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Supplement to the
Government Portfolio
August 29, 2024
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Effective November 1, 2024, the fund's sub-advisory agreements with FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited were amended. The following information supplements similar information found in the "Management Contract" section.
Under the terms of the sub-advisory agreements, FMR pays each sub-adviser monthly fees equal to 110% of the sub-adviser's costs for providing sub-advisory services.
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NCX-SSTK-1124-114-1.923920.114
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November 1, 2024
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Fund
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Government Portfolio
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NCCTX
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Fund of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
August 29, 2024
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Portions of the fund's
annual report
are incorporated herein. The annual report(s) are supplied with this SAI.
To obtain a free additional copy of the prospectus or SAI, dated August 29, 2024, an annual report, or a free copy of a fund's proxy voting record, please call Capital Management of the Carolinas, L.L.C. (CMC) in Charlotte, North Carolina at 1-800-222-3232, or existing participants may visit the web site at nccmt.fidelity.com.
NCX-PTB-0824
1.923813.114
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 (1940 Act)) of the fund. However, except for the fundamental investment limitations listed below, the investment policies and limitations described in this Statement of Additional Information (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.
Diversification
The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the government of the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, provided, however, that in the case of certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances up to 25% of the fund's total assets may be invested without regard to such 5% limitation, but shall instead be subject to a 10% limitation.
For purposes of the fund's diversification limitation discussed above, certain securities subject to guarantees (including insurance, letters of credit and demand features) are not considered securities of their issuer, but are subject to separate diversification requirements, in accordance with industry standard requirements for money market funds.
The fund may not purchase the securities of a company if such purchase, at the time thereof, would cause more than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets to be invested in securities of companies, which, including predecessors, have a record of less than three years' continuous operation.
Senior Securities
The fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted pursuant to the fundamental borrowing and loan investment limitations discussed below.
Short Sales
The fund may not make short sales of securities.
Margin Purchases
The fund may not purchase securities on margin (but the fund may obtain such credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities).
Borrowing
The fund may not borrow money, except from a bank for temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not to exceed one-third of the current value of the total assets of the fund (including the amount borrowed) less its liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. (If at any time the fund's borrowings exceed this limitation due to a decline in net assets, such borrowings will be promptly (within 3 days) reduced to the extent necessary to comply with the limitation. The fund will borrow only to facilitate redemptions requested by shareholders which might otherwise require untimely disposition of portfolio securities and will not purchase securities while borrowings are outstanding.)
The fund's borrowing limitation discussed above is construed in conformity with the 1940 Act; accordingly, "3 days" means three business days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays.
Pledging
The fund may not pledge assets, except that the fund may pledge not more than one-third of its total assets (taken at current value) to secure borrowings made in accordance with the fundamental borrowing investment limitation above.
Underwriting
The fund may not act as an underwriter (except as it may be deemed such in a sale of restricted securities).
Concentration
The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the government of the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of one or more issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, with respect to any investment in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR) looks through to the U.S. Government securities.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, the fund may invest in obligations of banks as permitted pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 159-30, as amended (the Statute) and 20 North Carolina Administrative Code 3.0712, as amended (the Code). FMR limits the fund's investments in domestic bank obligations to those banks having total assets in excess of one billion dollars and subject to regulation by the U.S. Government. FMR may also invest the fund's assets in certificates of deposit issued by banks insured by the FDIC having total assets of less than one billion dollars, provided that the fund will at no time own more than an aggregate of $100,000 in principal and interest obligations (or any higher principal amount or principal and interest which in the future may be fully covered by FDIC insurance) of any one such issuer.
For purposes of the fund's concentration limitation discussed above, FMR may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry or sector classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that the third-party classification provider used by FMR does not assign a classification.
Real Estate
The fund may not buy or sell real estate.
Commodities
The fund may not buy or sell commodities, or commodity (futures) contracts.
Loans
The fund may not make loans to other persons, except (i) by the purchase of debt obligations in which the fund is authorized to invest in accordance with its investment objective, and (ii) by engaging in "qualified repurchase agreements." In addition, the fund may lend its portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other institutional investors, provided that the borrower delivers cash or cash equivalent collateral to the fund and agrees to maintain such collateral so that it equals at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. Any such securities loan may not be made if, as a result thereof, the aggregate value of all securities loaned exceeds 33 1/3% of the total assets of the fund.
Securities of other Investment Companies
The fund may not purchase the securities of other investment companies or investment trusts.
Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration Programs
The fund may not invest in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs.
Put and Call Options
The fund may not write or purchase any put or call option.
Investing for Control or Management
The fund may not invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
The fund may not purchase or retain the securities of any issuer, any of whose officers, directors, or securityholders is a Trustee, director, or officer of the fund or of its investment adviser, if or so long as the Trustees, directors, and officers of the fund and of its investment adviser together own beneficially more than 5% of any class of securities of such issuer.
The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
Diversification
The fund does not currently intend to purchase a security (other than obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the government of the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of a single issuer; provided that, with respect to certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, the fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the first tier securities of a single issuer for up to three business days.
For purposes of the fund's diversification limitation discussed above, certain securities subject to guarantees (including insurance, letters of credit and demand features) are not considered securities of their issuer, but are subject to separate diversification requirements, in accordance with industry standard requirements for money market funds.
Illiquid Securities
The fund does not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value ascribed to it by the fund.
For purposes of the fund's illiquid securities limitation discussed above, if through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the fund were in a position where more than 5% of its total assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would consider appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
Loans
The fund does not currently intend to engage in securities lending and will do so only when the Trustees determine that it is advisable and appropriate.
In addition to the fund's fundamental and non-fundamental investment limitations discussed above:
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.
The fund's investments must be consistent with its investment objective and policies. Accordingly, not all of the security types and investment techniques discussed below are eligible investments for the fund.
Affiliated Bank Transactions.
A Fidelity
®
fund may engage in transactions with financial institutions that are, or may be considered to be, "affiliated persons" of the fund under the 1940 Act. These transactions may involve repurchase agreements with custodian banks; short-term obligations of, and repurchase agreements with, the 50 largest U.S. banks (measured by deposits); municipal securities; U.S. Government securities with affiliated financial institutions that are primary dealers in these securities; short-term currency transactions; and short-term borrowings. In accordance with exemptive orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Board of Trustees has established and periodically reviews procedures applicable to transactions involving affiliated financial institutions.
Borrowing.
The fund may borrow from banks.
Cash Management.
A fund may hold uninvested cash or may invest it in cash equivalents such as money market securities or repurchase agreements. Generally, these securities offer less potential for gains than other types of securities.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Notice of Exclusion.
The Adviser, on behalf of the Fidelity® fund to which this SAI relates, has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the CFTC promulgated thereunder, with respect to the fund's operation. Accordingly, neither a fund nor its adviser is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or a CPO. As of the date of this SAI, the adviser does not expect to register as a CPO of the fund. However, there is no certainty that a fund or its adviser will be able to rely on an exclusion in the future as the fund's investments change over time. A fund may determine not to use investment strategies that trigger additional CFTC regulation or may determine to operate subject to CFTC regulation, if applicable. If a fund or its adviser operates subject to CFTC regulation, it may incur additional expenses.
Disruption to Financial Markets and Related Government Intervention.
Economic downturns can trigger various economic, legal, budgetary, tax, and regulatory reforms across the globe. Instability in the financial markets in the wake of events such as the 2008 economic downturn led the U.S. Government and other governments to take a number of then-unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, local, foreign, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which a fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Reforms may also change the way in which a fund is regulated and could limit or preclude a fund's ability to achieve its investment objective or engage in certain strategies. Also, while reforms generally are intended to strengthen markets, systems, and public finances, they could affect fund expenses and the value of fund investments in unpredictable ways.
Similarly, widespread disease including pandemics and epidemics, and natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, droughts, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and climate-related phenomena generally, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely impacting individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a fund's investments. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries, including the United States. Additionally, market disruptions may result in increased market volatility; regulatory trading halts; closure of domestic or foreign exchanges, markets, or governments; or market participants operating pursuant to business continuity plans for indeterminate periods of time. Further, market disruptions can (i) prevent a fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner, (ii) negatively impact a fund's ability to achieve its investment objective, and (iii) may exacerbate the risks discussed elsewhere in a fund's registration statement, including political, social, and economic risks.
The value of a fund's portfolio is also generally subject to the risk of future local, national, or global economic or natural disturbances based on unknown weaknesses in the markets in which a fund invests. In the event of such a disturbance, the issuers of securities held by a fund may experience significant declines in the value of their assets and even cease operations, or may receive government assistance accompanied by increased restrictions on their business operations or other government intervention. In addition, it remains uncertain that the U.S. Government or foreign governments will intervene in response to current or future market disturbances and the effect of any such future intervention cannot be predicted.
Illiquid Investments
means any investment that cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Difficulty in selling or disposing of illiquid investments may result in a loss or may be costly to a fund. Illiquid securities may include (1) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days without demand/redemption features, (2) over-the-counter (OTC) options and certain other derivatives, (3) private placements, (4) securities traded on markets and exchanges with structural constraints, and (5) loan participations.
Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, a Fidelity
®
fund's adviser classifies the liquidity of a fund's investments and monitors the extent of a fund's illiquid investments.
Various market, trading and investment-specific factors may be considered in determining the liquidity of a fund's investments including, but not limited to (1) the existence of an active trading market, (2) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades, (3) the number, diversity, and quality of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (4) the frequency, volume, and volatility of trade and price quotations, (5) bid-ask spreads, (6) dates of issuance and maturity, (7) demand, put or tender features, and (8) restrictions on trading or transferring the investment.
Fidelity classifies certain investments as illiquid based upon these criteria. Fidelity also monitors for certain market, trading and investment-specific events that may cause Fidelity to re-evaluate an investment's liquidity status and may lead to an investment being classified as illiquid. In addition, Fidelity uses a third-party to assist with the liquidity classifications of the fund's investments, which includes calculating the time to sell and settle a specified size position in a particular investment without the sale significantly changing the market value of the investment.
