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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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Mr. Gates, Chairman of the Committee, presided, and Mr. Roiter recorded the minutes. The booklets to the presentations identified on the agenda to the meeting were previously distributed
to the Committee and are filed in the Exhibit Book to the meeting.
Review of Fidelity Equity Fund Performance
Mr. Dwight Churchill, Executive Vice President of FMR, reviewed the equity markets and the performance of Fidelitys equity funds over the one- and three-year periods ended April 30,
2006. He stated that the domestic and international bull markets continue into their fourth year amid a robust macro economic environment, strong company earnings and reasonable valuations, noting however, that the markets have softened a bit over
the last couple of months. He stated that the international market continues its current outperformance versus the domestic market, noting the very strong returns in many regions of the world. He stated that the domestic market currently still
favors small cap stocks and discussed the returns of the S&P sectors, noting the strength of the energy sector.
Mr. Churchill reviewed the organization and structure of the Equity Division over the last year. He stated that Fidelity manages $620 billion in equity assets as of April 30, 2006, and
that flows into the equity funds have been very strong this year at almost $18 billion through April 30.
Mr. Churchill reviewed the performance of the domestic equity funds over the one-and three-year periods ended April 30, 2006, as detailed in the presentation booklet. He stated that FMR
believes that in most cases, there is a clear correlation between a funds performance against its benchmark and its performance against its mutual fund peers. He reviewed the performance of the international equity funds over the same periods. He reviewed the funds performance by investment discipline and discussed the funds that outperformed fewer than 50% of their peers on a one- or three-year basis. He stated his view that it is appropriate to allow a manager approximately 18 months to grow into a new fund assignment, and that FMR is confident in the long-term success of certain managers and is closely watching the performance of others. In response to a question from Mr. Wolfe, Mr. Churchill discussed the impact of management changes and dedication of additional resources within FMR. He stated that the results of these changes will be seen over the next few years and beyond. In response to a question from Mr. Stavropoulos, Mr. Churchill stated that to increase the bench strength within the investment staff, FMR has modified its recruiting strategy by seeking experienced candidates from outside of the firm. <
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Mr. Churchill reviewed the performance of the funds managed by FMR personnel who also have a role in managing Pyramis accounts, sub-advised by Fidelity International Limited and sub-advised by Geode, over the one- and three-year periods. Mr. Churchill discussed the themes FMR is currently focusing on within the Equity Division, including team development, integration of diversified research resources, collaboration with the research and trading desks, development and implementation of quantitative tools and resources, and an enhanced management team and related infrastructure. After a general discussion, Mr. Churchill concluded his presentation. Review of Fidelity Specialized Fund Performance Mr. Walter Donovan, Executive Vice President of FMR, presented an overview of the Equity Research Department and the specialized funds performance over the one- and three-year periods ended April 30, 2006. He reviewed FMRs global equity research team, which consists of fixed-income, high yield, quantitative and technical analysts in Boston, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong covering the equity sectors. He discussed the recent changes made to Equity Research, which include adding analysts and associates (280 up from 220 a year ago), the addition of Managing Directors of Research, a stronger link with sector trading, and #433010 2 of 7 Fidelity Confidential Information enhanced research resources. He stated that Fidelitys global research resources permit it to be independent from Wall Street research and have key access to important company contacts. Mr. Donovan reviewed the performance of the specialized funds on a rolling average annual and asset-weighted average annual basis compared to custom benchmarks over the one- and three-year periods ended April 30, 2006. He stated that overall the funds outperformed these two measures by approximately 400 basis during the one-year period, and by 139 bp and 21 bp, respectively, over the three-year period. He stated that approximately 75% and 62% of the specialized funds beat their custom benchmark over the periods, respectively, a significant improvement from the same periods last year. He reviewed charts that show the performance (compared to custom benchmarks) of each retail Select fund over the one- and three-year periods. Mr. Donovan stated that more detailed fund-level performance information, including the funds that underperformed their respective benchmark by more than 50 bp during the three-year period ended April 30, is contained
