SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (No. 33-60973)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 [X]
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (No. 811-7319)
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 2 [X]
Fidelity Covington Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
82 Devonshire St., Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number: 617-563-7000
Eric D. Roiter, Secretary
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective
(X) immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).
( ) on ( ) pursuant to paragraph (b).
( ) 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).
( ) on ( ) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
( ) 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).
( ) on ( ) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
( ) this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed
post-effective amendment.
FIDELITY COVINGTON TRUST
FIDELITY REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
FORM N-1A ITEM NUMBER
PART A PROSPECTUS CAPTION
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1 COVER PAGE
2 A EXPENSES
B,C CONTENTS; WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
3 A FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
B *
C, D PERFORMANCE
4 A(I) CHARTER
A(II) INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS; FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
AND RESTRICTIONS
B INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS
C WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST; INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS
5 A CHARTER
B(I) COVER PAGE; CHARTER
B(II) CHARTER; BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
B(III) EXPENSES; BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
C,D CHARTER; BREAKDOWN AND EXPENSES
E CHARTER; BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
F EXPENSES
G(I) CHARTER
G(II) *
5A *
6 A(I) CHARTER
A(II) HOW TO BUY SHARES; HOW TO SELL SHARES; TRANSACTION DETAILS
A(III) CHARTER
B CHARTER
C TRANSACTION DETAILS
D *
E COVER PAGE; TYPES OF ACCOUNTS; HOW TO BUY SHARES; HOW TO SELL
SHARES; INVESTOR SERVICES
F,G DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS, AND TAXES
H *
</TABLE>
FORM N-1A ITEM NUMBER
PART A PROSPECTUS CAPTION
7 A COVER PAGE; CHARTER
B HOW TO BUY SHARES; TRANSACTION DETAILS
C *
D HOW TO BUY SHARES
E *
F BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
8 HOW TO SELL SHARES; TRANSACTION DETAILS
9 *
* Not applicable
FIDELITY
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME
FUND II
Please read this prospectus before investing, and keep it on file for
future reference. It contains important information, including how the
fund invests and the services available to shareholders.
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
April 29, 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
Investments, 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109 at 1-617-563-6414.
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.
THE FUND MAY INVEST SIGNIFICANTLY IN LOWER-QUALITY DEBT
SECURITIES, SOMETIMES CALLED "JUNK BONDS." THESE SECURITIES
CARRY GREATER RISKS, SUCH AS THE RISK OF DEFAULT, THAN OTHER DEBT
SECURITIES .
(fund number 673)
A fund of Fidelity Covington Trust
The fund seeks a high level of current income by investing
primarily in commercial mortgage-backed securities and the securities
of real estate investment trusts.
PROSPECTUS
APRIL 29, 1998
(FIDELITY_LOGO_GRAPHIC) 82 DEVONSHIRE STREET,
BOSTON, MA 02109
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.
REHIFII-PRO-0498
CONTENTS
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KEY FACTS 4 WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
4 EXPENSES THE FUND'S YEARLY OPERATING EXPENSES.
6 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS A SUMMARY OF THE FUND'S FINANCIAL
DATA.
7 PERFORMANCE HOW THE FUND HAS DONE OVER TIME.
THE FUND IN DETAIL 8 CHARTER HOW THE FUND IS ORGANIZED.
8 INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS THE FUND'S OVERALL
APPROACH TO INVESTING.
12 BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES HOW OPERATING COSTS ARE
CALCULATED AND WHAT THEY INCLUDE.
YOUR ACCOUNT 13 TYPES OF ACCOUNTS DIFFERENT WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT.
13 HOW TO BUY SHARES OPENING AN ACCOUNT AND MAKING
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS.
13 HOW TO SELL SHARES TAKING MONEY OUT AND CLOSING YOUR
ACCOUNT.
14 INVESTOR SERVICES SERVICES TO HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR
ACCOUNT.
SHAREHOLDER AND ACCOUNT POLICIES 14 DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS, AND TAXES
14 TRANSACTION DETAILS SHARE PRICE CALCULATIONS AND THE
TIMING OF PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS.
15 APPENDIX
</TABLE>
KEY FACTS
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST
This non-diversified fund is designed for sophisticated institutional
investors that invest in the fund through a Fidelity managed account
or partnership and who seek high current income, with some potential
for capital gain, from a portfolio that consists primarily of
lower-quality, high-yielding commercial mortgage-backed securities,
the securities of real estate investment trusts, and other mortgage
and real estate-related securities.
Shares of the fund are offered to banks and trust institutions
investing for their own accounts or for accounts of their customers;
retirement plan sponsors; and similar institutional customers. In each
case, the fund's shares must be purchased through a Fidelity managed
account or partnership. The fund's level of risk and potential reward
depend on the quality and maturity of its investments. Since the fund
invests in commercial mortgage-backed securities, the securities of
real estate investment trusts, and other mortgage and real
estate-related securities, including lower-quality securities, the
fund has the potential for higher yields, and it also carries a higher
degree of risk than funds that invest in higher quality portfolios.
The fund may be appropriate for aggressive institutional investors who
understand the potential risks and rewards of investing in commercial
mortgage-backed securities and other mortgage and real estate-related
securities, including lower-quality securities, and are willing to
accept the greater price movements and credit risks of these
securities.
Non-diversified funds may invest a greater portion of their
assets in securities of individual issuers than diversified
funds. As a result, changes in the market value of a single
issuer could cause greater fluctuations in share value than would
occur in a more diversified fund.
The value of the fund's investments and the income they generate vary
from day to day, and generally reflect company news, the performance
of real estate properties, changes in interest rates, market
conditions, and other political and economic news. The fund's
investments are also subject to prepayment risk, which can
lower the fund's yield, particularly in periods of declining interest
rates.
The fund is not in itself a balanced investment plan. You should
consider your investment objective and tolerance for risk when making
an investment decision. When you sell your fund shares, they may be
worth more or less than what you paid for them.
EXPENSES
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES are charges you may pay when you buy
or sell shares of the fund. See "Transaction Details," page
, for an explanation of how and when these charges apply.
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SALES CHARGE ON PURCHASES AND REINVESTED DISTRIBUTIONS NONE
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON REDEMPTIONS NONE
</TABLE>
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES are paid out of the fund's assets. The fund
pays a management fee to Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR).
It also incurs other expenses for services such as maintaining
shareholder records and furnishing shareholder statements and
financial reports.
The fund's expenses are factored into its share price or dividends and
are not charged directly to shareholder accounts (see "Breakdown of
Expenses" on page ).
The following figures are based on historical expenses of the fund
and are calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the fund.
A portion of the brokerage commissions that the fund pays is used to
reduce the fund's expenses. In addition, the fund has entered into
arrangements with its custodian and transfer agent whereby credits
realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce
custodian and transfer agent expenses. Including these reductions, the
total fund operating expenses presented in the table would have been
0.94%.
MANAGEMENT FEE 0. 74%
12B-1 FEE (DISTRIBUTION FEE) NONE
OTHER EXPENSES 0. 23%1
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 0 .97%
1 FIDELITY MAY LEVY FEES FOR ACCOUNT OR PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AT THE
ACCOUNT OR PARTNERSHIP LEVEL, NEGOTIATED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
CURRENTLY, THE HIGHEST APPLICABLE ANNUAL FEE RATE IS 1.0%, PLUS
PERFORMANCE-RELATED FACTORS; HOWEVER, THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT FEE IS
CREDITED AGAINST THE ACCOUNT OR PARTNERSHIP LEVEL FEE.
EXPENSE TABLE EXAMPLE: You would pay the following amount in total
expenses on a $1,000 investment in the fund, assuming a 5% annual
return and full redemption at the end of each time period. Total
expenses shown below include any shareholder transaction expenses and
the fund's annual operating expenses.
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1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II $ 10 $ 31 $ 54 $ 119
</TABLE>
THESE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATE THE EFFECT OF EXPENSES, BUT ARE NOT MEANT TO
SUGGEST ACTUAL OR EXPECTED EXPENSES OR RETURNS, ALL OF WHICH
MAY VARY.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table that follows has been audited by Price
Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants. The fund's financial
highlights, financial statements, and report of the auditor are
included in the fund's Annual Report, and are incorporated by
reference into (are legally a part of) the fund's SAI. Contact
Fidelity at 1-617-563-6414 for a free copy of the Annual Report
or the SAI.
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
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1.YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996E
2.NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 10.730 $ 10.000
3.INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS .823D .214
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
4. NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) 2.073 .732
5. TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 2.896 .946
6.LESS DISTRIBUTIONS (.721) (.216)
FROM NET INVESTMENT INCOME
7. IN EXCESS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME (.085) --
8. FROM NET REALIZED GAIN (.440) --
9. TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (1.246) (.216)
10.NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 12.380 $ 10.730
11.TOTAL RETURNB,C 27.67% 9.52%
12.RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
13.NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD (000 OMITTED) $ 109,785 $ 52,951
14.RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS .97% 1.42%A
15.RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AFTER EXPENSE REDUCTIONS .94%F 1.42%A
16.RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS 6.90% 9.90%A
17.PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE 64% 11%A
18.AVERAGE COMMISSION RATEG $ .0426 $ .0442
</TABLE>
A ANNUALIZED
B TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR ARE NOT
ANNUALIZED.
C THE TOTAL RETURN WOULD HAVE BEEN LOWER HAD CERTAIN EXPENSES NOT
BEEN REDUCED DURING THE PERIOD SHOWN.
D NET INVESTMENT INCOME PER SHARE HAS BEEN CALCULATED BASED ON
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING DURING THE PERIOD.
E FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 27, 1996 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO
DECEMBER 31, 1996.
F FMR OR THE FUND HAS ENTERED INTO VARYING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THIRD
PARTIES WHO EITHER PAID OR REDUCED A PORTION OF THE FUND'S
EXPENSES.
G A FUND IS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ITS AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE PER
SHARE FOR SECURITY TRADES ON WHICH COMMISSIONS ARE CHARGED. THIS
AMOUNT MAY VARY FROM PERIOD TO PERIOD AND FUND TO FUND DEPENDING ON
THE MIX OF TRADES EXECUTED IN VARIOUS MARKETS WHERE TRADING PRACTICES
AND COMMISSION RATE STRUCTURES MAY DIFFER.
PERFORMANCE
Bond fund performance can be measured as TOTAL RETURN or YIELD. The
total returns and yields that follow are based on historical fund
results and do not reflect the effect of taxes.
The fund's fiscal year runs from January 1 through
December 31 . The tables below show the fund's performance over
past fiscal years. The chart on page presents calendar year
performance compared to different measures, including a competitive
funds average.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FISCAL PERIODS ENDED PAST LIFE OF FUND[A]
DECEMBER 31, 1997 1 YEAR
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II 27.67% 30.47%
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
FISCAL PERIODS ENDED PAST LIFE OF FUND[A]
DECEMBER 31, 1997 1 YEAR
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II 27.67% 39.82%
[A] FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 1996 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS)
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.
YIELD refers to the income generated by an investment in the fund over
a given period of time, expressed as an annual percentage rate. Yields
are calculated according to a standard that is required for all stock
and bond funds. Because this differs from other accounting methods,
the quoted yield may not equal the income actually paid to
shareholders.
In calculating yield, a fund may from time to time use a
security's coupon rate instead of its yield to maturity in order to
reflect the risk premium on that security. This practice will have the
effect of reducing the fund's yield.
THE COMPETITIVE FUNDS AVERAGE is the Lipper High Current
Yield Funds Average. As of December 31, 1997, the average reflected
the performance of 181 mutual funds with similar investment
objectives. This average, published by Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., excludes the effect of sales loads.
MERRILL LYNCH HIGH YIELD MASTER INDEX is a market
capitalization weighted index of all domestic and yankee high-yield
bonds. Issues included in the index have maturities of at least one
year and have a credit rating lower than BBB-/Baa3, but are not in
default.
Unlike the fund's returns, the total returns of each comparative
index do not include the effect of any brokerage commissions,
transaction fees, or other costs of investing.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX is a widely recognized measure of
inflation calculated by the U.S. Government.
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 current performance or a free annual report, please call
1-617-563-6414.
TOTAL RETURNS AND YIELDS ARE BASED ON PAST RESULTS
AND ARE NOT AN INDICATION OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE.
YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
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CALENDAR
YEARS 1997
REAL ESTATE
HIGH INCOME
FUND II 27.67%
MERRILL LYNCH
HIGH YIELD MASTER
INDEX 12.82%
LIPPER HIGH CURRENT
YIELD FUNDS AVERAGE 12.96%
CONSUMER PRICE
INDEX 1.70%
</TABLE>
THE FUND IN DETAIL
CHARTER
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME II IS A MUTUAL FUND: an investment that pools
shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal. The fund
is a non-diversified fund of Fidelity Covington Trust, an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on May 10, 1995.
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 periodi cally 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. The transfer agent will mail proxy
materials in advance, including a voting card and information about
the proposals to be voted on. The number of votes you are entitled to
is based upon the dollar value of your investment.
FMR AND ITS AFFILIATES
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.
As of February 28, 1998, FMR advised funds having
approximately 36 million shareholder accounts with a total
value of more than $568 billion.
Barry Greenfield is Vice President and co-manager of Real Estate High
Income II, which he has managed since inception. He also manages
another Fidelity fund, as well as trust accounts for Fidelity
Management Trust Company. Mr. Greenfield joined Fidelity in 1968.
Mark Snyderman is Vice President and co- manager of Real Estate
High Income II, which he has managed since inception. He also manages
another Fidelity fund. Mr. Snyderman joined Fidelity in 1994 as an
investment officer for commercial mortgage-backed securities.
Previously, he was a director with Aldrich, Eastman & Waltch for six
years.
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 the fund.
FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of FMR. Members of the Edward
C. Johnson 3d family are the predominant owners of a class of shares
of common stock representing approximately 49% of the voting power of
FMR Corp. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act),
control of a company is presumed where one individual or group of
individuals owns more than 25% of the voting stock of that company;
therefore, the Johnson family may be deemed under the 1940 Act to form
a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
As of March 31, 1998, approximately 59.04% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by an FMR affiliate.
As of March 31, 1998, approximately 40.80% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by International Business Machines
Corporation.
To carry out the fund's transactions, FMR may use its broker-dealer
affiliates and other firms that sell fund shares, provided that the
fund receives services and commission rates comparable to those of
other broker-dealers.
INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES AND RISKS
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME II seeks a high level of current
income. The fund will normally invest so that at least 65% of its
total assets will be invested in lower-quality real estate debt
securities, including commercial mortgage-backed securities, and the
securities of real estate investment trusts. When consistent with its
goal, the fund may also consider the potential for capital gain.
The fund may invest in real estate debt and equity securities. These
securities generally are sensitive to factors such as changes in real
estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of
underlying real estate assets, overbuilding, extended vacancies of
properties and the management skill and creditworthiness of the
issuer. Real estate debt and equity securities may also be affected by
tax and regulatory requirements, such as those relating to zoning and
the environment. In addition, both real estate investment trusts and
commercial mortgage-backed securities are subject to risks affecting
the ability of mortgagors to meet their payment obligations, as well
as the unique interest rate and payment priority characteristics of a
particular investment. The market for commercial mortgage-backed
securities is relatively new. Real estate investment trusts also
are subject to unique tax requirements which, if not
met, could adversely affect dividend payments. Also, in the event of a
default of an underlying borrower or lessee, the individual real
estate investment trust could experience delays in enforcing its
rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs
associated with protecting its investments.
The total return from a bond is a combination of income and price
gains or losses. While income is the most important component of bond
returns over time, the fund's emphasis on income does not mean that
the fund invests only in the highest-yielding bonds available, or that
it can avoid risks to principal. In selecting investments for the
fund, FMR considers a bond's income potential together with its
potential for price gains or losses. FMR focuses on assembling a
portfolio of income-producing securities that it believes will provide
the best trade-off between risk and return within the range of
securities that are eligible investments for the fund.
The fund's yield and share price change daily and are based on changes
in interest rates, market conditions, other economic and political
news, and on the quality and maturity of its investments. In general,
bond prices rise when interest rates fall, and vice versa. This effect
is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities. Lower-quality
securities offer higher yields, but also carry more risk. Many
investments in emerging markets can be considered speculative, and
therefore may offer higher income and total return potential, but have
significantly greater risk. FMR may use various investment
techniques to hedge a portion of the fund's risk, but there is no
guarantee that these strategies will work as intended. When you sell
your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for
them.
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, call
1-617-563-6414.
REAL ESTATE SECURITIES. The fund considers real estate debt and equity
securities to include lower-quality, high yielding commercial
mortgage-backed securities, the securities of real estate investment
trusts, mortgage securities, collateralized mortgage obligations,
regular interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits
(REMICs), adjustable rate mortgages, bank debt, and debt or equity
securities of companies primarily engaged in the real estate industry.
FMR considers a company to be primarily engaged in the real estate
industry if at least 50% of its assets, gross income, or net profits
are committed to, or derived from, real estate. The fund may also
invest in other equity and debt securities, U.S. Treasury and agency
securities and a variety of money market instruments. The fund may
invest without limitation in lower-rated securities and non-rated
securities of lower quality. Such securities are commonly referred to
as "junk bonds" and have a greater risk of default of principal and
interest.
In determining which commercial and other mortgage-backed securities
the fund will purchase, FMR will consider, among other factors, the
following: characteristics of the underlying mortgage loans, including
loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios, loan seasoning and
refinancing risk; characteristics of the underlying property,
including diversity of the loan pool, tenant occupancy and leasing,
and competitiveness in the pertinent market; economic, environmental
and local considerations; deal structure, including historical
performance of the originator, subordination percentages and other
credit enhancement features; and structural participants such as
administrators and servicers.
In addition to examining the relative value of the investments, FMR
may interact with rating agencies, review due diligence by
underwriters and rating agencies, and confirm debt service coverage
ratios and security cash flows. FMR will select investments that vary
by underlying property types, geographic regions and industry
exposure.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES are a form of asset-backed security that
are interests in pools of commercial or residential mortgages, and may
include complex instruments such as collateralized mortgage
obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities. These interests
may also include mortgage pass-through securities, regular interests
in REMICs or other kinds of mortgage-backed securities.
Mortgage-backed securities may be issued by the Government or by
private entities. These securities are subject to credit risks
associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage properties.
Factors such as changes in consumer spending habits, local economic
and competitive conditions, tenant occupancy rates and regulatory or
zoning restrictions, or the loss of a major tenant may adversely
affect the economic viability of a mortgaged property. In addition,
these securities are subject to prepayment risk, although commercial
mortgages tend to have shorter maturities than residential mortgages
as well as prepayment protection features. Some securities may have a
structure that makes their reaction to interest rates and other
factors difficult to predict, making their value highly volatile.
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES are generally multi-class debt
or pass-through securities backed by a mortgage loan or pool of
mortgage loans secured by commercial property, such as industrial and
warehouse properties, office buildings, retail space and shopping
malls, multifamily properties and cooperative apartments, hotels and
motels, nursing homes, hospitals, senior living centers and
agricultural property. The commercial mortgage loans that underlie
commercial mortgage-backed securities often have certain distinct
characteristics. Commercial mortgage loans are generally not fully
amortizing. At their maturity date, repayment of the remaining
principal balance or "balloon" is due, and the owners of the
underlying real estate must generally obtain a new loan or sell the
real estate to pay the remaining balance. Unlike most one to four
family residential mortgages, commercial real property loans often
contain provisions that substantially reduce the likelihood that such
securities will be prepaid. The provisions generally impose
significant prepayment penalties on loans, and in some cases there may
be prohibitions on principal prepayments for several years following
origination. Assets underlying commercial mortgage-backed securities
may relate to a few properties or to a single property.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities have been issued in public and
private transactions by a variety of public and private issuers.
Non-governmental entities that have issued or sponsored commercial
mortgage-backed securities offerings include owners of commercial
properties, originators of and investors in mortgage loans, savings
and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, insurance
companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the
foregoing. The fund may from time to time purchase commercial
mortgage-backed securities directly from issuers in privately
negotiated transactions or from a holder of such commercial
mortgage-backed securities in the secondary market.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities generally are structured to
provide protection to the senior class investors against potential
losses on the underlying mortgage loans. This protection is generally
provided by having the holders of the subordinated class of
securities, which may include the fund, take the first loss if there
are defaults on the underlying commercial mortgage loans. Other
protection, which may benefit all of the classes or particular
classes, may include issuer guarantees, reserve funds, additional
subordinated securities, cross-collateralization, and
over-collateralization.
By adjusting the priority of interest and principal payments on each
class of a given commercial mortgage-backed security, issuers are able
to issue senior investment grade securities and lower-rated or
non-rated subordinated securities tailored to meet the needs of
sophisticated institutional investors. In general, subordinated
classes of commercial mortgage-backed securities are entitled to
receive repayment of principal only after all required principal
payments have been made to more senior classes and have subordinate
rights as to receipt of interest distributions. Such subordinated
classes are subject to a substantially greater risk of nonpayment than
are senior classes of commercial mortgage-backed securities. Even
within a class of subordinate securities, most commercial
mortgage-backed securities are structured with a hierarchy of levels
(or loss positions). Loss positions are the order in which
nonrecoverable losses of principal are applied to the securities
within a given structure. For instance, a first loss subordinate
security will absorb any principal losses before any higher loss
position subordinate security. This type of structure allows a number
of classes of securities to be created with varying degrees of credit
exposure, prepayment exposure and potential total return.
Subordinated classes of commercial mortgage-backed securities are
structured to absorb any credit-related losses prior to the senior
class. There are no limitations on the classes of commercial
mortgage-backed securities in which the fund may invest. Accordingly,
in certain circumstances, because the fund intends to invest in
subordinated classes of securities, if the underlying mortgage loan is
not paid in full, the fund will recover less of its investment in a
commercial mortgage-backed security than the holders of more senior
classes of the same commercial mortgage-backed security.
The rating assigned to a given issue and class of commercial
mortgage-backed securities is a product of many factors, including the
structure of the security, the level of subordination, the quality and
adequacy of the collateral, and the past performance of the
originators and servicing companies. The rating of any commercial
mortgage-backed security is determined to a substantial degree by the
debt service coverage ratio (i.e., the ratio of current net operating
income from the commercial properties, in the aggregate, to the
current debt service obligations on the properties) and the
loan-to-value ratio of the pooled properties. The amount of the
securities issued in any one rating category is determined by the
rating agencies after a rigorous credit rating process which includes
analysis of the issuer, servicer and property manager, as well as
verification of the loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratios.
Loan-to-value ratios may be particularly important in the case of
commercial mortgages because most commercial mortgage loans provide
that the lender's sole remedy in the event of a default is against the
mortgaged property, and the lender is not permitted to pursue remedies
with respect to other assets of the borrower. Accordingly,
loan-to-value ratios may, in certain circumstances, determine the
amount realized by the holder of the commercial mortgage-backed
security in the event of default.
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES are mortgage-backed securities
representing participation interests in pools of one to four family
residential mortgage loans originated by private mortgage originators.
Traditionally, residential mortgage-backed securities were issued by
governmental agencies such as the Federal National Mortgage
Association (FNMA), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)
and the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). The fund may
invest in securities issued by non-governmental agencies as well as
governmental agencies. Non-governmental entities that have issued or
sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities offerings include
savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, insurance companies,
investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.
Similar to commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential
mortgage-backed securities have been issued using a variety of
structures, including multi-class structures featuring senior and
subordinated classes. The fund intends to invest in the lower-rated or
non-rated classes of residential mortgage-backed securities, with
credit qualities at the time of investment rated or deemed by FMR to
have similar credit and cash flow characteristics as those discussed
previously in relation to subordinated classes of commercial
mortgage-backed securities.
Although one to four family residential loans do not typically have
prepayment penalties or restrictions, as commercial mortgage loans
often do, residential mortgage-backed securities are often structured
so that subordinated classes may be locked out of prepayments for a
period of time. However, in a period of extremely rapid prepayments,
during which senior classes may be retired faster than expected, the
subordinated classes may receive unscheduled payments of principal and
would have average lives that, while longer than the average lives of
the senior classes, would be shorter than originally expected. During
periods of declining prepayments, however, the subordinated classes
may receive payments of principal at a slower rate than expected,
which may increase the price volatility of the instruments by
lengthening their effective maturities.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES ISSUED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
INSTRUMENTALITIES include securities issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC.
The U.S. Government or the issuing agency guarantees the payment of
interest and principal on these securities. However, the guarantees do
not extend to the securities' yields or values, nor do the guarantees
extend to the yield or value of the fund's shares. These securities
are in most cases "pass-through" instruments, through which the holder
receives a share of all interest and principal payments from the
mortgages underlying the security, net of certain fees.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES are structured similarly to
GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage pass-through securities and are issued
by originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including
depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special
purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are
backed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC certificates or by a pool of fixed rate
or adjustable rate mortgage loans. Securities that are backed by a
pool of fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans generally are
structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.
ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE SECURITIES are pass-through mortgage
securities collateralized by mortgages with adjustable rather than
fixed rates (ARMs). ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool
generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for
either the first three, six, twelve, thirteen, thirty-six or sixty
scheduled monthly payments. Thereafter, the interest rates are subject
to periodic adjustment based on changes to a designated benchmark
index.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS AND MULTI-CLASS PASS-THROUGH
SECURITIES. Collateralized mortgage obligations or CMOs are debt
obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through
securities. Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC
certificates, but also may be collateralized by whole loans or private
mortgage pass-through securities (collectively, mortgage assets).
Multi-class pass-through securities are equity interests in a trust
composed of mortgage assets. Unless the context indicates otherwise,
all references herein to CMOs include multi-class pass-through
certificates. Payments of principal of and interest on the mortgage
assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay
debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the
multi-class pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by agencies or
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or by private originators
of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including depository
institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose
subsidiaries of the foregoing. The issuer of CMOs or multi-class
pass-through securities may elect to be treated as a REMIC. The fund
will not invest in residual interests in REMICs.
STRIPPED SECURITIES are the separate income or principal components
of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped securities are
similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped
securities may be more volatile, and the value of certain types of
stripped securities may move in the same direction as interest rates.
U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve
Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. The fund may invest in mortgage
pass-through securities where all or a substantial portion of the
interest payments go to one class of holders (interest-only securities
or IOs) and all or a substantial portion of the principal payments go
to a second class of holders (principal-only securities or POs). These
securities are commonly referred to as stripped mortgage-backed
securities or SMBS. The yields to maturity on IOs and POs are very
sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on
the related underlying mortgage assets, and such rate may have a
material effect on yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage
assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal,
the fund may not fully recover its initial investment in IOs.
Conversely, if the underlying mortgage assets experience less than
anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on POs could be
materially adversely affected. In addition to SMBS issued by agencies
or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, the fund may purchase
SMBS issued by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage
loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment
banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.
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.
The following table provides a summary of ratings assigned to debt
holdings (not including money market instruments) in the fund's
portfolio. These figures are dollar-weighted averages of month-end
portfolio holdings during the fiscal year ended December 1997, and are
presented as a percentage of total security investments. These
percentages are historical and do not necessarily indicate the fund's
current or future debt holdings.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 1997 DEBT HOLDINGS, BY RATING
MOODY'S INVESTORS
SERVICE STANDARD & POOR'S
(AS A % OF INVESTMENTS) (AS A % OF INVESTMENTS)
Average of Average of
Rating total investments Rating total investments
INVESTMENT GRADE
Highest quality Aaa 0.0% AAA 0.0%
High quality Aa 0.0% AA 0.0%
Upper-medium grade A 0.0% A 0.0%
Medium grade Baa 0.0% BBB 0.3%
LOWER QUALITY
Moderately speculative Ba 5.5% BB 3.2%
Speculative B 1.9% B 7.1%
Highly speculative Caa 0.3% CCC 2.1%
Poor quality Ca 0.0% CC 0.0%
Lowest quality, no interest C 0.0% C 0.0%
In default, in arrears -- D 0.0%
REFER TO THE APPENDIX FOR A MORE COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF THESE
RATINGS.
THE FUND DOES NOT NECESSARILY RELY ON THE RATINGS OF MOODY'S OR S&P
TO DETERMINE COMPLIANCE WITH ITS DEBT QUALITY POLICY. SECURITIES NOT
RATED BY MOODY'S OR S&P AMOUNTED
TO 20.0% OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS. THIS PERCENTAGE MAY INCLUDE
SECURITIES RATED BY OTHER NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING
ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS UNRATED
SECURITIES. UNRATED LOWER-QUALITY SECURITIES AMOUNTED TO 20.0% OF
THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS.
LOWER-RATED AND NON-RATED LOWER-QUALITY DEBT SECURITIES. The
mortgage-backed securities in which the fund will invest are expected
to be lower-rated (i.e., have a credit quality below investment grade)
or non-rated subordinated classes. Investments in such lower-rated
securities or non-rated securities of lower credit quality are subject
to special risks, including a greater risk of loss of principal and
non-payment of interest.
Generally, lower-rated securities or non-rated securities of lower
credit quality offer a higher return potential than higher-rated
securities but involve greater volatility of price and greater risk of
loss of income and principal, including the possibility of default or
bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities. Lower-rated securities
and non-rated securities of lower quality will likely have large
uncertainties or major risk exposure to adverse conditions and are
predominantly speculative. The occurrence of adverse conditions and
uncertainties would likely reduce the value of securities held by the
fund, with a commensurate effect on the value of the fund's shares.
While the market values of lower-rated securities and non-rated
securities of lower quality tend to react less to fluctuations in
interest rate levels than do those of higher-rated securities, the
market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more
sensitive to changes in economic conditions than higher-rated
securities. In addition, lower-rated securities and non-rated
securities of lower quality generally present a higher degree of
credit risk. The fund may incur additional expenses to the extent that
it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of
principal or interest on its fund holdings.
The default rate of lower-quality debt securities is likely to be
higher when issuers have difficulty meeting projected goals or
obtaining additional financing. This could occur during economic
recessions or periods of high interest rates. If an issuer defaults,
the fund may try to protect the interests of security holders if it
determines such action to be in the interest of its shareholders.
Securities which are rated BB by Standard & Poor's Corporation (S&P),
and Ba by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) have speculative
characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. Securities which are rated B generally lack characteristics
of a desirable investment and assurance of interest and principal
payments over any long period of time may be small. Securities which
are rated Caa or CCC or below are in poor standing. Those issues may
be in default or present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest. Securities rated C by Moody's or D by S&P are the lowest
rating class. Such ratings indicate that payments are in default, or
that a bankruptcy petition has been filed with respect to the issuer
or that the issuer is regarded as having extremely poor prospects. See
the Appendix on page for a general description of bond
ratings.
In general, the ratings of nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations represent the opinions of these agencies as to the
quality of securities that they rate. Such ratings, however, are
relative and subjective, and are not absolute standards of quality and
do not evaluate the market value risk of the securities. It is
possible that an agency might not change its rating of a particular
issue to reflect subsequent events. These ratings will be used by the
fund as initial criteria for the selection of securities, but the fund
also will rely upon the independent advice of FMR to evaluate
potential investments. Ratings used by the fund include those issued
by S&P, Moody's, or other nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations. The fund may also invest in unrated securities.
The lower-rated securities in which the fund will invest typically
will be subject to restrictions against transfer to the general
public. Accordingly, these securities are ordinarily traded only among
institutions.
At times a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities or
non-rated securities of lower quality may be held by relatively few
institutional purchasers. These securities may be less liquid than
higher-quality debt securities, or in fact may be illiquid. Under
adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse
changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the fund may find it
more difficult to sell such securities when FMR believes it advisable
to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower
than if the securities were more widely held. In such circumstances,
the fund may also find it more difficult to determine the fair value
of such securities for purposes of computing the fund's NAV.
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 50% of 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.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS are entities which either own
properties or make construction or mortgage loans. Equity trusts own
real estate directly, and the value of, and income earned by, the
trust depends upon the income of the underlying properties and the
rental income they earn. Equity trusts may also include operating or
finance companies. Equity trusts can also realize capital gains by
selling properties that have appreciated in value. A mortgage trust
can make construction, development, or long-term mortgage loans, and
is sensitive to the credit quality of the borrower. Mortgage trusts
derive their income from interest payments. Hybrid trusts combine the
characteristics of both equity and mortgage trusts, generally by
holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in real
estate. The value of real estate investment trusts is also affected by
management skill, cash flow, and tax and regulatory requirements.