Increasing Government Debt.
The total public debt of the United States and other countries around the globe as a percent of gross domestic product has, at times, grown rapidly. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented.
A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt cost higher and cause a country to sell additional debt, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due. In the worst case, unsustainable debt levels can decline the valuation of currencies, and can prevent a government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns.
Rating services have, in the past, lowered their long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States. The market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government may be adversely affected by rating services' decisions to downgrade the long-term sovereign credit rating of the United States.
Insolvency of Issuers, Counterparties, and Intermediaries.
Issuers of fund portfolio securities or counterparties to fund transactions that become insolvent or declare bankruptcy can pose special investment risks. In each circumstance, risk of loss, valuation uncertainty, increased illiquidity, and other unpredictable occurrences may negatively impact an investment. Each of these risks may be amplified in foreign markets, where security trading, settlement, and custodial practices can be less developed than those in the U.S. markets, and bankruptcy laws differ from those of the U.S.
As a general matter, if the issuer of a fund portfolio security is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock have priority over the claims of common stock owners. These events can negatively impact the value of the issuer's securities and the results of related proceedings can be unpredictable.
If a counterparty to a fund transaction becomes insolvent, the fund may be limited in its ability to exercise rights to obtain the return of related fund assets or in exercising other rights against the counterparty. In addition, insolvency and liquidation proceedings take time to resolve, which can limit or preclude a fund's ability to terminate a transaction or obtain related assets or collateral in a timely fashion. Uncertainty may also arise upon the insolvency of an intermediary with which a fund has pending transactions. If an intermediary becomes insolvent, while securities positions and other holdings may be protected by U.S. or foreign laws, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether these protections are available to specific trades based on the circumstances. Receiving the benefit of these protections can also take time to resolve, which may result in illiquid positions.
Low or Negative Yielding Securities.
During periods of very low or negative interest rates, a fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Interest rates in the U.S. and many parts of the world, including Japan and some European countries, are at or near historically low levels. Japan and those European countries have, from time to time, experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk for the markets as a whole and for the funds. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from fund performance to the extent a fund is exposed to such interest rates.
Put Features
entitle the holder to sell a security back to the issuer at any time or at specified intervals. In exchange for this benefit, a fund may accept a lower interest rate. Securities with put features are subject to the risk that the put provider is unable to honor the put feature (purchase the security).
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. A fund may be limited in its ability to exercise its right to liquidate assets related to a repurchase agreement with an insolvent counterparty. The fund will engage in repurchase agreement transactions with a broker or dealer that is a dealer recognized as a primary dealer by the Federal Reserve Bank, or any commercial bank, trust company, or national banking association, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any successor thereof, provided that these parties' credit-worthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by FMR.
Restricted Securities (including Private Placements)
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, including private placements of private and public companies, generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act), 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.
SEC Rule 18f-4.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted a final rule related to the use of derivatives, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by registered investment companies. A money market fund cannot rely on the rule to use such instruments, with a limited exception for certain investments in when-issued, forward-settling and non-standard settlement cycle securities transactions. Under Rule 18f-4, a money market fund will only be permitted to invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security (as defined under Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act), provided that (i) the fund intends to physically settle the transaction and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date.
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 money market securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile. U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Temporary Defensive Policies.
Government Portfolio reserves the right to hold a substantial amount of uninvested cash for temporary, defensive purposes.
Transfer Agent Bank Accounts.
Proceeds from shareholder purchases of a Fidelity
®
fund may pass through a series of demand deposit bank accounts before being held at the fund's custodian. Redemption proceeds may pass from the custodian to the shareholder through a similar series of bank accounts.
If a bank account is registered to the transfer agent or an affiliate, who acts as an agent for the fund when opening, closing, and conducting business in the bank account, the transfer agent or an affiliate may invest overnight balances in the account in repurchase agreements. Any balances that are not invested in repurchase agreements remain in the bank account overnight. Any risks associated with such an account are investment risks of the fund. The fund faces the risk of loss of these balances if the bank becomes insolvent.
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 or the issuer's credit quality, sometimes subject to a cap or floor on such 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.
In addition to other interbank offered rates (IBORs), the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), which is the rate of interest offered on short-term interbank deposits, as determined by trading between major international banks, has historically been the most common benchmark rate for floating rate securities. After the global financial crisis, regulators globally determined that existing interest rate benchmarks should be reformed based on concerns that LIBOR and other IBORs were susceptible to manipulation. Replacement rates that have been identified include the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR, which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR and measures the cost of U.S. dollar overnight borrowings) and the Sterling Overnight Index Average rate (SONIA, which is intended to replace pound sterling LIBOR and measures the overnight interest rate paid by banks in the sterling market). Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. As a result of the benchmark reforms, publication of most LIBOR settings has ceased. In addition, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced that it will require the publication of synthetic LIBOR for the one-month, three-month and six-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR settings after June 30, 2023 through at least September 30, 2024. This rate has been designated by the FCA as unrepresentative of the underlying market that it seeks to measure. It is expected that all synthetic LIBOR settings will be discontinued at the end of September 2024. Although the transition process away from IBORs has become increasingly well-defined, any potential effects of a transition away from the IBORs on a fund and the financial instruments in which it invests can be difficult to ascertain, and may depend on factors that include, but are not limited to: (i) existing fallback or termination provisions in individual contracts; (ii) the effect of new legislation relating to the discontinuation of LIBOR and the use of replacement rates, and (iii) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. Moreover, certain aspects of the transition from IBORs will rely on the actions of third-party market participants, such as clearing houses, trustees, administrative agents, asset servicers and certain service providers; the Adviser cannot guarantee the performance of such market participants and any failure on the part of such market participants to manage their part of the IBOR transition could impact a fund. Such transition may result in a reduction in the value of IBOR-based instruments held by a fund, a reduction in the effectiveness of certain hedging transactions and increased illiquidity and volatility in markets that currently rely on an IBOR to determine interest rates, any of which could adversely impact the fund's performance.
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.
In addition to the investment policies and limitations discussed above, a fund is subject to the additional operational risk discussed below.
Considerations Regarding Cybersecurity.
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, a fund's service providers are susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events and may arise from external or internal sources. Cyber attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through "hacking" or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information; corrupting data, equipment or systems; or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Cyber incidents affecting a fund's manager, any sub-adviser and other service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with a fund's ability to calculate its net asset value per share (NAV), impediments to trading, the inability of fund shareholders to transact business, destruction to equipment and systems, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cyber incidents affecting issuers of securities in which a fund invests, counterparties with which a fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for fund shareholders) and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future.
While a fund's service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber incidents, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, a fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect a fund or its shareholders. A fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on behalf of the fund by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR or the Adviser) pursuant to authority contained in the management contract.
To the extent that the Adviser grants investment management authority to a sub-adviser (see the section entitled "Management Contract"), that sub-adviser is authorized to provide the services described in the respective sub-advisory agreement, and in accordance with the policies described in this section. Furthermore, the sub-adviser's trading and associated policies, which may differ from the Adviser's policies, may apply to that fund, subject to applicable law.
The Adviser or a sub-adviser may be responsible for the placement of portfolio securities transactions for other investment companies and investment accounts for which it has or its affiliates have investment discretion.
Purchases and sales of equity securities on a securities exchange or OTC are effected through brokers who receive compensation for their services. Generally, compensation relating to securities traded on foreign exchanges will be higher than compensation relating to securities traded on U.S. exchanges and may not be subject to negotiation. Compensation may also be paid in connection with principal transactions (in both OTC securities and securities listed on an exchange) and agency OTC transactions executed with an electronic communications network (ECN) or an alternative trading system. Equity securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.
Purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally made with an issuer or a primary market-maker acting as principal. Although there is no stated brokerage commission paid by the fund for any fixed-income security, the price paid by the fund to an underwriter includes the disclosed underwriting fee and prices in secondary trades usually include an undisclosed dealer commission or markup reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices of the fixed-income security. New issues of equity and fixed-income securities may also be purchased in underwritten fixed price offerings.
The Trustees of the fund periodically review the Adviser's performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio securities transactions on behalf of the fund. The Trustees also review the compensation paid by the fund over representative periods of time to determine if it was reasonable in relation to the benefits to the fund.
The Selection of Securities Brokers and Dealers
The Adviser or its affiliates generally have authority to select brokers (whether acting as a broker or a dealer) to place or execute the fund's portfolio securities transactions. In selecting brokers, including affiliates of the Adviser, to execute the fund's portfolio securities transactions, the Adviser or its affiliates consider the factors they deem relevant in the context of a particular trade and in regard to the Adviser's or its affiliates' overall responsibilities with respect to the fund and other investment accounts, including any instructions from the fund's portfolio manager, which may emphasize, for example, speed of execution over other factors. Based on the factors considered, the Adviser or its affiliates may choose to execute an order using ECNs, including broker-sponsored algorithms, internal crossing, or by verbally working an order with one or more brokers. Other possibly relevant factors include, but are not limited to, the following: price; costs; the size, nature and type of the order; the speed of execution; financial condition and reputation of the broker; broker specific considerations (e.g., not all brokers are able to execute all types of trades); broker willingness to commit capital; the nature and characteristics of the markets in which the security is traded; the trader's assessment of whether and how closely the broker likely will follow the trader's instructions to the broker; confidentiality and the potential for information leakage; the nature or existence of post-trade clearing, settlement, custody and currency convertibility mechanisms; and the provision of additional brokerage and research products and services, if applicable and where allowed by law.
In seeking best execution for portfolio securities transactions, the Adviser or its affiliates may from time to time select a broker that uses a trading method, including algorithmic trading, for which the broker charges a higher commission than its lowest available commission rate. The Adviser or its affiliates also may select a broker that charges more than the lowest commission rate available from another broker. Occasionally the Adviser or its affiliates execute an entire securities transaction with a broker and allocate all or a portion of the transaction and/or related commissions to a second broker where a client does not permit trading with an affiliate of the Adviser or in other limited situations. In those situations, the commission rate paid to the second broker may be higher than the commission rate paid to the executing broker. For futures transactions, the selection of a futures commission merchant is generally based on the overall quality of execution and other services provided by the futures commission merchant. The Adviser or its affiliates execute futures transactions verbally and electronically.
