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. 4 [X]
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (No. 811-7319)
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 4 [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
( ) immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).
(x) on April 29, 1999 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.
Like securities of all mutual
funds, these securities have
not been approved or
disapproved by the
Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the
Securities and Exchange
Commission has not
determined if this
prospectus is accurate or
complete. Any
representation to the
contrary is a criminal
offense.
FIDELITY
REAL ESTATE
HIGH INCOME
FUND II
(fund number 673)
PROSPECTUS
APRIL 29, 1999
(FIDELITY_LOGO_GRAPHIC)(registered trademark)
82 DEVONSHIRE STREET, BOSTON, MA 02109
CONTENTS
FUND SUMMARY 3 INVESTMENT SUMMARY
3 PERFORMANCE
4 FEE TABLE
FUND BASICS 5 INVESTMENT DETAILS
6 VALUING SHARES
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 6 BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
8 ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
9 DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS
DISTRIBUTIONS
9 TAX CONSEQUENCES
FUND SERVICES 9 FUND MANAGEMENT
10 FUND DISTRIBUTION
APPENDIX 10 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FUND SUMMARY
INVESTMENT SUMMARY
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME II seeks a high level of current income.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR)'s principal investment
strategies include:
(small solid bullet) Investing at least 65% of total assets 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
consider the potential for capital gain.
(small solid bullet) Investing more than 25% of 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.
(small solid bullet) Investing the fund's assets without limitation in
lower-rated debt securities and non-rated securities of lower quality.
(small solid bullet) In selecting investments, analyzing a security's
structural features, current pricing and trading opportunities, and
the credit quality of its issuer or the underlying assets, as well as
using fundamental analysis of each issuer's financial condition.
(small solid bullet) Investing in domestic and foreign issuers.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
The fund may be appropriate for aggressive institutional investors who
understand the potential risks and rewards of investing in real
estate-related securities, particularly lower-quality securities, and
are willing to accept the greater price movements and credit risks of
these securities.
The fund is subject to the following principal investment risks:
(small solid bullet) REAL ESTATE EXPOSURE. Changes in real estate
values or economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on
issuers in the real estate industry.
(small solid bullet) ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. The value of an
individual security or particular type of security can be more
volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than
the value of the market as a whole. Lower-quality debt securities
(those of less than investment-grade quality) can be more volatile due
to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory,
market or economic developments.
(small solid bullet) STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. Stock markets are
volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer,
political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Different
parts of the market can react differently to these developments.
(small solid bullet) INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Interest rate increases
can cause the price of a debt security to decrease.
(small solid bullet) PREPAYMENT. The ability of an issuer of a debt
security to repay principal prior to a security's maturity can cause
greater price volatility if interest rates change.
(small solid bullet) FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign markets, particularly
emerging markets, can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to
increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or
economic developments and can perform differently than the U.S.
market.
In addition, the fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a
greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a
diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single
issuer could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would
occur in a more diversified fund.
An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency.
When you sell your shares of the fund, they could be worth more or
less than what you paid for them.
PERFORMANCE
The following information illustrates the changes in the fund's
performance from year to year and compares the fund's performance to
the performance of a market index and an average of the performance of
similar funds over various periods of time. Returns are based on past
results and are not an indication of future performance.
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME II
Calendar Years 1997 1998
27.67% -13.66%
</TABLE>
Percentage (%)
Row: 1, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 2, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 3, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 4, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 5, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 6, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 7, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 8, Col: 1, Value: nil
Row: 9, Col: 1, Value: 27.67
Row: 10, Col: 1, Value: -13.66
DURING THE PERIODS SHOWN IN THE CHART FOR REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME
II, THE HIGHEST RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS 12.77% (QUARTER ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997) AND THE LOWEST RETURN FOR A QUARTER WAS -9.66%
(QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1998).
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
For the periods ended Past 1 year Life of fundA
December 31, 1998
Real Estate High Income II -13.66% 4.99%B
Merrill Lynch High Yield 3.66% 8.15%B
Master Index
Lipper High Current Yield -0.44% 5.78%B
Funds Average
A BEGINNING JANUARY 1 OF THE FIRST CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE
FUND'S COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
B F ROM JANUARY 1, 1997.
Merrill Lynch High Yield Master Index is a market
value -weighted index of all domestic and yankee high-yield
bonds. Issues included in the index have maturities of one year or
more and have a credit rating lower than BBB-/Baa3, but are not in
default.
Lipper High Current Yield Funds Average reflects the performance
(excluding sales charges) of mutual funds with similar objectives.
FEE TABLE
The following table describes the fees and expenses that are incurred
when you buy, hold or sell shares of the fund. The annual fund
operating expenses provided below for the fund do not reflect the
effect of any reduction of certain expenses during the period.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID BY THE INVESTOR DIRECTLY)
Sales charge (load) on None
purchases and reinvested
distributions
Deferred sales charge (load) None
on redemptions
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (PAID FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management fee 0.73%
Distribution and Service None
(12b-1) fee
Other expenses 0.16%A
Total annual fund operating 0.89%
expenses
A F IDELITY 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.
A portion of the brokerage commissions that the fund pays is used to
reduce the fund's expenses. In addition, the fund has entered into
arrangements with its custodian and transfer agent whereby credits
realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce
custodian and transfer agent expenses. Including these reductions, the
total fund operating expenses would have been 0.83 %.
This EXAMPLE helps you compare the cost of investing in the fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Let's say, hypothetically, that the fund's annual return is 5% and
that your shareholder fees and the fund's annual operating expenses
are exactly as described in the fee table. This example illustrates
the effect of fees and expenses, but is not meant to suggest actual or
expected fees and expenses or returns, all of which may vary. For
every $10,000 you invested, here's how much you would pay in total
expenses if you close your account after the number of years
indicated:
1 year $ 91
3 years $ 284
5 years $ 493
10 years $ 1,096
FUND BASICS
INVESTMENT DETAILS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME II seeks a high level of current income.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
FMR normally invests at least 65% of the fund's total assets 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
consider the potential for capital gain.
FMR may invest the fund's assets in real estate debt and equity
securities. Real estate debt and equity securities include
mortgage-related securities, such as residential mortgage-backed
securities, private mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized
mortgage obligations and multi-class pass-through securities, regular
interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs),
adjustable rate mortgage securities, and stripped mortgage-backed
securities; non-rated securities; 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 (i) at least 50% of its assets, income, sales or profits
are committed to, or derived from, the real estate industry, or (ii) a
third party has given the company an industry or sector classification
consistent with the real estate industry. FMR may also invest in other
equity and debt securities, U.S. Treasury and agency securities and a
variety of money market instruments. FMR may invest the fund's assets
in securities of foreign issuers in addition to securities of domestic
issuers.
Because the fund focuses on real estate-related instruments, FMR
normally will invest more than 25% of the fund's 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.
FMR may invest the fund's assets without limitation in lower-rated
debt securities and non-rated securities of lower quality. Many
lower-quality debt securities are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions limiting FMR's ability to resell the securities to the
general public. FMR may invest in companies whose financial condition
is troubled or uncertain and that may be involved in bankruptcy
proceedings, reorganizations or financial restructurings.
In buying and selling securities for the fund, FMR analyzes a
security's structural features, current price compared to its
estimated long-term value, and any short-term trading
opportunities resulting from market inefficiencies, and the credit
quality of its issuer or the underlying assets. FMR also relies on
fundamental analysis of each issuer and its potential for success in
light of its current financial condition its industry position, and
economic and market conditions .
In determining which 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.
Because the fund is considered non-diversified, FMR may invest a
significant percentage of the fund's assets in a single issuer.
FMR may use various techniques, such as buying and selling futures
contracts, to increase or decrease the fund's exposure to changing
security prices, interest rates or other factors that affect security
values. If FMR's strategies do not work as intended, the fund may not
achieve its objective.
DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL SECURITY TYPES
EQUITY SECURITIES represent an ownership interest, or the right to
acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Different types of equity
securities provide different voting and dividend rights and priority
in the event of the bankruptcy of the issuer. Equity securities
include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and
warrants.
DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer
usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and must
repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt
securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but
are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include
corporate bonds, government securities, mortgage and other
asset-backed securities, and loans and loan participations.
REAL ESTATE-RELATED INSTRUMENTS may be either debt or equity
securities and may be issued by government and private entities such
as banks, mortgage lenders, and other institutions. Real
estate-related instruments include but are not limited to commercial
and residential mortgage-backed securities, other mortgage-related
securities, and real estate investment trusts.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
Many factors affect the fund's performance. The fund's share price
changes daily based on changes in market conditions and interest rates
and in response to other economic, political or financial
developments. The fund's reaction to these developments will be
affected by the types and maturities of the securities in which the
fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector,
and geographic location of an issuer, and the fund's level of
investment in the securities of that issuer. When you sell your shares
of the fund, they could be worth more or less than what you paid for
them.
The following factors may significantly affect the fund's performance:
REAL ESTATE EXPOSURE. The real estate industry is particularly
sensitive to economic downturns. The value of securities of issuers in
the real estate industry is sensitive to changes in real estate values
and rental income, property taxes, interest rates, tax and regulatory
requirements, overbuilding, extended vacancies of properties, and the
issuer's management skill. In addition, the value of a real estate
investment trust (REIT) can depend on the structure of and cash flow
generated by the REIT.
REITs and mortgage-backed securities are subject to the risk that
mortgagors may not meet their payment obligations. Each investment
also has its unique interest rate and payment priority
characteristics.
In addition, REITs 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, a REIT could
experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and
may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its
investments.
ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES. Changes in the financial condition of an
issuer, changes in specific economic or political conditions that
affect a particular type of issuer, and changes in general economic or
political conditions can affect the credit quality or value of an
issuer's securities. The value of securities of smaller, less
well-known issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.
Lower-quality debt securities (those of less than investment-grade
quality) tend to be more sensitive to these changes than
higher-quality debt securities.
Lower-quality debt securities involve greater risk of default or price
changes due to changes in the credit quality of the issuer. The value
of lower-quality debt securities often fluctuates in response to
company, political or economic developments and can decline
significantly over short periods of time or during periods of general
or regional economic difficulty. Lower-quality debt securities can be
thinly traded or have restrictions on resale, making them difficult to
sell at an acceptable price. The default rate for lower-quality debt
securities is likely to be higher during economic recessions or
periods of high interest rates.
STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY. The value of equity securities fluctuates in
response to issuer, political, market and economic developments. In
the short term, equity prices can fluctuate dramatically in response
to these developments. Different parts of the market and different
types of equity securities can react differently to these
developments. For example, large cap stocks can react differently than
small cap stocks, and "growth" stocks can react differently than
"value" stocks. Issuer, political, or economic developments can affect
a single issuer, issuers within an industry or economic sector or
geographic region, or the market as a whole.
INTEREST RATE CHANGES. Debt securities have varying levels of
sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a
debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when
interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage
securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes. In other
words, the longer the maturity of a security, the greater the impact a
change in interest rates could have on the security's price. In
addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily
move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities
tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates, and long-term
securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.
PREPAYMENT. Many types of debt securities, including mortgage
securities, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the
issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security's
maturity. Securities subject to prepayment generally offer less
potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and
similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate
environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features
on the price of a debt security can be difficult to predict and result
in greater volatility.
FOREIGN EXPOSURE. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and
securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations
can involve additional risks relating to political, economic or
regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include
fluctuations in foreign currencies; withholding or other taxes;
trading settlement, custodial and other operational risks; and the
less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some
foreign markets. All of these factors can make foreign investments,
especially those in emerging markets, more volatile and potentially
less liquid than U.S. investments. In addition, foreign markets can
perform differently than the U.S. market.
In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, FMR
may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive
purposes. If FMR does so, different factors could affect the fund's
performance and the fund may not achieve its investment
objective .
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The polic y discussed below is fundamental, that is,
subject to change only by shareholder approval.
REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME II FUND seeks a high level of current
income by investing primarily in commercial mortgage-backed securities
and the securities of real estate investment trusts.
VALUING SHARES
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open.
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. Fidelity normally calculates the fund's NAV as of the close of
business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. However, NAV
may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as
permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund's
assets are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing the
fund's NAV.
To the extent that the fund's assets are traded in other markets on
days when the NYSE is closed, the value of the fund's assets may be
affected on days when the fund is not open for business. In addition,
trading in some of the fund's assets may not occur on days when the
fund is open for business.
The fund's assets are valued primarily on the basis of information
furnished by a pricing service or market quotations. Certain
short-term securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. If
market quotations or information furnished by a pricing service is not
readily available for a security or if a security's value has been
materially affected by events occurring after the close of the
exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for
example, a foreign exchange or market), that security may be valued by
another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects
fair value. A security's valuation may differ depending on the method
used for determining value.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES
GENERAL INFORMATION
The fund is designed for institutional investors, who may invest in
the fund through a Fidelity managed account or partnership. 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.
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. Investors should call their Institutional
Representative directly.
If you invest through a retirement account or an investment
professional, the procedures for buying and selling shares of the fund
and the account features and policies may differ. Additional fees may
also apply to your investment in the fund, including a transaction fee
if you buy or sell shares of the fund through a broker or other
investment professional.
Certain methods of contacting Fidelity, such as by telephone, may be
unavailable or delayed (for example, during periods of unusual market
activity).
The different ways to set up (register) your account with Fidelity are
listed in the following table.
WAYS TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT
TRUST
FOR MONEY BEING INVESTED BY A TRUST
BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION
FOR INVESTMENT NEEDS OF CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS OR
OTHER GROUPS
Contact your Institutional Representative.
BUYING SHARES
The price to buy one share of the fund is the fund's NAV. The fund's
shares are sold without a sales charge.
Your shares will be bought at the next NAV calculated after your order
is received in proper form.
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 Fidelity 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.
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.
For further information on opening an account, please consult your
Institutional Representative.
Short-term or excessive trading into and out of the fund may harm
performance by disrupting portfolio management strategies and by
increasing expenses. Accordingly, the fund may reject any purchase
orders, particularly from market timers or investors who, in FMR's
opinion, have a pattern of short-term or excessive trading or whose
trading has been or may be disruptive to the fund. For these purposes,
FMR may consider an investor's trading history in the fund or other
Fidelity funds, and accounts under common ownership or control.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only
on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
When you place an order to buy shares, note the following:
(small solid bullet) All of your purchases must be made by federal
funds wire; checks and Automated Clearing House System (ACH) payments
will not be accepted.