MONEY MARKET SECURITIES are high-quality, short-term instruments
issued by the U.S. Government, corporations, financial institutions,
and other entities. These securities may carry fixed, variable, or
floating interest rates. Some money market securities employ a
trust or similar structure to modify the maturity, price
characteristics, or quality of financial assets so that they are
eligible investments for money market funds. If the structure does not
perform as intended, adverse tax or investment consequences may
result.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES are high-quality debt instruments issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of
the U.S. Government. Not all U.S. Government securities are backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States. For example, U.S.
Government securities such as those issued by Fannie Ma e are
supported by the instrumentality's right to borrow money from the U.S.
Treasury under certain circumstances. Other U.S. Government
securities, such as those issued by the Federal Farm Credit Banks
Funding Corporation, are supported only by the credit of the entity
that issued them.
FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Securities issued by foreign entities, including
foreign governments, corporations, and banks, and securities issued by
U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations may involve
additional risks and considerations. Extensive public information
about the foreign entity may not be available, and unfavorable
political, economic, or governmental developments in the foreign
country involved could affect the repayment of principal or payment
of interest.
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, purchasing indexed securities, and selling securities
short.
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.
DIRECT DEBT. Loans and other direct debt instruments are interests in
amounts owed to another party by a company, government, or other
borrower. They have additional risks beyond conventional debt
securities because they may entail less legal protection for a
fund, or there may be a requirement that the fund supply additional
cash to a borrower on demand.
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 15% of its assets would be invested in illiquid securities.
WHEN-ISSUED AND FORWARD PURCHASE OR SALE TRANSACTIONS are
trading practices in which payment and delivery for the
security take place at a later date than is customary for
that type of security . The market value of the security could
change during this period.
CASH MANAGEMENT. 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.
OTHER INSTRUMENTS may include asset-backed securities.
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. Economic, business, or political changes can affect all
securities of a similar type. A fund that is not diversified may be
more sensitive to changes in the market value of a single issuer or
industry.
RESTRICTIONS: The fund is considered non-diversified. Generally, to
meet federal tax requirements at the close of each quarter, the fund
does not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any issuer and,
with respect to 50% of total assets, does not invest more than 5% of
its total assets in any issue r. 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, except that it wil l, under normal market conditions,
invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities and
instruments backed by real estate and real estate mortgages and
securities of companies engaged in the real estate business, including
interests in real estate investment trusts. 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 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.
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 a high level of current income by investing primarily
in commercial mortgage-backed securities and the securities of real
estate investment trusts.
The fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one
industry, except that it will, under normal market conditions, invest
more than 25% of its total assets in securities and instruments backed
by real estate and real estate mortgages and securities of companies
engaged in the real-estate business, including interests in real
estate investment trusts.
The fund may borrow only for temporary or emergency purposes, but not
in an amount exceeding 33% 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 the fund's assets are reflected in
its share price or dividends; they are neither billed directly to
shareholders nor deducted from shareholder accounts.
The fund pays a MANAGEMENT FEE to FMR for managing its investments and
business affairs. The fund also pays OTHER EXPENSES, which are
explained on page .
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, and multiplying the result by the fund's average net assets.
The group fee rate is based on the average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by FMR. This rate cannot rise above 0.37%, and it
drops as total assets under management increase.
For December 199 7, the group fee rate was 0.14%. The individual
fund fee rate is 0.60% .
The total management fe e rate for the fiscal year ended
December 1997 was 0.74% .
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 the fund. Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC)
calculates the net asset value per share (NAV ) and dividends
for the fund, maintains the fund's general accounting records, and
administers the fund's securities lending program.
For the fiscal year ended December 1 9 97, the fund paid
transfer agency and pricing and bookkeeping fees equal to 0.02% and
0.09%, respectively, of the fund's average net assets. These amounts
are before expense reductions, if any.
The fund also pays other expenses, such as legal, a udit, 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.
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 fund
shares. FMR, directly or through FDC, may make payments to third
parties, such as banks or broker-dealers, that engage in the sale of,
or provide shareholder support services for, the fund's shares.
Currently, the Board of Trustees has not authorized such payments.
The fund's portfo lio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended
December 1997 was 64 %. This rate varies from year to year.
YOUR ACCOUNT
TYPES OF ACCOUNTS
The different ways to set up (register) your account with Fidelity are
listed below.
The account guidelines that follow may not apply to certain retirement
accounts. Employers and plan sponsors may offer the fund in connection
with a retirement program. If you are investing through a
retirement account or if your employer offers the fund through a
retirement program, you may be subject to additional fee s.
Investors should call their Institutional Representative directly.
WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
TRUST
FOR MONEY BEING INVESTED BY A TRUST
The trust must be established before an account can be opened.
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION
FOR INVESTMENT NEEDS OF CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, OR
OTHER GROUPS
Contact your Institutional Representative.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
THE PRICE TO BUY ONE SHARE of the fund is the fund's net
asset value per share (NAV). The fund's shares are sold without a
sales charge.
Your shares will be purchased at the next NAV calculated after
your order is received i n proper form. The fun d's NAV is
normally calculated each busine ss day at 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time.
The fund 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.
Share certificates are not available for R eal Estate High Income II
s hares.
If you are placing your order through your Institutional
Representative, it is the responsibility of your Institutional
Representative to transmit your order to buy shares to the transfer
agent before the close of business on the day you place your order.
You may open your account by wire as described below. If there is no
account application accompanying this prospectus, call your
Institutional Representative.
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE MONEY INVESTED IN THE FUND, you can wire money
into your account or contact your Institutional Representative.
INVESTMENTS IN THE FUND MUST BE MADE USING THE FEDERAL RESERVE WIRE
SYSTEM. Checks a nd Automated Clearing House payments will not
be accepted as a means of investment.
BY WIRE. For wiring information and instructions, you should call the
Financial Institution through which you trade or your Institutional
Representative. There is no fee imposed by the fund for wire
purchases. However, if you buy shares through a Financial Institution,
the Financial Institution may impose a fee for wire purchases.
If Fidelity Client Services is not advised of your purchase prior to
the stated cutoff time, your purchase will not be accepted by the
transfer agent. All wires must be received i n proper for m by
the transfer agent at the fund's designated wire bank before the close
of the Federal Reserve Wire System on that day.
For further information on opening an account, please consult your
Institutional Representative.
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $5,000,000
MINIMUM BALANCE $1,000,000
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You can arrange to take money out of your fund account at any time by
selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares.
THE PRICE TO SELL ONE SHARE of the fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your
order is received in proper form. The fund's NAV is normally
calculated each business day at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.
IF YOU ARE SELLING SOME BUT NOT ALL OF YOUR SHARES, leave at
least $1,000,000 worth of shares in the account to keep it
open.
TO SELL SHARES BY BANK WIRE, you will need to sign up for this service
in advance.
CERTAIN REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE. It is designed to
protect you and Fidelity from fraud. Your request must be made in
writing and include a signature guarantee if any of the following
situations apply:
(small solid bullet) You wish to redeem more than $100,000 worth of
shares,
(small solid bullet) Your account registration has changed within the
last 30 days,
(small solid bullet) The check is being mailed to a different address
than the one on your account (record address),
(small solid bullet) The check is being made payable to someone other
than the account owner, or
(small solid bullet) The redemption proceeds are being transferred to
a Fidelity account with a different registration.
You should be able to obtain a signature guarantee from a bank,
broker, dealer, credit union (if authorized under state law),
securities exchange or association, clearing agency, or savings
association. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
BY WIRE. Redemptions may be made by contacting your Institutional
Representative.
You must apply for the wire feature on your account application and
you must designate on your account application the U.S. commercial
bank account(s) into which you wish the redemption proceeds to be
deposited. Your Institutional Representative will then notify you that
this feature has been activated and that you may request wire
redemptions.
You may change the bank account(s) designated to receive redemption
proceeds at any time prior to making a redemption request. You should
contact your Institutional Representative for further information.
There is no charge imposed by the fund for wiring of redemption
proceeds. However, if you sell shares through a Financial Institution,
the Financial Institution may impose a fee for wire redemptions.
Your wire redemption request must be received in proper form
by Fidelity before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time for money to be wired
on the next business day.
REDEMPTION IN KIND. If the Trustees determine that existing
conditions make cash payments undesirable, redemption payments may be
made in whole or in part in securities or other property, valued for
this purpose as they are valued in computing the fund's NAV.
Shareholders receiving securities or other property on redemption may
realize a gain or loss for tax purposes, and will incur any costs of
sale, as well as the associated inconveniences.
INVESTOR SERVICES
Fidelity provides a variety of services to help you manage your
account.
INFORMATION SERVICES
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS that Fidelity sends to you include the
following:
(small solid bullet) Confirmation statements (after every transaction,
except a reinvestment, that affects your account balance or your
account registration)
(small solid bullet) Financial reports (every six months)
To reduce expenses, only one copy of most financial reports and
prospectuses will be mailed, even if you have more than one account in
the fund. Call your Institutional Representative if you need
additional copies of financial reports and prospectuses.
SHAREHOLDER AND ACCOUNT POLICIES
DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS, AND TAXES
The fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income
and capital gains to shareholders each year. Income dividends are
declared daily and paid monthly. Capital gains are normally
distributed in December and February.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
When you open an account, specify on your account application how you
want to receive your distributions. The fund offers three options:
1. REINVESTMENT OPTION. Your dividend and capital gain distributions
will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the fund. If
you do not indicate a choice on your application, you will be assigned
this option.
2. INCOME-EARNED OPTION. Your capital gain distributions will be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of the fund, but you
will be sent a check for each dividend distribution.
3. CASH OPTION. You will be sent a w ire for your dividend and
capital gain distributions.
Dividends will be reinvested at the fund's NAV on the last day of the
month. Capital gain distributions will be reinvested at the NAV as of
the date the fund deducts the distribution from its NAV. The mailing
of distribution checks will begin within seven days, or longer for
a December ex-dividend date.
TAXES
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the
fund will be taxed. If your account is not a tax-advant aged
retirement account, you should be aware of these tax implications.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributions are subject to federal income
tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. If you live
outside the United States, your distributions could also be taxed by
the country in which you reside. Your distributions are taxable when
they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them.
However, distributions declared in December and paid in January are
taxable as if they were paid on December 31.
For federal tax purposes, the fund's income and short-term capital
gains are distributed as dividends and taxed as ordinary
inco me; capital gain distributions are taxed as long-term capital
gains.
Every January, Fidelity will send you and the IRS a statement
showing the tax characterization of distributions paid to you
in the previous year.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS. Your redemptions are subject to capital gains
tax. A capital gain or loss is the difference between the cost of your
shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
Whenever you sell shares of the fund, Fidelity will send you a
confirmation statement showing how many shares you sold and at what
price.
You will also receive a consolidated transaction statement every
January. However, it is up to you or your tax preparer to determine
whether this sale resulted in a capital gain and, if so, the amount of
tax to be paid. BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR REGULAR ACCOUNT STATEMENTS; the
information they contain will be essential in calculating the amount
of your capital gains.
"BUYING A DIVIDEND." If you buy shares when the fund has realized but
not yet distributed capital gains, you will pay the full price for the
shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a
taxable distribution.
RETURN OF CAPITAL . If the fund's distributions exceed its
taxable income in any year, all or a portion of the fund's dividends
may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders for tax
purposes. Any return of capital will reduce the cost basis of your
shares, which will result in a higher reported capital gain or a lower
reported capital loss when you sell your shares. The statement you
receive in January will specify if any distributions included a return
of capital.
EFFECT OF FOREIGN TAXES. Foreign governments may impose taxes on the
fund and its in vestments, and these taxes generally will reduce
the fund's distributions.
There are tax requirements that all funds must follow in order to
avoid federal taxation. In its effort to adhere to these requirements,
the fund may have to limit its investment activity in some types of
instruments.
TRANSACTION DETAILS
THE FUND IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open. FSC normally calculates the fund's NAV as of the close
of business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.
THE FUND'S NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV is computed by
adding the value of the fund's investments, cash, and other assets,
subtracting its liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of
shares outstanding.
The fund's assets are valued on the basis of information furnished
by a pricing service or market quotations, if available, or by another
method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair
value. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days
or less for which quotations and information furnished by a pricing
service 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. 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.
WHEN YOU SIGN YOUR ACCOUNT APPLICATION, you will be asked to certify
that your social security or taxpayer identification number is correct
and that you are not subject to 31% backup withholding for failing to
report income to the IRS. If you violate IRS regulations, the IRS can
require the fund to withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and
redemptions.
YOU MAY INITIATE MANY TRANSACTIONS BY TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONICALLY.
Fidelity will not be responsible for any losses resulting from
unauthorized transactions if it follows reasonable security procedures
designed to verify the identity of the investor . Fidelity will
request personalized security codes or other information, and may also
record calls. For transactions conducted through the Internet,
Fidelity recommends the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit
encryption . You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation
statements immediately after you receiv e them. If you do not
want the ability to redeem and exchange by telephone, call your
Institutional Representative for instructions. Additional
documentation may be required from corporations, associations, and
certain fiduciaries.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO REACH FIDELITY BY PHONE (for example, during
periods of unusual market activity), consider placing your order by
mail.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT t o suspend the offering of
shares for a period of time.
WHEN YOU PLACE AN ORDER TO BUY SHARES, your shares will be purchased
at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper
f orm. Note the following:
(small solid bullet) All of your purchases must be made by federal
funds wire; checks will not be accepted for purchases.
(small solid bullet) If your wire is not received in prop er
form by the close of the Federal Reserve Wire System, you could be
liable for any losses or fees the fund or Fidelity has incurred or for
interest and penalties.
(small solid bullet) You begin to earn dividends as of the first
business day following the day of your purchase.
WHEN YOU PLACE AN ORDER TO SELL SHARES, your shares will be sold at
the next NAV calculated after your order is received i n prop er
form. Note the following:
(small solid bullet) Normally, redemption proceeds will be mailed to
you on the next business day, but if making immediate payment could
adversely affect the fund, it may take up to seven days to pay you.
(small solid bullet) Shares will earn dividends through the date of
redemption; however, shares redeemed on a Friday or prior to a holiday
will continue to earn dividends until the next business day.
(small solid bullet) The fund may withhold redemption proceeds
until it is reasonably assured that investments made in clearing-house
funds have been collected.
(small solid bullet) Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates
postponed when the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays),
when trading on the NYSE is restricted, or as permitted by the SEC.
IF YOUR ACCOUNT BALANCE FALLS BELOW $1,000,000, you will be given 30
days' notice to reestablish the minimum balance. If you do not
increase your balance, Fidelity reserves the right to close your
account and send the proceeds to you. Your shares will be redeemed at
the NAV on the day your account is closed.
FIDELITY MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR SPECIAL SERVICES, such as
providing historical account documents, that are beyond the normal
scope of its services.
FDC may, at its own expense, provide promotional incentives to
qualified recipients who support the sale of shares of the fund
without reimbursement from the fund. Qualified recipients are
securities dealers who have sold fund shares or others, including
banks and other financial institutions, under special arrangements in
connection with FDC's sales activities. In some instances, these
incentives may be offered only to certain institutions whose
representatives provide services in connection with the sale or
expected sale of significant amounts of shares.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any representations,
other than those contained in this Prospectus and in the related SAI,
in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus. If given or
made, such other information or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the fund or FDC. This Prospectus and
the related SAI do not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to
sell or to buy shares of the fund to any person to whom it is unlawful
to make such offer.
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 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 - Debt rated C C 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 als o be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy
petition if debt service payme nts are jeopardized.
This prospectus is printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks.
Form N-1A Item Number
Part B Statement of Additional Information
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
10 a,b Cover Page
11 Cover Page
12 Description of the Fund
13 a,b,c Investment Policies and Limitations
d Portfolio Transactions
14 a,b,c Trustees and Officers
15 a,b,c Trustees and Officers
16 a(i) FMR; Portfolio Transactions
a(ii) Trustees and Officers
a(iii),b Management Contract
c,d Contracts with FMR Affiliates
e *
f Distribution and Service Plan
g *
h Description of the Fund
i Contracts with FMR Affiliates
17 a,b,c,d Portfolio Transactions
e *
18 a Description of the Fund
b *
19 a Additional Purchase and Redemption Information
b Valuation
c *
20 Distributions and Taxes
21 a(i),(ii) Management Contract; Contracts with FMR Affiliates; Distribution
and Service Plan
a(iii),b,c *
22 a *
b Performance
23 Financial Statements
</TABLE>
* Not applicable
FIDELITY REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II
A FUND OF Fidelity Covington Trust
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APRIL 29, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus but
should be read in conjunction with the fund's current Prospectus
(dated April 29, 1998). Please retain this document for future
reference. The fund's Annual Report is a separate document supplied
with this SAI. To obtain a free additional copy of the Prospectus or
an Annual Report, please call Fidelity at 1-617-563-6414.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and Limitations 23
Portfolio Transactions 27
Valuation 28
Performance 29
Additional Purchase and Redemption Information 31
Distributions and Taxes 31
FMR 32
Trustees and Officers 32
Management Contract 34
Distribution and Service Plan 36
Contracts with FMR Affiliates 36
Description of the Fund 36
Financial Statements 37
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)
DISTRIBUTOR
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC)
TRANSFER AGENT
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC)
REHIFII -ptb- 0498
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
19 40 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) issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment
Company Act of 1940;
(2) borrow money, except that the fund may borrow money for temporary
or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount
not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount
borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings
that come to exceed this amount will be reduced within three days (not
including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with
the 33 1/3% limitation;
(3) 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;
(4) purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total
assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose
principal business activities are in the same industry, except that,
under normal market conditions, the fund will invest more than 25% of
its total assets in securities and instruments backed by real estate
and real estate mortgages and securities of companies engaged in the
real estate business, including interests in real estate investment
trusts;
(5) 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);
(6) 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
(7) 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.
(8) 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 ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(i) In order to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the
fund currently intends to comply with certain diversification limits
imposed by Subchapter M.
(ii) The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short,
unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in
kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that
transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to
constitute selling securities short.
(iii) The fund does not currently intend to purchase securities on
margin, except that the fund may obtain such short-term credits as are
necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin
payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures
contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
(iv) The fund may borrow money only (a) from a bank or from a
registered investment company or portfolio for which FMR or an
affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) by engaging in reverse
repurchase agreements with any party (reverse repurchase agreements
are treated as borrowings for purposes of fundamental investment
limitation (2)). The fund will not borrow from other funds
advised by FMR or its affiliates if total outstanding borrowings
immediately after such borrowing would exceed 15% of the fund's total
assets.
(v) The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as
a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in
securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be
sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the prices at which they are valued.
(vi) The fund does not currently intend to lend assets other than
securities to other parties, except by (a) lending money (up to 7.5%
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 mortgage-related securities or
direct mortgage investments; or to repurchase agreements.)
(vii) The fund does not currently intend to 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.
For purposes of limitation (i), Subchapter M generally requires the
fund to invest no more than 25% of its total assets in securities of
any one issuer and to invest at least 50% of its total assets so that
no more than 5% of the fund's total assets are invested in securities
of any one issuer. However, Subchapter M allows unlimited investments
in cash, cash items, government securities (as defined in Subchapter
M) and securities of other investment companies. These tax
requirements are generally applied at the end of each quarter of the
fund's taxable year.
With respect to limitation (v), if through a change in values, net
assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more
than 15% 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.
Govern ment securities with affiliated financial institutions
that are primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency
transactions; and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive
orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the
Board of Trustees has established and periodically reviews procedures
applicable to transactions involving affiliated financial
institutions.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES re pre sent interests in pools of
mortgages, loans, receivables or other assets. Payment of interest and
r epa yment of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash
flows generated by the assets backing the securities and, in certain
cases, supported by letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit
enhancements. Asset-back ed security values may also be affected
by the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the
originator of the loans or receivables, or the entities providing the
credit enhance ment. In addition, these securities may be
subject to prepayment risk.
DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS. Securities may be bought and
sold on a delayed-delivery or when-issued basis. These transactions
involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a
predetermined price or yield, with payment and delivery taking place
after the customary settlement period for that type of security.
Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is
delivered. The fund may receive fees or price conce ssions for
entering into delayed-delivery transactions.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, the
purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the
risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the
security will not be issued as anticipated. Because payment for the
securities is not required until the delivery date, these risks
are in addition to the risks associated with a fund's investments. If
a fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when
delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, the delayed-delivery
purchases may result in a form of leverage. When
delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, a fund will set aside
appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to
cover the purchase obligations. When a fund has sold a security on a
delayed-delivery basis, the fund does not participate in further gains
or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a
delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the
securities, a fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity
or suffer a loss.
A fund may renegotiate a delayed delivery transaction and may sell
the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital
gains or losses for the fund.
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 th e
relative strength of the U.S. dollar.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in
emerging markets, which may have relatively unstable governments,
economies based on only a few industries, and securities markets that
trade a small number of securities.
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.
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 intends to
file 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, before engaging in any purchases or
sales of futures contracts or options on futures contracts. 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
2 5% of the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and
options under normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or
write put options if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon
settlement or exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put
options would exceed 25% of its total assets; or (c) purchase call
options if, as a result, the current value of option premiums for call
options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the fund's total
assets. These limitations do not apply to options attached to or
acquired or traded together with their underlying securities, and do
not apply to securities that incorporate features similar to options.
The above limitations on the 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,
non-government stripped fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, and
over-the-counter options. 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.
Mortgage-indexed securities, for example, could be structured to
replicate the performance of mortgage securities and the
characteristics of direct ownership.
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. In dexed 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 attemp t 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.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES are issued by government and
non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other
institutions. A mortgage-backed security is an obligation of
the issuer backed by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct
interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some mortgage-backed
securities, such as collateralized mortgage obligations (or
"CMO s "), make payments of both principal and interest at a
range of specified intervals; others make semiannual interest
payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like
a typical bond). Mortgage-backed securities are based on different
types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate
or residential properties. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are
created when the interest and principal components of a
mortgage-backed security are separated and sold as individual
securities. In the case of a stripped mortgage-backed security, the
holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal
payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the
"interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same
underlying mortgage.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may change due to shifts in
the market's perception of issuers and changes in interest
rates. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect
the mortgage-backed securities market as a whole.
Non-government mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than
those issued by government entities, but also may be subject to
greater price changes than government issues. Mortgage-backed
securities are subject to prepayment risk , which is the risk that
early principal payments made on the underlying mortgages,
usually in response to a reduction in interest rates , will
result in the return of principal to the investor, causing it to be
invested subsequently at a lower current interest rate. Alternatively,
in a rising interest rate environment, mortgage-backed security values
may be adversely affected when prepayments on underlying mortgages do
not occur as anticipated, resulting in the extension of the security's
effective maturity and the related increase in interest rate
sensitivity of a longer-term instrument. The prices of stripped
mortgage-backed securities tend to be more volatile in response to
changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped mortgage-backed
securities.
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 f und
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 (NYSE) 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. A fund may enter into short sales with respect to
stocks underlying its convertible security holdings. For example, if
FMR anticipates a decline in the price of the stock underlying a
convertible security a fund holds, it may sell the stock short. If the
stock price subsequently declines, the proceeds of the short sale
could be expected to offset all or a portion of the effect of the
stock's decline on the value of the convertible security. The fund
currently intends to hedge no more than 15% of its total assets with
short sales on equity securities underlying its convertible security
holdings under normal circumstances.
When a fund enters into a short sale, it will be required to
set aside securities equivalent in kind and amount to those sold short
(or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and
will be required to hold them aside while the short sale is
outstanding. A fund will incur transaction costs, including
interest expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining, and
closing short sales.
SOURCES OF CREDIT OR LIQUIDITY SUPPORT. FMR may rely on its
evaluation of the credit of a bank or other entity in determining
whether to purchase a security supported by a letter of credit
guarantee, put or demand feature, insurance or other source of credit
or liquidity. In evaluating the credit of a foreign bank or other
foreign entities, FMR will consider whether adequate public
information about the entity is available and whether the entity may
be subject to unfavorable political or economic developments, currency
controls, or other government restrictions that might affect its
ability to honor its commitment.
STRIPPED GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Stripped government securities are
created by separating the income and principal components of a U.S.
Government security and selling them separately. STRIPS (Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities) are
created when the coupon payments and the principal payment are
stripped from an outstanding U.S. Treasury security by a Federal
Reserve Bank.
Privately stripped government securities are created when a dealer
deposits a U.S. Treasury security or other U.S. Government security
with a custodian for safekeeping. The custodian issues separate
receipts for the coupon payments and the principal payment, which the
dealer then sells.
SWAP AGREEMENTS can be individually negotiated and structured
to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or
market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may
increase or decrease a fund's exposure to long- or short-term
interest rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency
values, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other
factors such as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements
can take many different forms and are known by a variety of
names.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments
only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap
obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an
interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a
specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund's investment exposure
from one type of investment to another. For example, if the fund
agreed to exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign
currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the fund's
exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign
currency and interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to
buying or writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap
agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of a
fund's investments and its share price and yield.
The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is
the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors
that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund.
If a swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the
counterparty's creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
A fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap
agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by
entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a
similarly creditworthy party.
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.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES provide for periodic
adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security. Variable rate
securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest
rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that change
whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark rate. Some
variable or floating rate securities are structured with put features
that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance
plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial
intermediaries.
ZERO COUPON BONDS do not make interest payments; instead, they are
sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at face
value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay current
income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of
fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a
fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon
bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of the fund by FMR pursuant to authority contained in the
management contract. FMR is also responsible for the placement of
transaction orders for other investment companies and 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.
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 transaction s 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.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers
(including affiliates of FMR) who have entered into arrangements
with FMR under which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the
commissions paid by a fund toward the reduction of that
fund's expenses. The transaction quality must, however, be
comparable to those of other qualified broker-dealers.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for accounts which they or their affiliates manage, unless certain
requirements are satisfied. Pursuant to such requirements, the Board
of Trustees has authorized NFSC to execute portfolio
transactions on national securities exchanges in accordance with
approved procedures and applicable SEC rules.
The Trustees periodically review FMR's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions on behalf of the fund and review the commissions paid by
the fund over representative periods of time to determine if they are
reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
For the fiscal periods ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the
fund's portfolio turnover rates were 64% and 11% (annualized),
respectively. An increased turnover rate is due to a greater volume
of shareholder purchase orders, short-term interest rate volatility
and other special market conditions.
For the fiscal years ended December 1997 and 1996, the fund paid
brokerage commissions of $111,594 and $27,515, respectively.
Significant changes in brokerage commissions paid by the fund from
year to year may result from changing asset levels throughout the
year. The fund may pay both commissions and spreads in connection with
the placement of portfolio transactions.
During the fiscal years ended December 1997 and 1996, the fund paid
brokerage commissions of $22,602 and $4,976, respectively, to
NFSC. NFSC is paid on a commission basis. During the fiscal
year ended December 1997 , this amounted to approximately
20.25 % of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the fund
for transactions involving approximately 25.57 % of the
aggregate dollar amount of transactions for which the fund paid
brokerage commissions. The difference between the percentage of
aggregate brokerage commissions paid to , and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions
effected through , NFSC is a result of the low commission
rates charged by NFSC.
During the fiscal year ended December 1997 , the fund
paid $107,889 in brokerage commissions to firms that
provided research services involving approximately $67,135,216
of transactions. The provision of research services was not
necessarily a factor in the placement of all this business with such
firms.
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 each fund. In some cases this system could have a detrimental
effect on the price or value of the security as far as the fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and
prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that
the desirability of retaining FMR as investment adviser to the fund
outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to
simultaneous transactions.
VALUATION
Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC) normally determines the fund's
net asset value per share (NAV) as of the close of the 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. 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.
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.
Futures contracts and options are valued on the basis of market
quotations, if available. Securities of other open-end investment
companies are valued at their respective NAVs.
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
The fund may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the fund in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. The fund's share price,
yield, and total return fluctuate in response to market conditions and
other factors, and the value of fund shares when redeemed may be more
or less than their original cost.
YIELD CALCULATIONS. Yields for the fund are computed by dividing the
fund's interest and dividend income for a given 30-day or one-month
period, net of expenses, by the average number of shares entitled to
receive distributions during the period, dividing this figure by the
fund's net asset value per share (NAV) at the end of the
period, and annualizing the result (assuming compounding of income) in
order to arrive at an annual percentage rate. Income is calculated for
purposes of yield quotations in accordance with standardized methods
applicable to all stock and bond funds. Dividends from equity
investments are treated as if they were accrued on a daily basis,
solely for the purposes of yield calculations. In general, interest
income is reduced with respect to bonds trading at a premium over
their par value by subtracting a portion of the premium from income on
a daily basis, and is increased with respect to bonds trading at a
discount by adding a portion of the discount to daily income. For the
fund's investments denominated in foreign currencies, income and
expenses are calculated first in their respective currencies, and
then are converted to U.S. dollars, either when they are
actually converted or at the end of the 30-day or one month period,
whichever is earlier. Income is adjusted to reflect gains and
losses from principal repayments received by a fund with respect to
mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities.
Capital gains and losses generally are excluded from the
calculation as are gains and losses from currency exchange rate
fluctuations.
Income calculated for the purposes of calculating the fund's yield
differs from income as determined for other accounting purposes.
Because of the different accounting methods used, and because of the
compounding of income assumed in yield calculations, the fund's yield
may not equal its distribution rate, the income paid to your account,
or the income reported in the fund's financial statements.
In calculating the fund's yield, a fund may from time to time
use a portfolio security's coupon rate instead of its yield to
maturity in order to reflect the risk premium on that security. This
practice will have the effect of reducing the fund's yield.
Yield information may be useful in reviewing the fund's performance
and in providing a basis for comparison with other investment
alternatives. However, the fund's yield fluctuates, unlike investments
that pay a fixed interest rate over a stated period of time. When
comparing investment alternatives, investors should also note the
quality and maturity of the portfolio securities of respective
investment companies they have chosen to consider.
Investors should recognize that in periods of declining interest rates
the fund's yield will tend to be somewhat higher than prevailing
market rates, and in periods of rising interest rates the fund's yield
will tend to be somewhat lower. Also, when interest rates are falling,
the inflow of net new money to the fund from the continuous sale of
its shares will likely be invested in instruments producing lower
yields than the balance of the fund's holdings, thereby reducing the
fund's current yield. In periods of rising interest rates, the
opposite can be expected to occur.
TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS. Total returns quoted in advertising reflect
all aspects of the fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting
dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the fund's
NAV over a stated period. Average annual total returns are calculated
by determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical
historical investment in the fund over a stated period, and then
calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have
produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had
been constant over the period. For example, a cumulative 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 the fund's performance is
not constant over time, but changes from year to year, and that
average annual total returns represent averaged figures as opposed to
the actual year-to-year performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual total returns, the fund may quote
unaveraged or cumulative total returns reflecting the simple change in
value of an investment over a stated period. Average annual and
cumulative total returns may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar
amount, and may be calculated for a single investment, a series of
investments, or a series of redemptions, over any time period. Total
returns may be broken down into their components of income and capital
(including capital gains and changes in share price) in order to
illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions
to total return. Total returns may be quoted on a before-tax or
after-tax basis. Total returns, yields, and other performance
information may be quoted numerically or in a table, graph, or similar
illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using the fund's net asset values,
adjusted net asset values, and benchmark indices may be used to
exhibit performance. An adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid
by the fund and reflects all elements of its return. Unless otherwise
indicated, the fund's adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales
charges, if any.