The Acquisition of Brokerage and Research Products and Services
Brokers (who are not affiliates of the Adviser) that execute transactions for a fund managed outside of the European Union may receive higher compensation from the fund than other brokers might have charged the fund, in recognition of the value of the brokerage or research products and services they provide to the Adviser or its affiliates.
Research Products and Services.
These products and services may include, when permissible under applicable law, but are not limited to: economic, industry, company, municipal, sovereign (U.S. and non-U.S.), legal, or political research reports; market color; company meeting facilitation; compilation of securities prices, earnings, dividends and similar data; quotation services, data, information and other services; analytical computer software and services; and investment recommendations. In addition to receiving brokerage and research products and services via written reports and computer-delivered services, such reports may also be provided by telephone and in video and in-person meetings with securities analysts, corporate and industry spokespersons, economists, academicians and government representatives and others with relevant professional expertise. The Adviser or its affiliates may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service. Some of these brokerage and research products and services supplement the Adviser's or its affiliates' own research activities in providing investment advice to the fund.
Execution Services.
In addition, when permissible under applicable law, brokerage and research products and services include those that assist in the execution, clearing, and settlement of securities transactions, as well as other incidental functions (including, but not limited to, communication services related to trade execution, order routing and algorithmic trading, post-trade matching, exchange of messages among brokers or dealers, custodians and institutions, and the use of electronic confirmation and affirmation of institutional trades).
Mixed-Use Products and Services.
Although the Adviser or its affiliates do not use fund commissions to pay for products or services that do not qualify as brokerage and research products and services or eligible external research under MiFID II and FCA regulations (as defined below), where allowed by applicable law, they, at times, will use commission dollars to obtain certain products or services that are not used exclusively in the Adviser's or its affiliates' investment decision-making process (mixed-use products or services). In those circumstances, the Adviser or its affiliates will make a good faith judgment to evaluate the various benefits and uses to which they intend to put the mixed-use product or service, and will pay for that portion of the mixed-use product or service that does not qualify as brokerage and research products and services or eligible external research with their own resources (referred to as "hard dollars").
Benefit to the Adviser.
The Adviser's or its affiliates' expenses likely would be increased if they attempted to generate these additional brokerage and research products and services through their own efforts, or if they paid for these brokerage and research products or services with their own resources. Therefore, an economic incentive exists for the Adviser and/or its affiliates to select or recommend a broker-dealer based on its interest in receiving the brokerage and research products and services, rather than on the Adviser's or its affiliates' funds interest in receiving most favorable execution. The Adviser and its affiliates manage the receipt of brokerage and research products and services and the potential for conflicts through its Commission Uses Program. The Commission Uses Program effectively "unbundles" commissions paid to brokers who provide brokerage and research products and services, i.e., commissions consist of an execution commission, which covers the execution of the trade (including clearance and settlement), and a research charge, which is used to cover brokerage and research products and services. Those brokers have client commission arrangements (each a CCA) in place with the Adviser and its affiliates (each of those brokers referred to as CCA brokers). In selecting brokers for executing transactions on behalf of the fund, the trading desks through which the Adviser or its affiliates may execute trades are instructed to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund based on the quality of execution without any consideration of brokerage and research products and services the CCA broker provides. Commissions paid to a CCA broker include both an execution commission and a research charge, and while the CCA broker receives the entire commission, it retains the execution commission and either credits or transmits the research portion (also known as "soft dollars") to a CCA pool maintained by each CCA broker. Soft dollar credits (credits) accumulated in CCA pools are used to pay research expenses. In some cases, the Adviser or its affiliates may request that a broker that is not a party to any particular transaction provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service, which would be paid with credits from the CCA pool. The administration of brokerage and research products and services is managed separately from the trading desks, and traders have no responsibility for administering the research program, including the payment for research. The Adviser and/or its affiliates, at times, use a third-party aggregator to facilitate payments to research providers. Where an aggregator is involved, the aggregator would maintain credits in an account that is segregated from the aggregator's proprietary assets and the assets of its other clients and uses those credits to pay research providers as instructed by the Adviser or its affiliates. Furthermore, where permissible under applicable law, certain of the brokerage and research products and services that the Adviser or its affiliates receive are furnished by brokers on their own initiative, either in connection with a particular transaction or as part of their overall services. Some of these brokerage and research products or services may be provided at no additional cost to the Adviser or its affiliates or have no explicit cost associated with them. In addition, the Adviser or its affiliates may request that a broker provide a specific proprietary or third-party product or service, certain of which third-party products or services may be provided by a broker that is not a party to a particular transaction and is not connected with the transacting broker's overall services.
The Adviser's Decision-Making Process.
In connection with the allocation of fund brokerage, the Adviser and/or its affiliates make a good faith determination that the compensation paid to brokers and dealers is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research products and services provided to the Adviser and/or its affiliates, viewed in terms of the particular transaction for the fund or the Adviser's or its affiliates' overall responsibilities to that fund or other investment companies and investment accounts for which the Adviser or its affiliates have investment discretion; however, each brokerage and research product or service received in connection with the fund's brokerage does not benefit all funds and certain funds will receive the benefit of the brokerage and research product or services obtained with other funds' commissions. As required under applicable laws or fund policy, commissions generated by certain funds may only be used to obtain certain brokerage and research products and services. As a result, certain funds will pay more proportionately for certain types of brokerage and research products and services than others, while the overall amount of brokerage and research products and services paid by each fund continues to be allocated equitably. While the Adviser and its affiliates take into account the brokerage and/or research products and services provided by a broker or dealer in determining whether compensation paid is reasonable, neither the Adviser, its affiliates, nor the fund incur an obligation to any broker, dealer, or third party to pay for any brokerage and research product or service (or portion thereof) by generating a specific amount of compensation or otherwise. Typically, for funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates outside of the European Union or the United Kingdom, these brokerage and research products and services assist the Adviser or its affiliates in terms of their overall investment responsibilities to the fund or any other investment companies and investment accounts for which the Adviser or its affiliates may have investment discretion. Certain funds or investment accounts may use brokerage commissions to acquire brokerage and research products and services that also benefit other funds or accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, and not every fund or investment account uses the brokerage and research products and services that may have been acquired through that fund's commissions.
Research Contracts.
The Adviser and/or its affiliates have arrangements with certain third-party research providers and brokers through whom the Adviser and/or its affiliates effect fund trades, whereby the Adviser and/or its affiliates may pay with fund commissions or hard dollars for all or a portion of the cost of research products and services purchased from such research providers or brokers. If hard dollar payments are used, the Adviser and/or its affiliates, at times, will cause the fund to pay more for execution than the lowest commission rate available from the broker providing research products and services to the Adviser and/or its affiliates, or that may be available from another broker. The Adviser's and/or its affiliates' determination to pay for research products and services separately is wholly voluntary on the Adviser's or its affiliates' part and may be extended to additional brokers or discontinued with any broker participating in this arrangement.
Funds Managed within the European Union.
The Adviser and its affiliates have established policies and procedures relating to brokerage commission uses in compliance with the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive in the European Union, commonly referred to as "MiFID II", as implemented in the United Kingdom through the Conduct of Business Sourcebook Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA), where applicable.
Funds, or portions thereof, that are managed within the United Kingdom by FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited (FMR UK) use research payment accounts (RPAs) to cover costs associated with equity and high income external research that is consumed by those funds or investment accounts in accordance with MiFID II and FCA regulations. With RPAs, funds pay for external research through a separate research charge that is generally assessed and collected alongside the execution commission. For funds that use an RPA, FMR UK establishes a research budget. The budget is set by first grouping funds or investment accounts by strategy (e.g., asset allocation, blend, growth, etc.), and then determining what external research is consumed to support the strategies and portfolio management services provided within the European Union or the United Kingdom. In this regard, research budgets are set by research needs and are not otherwise linked to the volume or value of transactions executed on behalf of the fund or investment account. For funds where portions are managed both within and outside of the United Kingdom, external research may be paid using both a CCA and an RPA. Determinations of what is eligible research and how costs are allocated are made in accordance with the Adviser's and its affiliates' policies and procedures. Costs for research consumed by funds that use an RPA will be allocated among the funds or investment accounts within defined strategies pro rata based on the assets under management for each fund or investment account. While the research charge paid on behalf of any one fund that uses an RPA varies over time, the overall research charge determined at the fund level on an annual basis will not be exceeded.
FMR UK is responsible for managing the RPA and may delegate its administration to a third-party administrator for the facilitation of the purchase of external research and payments to research providers. RPA assets will be maintained in accounts at a third-party depository institution, held in the name of FMR UK. FMR UK provides on request, a summary of: (i) the providers paid from the RPA; (ii) the total amount they were paid over a defined period; (iii) the benefits and services received by FMR UK; and (iv) how the total amount spent from the RPA compares to the research budget set for that period, noting any rebate or carryover if residual funds remain in the RPA.
Impacted funds, like those funds that participate in CCA pools, at times, will make payments to a broker that include both an execution commission and a research charge, but unlike CCAs (for which research charges may be retained by the CCA broker and credited to the CCA, as described above), the broker will receive separate payments for the execution commission and the research charge and will promptly remit the research charge to the RPA. Assets in the RPA are used to satisfy external research costs consumed by the funds.
If the costs of paying for external research exceed the amount initially agreed in relation to funds in a given strategy, the Adviser or its affiliates may continue to charge those funds or investment accounts beyond the initially agreed amount in accordance with MiFID II, continue to acquire external research for the funds or investment accounts using its own resources, or cease to purchase external research for those funds or investment accounts until the next annual research budget. If assets for specific funds remain in the RPA at the end of a period, they may be rolled over to the next period to offset next year's research charges for those funds or rebated to those funds.