(small solid bullet) All wires must be received in proper form by
Fidelity at the applicable fund's designated wire bank before the
close of the Federal Reserve Wire System on the day of purchase or you
could be liable for any losses or fees the fund or Fidelity has
incurred or for interest and penalties.
MINIMUMS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $5,000,000
MINIMUM BALANCE $1,000,000
SELLING SHARES
The price to sell one share of the fund is the fund's NAV.
Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order
is received in proper form.
BY WIRE. To sell shares by bank wire, you will need to sign up for
this service in advance. 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.
Certain requests must include a signature guarantee. It is designed to
protect you and Fidelity from fraud. Your request must be made in
writing and include a signature guarantee if any of the following
situations apply:
(small solid bullet) You wish to sell more than $100,000 worth of
shares;
(small solid bullet) Your account registration has changed within the
last 30 days;
(small solid bullet) The check is being mailed to a different address
than the one on your account (record address);
(small solid bullet) The check is being made payable to someone other
than the account owner; or
(small solid bullet) The redemption proceeds are being transferred to
a Fidelity account with a different registration.
You should be able to obtain a signature guarantee from a bank,
broker, dealer, credit union (if authorized under state law),
securities exchange or association, clearing agency, or savings
association. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
When you place an order to sell shares, note the following:
(small solid bullet) If you are selling some but not all of your
shares, leave at least $1,000,000 worth of shares in the account to
keep it open.
(small solid bullet) Normally, Fidelity will process redemptions by
the next business day, but Fidelity may take up to seven days to
process redemptions if making immediate payment would adversely affect
the fund.
(small solid bullet) Redemption proceeds may be delayed until money
from prior purchases sufficient to cover your redemption has been
received and collected. This can take up to seven business days after
a purchase.
(small solid bullet) Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates
postponed when the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays),
when trading on the NYSE is restricted, or as permitted by the SEC.
(small solid bullet) Redemption proceeds may be paid in securities or
other assets rather than in cash if the Board of Trustees determines
it is in the best interests of the fund.
ACCOUNT FEATURES AND POLICIES
FEATURES
The following features are available to buy and sell shares of the
fund.
WIRE
TO PURCHASE AND SELL SHARES VIA THE FEDERAL RESERVE WIRE SYSTEM.
(small solid bullet) You must sign up for the Wire feature before
using it. Call your Institutional Representative.
(small solid bullet) To sell shares by wire, you must designate the
U.S. commercial bank account(s) into which you wish the redemption
proceeds deposited.
POLICIES
The following policies apply to you as a shareholder.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS that Fidelity sends to you include the
following:
(small solid bullet) Confirmation statements (after transactions
affecting your account balance except reinvestment of distributions in
the fund).
(small solid bullet) Monthly or quarterly account statements
(detailing account balances and all transactions completed during the
prior month or quarter).
(small solid bullet) Financial reports (every six months).
To reduce expenses, only one copy of most financial reports and
prospectuses will be mailed, even if you have more than one account in
the fund. Call your Institutional Representative if you need
additional copies of financial reports.
You may initiate many TRANSACTIONS BY TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONICALLY.
Fidelity will not be responsible for any losses resulting from
unauthorized transactions if it follows reasonable security procedures
designed to verify the identity of the investor. Fidelity will request
personalized security codes or other information, and may also record
calls. For transactions conducted through the Internet, Fidelity
recommends the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. You
should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately
after you receive them. If you do not want the ability to sell by
telephone, call your Institutional Representative for instructions.
Additional documentation may be required from corporations,
associations, and certain fiduciaries.
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.
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 may close your account and send the
proceeds to you. Your shares will be sold at the NAV on the day your
account is closed.
Fidelity may charge a FEE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, such as
providing historical account documents.
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
The fund earns interest, dividends and other income from its
investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to
shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from
its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to
shareholders as capital gains distributions.
The fund normally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. The
fund normally pays capital gains distributions in December and
February.
EARNING DIVIDENDS
Shares begin to earn dividends on the first business day following the
day of purchase.
Shares earn dividends until, but not including, the next business day
following the day of redemption.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
When you open an account, specify on your application how you want to
receive your distributions. The following options may be available for
the fund's distributions:
1. REINVESTMENT OPTION. Your dividends and capital gains 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 gains distributions will be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of the fund. Your
dividends will be paid in cash.
3. CASH OPTION. Your dividends and capital gains distributions will be
paid in cash.
Not all distribution options are available for every account. If the
option you prefer is not listed on your account application, or if you
want to change your current option, contact your Institutional
Representative.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax
consequences for you. If you are not investing through a
tax-advantaged retirement account, you should consider these tax
consequences.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Distributions you receive from the fund are
subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or
local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, the fund's dividends and distributions of
short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. The
fund's distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you
generally as capital gains.
If a fund's distributions exceed its income and capital gains realized
in any year, which is sometimes the result of currency-related losses,
all or a portion of those distributions may be treated as a return of
capital to shareholders for tax purposes. A return of capital will
generally not be taxable to you, but will reduce the cost basis of
your shares and result in a higher reported capital gain or a lower
reported capital loss when you sell your shares.
If you buy shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed
capital gains, you will be "buying a dividend" by paying the full
price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price back in
the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be
taxable to you when you receive them, regardless of your distribution
option. If you elect to receive distributions in cash, you will
receive certain December distributions in January, but those
distributions will be taxable as if you received them on December 31.
TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS. Your redemptions may result in a capital gain
or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your
investment in the fund is the difference between the cost of your
shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
FUND SERVICES
FUND MANAGEMENT
Real Estate High Income II is a mutual fund, an investment that pools
shareholders' money and invests it toward a specified goal.
Fidelity Management & Research Company (FMR) is the fund's manager.
As of December 31, 1998 , FMR had approximately $ 669
billion in discretionary assets under management.
As the manager, FMR is responsible for choosing the fund's investments
and handling its business affairs.
The fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by
FMR and other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information from and after January 1, 2000. FMR has
advised the fund that it is actively working on necessary changes to
its computer systems and expects that its systems, and those of other
major service providers, will be modified prior to January 1, 2000.
However, there can be no assurance that there will be no adverse
impact on the fund.
Mark Snyderman is Vice President and manager of Real Estate High
Income II, which he has managed since September 1996. 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
investment accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that establishes
procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
The fund pays a management fee to FMR.
The management fee is calculated and paid to FMR every month. The fee
is calculated by adding a group fee rate to an individual fund fee
rate, dividing by twelve, and multiplying the result by the fund's
average net assets throughout the month.
The group fee rate is based on the average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by FMR. This rate cannot rise above 0.37%, and it
drops as total assets under management increase.
For December 1998 , the group fee rate was 0.1324 %. The
individual fund fee rate is 0.60%.
The total management fee for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, was 0.73% of the fund's average net assets.
FMR may, from time to time, agree to reimburse the fund for management
fees and other expenses above a specified limit. FMR retains the
ability to be repaid by the fund if expenses fall below the specified
limit prior to the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement arrangements,
which may be terminated by FMR at any time, can decrease the fund's
expenses and boost its performance.
As of March 31, 1999, approximately 38.62% of the fund's total
outstanding shares were held by an FMR affiliate.
FUND DISTRIBUTION
Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) distributes the fund's shares.
The fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that recognizes that
FMR may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits
or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses
incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in
the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services. FMR,
directly or through FDC, may pay intermediaries, such as banks,
broker-dealers and other service-providers, that provide those
services. Currently, the Board of Trustees has authorized such
payments.
To receive payments made pursuant to a Distribution and Service Plan,
intermediaries must sign the appropriate agreement with FDC in
advance.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions in a manner that takes into
account the sale of shares of the fund, provided that the fund
receives brokerage services and commission rates comparable to those
of other broker-dealers.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been
authorized to give any information or to make any representations,
other than those contained in this Prospectus and in the related
Statement of Additional Information (SAI), in connection with the
offer contained in this Prospectus. If given or made, such other
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the fund or FDC. This Prospectus and the related SAI do
not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to sell shares of the
fund to or to buy shares of the fund from any person to
whom it is unlawful to make such offer.
APPENDIX
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the
fund's financial history since September 27, 1996 when the fund
commenced operations. Certain information reflects financial
results for a single fund share. Total returns for each period include
the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information
has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP , independent
accountants, whose report, along with the fund's financial highlights
and financial statements, are included in the fund's Annual Report. A
free copy of the Annual Report is available upon request.
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
Years ended December 31 1998 1997 1996E
Net asset value, beginning $ 12.380 $ 10.730 $ 10.000
of period
Income from Investment .786D .823D .214
Operations Net investment
income
Net realized and (2.454) 2.073 .732
unrealized gain (loss)
Total from investment (1.668) 2.896 .946
operations
Less Distributions From (.592) (.721) (.216)
net investment income
In excess of net -- (.085) --
investment income
From net realized gain -- (.440) --
Total distributions (.592) (1.246) (.216)
Net asset value, end of $ 10.120 $ 12.380 $ 10.730
period
Total returnB,C (13.66)% 27.67% 9.52%
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period $ 192,471 $ 109,785 $ 52,951
(000 omitted)
Ratio of expenses to .89% .97% 1.42%A
average net assets
Ratio of expenses to .83%F .94%F 1.42%A
average net assets after
expense reductions
Ratio of net investment 7.08% 6.90% 9.90%A
income to average net assets
Portfolio turnover rate 65% 64% 11%A
A ANNUALIZED
B TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS OF LESS THAN ONE YEAR ARE NOT
ANNUALIZED.
C THE TOTAL RETURNS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOWER HAD CERTAIN EXPENSES NOT
BEEN REDUCED DURING THE PERIODS 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.
You can obtain additional information about the fund. The fund's SAI
includes more detailed information about the fund and its investments.
The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (legally forms a part of
the prospectus). The fund's annual and semi-annual reports include a
discussion of the fund's holdings and recent market conditions and the
fund's investment strategies that affected performance.
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other
information or ask questions about the fund, call Fidelity (collect)
at 1-617-563-6414.
The SAI, the fund's annual and semi-annual reports and other related
materials are available on the SEC's Internet Web site
(http://www.sec.gov). You can obtain copies of this information upon
paying a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of
the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. You can also review and copy
information about the fund, including the fund's SAI, at the SEC's
Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for
information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, FILE NUMBER 811-7319.
Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design and Fidelity are registered
trademarks of FMR Corp.
REHIFII-pro-0499
FIDELITY REAL ESTATE HIGH INCOME FUND II
A FUND OF FIDELITY COVINGTON TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APRIL 29, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus.
Portions of the fund's Annual Report are incorporated herein.
To obtain a free additional copy of the Prospectus, dated April 29,
1999, or an Annual Report, please call Fidelity(registered trademark)
(collect) at 1-617-563-6414.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Investment Policies and 17
Limitations
Portfolio Transactions 24
Valuation 25
Performance 25
Additional Purchase and 28
Redemption Information
Distributions and Taxes 28
Trustees and Officers 29
Control of Investment Adviser 32
Management Contract 32
Distribution Services 34
Transfer and Service Agent 35
Agreements
Description of the Trust 35
Financial Statements 35
Appendix 35
REHIFII-ptb-0499
(fidelity_logo_graphic)(registered trademark)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND LIMITATIONS
The following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in
the Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment policy
or limitation states a maximum percentage of the fund's assets that
may be invested in any security or other asset, or sets forth a policy
regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation
will be determined immediately after and as a result of the fund's
acquisition of such security or other asset. Accordingly, any
subsequent change in values, net assets, or other circumstances will
not be considered when determining whether the investment complies
with the fund's investment policies and limitations.
The fund's fundamental investment policies and limitations cannot be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment
limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations
described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed without
shareholder approval.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS SET
FORTH IN THEIR ENTIRETY. THE FUND MAY NOT:
(1) issue senior securities, except in connection with the insurance
program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive order issued
by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise permitted
under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(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 [24].
The following pages contain more detailed information about types of
instruments in which the fund may invest, strategies FMR may employ in
pursuit of the fund's investment objective, and a summary of related
risks. FMR may not buy all of these instruments or use all of these
techniques unless it believes that doing so will help the fund achieve
its goal.
AFFILIATED BANK TRANSACTIONS. A fund may engage in transactions with
financial institutions that are, or may be considered to be,
"affiliated persons" of the fund under the 1940 Act. These
transactions may involve repurchase agreements with custodian banks;
short-term obligations of, and repurchase agreements with, the 50
largest U.S. banks (measured by deposits); municipal securities; U.S.
Government securities with affiliated financial institutions that are
primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency transactions;
and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive orders issued
by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Trustees
has established and periodically reviews procedures applicable to
transactions involving affiliated financial institutions.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES represent interests in pools of mortgages,
loans, receivables or other assets. Payment of interest and repayment
of principal may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by
the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by
letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements.
Asset-backed security values may also be affected by other factors
including changes in interest rates, the availability of information
concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the
servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or
receivables, or the entities providing the credit enhancement. In
addition, these securities may be subject to prepayment risk.
BORROWING. The fund may borrow from banks or from other funds advised
by FMR or its affiliates, or through reverse repurchase agreements. If
the fund borrows money, its share price may be subject to greater
fluctuation until the borrowing is paid off. If the fund makes
additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this may be
considered a form of leverage.
CASH MANAGEMENT. A fund can hold uninvested cash or can invest it in
cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase
agreements or shares of money market funds. Generally, these
securities offer less potential for gains than other types of
securities.
CENTRAL CASH FUNDS are money market funds managed by FMR or its
affiliates that seek to earn a high level of current income (free from
federal income tax in the case of a municipal money market fund) while
maintaining a stable $1.00 share price. The funds comply with
industry-standard requirements for money market funds regarding the
quality, maturity and diversification of their investments.
COMMON STOCK represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer.
In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the
claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the
claims of those who own common stock.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks
or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder
or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash
or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A
convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion
by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances
(including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible
security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the
fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into
the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss
than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields
higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than
comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield,
convertible securities generally sell at prices above their
"conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to
be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion
value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time
depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and
interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value,
convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent
because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of
principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities.