MOVING AVERAGES. A fund may illustrate performance using moving
averages. A long-term moving average is the average of each week's
adjusted closing NAV for a specified period. A short-term moving
average is the average of each day's adjusted closing NAV for a
specified period. Moving Average Activity Indicators combine adjusted
closing NAVs from the last business day of each week with moving
averages for a specified period to produce indicators showing when an
NAV has crossed, stayed above, or stayed below its moving average. On
December 26, 1997, the 13-week and 39-week long-term moving
averages were $12.11 and $11.23, respectively , for Real
Estate High Income II.
CALCULATING HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows
performance for the fund calculated including certain fund
expenses.
HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows the fund's total
return for the periods ended December 31 , 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Annual Total Returns Cumulative Total Returns
One Life of One Life of
Year Fund* Year Fund*
Real Estate High Income Fund
II 27.67% 30.47% 27.67% 39.82%
</TABLE>
* From September 27, 1996 (commencement of operations).
The following table shows the income and capital elements of the
fund's cumulative total return. The table compares the fund's return
to the record of the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA),
and the cost of living, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI),
over the same period. The CPI information is as of the
month-end closest to the initial investment date for the fund. The
S&P 500 and DJIA comparisons are provided to show how the fund's total
return compared to the record of a broad unmanaged index of common
stocks and a narrower set of stocks of major industrial companies,
respectively, over the same period. Because the fund invests in
fixed-income securities, common stocks represent a different type of
investment from the fund. Common stocks generally offer greater growth
potential than the fund, but generally experience greater price
volatility, which means greater potential for loss. In addition,
common stocks generally provide lower income than a fixed-income
investment such as the fund. The S&P 500 and DJIA returns are based on
the prices of unmanaged groups of stocks and, unlike the fund's
returns, do not include the effect of brokerage commissions or other
costs of investing.
During the period from September 27, 1996 (commencement of operations)
to December 31, 1997, a hypothetical $10,000 investment in
Real Estate High Income II would have grown to $13,982, assuming all
distributions were reinvested. Total returns are based on past results
and are not an indication of future performance. Tax consequences
of different investments have not been factored into the figures
below.
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II INDICES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended Value of Value of Value of Total S&P 500 DJIA Cost of
Initial Reinvested Reinvested Value Living**
$10,000 Dividend Capital Gain
Investment Distributions Distributions
1997 $ 12,380 $ 1,139 $ 463 $ 13,982 $ 14,475 $ 13,782 $ 10,222
1996* $ 10,730 $ 222 $ 0 $ 10,952 $ 10,854 $ 11,038 $ 10,051
</TABLE>
* From September 27, 1996 (commencement of operations)
** From month-end closest to initial investment date.
Explanatory Notes: With an initial investment of $10,000 in the fund
on September 27, 1996, the net amount invested in fund shares was
$10,000. The cost of the initial investment ($10,000) together with
the aggregate cost of reinvested dividends and capital gain
distributions for the period covered (their cash value at the time
they were reinvested) amounted to $11,543. If distributions had not
been reinvested, the amount of distributions earned from the fund over
time would have been smaller, and cash payments for the period would
have amounted to $1,023 for dividends and $440 for capital gain
distributions.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS. The fund's performance may be compared to the
performance of other mutual funds in general, or to the performance of
particular types of mutual funds. These comparisons may be expressed
as mutual fund rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
(Lipper), an independent service located in Summit, New Jersey that
monitors the performance of mutual funds. Generally, Lipper rankings
are based on total return, assume reinvestment of distributions, do
not take sales charges or trading fees into consideration, and
are prepared without regard to tax consequences. Lipper may also rank
based on yield. In addition to the mutual fund rankings, the fund's
performance may be compared to stock, bond, and money market mutual
fund performance indices prepared by Lipper or other organizations.
When comparing these indices, it is important to remember the risk and
return characteristics of each type of investment. For example, while
stock mutual funds may offer higher potential returns, they also carry
the highest degree of share price volatility. Likewise, money market
funds may offer greater stability of principal, but generally do not
offer the higher potential returns available from stock mutual funds.
From time to time, the fund's performance may also be compared to
other mutual funds tracked by financial or business publications and
periodicals. For example, the fund may quote Morningstar, Inc. in its
advertising materials. Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating
service that rates mutual funds on the basis of risk-adjusted
performance. Rankings that compare the performance of Fidelity funds
to one another in appropriate categories over specific periods of time
may also be quoted in advertising. The fund may advertise risk
ratings, including symbols or numbers, prepared by independent rating
agencies.
The fund's performance may also be compared to that of a benchmark
index t hat is similar to 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 the fund's returns, however, the index
returns do not reflect brokerage commissions, transaction fees, or
other costs of investing directly in the securities included in the
index.
Real Estate High Income II may compare its performance to that of
the Merrill Lynch High Yield Master Index, a market capitalization
weighted index of all domestic and yankee high-yield bonds with an
outstanding par value of at least $50 million and maturities of at
least one year. Issues included in the index have a credit rating
lower than BBB-/Baa3 but are not in default (DDD1 or lower).
Split-rated issues (i.e., rated investment-grade by one rating agency
and high-yield by another) are included in the index based on the
issue's corresponding composite rating. Structured-note issues,
deferred interest bonds, and pay-in-kind bonds are excluded.
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.
The fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. The fund may quote various measures of volatility and
benchmark correlation in advertising. In addition, the fund may
compare these measures to those of other funds. Measures of volatility
seek to compare the fund's historical share price fluctuations or
total returns to those of a benchmark. Measures of benchmark
correlation indicate how valid a comparative benchmark may be. All
measures of volatility and correlation are calculated using averages
of historical data. In advertising, the fund may also discuss or
illustrate examples of interest rate sensitivity.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate the fund's price movements over specific
periods of time. Each point on the momentum indicator represents the
fund's percentage change in price movements over that period.
The fund may advertise examples of the effects of periodic investment
plans, including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a
program, an investor invests a fixed dollar amount in a fund at
periodic intervals, thereby purchasing fewer shares when prices are
high and more shares when prices are low. While such a strategy does
not assure a profit or guard against loss in a declining market, the
investor's average cost per share can be lower than if fixed numbers
of shares are purchased at the same intervals. In evaluating such a
plan, investors should consider their ability to continue purchasing
shares during periods of low price levels.
The fund may be available for purchase through retirement plans or
other programs offering deferral of, or exemption from, income taxes,
which may produce superior after-tax returns over time. For example, a
$1,000 investment earning a taxable return of 10% annually would have
an after-tax value of $1,949 after ten years, assuming tax was
deducted from the return each year at a 31% rate. An equivalent
tax-deferred investment would have an after-tax value of $2,100 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted at a 31% rate from the
tax-deferred earnings at the end of the ten-year period.
As of February 28, 1998, FMR advised over $31 billion in
municipal fund assets, $102 billion in money market fund
assets, $428 billion in equity fund assets, $75 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.
In addition to performance rankings, the fund may compare its total
expense ratio to the average total expense ratio of similar funds
tracked by Lipper. The fund's total expense ratio is a significant
factor in comparing bond and money market investments because of its
effect on yield.
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 the fund's NAV as of the close of the NYSE
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). However, NAV may be calculated
earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted by the
SEC. To the extent that portfolio securities are traded in other
markets on days when the NYSE is closed, the fund's NAV may be
affected on days when investors do not have access to the fund to
purchase or redeem shares. In addition, trading in some of a
fund's portfolio securities may not occur on days when the fund is
open for business.
If the Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payments
undesirable, redemption payments may be made in whole or in part in
securities or other property, valued for this purpose as they are
valued in computing the fund's NAV. Shareholders receiving securities
or other property on redemption may realize a gain or loss for tax
purposes, and will incur any costs of sale, as well as the associated
inconveniences.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DISTRIBUTIONS. If you request to have distributions mailed to you and
the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your checks, or if your checks
remain uncashed for six months, Fidelity may reinvest your
distributions at the then-current NAV. All subsequent distributions
will then be reinvested until you provide Fidelity with alternate
instructions.
DIVIDENDS. Because the fund's income is primarily derived from
interest, dividends from the fund generally will not qualify for the
dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
Short-term capital gains are distributed as dividend income, but do
not qualify for the dividends-received deduction. A portion of the
fund's dividends derived from certain U.S. Government securities may
be exempt from state and local taxation. Gains (losses)
attributable to foreign currency fluctuations are generally taxable as
ordinary income, and therefore will increase (decrease)
dividend distributions. If the fund's distributions exceed its net
investment company taxable income during a taxable year, all or
a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year would be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders, thereby
reducing each shareholder's cost basis in the fund. Mortgage
security paydown gains (losses) on mortgage securities
purchased by the fund on or prior to June 8, 1997 are generally
taxable as ordinary income and, therefore, increase (decrease)
taxable dividend distributions. The fund will send each shareholder a
notice in January describing the tax status of dividend and capital
gain distributions for the prior year.
CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. Long-term capital gains earned by the fund
on the sale of securities and distributed to shareholders are
federally taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length
of time shareholders have held their shares. If a shareholder receives
a capital gain distribution on shares of the fund, and such
shares are held six months or less and are sold at a loss, the portion
of the loss equal to the amount of the capital gain
distribution will be considered a long-term loss for tax purposes.
Short-term capital gains distributed by the fund are taxable to
shareholders as dividends, not as capital gains.
As of December 31 , 1997, the fund hereby designates
approximately $551,000 as a capital gain dividend for the purpose of
the dividend-paid deduction.
FOREIGN TAXES. Foreign governments may withhold taxes on dividends and
interest paid with respect to foreign securities. Foreign governments
may also impose taxes on other payments or gains with respect to
foreign securities. Because the fund does not currently anticipate
that securities of foreign issuers will constitute more than 50% of
its total assets at the end of its fiscal year, shareholders should
not expect to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their federal
income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes withheld.
TAX STATUS OF THE FUND. The fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" 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.
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.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION. The information above is only a summary of some
of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its
shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax
consequences. In addition to federal income taxes, shareholders may be
subject to state and local taxes on fund distributions, and shares may
be subject to state and local personal property taxes. Investors
should consult their tax advisers to determine whether a fund
is suitable to their particular tax situation.
FMR
All of the stock of FMR is owned by FMR Corp., its parent organized in
1972. The voting common stock of FMR Corp. is divided into two
classes. Class B is held predominantly by members of the Edward C.
Johnson 3d family and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter
acted upon by the voting common stock. Class A is held predominantly
by non-Johnson family member employees of FMR Corp. and its affiliates
and is entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson
family group and all other Class B shareholders have entered into a
shareholders' voting agreement under which all Class B shares will be
voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares. Under
the 1940 Act, control of a company is presumed where one
individual or group of individuals owns more than 25% of the voting
stock of that company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting
common stock and the execution of the shareholders' voting agreement,
members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the 1940 Act, to
form a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
At present, the principal operating activities of FMR Corp. are those
conducted by its division, Fidelity Investments Retail Marketing
Company, which provides marketing services to various companies within
the Fidelity organization.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their
own accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that sets forth all
employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the funds, establishes
procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
For example, all personal trades in most securities require
pre-clearance, and participation in initial public offerings is
prohibited. In addition, restrictions on the timing of personal
investing in relation to trades by Fidelity funds and on short-term
trading have been adopted.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive
officers of the trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each
individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same
company for the last five years. All persons named as Trustees
and Members of the Advisory Board also serve in similar
capacities for other funds advised by FMR. The business address of
each Trustee, Member of the Advisory Board, and officer who is
an "interested person" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940) is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, which is
also the address of FMR. The business address of all the other
Trustees is Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 9235, Boston, Massachusetts
02205-9235. Those Trustees who are "interested persons" by virtue of
their affiliation with either the trust or FMR are indicated by an
asterisk (*).
*EDWARD C. JOHNSON 3d (67), Trustee and President, is Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of FMR Corp.; a Director and
Chairman of the Board and of the Executive Committee of FMR; Chairman
and a Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc.
(1998), Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., and
Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc.
J. GARY BURKHEAD (56), Member of the Advisory Board (1997), is Vice
Chairman and a Member of the Board of Directors of FMR Corp. (1997)
and President of Fidelity Personal Investments and Brokerage Group
(1997). Previously, Mr. Burkhead served as President of Fidelity
Management & Research Company.
RALPH F. COX (65), Trustee, is President of RABAR Enterprises
(management consulting-engineering industry, 1994). Prior to February
1994, he was President of Greenhill Petroleum Corporation (petroleum
exploration and production). Until March 1990, Mr. Cox was President
and Chief Operating Officer of Union Pacific Resources Company
(exploration and production). He is a Director of USA Waste
Services, Inc. (non-hazardous waste, 1993), CH2M Hill Companies
(engineering), Rio Grande, Inc. (oil and gas production), and Daniel
Industries (petroleum measurement equipment manufacturer). In
addition, he is a member of advisory boards of Texas A&M University
and the University of Texas at Austin.
PHYLLIS BURKE DAVIS (66), Trustee. Prior to her retirement in
September 1991, Mrs. Davis was the Senior Vice President of Corporate
Affairs of Avon Products, Inc. She is currently a Director of
BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications), Eaton Corporation
(manufacturing, 1991), and the TJX Companies, Inc. (retail stores),
and previously served as a Director of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
(1985-1991) and Nabisco Brands, Inc. In addition, she is a member of
the President's Advisory Council of The University of Vermont School
of Business Administration.
ROBERT M. GATES (54), Trustee (1997), is a consultant, author, and
lecturer (1993). Mr. Gates was Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) from 1991-1993. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Gates served as
Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy National
Security Advisor. Mr. Gates is 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 (70), Trustee. Prior to his retirement in
1984, Mr. Jones was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LTV Steel
Company. He is a Director of TRW Inc. (original equipment and
replacement products), Consolidated Rail Corporation,
Birmingham Steel Corporation, and RPM, Inc. (manufacturer of chemical
products), and he previously served as a Director of NACCO Industries,
Inc. (mining and manufacturing, 1985-1995), Hyster-Yale
Materials Handling, Inc. (1985-1995), and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc
(mining), and as a Trustee of First Union Real Estate
Investments. In addition, he serves as a Trustee of the Cleveland
Clinic Foundation, where he has also been a member of the
Executive Committee as well as Chairman of the Board and President, a
Trustee and member of the Executive Committee of University School
(Cleveland), and a Trustee of Cleveland Clinic Florida.
DONALD J. KIRK (65), Trustee, is Executive-in-Residence (1995)
at Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a financial
consultant. From 1987 to January 1995, Mr. Kirk was a Professor at
Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Prior to 1987, he was
Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Mr. Kirk is a
Director of General Re Corporation (reinsurance), and he previously
served as a Director of Valuation Research Corp. (appraisals and
valuations, 1993-1995). In addition, he serves as Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the National Arts Stabilization Fund, Chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital Association, a
Member of the Public Oversight Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants' SEC Practice Section (1995), and as a
Public Governor of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (1996).
*PETER S. LYNCH (54), Trustee, is Vice Chairman and Director of
FMR. Prior to May 31, 1990, he was a Director of FMR and Executive
Vice President of FMR (a position he held until March 31, 1991); Vice
President of Fidelity Magellan Fund and FMR Growth Group Leader; and
Managing Director of FMR Corp. Mr. Lynch was also Vice President of
Fidelity Investments Corporate Services (1991-1992). In
addition, he serves as a Trustee of Boston College, Massachusetts Eye
& Ear Infirmary, Historic Deerfield (1989) and Society for the
Preservation of New England Antiquities, and as an Overseer of the
Museum of Fine Arts of Boston.
WILLIAM O. McCOY (64), Trustee (1997), is the Vice President of
Finance for the University of North Carolina (16-school system, 1995).
Prior to his retirement in December 1994, Mr. McCoy was Vice Chairman
of the Board of BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications, 1984) and
President of BellSouth Enterprises (1986). He is currently a Director
of Liberty Corporation (holding company, 1984), Weeks Corporation of
Atlanta (real estate, 1994), Carolina Power and Light Company
(electric utility, 1996), and the Kenan Transport Co. (1996).
Previously, he was a Director of First American Corporation (bank
holding company, 1979-1996). In addition, Mr. McCoy serves as a member
of the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill (1994) and for the Kenan-Flager Business School
(University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1988).
GERALD C. McDONOUGH (69), Trustee and Chairman of the
non-interested Trustees, is Chairman of G.M. Management Group
(strategic advisory services). Mr. McDonough is a Director of
York International Corp. (air conditioning and refrigeration),
Commercial Intertech Corp. (hydraulic systems, building systems, and
metal products, 1992), CUNO, Inc. (liquid and gas filtration products,
1996), and Associated Estates Realty Corporation (a real estate
investment trust, 1993). Mr. McDonough served as a Director of
ACME-Cleveland Corp. (metal working, telecommunications, and
electronic products) from 1987-1996 and Brush-Wellman Inc.
(metal refining) from 1983-1997.
MARVIN L. MANN (64), Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the Board,
President, and Chief Executive Officer of Lexmark International, Inc.
(office machines, 1991). Prior to 1991, he held the positions of Vice
President of International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") and
President and General Manager of various IBM divisions and
subsidiaries. Mr. Mann is a Director of M.A. Hanna Company (chemicals,
1993), Imation Corp. (imaging and information storage, 1997),
and Infomart (marketing services, 1991), a Trammell Crow Co. In
addition, he serves as the Campaign Vice Chairman of the Tri-State
United Way (1993) and is a member of the University of Alabama
President's Cabinet.
*ROBERT C. POZEN (51), Trustee (1997) and Senior Vice President, is
also President and a Director of FMR (1997); and President and a
Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (1998),
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (1997), and Fidelity
Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (1997). Previously, Mr. Pozen
served as General Counsel, Managing Director, and Senior Vice
President of FMR Corp.
THOMAS R. WILLIAMS (69), Trustee, is President of The Wales
Group, Inc. (management and financial advisory services). Prior to
retiring in 1987, Mr. Williams served as Chairman of the Board of
First Wachovia Corporation (bank holding company), and Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of The First National Bank of Atlanta and
First Atlanta Corporation (bank holding company). He is currently a
Director of ConAgra, Inc. (agricultural products), Georgia
Power Company (electric utility), National Life Insurance Company of
Vermont, American Software, Inc., and AppleSouth, Inc. (restaurants,
1992).
ROBERT A. LAWRENCE (45), 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).
BARRY GREENFIELD (62), is Vice President of Fidelity Real Estate
High Income Fund II (1998) and another fund advised by FMR. Mr.
Greenfield has managed another Fidelity fund since 1986.
MARK P. SNYDERMAN (40), is Vice President of Fidelity Real Estate
High Income Fund II (1997), and another fund advised by FMR. Mr.
Snyderman joined Fidelity in 1994 as an investment officer of
commercial mortgage-backed securities in the real estate group. Prior
to 1994, Mr. Snyderman served as a director and business head at
Aldrich, Eastman & Waltch.
ERIC D. ROITER (49), Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998) and
General Counsel of FMR (1998). Mr. Roiter was an Adjunct Member,
Faculty of Law, at Columbia University Law School (1996-1997). Prior
to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton
(1981-1997) and served as an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (1979-1981).
RICHARD A. SILVER (50), Treasurer (1997), is Treasurer of the
Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR (1997). Before joining FMR,
Mr. Silver served as Executive Vice President, Fund Accounting &
Administration at First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.
(1996-1997). Prior to 1996, Mr. Silver was Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer at The Colonial Group, Inc. Mr. Silver also
served as Chairman of the Accounting/Treasurer's Committee of the
Investment Company Institute (1987-1993).
JOHN H. COSTELLO (51), Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of
FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH (51), Assistant Treasurer (1994), is an
employee of FMR (1994). Prior to becoming Assistant Treasurer of the
Fidelity funds, Mr. Rush was Chief Compliance Officer of FMR Corp.
(1993-1994) and Chief Financial Officer of Fidelity Brokerage
Services, Inc. (1990-1993).
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation
of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board of the fund
for his or her services for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997.
COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Trustees Aggregate Total
and Compensation Compensation
Members of the Advisory Board from from the Fund
the Fund B Complex*,A
J. Gary Burkhead** $ 0 $ 0
Ralph F. Cox $ 28 $ 2 14,500
Phyllis Burke Davis $ 28 $ 2 10,000
Robert M. Gates*** $ 25 $ 1 76,000
Edward C. Johnson 3d** $ 0 $ 0
E. Bradley Jones $ 28 $ 2 11,500
Donald J. Kirk $ 28 $ 2 11,500
Peter S. Lynch** $ 0 $ 0
William O. McCoy**** $ 29 $ 2 14,500
Gerald C. McDonough $ 35 $ 2 64,500
Marvin L. Mann $ 28 $ 2 14,500
Robert C. Pozen** $ 0 $ 0
Thomas R. Williams $ 28 $ 214,5 0 0
</TABLE>
* 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.
*** Mr. Gates was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Fidelity
Covington Trust effective March 1, 1997.
**** Mr. McCoy was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Fidelity
Covington Trust effective January 1, 1997.
A Compensation figures include cash, amounts required to be
deferred, and may include amounts deferred at the election of
Trustees. For the calendar year ended December 31, 1997, the Trustees
accrued required deferred compensation from the funds as follows:
Ralph F. Cox, $75,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $75,000; Robert M. Gates,
$62,500; E. Bradley Jones, $75,000; Donald J. Kirk, $75,000; William
O. McCoy, $75,000; Gerald C. McDonough, $87,500; Marvin L. Mann,
$75,000; and Thomas R. Williams, $75,000. Certain of the
non-interested Trustees elected voluntarily to defer a portion of
their compensation as follows: Ralph 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 March 31, 1998 , approximately 59.04 % of the fund's
total outstanding shares was held by an FMR affiliate . FMR
Corp. is the ultimate parent company of this FMR affiliate . By
virtue of his ownership interest in FMR Corp., as described in the
"FMR" section on page 33, Mr. Edward C. Johnson 3d, President and
Trustee of the fund, may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of these
shares. As of the above date, with the exception of Mr. Johnson 3d's
deemed ownership of the fund's shares, the Trustees, Members of the
Advisory Board, and officers of the fund owned, in the aggregate,
less than 1 % of the fund's total outstanding shares.
As of March 31, 1998 , the following owned of record or
beneficially 5% or more of the fund's outstanding shares: Fidelity
Real Estate Asset Manager II LP, Boston, MA (59.04%);
International Business Machines Real Estate Account, Boston, MA
(40.80 %).
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
FMR is the fund's manager pursuant to a management contract dated
May 16, 1996, which was approved by FMR, as the then sole shareholder,
on June 20, 1996.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The fund employs FMR to furnish investment
advisory and other services. Under the terms of its management
contract with the fund, FMR acts as investment adviser and, subject to
the supervision of the Board of Trustees, directs the investments of
the fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations. FMR also provides the fund with all necessary office
facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments,
compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are
"interested persons" of the trust or of FMR, and all personnel of the
fund or FMR performing services relating to research, statistical, and
investment activities.
In addition, FMR or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services
necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include
providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization;
supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents,
accountants, underwriters, and other persons dealing with the fund;
preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting
shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and the
registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing
management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing
reports, evaluations, and analyses on a variety of subjects to the
Trustees.
MANAGEMENT-RELATED EXPENSES. In addition to the management fee
payable to FMR and the fees payable to the transfer, dividend
disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent, pricing and
bookkeeping agent, and securities lending agent, the fund pays all of
its expenses that are not assumed by those parties. The fund
pays for the typesetting, printing, and mailing of its proxy materials
to shareholders, legal expenses, and the fees of the custodian,
auditor and non-interested Trustees. The fund's management
contract further provides that the fund will pay for
typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of
additional information, notices, and reports to shareholders;
however, under the terms of the fund's transfer agent agreement, the
transfer agent bear s the costs of providing these services to
existing shareholders. Other expenses paid by the fund include
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, the fund's proportionate share
of insurance premiums and Investment Company Institute dues, and the
costs of registering shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws. The fund is also
liable for such non-recurring expenses as may arise, including costs
of any litigation to which the fund may be a party, and any obligation
it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect
to litigation.
MANAGEMENT FEE. For the services of FMR under the management
contract, the fund pays FMR a monthly management fee which has two
components: a group fee rate and an individual fund fee rate.
The group fee rate is based on the monthly average net assets of
all of the registered investment companies with which FMR has
management contracts.
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Annualized Group Net Effective Annual Fee
Assets Rate Assets Rate
0 - $3 billion .3700% $ 0.5 billion .3700%
3 - 6 .3400 25 .2664
6 - 9 .3100 50 .2188
9 - 12 .2800 75 .1986
12 - 15 .2500 100 .1869
15 - 18 .2200 125 .1793
18 - 21 .2000 150 .1736
21 - 24 .1900 175 .1690
24 - 30 .1800 200 .1652
30 - 36 .1750 225 .1618
36 - 42 .1700 250 .1587
42 - 48 .1650 275 .1560
48 - 66 .1600 300 .1536
66 - 84 .1550 325 .1514
84 - 120 .1500 350 .1494
120 - 156 .1450 375 .1476
156 - 192 .1400 400 .1459
192 - 228 .1350 425 .1443
228 - 264 .1300 450 .1427
264 - 300 .1275 475 .1413
300 - 336 .1250 500 .1399
336 - 372 .1225 525 .1385
372 - 408 .1200 550 .1372
408 - 444 .1175
444 - 480 .1150
480 - 516 .1125
Over 516 .1100
The group fee rate is calculated on a cumulative basis pursuant
to the graduated fee rate schedule shown above on the left. The
schedule above on the right shows the effective annual group
fee rate at various asset levels, which is the result of cumulatively
applying the annualized rates on the left. For example, the
effective annual fee rate at $549 billion of group net assets - the
approximate level for December 1997 - was .1372%, which is the
weighted average of the respective fee rates for each level of group
net assets up to $549 billion.
The fund's individual fund fee rate is 0.60%. Based on the average
group net assets of the funds advised by FMR for December 1997, the
fund's a nnual management fee rate would be calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Group Fee Rate Individual Fund Fee Rate Management Fee Rate
Real Estate High Income Fund II 0.1372% + 0.60% = 0.7372%
</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.
For the fiscal years ended December 31 , 1997 and 1996, the
fund paid FMR management fees of $545,372 and $56,258,
respectively.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of
the fund's expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions and extraordinary expenses). FMR retains the
ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements in the amount
that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of the
fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fund's total
returns and yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will
lower its total returns and yield.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan on behalf
of the fund (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act (the Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund
may not engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that
is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the
fund except pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under
the Rule. The Plan, as approved by the Trustees, allows the fund and
FMR to incur certain expenses that might be considered to constitute
indirect payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
Under the Plan, if the payment of management fees by the fund to FMR
is deemed to be indirect financing by the fund of the distribution of
its shares, such payment is authorized by the Plan. The Plan
specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee
revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay
FDC for expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of fund
shares. In addition, the Plan provides that FMR, directly or through
FDC, may make payments to third parties, such as banks or
broker-dealers, that engage in the sale of fund shares, or provide
shareholder support services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has not
authorized such payments for Real Estate High Income II shares.
FMR made no payments either directly or through FDC to third
parties for the fiscal year ended 1997.
Prior to approving the Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all
pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and
determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan
will benefit the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the
Trustees noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by the fund
other than those made to FMR under its management contract with the
fund. To the extent that the Plan gives FMR and FDC greater
flexibility in connection with the distribution of fund shares,
additional sales of fund shares may result. Furthermore, certain
shareholder support services may be provided more effectively under
the Plan by local entities with whom shareholders have other
relationships.
The Glass-Steagall Act generally prohibits federally and state
chartered or supervised banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling, or distributing securities. Although the scope
of this prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly
defined by the courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, FDC believes
that the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from performing
shareholder support services, or servicing and recordkeeping
functions. FDC intends to engage banks only to perform such functions.
However, changes in federal or state statutes and regulations
pertaining to the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates
or subsidiaries, as well as further judicial or administrative
decisions or interpretations, could prevent a bank from continuing to
perform all or a part of the contemplated services. If a bank were
prohibited from so acting, the Trustees would consider what actions,
if any, would be necessary to continue to provide efficient and
effective shareholder services. In such event, changes in the
operation of the fund might occur, including possible termination of
any automatic investment or redemption or other services then provided
by the bank. It is not expected that shareholders would suffer any
adverse financial consequences as a result of any of these
occurrences. In addition, state securities laws on this issue may
differ from the interpretations of federal law expressed herein, and
banks and other financial institutions may be required to
register as dealers pursuant to state law.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plan. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
CONTRACTS WITH FMR AFFILIATES
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with
FIIOC , an affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreement,
FIIOC performs transfer agency, dividend disbursing, and
shareholder services for the fund.
For providing transfer agency services, FIIOC receives an
account fee and an asset-based fee each paid monthly with respect to
each account in the fund. For retail accounts and certain
institutional accounts, these fees are based on account size and fund
type. For certain institutional retirement accounts, these fees are
based on fund type. For certain other institutional retirement
accounts, these fees are based on account type (i.e., omnibus or
non-omnibus) and, for non-omnibus accounts, fund type. The account
fees are subject to increase based on postage rate changes.
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 existing shareholders, with the exception of proxy
statements.
The fund has also entered into a service agent agreement with FSC.
Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends
for the fund, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting
records, and administers the fund's securities lending program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a
monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout
the month. The annual fee rates for pricing and bookkeeping services
are .0750% for high yield funds of the first $500 million of average
net assets and .0375% for high yield funds of average net assets in
excess of $500 million. The fee, not including reimbursement for
out-of-pocket expenses, is limited to a minimum of $60,000 and a
maximum of $800,000 per year.
For the fiscal years ended December 31 1997 and 1996, the
fund paid FSC pricing and bookkeeping fees, including reimbursement
for related out-of-pocket expenses, of $65,343 and $15,000,
respectively.
For administering the fund's securities lending program, FSC
receives fees based on the number and duration of individual
securities loans.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the fund
paid no securities lending fees.
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 a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. The distribution agreement calls for
FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business,
to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are continuously
offered at NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses in connection
with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
DESCRIPTION OF TH E FUND
FUND ORGANIZATION. Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II
is a fund of Fidelity Covington Trust, an open-end management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust by
Declaration of Trust dated May 10, 1995. Currently, there is one fund
of the trust: Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II.
In the event that FMR ceases to be the investment adviser to the
fund, the right of the fund to use the identifying name "Fidelity"
may be withdrawn. The fund's Declaration of Trust permits the
Trustees to create additional funds.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY. The fund is an entity of the
type commonly known as "Massachusetts business trust." Under
Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the
trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that the fund 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 fund or the Trustees
shall include a provision limiting the obligations created
thereby to the fund 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 the fund shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or
obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the
risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the fund
itself would be unable to meet its obligations. FMR believes that, in
view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is
remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees, if they
have exercised reasonable care, will not be liable for any neglect or
wrongdoing, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects Trustees
against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their
office.
VOTING RIGHTS. The fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. As a shareholder, you receive one vote for each dollar value
of net asset value you own. The shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights; the voting and dividend rights, the right of
redemption, and the privilege of exchange are described in the
Prospectus. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set
forth under the heading "Shareholder and Trustee Liability" above.
Shareholders representing 10% or more of the fund may, as set forth in
the Declaration of Trust, call meetings of the fund for any purpose,
including the purpose of voting on removal of one or more Trustees.
The fund may be terminated upon the sale of its assets to another
open-end management investment company, or upon liquidation and
distribution of its assets, if approved by vote of the holders of a
majority of the fund, as determined by the current value of each
shareholder's investment in the fund. If not so terminated, the fund
will continue indefinitely. The fund may invest all of its assets in
another investment company.
CUSTODIAN. The Bank of New York, 110 Washington Street, New York, New
York, is custodian of the assets of the fund. The custodian is
responsible for the safekeeping of a fund's assets and the appointment
of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies. The custodian takes
no part in determining the investment policies of a fund or in
deciding which securities are purchased or sold by a fund. However, a
fund may invest in obligations of its custodian and may
purchase securities from or sell securities to the custodian. The
Chase Manhattan Bank, headquartered in New York, also may serve as a
special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with
repurchase agreement transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, and the
Board of Trustees may, from time to time, conduct transactions with
various banks, including banks serving as custodians for certain funds
advised by FMR. Transactions that have occurred to date include
mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of
FMR, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not
influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund
relationships.