Funds managed by FMR UK that trade only fixed income securities will not participate in RPAs because fixed income securities trade based on spreads rather than commissions, and thus unbundling the execution commission and research charge is impractical. Therefore, FMR UK and its affiliates have established policies and procedures to ensure that external research that is paid for through RPAs is not made available to FMR UK portfolio managers that manage fixed income funds or investment accounts in any manner inconsistent with MiFID II and FCA regulations.
Commission Recapture
From time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates engages in brokerage transactions with brokers (who are not affiliates of the Adviser) who have entered into arrangements with the Adviser or its affiliates under which the broker will, at times, rebate a portion of the compensation paid by a fund (commission recapture). Not all brokers with whom the fund trades have been asked to participate in brokerage commission recapture.
Affiliated Transactions
The Adviser or its affiliates place trades with certain brokers, including National Financial Services LLC (NFS), through its Fidelity Capital Markets (FCM) division, and Kezar Trading LLC (formerly Luminex Trading & Analytics LLC) (Kezar Trading), with whom they are under common control or otherwise affiliated, provided the Adviser or its affiliates determine that these affiliates' trade-execution abilities and costs are comparable to those of non-affiliated, qualified brokerage firms, and that such transactions be executed in accordance with applicable rules under the 1940 Act and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the fund and subject to other applicable law. In addition, from time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates place trades with brokers that use NFS or Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC (FCC) as a clearing agent and/or use Level ATS, an alternative trading system that is deemed to be affiliated with the Adviser, for execution services.
In certain circumstances, trades are executed through alternative trading systems or national securities exchanges in which the Adviser or its affiliates have an interest. Any decision to execute a trade through an alternative trading system or exchange in which the Adviser or its affiliates have an interest would be made in accordance with applicable law, including best execution obligations. For trades placed on such a system or exchange, not limited to ones in which the Adviser or its affiliates have an ownership interest, the Adviser or its affiliates derive benefit in the form of increased valuation(s) of its equity interest, where it has an ownership interest, or other remuneration, including rebates.
The Trustees of the fund have approved procedures whereby a fund is permitted to purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the adviser or certain other affiliates participate. In addition, for underwritings where such an 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 underwritings.
Non-U.S. Securities Transactions
To facilitate trade settlement and related activities in non-U.S. securities transactions, the Adviser or its affiliates effect spot foreign currency transactions with foreign currency dealers. In certain circumstances, due to local law and regulation, logistical or operational challenges, or the process for settling securities transactions in certain markets (e.g., short settlement periods), spot currency transactions are effected on behalf of funds by parties other than the Adviser or its affiliates, including funds' custodian banks (working through sub-custodians or agents in the relevant non-U.S. jurisdiction) or broker-dealers that executed the related securities transaction.
Trade Allocation
Although certain officers of the fund may have similar positions with certain other Fidelity
®
funds, investment decisions for the fund are made independently from those of other Fidelity® funds or investment accounts (including proprietary accounts). The same security is often 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, or an affiliate thereof, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objective of more than one fund or investment account.
When two or more funds or investment accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security or instrument, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with procedures believed by the Adviser to be appropriate and equitable to each fund or investment account. In some cases this could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security or instrument 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.
Commissions Paid
A fund may pay compensation including both commissions and spreads in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by a fund may change from year to year because of, among other things, changing asset levels, shareholder activity, and/or portfolio turnover.
For the fiscal year(s) ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, Government Portfolio paid no brokerage commissions.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, Government Portfolio paid no brokerage commissions to firms for providing research or brokerage services.
During the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2024, Government Portfolio did not allocate brokerage commissions to firms for providing research or brokerage services.
VALUATION
The NAV is the value of a single share. NAV is computed by adding the value of a fund's investments, cash, and other assets, subtracting its liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.
The Board of Trustees has designated the fund's investment adviser as the valuation designee responsible for the fair valuation function and performing fair value determinations as needed. The adviser has established a Fair Value Committee (the Committee) to carry out the day-to-day fair valuation responsibilities and has adopted policies and procedures to govern the fair valuation process and the activities of the Committee.
A fund's adviser through the Committee engages in oversight activities with respect to the fund's pricing services, which includes, among other things, testing the prices provided by pricing services prior to calculation of a fund's NAV, conducting periodic due diligence meetings, and periodically reviewing the methodologies and inputs used by these services.
Portfolio securities and assets held by the fund are valued on the basis of amortized cost. This technique involves initially valuing an instrument at its cost as adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount rather than its current market value. The amortized cost value of an instrument may be higher or lower than the price the fund would receive if it sold the instrument.
At such intervals as they deem appropriate, the Trustees consider the extent to which NAV calculated using market valuations would deviate from the $1.00 per share calculated using amortized cost valuation. If the Trustees believe that a deviation from the fund's amortized cost per share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Trustees have agreed to take such corrective action, if any, as they deem appropriate to eliminate or reduce, to the extent reasonably practicable, the dilution or unfair results. Such corrective action could include selling portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends; redeeming shares in kind; establishing NAV by using available market quotations; and such other measures as the Trustees may deem appropriate.
In determining the fair value of a private placement security for which market quotations are not available, the Committee generally applies one or more valuation methods including the market approach, income approach and cost approach. The market approach considers factors including the price of recent investments in the same or a similar security or financial metrics of comparable securities. The income approach considers factors including expected future cash flows, security specific risks and corresponding discount rates. The cost approach considers factors including the value of the security's underlying assets and liabilities.
The fund's adviser reports to the Board information regarding the fair valuation process and related material matters.
BUYING AND SELLING INFORMATION
The fund may make redemption payments in whole or in part in readily marketable securities or other property, valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing the fund's NAV, if FMR determines it is in the best interests of the fund. Shareholders that receive 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
Most investors in the funds will be "political subdivisions" of the State of North Carolina. Section 115(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (Internal Revenue Code), provides in part that gross income does not include income derived from the exercise of any essential governmental function and accruing to a state or any of its political subdivisions. The receipt of revenue from each fund for the benefit of a political subdivision investing in the fund may constitute an exercise of an essential governmental function. A portion of the earnings derived from funds that are subject to the arbitrage limitations or rebate requirements of the Internal Revenue Code may be required to be paid to the U.S. Treasury as computed in accordance with those requirements.
Although most investors in each fund will be tax-exempt entities, the information that follows pertains to taxable and tax-exempt investors who must account for income and gains that may result from certain shareholder transactions.
Dividends
. Because the fund's income is primarily derived from interest, dividends from the fund generally will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders or the long-term capital gains tax rates available to individuals. Short-term capital gains are taxable at ordinary income tax rates. Distributions by the fund to tax-advantaged retirement plan accounts are not taxable currently (but you may be taxed later, upon withdrawal of your investment from such account).
Capital Gain Distributions.
The fund may distribute any net realized capital gains once a year or more often (as legally permissible), as necessary.
State and Local Tax Issues.
For mutual funds organized as business trusts, state law provides for a pass-through of the state and local income tax exemption afforded to direct owners of U.S. Government securities. Some states limit this pass-through to mutual funds that invest a certain amount in U.S. Government securities, and some types of securities, such as repurchase agreements and some agency-backed securities, may not qualify for this benefit. The tax treatment of your dividends from a fund will be the same as if you directly owned a proportionate share of the U.S. Government securities. Because the income earned on certain U.S. Government securities is exempt from state and local personal income taxes, the portion of dividends from a fund attributable to these securities will also be free from state and local personal income taxes. The exemption from state and local personal income taxation does not preclude states from assessing other taxes on the ownership of U.S. Government securities.
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 (if the fiscal year is other than the calendar year), 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 the fund is suitable to their particular tax situation.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board (if any), and officers of the trust and fund, as applicable, 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, oversee management of the risks associated with such activities and contractual arrangements, and review the fund's performance. Each of the Trustees oversees one fund.
The Trustees hold office without limit in time except that (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become incapacitated by illness or injury may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting securities of the trust. Each Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the trust and the fund is referred to herein as an Independent Trustee. Each Independent Trustee shall retire not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 75th birthday occurs. Officers and Advisory Board Members hold office without limit in time, except that any officer or Advisory Board Member may resign or may be removed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any regular meeting or any special meeting of the Trustees. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the past five years.
Experience, Skills, Attributes, and Qualifications of the Trustees.
The Board of Trustees has adopted a statement of policy that describes the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that are necessary and desirable for potential Independent Trustee candidates (Statement of Policy). With respect to the criteria for selecting Independent Trustees, it is expected that all candidates will possess the following minimum qualifications: (i) unquestioned personal integrity; (ii) not an interested person of FMR or its affiliates within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act); (iii) does not have a material relationship (e.g., commercial, banking, consulting, legal, or accounting) that could create an appearance of lack of independence in respect of FMR and its affiliates; (iv) has the disposition to act independently in respect of FMR and its affiliates and others in order to protect the interests of the funds and all shareholders; (v) ability to attend regularly scheduled meetings during the year; (vi) demonstrates sound business judgment gained through broad experience in significant positions where the candidate has dealt with management, technical, financial, or regulatory issues; (vii) sufficient financial or accounting knowledge to add value in the complex financial environment of the funds; (viii) experience on corporate or other institutional oversight bodies having similar responsibilities, but which board memberships or other relationships could not result in business or regulatory conflicts with the funds; (ix) capacity for the hard work and attention to detail that is required to be an effective Independent Trustee in light of the fund's complex regulatory, operational, and marketing setting; and (x) understanding of the economy of North Carolina and the financing needs of North Carolina counties and municipalities. The Board may determine that a candidate who does not have the type of previous experience or knowledge referred to above should nevertheless be considered as a nominee if the Board finds that the candidate has additional qualifications such that his or her qualifications, taken as a whole, demonstrate the same level of fitness to serve as an Independent Trustee. The Board believes that each Trustee satisfied at the time he was initially elected or appointed a Trustee, and continues to satisfy, the standards contemplated by the Statement of Policy. The Board of Trustees may also engage professional search firms to help identify potential Independent Trustee candidates with experience, qualifications, attributes and skills consistent with the Statement of Policy. Additional criteria based on the composition and skills of the current Independent Trustees as well as experience or skills that may be appropriate in light of future changes to board composition, business conditions, and regulatory or other developments may be considered by a professional search firm and the Board of Trustees. In addition, the Board takes into account the Trustees' commitment and participation in Board and committee meetings, as well as their leadership of standing and ad hoc committees throughout their tenure.