However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of
the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same
extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the
underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible
securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time,
however, the difference between the market value of convertible
securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that
the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the
same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because
convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their
value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest
rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk,
and are often lower-quality securities.
EXPOSURE TO FOREIGN MARKETS. Foreign securities, foreign currencies,
and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign
operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks
inherent in U.S. investments.
Foreign investments involve risks relating to local political,
economic, regulatory, or social instability, military action or
unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments, and may be affected by
actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S.
investors. Such actions may include expropriation or nationalization
of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or
on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S.
dollars, or other government intervention. Additionally, governmental
issuers of foreign debt securities may be unwilling to pay interest
and repay principal when due and may require that the conditions for
payment be renegotiated. There is no assurance that FMR will be able
to anticipate these potential events or counter their effects. In
addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies
and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities
will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar.
It is anticipated that in most cases the best available market for
foreign securities will be on an exchange or in over-the-counter (OTC)
markets located outside of the United States. Foreign stock markets,
while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as
developed as those in the United States, and securities of some
foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign security trading, settlement and
custodial practices (including those involving securities settlement
where fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment) are
often less developed than those in U.S. markets, and may result in
increased risk or substantial delays in the event of a failed trade or
the insolvency of, or breach of duty by, a foreign broker-dealer,
securities depository or foreign subcustodian. For example, many
foreign countries are less prepared than the United States to properly
process and calculate information related to dates from and after
January 1, 2000. As a result, some foreign markets, brokers, banks or
securities depositories could experience at least temporary
disruptions, which could result in difficulty buying and selling
securities in certain foreign markets and pricing foreign investments
and foreign issuers could fail to pay timely dividends, interest or
principal. In addition, the costs associated with foreign
investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and
custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S.
markets. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform
accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and
standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
Adequate public information on foreign issuers may not be available,
and it may be difficult to secure dividends and information regarding
corporate actions on a timely basis. In general, there is less overall
governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges,
brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. OTC markets
tend to be less regulated than stock exchange markets and, in certain
countries, may be totally unregulated. Regulatory enforcement may be
influenced by economic or political concerns, and investors may have
difficulty enforcing their legal rights in foreign countries.
Some foreign securities impose restrictions on transfer within the
United States or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to such
transfer restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less
liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject
to such restrictions.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other "hybrid" forms of
ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global
Depositary Receipts (GDRs), are certificates evidencing ownership of
shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by
depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the
United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by
a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home
country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the
underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various
services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate
actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying
foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However,
ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with
investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign
exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the
underlying issuer's country.
The risks of foreign investing may be magnified for investments in
emerging markets. Security prices in emerging markets can be
significantly more volatile than those in more developed markets,
reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established
markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets
may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of
nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and
prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less
protection of property rights than more developed countries. The
economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a
few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt
burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small
number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of
holdings difficult or impossible at times.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. A fund may conduct foreign currency
transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign
currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge
a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the
difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling
various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign
currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should
the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward
contracts are customized transactions that require a specific amount
of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a
specific date or range of dates in the future. Forward contracts are
generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The
parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the
contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and
complete the contemplated currency exchange.
The following discussion summarizes the principal currency management
strategies involving forward contracts that could be used by a fund. A
fund may also use swap agreements, indexed securities, and options and
futures contracts relating to foreign currencies for the same
purposes.
A "settlement hedge" or "transaction hedge" is designed to protect a
fund against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the
date a security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is
made or received. Entering into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in an underlying
security transaction for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars "locks in" the
U.S. dollar price of the security. Forward contracts to purchase or
sell a foreign currency may also be used by a fund in anticipation of
future purchases or sales of securities denominated in foreign
currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected
by FMR.
A fund may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in
the value of existing investments denominated in foreign currency. For
example, if a fund owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it
could enter into a forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return
for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible declines in the pound's
value. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a "position hedge,"
would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations,
but would not offset changes in security values caused by other
factors. A fund could also hedge the position by selling another
currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling. This
type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a "proxy hedge," could offer
advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would
not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a direct hedge into U.S.
dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to
hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged
securities are denominated.
A fund may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment
exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting
exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency, or from one foreign
currency to another foreign currency. This type of strategy, sometimes
known as a "cross-hedge," will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to
the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that
is purchased, much as if a fund had sold a security denominated in one
currency and purchased an equivalent security denominated in another.
Cross-hedges protect against losses resulting from a decline in the
hedged currency, but will cause a fund to assume the risk of
fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases.
Successful use of currency management strategies will depend on FMR's
skill in analyzing currency values. Currency management strategies may
substantially change a fund's investment exposure to changes in
currency exchange rates and could result in losses to a fund if
currencies do not perform as FMR anticipates. For example, if a
currency's value rose at a time when FMR had hedged a fund by selling
that currency in exchange for dollars, a fund would not participate in
the currency's appreciation. If FMR hedges currency exposure through
proxy hedges, a fund could realize currency losses from both the hedge
and the security position if the two currencies do not move in tandem.
Similarly, if FMR increases a fund's exposure to a foreign currency
and that currency's value declines, a fund will realize a loss. There
is no assurance that FMR's use of currency management strategies will
be advantageous to a fund or that it will hedge at appropriate times.
FUND'S RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. The fund does not intend to direct or
administer the day-to-day operations of any company. A fund, however,
may exercise its rights as a shareholder and may communicate its views
on important matters of policy to management, the Board of Directors,
and shareholders of a company when FMR determines that such matters
could have a significant effect on the value of the fund's investment
in the company. The activities in which a fund may engage, either
individually or in conjunction with others, may include, among others,
supporting or opposing proposed changes in a company's corporate
structure or business activities; seeking changes in a company's
directors or management; seeking changes in a company's direction or
policies; seeking the sale or reorganization of the company or a
portion of its assets; or supporting or opposing third-party takeover
efforts. This area of corporate activity is increasingly prone to
litigation and it is possible that a fund could be involved in
lawsuits related to such activities. FMR will monitor such activities
with a view to mitigating, to the extent possible, the risk of
litigation against a fund and the risk of actual liability if a fund
is involved in litigation. No guarantee can be made, however, that
litigation against a fund will not be undertaken or liabilities
incurred.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS. The following paragraphs pertain to futures and
options: Combined Positions, Correlation of Price Changes, Futures
Contracts, Futures Margin Payments, Limitations on Futures and Options
Transactions, Liquidity of Options and Futures Contracts, Options and
Futures Relating to Foreign Currencies, OTC Options, Purchasing Put
and Call Options, and Writing Put and Call Options.
COMBINED POSITIONS involve purchasing and writing options in
combination with each other, or in combination with futures or forward
contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the
overall position. For example, purchasing a put option and writing a
call option on the same underlying instrument would construct a
combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to
selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would
involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call
option at a lower price, to reduce the risk of the written call option
in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options
positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction
costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
CORRELATION OF PRICE CHANGES. Because there are a limited number of
types of exchange-traded options and futures contracts, it is likely
that the standardized contracts available will not match a fund's
current or anticipated investments exactly. A fund may invest in
options and futures contracts based on securities with different
issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in
which the fund typically invests, which involves a risk that the
options or futures position will not track the performance of the
fund's other investments.
Options and futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their
underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a
fund's investments well. Options and futures prices are affected by
such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates,
changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time
remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect
security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result
from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and
the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and
futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price
fluctuation limits or trading halts. A fund may purchase or sell
options and futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the
securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to
attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the
contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in
all cases. If price changes in a fund's options or futures positions
are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may
fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not
offset by gains in other investments.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. In purchasing a futures contract, the buyer agrees
to purchase a specified underlying instrument at a specified future
date. In selling a futures contract, the seller agrees to sell a
specified underlying instrument at a specified future date. The price
at which the purchase and sale will take place is fixed when the buyer
and seller enter into the contract. Some currently available futures
contracts are based on specific securities, such as U.S. Treasury
bonds or notes, and some are based on indices of securities prices,
such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). Futures can be held
until their delivery dates, or can be closed out before then if a
liquid secondary market is available.
The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in
tandem with the value of its underlying instrument. Therefore,
purchasing futures contracts will tend to increase a fund's exposure
to positive and negative price fluctuations in the underlying
instrument, much as if it had purchased the underlying instrument
directly. When a fund sells a futures contract, by contrast, the value
of its futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to
the market. Selling futures contracts, therefore, will tend to offset
both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the
underlying instrument had been sold.
FUTURES MARGIN PAYMENTS. The purchaser or seller of a futures contract
is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying instrument unless
the contract is held until the delivery date. However, both the
purchaser and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a
futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), when the
contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically equal
to a percentage of the contract's value. If the value of either
party's position declines, that party will be required to make
additional "variation margin" payments to settle the change in value
on a daily basis. The party that has a gain may be entitled to receive
all or a portion of this amount. Initial and variation margin payments
do not constitute purchasing securities on margin for purposes of a
fund's investment limitations. In the event of the bankruptcy of an
FCM that holds margin on behalf of a fund, the fund may be entitled to
return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received
by the FCM's other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the
fund.
LIMITATIONS ON FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS. The fund has filed a
notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term
"commodity pool operator" with the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association, which regulate
trading in the futures markets. The fund intends to comply with Rule
4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, which limits the extent to which
the fund can commit assets to initial margin deposits and option
premiums.
In addition, the fund will not: (a) sell futures contracts, purchase
put options, or write call options if, as a result, more than 25% of
the fund's total assets would be hedged with futures and options under
normal conditions; (b) purchase futures contracts or write put options
if, as a result, the fund's total obligations upon settlement or
exercise of purchased futures contracts and written put options would
exceed 25% of its total assets under normal conditions; or (c)
purchase call options if, as a result, the current value of option
premiums for call options purchased by the fund would exceed 5% of the
fund's total assets. These limitations do not apply to options
attached to or acquired or traded together with their underlying
securities, and do not apply to securities that incorporate features
similar to options.
The above limitations on the fund's investments in futures contracts
and options, and the fund's policies regarding futures contracts and
options discussed elsewhere in this SAI, may be changed as regulatory
agencies permit.
LIQUIDITY OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS. There is no assurance a
liquid secondary market will exist for any particular options or
futures contract at any particular time. Options may have relatively
low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close
to the underlying instrument's current price. In addition, exchanges
may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options and futures
contracts, and may halt trading if a contract's price moves upward or
downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days
when the price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is
imposed, it may be impossible to enter into new positions or close out
existing positions. If the secondary market for a contract is not
liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could
prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially
could require a fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or
expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, a fund's
access to other assets held to cover its options or futures positions
could also be impaired.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES. Currency futures
contracts are similar to forward currency exchange contracts, except
that they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and
are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency
futures contracts call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. The
underlying instrument of a currency option may be a foreign currency,
which generally is purchased or delivered in exchange for U.S.
dollars, or may be a futures contract. The purchaser of a currency
call obtains the right to purchase the underlying currency, and the
purchaser of a currency put obtains the right to sell the underlying
currency.
The uses and risks of currency options and futures are similar to
options and futures relating to securities or indices, as discussed
above. A fund may purchase and sell currency futures and may purchase
and write currency options to increase or decrease its exposure to
different foreign currencies. Currency options may also be purchased
or written in conjunction with each other or with currency futures or
forward contracts. Currency futures and options values can be expected
to correlate with exchange rates, but may not reflect other factors
that affect the value of a fund's investments. A currency hedge, for
example, should protect a Yen-denominated security from a decline in
the Yen, but will not protect a fund against a price decline resulting
from deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the value
of a fund's foreign-denominated investments changes in response to
many factors other than exchange rates, it may not be possible to
match the amount of currency options and futures to the value of the
fund's investments exactly over time.
OTC OPTIONS. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized
with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract
size, and strike price, the terms of over-the-counter (OTC) options
(options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through
negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this
type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility
to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally involve
greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed
by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
PURCHASING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. By purchasing a put option, the
purchaser obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the
option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for
this right, the purchaser pays the current market price for the option
(known as the option premium). Options have various types of
underlying instruments, including specific securities, indices of
securities prices, and futures contracts. The purchaser may terminate
its position in a put option by allowing it to expire or by exercising
the option. If the option is allowed to expire, the purchaser will
lose the entire premium. If the option is exercised, the purchaser
completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. A
purchaser may also terminate a put option position by closing it out
in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary
market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if
security prices fall substantially. However, if the underlying
instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of
purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss
(limited to the amount of the premium, plus related transaction
costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put
options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right
to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the
option's strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate
in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk
limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same
time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not
rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
WRITING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. The writer of a put or call option takes
the opposite side of the transaction from the option's purchaser. In
return for receipt of the premium, the writer assumes the obligation
to pay the strike price for the option's underlying instrument if the
other party to the option chooses to exercise it. The writer may seek
to terminate a position in a put option before exercise by closing out
the option in the secondary market at its current price. If the
secondary market is not liquid for a put option, however, the writer
must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option
is outstanding, regardless of price changes. When writing an option on
a futures contract, a fund will be required to make margin payments to
an FCM as described above for futures contracts.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to
profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the
premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it
is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able
to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the
put writer would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less
than the loss from purchasing the underlying instrument directly,
however, because the premium received for writing the option should
mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates the writer to sell or deliver the
option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon
exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options
are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls
generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall.
Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the
effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer
must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for
the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer
gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary
course of business at approximately the prices at which they are
valued. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or may
be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees,
FMR determines the liquidity of a fund's investments and, through
reports from FMR, the Board monitors investments in illiquid
securities. In determining the liquidity of a fund's investments, FMR
may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume
of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective
purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a
market and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it
trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics
and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other
credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the
method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the
security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and
obligations of the security).
INDEXED SECURITIES are instruments whose prices are indexed to the
prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or other
financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always,
are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate
is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.
Mortgage-indexed securities, for example, could be structured to
replicate the performance of mortgage securities and the
characteristics of direct ownership.
Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term to
intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest
rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more
specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S.
dollar-denominated securities. Currency-indexed securities may be
positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may
increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a
security that performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument,
or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase,
resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a
put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also
have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign
currencies relative to each other.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the
performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which
they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes
in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more
volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities are also
subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the
security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer's
creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities
have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. Government
agencies.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING PROGRAM. Pursuant to an exemptive
order issued by the SEC, a fund may lend money to, and borrow money
from, other funds advised by FMR or its affiliates. A fund will lend
through the program only when the returns are higher than those
available from an investment in repurchase agreements, and will borrow
through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the
cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend
overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be
called on one day's notice. A fund may have to borrow from a bank at a
higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed.
Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost
investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
INVESTMENT-GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Investment-grade debt securities are
medium and high-quality securities. Some may possess speculative
characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes and to
changes in the financial conditions of issuers. A debt security is
considered to be investment-grade if it is rated investment-grade by
Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's, Duff & Phelps Credit
Rating Co., or Fitch IBCA Inc., or is unrated but considered to be of
equivalent quality by FMR.
LOANS AND OTHER DIRECT DEBT INSTRUMENTS. Direct debt instruments are
interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other
borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans and loan
participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or
other receivables), or to other parties. Direct debt instruments
involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the
borrower and may offer less legal protection to the purchaser in the
event of fraud or misrepresentation, or there may be a requirement
that a fund supply additional cash to a borrower on demand.
Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend
primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of
interest and repayment of principal. If scheduled interest or
principal payments are not made, the value of the instrument may be
adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured provide more
protections than an unsecured loan in the event of failure to make
scheduled interest or principal payments. However, there is no
assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would
satisfy the borrower's obligation, or that the collateral could be
liquidated. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor
involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative.
Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off
their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount
owed. Direct indebtedness of developing countries also involves a risk
that the governmental entities responsible for the repayment of the
debt may be unable, or unwilling, to pay interest and repay principal
when due.
Investments in loans through direct assignment of a financial
institution's interests with respect to a loan may involve additional
risks. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the purchaser could
become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and
liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In
addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of
lender liability, a purchaser could be held liable as a co-lender.
Direct debt instruments may also involve a risk of insolvency of the
lending bank or other intermediary.
A loan is often administered by a bank or other financial institution
that acts as agent for all holders. The agent administers the terms of
the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms
of the loan or other indebtedness, the purchaser has direct recourse
against the borrower, the purchaser may have to rely on the agent to
apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower. If assets held
by the agent for the benefit of a purchaser were determined to be
subject to the claims of the agent's general creditors, the purchaser
might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan
or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal or
interest.
Direct indebtedness may include letters of credit, revolving credit
facilities, or other standby financing commitments that obligate
purchasers to make additional cash payments on demand. These
commitments may have the effect of requiring a purchaser to increase
its investment in a borrower at a time when it would not otherwise
have done so, even if the borrower's condition makes it unlikely that
the amount will ever be repaid.
The fund limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any
one issuer or in issuers within the same industry (see the fund's
investment limitations). For purposes of these limitations, a fund
generally will treat the borrower as the "issuer" of indebtedness held
by the fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other
lending institution serves as financial intermediary between a fund
and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the fund the
direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, SEC
interpretations require a fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat
both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as
"issuers" for these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an
issuer of indebtedness may restrict a fund's ability to invest in
indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of
intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying
borrowers represent many different companies and industries.
LOWER-QUALITY DEBT SECURITIES. Lower-quality debt securities have poor
protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of
principal. The fund may acquire debt securities that are in default.
Lower-quality debt securities are often considered to be speculative
and involve greater risk of loss or price changes due to changes in
the issuer's capacity to pay. The market prices of lower-quality debt
securities may fluctuate more than those of higher-quality debt
securities and may decline significantly in periods of general
economic difficulty, which may follow periods of rising interest
rates.
The market for lower-quality debt securities may be thinner and less
active than that for higher-quality debt securities, which can
adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. Adverse
publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the liquidity
of lower-quality debt securities and the ability of outside pricing
services to value lower-quality debt securities.
Because the risk of default is higher for lower-quality debt
securities, FMR's research and credit analysis are an especially
important part of managing securities of this type. FMR will attempt
to identify those issuers of high-yielding securities whose financial
condition is adequate to meet future obligations, has improved, or is
expected to improve in the future. FMR's analysis focuses on relative
values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset
coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial
strength of the issuer.
A fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to
pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security
holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it
determines this to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders.
PREFERRED STOCK is a class of equity or ownership in an issuer that
pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common
stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is
liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take
precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common
stock.
REAL ESTATE-RELATED INSTRUMENTS.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES are a form of asset-backed security that
are issued by government and non-government entities such as banks,
mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A mortgage security is an
obligation of the issuer backed by a commercial or residential
mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying
pool of mortgages, and may include complex instruments such as
collateralized mortgage obligations, stripped mortgage-backed
securities, and regular interests in REMICs.
Mortgage 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, 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. Commercial mortgages tend to have
shorter maturities than residential mortgages as well as prepayment
protection features. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate
environment, mortgage security values may be adversely affected when
prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated,
resulting in the extension of the security's effective maturity and
the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term
instrument. Some securities may have a structure that makes their
reaction to interest rates and other factors difficult to predict,
making their value highly volatile.
The value of mortgage securities may change due to shifts in the
market's perception of issuers. In addition, tax changes may adversely
affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government
mortgage securities may offer higher yields than those issued by
government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes
than government issues.
In order to earn additional income for a fund, FMR may use a trading
strategy that involves selling mortgage securities and simultaneously
agreeing to purchase similar securities on a later date at a set
price. This trading strategy may result in an increased portfolio
turnover rate which increases costs and may increase taxable gains.
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 repayment of 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.
Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are pass-through securities issued by
FNMA and FHLMC, respectively. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are federally
chartered corporations supervised by the U.S. Government that act as
governmental instrumentalities under authority granted by Congress.
Fannie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its
obligations. Fannie Maes and Freddie Macs are not backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
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 cash 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 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.
The prices of stripped mortgage securities tend to be more volatile in
response to changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped
mortgage securities.
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.
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.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. Equity real estate investment trusts
own real estate properties directly, while mortgage real estate
investment trusts make construction, development, and long-term
mortgage loans. The value of, and the income earned by, equity trusts
depend 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 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 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. Real estate investment trusts are dependent upon
management skill, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the
possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under
the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from the
1940 Act.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve an agreement to purchase a security and
to sell that security back to the original seller at an agreed-upon
price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an
agreed-upon incremental amount which is unrelated to the coupon rate
or maturity of the purchased security. As protection against the risk
that the original seller will not fulfill its obligation, the
securities are held in a separate account at a bank, marked-to-market
daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus
the accrued incremental amount. The value of the security purchased
may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has
agreed to purchase the security. In addition, delays or losses could
result if the other party to the agreement defaults or becomes
insolvent. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement transactions
with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
satisfactory by FMR.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES are subject to legal restrictions on their sale.
Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be costly to
a fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately
negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, or in a registered public offering.
Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security
may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a
considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek
registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under
an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse
market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less
favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of
the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or
broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that
security at an agreed-upon price and time. The fund will enter into
reverse repurchase agreements with parties whose creditworthiness has
been reviewed and found satisfactory by FMR. Such transactions may
increase fluctuations in the market value of fund assets and a fund's
yield and may be viewed as a form of leverage.
SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, including shares of
closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, and open-end
investment companies, represent interests in professionally managed
portfolios that may invest in any type of instrument. Investing in
other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as
investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve
additional expenses at the investment company-level, such as portfolio
management fees and operating expenses. Certain types of investment
companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed
number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at
a premium or a discount to their net asset value. Others are
continuously offered at net asset value, but may also be traded in the
secondary market.
The extent to which a fund can invest in securities of other
investment companies is limited by federal securities laws.
SECURITIES LENDING. A fund may lend securities to parties such as
broker-dealers or other institutions, including Fidelity Brokerage
Services, Inc. (FBSI). FBSI is a member of the New York Stock Exchange
and a subsidiary of FMR Corp.
Securities lending allows a fund to retain ownership of the securities
loaned and, at the same time, to earn additional income. Because 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. Stocks underlying a fund's convertible security holdings
can be sold short. For example, if FMR anticipates a decline in the
price of the stock underlying a convertible security held by a fund,
it may sell the stock short. If the stock price subsequently declines,
the proceeds of the short sale could be expected to offset all or a
portion of the effect of the stock's decline on the value of the
convertible security. The fund currently intends to hedge no more than
15% of its total assets with short sales on equity securities
underlying its convertible security holdings under normal
circumstances.
A fund will be required to set aside securities equivalent in kind and
amount to those sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable
into such securities) and will be required to hold them aside while
the short sale is outstanding. A fund will incur transaction costs,
including interest expenses, in connection with opening, maintaining,
and closing short sales.
SOURCES OF CREDIT OR LIQUIDITY SUPPORT. Issuers may employ various
forms of credit and liquidity enhancements, including letters of
credit, guarantees, puts, and demand features, and insurance provided
by domestic or foreign entities such as banks and other financial
institutions. FMR may rely on its evaluation of the credit or
liquidity enhancement provider in determining whether to purchase a
security supported by such enhancement. 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. Changes in the
credit quality of the entity providing the enhancement could affect
the value of the security or a fund's share price.
STRIPPED SECURITIES are the separate income or principal components of
a debt security. The risks associated with stripped securities are
similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped
securities may be more volatile, and the value of certain types of
stripped securities may move in the same direction as interest rates.
U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve
Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Privately stripped government securities are created when a dealer
deposits a U.S. Treasury security or other U.S. Government security
with a custodian for safekeeping. The custodian issues separate
receipts for the coupon payments and the principal payment, which the
dealer then sells.
SWAP AGREEMENTS can be individually negotiated and structured to
include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or
market factors. Depending on their structure, swap agreements may
increase or decrease a fund's exposure to long- or short-term interest
rates (in the United States or abroad), foreign currency values,
mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, or other factors such
as security prices or inflation rates. Swap agreements can take many
different forms and are known by a variety of names.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments
only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a
fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap
obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an
interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a
specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest
rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift a fund's investment exposure from
one type of investment to another. For example, if the fund agreed to
exchange payments in dollars for payments in foreign currency, the
swap agreement would tend to decrease the fund's exposure to U.S.
interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and
interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or
writing options. Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may
increase or decrease the overall volatility of a fund's investments
and its share price and yield.
The most significant factor in the performance of swap agreements is
the change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors
that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a fund. If a
swap agreement calls for payments by the fund, the fund must be
prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the
counterparty's creditworthiness declined, the value of a swap
agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
A fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement
either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an
offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly
creditworthy party.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POLICIES. The fund reserves the right to invest
without limitation in investment-grade securities for temporary,
defensive purposes.
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.
WARRANTS. Warrants are instruments which entitle the holder to buy an
equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time.
Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to
changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a
warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying
security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital
appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with
respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if
it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can
make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
WHEN-ISSUED AND FORWARD PURCHASE OR SALE TRANSACTIONS involve a
commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined
price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the
customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no
interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered.
When purchasing securities pursuant to one of these transactions, the
purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the
risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security
will not be issued as anticipated. Because payment for the securities
is not required until the delivery date, these risks are in addition
to the risks associated with a fund's investments. If a fund remains
substantially fully invested at a time when a purchase is outstanding,
the purchases may result in a form of leverage. When a fund has sold a
security pursuant to one of these transactions, the fund does not
participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security.
If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver
or pay for the securities, a fund could miss a favorable price or
yield opportunity or suffer a loss.
A fund may renegotiate a when-issued or forward transaction and may
sell the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in
capital gains or losses for the fund.
ZERO COUPON BONDS do not make interest payments; instead, they are
sold at a discount from their face value and are redeemed at face
value when they mature. Because zero coupon bonds do not pay current
income, their prices can be more volatile than other types of
fixed-income securities when interest rates change. In calculating a
fund's dividend, a portion of the difference between a zero coupon
bond's purchase price and its face value is considered income.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed
on behalf of the fund by FMR pursuant to authority contained in the
management contract. FMR is also responsible for the placement of
transaction orders for other investment companies and investment
accounts for which it or its affiliates act as investment adviser. In
selecting broker-dealers, subject to applicable limitations of the
federal securities laws, FMR considers various relevant factors,
including, but not limited to: the size and type of the transaction;
the nature and character of the markets for the security to be
purchased or sold; the execution efficiency, settlement capability,
and financial condition of the broker-dealer firm; the broker-dealer's
execution services rendered on a continuing basis; the reasonableness
of any commissions; and, if applicable, arrangements for payment of
fund expenses.
Generally, commissions for investments traded on foreign exchanges
will be higher than for investments traded on U.S. exchanges and may
not be subject to negotiation.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who
provide research and execution services to the fund or other
investment accounts over which FMR or its affiliates exercise
investment discretion. Such services may include advice concerning the
value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or
selling securities; and the availability of securities or the
purchasers or sellers of securities. In addition, such broker-dealers
may furnish analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and
performance of investment accounts; and effect securities transactions
and perform functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and
settlement).
For transactions in fixed-income securities, FMR's selection of
broker-dealers is generally based on the availability of a security
and its price and, to a lesser extent, on the overall quality of
execution and other services, including research, provided by the
broker-dealer.
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute transactions
on behalf of a fund may be useful to FMR in rendering investment
management services to that fund or its other clients, and conversely,
such research provided by broker-dealers who have executed transaction
orders on behalf of other FMR clients may be useful to FMR in carrying
out its obligations to a fund. The receipt of such research has not
reduced FMR's normal independent research activities; however, it
enables FMR to avoid the additional expenses that could be incurred if
FMR tried to develop comparable information through its own efforts.