AUDITOR. Price Waterhouse LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts serves as the fund's independent accountant. The auditor
examines financial statements for the fund and provides other audit,
tax, and related services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, and report of the auditor,
are included in the fund's Annual Report, which is a separate report
supplied with this SAI. The fund's financial statements, including the
financial highlights, and report of the auditor are incorporated
herein by reference. For a free additional copy of the fund's Annual
Report, contact Fidelity at 1-617-563-6414, 82 Devonshire Street,
Boston, MA 02109.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) (1) Financial Statements and Financial Highlights included in
the Annual Report for Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are incorporated herein by
reference to the fund's Statement of Additional Information and were
filed on March 6, 1998 for Fidelity Covington Trust (File No.
811-7319) pursuant to Rule 30d-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
(b) Exhibits:
(1) Declaration of Trust, dated May 10, 1995, is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1.
(2) By-Laws of the Trust, dated May 19, 1994, are incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 2 of the Initial Registration
Statement.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Management Contract between Fidelity Covington Trust on behalf
of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II and Fidelity Management &
Research Company, dated May 16, 1996, is filed herein as Exhibit 5.
(6) (a) General Distribution Agreement between Fidelity Covington
Trust on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II and
Fidelity Distributors Corporation, dated May 16, 1996, is filed herein
as Exhibit 6(a).
(b) Form of Amendment to the General Distribution Agreement between
Fidelity Covington Trust on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income
Fund II and Fidelity Distributors Corporation is filed herein as
Exhibit 6(b).
(7) Not applicable.
(8) (a) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, dated December 1, 1994,
between The Bank of New York and the Registrant is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Fidelity Hereford Street Trust's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 33-52577).
(b) Appendix A, dated September 18, 1997, to the Custodian
Agreement, dated December 1, 1994, between The Bank of New York and
the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(e) of
Fidelity Charles Street Trust's Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 (File
No. 2-73133).
(c) Appendix B, dated September 18, 1997, to the Custodian
Agreement, dated December 1, 1994, between The Bank of New York and
the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(f) of
Fidelity Charles Street Trust's Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 (File
No. 2-73133).
(d) Form of Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among The Bank
of New York, J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and the Registrant is
filed herein as Exhibit 8(d).
(e) Form of Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Registrant is filed
herein as Exhibit 8(e).
(f) Form of Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement among Chemical
Bank, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and the Registrant is filed
herein as Exhibit 8(f).
(g) Form of Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian
Agreement between Chemical Bank and the Registrant is filed herein as
Exhibit 8(g).
(h) Form of Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank
of New York and the Registrant is filed herein as Exhibit 8(h).
(i) Form of First Amendment to Joint Trading Account Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Registrant is filed
herein as Exhibit 8(i).
(9) Not applicable.
(10) Not applicable.
(11) Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP is filed herein as Exhibit 11.
(12) Not applicable.
(13) Not applicable.
(14) Not applicable.
(15) Amended Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for
Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II is filed herein as Exhibit
15.
(16) (a) A schedule for computation of performance calculations is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 16 of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1.
(b) A schedule for the computation of moving averages is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 16 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1.
(17) A Financial Data Schedule for Fidelity Real Estate High Income
Fund II is filed herein as Exhibit 17.
(18) Not applicable.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
The Board of Trustees of the Registrant is the same as the board of
other funds advised by FMR, each of which has Fidelity Management &
Research Company as its investment adviser. In addition, the officers
of these funds are substantially identical. Nonetheless, the
Registrant takes the position that it is not under common control with
these other funds since the power residing in the respective boards
and officers arises as the result of an official position with the
respective funds.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
Title of Class: Shares of Beneficial Interest as of March 31, 1998
Name of Series Number of Record Holders
Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II 3
Item 27. Indemnification
Article XI, Section 2 of the Declaration of Trust sets forth the
reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification
shall be provided to any past or present Trustee or officer. It states
that the Registrant shall indemnify any present or past Trustee or
officer to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and
all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any claim,
action, suit, or proceeding in which he is involved by virtue of his
service as a Trustee, an officer, or both. Additionally, amounts paid
or incurred in settlement of such matters are covered by this
indemnification. Indemnification will not be provided in certain
circumstances, however. These include instances of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, and reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of the particular office involved.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Distribution Agreement, the Registrant
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its
directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against
any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense arising by reason of
any person acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the
registration statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional
Information, shareholder reports or other information filed or made
public by the Registrant included a materially misleading statement or
omission. However, the Registrant does not agree to indemnify the
Distributor or hold it harmless to the extent that the statement or
omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with,
information furnished to the Registrant by or on behalf of the
Distributor. The Registrant does not agree to indemnify the parties
against any liability to which they would be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, and reckless
disregard of the obligations and duties under the Distribution
Agreement.
Pursuant to the agreement by which Fidelity Investments Institutional
Operations Company, Inc. ("FIIOC") is appointed transfer agent, the
Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold FIIOC harmless against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable
counsel fees and expenses) resulting from:
(1) any claim, demand, action or suit brought by any person other
than the Registrant, including by a shareholder, which names FIIOC
and/or the Registrant as a party and is not based on and does not
result from FIIOC's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or
reckless disregard of duties, and arises out of or in connection with
FIIOC's performance under the Transfer Agency Agreement; or
(2) any claim, demand, action or suit (except to the extent
contributed to by FIIOC's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence
or reckless disregard of duties) which results from the negligence of
the Registrant, or from FIIOC's acting upon any instruction(s)
reasonably believed by it to have been executed or communicated by any
person duly authorized by the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC's
acting in reliance upon advice reasonably believed by FIIOC to have
been given by counsel for the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC's
acting in reliance upon any instrument or stock certificate reasonably
believed by it to have been genuine and signed, countersigned or
executed by the proper person.]
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
(1) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY (FMR)
FMR serves as investment adviser to a number of other investment
companies. The directors and officers of the Adviser have held,
during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a
substantial nature.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Edward C. Johnson 3d Chairman of the Board and Director of FMR; President
and Chief Executive Officer of FMR Corp.; Chairman
of the Board and Director of FMR Corp., FIMM, FMR
U.K., and FMR FAR EAST; Chairman of the Executive
Committee of FMR; Director of Fidelity Investments
Japan Limited; President and Trustee of funds advised
by FMR.
Robert C. Pozen President and Director of FMR; Senior Vice President
and Trustee of funds advised by FMR; President and
Director of FIMM, FMR U.K., and FMR FAR EAST;
Previously, General Counsel, Managing Director, and
Senior Vice President of FMR Corp.
Peter S. Lynch Vice Chairman of the Board and Director of FMR.
Marta Amieva Vice President of FMR.
John H. Carlson Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Dwight D. Churchill Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of
Bond Funds advised by FMR; Vice President of FIMM.
Brian Clancy Vice President of FMR and Treasurer of FMR, FIMM,
FMR U.K., and FMR FAR EAST.
Barry Coffman Vice President of FMR.
Arieh Coll Vice President of FMR.
Stephen G. Manning Assistant Treasurer of FMR, FIMM, FMR U.K., FMR
FAR EAST; Treasurer of FMR Corp.
William Danoff Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of a
fund advised by FMR.
Scott E. DeSano Vice President of FMR.
Penelope Dobkin Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Walter C. Donovan Vice President of FMR.
Bettina Doulton Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Margaret L. Eagle Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
William R. Ebsworth Vice President of FMR.
Richard B. Fentin Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of a
fund advised by FMR.
Gregory Fraser Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Jay Freedman Assistant Clerk of FMR; Clerk of FMR Corp., FMR
U.K., and FMR FAR EAST; Secretary of FIMM.
Robert Gervis Vice President of FMR.
David L. Glancy Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Kevin E. Grant Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Barry A. Greenfield Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Boyce I. Greer Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of
Money Market Funds advised by FMR.
Bart A. Grenier Vice President of High-Income Funds advised by
FMR;Vice President of FMR.
Robert Haber Vice President of FMR.
Richard C. Habermann Senior Vice President of FMR; Vice President of funds
advised by FMR.
Richard Hazelwood Vice President of FMR.
Fred L. Henning Jr. Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of
Fixed-Income funds advised by FMR.
Bruce T. Herring Vice President of FMR.
John R. Hickling Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Robert F. Hill Vice President of FMR; Director of Technical Research.
Curt Hollingsworth Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Abigail P. Johnson Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of
funds advised by FMR; Director of FMR Corp.;
Associate Director and Senior Vice President of Equity
funds advised by FMR.
David B. Jones Vice President of FMR.
Steven Kaye Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Francis V. Knox Vice President of FMR; Compliance Officer of FMR
U.K.
Robert A. Lawrence Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of
Fidelity Real Estate High Income and Fidelity Real
Estate High income II funds advised by FMR; Associate
Director and Senior Vice President of Equity funds
advised by FMR; Previously, Vice President of High
Income funds advised by FMR.
Harris Leviton Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Bradford E. Lewis Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Richard R. Mace Jr. Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Charles A. Mangum Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Kevin McCarey Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Diane M. McLaughlin Vice President of FMR.
Neal P. Miller Vice President of FMR.
David L. Murphy Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Scott A. Orr Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Jacques Perold Vice President of FMR.
Anne Punzak Vice President of FMR.
Kevin A. Richardson Vice President of FMR.
Eric D. Roiter Senior Vice President and General Counsel of FMR and
Secretary of funds advised by FMR.
Mark S. Rzepczynski Vice President of FMR.
Lee H. Sandwen Vice President of FMR.
Patricia A. Satterthwaite Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Fergus Shiel Vice President of FMR.
Richard A. Silver Vice President of FMR.
Carol A. Smith-Fachetti Vice President of FMR.
Steven J. Snider Vice President of FMR.
Thomas T. Soviero Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Richard Spillane Senior Vice President of FMR; Associate Director and
Senior Vice President of Equity funds advised by FMR;
Previously, Senior Vice President and Director of
Operations and Compliance of FMR U.K.
Thomas M. Sprague Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
Robert E. Stansky Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of a
fund advised by FMR.
Scott D. Stewart Vice President of FMR.
Cynthia L. Strauss Vice President of FMR.
Thomas Sweeney Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Beth F. Terrana Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of a
fund advised by FMR.
Yoko Tilley Vice President of FMR.
Joel C. Tillinghast Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
Robert Tuckett Vice President of FMR.
Jennifer Uhrig Vice President of FMR and of funds advised by FMR.
George A. Vanderheiden Senior Vice President of FMR and Vice President of
funds advised by FMR; Director of FMR Corp.
Steven S. Wymer Vice President of FMR and of a fund advised by FMR.
</TABLE>
Item 29. Principal Underwriters
(a) Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) acts as distributor for
most funds advised by FMR.
(b)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
Business Address* With Underwriter With Registrant
Edward C. Johnson 3d Director Trustee and President
Michael Mlinac Director None
James Curvey Director None
Martha B. Willis President None
Eric D. Roiter Senior Vice President Secretary
Caron Ketchum Treasurer and Controller None
Gary Greenstein Assistant Treasurer None
Jay Freedman Assistant Clerk None
Linda Holland Compliance Officer None
* 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31a of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are
maintained by Fidelity Management & Research Company or Fidelity
Service Company, Inc., 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109, or the
fund's custodian: The Bank of New York, 110 Washington Street, New
York, N.Y.
Item 31. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
(a) The Registrant undertakes for Fidelity Real Estate High Income
Fund II: (1) to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of
voting upon the questions of removal of a trustee or trustees, when
requested to do so by record holders of not less than 10% of its
outstanding shares; and (2) to assist in communications with other
shareholders pursuant to Section 16(c)(1) and (2), whenever
shareholders meeting the qualifications set forth in Section 16(c)
seek the opportunity to communicate with other shareholders with a
view toward requesting a meeting.
(b) The Registrant, on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund
II, provided the information required by Item 5A is contained in the
annual report, undertakes to furnish to each person to whom a
prospectus has been delivered, upon their request and without charge,
a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets
all of the requirements for the effectiveness of this Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and
has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, on the 29th day of April 1998.
Fidelity Covington Trust
By /s/Edward C. Johnson 3d (dagger)
Edward C. Johnson 3d, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
(Signature) (Title) (Date)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d (dagger) President and Trustee April 29, 1998
Edward C. Johnson 3d (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/Richard A. Silver Treasurer April 29, 1998
Richard A. Silver
/s/Robert C. Pozen Trustee April 29, 1998
Robert C. Pozen
/s/Ralph F. Cox * Trustee April 29, 1998
Ralph F. Cox
/s/Phyllis Burke Davis * Trustee April 29, 1998
Phyllis Burke Davis
/s/Robert M. Gates ** Trustee April 29, 1998
Robert M. Gates
/s/E. Bradley Jones * Trustee April 29, 1998
E. Bradley Jones
/s/Donald J. Kirk * Trustee April 29, 1998
Donald J. Kirk
/s/Peter S. Lynch * Trustee April 29, 1998
Peter S. Lynch
/s/Marvin L. Mann * Trustee April 29, 1998
Marvin L. Mann
/s/William O. McCoy * Trustee April 29, 1998
William O. McCoy
/s/Gerald C. McDonough * Trustee April 29, 1998
Gerald C. McDonough
/s/Thomas R. Williams * Trustee April 29, 1998
Thomas R. Williams
</TABLE>
(dagger) Signatures affixed by Robert C. Pozen pursuant to a power of
attorney dated July 17, 1997 and filed herewith.
* Signature affixed by Robert C. Hacker pursuant to a power of
attorney dated December 19, 1996 and filed herewith.
** Signature affixed by Robert C. Hacker pursuant to a power of
attorney dated March 6, 1997 and filed herewith.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned President and Director, Trustee, or General
Partner, as the case may be, of the following investment companies:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series III Fidelity Institutional Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series V Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Massachusetts Municipal Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Fidelity Money Market Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity California Municipal Trust Fidelity New York Municipal Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Trust II Fidelity New York Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Capital Trust Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Concord Street Trust Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Contrafund Fidelity Select Portfolios
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity Sterling Performance Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Court Street Trust Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity U.S. Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity U.S. Investments-Government Securities
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Performance Fidelity Union Street Trust
Portfolio, L.P. Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Yen Performance Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Exchange Fund Newbury Street Trust
Fidelity Financial Trust Variable Insurance Products Fund
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Variable Insurance Products Fund II
Fidelity Government Securities Fund Variable Insurance Products Fund III
Fidelity Hastings Street Trust
</TABLE>
in addition to any other investment company for which Fidelity
Management & Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment
adviser and for which the undersigned individual serves as President
and Director, Trustee, or General Partner (collectively, the "Funds"),
hereby constitute and appoint Robert C. Pozen my true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power
to him to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacity, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A, or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A, Form N-8A, or any successor thereto, any
Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other
instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such
things in my name and on my behalf in connection therewith as said
attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate, to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, and all related requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. This power of attorney is effective for all documents
filed on or after August 1, 1997.
WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d_ July 17, 1997
Edward C. Johnson 3d
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned Directors, Trustees, or General Partners, as the
case may be, of the following investment companies:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Government Securities Fund
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund Fidelity Hastings Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series III Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series V Fidelity Institutional Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Massachusetts Municipal Trust
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Money Market Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Trust II Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Capital Trust Fidelity New York Municipal Trust
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Fidelity New York Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Contrafund Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Court Street Trust Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Select Portfolios
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Sterling Performance Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Fidelity Daily Tax-Exempt Fund Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fidelity U.S. Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Performance Fidelity U.S. Investments-Government Securities
Portfolio, L.P. Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Financial Trust Fidelity Yen Performance Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Variable Insurance Products Fund
Variable Insurance Products Fund II
</TABLE>
plus any other investment company for which Fidelity Management &
Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and for
which the undersigned individual serves as Directors, Trustees, or
General Partners (collectively, the "Funds"), hereby constitute and
appoint Arthur J. Brown, Arthur C. Delibert, Stephanie A. Djinis,
Robert C. Hacker, Thomas M. Leahey, Richard M. Phillips, and Dana L.
Platt, each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact,
with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them,
to sign for us and in our names in the appropriate capacities, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration
Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in
connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names
and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deems
necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all
related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. I
hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power
of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after January
1, 1997.
WITNESS our hands on this nineteenth day of December, 1996.
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d___________ /s/Peter S. Lynch________________
Edward C. Johnson 3d Peter S. Lynch
/s/J. Gary Burkhead_______________ /s/William O. McCoy______________
J. Gary Burkhead William O. McCoy
/s/Ralph F. Cox __________________ /s/Gerald C. McDonough___________
Ralph F. Cox Gerald C. McDonough
/s/Phyllis Burke Davis_____________ /s/Marvin L. Mann________________
Phyllis Burke Davis Marvin L. Mann
/s/E. Bradley Jones________________ /s/Thomas R. Williams ____________
E. Bradley Jones Thomas R. Williams
/s/Donald J. Kirk __________________
Donald J. Kirk
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned Director, Trustee, or General Partner, as the case
may be, of the following investment companies:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Government Securities Fund
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund Fidelity Hastings Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series III Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series V Fidelity Institutional Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Massachusetts Municipal Trust
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Money Market Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Trust II Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Capital Trust Fidelity New York Municipal Trust
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Fidelity New York Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Contrafund Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Court Street Trust Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Select Portfolios
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Sterling Performance Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Fidelity Daily Tax-Exempt Fund Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fidelity U.S. Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Performance Fidelity U.S. Investments-Government Securities
Portfolio, L.P. Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Financial Trust Fidelity Yen Performance Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Variable Insurance Products Fund
Variable Insurance Products Fund II
</TABLE>
plus any other investment company for which Fidelity Management &
Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and for
which the undersigned individual serves as Director, Trustee, or
General Partner (collectively, the "Funds"), hereby constitute and
appoint Arthur J. Brown, Arthur C. Delibert, Stephanie A. Djinis,
Robert C. Hacker, Thomas M. Leahey, Richard M. Phillips, and Dana L.
Platt, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with
full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to
sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration
Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in
connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name
and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem
necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all
related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. I
hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power
of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after March 1,
1997.
WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.
/s/Robert M. Gates March 6, 1997
Robert M. Gates
Exhibit 5
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
between
FIDELITY COVINGTON TRUST:
FIDELITY REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II
and
FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY
AGREEMENT made this 16th day of May, 1996, by and between Fidelity
Covington Trust, a Massachusetts business trust which may issue one or
more series of shares of beneficial interest (hereinafter called the
"Fund"), on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II
(hereinafter called the "Portfolio"), and Fidelity Management &
Research Company, a Massachusetts corporation (hereinafter called the
"Adviser") as set forth in its entirety below.
1. (a) Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser undertakes to act
as investment adviser of the Portfolio and shall, subject to the
supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, direct the investments of
the Portfolio in accordance with the investment objective, policies
and limitations as provided in the Portfolio's Prospectus or other
governing instruments, as amended from time to time, the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and rules thereunder, as amended from time to time
(the "1940 Act"), and such other limitations as the Portfolio may
impose by notice in writing to the Adviser. The Adviser shall also
furnish for the use of the Portfolio office space and all necessary
office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the
investments of the Portfolio; and shall pay the salaries and fees of
all officers of the Fund, of all Trustees of the Fund who are
"interested persons" of the Fund or of the Adviser and of all
personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to
research, statistical and investment activities. The Adviser is
authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the
Portfolio, to buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds
and other securities and investment instruments on behalf of the
Portfolio. The investment policies and all other actions of the
Portfolio are and shall at all times be subject to the control and
direction of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
(b) Management Services. The Adviser shall perform (or arrange for
the performance by its affiliates of) the management and
administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The
Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees,
perform various services for the Portfolio, including but not limited
to: (i) providing the Portfolio with office space, equipment and
facilities (which may be its own) for maintaining its organization;
(ii) on behalf of the Portfolio, supervising relations with, and
monitoring the performance of, custodians, depositories, transfer and
pricing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and
dealers, insurers and other persons in any capacity deemed to be
necessary or desirable; (iii) preparing all general shareholder
communications, including shareholder reports; (iv) conducting
shareholder relations; (v) maintaining the Fund's existence and its
records; (vi) during such times as shares are publicly offered,
maintaining the registration and qualification of the Portfolio's
shares under federal and state law; and (vii) investigating the
development of and developing and implementing, if appropriate,
management and shareholder services designed to enhance the value or
convenience of the Portfolio as an investment vehicle.
The Adviser shall also furnish such reports, evaluations, information
or analyses to the Fund as the Fund's Board of Trustees may request
from time to time or as the Adviser may deem to be desirable. The
Adviser shall make recommendations to the Fund's Board of Trustees
with respect to Fund policies, and shall carry out such policies as
are adopted by the Trustees. The Adviser shall, subject to review by
the Board of Trustees, furnish such other services as the Adviser
shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform
its obligations under this Contract.
(c) The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities for the Portfolio's account with brokers or
dealers selected by the Adviser, which may include brokers or dealers
affiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser shall use its best efforts
to seek to execute portfolio transactions at prices which are
advantageous to the Portfolio and at commission rates which are
reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In selecting brokers
or dealers qualified to execute a particular transaction, brokers or
dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research
services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Portfolio and/or the other
accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment
discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who
provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a portfolio transaction for the Portfolio which is in excess
of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction if the Adviser determines in
good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such
broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either
that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the
Adviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which
they exercise investment discretion. The Trustees of the Fund shall
periodically review the commissions paid by the Portfolio to determine
if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were
reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Portfolio.
The Adviser shall, in acting hereunder, be an independent contractor.
The Adviser shall not be an agent of the Portfolio.
2. It is understood that the Trustees, officers and shareholders of
the Fund are or may be or become interested in the Adviser as
directors, officers or otherwise and that directors, officers and
stockholders of the Adviser are or may be or become similarly
interested in the Fund, and that the Adviser may be or become
interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.
3. The Adviser will be compensated on the following basis for the
services and facilities to be furnished hereunder. The Adviser shall
receive a monthly management fee, payable monthly as soon as
practicable after the last day of each month, composed of a Group Fee
and an Individual Fund Fee.
(a) Group Fee Rate. The Group Fee Rate shall be based upon the
monthly average of the net assets of the registered investment
companies having Advisory and Service or Management Contracts with the
Adviser (computed in the manner set forth in the fund's Declaration of
Trust or other organizational document) determined as of the close of
business on each business day throughout the month. The Group Fee
Rate shall be determined on a cumulative basis pursuant to the
following schedule:
Average Net Assets Annualized Fee Rate (for each level)
0 - $ 3 billion .3700%
3 - 6 .3400
6 - 9 .3100
9 - 12 .2800
12 - 15 .2500
15 - 18 .2200
18 - 21 .2000
21 - 24 .1900
24 - 30 .1800
30 - 36 .1750
36 - 42 .1700
42 - 48 .1650
48 - 66 .1600
66 - 84 .1550
84 - 120 .1500
120 - 156 .1450
156 - 192 .1400
192 - 228 .1350
228 - 264 .1300
264 - 300 .1275
300 - 336 .1250
336 - 372 .1225
372 - 408 .1200
408 - 444 .1175
444 - 480 .1150
480 - 516 .1125
Over - 516 .1100
(b) Individual Fund Fee Rate. The Individual Fund Fee Rate shall be
.60%.
The sum of the Group Fee Rate, calculated as described above to the
nearest millionth, and the Individual Fund Fee Rate shall constitute
the Annual Management Fee Rate. One-twelfth of the Annual Management
Fee Rate shall be applied to the average of the net assets of the
Portfolio (computed in the manner set forth in the Fund's Declaration
of Trust or other organizational document) determined as of the close
of business on each business day throughout the month.
(c) In case of termination of this Contract during any month, the fee
for that month shall be reduced proportionately on the basis of the
number of business days during which it is in effect, and the fee
computed upon the average net assets for the business days it is so in
effect for that month.
4. It is understood that the Portfolio will pay all its expenses,
which expenses payable by the Portfolio shall include, without
limitation, (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and
other costs in connection with the purchase or sale of securities and
other investment instruments; (iii) fees and expenses of the Fund's
Trustees other than those who are "interested persons" of the Fund or
the Adviser; (iv) legal and audit expenses; (v) custodian, registrar
and transfer agent fees and expenses; (vi) fees and expenses related
to the registration and qualification of the Fund and the Portfolio's
shares for distribution under state and federal securities laws; (vii)
expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy
material to shareholders of the Portfolio; (viii) all other expenses
incidental to holding meetings of the Portfolio's shareholders,
including proxy solicitations therefor; (ix) a pro rata share, based
on relative net assets of the Portfolio and other registered
investment companies having Advisory and Service or Management
Contracts with the Adviser, of 50% of insurance premiums for fidelity
and other coverage; (x) its proportionate share of association
membership dues; (xi) expenses of typesetting for printing
Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements
thereto; (xii) expenses of printing and mailing Prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto sent to
existing shareholders; and (xiii) such non-recurring or extraordinary
expenses as may arise, including those relating to actions, suits or
proceedings to which the Portfolio is a party and the legal obligation
which the Portfolio may have to indemnify the Fund's Trustees and
officers with respect thereto.
5. The services of the Adviser to the Portfolio are not to be deemed
exclusive, the Adviser being free to render services to others and
engage in other activities, provided, however, that such other
services and activities do not, during the term of this Contract,
interfere, in a material manner, with the Adviser's ability to meet
all of its obligations with respect to rendering services to the
Portfolio hereunder. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties
hereunder on the part of the Adviser, the Adviser shall not be subject
to liability to the Portfolio or to any shareholder of the Portfolio
for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering
services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the
purchase, holding or sale of any security or other investment
instrument.
6. (a) Subject to prior termination as provided in sub-paragraph (d)
of this paragraph 6, this Contract shall continue in force until June
30, 1997 and indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as the
continuance after such date shall be specifically approved at least
annually by vote of the Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
(b) This Contract may be modified by mutual consent, such consent on
the part of the Fund to be authorized by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
(c) In addition to the requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this paragraph 6, the terms of any continuance or modification of this
Contract must have been approved by the vote of a majority of those
Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to the Contract or interested
persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such approval.
(d) Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days' prior
written notice to the other, terminate this Contract, without payment
of any penalty, by action of its Trustees or Board of Directors, as
the case may be, or with respect to the Portfolio by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. This
Contract shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
7. The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of
shareholder liability as set forth in the Fund's Declaration of Trust
or other organizational document and agrees that the obligations
assumed by the Fund pursuant to this Contract shall be limited in all
cases to the Portfolio and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek
satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any
shareholder of the Portfolio or any other Portfolios of the Fund. In
addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such
obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser
understands that the rights and obligations of any Portfolio under the
Declaration of Trust or other organizational document are separate and
distinct from those of any and all other Portfolios.
8. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving
effect to the choice of laws provisions thereof.
The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment," and "interested persons," when used herein, shall have
the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act, as now in effect or
as hereafter amended, and subject to such orders as may be granted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have caused this instrument to be
signed in their behalf by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, all as
of the date written above.
FIDELITY COVINGTON TRUST
on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II
By /s/J. Gary Burkhead
Senior Vice President
FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY
By /s/J. Gary Burkhead
President
LG913180012
Exhibit 6(a)
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
between
FIDELITY COVINGTON TRUST
and
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
Agreement made this 16th day of May, 1996, between Fidelity Covington
Trust, a Massachusetts business trust having its principal place of
business in Boston, Massachusetts and which may issue one or more
series of beneficial interest ("Issuer"), with respect to shares of
Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II, a series of the Issuer, and
Fidelity Distributors Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation having
its principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts
("Distributors").
In consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein
contained, the parties agree as follows:
1. Sale of Shares - The Issuer grants to Distributors the right to
sell shares on behalf of the Issuer during the term of this Agreement
and subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), and of the laws governing the sale of
securities in the various states ("Blue Sky Laws") under the following
terms and conditions: Distributors (i) shall have the right to sell,
as agent on behalf of the Issuer, shares authorized for issue and
registered under the 1933 Act, and (ii) may sell shares under offers
of exchange, if available, between and among the funds advised by
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR").
2. Sale of Shares by the Issuer - The rights granted to Distributors
shall be nonexclusive in that the Issuer reserves the right to sell
its shares to investors on applications received and accepted by the
Issuer. Further, the Issuer reserves the right to issue shares in
connection with the merger or consolidation, or acquisition by the
Issuer through purchase or otherwise, with any other investment
company, trust, or personal holding company.
3. Shares Covered by this Agreement - This Agreement shall apply to
unissued shares of the Issuer, shares of the Issuer held in its
treasury in the event that in the discretion of the Issuer treasury
shares shall be sold, and shares of the Issuer repurchased for resale.
4. Public Offering Price - Except as otherwise noted in the Issuer's
current Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information, all
shares sold to investors by Distributors or the Issuer will be sold at
the public offering price. The public offering price for all accepted
subscriptions will be the net asset value per share, as determined in
the manner described in the Issuer's current Prospectus and/or
Statement of Additional Information, plus a sales charge (if any)
described in the Issuer's current Prospectus and/or Statement of
Additional Information. The Issuer shall in all cases receive the net
asset value per share on all sales. If a sales charge is in effect,
Distributors shall have the right subject to such rules or regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission as may then be in effect
pursuant to Section 22 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 to pay a
portion of the sales charge to dealers who have sold shares of the
Issuer. If a fee in connection with shareholder redemptions is in
effect, the Issuer shall collect the fee on behalf of Distributors
and, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Issuer and Distributors,
Distributors shall be entitled to receive all of such fees.
5. Suspension of Sales - If and whenever the determination of net
asset value is suspended and until such suspension is terminated, no
further orders for shares shall be processed by Distributors except
such unconditional orders as may have been placed with Distributors
before it had knowledge of the suspension. In addition, the Issuer
reserves the right to suspend sales and Distributors' authority to
process orders for shares on behalf of the Issuer if, in the judgment
of the Issuer, it is in the best interests of the Issuer to do so.
Suspension will continue for such period as may be determined by the
Issuer.
6. Solicitation of Sales - In consideration of these rights granted to
Distributors, Distributors agrees to use all reasonable efforts,
consistent with its other business, to secure purchasers for shares of
the Issuer. This shall not prevent Distributors from entering into
like arrangements (including arrangements involving the payment of
underwriting commissions) with other issuers. This does not obligate
Distributors to register as a broker or dealer under the Blue Sky Laws
of any jurisdiction in which it is not now registered or to maintain
its registration in any jurisdiction in which it is now registered.
If a sales charge is in effect, Distributors shall have the right to
enter into sales agreements with dealers of its choice for the sale of
shares of the Issuer to the public at the public offering price only
and fix in such agreements the portion of the sales charge which may
be retained by dealers, provided that the Issuer shall approve the
form of the dealer agreement and the dealer discounts set forth
therein and shall evidence such approval by filing said form of dealer
agreement and amendments thereto as an exhibit to its currently
effective Registration Statement under the 1933 Act.
7. Authorized Representations - Distributors is not authorized by the
Issuer to give any information or to make any representations other
than those contained in the appropriate registration statements or
Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act (as these
registration statements, Prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information may be amended from time to time), or contained in
shareholder reports or other material that may be prepared by or on
behalf of the Issuer for Distributors' use. This shall not be
construed to prevent Distributors from preparing and distributing
sales literature or other material as it may deem appropriate.
8. Portfolio Securities - Portfolio securities of the Issuer may be
bought or sold by or through Distributors, and Distributors may
participate directly or indirectly in brokerage commissions or
"spreads" for transactions in portfolio securities of the Issuer.
9. Registration of Shares - The Issuer agrees that it will take all
action necessary to register shares under the 1933 Act (subject to the
necessary approval of its shareholders) so that there will be
available for sale the number of shares Distributors may reasonably be
expected to sell. The Issuer shall make available to Distributors
such number of copies of its currently effective Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information as Distributors may reasonably
request. The Issuer shall furnish to Distributors copies of all
information, financial statements and other papers which Distributors
may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of
shares of the Issuer.
10. Expenses - The Issuer shall pay all fees and expenses (a) in
connection with the preparation, setting in type and filing of any
registration statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information under the 1933 Act and amendments for the issue of its
shares, (b) in connection with the registration and qualification of
shares for sale in the various states in which the Board of Trustees
of the Issuer shall determine it advisable to qualify such shares for
sale (including registering the Issuer as a broker or dealer or any
officer of the Issuer as agent or salesman in any state), (c) of
preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing any report or other
communication to shareholders of the Issuer in their capacity as such,
and (d) of preparing, setting in type, printing and mailing
Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information and any supplements
thereto sent to existing shareholders.