In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as a Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. The Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills, which allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the fund and protecting the interests of shareholders. Information about the specific experience, skills, attributes, and qualifications of each Trustee, which in each case led to the Board's conclusion that the Trustee should serve (or continue to serve) as a trustee of the fund, is provided below.
Board Structure and Oversight Function.
Robert L. Powell is an Independent Trustee and currently serves as Chairman. The Trustees have determined that an independent Chairman is appropriate and benefits shareholders. In his capacity as Chairman, Mr. Powell (i) acts as a liaison between the Independent Trustees and management with respect to matters important to the Independent Trustees; and (ii) with management, prepares agendas for Board meetings. The Independent Trustees also meet regularly in executive session.
The Trustees oversee one fund that is offered exclusively to certain governmental entities of the State of North Carolina. The Trustees primarily operate as a full Board, but have also established one standing committee, the Audit Committee, to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the fund's activities and associated risks. The Board has charged FMR and its affiliates with (i) identifying events or circumstances the occurrence of which could have demonstrably adverse effects on the fund's business and/or reputation; (ii) implementing processes and controls to lessen the possibility that such events or circumstances occur or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur; and (iii) creating and maintaining a system designed to evaluate continuously business and market conditions in order to facilitate the identification and implementation processes described in (i) and (ii) above. Because the day-to-day operations and activities of the fund are carried out by or through FMR, its affiliates, and other service providers, the fund's exposure to risks is mitigated but not eliminated by the processes overseen by the Trustees. Board oversight of different aspects of the fund's activities is exercised primarily through the full Board, but also through the Audit Committee. The Board also worked and continues to work with FMR to enhance the stress tests required under SEC regulations for money market funds. Appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the fund's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), FMR's internal auditor, the independent accountants, and the fund's Treasurer and portfolio management personnel, make periodic reports to the Board and Audit Committee, as appropriate. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee, including its oversight responsibilities, are described further under "Audit Committee."
Interested Trustees*:
Correspondence intended for a Trustee who is an interested person may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+
Robert A. Litterst (1959)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2014
Trustee
Mr. Litterst currently serves as a director of Beacon Trust Company (2015-present) and as a Vice President of OH Company LLC (holding company, 2023-present). Mr. Litterst was the Chief Investment Officer of the Money Market Group at Fidelity Management & Research Company (investment adviser firm, 2011-2014) and a portfolio manager at FMR LLC (diversified financial services company, 1991-2014). Mr. Litterst also previously served as the portfolio manager for The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash Portfolio and Term Portfolio (2003-2011).
Cynthia L. Strauss (1954)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2019
Trustee
Ms. Strauss currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Worcester Art Museum (2020-present), a member of the Board of Directors of Fidelity Digital Assets Services, LLC (2018-present), a member of the Board of Trustees of WGBH (public television and radio, 2017-present), and a member of the Board of Exceptional Lives (disability information non-profit, 2015-present). Prior to her retirement, Ms. Strauss was Director of Research at Fidelity Charitable (independent public charity, 2007-2015) and Director of Research, Equity Division (2005-2007), Director of Taxable Bond Fund Research, Fixed Income Division (2002-2005), and Director of Taxable Money Market Fund Research, Fixed Income Division (1992-2002), at Fidelity Management & Research Company (investment adviser firm).
* Determined to be an "Interested Trustee" by virtue of, among other things, his or her affiliation with the trust, CMC, or various entities under common control with FMR.
+ The information includes the Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to the Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that the Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
Independent Trustees:
Correspondence intended for an Independent Trustee may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235.
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations and Other Relevant Experience+
John H. Grigg (1961)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2018
Trustee
Mr. Grigg is a Managing Director of Fidus Partners, LLC (investment banking, 2005-present) and Fidus Securities, LLC (broker-dealer, 2005-present), a Partner and member of the Investment Committee of Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC (2011-present), and a member of the Board of Directors of Fidus Group Holdings, LLC (financial services, 2015-present). Mr. Grigg also serves as non-executive member of the Board of Directors of Greenfiber Holdings, LLC (2019-present), Faison Enterprises, Inc. (2021-present), and Applegate Greenfiber Intermediate Inc. (2022-present); and Adjunct Professor, Wingate University MBA Program (2021-present). Previously, Mr. Grigg served as a Member of the Advisory Board of the funds (2018), a Managing Director of First Union Securities, Inc. (financial services, 1998-1999), served in various positions including Managing Director and Partner with Bowles Hollowell Conner & Co. (investment banking, 1989-1998), and worked in the investment banking group at Merrill Lynch & Co. (financial services, 1987-1989).
Arrington H. Mixon (1960)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2017
Trustee
Ms. Mixon is a member of the Governing Board of Directors (2020-present) and Chair (2023-2024) of Foundation for the Carolinas, a member of the Board of Directors of The Leon Levine Foundation (2023-present), and a member of the Board of Trustees of Central Piedmont Community College (2024-present). Previously, Ms. Mixon served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee of TIAA, FSB (banking and financial services, 2017-2023), a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee and Chair of the Risk Committee of EverBank Financial Corporation (2013-2017), and a member of the Board of Directors of Women's Impact Fund (2008-2013; 2017-2020). She was a Senior Program Officer of The Leon Levine Foundation (2011-2018) and Portfolio Manager of L&L Management (financial planning, 2011-2018). She held a variety of positions at Bank of America Corporation (banking and financial services, 1982-2009), including head of Enterprise Credit Risk (2007-2009), Global Portfolio Strategies (2005-2007), and European Global Markets (2002-2005).
Robert L. Powell (1949)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2014
Trustee
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Mr. Powell is a retired Senior Advisor for Cansler Fuquay Solutions, Inc. (consulting firm). Previously, Mr. Powell served as Chairman (2017-2018) and a member (2010-2018) of the board of directors of the North Carolina State University Investment Fund, North Carolina State Controller (2001-2008) and a member of the Board of Directors of the State Employees' Supplemental Retirement Board (2003-2009). Prior to his retirement as North Carolina State Controller, Mr. Powell held various positions during his 37-year career in North Carolina State government, including a 4-year term as a corporate tax auditor for the NC Department of Revenue, and 25 years in the NC Office of State Budget and Management during which he served as Deputy State Budget Director and Acting State Budget Director prior to being approved for a 7-year term as State Controller.
+ The information includes the Trustee's principal occupation during the last five years and other information relating to the experience, attributes, and skills relevant to the Trustee's qualifications to serve as a Trustee, which led to the conclusion that the Trustee should serve as a Trustee for the fund.
Advisory Board Members and Officers:
Correspondence intended for a Member of the Advisory Board (if any) may be sent to Fidelity Investments, P.O. Box 55235, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5235. Correspondence intended for an officer may be sent to Fidelity Investments, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
Name, Year of Birth; Principal Occupations+
Mark Trogdon (1960)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2024
Member of the Advisory Board
Mr. Trogdon is a retired Director of the Fiscal Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly (2011-2023). In that role he led a nonpartisan legislative staff of professional analysts who conducted expert financial and fiscal policy analysis of budget and taxation matters affecting state and local government to serve the information needs of legislators and legislative committees. Prior to his tenure as Director, Mr. Trogdon was a Fiscal Analyst and Principal Fiscal Analyst (1995-2011) with the Fiscal Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly.
John J. Burke III (1964)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2018
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Burke also serves as Chief Financial Officer of other funds. Mr. Burke is Head of Fidelity Fund and Investment Operations (2018-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Mr. Burke serves as President, Executive Vice President, or Director of certain Fidelity entities. Previously Mr. Burke was Head of Asset Management Investment Operations (2012-2018).
Margaret Carey (1973)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2023
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (CLO)
Ms. Carey also serves as an officer of other funds and as CLO of certain Fidelity entities. Ms. Carey is a Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel (2019-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments.
David J. Carter (1973)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2022
Assistant Secretary
Mr. Carter also serves as Assistant Secretary of other funds. Mr. Carter is a Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel (2022-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Mr. Carter serves as Chief Legal Officer of Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company LLC - Shareholder Division (transfer agent, 2020-present).
Jonathan Davis (1968)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2014
Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Davis also serves as an officer of other funds. Mr. Davis is a Vice President (2006-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Mr. Davis serves as Assistant Treasurer or Director of certain Fidelity entities.
Laura M. Del Prato (1964)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2021
President and Treasurer
Ms. Del Prato also serves as an officer of other funds. Ms. Del Prato is a Senior Vice President (2017-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Ms. Del Prato serves as Senior Vice President, Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, or Director of certain Fidelity entities. Previously, Ms. Del Prato was President and Treasurer of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust: Cash Portfolio and Term Portfolio (2018-2020).
Joshua W. Gould (1982)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2019
Chief Compliance Officer
Mr. Gould is a Vice President of Asset Management Compliance (2019-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments (2019-present). Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Gould served in audit, risk management, and compliance functions for several firms, most recently, Natixis Investment Managers (2011-2018) and an affiliated adviser, McDonnell Investment Management, LCC (2018-2019).
Brett Segaloff (1972)
Year of Election or Appointment: 2020
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer
Mr. Segaloff also serves as AML Officer of other funds. Mr. Segaloff is a Vice President (2022-present) and is an employee of Fidelity Investments. Mr. Segaloff serves as Anti Money Laundering Compliance Officer or Anti Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Officer of certain Fidelity entities.
+ The information includes principal occupation during the last five years.
The Board of Trustees meets periodically throughout the year to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to Independent Trustees, each fund, and fund shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Board of Trustees conducts the majority of its business with the full board in attendance but has established one standing committee.