Fixed-income securities are generally purchased from an issuer or
underwriter acting as principal for the securities, on a net basis
with no brokerage commission paid. However, the dealer is compensated
by a difference between the security's original purchase price and the
selling price, the so-called "bid-asked spread." Securities may also
be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting
fees.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, the
fund may pay a broker-dealer commissions for agency transactions that
are in excess of the amount of commissions charged by other
broker-dealers in recognition of their research and execution
services. In order to cause the fund to pay such higher commissions,
FMR must determine in good faith that such commissions are reasonable
in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by such executing broker-dealers, viewed in terms of a
particular transaction or FMR's overall responsibilities to that fund
or its other clients. In reaching this determination, FMR will not
attempt to place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and research
services provided, or to determine what portion of the compensation
should be related to those services.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, FMR is authorized to
allocate portfolio transactions in a manner that takes into account
assistance received in the distribution of shares of the fund or other
Fidelity funds and to use the research services of brokerage and other
firms that have provided such assistance. FMR may use research
services provided by and place agency transactions with National
Financial Services Corporation (NFSC) and Fidelity Brokerage Services
Japan LLC (FBSJ), indirect subsidiaries of FMR Corp., if the
commissions are fair, reasonable, and comparable to commissions
charged by non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms for similar
services. Prior to December 9, 1997, FMR used research services
provided by and placed agency transactions with Fidelity Brokerage
Services (FBS), an indirect subsidiary of FMR Corp.
FMR may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers (including
affiliates of FMR) who have entered into arrangements with FMR under
which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the commissions paid by
a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses. The transaction
quality must, however, be comparable to those of other qualified
broker-dealers.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prohibits members
of national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions
for investment accounts which they or their affiliates manage, unless
certain requirements are satisfied. Pursuant to such requirements, the
Board of Trustees has authorized NFSC to execute portfolio
transactions on national securities exchanges in accordance with
approved procedures and applicable SEC rules.
The Trustees periodically review FMR's performance of its
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio
transactions on behalf of the fund and review the commissions paid by
the fund over representative periods of time to determine if they are
reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
For the fiscal periods ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, the fund's
portfolio turnover rates were 65% and 64%, respectively.
For the fiscal years ended December 1998, 1997 and 1996, the fund paid
brokerage commissions of $ 404,893 , $ 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 1998, 1997 and 1996, the fund
paid brokerage commissions of $ 34,241 , $ 22,602 , and
$ 4,976 , respectively, to NFSC. NFSC is paid on a commission
basis. During the fiscal year ended December 199 8 , this
amounted to approximately 8.45 % of the aggregate brokerage
commissions paid by the fund for transactions involving approximately
12.03 % of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions for which
the fund paid brokerage commissions. The difference between the
percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to, and the
percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions effected
through, NFSC is a result of the low commission rates charged by
NFSC. NFSC has used a portion of the commissions paid by the
fund to reduce that fund's custodian or transfer agent fees.
During the fiscal year ended December 199 8 , the fund paid
$392,685 in brokerage commissions to firms that provided research
services involving approximately $ 219,648,148 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 investment accounts managed by FMR
affiliates. It sometimes happens that the same security is held in the
portfolio of more than one of these funds or investment accounts.
Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds and
investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser,
particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment
objective of more than one fund or investment account.
When two or more funds are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or
sale of the same security, the prices and amounts are allocated in
accordance with procedures believed to be appropriate and equitable
for each fund. In some cases this system could have a detrimental
effect on the price or value of the security as far as the fund is
concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the fund to
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and
prices for the fund. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that
the desirability of retaining FMR as investment adviser to the fund
outweighs any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to
simultaneous transactions.
VALUATION
The fund's net asset value per share (NAV) is the value of a single
share. The NAV of the fund is computed by adding the value of the
fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its
liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares
outstanding.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the
primary market or exchange on which they trade. 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 closing 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.
Independent brokers or quotation services provide prices of foreign
securities in their local currency. FSC gathers all exchange rates
daily at the close of the NYSE using the last quoted price on the
local currency and then translates the value of foreign securities
from their local currencies into U.S. dollars. Any changes in the
value of forward contracts due to exchange rate fluctuations and days
to maturity are included in the calculation of NAV. If an event that
is expected to materially affect the value of a portfolio security
occurs after the close of an exchange or market on which that security
is traded, then that security will be valued in good faith by a
committee appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
for which market quotations and information furnished by a pricing
service are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost
or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of which approximate
current value.
The procedures set forth above need not be used to determine the value
of the securities owned by the fund if, in the opinion of a committee
appointed by the Board of Trustees, some other method would more
accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. For example,
securities and other assets for which there is no readily available
market value may be valued in good faith by a committee appointed by
the Board of Trustees. In making a good faith determination of the
value of a security, the committee may review price movements in
futures contracts and ADRs, market and trading trends, the bid/ask
quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional trading.
PERFORMANCE
The fund may quote performance in various ways. All performance
information supplied by the fund in advertising is historical and is
not intended to indicate future returns. The fund's share price, yield
and return fluctuate in response to market conditions and other
factors, and the value of fund shares when redeemed may be more or
less than their original cost.
YIELD CALCULATIONS. Yields for the fund are computed by dividing the
fund's interest and dividend income for a given 30-day or one-month
period, net of expenses, by the average number of shares entitled to
receive distributions during the period, dividing this figure by the
fund's NAV at the end of the period, and annualizing the result
(assuming compounding of income) in order to arrive at an annual
percentage rate. Income is calculated for purposes of yield quotations
in accordance with standardized methods applicable to all stock and
bond funds. Dividends from equity investments are treated as if they
were accrued on a daily basis, solely for the purposes of yield
calculations. In general, interest income is reduced with respect to
bonds trading at a premium over their par value by subtracting a
portion of the premium from income on a daily basis, and is increased
with respect to bonds trading at a discount by adding a portion of the
discount to daily income. For the fund's investments denominated in
foreign currencies, income and expenses are calculated first in their
respective currencies, and then are converted to U.S. dollars, either
when they are actually converted or at the end of the 30-day or one
month period, whichever is earlier. 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. Other 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.
RETURN CALCULATIONS. Returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects
of the fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting dividends
and capital gain distributions, and any change in the fund's NAV over
a stated period. A cumulative return reflects actual performance over
a stated period of time. Average annual returns are calculated by
determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical
historical investment in the fund over a stated period, and then
calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have
produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had
been constant over the period. For example, a cumulative return of
100% over ten years would produce an average annual return of 7.18%,
which is the steady annual rate of return that would equal 100% growth
on a compounded basis in ten years. While average annual returns are a
convenient means of comparing investment alternatives, investors
should realize that the fund's performance is not constant over time,
but changes from year to year, and that average annual returns
represent averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year
performance of the fund.
In addition to average annual returns, the fund may quote unaveraged
or cumulative returns reflecting the simple change in value of an
investment over a stated period. Average annual and cumulative returns
may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar amount, and may be
calculated for a single investment, a series of investments, or a
series of redemptions, over any time period. Returns may be broken
down into their components of income and capital (including capital
gains and changes in share price) in order to illustrate the
relationship of these factors and their contributions to return.
Returns may be quoted on a before-tax or after-tax basis. Returns,
yields, if applicable, and other performance information may be quoted
numerically or in a table, graph, or similar illustration.
NET ASSET VALUE. Charts and graphs using the fund's NAVs, adjusted
NAVs, and benchmark indexes may be used to exhibit performance. An
adjusted NAV includes any distributions paid by the fund and reflects
all elements of its return. Unless otherwise indicated, the fund's
adjusted NAVs are not adjusted for sales charges, if any.
MOVING AVERAGES. A fund may illustrate performance using moving
averages. A long-term moving average is the average of each week's
adjusted closing NAV for a specified period. A short-term moving
average is the average of each day's adjusted closing NAV for a
specified period. Moving Average Activity Indicators combine adjusted
closing NAVs from the last business day of each week with moving
averages for a specified period to produce indicators showing when an
NAV has crossed, stayed above, or stayed below its moving average. On
December 18, 1998, the 13-week and 39-week long-term moving averages
were $10.06 and $10.69 , respectively, for Real Estate High
Income II.
CALCULATING HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows
performance for the fund.
HISTORICAL FUND RESULTS. The following table shows the fund's returns
for the fiscal periods ended December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Annual Returns Cumulative Returns
One Year Life of Fund* One Year Life of Fund*
Real Estate High Income II -13.66% 8.69% -13.66% 20.72%
</TABLE>
* From September 27, 1996 (commencement of operations).
The following table shows the income and capital elements of the
fund's cumulative return. The table compares the fund's return to the
record of the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), and
the cost of living, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI),
over the same period. The CPI information is as of the month-end
closest to the initial investment date for the fund. The S&P 500 and
DJIA comparisons are provided to show how the fund's return compared
to the record of a broad unmanaged index of common stocks and a
narrower set of stocks of major industrial companies, respectively,
over the same period. The fund has the ability to invest in securities
not included in either index, and its investment portfolio may or may
not be similar in composition to the indexes. The S&P 500 and DJIA
returns are based on the prices of unmanaged groups of stocks and,
unlike the fund's returns, do not include the effect of brokerage
commissions or other costs of investing.
During the period from September 27, 1996 (commencement of operations)
to December 31, 1998, a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Real Estate
High Income II would have grown to $ 12,072 , assuming all
distributions were reinvested. Returns are based on past results and
are not an indication of future performance. Tax consequences of
different investments have not been factored into the figures below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FIDELITY REAL ESTATE HIGH
INCOME FUND II
Period Ended Value of Initial $10,000 Value of Reinvested Dividend Value of Reinvested Capital Total Value
Investment Distributions Gain Distributions
1998 $ 10,120 $ 1,573 $ 379 $ 12,072
1997 $ 12,380 $ 1,139 $ 463 $ 13,982
1996* $ 10,730 $ 222 $ 0 $ 10,952
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FIDELITY REAL ESTATE HIGH INDEXES
INCOME FUND II
Period Ended S&P 500 DJIA Cost of Living**
1998 $ 18,611 $ 16,272 $ 10,387
1997 $ 14,475 $ 13,782 $ 10,222
1996* $ 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 $12,22 4 . 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 $1,615 for dividends and $44 0 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, Inc. (Lipper), an
independent service located in Summit, New Jersey that monitors the
performance of mutual funds. Generally, Lipper rankings are based on
return, assume reinvestment of distributions, do not take sales
charges or trading fees into consideration, and are prepared without
regard to tax consequences. 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
indexes prepared by Lipper or other organizations. When comparing
these indexes, it is important to remember the risk and return
characteristics of each type of investment. For example, while stock
mutual funds may offer higher potential returns, they also carry the
highest degree of share price volatility. Likewise, money market funds
may offer greater stability of principal, but generally do not offer
the higher potential returns available from stock mutual funds.
From time to time, the fund's performance may also be compared to
other mutual funds tracked by financial or business publications and
periodicals. For example, the fund may quote Morningstar, Inc. in its
advertising materials. Morningstar, Inc. is a mutual fund rating
service that rates mutual funds on the basis of risk-adjusted
performance. Rankings that compare the performance of Fidelity funds
to one another in appropriate categories over specific periods of time
may also be quoted in advertising. The fund 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 that is similar to the universe of securities in which the fund
may invest. The return of the index reflects reinvestment of all
dividends and capital gains paid by securities included in the index.
Unlike the fund's returns, however, the index's returns do not reflect
brokerage commissions, transaction fees, or other costs of investing
directly in the securities included in the index.
Real Estate High Income II may compare its performance to that of the
Merrill Lynch High Yield Master Index, a market value -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.
Real Estate High Income II may also compare its performance to that of
the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT)
Index, a market capitalization-weighted index that tracks the common
stocks of all tax-qualified Real Estate Investment Trusts listed on
the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, and NASDAQ.
The fund may be compared in advertising to Certificates of Deposit
(CDs) or other investments issued by banks or other depository
institutions. Mutual funds differ from bank investments in several
respects. For example, the fund may offer greater liquidity or higher
potential returns than CDs, the fund does not guarantee your principal
or your return, and fund shares are not FDIC insured.
Fidelity may provide information designed to help individuals
understand their investment goals and explore various financial
strategies. Such information may include information about current
economic, market, and political conditions; materials that describe
general principles of investing, such as asset allocation,
diversification, risk tolerance, and goal setting; questionnaires
designed to help create a personal financial profile; worksheets used
to project savings needs based on assumed rates of inflation and
hypothetical rates of return; and action plans offering investment
alternatives. Materials may also include discussions of Fidelity's
asset allocation funds and other Fidelity funds, products, and
services.
Ibbotson Associates of Chicago, Illinois (Ibbotson) provides
historical returns of the capital markets in the United States,
including common stocks, small capitalization stocks, long-term
corporate bonds, intermediate-term government bonds, long-term
government bonds, Treasury bills, the U.S. rate of inflation (based on
the CPI), and combinations of various capital markets. The performance
of these capital markets is based on the returns of different indexes.
Fidelity funds may use the performance of these capital markets in
order to demonstrate general risk-versus-reward investment scenarios.
Performance comparisons may also include the value of a hypothetical
investment in any of these capital markets. The risks associated with
the security types in any capital market may or may not correspond
directly to those of the funds. Ibbotson calculates returns in the
same method as the funds. The funds may also compare performance to
that of other compilations or indexes that may be developed and made
available in the future.
In advertising materials, Fidelity may reference or discuss its
products and services, which may include other Fidelity funds;
retirement investing; brokerage products and services; model
portfolios or allocations; saving for college or other goals; and
charitable giving. In addition, Fidelity may quote or reprint
financial or business publications and periodicals as they relate to
current economic and political conditions, fund management, portfolio
composition, investment philosophy, investment techniques, the
desirability of owning a particular mutual fund, and Fidelity services
and products. Fidelity may also reprint, and use as advertising and
sales literature, articles from Fidelity Focus(registered trademark),
a quarterly magazine provided free of charge to Fidelity fund
shareholders.
The fund may present its fund number, Quotron(trademark) number, and
CUSIP number, and discuss or quote its current portfolio manager.
VOLATILITY. The fund may quote various measures of volatility and
benchmark correlation in advertising. In addition, the fund may
compare these measures to those of other funds. Measures of volatility
seek to compare the fund's historical share price fluctuations or
returns to those of a benchmark. Measures of benchmark correlation
indicate how valid a comparative benchmark may be. All measures of
volatility and correlation are calculated using averages of historical
data. In advertising, the fund may also discuss or illustrate examples
of interest rate sensitivity.
MOMENTUM INDICATORS indicate the fund's price movements over specific
periods of time. Each point on the momentum indicator represents the
fund's percentage change in price movements over that period.
The fund may advertise examples of the effects of periodic investment
plans, including the principle of dollar cost averaging. In such a
program, an investor invests a fixed dollar amount in a fund at
periodic intervals, thereby purchasing fewer shares when prices are
high and more shares when prices are low. While such a strategy does
not assure a profit or guard against loss in a declining market, the
investor's average cost per share can be lower than if fixed numbers
of shares are purchased at the same intervals. In evaluating such a
plan, investors should consider their ability to continue purchasing
shares during periods of low price levels.