in the Appendix to the presentation booklet. Mr. Donovan reviewed the current focus of the Equity Research Department, which includes enhancing resources at several levels (additional associates and analysts and management capabilities), creating multiple career tracks and new diversified analyst research positions to work with the diversified managers on existing portfolio teams, and the realignment of the Select Funds to Morgan Stanleys global industry classification scheme. After a general discussion, Mr. Donovan concluded his presentation. Review of Fidelity Asset Allocation Group Performance Mr. Boyce Greer, Executive Vice President of FMR, provided an overview of the performance of the funds in Fidelitys Global Asset Allocation Group over the one- and three-year periods ended April 30, 2006. He reviewed the organization and structure of the Group, and the $80.6 billion in assets managed by the Group, primarily in the Freedom Funds, Strategic Funds and Asset Manager Funds. He reviewed the performance of the funds five asset classes, stating that while all classes had positive returns, international and domestic equities had the strongest returns at 33.7% and 15.4%, respectively. #433010 3 of 7 Fidelity Confidential Information
Mr. Greer reviewed the sub-portfolio management assignments and structure of Fidelitys three Strategic Funds. He stated that the Funds outperformed their respective composite
benchmarks by a range of 20-458 bp during the one-year period. He reviewed the risk profiles of the seven Asset Manager Funds, and the performance of each Fund. He stated that the funds relative returns (compared to their benchmarks) ranged
from 1.6% to 11.4% for the one-year period. He discussed the explosive growth of Fidelitys Freedom Funds, stating that the product line, which launched in 1996, has approximately $52 billion in assets currently. He reviewed the performance
of all the Freedom Funds (retail, Advisor and VIP), noting that each Fund (except one) had positive performance relative to its benchmark over the one-year period (or life-of-fund, if applicable). He stated however, that performance is negative on a
three- and five-year basis for the retail funds, the only funds with this length of performance history. There was a discussion of these results. Mr. Greer stated that more detailed fund-level performance information is contained in the Appendix to
the presentation booklet.
After a general discussion, Mr. Greer concluded his presentation. Mr. Gates thanked Messrs. Churchill, Donovan and Greer for their presentations and complimented FMR on its efforts over
the last year to enhance the infrastructure surrounding the funds and the improved performance results achieved to date.
At this time, Messrs. Churchill, Donovan and Greer left the meeting.
Consideration of Annual Renewal of Money Market Funds and Bond Funds Management Contracts, Sub-Advisory and International Research Agreements
Mr. Roiter asked if there were any further questions or comments regarding the renewal of the management contracts, sub-advisory agreements and international research agreements for the
money market funds and bond funds. The members of the Committee stated that there were none. Mr. Roiter noted that as part of the Boards renewal of these contracts and agreements, FMR will terminate the sub-advisory agreement with FMR U.K.,
which is in place for most bond funds and allowed for the provision of discretionary and non-discretionary services.
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Mr. Gates stated that the Committee has determined to recommend that the management contracts, sub-advisory agreements, and international research agreements for the money market and bond
funds be continued for a period of one year through June 30, 2007.
Review and Approval of the Funds Insurance Program
Mr. Roiter stated that Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act requires that a majority of a funds independent trustees approve, at least annually, the bond coverage in place for the funds. He
stated that the funds proposed insurance program for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 provides coverage against (i) trustees management liability, (ii) errors and omissions liability, (iii) larceny and embezzlement, (iv)
uncollectible, forged, or altered checks, and (iv) cyber liability related to web site content, systems security and systems extortion threats. He stated that an excess management liability program, covering the
non-indemnified wrongful acts of the Independent Trustees only, has been in effect since November 2003, and provides $100 million in coverage.