As provided in the Distribution and Service Plan adopted by the
Issuer, it is recognized by the Issuer that FMR may make payment to
Distributors with respect to any expenses incurred in the distribution
of shares of the Issuer, such payments payable from the past profits
or other resources of FMR including management fees paid to it by the
Issuer.
11. Indemnification - The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
Distributors and each of its directors and officers and each person,
if any, who controls Distributors within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense
(including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any
alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of
any person acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the
registration statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional
Information, shareholder reports or other information filed or made
public by the Issuer (as from time to time amended) included an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements not
misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law.
However, the Issuer does not agree to indemnify Distributors or hold
it harmless to the extent that the statement or omission was made in
reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the
Issuer by or on behalf of Distributors. In no case (i) is the
indemnity of the Issuer in favor of Distributors or any person
indemnified to be deemed to protect Distributors or any person against
any liability to the Issuer or its security holders to which
Distributors or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) is the Issuer to
be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph
with respect to any claim made against Distributors or any person
indemnified unless Distributors or person, as the case may be, shall
have notified the Issuer in writing of the claim within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first written notification giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon
Distributors or any such person (or after Distributors or such person
shall have received notice of service on any designated agent).
However, failure to notify the Issuer of any claim shall not relieve
the Issuer from any liability which it may have to Distributors or any
person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account
of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. The Issuer
shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense,
or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any claims, but if the Issuer elects to assume the defense,
the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to Distributors or person or persons, defendant or
defendants in the suit. In the event the Issuer elects to assume the
defense of any suit and retain counsel, Distributors, officers or
directors or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in
the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by them. If the Issuer does not elect to assume the defense
of any suit, it will reimburse Distributors, officers or directors or
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit,
for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
The Issuer agrees to notify Distributors promptly of the commencement
of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or
trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of any of the shares.
Distributors also covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and
hold harmless the Issuer and each of its Board members and officers
and each person, if any, who controls the Issuer within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any loss, liability, damages,
claim or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or
defending any alleged loss, liability, damages, claim or expense and
reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by
reason of any person acquiring any shares, based upon the 1933 Act or
any other statute or common law, alleging any wrongful act of
Distributors or any of its employees or alleging that the registration
statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information,
shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the
Issuer (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading,
insofar as the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in
conformity with information furnished to the Issuer by or on behalf of
Distributors. In no case (i) is the indemnity of Distributors in
favor of the Issuer or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect
the Issuer or any person against any liability to which the Issuer or
such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement, or (ii) is Distributors to be liable
under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect
to any claim made against the Issuer or any person indemnified unless
the Issuer or person, as the case may be, shall have notified
Distributors in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after
the summons or other first written notification giving information of
the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Issuer or any
such person (or after the Issuer or such person shall have received
notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to
notify Distributors of any claim shall not relieve Distributors from
any liability which it may have to the Issuer or any person against
whom the action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity
agreement contained in this paragraph. In the case of any notice to
Distributors, it shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense,
in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce the claim, but if Distributors elects to assume the
defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to the Issuer, to its officers and Board and to any
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit.
In the event that Distributors elects to assume the defense of any
suit and retain counsel, the Issuer or controlling persons, defendant
or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expense of any
additional counsel retained by them. If Distributors does not elect
to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the Issuer,
officers and Board or controlling person or persons, defendant or
defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any
counsel retained by them. Distributors agrees to notify the Issuer
promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against
it in connection with the issue and sale of any of the shares.
12. Effective Date - This agreement shall be effective upon its
execution, and unless terminated as provided, shall continue in force
until January 31, 1997 and thereafter from year to year, provided
continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the
Board members of the Issuer, and by the vote of those Board members of
the Issuer who are not "interested persons" of the Issuer and, if a
plan under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is in
effect, by the vote of those Board members of the Issuer who are not
"interested persons" of the Issuer and who are not parties to the
Distribution and Service Plan or this Agreement and have no financial
interest in the operation of the Distribution and Service Plan or in
any agreements related to the Distribution and Service Plan, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval.
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment. As used in this paragraph, the terms "assignment" and
"interested persons" shall have the respective meanings specified in
the Investment Company Act of 1940 as now in effect or as hereafter
amended. In addition to termination by failure to approve continuance
or by assignment, this Agreement may at any time be terminated by
either party upon not less than sixty days' prior written notice to
the other party.
13. Notice - Any notice required or permitted to be given by either
party to the other shall be deemed sufficient if sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed by the party giving notice
to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party to
the party giving notice: if to the Issuer, at 82 Devonshire Street,
Boston, Massachusetts, and if to Distributors, at 82 Devonshire
Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
14. Limitation of Liability - Distributors is expressly put on notice
of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the
Declaration of Trust or other organizational document of the Issuer
and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Issuer under this
contract shall be limited in all cases to the Issuer and its assets.
Distributors shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from
the shareholders or any shareholder of the Issuer. Nor shall
Distributors seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the
Trustees or any individual Trustee of the Issuer. Distributors
understands that the rights and obligations of each series of shares
of the Issuer under the Issuer's Declaration of Trust or other
organizational document are separate and distinct from those of any
and all other series.
15. This agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving
effect to the choice of laws provisions thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has executed this instrument in its
name and behalf, and its seal affixed, by one of its officers duly
authorized, and Distributors has executed this instrument in its name
and behalf by one of its officers duly authorized, as of the day and
year first above written.
FIDELITY COVINGTON TRUST
By /s/J. Gary Burkhead
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By /s/Arthur S. Loring
Exhibit 6(b)
FORM OF
AMENDMENT TO GENERAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Effective July 15, 1996, Section 1 entitled "Sale of Shares" shall be
amended to read as follows:
1. Sale of Shares - The Issuer grants to Distributors the right to
sell shares on behalf of the Issuer during the term of this Agreement
and subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), and of the laws governing the sale of
securities in the various states ("Blue Sky Laws") under the following
terms and conditions: Distributors (i) shall have the right to sell,
as agent on behalf of the Issuer, shares authorized for issue and
registered under the 1933 Act, and (ii) may sell shares under offers
of exchange, if available, between and among the funds advised by
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") or any of its
affiliates.
On Behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II:
[Signature lines omitted.]
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION:
[Signature lines omitted.]
Exhibit 8(d)
FORM OF
FIDELITY GROUP
REPO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
FOR JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT
AGREEMENT dated as of _________, among THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a
banking corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York
("Repo Custodian"), J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. ("Seller") and each of
the entities listed on Schedule A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 (collectively,
the "Funds" and each a "Fund") hereto, acting on behalf of itself or
(i) in the case of the Funds listed on Schedule A-1 or A-2 hereto
which are portfolios or series, acting through the series company
listed on Schedule A-1 or A-2 hereto, (ii) in the case of the accounts
listed on Schedule A-3 hereto, acting through Fidelity Management &
Research Company, and (iii) in the case of the commingled or
individual accounts listed on Schedule A-4 hereto, acting through
Fidelity Management Trust Company (collectively, the "Funds" and each,
a "Fund").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, each of the Funds has entered into a master repurchase
agreement dated as of February 12, 1996, (the "Master Agreement")
with Seller pursuant to which from time to time one or more of the
Funds, as buyers, and Seller, as seller, may enter into repurchase
transactions effected through one or more joint trading accounts
(collectively, the "Joint Trading Account") established and
administered by one or more custodians of the Funds identified on
Schedule C hereto (each a "Custodian"); and,
WHEREAS, in each such repurchase transaction Seller will sell to such
Funds certain Securities (as hereinafter defined) selected from
Eligible Securities (as hereinafter defined) held by Repo Custodian,
subject to an agreement by Seller to repurchase such Securities; and
WHEREAS, Repo Custodian currently maintains a cash and securities
account (the "Seller Account") for Seller for the purpose of, among
other things, effecting repurchase transactions hereunder; and
WHEREAS, the Funds desire that the Repo Custodian serve as the
custodian for the Funds in connection with the repurchase transactions
effected hereunder, and that the Repo Custodian hold cash, Cash
Collateral (as hereinafter defined) and Securities for the Funds for
the purpose of effecting repurchase transactions hereunder.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:
(a) "Banking Day" shall mean any day on which the Funds, Seller
Custodian, Repo Custodian, and the Federal Reserve Banks where the
Custodian and the Repo Custodian are located, are each open for
business.
(b) "Cash Collateral" shall mean all cash, denominated in U.S.
Dollars, credited by Repo Custodian to a Transaction Account pursuant
to Paragraphs 3, 6, 8 or 9 of the Master Agreement.
(c) "Custodian" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of
this Agreement.
(d) "Eligible Securities" shall mean those securities which are
identified as permissible securities for a particular Transaction
Category.
(e) "FICASH I Transaction" and "FICASH III Transaction " shall mean a
repurchase transaction in which the Repurchase Date is the Banking Day
next following the Sale Date and for which securities issued by the
government of the United States of America that are direct obligations
of the government of the United States of America shall constitute
Eligible Securities.
(f) "FICASH II Transaction" shall mean a repurchase transaction in
which the Repurchase Date is the Banking Day next following the Sale
Date and for which one or more of the following two categories of
securities, as specified by the Funds, shall constitute Eligible
Securities: (x) securities issued by the government of the United
States of America that are direct obligations of the government of the
United States of America, or (y) securities issued by or guaranteed as
to principal and interest by the government of the United States of
America, or by its agencies and/or instrumentalities, including, but
not limited to, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corp., Government National Mortgage Association, Federal National
Mortgage Association, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Federal Intermediate
Credit Bank, Banks for Cooperatives, and Federal Land Banks.
(g) "FITERM I Transaction" and "FITERM III Transaction" shall mean a
repurchase transaction in which the Repurchase Date is a date fixed by
agreement between Seller and the Participating Funds which is not the
Banking Day next following the Sale Date and for which securities
issued by the government of the United States of America that are
direct obligations of the government of the United States of America
shall constitute Eligible Securities.
(h) "FITERM II Transaction" shall mean a repurchase transaction in
which the Repurchase Date is a date fixed by agreement between Seller
and the Participating Funds which is not the Banking Day next
following the Sale Date and for which one or more of the following two
categories of securities, as specified by the Funds, shall constitute
Eligible Securities: (x) securities issued by the government of the
United States of America that are direct obligations of the government
of the United States of America, or (y) securities issued by or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the government of the
United States of America, or by its agencies and/or instrumentalities,
including, but not limited to, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Government National Mortgage Association,
Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Farm Credit Bank,
Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, Banks for Cooperatives, and Federal
Land Banks.
(i) "Fund" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this
Agreement.
(j) "Fund Agent" shall mean the agent for the Participating Funds
designated in Paragraph 18 of the Master Agreement.
(k) "Joint Trading Account" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble of this Agreement.
(l) "Margin Percentage" with respect to any repurchase transaction
shall be 102% or such other percentage as is agreed to by Seller and
the Participating Funds (except that in no event shall the Margin
Percentage be less than 100%).
(m) "Market Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph 4 of
the Master Agreement.
(n) "Master Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble of this Agreement.
(o) "1940 Act" shall mean have the meaning set forth in Paragraph
3(c) of this Agreement.
(p) "Partial Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4(g) of this Agreement.
(q) "Participating Funds" shall mean those Funds that are parties to
a particular repurchase transaction effected through the Joint Trading
Account.
(r) "Pricing Rate" shall mean the per annum percentage rate agreed to
by Seller and the Participating Funds for a repurchase transaction.
(s) "Pricing Services" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph
7 of this Agreement.
(t) "Repo Custodian" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
of this Agreement.
(u) "Repurchase Date" shall mean the date fixed by agreement between
Seller and the Participating Funds on which the Seller is to
repurchase Securities and Cash Collateral, if any, from the
Participating Funds and the Participating Funds are to resell the
Securities and Cash Collateral, if any, including any date determined
by application of the provisions of Paragraphs 7 and 15 of the Master
Agreement.
(v) "Repurchase Price" for each repurchase transaction shall mean the
Sale Price, plus an incremental amount determined by applying the
Pricing Rate to the Sale Price, calculated on the basis of a 360-day
year and the number of actual days elapsed from (and including) the
Sale Date to (but excluding) the Repurchase Date.
(w) "Sale Date" shall mean the Banking Day on which Securities and
Cash Collateral, if any, are to be sold to the Participating Funds by
Seller pursuant to a repurchase transaction hereunder.
(x) "Sale Price" shall mean the price agreed upon by the
Participating Funds and Seller at which the Securities and Cash
Collateral, if any, are to be sold to the Participating Funds by
Seller.
(y) "Securities" shall mean all Eligible Securities delivered by
Seller or to be delivered by Seller to the Participating Funds
pursuant to a particular repurchase transaction and not yet
repurchased hereunder, together with all rights related thereto and
all proceeds thereof.
(z) "Securities System" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph
3(c) of this Agreement.
(aa) "Seller" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
(bb) "Seller Account" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble of this Agreement.
(cc) "Transaction Account" shall mean a cash account established and
maintained by Repo Custodian for the Funds to effect repurchase
transactions pursuant to the Master Agreement.
(dd) "Transaction Category" shall mean the particular type of
repurchase transaction effected hereunder, as determined with
reference to the term of the transaction and the categories of
Securities that constitute Eligible Securities therefor, which term
shall include FICASH I Transactions, FICASH II Transactions, FICASH
III Transactions, FITERM I Transactions, FITERM II Transactions,
FITERM III Transactions, and such other transaction categories as may
from time to time be designated by the Funds by notice to Seller,
Custodian and Repo Custodian.
2. Appointment of Repo Custodian. Upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, Repo Custodian is hereby appointed by the
Funds to act as the custodian for the Participating Funds to hold
cash, Cash Collateral and Securities for the purpose of effecting
repurchase transactions for the Participating Funds through the Joint
Trading Account pursuant to the Master Agreement. Repo Custodian
hereby acknowledges the terms of the Master Agreement between the
Funds and Seller (attached as an Exhibit hereto), as amended from time
to time, and agrees to abide by the provisions thereof to the extent
such provisions relate to the responsibilities and operations of Repo
Custodian hereunder.
3. Maintenance of Transaction Accounts.
(a) Repo Custodian shall establish and maintain one or more
Transaction Accounts for the purpose of effecting repurchase
transactions hereunder for the Funds, in each case pursuant to the
Master Agreement. From time to time the Funds may cause Custodian, on
behalf of the Funds, to deposit Securities and cash with Repo
Custodian in the designated Transaction Account, in each case in
accordance with Paragraph 3 of the Master Agreement.
(b) Repo Custodian shall keep all Securities, cash and Cash
Collateral received for the Participating Funds segregated at all
times from those of any other person, firm or corporation in its
possession and shall identify all such Securities, cash and Cash
Collateral as subject to this Agreement and the Master Agreement.
Segregation may be accomplished by physical segregation with respect
to certificated securities held by the Repo Custodian and, in
addition, by appropriate identification on the books and records of
Repo Custodian in the case of all other Securities, cash and Cash
Collateral. Title to all Securities and Cash Collateral under a
repurchase transaction shall pass to the Participating Funds that are
parties to such repurchase transaction. All such Securities and Cash
Collateral shall be held by Repo Custodian for the Participating
Funds, and shall be subject at all times to the proper instructions of
the Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the
Participating Funds, with respect to the holding, transfer or
disposition of such Securities and Cash Collateral. Repo Custodian
shall include in its records for each Transaction Account all
instructions received by it which evidence an interest of the
Participating Funds in the Securities and Cash Collateral and shall
hold physically segregated any written agreement, receipt or other
writing received by it which evidences an interest of the
Participating Funds in the Securities and Cash Collateral.
(c) Any requirement to "deliver" or "transfer" cash or Cash
Collateral to the Participating Funds or to "credit" a Transaction
Account under this or any other paragraph of this Agreement shall be
made in immediately available funds. If Repo Custodian is required to
"deliver" or "transfer" Securities to the Participating Funds under
this or any other paragraph of this Agreement, Repo Custodian shall
take, or cause to be taken, the following actions to perfect the
Participating Funds' interest in such Securities as an outright
purchaser: (i) in the case of certificated securities and instruments
held by Seller, by physical delivery of the share certificates or
other instruments representing the Securities and by physical
segregation of such certificates or instruments from the Repo
Custodian's other assets in a manner indicating that the Securities
are being held for the Participating Funds (such securities and
instruments to be delivered in form suitable for transfer or
accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in
blank and accompanied by such other documentation as the Participating
Funds may request), (ii) in the case of Securities held in a customer
only account in a clearing agency or federal book-entry system
authorized for use by the Funds and meeting the requirements of Rule
17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act") (such authorized agency or system being referred to herein as a
"Securities System"), by appropriate entry on the books and records of
Repo Custodian identifying the Securities as belonging to the
Participating Funds, or (iii) in the case of Securities held in Repo
Custodian's own account in a Securities System, by transfer to a
customer only account in the Securities System and by appropriate
entry on the books and records of Repo Custodian identifying such
Securities as belonging to the Participating Funds; provided, further,
that Repo Custodian shall confirm to the Participating Funds the
identity of the Securities transferred or delivered. Acceptance of a
"due bill", "trust receipt" or similar receipt or notification of
segregation issued by a third party with respect to Securities held by
such third party shall not constitute good delivery of Securities to
Repo Custodian for purposes of this Agreement or the Master Agreement
and shall expressly violate the terms of this Agreement and the Master
Agreement. The Funds shall identify by notice to Repo Custodian and
Seller those agencies or systems which have been approved by the Funds
for use under this Agreement and the Master Agreement. The Funds
hereby notify Repo Custodian and Seller that the following agencies
and systems have been approved by the Funds for use under this
Agreement and the Master Agreement, until such time as Repo Custodian
and Seller shall have been notified by the Funds to the contrary: (i)
Participants Trust Company; (ii) The Depository Trust Company; and
(iii) any book-entry system as provided in (A) Subpart O of Treasury
Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306.115, (B) Subpart B of Treasury Circular
Public Debt Series No. 27-76, 31 CFR 350.2, or (C) the book-entry
regulations of federal agencies substantially in the form of 31 CFR
306.115.
4. Repurchase Transactions.
(a) Repo Custodian shall make all credits and debits to the
Transaction Account and effect the transfer of Securities to or from
the Participating Funds upon proper instructions received from the
Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating
Funds, and shall make all credits and debits to the Seller Account and
effect the transfer of Securities to or from the Seller upon proper
instructions received from Seller. In the event that Repo Custodian
receives conflicting proper instructions from Seller and the
Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating
Funds, Repo Custodian shall follow the Participating Funds' or the
Custodian's proper instructions. The Participating Funds shall give
Repo Custodian only such instructions as shall be permitted by the
Master Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the
Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating
Funds, may from time to time instruct Repo Custodian to transfer cash
from the Transaction Account to Custodian.
(b) (i) Whenever on any Banking Day one or more Funds and Seller agree
to enter into a repurchase transaction, Seller and the Participating
Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating Funds, will
give Repo Custodian proper instructions by telephone or otherwise on
the Sale Date, specifying the Transaction Category, Repurchase Date,
Sale Price, Repurchase Price or the applicable Pricing Rate and the
Margin Percentage for each such repurchase transaction.
(ii) In the case of repurchase transactions in which the Repurchase
Date is the Banking Day next following the Sale Date (x) the
Participating Funds may increase or decrease the Sale Price for any
such repurchase transaction by no more than 10% of the initial Sale
Price by causing to be delivered further proper instructions by
telephone or otherwise to Repo Custodian prior to the close of
business on the Sale Date and (y) Seller and the Participating Funds
may by mutual consent agree to increase or decrease the Sale Price by
more than 10% of the initial Sale Price by causing to be provided
further proper instructions to Repo Custodian by the close of business
on the Sale Date. In any event, Repo Custodian shall not be
responsible for determining whether any such increase or decrease of
the Sale Price exceeds the 10% limitation.
(c) Seller will take such actions as are necessary to ensure that on
the Sale Date the aggregate Market Value of all Securities held by
Repo Custodian for Seller and cash in the Seller Account equals or
exceeds the Margin Percentage of the Sale Price. Seller shall give
Repo Custodian proper instructions specifying with respect to each of
the Securities which is to be the subject of a repurchase transaction
(a) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities, and (b)
the Market Value of such Securities. Such instructions shall
constitute Seller's instructions to Repo Custodian to transfer the
Securities to the Participating Funds and/or Cash Collateral from the
Seller Account to the Transaction Account.
(d) Prior to the close of business on the Sale Date, the
Participating Funds shall transfer to, or maintain on deposit with,
Repo Custodian in the Transaction Account immediately available funds
in an amount equal to the Sale Price with respect to a particular
repurchase transaction.
(e) Prior to the close of business on the Sale Date, Repo Custodian
shall transfer Securities from Seller to the Participating Funds
and/or cash held in the Seller Account to the Transaction Account and
shall transfer to the Seller Account immediately available funds from
the Transaction Account in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Repo Custodian shall determine that all securities to be
transferred by Seller to the Participating Funds are Eligible
Securities. Any securities which are not Eligible Securities for a
particular repurchase transaction hereunder shall not be included in
the calculations set forth below and shall not be transferred to the
Participating Funds.
(ii) Repo Custodian shall then calculate the aggregate Market Value
of the Securities and cash, if any, to be so transferred.
(iii) Repo Custodian shall notify Seller in the event that the
aggregate Market Value of Securities and cash, if any, applicable to
the repurchase transaction is less than the Margin Percentage of the
Sale Price and Seller shall transfer, by the close of business on the
Sale Date, to Repo Custodian additional Securities and/or cash in the
amount of such deficiency. If Seller does not, by the close of
business on the Sale Date, transfer additional Securities and/or cash,
the Market Value of which equals or exceeds such deficiency, Repo
Custodian may, at its option, without notice to Seller, advance the
amount of such deficiency to Seller in order to effectuate the
repurchase transaction. It is expressly agreed that Repo Custodian is
not obligated to make an advance to Seller to enable it to complete
any repurchase transaction.
(iv) Subject to the provisions of Subparagraph (v) below, Repo
Custodian shall cause the Securities applicable to the repurchase
transaction received from Seller to be transferred to the
Participating Funds and shall cause any cash received from Seller to
be transferred to the Transaction Account, against transfer of the
Sale Price from the Transaction Account to the Seller Account, such
transfers of Securities and/or cash and funds to occur simultaneously
on a delivery versus payment basis.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if, for any repurchase
transaction, the amount of immediately available funds in the
Transaction Account is less than the agreed upon Sale Price in
connection with the repurchase transaction immediately prior to
effectuating such repurchase transaction, or if the aggregate Market
Value of the Securities and cash, if any, applicable to such
repurchase transaction is less than the Sale Price multiplied by the
Margin Percentage immediately prior to effectuating such repurchase
transaction, Repo Custodian shall effect the repurchase transaction to
the best of its ability by transferring Securities from Seller to the
Participating Funds and/or cash from the Seller Account to the
Transaction Account with an aggregate Market Value equal to the lesser
of (x) the amount of immediately available funds in the Transaction
Account multiplied by the Margin Percentage and (y) the aggregate
Market Value of the Securities available for transfer from Seller to
the Participating Funds and cash, if any, in the Seller Account,
against the transfer of immediately available funds from the
Transaction Account to the Seller Account in an amount equal to the
aggregate Market Value of the Securities and/or cash to be transferred
divided by the Margin Percentage; provided, however, that in either
such event Repo Custodian shall have the right not to transfer to the
Participating Funds such Securities and not to transfer such cash, if
any, to the Transaction Account and not to transfer from the
designated Transaction Account such funds as Repo Custodian
determines, in its sole discretion, will not be the subject of a
repurchase transaction. The actions of Repo Custodian pursuant to
this subparagraph (e)(v) shall not affect the obligations and
liabilities of the parties to each other pursuant to the Master
Agreement with regard to such repurchase transaction.
(f) In the event that on a Banking Day Seller desires to substitute
Securities applicable to such repurchase transaction with Eligible
Securities and/or Cash Collateral (to the extent provided in the
Master Agreement), Repo Custodian shall perform such substitution in
accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Repo Custodian shall determine that all securities to be
transferred to the Participating Funds are Eligible Securities. Any
securities which are not eligible for repurchase transactions
hereunder shall not be included in the calculations set forth below
and shall not be transferred to the Participating Funds.
(ii) Repo Custodian shall then calculate the aggregate Market Value
of the Eligible Securities and/or Cash Collateral to be transferred.
Repo Custodian shall not make any substitution if, at the time of
substitution, the aggregate Market Value of all Securities and any
Cash Collateral applicable to such repurchase transaction immediately
after such substitution would be less than the Margin Percentage of
the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase Date were the
date of substitution).
(iii) Repo Custodian shall then deliver to the Seller, subject to the
qualifications set forth above, the Securities to be substituted
against the delivery by Repo Custodian of substitute Eligible
Securities to the Participating Funds and/or the crediting of the
Transaction Account with Cash Collateral.
(iv) In the event Seller has caused Repo Custodian to credit the
Transaction Account with Cash Collateral in lieu of substitute
Eligible Securities, and has failed to deliver Eligible Securities
against such Cash Collateral not later than the close of business on
such Banking Day in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreement,
Repo Custodian shall promptly, but in no event later than 10:00 a.m.
the following Banking Day, notify the Participating Funds and Seller
of such failure.
(g) With respect to each repurchase transaction, at 10:00 a.m. New
York time, or at such other time as specified in proper instructions
of the Participating Funds (or the Custodian on behalf of the
Participating Funds) on the Repurchase Date, Repo Custodian shall
debit the Seller Account and credit the Transaction Account in the
amount of the Repurchase Price and shall transfer Securities from the
Participating Funds to the Seller and Cash Collateral, if any, from
the Transaction Account to the Seller Account in accordance with the
following provisions:
(i) If the amount of available funds in the Seller Account equals or
exceeds the Repurchase Price, Repo Custodian shall debit the Seller
Account and credit the Transaction Account in the amount of the
Repurchase Price and shall transfer all Securities applicable to such
repurchase transaction from the Participating Funds to the Seller and
debit the Transaction Account and credit the Seller Account in the
amount of any Cash Collateral applicable to such repurchase
transaction.
(ii) If the amount of available funds in the Seller Account is less
than the Repurchase Price, then Repo Custodian shall notify the Seller
of the amount of the deficiency and Seller shall promptly cause such
amount to be transferred to the Seller Account. If Seller fails to
cause the transfer of the entire amount of the deficiency to the
Seller Account, then Repo Custodian may, at its option and without
notice to Seller, advance to Seller the amount of such remaining
deficiency. It is expressly agreed that Repo Custodian is not
obligated to make any advance to Seller. If, following such transfer
and/or advance, the amount of available funds in the Seller Account
equals or exceeds the Repurchase Price then Repo Custodian shall debit
the Seller Account and credit the Transaction Account in the amount of
the Repurchase Price and shall transfer from the Participating Funds
to the Seller all Securities applicable to such repurchase transaction
and debit the Transaction Account and credit the Seller Account in the
amount of any Cash Collateral applicable to such repurchase
transaction.
(iii) If the Seller fails to cause the transfer of the entire amount
of the deficiency, as required by (ii) above, and Repo Custodian fails
to advance to Seller an amount sufficient to eliminate the entire
deficiency, then Repo Custodian shall debit the Seller Account in the
amount of all immediately available funds designated by Seller as
applicable to the repurchase transaction and credit the Transaction
Account in such amount (such amount being referred to as the "Partial
Payment") and shall transfer Securities from the Participating Funds
to the Seller such that the aggregate Market Value of all remaining
Securities and Cash Collateral in the Transaction Account with respect
to such repurchase transaction shall at least equal the difference
between Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price and the Partial
Payment.
5. Payments on Securities. Repo Custodian shall credit to the Seller
Account as soon as received, all principal, interest and other sums
paid by or on behalf of the issuer in respect of the Securities and
collected by Repo Custodian, except as otherwise provided in Paragraph
8 of the Master Agreement.
6. Daily Statement. On each Banking Day on which any Participating
Funds have an outstanding repurchase transaction, Repo Custodian shall
deliver by facsimile to Custodian and to the Participating Funds a
statement identifying the Securities held by Repo Custodian with
respect to such repurchase transaction and the cash and Cash
Collateral, if any, held by Repo Custodian in the Transaction Account,
including a statement of the then current Market Value of such
Securities and the amounts, if any, credited to the Transaction
Account as of the close of trading on the previous Banking Day. Repo
Custodian shall also deliver to Custodian and the Participating Funds
such additional statements as the Participating Funds may reasonably
request.
7. Valuation.
(a) Repo Custodian shall confirm the Market Value of Securities and
the amount of Cash Collateral, if any (i) on the Sale Date prior to
transferring the Sale Price out of the Transaction Account to the
Seller Account against the receipt from Seller of the Securities and
Cash Collateral, if any, and (ii) on each Banking Day on which such
repurchase transaction is outstanding. If on any Banking Day the
aggregate Market Value of the Securities and Cash Collateral with
respect to any repurchase transaction is less than the Margin
Percentage of the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase
Date were such Banking Day) for such transaction, Repo Custodian shall
promptly, but in any case no later than 10:00 a.m. the following
Banking Day, notify Seller. If on any Banking Day the aggregate
market value of the Securities and Cash Collateral with respect to any
repurchase transaction is less than the Margin Percentage of the
Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such
Banking Day) for such transaction, and Seller fails to deliver
additional Eligible Securities applicable to such repurchase
transaction or an additional amount of Cash Collateral by the close of
business on such Banking Day such that the aggregate market value of
the Securities and Cash Collateral at least equals the Margin
Percentage of the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase
Date were such Banking Day), Repo Custodian shall promptly, but in any
event no later than 10:00 a.m. the following Banking Day, notify the
Participating Funds of such failure. For purposes of determining
Seller's margin maintenance requirements on the Sale Date for
repurchase transactions in which the Repurchase Date is the Banking
Day immediately following the Sale Date, such aggregate market value
shall equal at least the Margin Percentage of the Sale Price.
(b) Repo Custodian shall determine the bid side portion of the Market
Value of the Securities by reference to the independent pricing
services ("Pricing Services") set forth on Schedule B. It is
understood and agreed that Repo Custodian shall use the prices made
available by the Pricing Services on the Banking Day of such
determination unless Seller and the Participating Funds mutually agree
that some other prices shall be used and so notify Repo Custodian by
proper instructions of the sum of the prices of all such Securities
priced in such different manner. In the event that Repo Custodian is
unable to obtain a valuation of any Securities from the Pricing
Services, Repo Custodian shall request a bid quotation from a broker's
broker or a broker dealer, set forth in Schedule B, other than Seller.
In the event Repo Custodian is unable to obtain a bid quotation for
any Securities from such a broker's broker or a broker dealer, Repo
Custodian (i) shall not include any such Securities in the
determination of whether the aggregate Market Value of the Securities
and any Cash Collateral equals at least the Margin Percentage of the
Repurchase Price and (ii) shall redeliver such Securities to Seller if
the Market Value of all other Securities and any Cash Collateral with
respect to such repurchase transaction equals at least the Margin
Percentage of the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase
Date were such Banking Day). The Repo Custodian may rely on prices
quoted by Pricing Services, broker's brokers or broker dealers, except
Seller, as set forth in Schedule B.
(c) (i) If, on any Banking Day, the aggregate Market Value of the
Securities and any Cash Collateral with respect to a repurchase
transaction is less than the Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price
(calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such Banking Day)
applicable to such repurchase transaction, Repo Custodian shall
deliver to the Participating Funds an amount of additional Eligible
Securities applicable to such repurchase transaction and/or debit the
Seller Account and credit the Transaction Account with an additional
amount of Cash Collateral, such that the aggregate Market Value of all
Securities and any Cash Collateral with respect to such repurchase
transaction shall equal at least the Margin Percentage of the
Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such
Banking Day) applicable to such repurchase transaction; except that,
for purposes of determining Seller's margin maintenance requirements
on the Sale Date for repurchase transactions in which the Repurchase
Date is the Banking Day immediately following the Sale Date, such
aggregate market value shall equal at least the Margin Percentage of
the Sale Price.