The fund may be available for purchase through retirement plans or
other programs offering deferral of, or exemption from, income taxes,
which may produce superior after-tax returns over time. For example, a
$1,000 investment earning a taxable return of 10% annually would have
an after-tax value of $1,949 after ten years, assuming tax was
deducted from the return each year at a 31% rate. An equivalent
tax-deferred investment would have an after-tax value of $2,100 after
ten years, assuming tax was deducted at a 31% rate from the
tax-deferred earnings at the end of the ten-year period.
As of March 31 , 1999, FMR advised over $ 34 billion in
municipal fund assets, $ 125 billion in taxable fixed-income
fund assets, $ 129 billion in money market fund assets,
$ 523 billion in equity fund assets, $ 13 billion in
international fund assets, and $ 33 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
If the Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payments
undesirable, redemption payments may be made in whole or in part in
securities or other property, valued for this purpose as they are
valued in computing the fund's NAV. Shareholders receiving securities
or other property on redemption may realize a gain or loss for tax
purposes, and will incur any costs of sale, as well as the associated
inconveniences.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS. A portion of the fund's income may qualify for the
dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders to
the extent that the fund's income is derived from qualifying
dividends. Because the fund may earn other types of income, such as
interest, short-term capital gains, and non-qualifying dividends, the
percentage of dividends from the fund that qualifies for the deduction
generally will be less than 100%. A portion of the fund's dividends
derived from certain U.S. Government securities and securities of
certain other investment companies may be exempt from state and local
taxation.
CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS. The fund's long-term capital gains
distributions are federally taxable to shareholders generally as
capital gains.
As of December 31 , 1998, the fund had a capital loss
carryforward aggregating approximately $4,711,000. This loss
carryforward, all of which will expire on December 31 , 2006, is
available to offset future capital gains.
RETURNS OF CAPITAL. If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable
income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a
portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of
capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce
each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher
reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares
on which the distribution was received are sold.
FOREIGN TAX CREDIT OR DEDUCTION. Foreign governments may withhold
taxes on dividends and interest earned by the fund with respect to
foreign securities. Foreign governments may also impose taxes on other
payments or gains with respect to foreign securities. Because the fund
does not currently anticipate that securities of foreign issuers will
constitute more than 50% of its total assets at the end of its fiscal
year, shareholders should not expect to be eligible to claim a foreign
tax credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns with
respect to foreign taxes withheld.
TAX STATUS OF THE FUND. The fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income
and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as
a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal
income or excise taxes at the fund level, the fund intends to
distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net
realized capital gains within each calendar year as well as on a
fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tax rules
applicable to regulated investment companies.
OTHER TAX INFORMATION. The information above is only a summary of some
of the tax consequences generally affecting the fund and its
shareholders, and no attempt has been made to discuss individual tax
consequences. It is up to you or your tax preparer to determine
whether the sale of shares of the fund resulted in a capital gain or
loss or other tax consequence to you. In addition to federal income
taxes, shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on fund
distributions, and shares may be subject to state and local personal
property taxes. Investors should consult their tax advisers to
determine whether a fund is suitable to their particular tax
situation.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board, and executive officers of
the trust are listed below. The Board of Trustees governs the fund and
is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The
Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout
the year to oversee the fund's activities, review contractual
arrangements with companies that provide services to the fund, and
review the fund's performance. Except as indicated, each individual
has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the
last five years. All persons named as Trustees and Members of the
Advisory Board also serve in similar capacities for other funds
advised by FMR or its affiliates. The business address of each
Trustee, Member of the Advisory Board, and officer who is an
"interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) is 82 Devonshire
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, which is also the address of FMR.
The business address of all the other Trustees is Fidelity
Investments, P.O. Box 9235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9235. Those
Trustees who are "interested persons" by virtue of their affiliation
with either the trust or FMR are indicated by an asterisk (*).
*EDWARD C. JOHNSON 3d (68), Trustee and President, is Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of FMR Corp.; a Director and Chairman
of the Board and of the Executive Committee of FMR; Chairman and a
Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (1998),
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., and Fidelity Management &
Research (Far East) Inc.; and a Director of FDC . Abigail
Johnson, Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Covington Trust, is
Mr. Johnson's daughter.
ABIGAIL P. JOHNSON (37), Member of the Advisory Board of Fidelity
Covington Trust (1999), is Vice President of certain Equity Funds
(1997), and is a Director of FMR Corp. (1994). Before assuming her
current responsibilities, Ms. Johnson managed a number of Fidelity
funds. Edward C. Johnson 3d, Trustee and President of the Funds, is
Ms. Johnson's father.
J. GARY BURKHEAD (57), Member of the Advisory Board (1997), is Vice
Chairman and a Member of the Board of Directors of FMR Corp. (1997)
and President of Fidelity Personal Investments and Brokerage Group
(1997). Previously, Mr. Burkhead served as President of Fidelity
Management & Research Company.
RALPH F. COX (66), Trustee, is President of RABAR Enterprises
(management consulting-engineering industry, 1994). Prior to February
1994, he was President of Greenhill Petroleum Corporation (petroleum
exploration and production). Until March 1990, Mr. Cox was President
and Chief Operating Officer of Union Pacific Resources Company
(exploration and production). He is a Director of USA Waste Services,
Inc. (non-hazardous waste, 1993), CH2M Hill Companies (engineering),
Rio Grande, Inc. (oil and gas production), and Daniel Industries
(petroleum measurement equipment manufacturer). In addition, he is a
member of advisory boards of Texas A&M University and the University
of Texas at Austin.
PHYLLIS BURKE DAVIS (67), Trustee. Prior to her retirement in
September 1991, Mrs. Davis was the Senior Vice President of Corporate
Affairs of Avon Products, Inc. She is currently a Director of
BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications), Eaton Corporation
(manufacturing, 1991), and the TJX Companies, Inc. (retail stores),
and previously served as a Director of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
(1985-1991) and Nabisco Brands, Inc. In addition, she is a member of
the President's Advisory Council of The University of Vermont School
of Business Administration.
ROBERT M. GATES (55), Trustee (1997), is a consultant, author, and
lecturer (1993). Mr. Gates was Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) from 1991-1993. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Gates served as
Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy National
Security Advisor. Mr. Gates is a Director of LucasVarity PLC
(automotive components and diesel engines), Charles Stark Draper
Laboratory (non-profit), NACCO Industries, Inc. (mining and
manufacturing), and TRW Inc. (original equipment and replacement
products). Mr. Gates also is a Trustee of the Forum for International
Policy and of the Endowment Association of the College of William and
Mary. In addition, he is a member of the National Executive Board of
the Boy Scouts of America.
E. BRADLEY JONES (71), Trustee. Prior to his retirement in 1984, Mr.
Jones was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LTV Steel Company.
He is a Director of TRW Inc. (original equipment and replacement
products), Consolidated Rail Corporation, Birmingham Steel
Corporation, and RPM, Inc. (manufacturer of chemical products), and he
previously served as a Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (mining and
manufacturing, 1985-1995), Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
(1985-1995), and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (mining), and as a Trustee of
First Union Real Estate Investments. In addition, he serves as a
Trustee of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where he has also been a
member of the Executive Committee as well as Chairman of the Board and
President, a Trustee and member of the Executive Committee of
University School (Cleveland), and a Trustee of Cleveland Clinic
Florida.
DONALD J. KIRK (66), Trustee, is Executive-in-Residence (1995) at
Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a financial
consultant. From 1987 to January 1995, Mr. Kirk was a Professor at
Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Prior to 1987, he was
Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Mr. Kirk
previously served as a Director of General Re Corporation
(reinsurance , 1987-1998 ), and Valuation Research Corp.
(appraisals and valuations, 1993-1995). H e serves as Chairman
of the Board of Directors of National Arts Stabilization Inc.,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwich Hospital
Association, Director of the Yale-New Haven Health Services Corp.
(1998), a Member of the Public Oversight Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants' SEC Practice Section
(1995), and as a Public Governor of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (1996).
*PETER S. LYNCH (56), Trustee, is Vice Chairman and Director of FMR.
Prior to May 31, 1990, he was a Director of FMR and Executive Vice
President of FMR (a position he held until March 31, 1991); Vice
President of Fidelity Magellan Fund and FMR Growth Group Leader; and
Managing Director of FMR Corp. Mr. Lynch was also Vice President of
Fidelity Investments Corporate Services (1991-1992). In addition, he
serves as a Trustee of Boston College, Massachusetts Eye & Ear
Infirmary, Historic Deerfield (1989) and Society for the Preservation
of New England Antiquities, and as an Overseer of the Museum of Fine
Arts of Boston.
WILLIAM O. McCOY (65), Trustee (1997), is the Vice President of
Finance for the University of North Carolina (16-school system, 1995).
Prior to his retirement in December 1994, Mr. McCoy was Vice Chairman
of the Board of BellSouth Corporation (telecommunications, 1984) and
President of BellSouth Enterprises (1986). He is currently a Director
of Liberty Corporation (holding company, 1984), Weeks Corporation of
Atlanta (real estate, 1994), Carolina Power and Light Company
(electric utility, 1996), and the Kenan Transport Co. (1996).
Previously, he was a Director of First American Corporation (bank
holding company, 1979-1996). In addition, Mr. McCoy serves as a member
of the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill (1994) and for the Kenan-Flager Business School
(University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1988).
GERALD C. McDONOUGH (70), Trustee and Chairman of the non-interested
Trustees, is Chairman of G.M. Management Group (strategic advisory
services). Mr. McDonough is a Director of York International Corp.
(air conditioning and refrigeration), Commercial Intertech Corp.
(hydraulic systems, building systems, and metal products, 1992), CUNO,
Inc. (liquid and gas filtration products, 1996), and Associated
Estates Realty Corporation (a real estate investment trust, 1993). Mr.
McDonough served as a Director of ACME-Cleveland Corp. (metal working,
telecommunications, and electronic products) from 1987-1996 and
Brush-Wellman Inc. (metal refining) from 1983-1997.
MARVIN L. MANN (65), Trustee (1993), is Chairman of the Board of
Lexmark International, Inc. (office machines, 1991). Prior to 1991, he
held the positions of Vice President of International Business
Machines Corporation ("IBM") and President and General Manager of
various IBM divisions and subsidiaries. Mr. Mann is a Director of M.A.
Hanna Company (chemicals, 1993), Imation Corp. (imaging and
information storage, 1997).
*ROBERT C. POZEN (52), Trustee (1997) and Senior Vice President, is
also President and a Director of FMR (1997); and President and a
Director of Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. (1998),
Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc. (1997), and Fidelity
Management & Research (Far East) Inc. (1997). Previously, Mr. Pozen
served as General Counsel, Managing Director, and Senior Vice
President of FMR Corp.
THOMAS R. WILLIAMS (70), Trustee, is President of The Wales Group,
Inc. (management and financial advisory services). Prior to retiring
in 1987, Mr. Williams served as Chairman of the Board of First
Wachovia Corporation (bank holding company), and Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of The First National Bank of Atlanta and First
Atlanta Corporation (bank holding company). He is currently a Director
of ConAgra, Inc. (agricultural products), Georgia Power Company
(electric utility), National Life Insurance Company of Vermont,
American Software, Inc., and AppleSouth, Inc. (restaurants, 1992).
ROBERT A. LAWRENCE (46), is Vice President of certain Equity Funds
(1997), Vice President of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund (1995)
and Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II (1996), and Senior Vice
President of FMR (1993).
MARK P. SNYDERMAN (42), 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 (50), Secretary (1998), is Vice President (1998) and
General Counsel of FMR (1998) and Vice President and Clerk of FDC
(1998) . Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Roiter was with
the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton , as an associate
(1981-19 84 ) and as a partner (1985-1997), and served as
an Assistant General Counsel of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (1979-1981). Mr. Roiter was an Adjunct Member, Faculty
of Law, at Columbia University Law School (1996-1997).
RICHARD A. SILVER (52), Treasurer (1997), is Treasurer of the Fidelity
funds and is an employee of FMR (1997). Before joining FMR, Mr. Silver
served as Executive Vice President, Fund Accounting & Administration
at First Data Investor Services Group, Inc. (1996-1997). Prior to
1996, Mr. Silver was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
at The Colonial Group, Inc. Mr. Silver also served as Chairman of the
Accounting/Treasurer's Committee of the Investment Company Institute
(1987-1993).
MATTHEW N. KARSTETTER (37), Deputy Treasurer (1998), is Deputy
Treasurer of the Fidelity funds and is an employee of FMR (1998).
Before joining FMR, Mr. Karstetter served as Vice President of
Investment Accounting and Treasurer of IDS Mutual Funds at American
Express Financial Advisors (1996-1998). Prior to 1996, Mr. Karstetter
was Vice President, Mutual Fund Services at State Street Bank & Trust
(1991-1996).
JOHN H. COSTELLO (52), Assistant Treasurer, is an employee of FMR.
LEONARD M. RUSH (53), Assistant Treasurer (1994), is an employee of
FMR (1994). Prior to becoming Assistant Treasurer of the Fidelity
funds, Mr. Rush was Chief Compliance Officer of FMR Corp. (1993-1994)
and Chief Financial Officer of Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc.
(1990-1993).
The following table sets forth information describing the compensation
of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board of the fund for his
or her services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Trustees and Members of the Aggregate Compensation from Total Compensation from the
Advisory Board Real Estate High Income IIB Fund Complex*,A
Edward C. Johnson 3d** $ 0 $ 0
Abigail P. Johnson** $ 0 $ 0
J. Gary Burkhead** $ 0 $ 0
Ralph F. Cox $ 45 $ 223,500
Phyllis Burke Davis $ 44 $ 220,500
Robert M. Gates $ 45 $ 223,500
E. Bradley Jones $ 45 $ 222,000
Donald J. Kirk $ 46 $ 226,500
Peter S. Lynch** $ 0 $ 0
William O. McCoy $ 45 $ 223,500
Gerald C. McDonough $ 55 $ 273,500
Marvin L. Mann $ 44 $ 220,500
Robert C. Pozen** $ 0 $ 0
Thomas R. Williams $ 45 $ 223,500
</TABLE>
* Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998 for 237
funds in the complex.