Mr. Roiter stated that the program structure and limits will remain in place for the July 1, 2007 renewal, and that FMR is finalizing negotiations with insurers on costs and terms. He
stated that based on initial indications from competing underwriters, it is anticipated that AIG will have the most favorable terms and be retained as lead underwriter. He stated that the finalized proposals will be reviewed with
Debevoise & Plimpton, and the insurer offering the most favorable terms will be selected and coverage will be effective July 1. He stated that FMR will report back to the Committee at its July meeting.
After a general discussion, the Committee determined to recommend approval of the funds professional liability/management liability/bond insurance program and the excess
Independent Trustees management liability program for the period of July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, subject to review and approval by counsel of any substantive changes to the coverage terms and total cost, as detailed in the June 7, 2006 Board
memorandum.
Approval of the Rescheduling of Certain 2006 Shareholder Meetings and Update on Related Meeting Matters
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Mr. Roiter stated that FMR proposes to reschedule the shareholder meeting for Variable Insurance Products Fund and Variable Insurance Products Fund II from September to November 15, 2006,
with a record date of September 18, 2006. He stated that this will allow FMR to consolidate the mailings for these Trusts with the mailing for a shareholder meeting of Variable Insurance Products Fund III.
Mr. Roiter stated that FMR submitted a no-action request with the SEC in March 2006 to omit a shareholder proposal from Fidelity Cash Reserves next proxy statement. He stated that on
May 8, 2006, the SEC granted the request on the basis that the shareholder failed to follow a procedural requirement to submit a proposal. He stated that the funds meeting will be held as scheduled on July 19, 2006.
After further discussion, the Committee determined to recommend Board approval of the revised record and meeting dates for Variable Insurance Products Fund and Variable Insurance Products
Fund II, as detailed in the June 7, 2006 Board memorandum.
Recommendation Regarding Potential Litigation
Mr. Roiter stated that FMR recommends that the Fidelity funds decline to pursue litigation against certain parties, as detailed in the June 7, 2006 Board memorandum, which is subject to
attorney-client privilege.
After discussion, the Committee determined to recommend Board approval of FMRs
recommendation to decline to pursue litigation against certain parties.
Review of Proposed Advisory Contract Approval Disclosure for the Equity Funds
Mr. Roiter stated that FMR has prepared a template document that shows the standard elements of advisory contract approval disclosure for all equity funds and identifies principal
fund-specific variations. He stated that final disclosures for each fund may vary in minor respects to accommodate reports that cover multiple funds. He stated that FMR will post the draft fund-by-fund disclosures on the Board Reporting website
prior to the July meeting. He stated that FMR believes that the proposed disclosures, when modified to reflect the Boards upcoming deliberations, will adequately describe the material elements of the Boards decision to approve each
equity funds advisory contracts.
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Quarterly Report on Custody of Foreign Assets
Mr. Roiter stated that none of the funds global custodians reported any material adverse changes in the funds foreign custody arrangements, pursuant to Rule 17f-5, during the
quarter ended March 31, 2006. He stated that each of the funds global custodians has certified in writing that it is operating its subcustodian network in conformity with Rule 17f-5, and that the foreign securities depositories used by its
custody network are eligible under Rule 17f-7.
Other Matter
Mr. Roiter distributed a handout, to be filed in the Exhibit Book to the meeting, and provided an update on the SECs proposed Investment Company Governance rule, for which comments
are being re-solicited by August 21, 2006.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was
adjourned.
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
June 15, 2006
Present:
Messrs.
Gates
Messrs.
Jonas
Mr.
Greer
Dirks
Reynolds
Ms.
Hammond
Gamper
Keyes
Messrs.
Jones
Heilmeier
Churchill
Rathgeber
Ms.
Knowles
Donovan
Roiter
Messrs.
Lautenbach
Ms.
Erickson
Wynant
McCoy
Messrs.
Farinacci
Berman
Ms.
Small
Goebel
Campbell
Messrs.
Stavropoulos
Wolfe
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