Audit Committee. The members of the Audit Committee are Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee is composed of Ms. Mixon (Chair), and Messrs. Grigg and Powell. At least one committee member will be an "audit committee expert" as defined by the SEC. The committee normally meets four times a year, or as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The committee meets separately, at least annually, with the trust's outside auditors. The committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any outside auditors employed by the trust. The committee assists the Trustees in fulfilling their responsibility to oversee: (i) the trust's auditors and the annual audits of the trust's financial statements; (ii) the systems of internal accounting and financial controls of the trust and the trust's service providers (to the extent such controls impact the trust's financial statements); (iii) the financial reporting processes of the trust; and (iv) the accounting policies and disclosures of the trust. It is responsible for approving, in advance, the provision by any outside auditor of any auditing services and any permitted non-audit services for the trust and the trust's affiliated service providers, approving all audit engagement fees and terms for the trust, resolving disagreements between the trust and any outside auditor regarding the trust's financial reporting, and has sole authority to hire or fire any auditor. The committee will obtain assurance of independence and objectivity from the outside auditors, including a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditor and the trust and any service providers consistent with the rules of the Public Accounting Oversight Board. The committee will also receive information on the qualifications of key personnel of the trust's outside auditors. It oversees and receives reports on the trusts service providers' internal controls and reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the trust's service providers' accounting and financial controls, including: (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the trust's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; (ii) any change in the trust's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the trust's internal control over financial reporting and any material weakness in such internal controls, and (iii) any fraud, whether material or not, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the trust's or service providers' internal control over financial reporting. The committee reviews, at least annually, a report from the outside auditor describing any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control or peer review of the auditing firm and any material issues raised by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities of the auditing firm, and in each case any steps taken to deal with such issues. The committee will oversee and receive reports on the trust's financial reporting process, will discuss with management, the trust's Treasurer and outside auditors, their qualitative judgments about the appropriateness and acceptability of accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed for adoption by the trust, and will review with management, the trust's Treasurer and outside auditors the results of audits of the trust's financial statements. The committee will review periodically the trust's major internal controls exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures. The committee will regularly review with the Board of Trustees issues with respect to the trust's investment compliance procedures, the code of ethics, and anti-money laundering compliance.
The trust does not have a nominating or compensation committee; such matters are considered by the full Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, or, when applicable, by only the Independent Trustees. The Board of Trustees will consider nominees for Trustees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Independent Trustees in care of the Secretary of the trust.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, each committee held the number of meetings shown in the table below:
|
COMMITTEE
|
NUMBER OF MEETINGS HELD
|
|
Audit Committee
|
4
|
The Trustees and officers of the fund are not eligible investors in the fund. As of June 30, 2024, therefore, the Trustees and officers of the fund did not own any of the outstanding shares of the fund.
The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the fund and in all funds in the aggregate within the same fund family overseen by the Trustee for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023.
Interested Trustees
|
DOLLAR RANGE OF
FUND SHARES
|
Robert A Litterst
|
Cynthia L Strauss
|
||
|
Government Portfolio
|
none
|
none
|
||
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF
FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS
OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY
|
none
|
none
|
||
Independent Trustees
|
DOLLAR RANGE OF
FUND SHARES
|
John H Grigg
|
Arrington H Mixon
|
Robert L Powell
|
|
|
Government Portfolio
|
none
|
none
|
none
|
|
|
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF
FUND SHARES IN ALL FUNDS
OVERSEEN WITHIN FUND FAMILY
|
none
|
none
|
none
|
|
The following tables set forth information describing the compensation of each Trustee and Member of the Advisory Board (if any) for his or her services for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, or calendar year ended December 31, 2023, as applicable.
Compensation Table
(A)
|
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
FROM A FUND
|
ACCRUED
VOLUNTARY
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION
FROM A FUND
|
||||
|
Government Portfolio
|
John H Grigg
|
$
|
75,000
|
$
|
0
|
|
Arrington H Mixon
|
$
|
87,000
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
Robert L Powell
|
$
|
90,000
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
(A) Robert A. Litterst and Cynthia L. Strauss, who are interested persons of the trust, do not receive any compensation from Government Portfolio or other investment companies in the Fund Complex (in this case, the group of funds for which FMR or any of its affiliates serves as an investment adviser) for their services as Trustees. Mr. Litterst and Ms. Strauss are compensated by FMR.
Mark Trogdon became an Advisory Board Member on July 25, 2024 and did not receive compensation during the period presented.
|
|
TOTAL
COMPENSATION
FROM THE
FUND COMPLEX
(A)
|
VOLUNTARY
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION
FROM THE FUND
COMPLEX
|
||||
|
|
JOHN H GRIGG
|
$
|
75,000
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
ARRINGTON H MIXON
|
$
|
87,000
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
ROBERT L POWELL
|
$
|
90,000
|
$
|
0
|
|
(A)
Reflects compensation received for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023, for one fund of one trust. Compensation figures include cash and may include amounts elected to be deferred. Mark Trogdon became an Advisory Board Member on July 25, 2024 and did not receive compensation during the period presented.
|
CONTROL OF INVESTMENT ADVISERS
FMR LLC, as successor by merger to FMR Corp., is the ultimate parent company of FMR, FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited. The voting common shares of FMR LLC are divided into two series. Series B is held predominantly by members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, directly or through trusts, and is entitled to 49% of the vote on any matter acted upon by the voting common shares. Series A is held predominantly by non-Johnson family member employees of FMR LLC and its affiliates and is entitled to 51% of the vote on any such matter. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into a shareholders' voting agreement under which all Series B shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series 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 securities of that company. Therefore, through their ownership of voting common shares 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 LLC.
At present, the primary business activities of FMR LLC and its subsidiaries are: (i) the provision of investment advisory, management, shareholder, investment information and assistance and certain fiduciary services for individual and institutional investors; (ii) the provision of securities brokerage services; (iii) the management and development of real estate; and (iv) the investment in and operation of a number of emerging businesses.
FMR, FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited, Fidelity Distributors Company LLC (FDC), and the fund have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that sets forth employees' fiduciary responsibilities regarding the fund, establishes procedures for personal investing, and restricts certain transactions. Employees subject to the code of ethics, including Fidelity investment personnel, may invest in securities for their own investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund.
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, has overall responsibility for directing 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 who are also employees of FMR and all Trustees who are interested persons of the trust or of FMR, and compensates 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.
Under the terms of the fund's management contract, the fund is responsible for payment of all expenses other than those specifically payable by FMR. Expenses payable by FMR include expenses for typesetting, printing, and mailing proxy materials to shareholders and all other expenses of proxy solicitations and shareholder meetings, legal expenses, fees of the custodian, auditor, and interested Trustees, 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's management contract further provides that FMR will pay for typesetting, printing, and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, notices, and reports to shareholders. FMR also pays all fees associated with transfer agency services and pricing and bookkeeping services.
The fund pays the following expenses: fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions (if any), and 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 at the annual rate of 0.205% of the fund's average net assets throughout the month.
The management fee paid to FMR by the fund is reduced by an amount equal to the fees and expenses paid by the fund to the Independent Trustees.
The following table shows the amount of management fees paid by the fund for the fiscal year(s) ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 to its current manager and prior affiliated manager(s), if any, and the amount of credits reducing management fees. In addition, the table shows the amount of waivers reducing management fees, if applicable.
|
Fund(s)
|
Fiscal
Years
Ended
|
Amount of
Waivers Reducing
Management
Fees
|
Amount of
Credits Reducing
Management
Fees
|
Management
Fees
Paid to
Investment Adviser
|
|||
|
Government Portfolio
|
2024
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
40,152,360
|
|
2023
(A),(B)
|
$
|
2,150,497
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
33,183,922
|
|
|
2022
(A)
|
$
|
15,299,637
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
26,045,805
|
|
(A)During the reporting period, FMR voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the fund's management fee.
|
|
(B)On November 1, 2022, the Adviser replaced the fund's management fee, which consisted of a tiered fee schedule, with a flat rate. The fund's annual management fee rate is 0.205% of its average net assets.
|
FMR may, from time to time, voluntarily reimburse all or a portion of a fund's or, in the case of a multiple class fund, a class's operating expenses. FMR retains the ability to be repaid for these expense reimbursements in the amount that expenses fall below the limit prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Expense reimbursements will increase returns and yield, and repayment of the reimbursement will decrease returns and yield.
Sub-Advisers - FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited, Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited.
On behalf of the fund, FMR has entered into sub-advisory agreements with Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (FMR H.K.) and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited (FMR Japan).
On behalf of the fund, FMR has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with FMR UK.
Pursuant to the sub-advisory agreements, FMR may receive from the sub-advisers investment research and advice on issuers outside the United States (non-discretionary services) and FMR may grant the sub-advisers investment management authority and the authority to buy and sell securities if FMR believes it would be beneficial to the fund (discretionary services).
FMR, and not the fund, pays the sub-advisers.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
|
Fidelity Proxy Voting Guidelines
I.
Introduction
These guidelines are intended to help Fidelity's customers and the companies in which Fidelity invests understand how Fidelity votes proxies to further the values that have sustained Fidelity for over 75 years. Our core principles sit at the heart of our voting philosophy; putting our customers' and fund shareholders' long-term interests first and investing in companies that share our approach to creating value over the long-term guides everything we do. Fidelity generally adheres to these guidelines in voting proxies and our Stewardship Principles serve as the foundation for these guidelines. Our evaluation of proxies reflects information from many sources, including management or shareholders of a company presenting a proposal and proxy voting advisory firms. Fidelity maintains the flexibility to vote individual proxies based on our assessment of each situation.
In evaluating proxies, Fidelity considers factors that are financially material to individual companies and investing funds' investment objectives and strategies in support of maximizing long-term shareholder value. This includes considering the company's approach to financial and operational, human, and natural capital and the impact of that approach on the potential future value of the business.
Fidelity will vote on proposals not specifically addressed by these guidelines based on an evaluation of a proposal's likelihood to enhance the long-term economic returns or profitability of the company or to maximize long-term shareholder value. Fidelity will not be influenced by business relationships or outside perspectives that may conflict with the interests of the funds and their shareholders.
II.
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance
Directors of public companies play a critical role in ensuring that a company and its management team serve the interests of its shareholders. Fidelity believes that through proxy voting, it can help ensure accountability of management teams and boards of directors, align management and shareholder interests, and monitor and assess the degree of transparency and disclosure with respect to executive compensation and board actions affecting shareholders' rights. The following general guidelines are intended to reflect these proxy voting principles.