** Interested Trustees of the funds, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Burkhead,
are compensated by FMR.
A Compensation figures include cash, amounts required to be deferred,
and may include amounts deferred at the election of Trustees. For the
calendar year ended December 31, 1998, the Trustees accrued required
deferred compensation from the funds as follows: Ralph F. Cox,
$75,000; Phyllis Burke Davis, $75,000; Robert M. Gates, $75,000; E.
Bradley Jones, $75,000; Donald J. Kirk, $75,000; William O. McCoy,
$75,000; Gerald C. McDonough, $87,500; Marvin L. Mann, $75,000; and
Thomas R. Williams, $75,000. Certain of the non-interested Trustees
elected voluntarily to defer a portion of their compensation as
follows: Ralph F. Cox, $55,039; Marvin L. Mann, $55,039; Thomas R.
Williams, $63,433; and William O. McCoy, $55,039.
B Compensation figures include cash .
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, 1999 , approximately 61.74 % of Real
Estate High Income II's total outstanding shares was held by FMR
affiliates. FMR Corp. is the ultimate parent company of FMR and these
FMR affiliates. By virtue of his ownership interest in FMR Corp., as
described in the "Control of Investment Adviser" section on page
62 , 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 Real Estate High Income II'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, 1999 , the following owned of record or
beneficially 5% or more (up to and including 25%) of the fund's
outstanding shares: Advisor Series IV Real Estate High Income Fund
II: Fidelity Real Estate Asset Manager II, Boston, MA (23.12%);
As of March 31, 1999 , approximately 25.30 % of Real
Estate High Income II's total outstanding shares were held by
IBM, Brooklyn, NY; and approximately 38.62% of Real Estate High
Income II's total outstanding shares were held by Fidelity Real Estate
Asset Manager III, Boston, MA.
A shareholder owning of record or beneficially more than 25% of a
fund's outstanding shares may be considered a controlling person. That
shareholder's vote could have a more significant effect on matters
presented at a shareholders' meeting than votes of other shareholders.
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
FMR Corp., organized in 1972, is the ultimate parent company of FMR.
The voting common stock of FMR Corp. is divided into two classes.
Class B is held predominantly by members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d
family and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter acted upon by
the voting common stock. Class A is held predominantly by non-Johnson
family member employees of FMR Corp. and its affiliates and is
entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson family
group and all other Class B shareholders have entered into a
shareholders' voting agreement under which all Class B shares will be
voted in accordance with the majority vote of Class B shares. Under
the 1940 Act, control of a company is presumed where one individual or
group of individuals owns more than 25% of the voting stock of that
company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting common stock and
the execution of the shareholders' voting agreement, members of the
Johnson family may be deemed, under the 1940 Act, to form a
controlling group with respect to FMR Corp.
At present, the principal operating activities of FMR Corp. are those
conducted by its division, Fidelity Investments Retail Marketing
Company, which provides marketing services to various companies within
the Fidelity organization.
Fidelity investment personnel may invest in securities for their own
investment accounts pursuant to a code of ethics that sets forth all
employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the funds, establishes
procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions.
For example, all personal trades in most securities require
pre-clearance, and participation in initial public offerings is
prohibited. In addition, restrictions on the timing of personal
investing in relation to trades by Fidelity funds and on short-term
trading have been adopted.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT
The fund has entered into a management contract with FMR, pursuant to
which FMR furnishes investment advisory and other services.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Under the terms of its management contract with
the fund, FMR acts as investment adviser and, subject to the
supervision of the Board of Trustees, directs the investments of the
fund in accordance with its investment objective, policies and
limitations. FMR also provides the fund with all necessary office
facilities and personnel for servicing the fund's investments,
compensates all officers of the fund and all Trustees who are
"interested persons" of the trust or of FMR, and all personnel of the
fund or FMR performing services relating to research, statistical and
investment activities.
In addition, FMR or its affiliates, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, provide the management and administrative services
necessary for the operation of the fund. These services include
providing facilities for maintaining the fund's organization;
supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents,
accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the fund;
preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting
shareholder relations; maintaining the fund's records and the
registration of the fund's shares under federal securities laws and
making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing
management and shareholder services for the fund; and furnishing
reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the
Trustees.
MANAGEMENT-RELATED EXPENSES. In addition to the management fee payable
to FMR and the fees payable to the transfer, dividend disbursing, and
shareholder servicing agent, pricing and bookkeeping agent, and
securities lending agent, as applicable, the fund pays all of its
expenses that are not assumed by those parties. The fund pays for the
typesetting, printing, and mailing of its proxy materials to
shareholders, legal expenses, and the fees of the custodian, auditor
and non-interested Trustees. The fund's management contract further
provides that the fund will pay for typesetting, printing, and mailing
prospectuses, statements of additional information, notices, and
reports to shareholders; however, under the terms of the fund's
transfer agent agreement, the transfer agent bears the costs of
providing these services to existing shareholders. Other expenses paid
by the fund include interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, the fund's
proportionate share of insurance premiums and Investment Company
Institute dues, and the costs of registering shares under federal
securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities
laws. The fund is also liable for such non-recurring expenses as may
arise, including costs of any litigation to which the fund may be a
party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and
Trustees with respect to litigation.
MANAGEMENT FEE. For the services of FMR under the management contract,
the fund pays FMR a monthly management fee which has two components: a
group fee rate and an individual fund fee rate.
The group fee rate is based on the monthly average net assets of all
of the registered investment companies with which FMR has management
contracts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
GROUP FEE RATE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE ANNUAL FEE RATES
Average Group Assets Annualized Rate Group Net Assets Effective Annual Fee Rate
0 - $3 billion .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
</TABLE>
The group fee rate is calculated on a cumulative basis pursuant to the
graduated fee rate schedule shown above on the left. The schedule
above on the right shows the effective annual group fee rate at
various asset levels, which is the result of cumulatively applying the
annualized rates on the left. For example, the effective annual fee
rate at $ 669 billion of group net assets - the approximate
level for December 1998 - was 0.1324 %, which is the weighted
average of the respective fee rates for each level of group net assets
up to $ 669 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 1998, the
fund's annual management fee rate would be calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Group Fee Rate Individual Fund Fee Rate Management Fee Rate
Real Estate High Income II 0.1324% + 0.60% = 0.7324%
</TABLE>
One-twelfth of the management fee rate is applied to the fund's
average net assets for the month, giving a dollar amount which is the
fee for that month.
For the fiscal years ended December 31 , 1998, 1997, and
1996, the fund paid FMR management fees of $928,276, $545,372, and
$56,258, respectively.
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of
the fund's operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, and extraordinary expenses), which is subject to revision
or termination. FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense
reimbursements in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior
to the end of the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements by FMR will increase the fund's total returns
and yield, and repayment of the reimbursement by the fund will lower
its returns and yield.
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with FDC, an
affiliate of FMR. FDC is a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The distribution agreement
calls for FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other
business, to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are
continuously offered at NAV. Promotional and administrative expenses
in connection with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan on behalf
of the fund (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the
Rule). The Rule provides in substance that a mutual fund may not
engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity that is
primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund except
pursuant to a plan approved on behalf of the fund under the Rule. The
Plan, as approved by the Trustees, allows the fund and FMR to incur
certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect
payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
Under the Plan, if the payment of management fees by the fund to FMR
is deemed to be indirect financing by the fund of the distribution of
its shares, such payment is authorized by the Plan. The Plan
specifically recognizes that FMR may use its management fee revenue,
as well as its past profits or its other resources, to pay FDC for
expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to
result in the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services.
In addition, the Plan provides that FMR, directly or through FDC, may
pay intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers and other
service-providers, that provide those services. Currently, the Board
of Trustees has authorized such payments for Real Estate High Income
II shares.
FMR made no payments either directly or through FDC to intermediaries
for the fiscal year ended 1998.
Prior to approving the Plan, the Trustees carefully considered all
pertinent factors relating to the implementation of the Plan, and
determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will
benefit the fund and its shareholders. In particular, the Trustees
noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by the fund other than
those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund. To the
extent that the Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in
connection with the distribution of fund shares, additional sales of
fund shares or stabilization of cash flows may result. Furthermore,
certain shareholder support services may be provided more effectively
under the Plan by local entities with whom shareholders have other
relationships.
The Glass-Steagall Act generally prohibits federally and state
chartered or supervised banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling or distributing securities. Although the scope
of this prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly
defined by the courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, FDC believes
that the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from performing
shareholder support services, or servicing and recordkeeping
functions. FDC intends to engage banks only to perform such functions.
However, changes in federal or state statutes and regulations
pertaining to the permissible activities of banks and their affiliates
or subsidiaries, as well as further judicial or administrative
decisions or interpretations, could prevent a bank from continuing to
perform all or a part of the contemplated services. If a bank were
prohibited from so acting, the Trustees would consider what actions,
if any, would be necessary to continue to provide efficient and
effective shareholder services. In such event, changes in the
operation of the fund might occur, including possible termination of
any automatic investment or redemption or other services then provided
by the bank. It is not expected that shareholders would suffer any
adverse financial consequences as a result of any of these
occurrences. In addition, state securities laws on this issue may
differ from the interpretations of federal law expressed herein, and
banks and other financial institutions may be required to register as
dealers pursuant to state law.
The fund may execute portfolio transactions with, and purchase
securities issued by, depository institutions that receive payments
under the Plan. No preference for the instruments of such depository
institutions will be shown in the selection of investments.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT AGREEMENTS
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with 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 asset-based
fee paid monthly with respect to each account in the fund.
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 entered into a service agent agreement with FSC, an
affiliate of FMR. Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the
NAV and dividends for the fund, maintains the fund's portfolio and
general accounting records, and administers the fund's securities
lending program.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly
fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
The annual rates for the pricing and bookkeeping services for the
fund are 0.0475% of the first $500 million of average net assets,
0.0275% of average net assets between $500 million and $3 billion, and
0.0010% of average net assets in excess of $3 billion. The fee,
not including reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, is limited to
a minimum of $60,000 per year.
For the fiscal years ended December 31 , 1998, 1997, and
1996, the fund paid FSC pricing and bookkeeping fees, including
reimbursement for related out-of-pocket expenses, of $99,149, $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, 1998, 1997, and 1996, the
fund paid no securities lending fees.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
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 on May 10, 1995.
Currently, there is one fund in the trust: Fidelity Real Estate High
Income Fund II. The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds
in the trust.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of
each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund, and
constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying assets
of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the liabilities and
expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the trust
shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. The fund is an entity 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
relating to the fund 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 or former shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the fund solely by reason of
his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his
or her acts or omissions or for some other reason. The Declaration of
Trust also provides that 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.
VOTING RIGHTS. The fund's capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. As a shareholder, you are entitled to one vote for each
dollar of net asset value you own. The voting rights of shareholders
can be changed only by a shareholder vote. Shares may be voted in the
aggregate and by class.
The shares have no preemptive rights or conversion rights. Shares are
fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading
"Shareholder Liability" above.
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 a vote of shareholders. In
the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the fund, shareholders
are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund available
for distribution.
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 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 members
of the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, conduct transactions
with various banks, including banks serving as custodians for certain
funds advised by FMR. Transactions that have occurred to date include
mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of
FMR, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not
influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund
relationships.
AUDITOR. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 160 Federal Street ,
Boston, Massachusetts serves as the fund's independent accountan t
for the fund . The auditor examines financial statements for the
fund and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, and report of the auditor, are
included in the fund's Annual Report and are incorporated herein by
reference.
APPENDIX
Fidelity, Fidelity Investments & (Pyramid) Design, Fidelity
Investments, Fidelity Focus and Magellan are registered
trademarks of FMR Corp.
THE THIRD PARTY MARKS APPEARING ABOVE ARE THE MARKS OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) Declaration of Trust, dated May 10, 1995, is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1.
(b) Bylaws of the Trust, dated May 19, 1994, are incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 2(a) of Fidelity Union Street Trust's (File
No. 2-50318) Post-Effective Amendment No. 87.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Management Contract, dated May 16, 1996, between Fidelity
Covington Trust on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II
and Fidelity Management & Research Company, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 5 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2.
(e) (1) General Distribution Agreement, dated May 16, 1996, between
Fidelity Covington Trust on behalf of Fidelity Real Estate High Income
Fund II and Fidelity Distributors Corporation, is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 6(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2.
(2) 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 e(2).
(f) (1) Retirement Plan for Non-Interested Person Trustees,
Directors or General Partners, as amended on November 16, 1995, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(a) of Fidelity Select
Portfolio's (File No. 2-69972) Post-Effective Amendment No. 54.
(g) (1) Custodian Agreement and Appendix C, dated December 1, 1994,
between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, are incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Fidelity Hereford Street
Trust's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 (File No. 33-52577).
(2) Appendix A, dated September 17, 1998, to the Custodian Agreement,
dated December 1, 1994, between The Bank of New York and the
Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit g(2) of
Fidelity Concord Street Trust's Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 (File
No. 33-15983).
(3) Appendix B, dated December 17, 1998, to the Custodian Agreement,
dated December 1, 1994, between The Bank of New York and the
Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit g(3) of
Fidelity Concord Street Trust's Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 (File
No. 33-15983).
(4) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement, dated February 12, 1996,
among The Bank of New York, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and the
Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(d) of
Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74708)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(5) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement, dated
February 12, 1996, between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(e) of Fidelity
Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74708) Post-Effective
Amendment No. 31.
(6) Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement, dated November 13, 1995,
among Chemical Bank, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., and the
Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(f) of
Fidelity Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74708)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(7) Schedule 1 to the Fidelity Group Repo Custodian Agreement, dated
November 13, 1995, between Chemical Bank and the Registrant, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(g) of Fidelity
Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74708) Post-Effective
Amendment No. 31.
(8) Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement, dated May 11, 1995,
between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 8(h) of Fidelity Institutional Cash
Portfolios' (File No. 2-74708) Post-Effective Amendment No. 31.
(9) First Amendment to Joint Trading Account Custody Agreement, dated
July 14, 1995, between The Bank of New York and the Registrant, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(i) of Fidelity
Institutional Cash Portfolios' (File No. 2-74708) Post-Effective
Amendment No. 31.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated April 27, 1999, is
filed herein as Exhibit j(1).
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) Amended Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for
Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 15 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2.
