser to a trust
or a fund, the right of the trust or fund to use the identifying name
"Fidelity" may be withdrawn. There is a remote possibility that one
fund might become liable for any misstatement in its prospectus or
statement of additional information about another fund.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of
each of its funds and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds
thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, are especially
allocated to such fund, and constitute the underlying assets of such
fund. The underlying assets of the fund are segregated on the books of
account, and are to be charged with the liabilities with respect to
such fund and with a share of the general liabilities of their
respective trusts. Expenses with respect to each trust are to be
allocated in proportion to the asset value of their respective funds,
except where allocations of direct expense can otherwise be fairly
made. The officers of each trust, subject to the general supervision
of the Boards of Trustees, have the power to determine which expenses
are allocable to a given fund, or which are general or allocable to
all of the funds of a certain trust. In the event of the dissolution
or liquidation of a trust, shareholders of the fund of the trust are
entitled to receive as a class the underlying assets of such fund
available for distribution.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY. The trust is an entity of the type
commonly known as 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 provides that the trust shall not have
any claim against shareholders except for the payment of the purchase
price of shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or
instrument entered into or executed by the trust or its Trustees shall
include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the
trust and its assets. The Declaration of Trust provides for
indemnification out of the fund's property of any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the fund. The Declaration of
Trust also provides that its funds shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or
obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the
risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the fund
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in
view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is
remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees, if they
have exercised reasonable care, will not be liable for any neglect or
wrongdoing, but nothing in the Declarations of Trust protects Trustees
against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their
office. Claims asserted against one class of shares of a fund may
subject holders of another class of shares of that fund to certain
liabilities.
VOTING RIGHTS. The fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. Shareholders of the fund receive one vote for each dollar
value of net asset value they own. The shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights; the voting and dividend rights and the right of
redemption are described in the Prospectus. Shares are fully paid and
nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading "Shareholder and
Trustee Liability" above. Shareholders representing 10% or more of a
trust or fund may, as set forth in the Declaration of Trust, call
meetings of a trust or fund for any purpose related to the trust or
fund, as the case may be, including, in the case of a meeting of an
entire trust, the purpose of voting on removal of one or more
Trustees. The trust or fund may be terminated upon the sale of its
assets to another open-end management investment company, or upon
liquidation and distribution of its assets, if approved by vote of the
holders of a majority of Variable Insurance Products Fund III or its
funds, as determined by the current value of each such shareholder's
investment in the trust or fund. If not so terminated, the trust or
fund will continue indefinitely.
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 custodians take
no part in determining the investment policies of a fund or in
deciding which securities are purchased or sold by a fund. However, a
fund may invest in obligations of the custodians and may purchase
securities from or sell securities to the custodians. 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 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 Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
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. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts serves as the independent accountant of Variable
Insurance Products Fund III. The auditor examines financial statements
for the fund and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE RATINGS OF CORPORATE BONDS
Moody's ratings for obligations with an original remaining maturity in
excess of one year fall within nine categories. They range from Aaa
(highest quality) to C (lowest quality). Moody's applies numerical
modifiers of 1, 2, or 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa
through B. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the
higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks
on the lower end of its generic rating category.
AAA - Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality.
They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a
large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure.
While the various protective elements are likely to change, such
changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
AA - Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are
generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the
best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa
securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater
amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
A - Bonds that are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations.
Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered
adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to
impairment sometime in the future.
BAA - Bonds that are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade
obligations, (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for
the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such
bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have
speculative characteristics as well.
BA - Bonds that are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements;
their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and
thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the
future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B - Bonds that are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or
of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of
time may be small.
CAA - Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may
be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect
to principal or interest.
CA - Bonds that are rated Ca represent obligations which are
speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have
other marked short-comings.
C - Bonds that are rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds and
issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment standing.
DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS OF CORPORATE BONDS
Debt issues may be designated by Standard & Poor's as either
investment grade ("AAA" through "BBB") or speculative grade ("BB"
through "D"). While speculative grade debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. Ratings from
AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus sign (+) or minus
sign (-) to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
AAA - Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's to a debt obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.
AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the higher-rated issues only in small
degree.
A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt
in higher rated categories.
BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay
interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in
higher-rated categories.
BB - Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than
other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely
interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used
for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or
implied BBB- rating.
B - Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently
has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments.
Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair
capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC - Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to
default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and
economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment
of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and
repay principal. The CCC rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or
B- rating.
CC - The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C - The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C
rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition
has been filed but debt service payments are continued.
CI - The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest
is being paid.
D - Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used
when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date
due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P
believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The
D rating will also be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if
debt service payments are jeopardized.