A. Election of Directors
Fidelity will generally support director nominees in elections where all directors are unopposed (uncontested elections), except where board composition raises concerns, and/or where a director clearly appears to have failed to exercise reasonable judgment or otherwise failed to sufficiently protect the interests of shareholders.
Fidelity will evaluate board composition and generally will oppose the election of certain or all directors if, by way of example:
1. Inside or affiliated directors serve on boards that are not composed of a majority of independent directors.
2. There is no gender diversity on the board, or if a board of ten or more members has fewer than two gender diverse directors.
3. There are no racially or ethnically diverse directors.
4. The director is a public company CEO who sits on more than two unaffiliated public company boards.
5. The director, other than a CEO, sits on more than five unaffiliated public company boards.
Fidelity will evaluate board actions and generally will oppose the election of certain or all directors if, by way of example:
1. The director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the board and its committees on which the director served during the company's prior fiscal year, absent extenuating circumstances.
2. The company made a commitment to modify a proposal or practice to conform to these guidelines, and failed to act on that commitment.
3. For reasons described below under the sections entitled Compensation and Anti-Takeover Provisions and Director Elections.
B. Contested Director Elections
On occasion, directors are forced to compete for election against outside director nominees (contested elections). Fidelity believes that strong management creates long-term shareholder value. As a result, Fidelity generally will vote in support of management of companies in which the funds' assets are invested. Fidelity will vote its proxy on a case-by-case basis in a contested election, taking into consideration a number of factors, amongst others:
1. Management's track record and strategic plan for enhancing shareholder value;
2. The long-term performance of the company compared to its industry peers; and
3. The qualifications of the shareholder's and management's nominees.
Fidelity will vote for the outcome it believes has the best prospects for maximizing shareholder value over the long-term.
C. Cumulative Voting Rights
Under cumulative voting, each shareholder may exercise the number of votes equal to the number of shares owned multiplied by the number of directors up for election. Shareholders may cast all of their votes for a single nominee (or multiple nominees in varying amounts). With regular (non-cumulative) voting, by contrast, shareholders cannot allocate more than one vote per share to any one director nominee. Fidelity believes that cumulative voting can be detrimental to the overall strength of a board. Generally, therefore, Fidelity will oppose the introduction of, and support the elimination of, cumulative voting rights.
D. Classified Boards
A classified board is one that elects only a percentage of its members each year (usually one-third of directors are elected to serve a three-year term). This means that at each annual meeting only a subset of directors is up for re-election. Fidelity believes that, in general, classified boards are not as accountable to shareholders as declassified boards. For this and other reasons, Fidelity generally will oppose a board's adoption of a classified board structure and support declassification of existing boards.
E. Independent Chairperson
In general, Fidelity believes that boards should have a process and criteria for selecting the board chair, and will oppose shareholder proposals calling for, or recommending the appointment of, a non-executive or independent chairperson. If, however, based on particular facts and circumstances, Fidelity believes that appointment of a non-executive or independent chairperson appears likely to further the interests of shareholders and promote effective oversight of management by the board of directors, Fidelity will consider voting to support a proposal for an independent chairperson under such circumstances.
F. Majority Voting in Director Elections
In general, Fidelity supports proposals calling for directors to be elected by a majority of votes cast if the proposal permits election by a plurality in the case of contested elections (where, for example, there are more nominees than board seats). Fidelity may oppose a majority voting shareholder proposal where a company's board has adopted a policy requiring the resignation of an incumbent director who fails to receive the support of a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election.
G. Proxy Access
Proxy access proposals generally require a company to amend its by-laws to allow a qualifying shareholder or group of shareholders to nominate directors on a company's proxy ballot. Fidelity believes that certain safeguards as to ownership threshold and duration of ownership are important to assure that proxy access is not misused by those without a significant economic interest in the company or those driven by short term goals. Fidelity will evaluate proxy access proposals on a case-by-case basis, but generally will support proposals that include ownership of at least 3% (5% in the case of small-cap companies) of the company's shares outstanding for at least three years; limit the number of directors that eligible shareholders may nominate to 20% of the board; and limit to 20 the number of shareholders that may form a nominating group.
H. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
In many instances there are sound reasons to indemnify officers and directors, so that they may perform their duties without the distraction of unwarranted litigation or other legal process. Fidelity generally supports charter and by-law amendments expanding the indemnification of officers or directors, or limiting their liability for breaches of care unless Fidelity is dissatisfied with their performance or the proposal is accompanied by anti-takeover provisions (see Anti-Takeover Provisions and Shareholders Rights Plans below).
III.
Compensation
Incentive compensation plans can be complicated and many factors are considered when evaluating such plans. Fidelity evaluates such plans based on protecting shareholder interests and our historical knowledge of the company and its management.
A. Equity Compensation Plans
Fidelity encourages the use of reasonably designed equity compensation plans that align the interest of management with those of shareholders by providing officers and employees with incentives to increase long-term shareholder value. Fidelity considers whether such plans are too dilutive to existing shareholders because dilution reduces the voting power or economic interest of existing shareholders as a result of an increase in shares available for distribution to employees in lieu of cash compensation. Fidelity will generally oppose equity compensation plans or amendments to authorize additional shares under such plans if:
1. The company grants stock options and equity awards in a given year at a rate higher than a benchmark rate ("burn rate") considered appropriate by Fidelity and there were no circumstances specific to the company or the compensation plans that leads Fidelity to conclude that the rate of awards is otherwise acceptable.
2. The plan includes an evergreen provision, which is a feature that provides for an automatic increase in the shares available for grant under an equity compensation plan on a regular basis.
3. The plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of equity compensation even though an actual change in control may not occur.
As to stock option plans, considerations include the following:
1. Pricing: We believe that options should be priced at 100% of fair market value on the date they are granted. We generally oppose options priced at a discount to the market, although the price may be as low as 85% of fair market value if the discount is expressly granted in lieu of salary or cash bonus.
2. Re-pricing: An "out-of-the-money" (or underwater) option has an exercise price that is higher than the current price of the stock. We generally oppose the re-pricing of underwater options because it is not consistent with a policy of offering options as a form of long-term compensation. Fidelity also generally opposes a stock option plan if the board or compensation committee has re-priced options outstanding in the past two years without shareholder approval.
Fidelity generally will support a management proposal to exchange, re-price or tender for cash, outstanding options if the proposed exchange, re-pricing, or tender offer is consistent with the interests of shareholders, taking into account a variety of factors such as:
1. Whether the proposal excludes senior management and directors;
2. Whether the exchange or re-pricing proposal is value neutral to shareholders based upon an acceptable pricing model;
3. The company's relative performance compared to other companies within the relevant industry or industries;
4. Economic and other conditions affecting the relevant industry or industries in which the company competes; and
5. Any other facts or circumstances relevant to determining whether an exchange or re-pricing proposal is consistent with the interests of shareholders.
B. Employee Stock Purchase Plans
These plans are designed to allow employees to purchase company stock at a discounted price and receive favorable tax treatment when the stock is sold. Fidelity generally will support employee stock purchase plans if the minimum stock purchase price is equal to or greater than 85% (or at least 75% in the case of non-U.S. companies where a lower minimum stock purchase price is equal to the prevailing "best practices" in that market) of the stock's fair market value and the plan constitutes a reasonable effort to encourage broad based participation in the company's stock.
IV.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay) and Frequency of Say on Pay Vote
Current law requires companies to allow shareholders to cast non-binding votes on the compensation for named executive officers, as well as the frequency of such votes. Fidelity generally will support proposals to ratify executive compensation unless the compensation appears misaligned with shareholder interests or is otherwise problematic, taking into account:
- The actions taken by the board or compensation committee in the previous year, including whether the company re-priced or exchanged outstanding stock options without shareholder approval; adopted or extended a golden parachute without shareholder approval; or adequately addressed concerns communicated by Fidelity in the process of discussing executive compensation;
- The alignment of executive compensation and company performance relative to peers; and
- The structure of the compensation program, including factors such as whether incentive plan metrics are appropriate, rigorous and transparent; whether the long-term element of the compensation program is evaluated over at least a three-year period; the sensitivity of pay to below median performance; the amount and nature of non-performance-based compensation; the justification and rationale behind paying discretionary bonuses; the use of stock ownership guidelines and amount of executive stock ownership; and how well elements of compensation are disclosed.
When presented with a frequency of Say on Pay vote, Fidelity generally will support holding an annual advisory vote on Say on Pay.
A. Compensation Committee
Directors serving on the compensation committee of the Board have a special responsibility to ensure that management is appropriately compensated and that compensation, among other things, fairly reflects the performance of the company. Fidelity believes that compensation should align with company performance as measured by key business metrics. Compensation policies should align the interests of executives with those of shareholders. Further, the compensation program should be disclosed in a transparent and timely manner.
Fidelity will oppose the election of directors on the compensation committee if:
1.The compensation appears misaligned with shareholder interests or is otherwise problematic and results in concerns with:
a)The alignment of executive compensation and company performance relative to peers; and
b)The structure of the compensation program, including factors outlined above under the section entitled Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay) and Frequency of Say on Pay Vote.
2. The company has not adequately addressed concerns communicated by Fidelity in the process of discussing executive compensation.
3. Within the last year, and without shareholder approval, a company's board of directors or compensation committee has either:
a) Re-priced outstanding options, exchanged outstanding options for equity, or tendered cash for outstanding options; or
b) Adopted or extended a golden parachute.
B. Executive Severance Agreements
Executive severance compensation and benefit arrangements resulting from a termination following a change in control are known as "golden parachutes." Fidelity generally will oppose proposals to ratify golden parachutes where the arrangement includes an excise tax gross-up provision; single trigger for cash incentives; or may result in a lump sum payment of cash and acceleration of equity that may total more than three times annual compensation (salary and bonus) in the event of a termination following a change in control.
V.