(n) Financial Data Schedule for the fund is filed herein as Exhibit
n(1).
(o) Not applicable.
Item 24. Trusts Controlled by or under Common Control with this Trust
The Board of Trustees of the Trust is the same as the board of other
Fidelity funds, each of which has Fidelity Management & Research
Company, or an affiliate, as its investment adviser. In addition, the
officers of the Trust are substantially identical to those of the
other Fidelity funds. Nonetheless, the Trust takes the position that
it is not under common control with other Fidelity funds because the
power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the
result of an official position with the respective trusts.
Item 25. Indemnification
Article XI, Section 2 of the Declaration of Trust sets forth the
reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification
shall be provided to any past or present Trustee or officer. It states
that the Trust shall indemnify any present or past trustee or officer
to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability, and all
expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any
claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she is involved by
virtue of his or her service as a trustee or officer and against any
amount incurred in settlement thereof. Indemnification will not be
provided to a person adjudged by a court or other adjudicatory body to
be liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his
or her duties (collectively, "disabling conduct"), or not to have
acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action
was in the best interest of the Trust. In the event of a settlement,
no indemnification may be provided unless there has been a
determination, as specified in the Declaration of Trust, that the
officer or trustee did not engage in disabling conduct.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Distribution Agreement, the Trust
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its
directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against
any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the
reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees
incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person
acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the registration
statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information,
shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the
Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading
under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law. However,
the Trust does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it
harmless to the extent that the statement or omission was made in
reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the
Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor. In no case is the indemnity
of the Trust in favor of the Distributor or any person indemnified to
be deemed to protect the Distributor or any person against any
liability to the Issuer or its security holders to which the
Distributor or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Pursuant to the agreement by which Fidelity 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 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
(1) FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY (FMR)
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
FMR serves as investment adviser to a number of other investment
companies. The directors and officers of the Adviser have held,
during the past two fiscal years, the following positions of a
substantial nature.
Edward C. Johnson 3d Chairman of the Board and
Director of FMR; President
and Chief Executive Officer
of FMR Corp.; Chairman of
the Board and Director of
FMR Corp., Fidelity
Investments Money
Management, Inc. (FIMM),
Fidelity Management &
Research (U.K.) Inc. (FMR
U.K.), and Fidelity
Management & Research (Far
East) Inc. (FMR Far East);
Chairman of the Executive
Committee of FMR; Director
of Fidelity Investments
Japan Limited (FIJ);
President and Trustee of
funds advised by FMR.
Robert C. Pozen President and Director of
FMR; Senior Vice President
and Trustee of funds advised
by FMR; President and
Director of FIMM, FMR U.K.,
and FMR Far East;
Previously, General Counsel,
Managing Director, and
Senior Vice President of FMR
Corp.
Peter S. Lynch Vice Chairman of the Board
and Director of FMR.
John H. Carlson Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Dwight D. Churchill Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of Bond
Funds advised by FMR; Vice
President of FIMM.
Brian Clancy Vice President of FMR and
Treasurer of FMR, FIMM, FMR
U.K., and FMR Far East.
Barry Coffman Vice President of FMR.
Arieh Coll Vice President of FMR.
Frederic G. Corneel Tax Counsel of FMR.
Stephen G. Manning Assistant Treasurer of FMR,
FIMM, FMR U.K., FMR Far
East; Vice President and
Treasurer of FMR Corp.;
Treasurer of Strategic
Advisers, Inc.
William Danoff Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Scott E. DeSano Vice President of FMR.
Penelope Dobkin Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Walter C. Donovan Vice President of FMR.
Bettina Doulton Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Margaret L. Eagle Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
William R. Ebsworth Vice President of FMR.
Richard B. Fentin Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Gregory Fraser Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Jay Freedman Assistant Clerk of FMR; Clerk
of FMR Corp., FMR U.K., FMR
Far East, and Strategic
Advisers, Inc.; Secretary of
FIMM; Associate General
Counsel FMR Corp.
David L. Glancy Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Barry A. Greenfield Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Boyce I. Greer Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of Money
Market Funds advised by FMR;
Vice President of FIMM.
Bart A. Grenier Senior Vice President of FMR;
Vice President of
High-Income Funds advised by
FMR.
Robert J. Haber Vice President of FMR.
Richard C. Habermann Senior Vice President of FMR;
Vice President of funds
advised by FMR.
Fred L. Henning Jr. Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of
Fixed-Income Funds advised
by FMR.
Bruce T. Herring Vice President of FMR.
Robert F. Hill Vice President of FMR;
Director of Technical
Research.
Abigail P. Johnson Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of funds
advised by FMR; Director of
FMR Corp.; Associate
Director and Senior Vice
President of Equity Funds
advised by FMR.
David B. Jones Vice President of FMR.
Steven Kaye Senior Vice President of FMR
and of a fund advised by FMR.
Francis V. Knox Vice President of FMR;
Compliance Officer of FMR
U.K. and FMR Far East.
Harris Leviton Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Bradford E. Lewis Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Richard R. Mace Jr. Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Charles A. Mangum Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Kevin McCarey Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Neal P. Miller Vice President of FMR.
Jacques Perold Vice President of FMR.
Alan Radlo Vice President of FMR.
Eric D. Roiter Vice President, General
Counsel, and Clerk of FMR
and Secretary of funds
advised by FMR.
Lee H. Sandwen Vice President of FMR.
Patricia A. Satterthwaite Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Fergus Shiel Vice President of FMR.
Richard A. Silver Vice President of FMR.
Carol A. Smith-Fachetti Vice President of FMR.
Steven J. Snider Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Thomas T. Soviero Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Richard Spillane Senior Vice President of FMR;
Associate Director and
Senior Vice President of
Equity Funds advised by FMR;
Previously, Senior Vice
President and Director of
Operations and Compliance of
FMR U.K.
Thomas M. Sprague Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
Robert E. Stansky Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Scott D. Stewart Vice President of FMR.
Thomas Sweeney Vice President of FMR.
Beth F. Terrana Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of a fund
advised by FMR.
Yoko Tilley Vice President of FMR.
Joel C. Tillinghast Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Robert Tuckett Vice President of FMR.
Jennifer Uhrig Vice President of FMR and of
funds advised by FMR.
George A. Vanderheiden Senior Vice President of FMR
and Vice President of funds
advised by FMR; Director of
FMR Corp.
Steven S. Wymer Vice President of FMR and of
a fund advised by FMR.
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) Fidelity Distributors Corporation (FDC) acts as distributor for
all funds advised by FMR or an affiliate.
(b)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
Business Address* with Underwriter with Fund
Edward C. Johnson 3d Director Trustee and President
Michael Mlinac Director None
James Curvey Director None
Martha B. Willis President None
Eric D. Roiter Vice President Secretary
Caron Ketchum Treasurer and Controller None
Gary Greenstein Assistant Treasurer None
Jay Freedman Assistant Clerk None
Linda Holland Compliance Officer None
* 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are
maintained by Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Service
Company, Inc. or Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations
Company, Inc., 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109, or the fund's
custodian, The Bank of New York, 110 Washington Street, New York, NY.
Item 29. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 30. 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 finish 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. 4 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, 1999.
Fidelity Covington Trust
By /s/Edward C. Johnson 3d, President(dagger)
Edward C. Johnson 3d, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
(Signature) (Title) (Date)
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d(dagger) President and Trustee April 29, 1999
Edward C. Johnson 3d (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/Richard A. Silver Treasurer April 29, 1999
Richard A. Silver
/s/Robert C. Pozen Trustee April 29, 1999
Robert C. Pozen
/s/Ralph F. Cox* Trustee April 29, 1999
Ralph F. Cox
/s/Phyllis Burke Davis* Trustee April 29, 1999
Phyllis Burke Davis
/s/Robert M. Gates** Trustee April 29, 1999
Robert M. Gates
/s/E. Bradley Jones* Trustee April 29, 1999
E. Bradley Jones
/s/Donald J. Kirk* Trustee April 29, 1999
Donald J. Kirk
/s/Peter S. Lynch* Trustee April 29, 1999
Peter S. Lynch
/s/Marvin L. Mann* Trustee April 29, 1999
Marvin L. Mann
/s/William O. McCoy* Trustee April 29, 1999
William O. McCoy
/s/Gerald C. McDonough* Trustee April 29, 1999
Gerald C. McDonough
/s/Thomas R. Williams* Trustee April 29, 1999
Thomas R. Williams
(dagger) Signature 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
We, the undersigned Directors, Trustees, or General Partners, as the
case may be, of the following investment companies:
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Government
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund Securities Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Hastings Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series III Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional Cash
Fidelity Advisor Series V Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Institutional
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Institutional Trust
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Massachusetts
Trust Municipal Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Money Market Trust
Trust II Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street
Fidelity Capital Trust Trust
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Contrafund Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Court Street Trust Trust II
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Daily Tax-Exempt Fund Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Fidelity Select Portfolios
Performance Fidelity Sterling Performance
Portfolio, L.P. Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity Financial Trust Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity U.S.
Investments-Government
Securities
Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Yen Performance
Portfolio, L.P.
Variable Insurance Products
Fund
Variable Insurance Products
Fund II
plus any other investment company for which Fidelity Management &
Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and for
which the undersigned individual serves as Directors, Trustees, or
General Partners (collectively, the "Funds"), hereby constitute and
appoint Arthur J. Brown, Arthur C. Delibert, Stephanie A. Djinis,
Robert C. Hacker, Thomas M. Leahey, Richard M. Phillips, and Dana L.
Platt, each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact,
with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them,
to sign for us and in our names in the appropriate capacities, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration
Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in
connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in our names
and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deems
necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all
related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. I
hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power
of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after January
1, 1997.
WITNESS our hands on this nineteenth day of December, 1996.
/s/Edward C. Johnson 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 President and Director, Trustee, or General
Partner, as the case may be, of the following investment companies:
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Institutional Cash
Fidelity Advisor Series III Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional
Fidelity Advisor Series V Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Massachusetts
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Municipal Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Money Market Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street
Trust Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Municipal Trust
Trust II Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Capital Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Trust
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Concord Street Trust Trust II
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Contrafund Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Court Street Trust Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Select Portfolios
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Sterling Performance
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Performance Fidelity Trend Fund
Portfolio, L.P. Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Financial Trust Investments-Government
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Securities
Fidelity Government Fund, L.P.
Securities Fund Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Hastings Street Trust Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Yen Performance
Portfolio, L.P.
Newbury Street Trust
Variable Insurance Products
Fund
Variable Insurance Products
Fund II
Variable Insurance Products
Fund III
in addition to any other investment company for which Fidelity
Management & Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment
adviser and for which the undersigned individual serves as President
and Director, Trustee, or General Partner (collectively, the "Funds"),
hereby constitute and appoint Robert C. Pozen my true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power
to him to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacity, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A, or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A, Form N-8A, or any successor thereto, any
Registration Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other
instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such
things in my name and on my behalf in connection therewith as said
attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate, to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, and all related requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said
attorney-in-fact or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. This power of attorney is effective for all documents
filed on or after August 1, 1997.
WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.
/s/Edward C. Johnson 3d July 17, 1997
Edward C. Johnson 3d
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned Director, Trustee, or General Partner, as the case
may be, of the following investment companies:
Fidelity Aberdeen Street Trust Fidelity Government
Fidelity Advisor Annuity Fund Securities Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series I Fidelity Hastings Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series II Fidelity Hereford Street Trust
Fidelity Advisor Series III Fidelity Income Fund
Fidelity Advisor Series IV Fidelity Institutional Cash
Fidelity Advisor Series V Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VI Fidelity Institutional
Fidelity Advisor Series VII Tax-Exempt Cash Portfolios
Fidelity Advisor Series VIII Fidelity Institutional Trust
Fidelity Beacon Street Trust Fidelity Investment Trust
Fidelity Boston Street Trust Fidelity Magellan Fund
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Massachusetts
Trust Municipal Trust
Fidelity California Municipal Fidelity Money Market Trust
Trust II Fidelity Mt. Vernon Street
Fidelity Capital Trust Trust
Fidelity Charles Street Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust
Fidelity Commonwealth Trust Fidelity Municipal Trust II
Fidelity Congress Street Fund Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Contrafund Trust
Fidelity Corporate Trust Fidelity New York Municipal
Fidelity Court Street Trust Trust II
Fidelity Court Street Trust II Fidelity Phillips Street Trust
Fidelity Covington Trust Fidelity Puritan Trust
Fidelity Daily Money Fund Fidelity Revere Street Trust
Fidelity Daily Tax-Exempt Fund Fidelity School Street Trust
Fidelity Destiny Portfolios Fidelity Securities Fund
Fidelity Deutsche Mark Fidelity Select Portfolios
Performance Fidelity Sterling Performance
Portfolio, L.P. Portfolio, L.P.
Fidelity Devonshire Trust Fidelity Summer Street Trust
Fidelity Exchange Fund Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity Financial Trust Fidelity U.S.
Fidelity Fixed-Income Trust Investments-Bond Fund, L.P.
Fidelity U.S.
Investments-Government
Securities
Fund, L.P.
Fidelity Union Street Trust
Fidelity Union Street Trust II
Fidelity Yen Performance
Portfolio, L.P.
Variable Insurance Products
Fund
Variable Insurance Products
Fund II
plus any other investment company for which Fidelity Management &
Research Company or an affiliate acts as investment adviser and for
which the undersigned individual serves as Director, Trustee, or
General Partner (collectively, the "Funds"), hereby constitute and
appoint Arthur J. Brown, Arthur C. Delibert, Stephanie A. Djinis,
Robert C. Hacker, Thomas M. Leahey, Richard M. Phillips, and Dana L.
Platt, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with
full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to
sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all
Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, Form N-8A or any
successor thereto, any and all subsequent Amendments, Pre-Effective
Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration
Statements on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, any Registration
Statements on Form N-14, and any supplements or other instruments in
connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name
and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem
necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all
related requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. I
hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their
substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power
of attorney is effective for all documents filed on or after March 1,
1997.
WITNESS my hand on the date set forth below.
/s/Robert M. Gates March 6, 1997
Robert M. Gates
Exhibit e(2)
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 j(1)
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. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Fidelity
Covington Trust: Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II, of our
report dated February 12, 1999 on the financial statements and
financial highlights included in the December 31, 1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders of Fidelity Real Estate High Income Fund II.
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/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 27, 1999
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<NAME> Fidelity Covington Trust
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