(ii) If, on any Banking Day, the aggregate Market Value of the
Securities and any Cash Collateral with respect to a repurchase
transaction exceeds the Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price
(calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such Banking Day)
applicable to such repurchase transaction, Repo Custodian shall return
to the Seller all or a portion of such Securities or Cash Collateral,
if any; provided that the Market Value of the remaining Securities and
any Cash Collateral with respect to the repurchase transaction shall
be at least equal to the Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price
(calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such Banking Day)
applicable to such repurchase transaction. At any time and from time
to time with respect to any repurchase transaction, if authorized by
the Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the
Participating Funds, the Repo Custodian shall debit the Transaction
Account by an amount of Cash Collateral and credit the Seller Account
by the same amount of Cash Collateral against simultaneous delivery
from Seller to the Participating Funds of Eligible Securities
applicable to such repurchase transaction with a Market Value at least
equal to the amount of Cash Collateral credited and debited.
8. Authorized Persons. Schedule C hereto sets forth those persons
who are authorized to act for Repo Custodian, Custodian, Seller and
the Funds, respectively, under this Agreement.
9. Proper Instructions. Proper instructions shall mean a tested
telex, facsimile, a written request, direction, instruction or
certification signed or initialed by or on behalf of the party giving
the instructions by one or more authorized persons (as provided in
Paragraph 8); provided, however, that no instructions directing the
delivery of Securities or the payment of funds to any individual who
is an authorized signatory of Custodian or Repo Custodian shall be
signed by that individual. Telephonic, other oral or
electro-mechanical or electronic instructions (including the code
which may be assigned by Repo Custodian to Custodian from time to
time) given by one of the above authorized persons shall also be
considered proper instructions if the party receiving such
instructions reasonably believes them to have been given by an
authorized person with respect to the transaction involved. Oral
instructions will be confirmed by tested telex, facsimile or in
writing in the manner set forth above. The Funds authorize Repo
Custodian to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral
instructions given to Repo Custodian. Proper instructions may relate
to specific transactions or to types or classes of transactions, and
may be in the form of standing instructions.
10. Standard of Care.
(a) Repo Custodian shall be obligated to exercise reasonable care and
diligence in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and the
Master Agreement and shall be liable to each of the Funds and Seller
for any expenses or damages to the Funds or Seller for breach of Repo
Custodian's standard of care in this Agreement, as further provided in
this Paragraph. Repo Custodian assumes responsibility for loss to any
property held by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement which
is occasioned by the negligence of, or conversion, misappropriation or
theft by, Repo Custodian's officers, employees and agents. Repo
Custodian, at its option, may insure itself against loss from any
cause but shall be under no obligation to obtain insurance directly
for the benefit of the Funds. So long as and to the extent that Repo
Custodian exercises reasonable care and diligence and acts without
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct, Repo Custodian shall not be
liable to Seller or the Funds for (i) any action taken or omitted in
good faith in reliance upon proper instructions, (ii) any action taken
or omitted in good faith upon any notice, request, certificate or
other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be
signed by the proper party or parties, (iii) any delay or failure to
act as may be required under this Agreement or under the Master
Agreement when such delay or failure is due to any act of God or war,
(iv) the actions or omissions of a Securities System, (v) the title,
validity or genuineness of any security received, delivered or held by
it pursuant to this Agreement or the Master Agreement, (vi) the
legality of the purchase or sale of any Securities by or to the
Participating Funds or Seller or the propriety of the amount for which
the same are purchased or sold (except to the extent of Repo
Custodian's obligations hereunder to determine whether securities are
Eligible Securities and to calculate the Market Value of Securities
and any Cash Collateral), (vii) the due authority of any person listed
on Schedule C to act on behalf of Custodian, Seller or the Funds, as
the case may be, with respect to this Agreement or (viii) the errors
of the Pricing Services, broker's brokers or broker dealers set forth
in Schedule B.
(b) Repo Custodian shall not be liable to Seller or the Funds for, or
considered to be the custodian of, any Eligible Securities or any
money to be used in a repurchase transaction, whether or not such
money is represented by any check, draft, or other instrument for the
payment of money, until the Eligible Securities have been delivered in
accordance with Paragraph 3 or until Repo Custodian actually receives
and collects such money on behalf of Seller or the Funds directly or
by the final crediting of the Seller Account or a Transaction Account
through the Securities System, except that this Paragraph 10(b) shall
not be deemed to limit the liability of Repo Custodian to Seller or
the Funds if the non-delivery of such Eligible Securities or the
failure to receive and collect such money results from the breach by
Repo Custodian of its obligations under this Agreement or the Master
Agreement.
(c) Repo Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to
ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to or held by
it are such as properly may be held by the Participating Funds;
provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Repo
Custodian shall be obligated to act in accordance with the guidelines
and proper instructions of the Participating Funds, or the Custodian
on behalf of the Participating Funds, with respect to the types of
Eligible Securities and the issuers of such Eligible Securities that
may be used in specific repurchase transactions.
(d) Repo Custodian promptly shall notify the Fund Agent and the
Custodian if Securities held by Repo Custodian are in default or if
payment on any Securities has been refused after due demand and
presentation and Repo Custodian shall take action to effect collection
of any such amounts upon the proper instructions of the Participating
Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating Funds, and
assurances satisfactory to it that it will be reimbursed for its costs
and expenses in connection with any such action.
(e) Repo Custodian shall have no duties, other than such duties as
are necessary to effectuate repurchase transactions in accordance with
this Agreement and the Master Agreement within the standard of care
set forth in Paragraph 10(a) above and in a commercially reasonable
manner.
11. Representations and Additional Covenants of Repo Custodian.
(a) Repo Custodian represents and warrants that (i) it is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder and has taken all necessary action to authorize
such execution, delivery and performance, (ii) the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement do not and will not violate any
ordinance, declaration of trust, partnership agreement, articles of
incorporation, charter, rule or statute applicable to it or any
agreement by which it is bound or by which any of its assets are
affected, (iii) the person executing this Agreement on its behalf is
duly and properly authorized to do so, (iv) it has (and will maintain)
a copy of this Agreement and evidence of its authorization in its
official books and records, and (v) this Agreement has been executed
by one of its duly authorized officers at the level of Vice President
or higher.
(b) Repo Custodian further represents and warrants that (i) it has
not pledged, encumbered, hypothecated, transferred, disposed of, or
otherwise granted, any third party an interest in any Securities, (ii)
it does not have any security interest, lien or right of setoff in the
Securities, and (iii) it has not been notified by any third party, in
its capacity as Repo Custodian, custodian bank or clearing bank, of
the existence of any lien, claim, charge or encumbrance with respect
to any Securities that are the subject of such repurchase transaction.
Repo Custodian agrees that (i) it will not pledge, encumber,
hypothecate, transfer, dispose of, or otherwise grant, any third party
an interest in any Securities, (ii) it will not acquire any security
interest, lien or right of setoff in the Securities, and (iii) it will
promptly notify the Fund Agent, if, during the term of any outstanding
repurchase transaction, it is notified by any third party, in its
capacity as Repo Custodian, custodian bank or clearing bank, of the
Participating Funds or Seller, of the existence of any lien, claim,
charge or encumbrance with respect to any Securities that are the
subject of such repurchase transaction.
12. Indemnification.
(a) Notwithstanding the Participating Fund's obligation to the Repo
Custodian under Paragraph 12(b) below, so long as and to the extent
that Repo Custodian is in the exercise of reasonable care and
diligence and acts without negligence, misfeasance or misconduct,
Seller will indemnify Repo Custodian and hold it harmless against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which it
may become subject, and reimburse it for any expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection therewith,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise
out of or are based upon or in any way related to this Agreement, the
Master Agreement or those arrangements. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing indemnification, Repo Custodian shall be
indemnified by Seller for all costs and expenses, including attorneys'
fees, for its successful defense against claims that Repo Custodian
breached its standard of care and was negligent or engaged in
misfeasance or misconduct.
(b) So long as and to the extent that Repo Custodian is in the
exercise of reasonable care and diligence and acts without negligence,
misconduct or misfeasance, the Participating Funds will indemnify Repo
Custodian and hold it harmless against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions to which it may become subject, and
reimburse it for any expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred by it in connection therewith, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or actions result from the negligence,
misconduct or misfeasance of the Participating Funds under this
Agreement.
13. Rights and Remedies. The rights and remedies conferred upon the
parties hereto shall be cumulative, and the exercise or waiver of any
thereof shall not preclude or inhibit the exercise of any additional
rights and remedies.
14. Modification or Amendment. Except as otherwise provided in this
Paragraph 14, no modification, waiver or amendment of this Agreement
shall be binding unless in writing and executed by the parties hereto.
Schedule A, listing the Funds, may be amended from time to time to add
or delete Funds by the Funds (i) delivering an executed copy of an
addendum to Schedule A to Seller and Repo Custodian, and (ii)
amending Schedule A to the Master Agreement in accordance with the
provisions therein. The amendment of Schedule A as provided above
shall constitute appointment of Repo Custodian as a custodian for such
Fund. Schedule B may be amended from time to time by an instrument in
writing, or counterpart thereof, executed by Repo Custodian, Seller
and the Funds. Schedule C may be amended from time to time to change
an authorized person of: (i) the Funds, by written notice to Repo
Custodian and Seller by Ms. Sarah Zenoble or the Treasurer of the
Funds (or such persons who may be authorized from time to time in
writing by Ms. Zenoble or the President or Treasurer of Fidelity
Management and Research Company to trade on behalf of Fidelity's
taxable money market funds); (ii) Seller, by written notice to Repo
Custodian and the Funds by any Vice President of Seller; (iii) Repo
Custodian, by written notice to Seller, Custodian and the Funds by any
Vice President of Repo Custodian; and (iv) Custodian, by written
notice to Repo Custodian by any Vice President of Custodian. Schedule
D may be amended from time to time by any party hereto by delivery of
written notice to the other parties hereto. Repo Custodian shall
receive notice of any amendment to the Master Agreement at the address
set forth in Schedule D hereto; and, if such amendment would have a
material adverse effect on the rights of, or would materially increase
the obligations of Repo Custodian under this Agreement, any such
amendment shall also require the consent of Repo Custodian. Any such
amendment shall be deemed not to be material if Repo Custodian fails
to object in writing within 21 days after receipt of notice thereof.
No amendment to this Agreement shall affect the rights or obligations
of any Fund with respect to any outstanding repurchase transaction
entered into under this Agreement and the Master Agreement prior to
such amendment or with respect to any actions or omissions by any
party hereto prior to such amendment. In the event of conflict
between this Agreement and the Master Agreement, the Master Agreement
shall control.
15. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate forthwith upon
termination of the Master Agreement or may be terminated by any party
hereto on ten Banking Days' written notice to the other parties;
provided, however, that any such termination shall not affect any
repurchase transaction then outstanding or any rights or obligations
under this Agreement or the Master Agreement with respect to any
actions or omissions of any party hereto prior to termination. In the
event of termination, Repo Custodian will deliver any Securities, Cash
Collateral or cash held by it or any agent to Custodian or to such
successor custodian or custodian or subcustodian as the Participating
Funds shall instruct.
16. Compensation. Seller agrees to pay Repo Custodian compensation
for the services to be rendered hereunder, based upon rates which
shall be agreed upon from time to time.
17. Notices. Except with respect to communications between Custodian
and the Funds which shall be governed by the custodian agreement or
subcustodian agreement between such parties, as the case may be, and
except as otherwise provided herein or as the parties to the Agreement
shall from time to time otherwise agree, all instructions, notices,
reports and other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall
be given to the party entitled to receive such notice at the telephone
number and address listed on Schedule D hereto.
18. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
unenforceable as a matter of law, the other terms and provisions
hereof shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force
and effect.
19. Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and
assignees; provided that, no party hereto may assign this Agreement or
any of the rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of the other parties.
20. Headings. Section headings are for reference purposes only and
shall not be construed as a part of this Agreement.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one
instrument.
22. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
23. Limitation of Liability. Seller is hereby expressly put on
notice that the Declarations of Trust or the Certificates and
Agreements of Limited Partnership, as the case may be, of each
Participating Fund contain a limitation of liability provision
pursuant to which the obligations assumed by such Participating Fund
hereunder shall be limited in all cases to such Participating Fund and
its assets or, in the case of a series Fund, to the assets of that
series only, and neither Seller nor its respective agents or assigns
shall seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the officers,
employees, agents, directors, trustees, shareholders or partners of
any such Participating Fund or series.
24. Rights and Obligations of Each Fund. The rights and obligations
set forth in this Agreement with respect to each repurchase
transaction shall accrue only to the Participating Funds in accordance
with their respective interests therein. No other Fund shall receive
any rights or have any liabilities arising from any action or inaction
of any Participating Fund under this Agreement with respect to such
repurchase transaction.
25. General Provisions. This Agreement supersedes any other
custodian agreement by and among Seller, the Funds, and Repo Custodian
concerning repurchase transactions effected through the Joint Trading
Account. It is understood and agreed that time is of the essence with
respect to the performance of each party's respective obligations
hereunder.
26. Disclosure Relating to Certain Federal Protections
The parties acknowledge that they have been advised that:
(a) In the case of transactions in which one of the parties is a
broker or dealer registered with the SEC under Section 15 of the
Exchange Act, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation has taken
the position that the provisions of the Securities Investor Protection
Act of 1970 (the "SIPA") do not protect the other party with respect
to any transaction hereunder; and
(b) In the case of transactions in which one of the parties is a
government securities broker or a government securities dealer
registered with the SEC under Section 15C of the Exchange Act, SIPA
will not provide protection to the other party with respect to any
transaction hereunder.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
[signature lines omitted]
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
[signature lines omitted]
FIDELITY INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2 HERETO
[signature lines omitted]
ACCOUNTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-4 HERETO
By: FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY
[signature lines omitted]
SCHEDULE A-1
SCHEDULE A-2
SCHEDULE A-3
SCHEDULE A-4
SCHEDULE B
SCHEDULE C
SCHEDULE D
Exhibit 8(e)
FORM OF
SCHEDULE 1
The following lists the additional counterparties to the Repo
Custodian Agreement for Joint Trading Account between The Bank of New
York and the Fidelity Funds:
BZW Government Securities, Inc.
CS First Boston Corp.
Daiwa Securities America, Inc.
Deutsche Bank Securities Corp.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenerette Securities Corp.
Fuji Securities, Inc.
Goldman Sachs & Co
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.
NationsBanc Capital Markets
Nikko Securities Co. International, Inc.
Nomura Securities International, Inc.
Prudential Securities, Inc.
Salomon Brothers, Inc.
Sanwa BJK Securities Co., LP
SBC Capital Markets, Inc.
Smith Barney, Inc.
Exhibit 8(f)
FORM OF
FIDELITY GROUP
REPO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
FOR JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT
AGREEMENT dated as of __________, among CHEMICAL BANK, a banking
corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York ("Repo
Custodian"), GREENWICH CAPITAL MARKETS, INC. ("Seller") and each of
the entities listed on Schedule A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 hereto acting on
behalf of itself or (i) in the case of a series company, on behalf of
one or more of its portfolios or series listed on Schedule A-1 or A-2
hereto, (ii) in the case of the accounts listed on Schedule A-3
hereto, acting through Fidelity Management & Research Company, and
(iii) in the case of the commingled or individual accounts listed on
Schedule A-4 hereto, acting through Fidelity Management Trust Company
(collectively, the "Funds" and each, a "Fund").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, each of the Funds has entered into a master repurchase
agreement dated as of November 13, 1995, (the "Master Agreement") with
Seller pursuant to which from time to time one or more of the Funds,
as buyers, and Seller, as seller, may enter into repurchase
transactions effected through one or more joint trading accounts
(collectively, the "Joint Trading Account") established and
administered by one or more custodians of the Funds identified on
Schedule C hereto (each a "Custodian"); and,
WHEREAS, in each such repurchase transaction Seller will sell to such
Funds certain Securities (as hereinafter defined) selected from
Eligible Securities (as hereinafter defined) held by Repo Custodian ,
subject to an agreement by Seller to repurchase such Securities; and
WHEREAS, Repo Custodian currently maintains a cash and securities
account (the "Seller Account") for Seller for the purpose of, among
other things, effecting repurchase transactions hereunder; and
WHEREAS, the Funds desire that the Repo Custodian serve as the
custodian for each of the Funds in connection with the repurchase
transactions effected hereunder, and that the Repo Custodian hold
cash, Cash Collateral (as hereinafter defined) and Securities for each
of the Funds for the purpose of effecting repurchase transactions
hereunder.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below:
(a) "Banking Day" shall mean any day on which the Funds, Seller
Custodian, Repo Custodian, and the Federal Reserve Banks where the
Custodian and the Repo Custodian are located, are each open for
business.
(b) "Cash Collateral" shall mean all cash, denominated in U.S.
Dollars, credited by Repo Custodian to a Transaction Account pursuant
to Paragraphs 3, 6, 8 or 9 of the Master Agreement.
(c) "Custodian" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of
this Agreement.
(d) "Eligible Securities" shall mean those securities which are
identified as permissible securities for a particular Transaction
Category.
(e) "FICASH I Transaction" and "FICASH III Transaction" shall mean a
repurchase transaction in which the Repurchase Date is the Banking Day
next following the Sale Date and for which securities issued by the
government of the United States of America that are direct obligations
of the government of the United States of America shall constitute
Eligible Securities.
(f) "FICASH II Transaction" shall mean a repurchase transaction in
which the Repurchase Date is the Banking Day next following the Sale
Date and for which one or more of the following two categories of
securities, as specified by the Funds, shall constitute Eligible
Securities: (x) securities issued by the government of the United
States of America that are direct obligations of the government of the
United States of America, or (y) securities issued by or guaranteed as
to principal and interest by the government of the United States of
America, or by its agencies and/or instrumentalities, including, but
not limited to, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corp., Government National Mortgage Association, Federal National
Mortgage Association, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Federal Intermediate
Credit Bank, Banks for Cooperatives, and Federal Land Banks.
(g) "FITERM I Transaction" and "FITERM III Transaction" shall mean a
repurchase transaction in which the Repurchase Date is a date fixed by
agreement between Seller and the Participating Funds which is not the
Banking Day next following the Sale Date, or if applicable, the date
fixed upon exercise of an Unconditional Resale Right (as hereinafter
defined) by the Participating Funds and for which securities issued by
the government of the United States of America that are direct
obligations of the government of the United States of America shall
constitute Eligible Securities.
(h) "FITERM II Transaction" shall mean a repurchase transaction in
which the Repurchase Date is a date fixed by agreement between Seller
and the Participating Funds which is not the Banking Day next
following the Sale Date, or, if applicable, the date fixed upon
exercise of an Unconditional Resale Right (as hereinafter defined) by
the Participating Funds and for which one or more of the following two
categories of securities, as specified by the Funds, shall constitute
Eligible Securities: (x) securities issued by the government of the
United States of America that are direct obligations of the government
of the United States of America, or (y) securities issued by or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the government of the
United States of America, or by its agencies and/or instrumentalities,
including, but not limited to, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Government National Mortgage Association,
Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Farm Credit Bank,
Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, Banks for Cooperatives, and Federal
Land Banks.
(i) "Fund" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this
Agreement.
(j) "Fund Agent" shall mean the agent for the Participating Funds
designated in Paragraph 18 of the Master Agreement.
(k) "Joint Trading Account" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble of this Agreement.
(l) "Margin Percentage" with respect to any repurchase transaction
shall be 102% or such other percentage as is agreed to by Seller and
the Participating Funds (except that in no event shall the Margin
Percentage be less than 100%).
(m) "Market Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph 4 of
the Master Agreement.
(n) "Master Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble of this Agreement.
(o) "1940 Act" shall mean have the meaning set forth in Paragraph
3(c) of this Agreement.
(p) "Partial Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4(g) of this Agreement.
(q) "Participating Funds" shall mean those Funds that are parties to
a particular repurchase transaction effected through the Joint Trading
Account.
(r) "Pricing Rate" shall mean the per annum percentage rate agreed to
by Seller and the Participating Funds for a particular repurchase
transaction.
(s) "Pricing Services" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph
7 of this Agreement.
(t) "Repo Custodian" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble
of this Agreement.
(u) "Repurchase Date" shall mean the date fixed by agreement between
Seller and the Participating Funds on which the Seller is to
repurchase Securities and Cash Collateral, if any, from the
Participating Funds and the Participating Funds are to resell the
Securities and Cash Collateral, if any, including any date determined
by application of the provisions of Paragraphs 7(a) and 15 of the
Master Agreement.
(v) "Repurchase Price" for each repurchase transaction shall mean the
Sale Price, plus an incremental amount determined by applying the
Pricing Rate to the Sale Price, calculated on the basis of a 360-day
year and the number of actual days elapsed from (and including) the
Sale Date to (but excluding) the Repurchase Date.
(w) "Sale Date" shall mean the Banking Day on which Securities and
Cash Collateral, if any, are to be sold to the Participating Funds by
Seller pursuant to a repurchase transaction hereunder.
(x) "Sale Price" shall mean the price agreed upon by the
Participating Funds and Seller at which the Securities and Cash
Collateral, if any, are to be sold to the Participating Funds by
Seller.
(y) "Securities" shall mean all Eligible Securities delivered by
Seller or to be delivered by Seller to the Participating Funds
pursuant to a particular repurchase transaction and not yet
repurchased hereunder, together with all rights related thereto and
all proceeds thereof.
(z) "Securities System" shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph
3(c) of this Agreement.
(aa) "Seller" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to
this Agreement.
(bb) "Seller Account" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble of this Agreement.
(cc) "Transaction Account" shall mean a cash account established and
maintained by Repo Custodian for the Funds to effect repurchase
transactions pursuant to the Master Agreement.
(dd) "Transaction Category" shall mean the particular type of
repurchase transaction effected hereunder, as determined with
reference to the term of the transaction and the categories of
Securities that constitute Eligible Securities therefor, which term
shall include FICASH I Transactions, FICASH II Transactions, FICASH
III Transactions, FITERM I Transactions, FITERM II Transactions,
FITERM III Transactions, and such other transaction categories as may
from time to time be designated by the Funds by notice to Seller,
Custodian and Repo Custodian.
(ee) "Unconditional Resale Right" shall have the meaning set forth
in Paragraph 7(b) of the Master Agreement.
(ff) "Valuation Day" shall mean any day on which Repo Custodian is
open for business.
2. Appointment of Repo Custodian. Upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement, Repo Custodian is hereby appointed by the
Funds to act as the custodian for the Participating Funds to hold
cash, Cash Collateral and Securities for the purpose of effecting
repurchase transactions for the Participating Funds through the Joint
Trading Account pursuant to the Master Agreement. Repo Custodian
hereby acknowledges the terms of the Master Agreement between the
Funds and Seller (attached as an Exhibit hereto), as amended from time
to time, and agrees to abide by the provisions thereof to the extent
such provisions relate to the responsibilities and operations of Repo
Custodian hereunder.
3. Maintenance of Transaction Accounts.
(a) Repo Custodian shall establish and maintain one or more
Transaction Accounts for the purpose of effecting repurchase
transactions hereunder for the Funds, in each case pursuant to the
Master Agreement. From time to time the Funds may cause Custodian, on
behalf of the Funds, to deposit Securities and cash with Repo
Custodian in the designated Transaction Account, in each case in
accordance with Paragraph 3 of the Master Agreement.
(b) Repo Custodian shall keep all Securities, cash and Cash
Collateral received for the Participating Funds segregated at all
times from those of any other person, firm or corporation in its
possession and shall identify all such Securities, cash and Cash
Collateral as subject to this Agreement and the Master Agreement.
Segregation may be accomplished by physical segregation with respect
to certificated securities held by the Repo Custodian and, in
addition, by appropriate identification on the books and records of
Repo Custodian in the case of all other Securities, cash and Cash
Collateral. Title to all Securities and Cash Collateral under a
repurchase transaction shall pass to the Participating Funds that are
parties to such repurchase transaction. All such Securities and Cash
Collateral shall be held by Repo Custodian for the Participating
Funds, and shall be subject at all times to the proper instructions of
the Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the
Participating Funds, with respect to the holding, transfer or
disposition of such Securities and Cash Collateral. Repo Custodian
shall include in its records for each Transaction Account all
instructions received by it which evidence an interest of the
Participating Funds in the Securities and Cash Collateral and shall
hold physically segregated any written agreement, receipt or other
writing received by it which evidences an interest of the
Participating Funds in the Securities and Cash Collateral.
(c) Any requirement to "deliver" or "transfer" cash or Cash
Collateral to the Participating Funds or to "credit" a Transaction
Account under this or any other paragraph of this Agreement shall be
made in immediately available funds. If Repo Custodian is required to
"deliver" or "transfer" Securities to the Participating Funds under
this or any other paragraph of this Agreement, Repo Custodian shall
take, or cause to be taken, the following actions to perfect the
Participating Funds' interest in such Securities as an outright
purchaser: (i) in the case of certificated securities and instruments
held by Seller, by physical delivery of the share certificates or
other instruments representing the Securities and by physical
segregation of such certificates or instruments from the Repo
Custodian's other assets in a manner indicating that the Securities
are being held for the Participating Funds (such securities and
instruments to be delivered in form suitable for transfer or
accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in
blank and accompanied by such other documentation as the Participating
Funds may request), (ii) in the case of Securities held in a customer
only account in a clearing agency or federal book-entry system
authorized for use by the Funds and meeting the requirements of Rule
17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act") (such authorized agency or system being referred to herein as a
"Securities System"), by appropriate entry on the books and records of
Repo Custodian identifying the Securities as belonging to the
Participating Funds, or (iii) in the case of Securities held in Repo
Custodian's own account in a Securities System, by transfer to a
customer only account in the Securities System and by appropriate
entry on the books and records of Repo Custodian identifying such
Securities as belonging to the Participating Funds; provided, further,
that Repo Custodian shall confirm to the Participating Funds the
identity of the Securities transferred or delivered. Acceptance of a
"due bill", "trust receipt" or similar receipt or notification of
segregation issued by a third party with respect to Securities held by
such third party shall not constitute good delivery of Securities to
Repo Custodian for purposes of this Agreement or the Master Agreement
and shall expressly violate the terms of this Agreement and the Master
Agreement. The Funds shall identify by notice to Repo Custodian and
Seller those agencies or systems which have been approved by the Funds
for use under this Agreement and the Master Agreement. The Funds
hereby notify Repo Custodian and Seller that the following agencies
and systems have been approved by the Funds for use under this
Agreement and the Master Agreement, until such time as Repo Custodian
and Seller shall have been notified by the Funds to the contrary: (i)
Participants Trust Company; (ii) The Depository Trust Company; and
(iii) any book-entry system as provided in (A) Subpart O of Treasury
Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306.115, (B) Subpart B of Treasury Circular
Public Debt Series No. 27-76, 31 CFR 350.2, or (C) the book-entry
regulations of federal agencies substantially in the form of 31 CFR
306.115.
4. Repurchase Transactions.
(a) Repo Custodian shall make all credits and debits to the
Transaction Account and effect the transfer of Securities to or from
the Participating Funds upon proper instructions received from the
Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating
Funds, and shall make all credits and debits to the Seller Account and
effect the transfer of Securities to or from the Seller upon proper
instructions received from Seller. In the event that Repo Custodian
receives conflicting proper instructions from Seller and the
Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating
Funds, Repo Custodian shall follow the Participating Funds' or the
Custodian's proper instructions. The Participating Funds shall give
Repo Custodian only such instructions as shall be permitted by the
Master Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the
Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating
Funds, may from time to time instruct Repo Custodian to transfer cash
from the Transaction Account to Custodian so long as such transfer is
not in contravention of the Master Agreement.
(b) (i) Whenever on any Banking Day one or more Funds and Seller agree
to enter into a repurchase transaction, Seller and the Participating
Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating Funds, will
give Repo Custodian proper instructions by telephone or otherwise by
5:00 p.m. New York time on the Sale Date, specifying the Transaction
Category, Repurchase Date, Sale Price, Repurchase Price or the
applicable Pricing Rate and the Margin Percentage for each such
repurchase transaction.
(ii) In the case of repurchase transactions in which the Repurchase
Date is the Banking Day next following the Sale Date (x) the
Participating Funds may increase or decrease the Sale Price for any
such repurchase transaction by no more than 10% of the initial Sale
Price by causing to be delivered further proper instructions by
telephone or otherwise to Repo Custodian by 5:15 p.m. New York time
(or at such later time as may be agreed upon by the parties) on the
Sale Date and (y) Seller and the Participating Funds may by mutual
consent agree to increase or decrease the Sale Price by more than 10%
of the initial Sale Price by causing to be provided further proper
instructions to Repo Custodian by the close of business on the Sale
Date. In any event, Repo Custodian shall not be responsible for
determining whether any such increase or decrease of the Sale Price
exceeds the 10% limitation.
(c) Seller will take such actions as are necessary to ensure that on
the Sale Date the aggregate Market Value of all Securities held by
Repo Custodian for Seller and cash in the Seller Account equals or
exceeds the Margin Percentage of the Sale Price. Seller shall give
Repo Custodian proper instructions specifying with respect to each of
the Securities which is to be the subject of a repurchase transaction
(a) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities, and (b)
the Market Value of such Securities. Such instructions shall
constitute Seller's instructions to Repo Custodian to transfer the
Securities to the Participating Funds and/or Cash Collateral from the
Seller Account to the Transaction Account.
(d) By 5:00 p.m. New York Time on the Sale Date, the Participating
Funds shall transfer to, or maintain on deposit with, Repo Custodian
in the Transaction Account immediately available funds in an amount
equal to the Sale Price with respect to a particular repurchase
transaction.
(e) Prior to the close of business on the Sale Date, Repo Custodian
shall transfer Securities from Seller to the Participating Funds
and/or cash held in the Seller Account to the Transaction Account and
shall transfer to the Seller Account immediately available funds from
the Transaction Account in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Repo Custodian shall determine that all securities to be
transferred by Seller to the Participating Funds are Eligible
Securities. Any securities which are not Eligible Securities for a
particular repurchase transaction hereunder shall not be included in
the calculations set forth below and shall not be transferred to the
Participating Funds.
(ii) Repo Custodian shall then calculate the aggregate Market Value
of the Securities and cash, if any, to be so transferred.
(iii) Repo Custodian shall notify Seller in the event that the
aggregate Market Value of Securities and cash, if any, applicable to
the repurchase transaction is less than the Margin Percentage of the
Sale Price and Seller shall transfer, by the close of business on the
Sale Date, to Repo Custodian additional Securities and/or cash in the
amount of such deficiency. If Seller does not, by the close of
business on the Sale Date, transfer additional Securities and/or cash,
the Market Value of which equals or exceeds such deficiency, Repo
Custodian may, at its option, without notice to Seller, advance the
amount of such deficiency to Seller in order to effectuate the
repurchase transaction. It is expressly agreed that Repo Custodian is
not obligated to make an advance to Seller to enable it to complete
any repurchase transaction.
(iv) Subject to the provisions of Subparagraph (v) below, Repo
Custodian shall cause the Securities applicable to the repurchase
transaction received from Seller to be transferred to the
Participating Funds and shall cause any cash received from Seller to
be transferred to the Transaction Account, against transfer of the
Sale Price from the Transaction Account to the Seller Account, such
transfers of Securities and/or cash and funds to be deemed to occur
simultaneously.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if, for any repurchase
transaction, the amount of immediately available funds in the
Transaction Account is less than the agreed upon Sale Price in
connection with the repurchase transaction immediately prior to
effectuating such repurchase transaction, or if the aggregate Market
Value of the Securities and cash, if any, applicable to such
repurchase transaction is less than the Sale Price multiplied by the
Margin Percentage immediately prior to effectuating such repurchase
transaction, Repo Custodian shall effect the repurchase transaction to
the best of its ability by transferring Securities from Seller to the
Participating Funds and/or cash from the Seller Account to the
Transaction Account with an aggregate Market Value equal to the lesser
of (x) the amount of immediately available funds in the Transaction
Account multiplied by the Margin Percentage and (y) the aggregate
Market Value of the Securities available for transfer from Seller to
the Participating Funds and cash, if any, in the Seller Account,
against the transfer of immediately available funds from the
Transaction Account to the Seller Account in an amount equal to the
aggregate Market Value of the Securities and/or cash to be transferred
divided by the Margin Percentage; provided, however, that in either
such event Repo Custodian shall have the right not to transfer to the
Participating Funds such Securities and not to transfer such cash, if
any, to the Transaction Account and not to transfer from the
designated Transaction Account such funds as Repo Custodian
determines, in its sole discretion, will not be the subject of a
repurchase transaction. The actions of Repo Custodian pursuant to
this subparagraph (e)(v) shall not affect the obligations and
liabilities of the parties to each other pursuant to the Master
Agreement with regard to such repurchase transaction.
(f) In the event that on a Banking Day Seller desires to substitute
Securities applicable to such repurchase transaction with Eligible
Securities and/or Cash Collateral (to the extent provided in the
Master Agreement), Repo Custodian shall perform such substitution in
accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Repo Custodian shall determine that all securities to be
transferred to the Participating Funds are Eligible Securities. Any
securities which are not eligible for repurchase transactions
hereunder shall not be included in the calculations set forth below
and shall not be transferred to the Participating Funds.
(ii) Repo Custodian shall then calculate the aggregate Market Value
of the Eligible Securities and/or Cash Collateral to be transferred.
Repo Custodian shall not make any substitution if, at the time of
substitution, the aggregate Market Value of all Securities and any
Cash Collateral applicable to such repurchase transaction immediately
after such substitution would be less than the Margin Percentage of
the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase Date were the
date of substitution).
(iii) Repo Custodian shall then deliver to the Seller, subject to the
qualifications set forth above, the Securities to be substituted
against the delivery by Repo Custodian of substitute Eligible
Securities to the Participating Funds and/or the crediting of the
Transaction Account with Cash Collateral.
(iv) In the event Seller has caused Repo Custodian to credit the
Transaction Account with Cash Collateral in lieu of substitute
Eligible Securities, and has failed to deliver Eligible Securities
against such Cash Collateral not later than the close of business on
such Banking Day in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreement,
Repo Custodian shall promptly, but in no event later than 10:00 a.m.
the following Banking Day, notify the Participating Funds and Seller
of such failure.
(g) With respect to each repurchase transaction, at 9:00 a.m. New
York time, or at such other time as specified in proper instructions
of the Participating Funds (or the Custodian on behalf of the
Participating Funds) on the Repurchase Date, Repo Custodian shall
debit the Seller Account and credit the Transaction Account in the
amount of the Repurchase Price and shall transfer Securities from the
Participating Funds to the Seller and Cash Collateral, if any, from
the Transaction Account to the Seller Account in accordance with the
following provisions:
(i) If the amount of available funds in the Seller Account equals or
exceeds the Repurchase Price, Repo Custodian shall debit the Seller
Account and credit the Transaction Account in the amount of the
Repurchase Price and shall transfer all Securities applicable to such
repurchase transaction from the Participating Funds to the Seller and
debit the Transaction Account and credit the Seller Account in the
amount of any Cash Collateral applicable to such repurchase
transaction.
(ii) If the amount of available funds in the Seller Account is less
than the Repurchase Price, then Repo Custodian shall notify the Seller
of the amount of the deficiency and Seller shall promptly cause such
amount to be transferred to the Seller Account. If Seller fails to
cause the transfer of the entire amount of the deficiency to the
Seller Account, then Repo Custodian may, at its option and without
notice to Seller, advance to Seller the amount of such remaining
deficiency. It is expressly agreed that Repo Custodian is not
obligated to make any advance to Seller. If, following such transfer
and/or advance, the amount of available funds in the Seller Account
equals or exceeds the Repurchase Price then Repo Custodian shall debit
the Seller Account and credit the Transaction Account in the amount of
the Repurchase Price and shall transfer from the Participating Funds
to the Seller all Securities applicable to such repurchase transaction
and debit the Transaction Account and credit the Seller Account in the
amount of any Cash Collateral applicable to such repurchase
transaction.
(iii) If the Seller fails to cause the transfer of the entire amount
of the deficiency, as required by (ii) above, and Repo Custodian fails
to advance to Seller an amount sufficient to eliminate the entire
deficiency, then Repo Custodian shall debit the Seller Account in the
amount of all immediately available funds designated by Seller as
applicable to the repurchase transaction and credit the Transaction
Account in such amount (such amount being referred to as the "Partial
Payment") and shall transfer Securities from the Participating Funds
to the Seller such that the aggregate Market Value of all remaining
Securities and Cash Collateral in the Transaction Account with respect
to such repurchase transaction shall at least equal the difference
between Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price and the Partial
Payment.
5. Payments on Securities. Repo Custodian shall credit to the Seller
Account as soon as received, all principal, interest and other sums
paid by or on behalf of the issuer in respect of the Securities and
collected by Repo Custodian, except as otherwise provided in Paragraph
8 of the Master Agreement.
6. Daily Statement. On each Banking Day on which any Participating
Funds have an outstanding repurchase transaction, Repo Custodian shall
deliver by facsimile, or other electronic means acceptable to the
Participating Funds, the Custodian and the Repo Custodian, to
Custodian and to the Participating Funds a statement identifying the
Securities held by Repo Custodian with respect to such repurchase
transaction and the cash and Cash Collateral, if any, held by Repo
Custodian in the Transaction Account, including a statement of the
then current Market Value of such Securities and the amounts, if any,
credited to the Transaction Account as of the close of trading on the
previous Banking Day. Repo Custodian shall also deliver to Custodian
and the Participating Funds such additional statements as the Repo
Custodian and the Participating Funds may agree upon from time to
time.
7. Valuation.
(a) Repo Custodian shall confirm the Market Value of Securities and
the amount of Cash Collateral, if any (i) on the Sale Date prior to
transferring the Sale Price out of the Transaction Account to the
Seller Account against the receipt from Seller of the Securities and
Cash Collateral, if any, and (ii) on each Valuation Day on which such
repurchase transaction is outstanding. If on any Valuation Day the
aggregate Market Value of the Securities and Cash Collateral with
respect to any repurchase transaction is less than the Margin
Percentage of the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase
Date were such Valuation Day) for such transaction, Repo Custodian
shall promptly, but in any case no later than 10:00 a.m. the following
Valuation Day, notify Seller. If on any Valuation Day the aggregate
market value of the Securities and Cash Collateral with respect to any
repurchase transaction is less than the Margin Percentage of the
Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such
Valuation Day) for such transaction, and Seller fails to deliver
additional Eligible Securities applicable to such repurchase
transaction or an additional amount of Cash Collateral by the close of
business on such Valuation Day such that the aggregate market value of
the Securities and Cash Collateral at least equals the Margin
Percentage of the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase
Date were such Valuation Day), Repo Custodian shall promptly, but in
any event no later than 10:00 a.m. the following Valuation Day, notify
the Participating Funds of such failure.
(b) Repo Custodian shall determine the bid side portion of the Market
Value of the Securities by reference to the independent pricing
services ("Pricing Services") set forth on Schedule B. It is
understood and agreed that Repo Custodian shall use the prices made
available by the Pricing Services at the close of business of the
preceding Valuation Day. In the event that Repo Custodian is unable
to obtain a valuation of any Securities from the Pricing Services,
Repo Custodian shall request a bid quotation from a broker's broker or
a broker dealer, set forth in Schedule B, other than Seller. In the
event Repo Custodian is unable to obtain a bid quotation for any
Securities from such a broker's broker or a broker dealer, Repo
Custodian (i) shall not include any such Securities in the
determination of whether the aggregate Market Value of the Securities
and any Cash Collateral equals at least the Margin Percentage of the
Repurchase Price and (ii) shall redeliver such Securities to Seller if
the Market Value of all other Securities and any Cash Collateral with
respect to such repurchase transaction equals at least the Margin
Percentage of the Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase
Date were such Valuation Day). The Repo Custodian may rely on prices
quoted by Pricing Services, broker's brokers or broker dealers, except
Seller, as set forth in Schedule B.
(c) (i) If, on any Valuation Day, the aggregate Market Value of the
Securities and any Cash Collateral with respect to a repurchase
transaction is less than the Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price
(calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such Valuation Day)
applicable to such repurchase transaction, Repo Custodian shall
deliver to the Participating Funds an amount of additional Eligible
Securities applicable to such repurchase transaction and/or debit the
Seller Account and credit the Transaction Account with an additional
amount of Cash Collateral, such that the aggregate Market Value of all
Securities and any Cash Collateral with respect to such repurchase
transaction shall equal at least the Margin Percentage of the
Repurchase Price (calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such
Valuation Day) applicable to such repurchase transaction.
(ii) If, on any Valuation Day, the aggregate Market Value of the
Securities and any Cash Collateral with respect to a repurchase
transaction exceeds the Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price
(calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such Valuation Day)
applicable to such repurchase transaction, Repo Custodian shall return
to the Seller all or a portion of such Securities or Cash Collateral,
if any; provided that the Market Value of the remaining Securities and
any Cash Collateral with respect to the repurchase transaction shall
be at least equal to the Margin Percentage of the Repurchase Price
(calculated as if the Repurchase Date were such Valuation Day)
applicable to such repurchase transaction. At any time and from time
to time with respect to any repurchase transaction, if authorized by
the Participating Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the
Participating Funds, the Repo Custodian shall debit the Transaction
Account by an amount of Cash Collateral and credit the Seller Account
by the same amount of Cash Collateral against simultaneous delivery
from Seller to the Participating Funds of Eligible Securities
applicable to such repurchase transaction with a Market Value at least
equal to the amount of Cash Collateral credited and debited.
8. Authorized Persons. Schedule C hereto sets forth those persons
who are authorized to act for Repo Custodian, Custodian, Seller and
the Funds, respectively, under this Agreement.
9. Proper Instructions. Proper instructions shall mean a tested
telex, facsimile, a written request, direction, instruction or
certification signed or initialed by or on behalf of the party giving
the instructions by one or more authorized persons (as provided in
Paragraph 8); provided, however, that no instructions directing the
delivery of Securities or the payment of funds to any individual who
is an authorized signatory of Custodian or Repo Custodian shall be
signed by that individual. Telephonic, other oral or
electro-mechanical or electronic instructions (including the code
which may be assigned by Repo Custodian to Custodian from time to
time) given by one of the above authorized persons shall also be
considered proper instructions if the party receiving such
instructions reasonably believes them to have been given by an
authorized person with respect to the transaction involved. Oral
instructions will be confirmed by tested telex, facsimile or in
writing in the manner set forth above. The Funds and Seller authorize
Repo Custodian to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral
instructions given to Repo Custodian. Proper instructions may relate
to specific transactions or to types or classes of transactions, and
may be in the form of standing instructions.
10. Standard of Care.
(a) Repo Custodian shall be obligated to use reasonable care and
diligence in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and the
Master Agreement and shall be liable to the Funds and/or Seller only
for direct damages resulting from the negligence or willful misconduct
of the Repo Custodian or its officers, employees or agents. The
parties hereby agree that Repo Custodian shall not be liable for
consequential, special or indirect damages, even if Repo Custodians
has been advised as to the possibility thereof. So long as and to the
extent that Repo Custodian exercises reasonable care and diligence and
acts without negligence, misfeasance or misconduct, Repo Custodian
shall not be liable to Seller or the Funds for (i) any action taken or
omitted in good faith in reliance upon proper instructions, (ii) any
action taken or omitted in good faith upon any notice, request,
certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be
genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, (iii) any
delay or failure to act as may be required under this Agreement or
under the Master Agreement when such delay or failure is due to any
act of God or war, (iv) the actions or omissions of a Securities
System, (v) the title, validity or genuineness of any security
received, delivered or held by it pursuant to this Agreement or the
Master Agreement, (vi) the legality of the purchase or sale of any
Securities by or to the Participating Funds or Seller or the propriety
of the amount for which the same are purchased or sold (except to the
extent of Repo Custodian's obligations hereunder to determine whether
securities are Eligible Securities and to calculate the Market Value
of Securities and any Cash Collateral), (vii) the due authority of any
person listed on Schedule C to act on behalf of Custodian, Seller or
the Funds, as the case may be, with respect to this Agreement or
(viii) the errors of the Pricing Services, broker's brokers or broker
dealers set forth in Schedule B.
(b) Repo Custodian shall not be liable to Seller or the Funds for, or
considered to be the custodian of, any Eligible Securities or any
money to be used in a repurchase transaction, whether or not such
money is represented by any check, draft, or other instrument for the
payment of money, until the Eligible Securities have been delivered in
accordance with Paragraph 3 or until Repo Custodian actually receives
and collects such money on behalf of Seller or the Funds directly or
by the final crediting of the Seller Account or a Transaction Account
through the Securities System, except that this Paragraph 10(b) shall
not be deemed to limit the liability of Repo Custodian to Seller or
the Funds if the non-delivery of such Eligible Securities or the
failure to receive and collect such money results from the breach by
Repo Custodian of its obligations under this Agreement or the Master
Agreement.
(c) Repo Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to
ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to or held by
it are such as properly may be held by the Participating Funds;
provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Repo
Custodian shall be obligated to act in accordance with the guidelines
and proper instructions of the Participating Funds, or the Custodian
on behalf of the Participating Funds, with respect to the types of
Eligible Securities and the issuers of such Eligible Securities that
may be used in specific repurchase transactions.
(d) Repo Custodian promptly shall notify the Fund Agent and the
Custodian if Securities held by Repo Custodian are in default or if
payment on any Securities has been refused after due demand and
presentation and Repo Custodian shall take action to effect collection
of any such amounts upon the proper instructions of the Participating
Funds, or the Custodian on behalf of the Participating Funds, and
assurances satisfactory to it that it will be reimbursed for its costs
and expenses in connection with any such action.
(e) Repo Custodian shall have no duties, other than such duties as
are necessary to effectuate repurchase transactions in accordance with
this Agreement and the Master Agreement within the standard of care
set forth in Paragraph 10(a) above and in a commercially reasonable
manner.
11. Representations and Additional Covenants of Repo Custodian.
(a) Repo Custodian represents and warrants that (i) it is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder and has taken all necessary action to authorize
such execution, delivery and performance, (ii) the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement do not and will not violate any
ordinance, declaration of trust, partnership agreement, articles of
incorporation, charter, rule or statute applicable to it or any
agreement by which it is bound or by which any of its assets are
affected, (iii) the person executing this Agreement on its behalf is
duly and properly authorized to do so, (iv) it has (and will maintain)
a copy of this Agreement and evidence of its authorization in its
official books and records, and (v) this Agreement has been executed
by one of its duly authorized officers at the level of Vice President
or higher.
(b) Repo Custodian further represents and warrants that (i) it has
not pledged, encumbered, hypothecated, transferred, disposed of, or
otherwise granted, any third party an interest in any Securities, (ii)
it does not have any security interest, lien or right of setoff in the
Securities, and (iii) it has not received notification from any third
party, in its capacity as Repo Custodian, custodian bank or clearing
bank, of any lien, claim, charge or encumbrance with respect to any
Securities that are the subject of such repurchase transaction. Repo
Custodian agrees that (i) it will not pledge, encumber, hypothecate,
transfer, dispose of, or otherwise grant, any third party an interest
in any Securities, (ii) it will not acquire any security interest,
lien or right of setoff in the Securities, and (iii) it will promptly
notify the Fund Agent, if, during the term of any outstanding
repurchase transaction, it is notified by any third party, in its
capacity as Repo Custodian, custodian bank or clearing bank, of the
Participating Funds or Seller, of the existence of any lien, claim,
charge or encumbrance with respect to any Securities that are the
subject of such repurchase transaction.
12. Indemnification.
(a) Notwithstanding the Participating Fund's obligation to the Repo
Custodian under Paragraph 12(b) below, so long as and to the extent
that Repo Custodian is in the exercise of reasonable care and
diligence and acts without negligence, misfeasance or misconduct,
Seller will indemnify Repo Custodian and hold it harmless against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which it
may become subject, and reimburse it for any expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection therewith,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise
out of or are based upon or in any way related to this Agreement, the
Master Agreement or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or
effected hereunder or thereunder. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing indemnification, Repo Custodian shall be indemnified by
Seller for all costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees, for its
successful defense against claims that Repo Custodian breached its
standard of care and was negligent or engaged in misfeasance or
misconduct.
(b) So long as and to the extent that Repo Custodian is in the
exercise of reasonable care and diligence and acts without negligence,
misconduct or misfeasance, the Participating Funds will indemnify Repo
Custodian and hold it harmless against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions to which it may become subject, and
reimburse it for any expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred by it in connection therewith, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or actions result from the negligence,
misconduct or misfeasance of the Participating Funds under this
Agreement.
13. Rights and Remedies. The rights and remedies conferred upon the
parties hereto shall be cumulative, and the exercise or waiver of any
thereof shall not preclude or inhibit the exercise of any additional
rights and remedies.
14. Modification or Amendment. Except as otherwise provided in this
Paragraph 14, no modification, waiver or amendment of this Agreement
shall be binding unless in writing and executed by the parties hereto.
Schedule A, listing the Funds, may be amended from time to time to add
or delete Funds by the Funds (i) delivering an executed copy of an
addendum to Schedule A to Seller and Repo Custodian, and (ii)
amending Schedule A to the Master Agreement in accordance with the
provisions therein. The amendment of Schedule A as provided above
shall constitute appointment of Repo Custodian as a custodian for such
Fund. Schedule B may be amended from time to time by an instrument in
writing, or counterpart thereof, executed by Repo Custodian, Seller
and the Funds. Schedule C may be amended from time to time to change
an authorized person of: (i) the Funds, by written notice to Repo
Custodian and Seller by Ms. Sarah Zenoble or the Treasurer of the
Funds (or such persons who may be authorized from time to time in
writing by Ms. Zenoble or the President or Treasurer of Fidelity
Management and Research Company to trade on behalf of Fidelity's
taxable money market funds); (ii) Seller, by written notice to Repo
Custodian and the Funds by any Vice President of Seller; (iii) Repo
Custodian, by written notice to Seller, Custodian and the Funds by any
Vice President of Repo Custodian; and (iv) Custodian, by written
notice to Repo Custodian by any Vice President of Custodian. Schedule
D may be amended from time to time by any party hereto by delivery of
written notice to the other parties hereto. Repo Custodian shall
receive notice of any amendment to the Master Agreement at the address
set forth in Schedule D hereto; and, if such amendment would have a
material adverse effect on the rights of, or would materially increase
the obligations of Repo Custodian under this Agreement, any such
amendment shall also require the consent of Repo Custodian. Any such
amendment shall be deemed not to be material if Repo Custodian fails
to object in writing within 21 days after receipt of notice thereof.
No amendment to this Agreement shall affect the rights or obligations
of any Fund with respect to any outstanding repurchase transaction
entered into under this Agreement and the Master Agreement prior to
such amendment or with respect to any actions or omissions by any
party hereto prior to such amendment. In the event of conflict
between this Agreement and the Master Agreement, the Master Agreement
shall control.
15. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate forthwith upon
termination of the Master Agreement or may be terminated by any party
hereto on ten Valuation Days' written notice to the other parties;
provided, however, that any such termination shall not affect any
repurchase transaction then outstanding or any rights or obligations
under this Agreement or the Master Agreement with respect to any
actions or omissions of any party hereto prior to termination. In the
event of termination, Repo Custodian will deliver any Securities, Cash
Collateral or cash held by it or any agent to Custodian or to such
successor custodian or custodian or subcustodian as the Participating
Funds shall instruct.
16. Compensation. Seller agrees to pay Repo Custodian compensation
for the services to be rendered hereunder, based upon rates which
shall be agreed upon from time to time.
17. Notices. Except with respect to communications between Custodian
and the Funds which shall be governed by the custodian agreement or
subcustodian agreement between such parties, as the case may be, and
except as otherwise provided herein or as the parties to the Agreement
shall from time to time otherwise agree, all instructions, notices,
reports and other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall
be given to the party entitled to receive such notice at the telephone
number and address listed on Schedule D hereto.
18. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
unenforceable as a matter of law, the other terms and provisions
hereof shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force
and effect.
19. Binding Nature. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and
assignees; provided that, no party hereto may assign this Agreement or
any of the rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of the other parties.
20. Headings. Section headings are for reference purposes only and
shall not be construed as a part of this Agreement.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one
instrument.
22. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
23. Limitation of Liability. Repo Custodian and Seller are hereby
expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability set forth in
the Declarations of Trust and in the Certificates and Agreements of
Limited Partnership of the Funds and agree that the obligations
assumed by any Fund hereunder shall be limited in all cases to a Fund
and its assets or, in the case of a series Fund, to the assets of that
series only, and neither Seller, Repo Custodian nor their respective
agents or assigns shall seek satisfaction of any such obligation from
the officers, agents, employees, directors, trustees, shareholders or
partners of any such Fund or series.
24. Rights and Obligations of Each Fund. The rights and obligations
set forth in this Agreement with respect to each repurchase
transaction shall accrue only to the Participating Funds in accordance
with their respective interests therein. No other Fund shall receive
any rights or have any liabilities arising from any action or inaction
of any Participating Fund under this Agreement with respect to such
repurchase transaction.
25. General Provisions. This Agreement supersedes any other
custodian agreement by and among Seller, the Funds, and Repo Custodian
concerning repurchase transactions effected through the Joint Trading
Account. It is understood and agreed that time is of the essence with
respect to the performance of each party's respective obligations
hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
CHEMICAL BANK
[Signature lines omitted.]
GREENWICH CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
[Signature lines omitted.]
FIDELITY INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-1 HERETO AND
ACCOUNTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-3 HERETO
[Signature lines omitted.]
FIDELITY INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-2 HERETO
[Signature lines omitted.]
ACCOUNTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-4 HERETO
By: FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY
[Signature lines omitted.]
SCHEDULE A-1
SCHEDULE A-2
SCHEDULE A-3
SCHEDULE A-4
SCHEDULE B
SCHEDULE C
SCHEDULE D
277262.c1
Exhibit 8(g)
FORM OF
SCHEDULE 1
The following lists the additional counterparties to the Repo
Custodian Agreement for Joint Trading Account between Chemical Bank
and the Fidelity Funds:
Chase Securities, Inc.
CS First Boston Corp.
Dresdner Securities (U.S.A.), Inc.
HSBC Securities, Inc.
Lehman Government Securities, Inc.
Merrill Lynch Government Securities, Inc.
Paine Webber, Inc.
Salomon Brothers, Inc.
UBS Securities, Inc.
Exhibit 8(h)
FORM OF
JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Between
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
and
FIDELITY FUNDS
Dated as of: _____________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I - APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN 2
ARTICLE II - POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN 2
Section 2.01. Establishment of Accounts 2
Section 2.02. Receipt of Funds 2
Section 2.03. Repurchase Transactions 2
Section 2.04. Other Transfers 4
Section 2.05. Custodian's Books and Records 5
Section 2.06. Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants 5
Section 2.07. Securities System 6
Section 2.08. Collections 6
Section 2.09. Notices, Consents, Etc. 6
Section 2.10. Notice of Custodian's Inability to Perform 7
ARTICLE III - PROPER INSTRUCTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS 7
Section 3.01. Proper Instructions; Special Instruction 7
Section 3.02. Authorized Persons 8
Section 3.03. Investment Limitations 8
Section 3.04. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Funds 8
Section 3.05. Actions of Custodian Based on Proper Instructions and
Special
Instructions 9
ARTICLE IV - STANDARD OF CARE; INDEMNIFICATION 9
Section 4.02. Liability of Custodian for Actions of Securities Systems
9
Section 4.03. Indemnification 9
Section 4.04. Funds, Right to Proceed 10
ARTICLE V - COMPENSATION 11
Section 5.01. Compensation 11
Section 5.02. Waiver of Right of Set-Off 11
ARTICLE VI - TERMINATION 11
Section 6.01. Events of Termination 11
Section 6.02. Successor Custodian; Payment of Compensation 11
ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS 12
Section 7.01. Representative Capacity and Binding Obligation 12
Section 7.02. Entire Agreement 12
Section 7.03. Amendments 12
Section 7.04. Interpretation 12
Section 7.05. Captions 13
Section 7.06. Governing Law 13
Section 7.07. Notice and Confirmations 13
Section 7.08. Assignment 14
Section 7.09. Counterparts 14
Section 7.10. Confidentiality; Survival of Obligations 14
JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of __________ by and between The Bank of New York
(hereinafter referred to as the "Custodian") and each of the entities
listed on Schedules A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 hereto, acting on behalf of
itself or, (i) in the case of a series company, on behalf of one or
more of its portfolios or series listed on Schedule A-1 or A-2 hereto,
(ii) in the case of the accounts listed on Schedule A-3 hereto, acting
through Fidelity Management & Research Company, and (iii) in the case
of the commingled or individual accounts listed on Schedule A-4
hereto, acting through Fidelity Management Trust Company
(collectively, the "Funds" and each, a "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, each of the Funds desire to appoint the Custodian as its
custodian for the purpose of establishing and administering one or
more joint trading accounts or subaccounts thereof (individually, an
"Account" and collectively, the "Accounts") and holding cash and
securities for the Funds in connection with repurchase transactions
effected through the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, one or more of the Funds may, from time to time, enter into
one or more written repurchase agreements pursuant to which one or
more of the Funds agrees to purchase and resell, and the sellers named
in such agreements agree to sell and repurchase through the Accounts,
certain securities (collectively, the "Securities") (such repurchase
agreements being hereinafter referred to, collectively, as the
"Repurchase Agreements"); and
WHEREAS, each of the custodians identified in ScheduleB hereto (each,
a "Fund Custodian") serves as the primary custodian for one or more of
the Funds; and
WHEREAS, from time to time one or more of the Funds may arrange to
transfer cash or Securities from one or more Fund Custodians to the
Custodian or transfer cash or Securities from the Custodian to one or
more Fund Custodians, or in the case of Funds in which Custodian is
also Fund Custodian, such Fund may arrange for transfer of cash or
Securities between an Account and an account maintained by Custodian
in its capacity as Fund Custodian for such Fund, in each event in
connection with Repurchase Agreement transactions; and
WHEREAS, from time to time, such Funds may arrange to transfer cash
or securities from the Custodian to the seller in such Repurchase
Agreement transactions, or in the case in which Custodian is also the
clearing bank for such seller, such Funds may arrange for transfer of
cash or securities between an Account and an account maintained by
Custodian for such seller in its capacity as clearing bank, in each
event in connection with two-party Repurchase Agreement transactions;
and
WHEREAS, each of the custodians identified in Schedule C hereto
(each, a "Repo Custodian") serves as a third-party custodian of the
Funds for purposes of effecting third-party Repurchase Agreement
transactions; and
WHEREAS, from time to time one or more of the Funds may arrange to
transfer cash or Securities from the Custodian to one or more Repo
Custodians or transfer cash or Securities from one or more Repo
Custodians to the Custodian, or in the case in which Custodian is also
Repo Custodian, such Funds may arrange for transfer of cash or
securities between an Account and an account maintained for such Funds
in its capacity as Repo Custodian, in each event in connection with
third-party Repurchase Agreement transactions;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I - APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
Each of the Funds hereby employs and appoints the Custodian as its
custodian, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II - POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
As custodian, the Custodian shall have and perform the powers and
duties, and only such powers and duties, as are set forth in this
Agreement.
Section 2.01. Establishment of Accounts. The Custodian shall
establish one or more Accounts as segregated joint trading accounts
for the Funds through which the Funds shall, from time to time, effect
Repurchase Agreement transactions.
Section 2.02. Receipt of Funds. The Custodian shall, from time to
time, receive funds for or on behalf of the Funds and shall hold such
funds in safekeeping. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall credit funds so received to one or more Accounts
designated in such Proper Instructions. Promptly after receipt of
such funds from the Fund Custodian or a Repo Custodian or promptly
following the transfer to an Account from any account maintained by
Custodian in its capacity as Fund Custodian, or as Repo Custodian, the
Custodian shall provide written confirmation of such receipt to the
Fund Custodian or Repo Custodian, when and as applicable, and of such
receipt or transfer to the Fund Agent designated in Section 7.07(b)
hereof (the "Fund Agent"). The Custodian shall designate on its books
and records the funds allocable to each Account and the identity of
each Fund participating in such Account.
Section 2.03. Repurchase Transactions. The Funds may, from time to
time, enter into Repurchase Agreement transactions. In connection
with each such Repurchase Agreement transaction, unless otherwise
specifically directed by Special Instructions, the Custodian shall
take the following actions:
(a) Purchase of Securities. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall pay for and receive Securities and any cash
denominated in U.S. Dollars which is serving as collateral ("Cash
Collateral"), provided that payment therefor shall be made by the
Custodian only against prior or simultaneous receipt of the Securities
and any Cash Collateral in the manner prescribed in subsection 2.03(b)
below. Except as provided in Section2.04 hereof, in no event shall
the Custodian deliver funds from an Account for the purchase of
Securities and any Cash Collateral prior to receipt of the Securities
and any Cash Collateral by the Custodian or a Securities System (as
hereinafter defined). The Custodian is not under any obligation to
make credit available to the Funds to complete transactions hereunder.
Promptly after the transfer of funds and receipt of Securities and any
Cash Collateral, the Custodian shall provide a confirmation to the
Fund Agent, setting forth (i) the Securities and any Cash Collateral
which the Custodian has received pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement
transaction, (ii) the amount of funds transferred from the applicable
Account, and (iii) any security or transaction identification numbers
reasonably requested by the Fund Agent.
(b) Receipt and Holding of Securities. In connection with each
Repurchase Agreement transaction, the Custodian shall receive and hold
the Securities as follows: (i) in the case of certificated securities,
by physical receipt of the certificates or other instruments
representing such Securities and by physical segregation of such
certificates or instruments from other assets of the Custodian in a
manner indicating that such Securities belong to specified Funds; and
(ii) in the case of Securities held in book-entry form by a Securities
System (as hereinafter defined), by appropriate transfer and
registration of such Securities to a customer only account of the
Custodian on the book-entry records of the Securities System, and by
appropriate entry on the books and records of the Custodian
identifying such Securities as belonging to specified Funds.
(c) Sale of Securities. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall make delivery of Securities and any Cash Collateral
held in or credited to an Account against prior or simultaneous
payment for such Securities in immediately available funds in the form
of: (i) cash, bank credit, or bank wire transfer received by the
Custodian; or (ii) credit to the customer only account of the
Custodian with a Securities System. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Custodian shall make delivery of Securities held in physical form
in accordance with "street delivery custom" to a broker or its
clearing agent, against delivery to the Custodian of a receipt for
such Securities; provided that the Custodian shall have taken all
actions possible to ensure prompt collection of the payment for, or
the return of such Securities by the broker or its clearing agent.
Promptly after the transfer of Securities and any Cash Collateral and
the receipt of funds, the Custodian shall provide a confirmation to
the Fund Agent, setting forth the amount of funds received by the
Custodian or a Securities System for credit to the applicable Account.
(d) Additional Functions. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the
Custodian shall take all such other actions as specified in such
Proper Instructions and as shall be reasonable or necessary with
respect to Repurchase Agreement transactions and the Securities and
funds transferred and received pursuant to such transactions,
including, without limitation, all such actions as shall be prescribed
in the event of a default under a Repurchase Agreement.
(e) Nondiscretionary Functions. The Custodian shall attend to all
non-discretionary details in connection with the purchase, sale,
transfer or other dealings with Securities or other assets of the
Funds held by the Custodian.
(f) In the event that the Custodian is directed by Proper
Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf of a
Fund for which there would be, at the close of business on the date of
such payment or transfer, insufficient funds held by the Custodian on
behalf of such Fund, the Custodian may, in its discretion, provide an
overdraft ("Overdraft") to the Fund, in an amount sufficient to allow
the completion of such payment or transfer. Any Overdraft provided
hereunder: (a) shall be payable on the next Business Day, unless
otherwise agreed by the Fund and the Custodian; and (b) shall accrue
interest form the date of the Overdraft to the date of payment in full
by the Fund at a rate agreed upon in writing, from time to time, by
the Custodian and the Fund. The Custodian and the Funds acknowledge
that the purpose of such Overdrafts is to temporarily finance the
purchase or sale of securities for prompt delivery in accordance with
the terms hereof, or to meet emergency expenses not reasonably
foreseeable by a particular Fund. The Funds hereby agree that the
Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in and to
all Securities whose purchase is financed by Custodian and which are
in Custodian's possession or in the possession or control of any third
party acting on Custodian's behalf and the proceeds thereof. In this
regard, Custodian shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies of
a pledgee under common law and a secured party under the New York
Uniform Commercial Code and any other applicable laws or regulations
as then in effect.
Section 2.04. Other Transfers.
(a) In addition to transfers of funds and Securities referred to in
Section 2.03, the Custodian shall transfer funds and Securities held
in an Account: (a) upon receipt of Proper Instructions, to (i)any
Fund Custodian, or (ii)any other account maintained for any Fund by
the Custodian in its capacity as a Fund Custodian, (iii)any Repo
Custodian or (iv) any other account maintained for any Fund by the
Custodian in its capacity as a Repo Custodian; or (b) upon receipt of
Special Instructions, and subject to Section 3.04 hereof, to any other
person or entity designated in such Special Instructions.
(b) Determination of Fund Custodian Daily Net Amount. On each
banking day, based upon daily transaction information provided to the
Custodian by the Funds, Custodian shall determine: (i) the amount of
cash due to be transferred on such day by each Fund Custodian to the
Custodian in connection with all Repurchase Agreement transactions in
which the date fixed for the repurchase and resale of Securities is
the banking day next following the date on which the sale and purchase
of such Securities takes place (each, an "Overnight Repo Transaction")
to be effected through the Accounts in such day; and (ii) the amount
of cash due to be transferred on such day by Custodian to such Fund
Custodian in connection with all outstanding Overnight Repo
Transactions previously effected through the Accounts (the difference
between (i) and (ii) with respect to each Fund Custodian being
referred to as the "Fund Custodian Daily Net Amount"). On each
banking day, Custodian shall notify each Fund Custodian of the
foregoing determination and, unless otherwise directed in accordance
with Proper Instructions, Custodian shall (i) instruct such Fund
Custodian to transfer cash to the Custodian equal to the Fund
Custodian Daily Net Amount (if the Fund Custodian Daily Net Amount is
positive) or (ii) transfer to such Fund Custodian cash equal to the
Fund Custodian Daily Net Amount (if the Fund Custodian Daily Net
Amount is negative).
(c) Determination of Repo Custodian Daily Net Amount. On each
banking day, based upon daily transaction information provided to the
Custodian by the Funds and each Repo Custodian, Custodian shall
determine: (i) the amount of cash due to be transferred on such day
by each Repo Custodian on behalf of the Funds to all counterparties in
connection with all third-party Overnight Repo Transactions to be
effected through the Accounts on such day; and (ii) the amount of cash
due to be transferred on such day by each Repo Custodian on behalf of
all counterparties to the Funds in connection with all outstanding
third-party Overnight Repo Transactions previously effected through
the Accounts (the difference between (i) and (ii) with respect to each
Repo Custodian being referred to as the "Repo Custodian Daily Net
Amount"). On each banking day, Custodian shall notify the Funds of
the foregoing determinations and, unless otherwise directed in
accordance with Proper Instructions, Custodian shall (i) transfer to
each Repo Custodian cash equal to the Repo Custodian Daily Net Amount
(if the Repo Custodian Daily Net Amount is positive) or (ii) instruct
each Repo Custodian to transfer to the Custodian cash equal to the
Repo Custodian Daily Net Amount (if the Repo Custodian Daily Net
Amount is negative).
Section 2.05. Custodian's Books and Records. The Custodian shall
provide any assistance reasonably requested by the Funds in the
preparation of reports to shareholders of the Funds and others, audits
of accounts, and other ministerial matters of like nature. The
Custodian shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to
cash and Securities held for the benefit of the Funds as required by
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
applicable to investment companies registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"),
including: (a) journals or other records of original entry containing
a detailed and itemized daily record of all receipts and deliveries of
securities (including certificate and transaction identification
numbers, if any), and all receipts and disbursements of cash; (b)
ledgers or other records reflecting Securities in transfer, and
Securities in physical possession; and (c) cancelled checks and bank
records related thereto. The Custodian shall keep such other books
and records of the Funds relating to repurchase transactions effected
through the Accounts as the Funds shall reasonably request. Such
books and records maintained by the Custodian shall reflect at all
times the identity of each Fund participating in each Account and the
aggregate amount of the Securities and any Cash Collateral held by the
Custodian on behalf of the Funds in such Account pursuant to this
Agreement. All such books and records maintained by the Custodian
shall be maintained in a form acceptable to the Funds and in
compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, books and records
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company
Act and the rules from time to time adopted thereunder. All books and
records maintained by the Custodian relating to the Accounts shall at
all times be the property of the Funds and shall be available during
normal business hours for inspection and use by the Funds and their
agents, including, without limitation, their independent certified
public accountants. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Funds
shall not take any actions or cause Custodian to take any actions
which would cause, either directly or indirectly, the Custodian to
violate any applicable laws, regulations, rules or orders.
Section 2.06. Reports by Independent Certified Public Accountants.
At the request of the Funds, the Custodian shall deliver to the Funds
such annual reports and other interim reports prepared by the
independent certified public accountants of the Custodian with respect
to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the Custodian's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
Securities, including Securities deposited and/or maintained in a
Securities System. Such reports, which shall be of sufficient scope
and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by the Funds
and as may reasonably by obtained by the Custodian, shall provide
reasonable assurance to the Funds that the procedures employed by the
independent certified public accountants are reasonably designed to
detect any material inadequacies with respect to the matters discussed
in the report, shall state in detail the material inadequacies
disclosed by such examination, and, if no such inadequacies exist,
shall so state.
Section 2.07. Securities System. As used herein the term "Securities
System" shall mean each of the following: (a) the Depository Trust
Company; (b) the Participants Trust Company; (c) any book-entry system
as provided in (i) Subpart0 of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31CFR
306.115, (ii) SubpartB of Treasury Circular Public Debt Series No.
27-76, 31CFR 350.2, or (iii) the book-entry regulations of federal
agencies substantially in the form of 31CFR 306.115; or (d) any
domestic clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under Section17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (or as may otherwise be authorized by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to serve in the capacity of depository or clearing
agent for the securities or other assets of investment companies)
which acts as a securities depository and the use of which has been
approved in Special Instructions. Use of a Securities System by the
Custodian shall be in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board
and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any,
and subject to the following provisions:
(A) The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities held
hereunder in a Securities System, provided that such Securities are
represented in an account of the Custodian in the Securities System
which account shall not contain any assets of the Custodian other than
assets held as a fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for customers.
(B) The Custodian shall, if requested by the Funds, provide the Funds
with all reports obtained by the Custodian with respect to the
Securities System's accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the Securities
System.
(C) Upon receipt of Special Instructions, the Custodian shall
terminate the use hereunder of any Securities System (except for the
federal book-entry system) as promptly as practicable and shall take
all actions reasonably practicable to safeguard the Securities and
other assets of the Funds maintained with such Securities System.
Section 2.08. Collections. The Custodian shall (a) collect, receive
and deposit in the applicable Account all income and other payments
with respect to Securities held by the Custodian hereunder; (b)
endorse and deliver any instruments required to effect such
collection; and (c) execute ownership and other certificates and
affidavits for all federal, state and foreign tax purposes in
connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to
Securities, or in connection with the transfer of Securities.
Section 2.09. Notices, Consents, Etc. The Custodian shall deliver to
the Funds, in the most expeditious manner practicable, all notices,
consents or announcements affecting or relating to Securities held by
the Custodian on behalf of the Funds that are received by the
Custodian, and, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian
shall execute and deliver such consents or other authorizations as may
be required.
Section 2.10. Notice of Custodian's Inability to Perform. The
Custodian shall promptly notify the Funds in writing by facsimile
transmission or such other manner as the Funds may designate, if, for
any reason: (a) the Custodian determines that it is unable to perform
any of its duties or obligations hereunder or its duties or
obligations with respect to any repurchase transaction; or (b) the
Custodian reasonably foresees that it will be unable to perform any
such duties or obligations.
ARTICLE III - PROPER INSTRUCTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS
Section 3.01. Proper Instructions; Special Instruction.
(a) Proper Instructions. As used herein, the term "Proper
Instructions" shall mean: (i) a tested telex, a written (including,
without limitation, facsimile transmission) request, direction,
instruction or certification signed or initialed by one or more
Authorized Persons (as hereinafter defined); (ii) a telephonic or
other oral communication by one or more Authorized Persons; or (iii) a
communication effected directly between electromechanical or
electronic devices or systems (including, without limitation,
computers) by one or more Authorized Persons; provided, however, that
communications of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above
purporting to be given by an Authorized Person shall be considered
Proper Instructions only if the Custodian reasonably believes such
communications to have been given by an Authorized Person with respect
to the transaction involved. Proper Instructions in the form of oral
communications shall be confirmed by the Funds by tested telex or in
writing in the manner set forth in clause(i) above, but the lack of
such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken by the
Custodian in reliance upon such oral instructions prior to the
Custodian's receipt of such confirmation. Each of the Funds and the
Custodian is hereby authorized to record any and all telephonic or
other oral instructions communicated to the Custodian. Proper
Instructions may relate to specific transactions or to types or
classes of transactions, and may be in the form of standing
instructions.
(b) Special Instructions. As used herein, the term "Special
Instructions" shall mean Proper Instructions countersigned or
confirmed in writing by, in the case of the entities listed in
Schedules A-1 or A-2 hereto, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer
of the Funds or any other person designated in writing by the
Treasurer of the Funds, and in the case of each of the entities listed
on Schedules A-3 or A-4, by the officer who is a signatory to this
Agreement on behalf of such entity or any other person designated in
writing by such officer or an officer of such entity of higher
authority, which countersignature or written confirmation shall be (i)
included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions or
on a separate instrument relating thereto, and (ii) delivered by hand,
by facsimile transmission, or in such other manner as the parties
hereto may agree in writing.
(c) Address for Proper Instructions and Special Instructions. Proper
Instructions and Special Instructions shall be delivered to the
Custodian at the address and/or telephone, telecopy or telex number
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Funds.
Section 3.02. Authorized Persons. Concurrently with the execution of
this Agreement and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, the
Funds shall deliver to the Custodian, duly certified as appropriate by
the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Funds or by a
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Funds, and in the case of each
of the entities listed on Schedules A-3 or A-4, by the officer who is
a signatory to this Agreement on behalf of such entity or any other
person designated in writing by such officer or an officer of higher
authority, a certificate setting forth (a) the names, signatures and
scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Proper
Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction,
certificate or instrument on behalf of the Funds (collectively, the
"Authorized Persons," and individually, an "Authorized Person"), and
(b) the names and signatures of those persons authorized to issue
Special Instructions. Such certificate may be accepted and relied
upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth
therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until
delivery to the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary.
Upon delivery of a certificate which deletes the name of a person
previously authorized to give Proper Instructions or to issue Special
Instructions, such person shall no longer be considered an Authorized
Person or authorized to issue Special Instructions, as applicable.
Section 3.03. Investment Limitations. In performing its duties
hereunder the Custodian may assume, unless and until it receives
special Instructions to the contrary (a "Contrary Notice"), that
Proper Instructions received by it are not in conflict with or in any
way contrary to any investment or other limitation applicable to any
of the Funds. The Custodian shall in no event be liable to the Funds
and shall be indemnified by the Funds for any loss, damage or expense
to the Custodian arising out of any violation of any investment or
other limitation to which any Fund is subject, except to the extent
that such loss, damage or expense: (i) relates to a violation of any
investment or other limitation of a Fund occurring after receipt by
the Custodian of a Contrary Notice; or (ii) arises from a breach of
this Agreement by the Custodian.
Section 3.04. Persons Having Access to Assets of the Funds. No
Authorized Person, Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Funds
(other than the Custodian) shall have physical access to the assets of
the Funds held by the Custodian, or shall be authorized or permitted
to withdraw any such assets for delivery to an account of such person,
nor shall the Custodian deliver any such assets to any such person;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 3.04 shall prohibit:
(a) any Authorized Person from giving Proper Instructions, or the
persons described in Section 3.01(b) from issuing Special
Instructions, so long as such action does not result in delivery of or
access to assets of the Funds prohibited by this Section 3.04; or (b)
the Funds' independent certified public accountants from examining or
reviewing the assets of the Funds held by the Custodian.
Section 3.05. Actions of Custodian Based on Proper Instructions and
Special Instructions. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.01
hereof, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity
or genuineness of any property, or evidence of title thereof, received
by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV - STANDARD OF CARE; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 4.01. Standard of Care.
(a) General Standard of Care. The Custodian shall exercise
reasonable care and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and
obligations under this Agreement, and shall be liable to the Funds for
all loss, damage and expense incurred or suffered by the Funds,
resulting from the failure of the Custodian to exercise such
reasonable care and diligence or from any other breach by the
Custodian of the terms of this Agreement.
(b) Acts of God, Etc. In no event shall the Custodian incur
liability hereunder if the Custodian is prevented, forbidden or
delayed from performing, or omits to perform, any act or thing which
this Agreement provides shall be performed or omitted to be performed
by reason of: (i) any provision of any present or future law or
regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state
thereof, or of any foreign country, or political subdivision thereof
or of any court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) any act of God or
war; unless, in each case, such delay or nonperformance is caused by
(A) the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian, or (B)
a malfunction or failure of equipment maintained or operated by the
Custodian other than a malfunction or failure caused by events beyond
the Custodian's control and which could not reasonably be anticipated
and/or prevented by the Custodian.
(c) Mitigation by Custodian. Upon the occurrence of any event which
causes or may cause any loss, damage or expense to the Funds, the
Custodian shall use all commercially reasonable efforts and shall take
all reasonable steps under the circumstances to mitigate the effects
of such event and to avoid continuing harm to the Funds.
Section 4.02. Liability of Custodian for Actions of Securities
Systems. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section4.01 to the
contrary, the Custodian shall not be liable to the Funds for any loss,
damage or expense resulting from the use by the Custodian of a
Securities System, unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by,
or results from, negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the
Custodian. In the case of loss, damage or expense resulting from use
of a Securities System by the Custodian, the Custodian shall take all
reasonable steps to enforce such rights as it may have against the
Securities System to protect the interest of the Funds.
Section 4.03. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification Obligations. Subject to the limitations set
forth in this Agreement, the Funds severally agree to indemnify and
hold harmless the Custodian from all claims and liabilities (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred or assessed against the Custodian
for actions taken in reliance upon Proper Instructions or Special
Instructions; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not apply
to claims and liabilities occasioned by or resulting from the
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian, or any other
breach of this Agreement by the Custodian. In addition, the Funds
severally agree to indemnify the Custodian against any liability
incurred by the Custodian by reason of taxes assessed to the
Custodian, or other costs, liability or expenses incurred by the
Custodian, resulting directly or indirectly solely from the fact that
securities and other property of the Funds is registered in the name
of the Custodian; provided, however, in no event shall such
indemnification be applicable to income, franchise or similar taxes
which may be imposed or applied against the Custodian or charges
imposed by a Federal Reserve Bank with respect to intra-day overdrafts
unless separately agreed to by the Funds.
(b) Extent of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, with respect to the indemnification obligations of
the Funds provided in this Section4.03, each Fund shall be: (i)
severally, and not jointly and severally, liable with each of the
other Funds; and (ii) liable only for its pro rata share of such
liabilities, determined with reference to such Fund's proportionate
interest in the aggregate of assets held by the Custodian in the
Account with respect to which such liability relates at the time such
liability was incurred, as reflected on the books and records of the
Funds.
(c) Notice of Litigation, Right to Prosecute, Etc. The Custodian
shall promptly notify the Funds in writing of the commencement of any
litigation or proceeding brought against the Custodian in respect of
which indemnity may be sought against the Funds pursuant to this
Section4.03. The Funds shall be entitled to participate in any such
litigation or proceeding and, after written notice from the Funds to
the Custodian, the Funds may assume the defense of such litigation or
proceeding with counsel of their choice at their own expense. The
Custodian shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into
any settlement in any such litigation or proceeding without providing
the Funds with adequate notice of any such settlement or judgment, and
without the Funds' prior written consent. The Custodian shall submit
written evidence to the Funds with respect to any cost or expense for
which it seeks indemnification in such form and detail as the Funds
may reasonably request.
Section 4.04. Funds, Right to Proceed. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein, the Funds shall have, at their election
upon reasonable notice to the Custodian, the right to enforce, to the
extent permitted by any applicable agreement and applicable law, the
Custodian's rights against any Securities System or other person for
loss, damage or expense caused the Custodian or the Funds by such
Securities System or other person, and shall be entitled to enforce
the rights of the Custodian with respect to.any claim against such
Securities System or other person which the Custodian may have as a
consequence of any such loss, damage or expense if and to the extent
that the Custodian or any Fund has not been made whole for any such
loss, damage or expense.
ARTICLE V - COMPENSATION
Section 5.01. Compensation. The Custodian shall be compensated for
its services hereunder in an amount, and at such times, as may be
agreed upon, from time to time, by the Custodian and the Funds. Each
Fund shall be severally, and not jointly, liable with the other Funds
only for its pro rata share of such compensation, determined with
reference to such Fund's proportionate interest in each Repurchase
Agreement transaction to which such compensation relates.
Section 5.02. Waiver of Right of Set-Off. The Custodian hereby
waives and relinquishes all contractual and common law rights of
set-off to which it may now or hereafter be or become entitled with
respect to any obligations of the Funds to the Custodian arising under
this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI - TERMINATION
Section 6.01. Events of Termination. This Agreement shall continue
in full force and effect until the first to occur of: (a) termination
by the Custodian or the Funds by an instrument in writing delivered to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than
ninety (90) days after the date of such delivery; or (b) termination
by the Funds by written notice delivered to the Custodian, based upon
the Funds' determination that there is a reasonable basis to conclude
that the Custodian is insolvent or that the financial condition of the
Custodian is deteriorating in any material respect, in which case
termination shall take effect upon the Custodians receipt of such
notice or at such later time as the Funds shall designate; provided,
however, that this Agreement may be terminated as to one or more Funds
(but less than all Funds) by delivery of an amended Schedule A-1, A-2,
A-3 or A-4 pursuant to Section7.03 hereof. The execution and delivery
of an amended Schedule A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 which deletes one or more
Funds shall constitute a termination of this Agreement only with
respect to such deleted Fund(s).
Section 6.02. Successor Custodian; Payment of Compensation. Each of
the Funds may identify a successor custodian to which the cash,
Securities and other assets of such Fund shall, upon termination of
this Agreement, be delivered; provided that in the case of the
termination of this Agreement with respect to any of the Funds, such
Fund or Funds shall direct the Custodian to transfer the assets of
such Fund or Funds held by the Custodian pursuant to Proper
Instructions. The Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Funds in the
execution of documents and performance or all other actions necessary
or desirable in order to substitute the successor custodian for the
Custodian under this Agreement. In the event of termination, each
Fund shall make payment of such Fund's applicable share of unpaid
compensation within a reasonable time following termination and
delivery of a statement to the Funds setting forth such fees. The
termination of this Agreement with respect to any of the Funds shall
be governed by the provisions of this ArticleVI as to notice, payments
and delivery of securities and other assets, and shall not affect the
obligations of the parties hereunder with respect to the other Funds
set forth in Schedule A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 as amended from time to
time.
ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01. Representative Capacity and Binding Obligation. A COPY
OF THE DECLARATION OF TRUST OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS OF EACH
FUND IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE OF EACH FUND'S
FORMATION, AND NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT
EXECUTED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES OF ANY FUND AS INDIVIDUALS, AND THE
OBLIGATIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE NOT BINDING UPON ANY OF THE
SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES, DIRECTORS, PARTNERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR
AGENTS OF ANY FUND INDIVIDUALLY, BUT ARE BINDING ONLY UPON THE ASSETS
AND PROPERTY OF THE FUNDS, AND IN THE CASE OF SERIES COMPANIES, SUCH
FUNDS' RESPECTIVE PORTFOLIOS OR SERIES.
THE CUSTODIAN AGREES THAT NO SHAREHOLDER, TRUSTEE, DIRECTOR, PARTNER,
OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF ANY FUND MAY BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE
OR RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OBLIGATIONS OF THE FUNDS ARISING OUT OF THIS
AGREEMENT. WITH RESPECT TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH FUND ARISING OUT OF
THIS AGREEMENT, THE CUSTODIAN SHALL LOOK FOR PAYMENT OR SATISFACTION
OF ANY CLAIM SOLELY TO THE ASSETS AND PROPERTY OF THE FUND TO WHICH
SUCH OBLIGATION RELATES AS THOUGH EACH FUND HAD SEPARATELY CONTRACTED
WITH THE CUSTODIAN BY SEPARATE WRITTEN INSTRUMENT."
Section 7.02. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the
entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof.
Section 7.03. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be
amended except by a statement in writing signed by the party against
which enforcement of the amendment is sought; provided, however,
Schedule A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 listing the Funds which are parties
hereto, Schedule B listing the Fund Custodians and Schedule C listing
the Repo Custodians may be amended from time to time to add or delete
one or more Funds, Fund Custodians or Repo Custodians, as the case may
be, by the Funds' delivery of an amended Schedule A-1, A-2, A-3 or
A-4, Schedule B or Schedule C to the Custodian. The deletion of one
or more Funds from Schedule A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 shall have the effect
of terminating this Agreement as to such Fund(s), but shall not affect
this Agreement with respect to any other Fund.
Section 7.04. Interpretation. In connection with the operation of
this Agreement, the Custodian, and the Funds may agree in writing from
time to time on such provisions interpretative of or in addition to
the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. No
interpretative or additional provisions made as provided in the
preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this
Agreement.
Section 7.05. Captions. Headings contained in this Agreement, which
are included as convenient references only, shall have no bearing upon
the interpretation of the terms of the Agreement or the obligations of
the parties hereto.
Section 7.06. Governing Law. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
Section 7.07. Notice and Confirmations.
(a) Except as provided in Section 7.07(b) below and except in the
case of Proper Instructions or Special Instructions, notices and other
writings contemplated by this Agreement shall be delivered by hand or
by facsimile transmission (provided that in the case of delivery by
facsimile transmission, notice shall also be mailed postage prepaid)
to the parties at the following addresses:
(i) If to the Funds:
FMR Texas Inc.
400 East Las Colinas Blvd., CP9M
Irving, Texas 75039
Telephone: (214) 584-7800
Attention: Ms. Deborah Todd or
Mr. Samuel Silver
(ii) If to the Custodian:
The Bank of New York
One Wall Street
Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10286
Attn: Claire Meskovic
Telephone: (212) 635-4808
Telefax: (212) 635-4828
(b) The Custodian may provide the confirmations required by Sections
2.02 and 2.03 of this Agreement by making the information available in
the form of a communication directly between electromechanical or
electrical devices or systems (including, without limitation,
computers) (or in such other manner as the parties hereto may agree in
writing) to the following Fund Agent:
Fidelity Accounting and Custody
Domestic Securities Operations
400 East Las Colinas Blvd., CP9E
Irving, Texas 75039
Telephone: (214) 506-4071
Attention: Mr. Mark Mufler
The address and telephone number of the Funds, the Fund Agent and the
Custodian and the identity of the Fund Agent specified in this Section
7.07 may be changed by written notice of the Funds to Custodian or
Custodian to the Funds, as the case may be. All written notices which
are required or provided to be given hereunder shall be effective upon
actual receipt by the entity to which such notice is given.
Section 7.08. Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding on and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, provided that, no party hereto may assign this
Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the
prior written consent of each of the other parties.
Section 7.09. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts
have been signed and delivered by each of the parties.
Section 7.10. Confidentiality; Survival of Obligations. The parties
hereto agree that they shall each shall treat confidentially the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each
party to the others regarding its business and operations. All
confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by
any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services
pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying
out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without
the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be
applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided
or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach
of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any bank
examiner of the Custodian, any auditor of the parties hereto or by
judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or
regulation. The provisions of this Section 7.10 and Sections3.03,
4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 7.01 and 7.06 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement, provided that in the event of
termination the Custodian agrees that it shall transfer and return
Securities and other assets held by the Custodian for the benefit of
the Funds as the Funds direct pursuant to Proper Instructions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to
be executed in its name and behalf on the day and year first above
written.
BANK OF NEW YORK
[Signature lines omitted]
FIDELITY INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED
ON SCHEDULE A-1 HERETO AND ACCOUNTS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-3 HERETO
[Signature lines omitted]
FIDELITY INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED
ON SCHEDULE A-2 HERETO
[Signature lines omitted]
ACCOUNTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-4 HERETO
By: FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY
[Signature lines omitted]
94975.c5
SCHEDULES A-1, A-2, A-3 AND A-4
TO JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT CUSTODY AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE BANK OF NEW YORK AND FIDELITY FUNDS DATED AS OF ____________
The following is a list of the Funds to which this Agreement applies:
SCHEDULE A-1
SCHEDULE A-2
SCHEDULE A-3
SCHEDULE A-4
SCHEDULE B
SCHEDULE C
Exhibit 8(i)
FORM OF
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT CUSTODY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
AND
FIDELITY FUNDS
FIRST AMENDMENT TO JOINT TRADING ACCOUNT CUSTODY AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE BANK OF NEW YORK AND FIDELITY FUNDS, dated as of _______, by and
between THE BANK OF NEW YORK ("Custodian") and each of the entities
listed on SchedulesA-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 hereto on behalf of itself
or, (i) in the case of a series company, on behalf of one or more of
its portfolios or series listed on SchedulesA-1 or A-2 hereto, (ii) in
the case of the accounts listed on Schedule A-3 hereto, acting through
Fidelity Management & Research Company, and (iii)in the case of the
commingled or individual accounts listed on Schedule A-4 hereto,
acting through Fidelity Management Trust Company (collectively, the
"Funds" and each, a "Fund").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Custodian and certain of the Funds have entered into that
certain Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement between The Bank of
New York and Fidelity Funds, dated as of _________ (the "Agreement"),
pursuant to which the Funds have appointed the Custodian as its
custodian for the purpose of establishing and administering one or
more joint trading accounts or subaccounts thereof (individually, an
"Account" and collectively, the "Accounts") and holding cash and
securities for the Funds in connection with repurchase transactions
effected through the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, Seller and the Funds desire to amend the Agreement as set
forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises
and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows.
Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires,
terms used in this Amendment, including the preamble and recitals,
have the meanings provided in the Agreement.
The Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Paragraph2.03(f) in its
entirety and substituting the following in lieu thereof:
"(f) Overdraft. In the event that the Custodian is directed by
Proper Instructions to make any payment or transfer of funds on behalf
of a Fund for which there would be, at the close of business on the
date of such payment or transfer, insufficient funds held by the
Custodian on behalf of such Fund, the Custodian may, in its
discretion, provide an overdraft ("Overdraft") to the Fund (such Fund
being referred to herein as an "Overdraft Fund"), in an amount
sufficient to allow the completion of such payment or transfer. Any
Overdraft provided hereunder: (a) shall be payable on the next
Business Day, unless otherwise agreed by the Overdraft Fund and the
Custodian; and (b) shall accrue interest from the date of the
Overdraft to the date of payment in full by the Overdraft Fund at a
rate agreed upon in writing, from time to time, by the Custodian and
the Overdraft Fund. The Custodian and the Funds acknowledge that the
purpose of such Overdrafts is to temporarily finance the purchase or
sale of securities for prompt delivery in accordance with the terms
hereof. The Custodian hereby agrees to notify each Overdraft Fund by
3:00 p.m., New York time, of the amount of any Overdraft. Provided
that Custodian has given the notice required by this subparagraph (f),
the Funds hereby agree that, as security for the Overdraft of an
Overdraft Fund, the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and
security interest in and to all interest of such Overdraft Fund in
Securities whose purchase is financed by Custodian and which are in
Custodian's possession or in the possession or control of any third
party acting on Custodian's behalf and the proceeds thereof. In this
regard, Custodian shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies of
a pledgee under common law and a secured party under the New York
Uniform Commercial Code and any other applicable laws or regulations
as then in effect."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amendment to be
executed and delivered under seal by their duly authorized officers.
BANK OF NEW YORK
[Signature lines omitted.]
FIDELITY INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED
ON SCHEDULE A-1 HERETO AND ACCOUNTS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-3 HERETO
[Signature lines omitted.]
FIDELITY INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED
[Signature lines omitted.]
ACCOUNTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A-4 HERETO
By: FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY
[Signature lines omitted.]
SCHEDULE A-1
SCHEDULE A-2
SCHEDULE A-3
SCHEDULE A-4
Exhibit 11
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference into the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information in Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Fidelity
Covington Trust: Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II of our
report dated February 17, 1998, on the financial statements and
financial highlights included in the December 31, 1997 Annual Report
to Shareholders of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II, which are
also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.
We further consent to the references to our Firm under the headings
"Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus and "Auditor" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
/s/PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 27, 1998
EXHIBIT 15
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
of Fidelity Covington Trust:
Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II
1. This Distribution and Service Plan (the "Plan"), when effective in
accordance with its terms, shall be the written plan contemplated by
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") of
Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II (the "Portfolio"), a series
of shares of Fidelity Covington Trust (the "Fund").
2. The Fund has entered into a General Distribution Agreement with
respect to the Portfolio with Fidelity Distributors Corporation (the
"Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity Management &
Research Company (the "Adviser"), under which the Distributor uses all
reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure
purchasers for the Portfolio's shares of beneficial interest
("shares"). Under the agreement, the Distributor pays the expenses of
printing and distributing any prospectuses, reports and other
literature used by the Distributor, advertising, and other promotional
activities in connection with the offering of shares of the Portfolio
for sale to the public. It is recognized that the Adviser may use its
management fee revenues as well as past profits or its resources from
any other source, to make payment to the Distributor with respect to
any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Portfolio
shares, including the activities referred to above.
3. The Adviser directly, or through the Distributor, may, subject to
the approval of the Trustees, make payments to securities dealers and
other third parties who engage in the sale of shares or who render
shareholder support services, including but not limited to providing
office space, equipment and telephone facilities, answering routine
inquiries regarding the Portfolio, processing shareholder transactions
and providing such other shareholder services as the Fund may
reasonably request.
4. The Portfolio will not make separate payments as a result of this
Plan to the Adviser, Distributor or any other party, it being
recognized that the Portfolio presently pays, and will continue to
pay, a management fee to the Adviser. To the extent that any payments
made by the Portfolio to the Adviser, including payment of management
fees, should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Portfolio
within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such payments
shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
5. This Plan shall become effective upon the first business day of
the month following approval by a vote of at least a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio" (as defined in the
Act), the plan having been approved by a vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and who have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan
or in any agreements related to this Plan (the "Independent
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on this Plan.
6. This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, remain
in effect from the date specified above until April 30, 1997, and from
year to year thereafter, provided, however, that such continuance is
subject to approval annually by a vote of a majority of the Trustees
of the Fund, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees,
provided that (a) any amendment to authorize direct payments by the
Portfolio to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the
sale of shares of the Portfolio, to increase materially the amount
spent by the Portfolio for distribution, or any amendment of the
Management Contract to increase the amount to be paid by the Portfolio
thereunder shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, and
(b) any material amendments of this Plan shall be effective only upon
approval in the manner provided in the first sentence in this
paragraph.
7. This Plan may be terminated at any time, without the payment of
any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Portfolio.
8. During the existence of this Plan, the Fund shall require the
Adviser and/or Distributor to provide the Fund, for review by the
Fund's Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least
quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended in connection with
financing any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of
shares of the Portfolio (making estimates of such costs where
necessary or desirable) and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
9. This Plan does not require the Adviser or Distributor to perform
any specific type or level of distribution activities or to incur any
specific level of expenses for activities primarily intended to result
in the sale of shares of the Portfolio.
10. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder liability as set
forth in the Fund's Declaration of Trust, any obligations assumed by
the Portfolio pursuant to this Plan and any agreements related to this
Plan shall be limited in all cases to the Portfolio and its assets,
and shall not constitute obligations of any other series of shares of
the Fund.
11. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan
shall not be affected thereby.
LG912940020
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<C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 98,623
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<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 17,340
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 5,703
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