Natural and Human Capital Issues
As part of our efforts to maximize long-term shareholder value, we incorporate consideration of human and natural capital issues into our evaluation of a company if our research has demonstrated an issue is financially material to that company and the investing funds' investment objectives and strategies.
Fidelity generally considers management's recommendation and current practice when voting on shareholder proposals concerning human and natural capital issues because it generally believes that management and the board are in the best position to determine how to address these matters. Fidelity, however, also believes that transparency is critical to sound corporate governance. Fidelity evaluates shareholder proposals concerning natural and human capital topics. To engage and vote more effectively on the growing number of submitted proposals on these topics, we developed a four-point decision-making framework. In general, Fidelity will more likely support proposals that:
•Address a topic that our research has identified as financially material;
•Provide disclosure of new or additional information to investors without being overly prescriptive;
•Provide valuable information to the business or investors by improving the landscape of investment-decision relevant information or contributing to our understanding of a company's processes and governance of the topic in question; and
•Are realistic or practical for the company to comply with.
VI.
Anti-Takeover Provisions and Shareholders Rights Plans
Fidelity generally will oppose a proposal to adopt an anti-takeover provision.
Anti-takeover provisions include:
- classified boards;
- "blank check" preferred stock (whose terms and conditions may be expressly determined by the company's board, for example, with differential voting rights);
- golden parachutes;
- supermajority provisions (that require a large majority (generally between 67-90%) of shareholders to approve corporate changes as compared to a majority provision that simply requires more than 50% of shareholders to approve those changes);
- poison pills;
- provisions restricting the right to call special meetings;
- provisions restricting the right of shareholders to set board size; and
- any other provision that eliminates or limits shareholder rights.
A. Shareholders Rights Plans ("poison pills")
Poison pills allow shareholders opposed to a takeover offer to purchase stock at discounted prices under certain circumstances and effectively give boards veto power over any takeover offer. While there are advantages and disadvantages to poison pills, they can be detrimental to the creation of shareholder value and can help entrench management by deterring acquisition offers not favored by the board, but that may, in fact, be beneficial to shareholders.
Fidelity generally will support a proposal to adopt or extend a poison pill if the proposal:
1. Includes a condition in the charter or plan that specifies an expiration date (sunset provision) of no greater than five years;
2. Is integral to a business strategy that is expected to result in greater value for the shareholders;
3. Requires shareholder approval to be reinstated upon expiration or if amended;
4. Contains a mechanism to allow shareholders to consider a bona fide takeover offer for all outstanding shares without triggering the poison pill; and
5. Allows the Fidelity funds to hold an aggregate position of up to 20% of a company's total voting securities, where permissible.
Fidelity generally also will support a proposal that is crafted only for the purpose of protecting a specific tax benefit if it also believes the proposal is likely to enhance long-term economic returns or maximize long-term shareholder value.
B. Shareholder Ability to Call a Special Meeting
Fidelity generally will support shareholder proposals regarding shareholders' right to call special meetings if the threshold required to call the special meeting is no less than 25% of the outstanding stock.
C. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent
Fidelity generally will support proposals regarding shareholders' right to act by written consent if the proposals include appropriate mechanisms for implementation. This means that proposals must include record date requests from at least 25% of the outstanding stockholders and consents must be solicited from all shareholders.
D. Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement
Fidelity generally will support proposals regarding supermajority provisions if Fidelity believes that the provisions protect minority shareholder interests in companies where there is a substantial or dominant shareholder.
VII.
Anti-Takeover Provisions and Director Elections
Fidelity will oppose the election of all directors or directors on responsible committees if the board adopted or extended an anti-takeover provision without shareholder approval.
Fidelity will consider supporting the election of directors with respect to poison pills if:
- All of the poison pill's features outlined under the Anti-Takeover Provisions and Shareholders Rights section above are met when a poison pill is adopted or extended.
- A board is willing to consider seeking shareholder ratification of, or adding the features outlined under the Anti-Takeover Provisions and Shareholders Rights Plans section above to, an existing poison pill. If, however, the company does not take appropriate action prior to the next annual shareholder meeting, Fidelity will oppose the election of all directors at that meeting.
- It determines that the poison pill was narrowly tailored to protect a specific tax benefit, and subject to an evaluation of its likelihood to enhance long-term economic returns or maximize long-term shareholder value.
VIII.
Capital Structure and Incorporation
These guidelines are designed to protect shareholders' value in the companies in which the Fidelity funds invest. To the extent a company's management is committed and incentivized to maximize shareholder value, Fidelity generally votes in favor of management proposals; Fidelity may vote contrary to management where a proposal is overly dilutive to shareholders and/or compromises shareholder value or other interests. The guidelines that follow are meant to protect shareholders in these respects.
A. Increases in Common Stock
Fidelity may support reasonable increases in authorized shares for a specific purpose (a stock split or re-capitalization, for example). Fidelity generally will oppose a provision to increase a company's authorized common stock if such increase will result in a total number of authorized shares greater than three times the current number of outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares, including stock options.
In the case of real estate investment trusts (REITs), however, Fidelity will oppose a provision to increase the REIT's authorized common stock if the increase will result in a total number of authorized shares greater than five times the current number of outstanding and scheduled to be issued shares.
B. Multi-Class Share Structures
Fidelity generally will support proposals to recapitalize multi-class share structures into structures that provide equal voting rights for all shareholders, and generally will oppose proposals to introduce or increase classes of stock with differential voting rights. However, Fidelity will evaluate all such proposals in the context of their likelihood to enhance long-term economic returns or maximize long-term shareholder value.
C. Incorporation or Reincorporation in another State or Country
Fidelity generally will support management proposals calling for, or recommending that, a company reincorporate in another state or country if, on balance, the economic and corporate governance factors in the proposed jurisdiction appear reasonably likely to be better aligned with shareholder interests, taking into account the corporate laws of the current and proposed jurisdictions and any changes to the company's current and proposed governing documents. Fidelity will consider supporting these shareholder proposals in limited cases if, based upon particular facts and circumstances, remaining incorporated in the current jurisdiction appears misaligned with shareholder interests.
IX.
Shares of Fidelity Funds or other non-Fidelity Funds
When a Fidelity fund invests in an underlying Fidelity fund with public shareholders or a non-Fidelity investment company or business development company, Fidelity will generally vote in the same proportion as all other voting shareholders of the underlying fund (this is known as "echo voting"). Fidelity may not vote if "echo voting" is not operationally practical or not permitted under applicable laws and regulations. For Fidelity fund investments in a Fidelity Series Fund, Fidelity generally will vote in a manner consistent with the recommendation of the Fidelity Series Fund's Board of Trustees on all proposals, except where not permitted under applicable laws and regulations.
X.
Foreign Markets
Many Fidelity funds invest in voting securities issued by companies that are domiciled outside the United States and are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange. Corporate governance standards, legal or regulatory requirements and disclosure practices in foreign countries can differ from those in the United States. When voting proxies relating to non-U.S. securities, Fidelity generally will evaluate proposals under these guidelines and where applicable and feasible, take into consideration differing laws, regulations and practices in the relevant foreign market in determining how to vote shares.
In certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, shareholders voting shares of a company may be restricted from trading the shares for a period of time around the shareholder meeting date. Because these trading restrictions can hinder portfolio management and could result in a loss of liquidity for a fund, Fidelity generally will not vote proxies in circumstances where such restrictions apply. In addition, certain non-U.S. jurisdictions require voting shareholders to disclose current share ownership on a fund-by-fund basis. When such disclosure requirements apply, Fidelity generally will not vote proxies in order to safeguard fund holdings information.
XI.
Securities on Loan
Securities on loan as of a record date cannot be voted. In certain circumstances, Fidelity may recall a security on loan before record date (for example, in a particular contested director election or a noteworthy merger or acquisition). Generally, however, securities out on loan remain on loan and are not voted because, for example, the income a fund derives from the loan outweighs the benefit the fund receives from voting the security. In addition, Fidelity may not be able to recall and vote loaned securities if Fidelity is unaware of relevant information before record date, or is otherwise unable to timely recall securities on loan.
XII.
Compliance with Legal Obligations and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
Voting of shares is conducted in a manner consistent with Fidelity's fiduciary obligations to the funds and all applicable laws and regulations. In other words, Fidelity votes in a manner consistent with these guidelines and in the best interests of the funds and their shareholders, and without regard to any other Fidelity companies' business relationships.
Fidelity takes its responsibility to vote shares in the best interests of the funds seriously and has implemented policies and procedures to address actual and potential conflicts of interest.
XIII.
Conclusion
Since its founding more than 75 years ago, Fidelity has been driven by two fundamental values: 1) putting the long-term interests of our customers and fund shareholders first; and 2) investing in companies that share our approach to creating value over the long-term. With these fundamental principles as guideposts, the funds are managed to provide the greatest possible return to shareholders consistent with governing laws and the investment guidelines and objectives of each fund.
Fidelity believes that there is a strong correlation between sound corporate governance and enhancing shareholder value. Fidelity, through the implementation of these guidelines, puts this belief into action through consistent engagement with portfolio companies on matters contained in these guidelines, and, ultimately, through the exercise of voting rights by the funds.
Glossary
- For a large-capitalization company, burn rate higher than 1.5%.
- For a small-capitalization company, burn rate higher than 2.5%.
- For a micro-capitalization company, burn rate higher than 3.5%.
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To view a fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, if applicable, visit www.fidelity.com/proxyvotingresults or visit the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. To request a free copy of a fund's proxy voting record, please call Fidelity at the telephone number listed on the front cover page of this SAI.
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DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The fund has entered into a distribution agreement with Fidelity Distributors Company LLC (FDC), an affiliate of FMR. The principal business address of FDC is 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917. FDC is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
The fund's distribution agreement calls for FDC to use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure purchasers for shares of the fund, which are continuously offered.
Promotional and administrative expenses in connection with the offer and sale of shares are paid by FMR.
FDC in turn has entered into a distribution and service agent agreement with CMC, headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Under the terms of the agreement, CMC has assumed from FDC primary responsibility for the distribution of the fund's shares.
The Trustees have approved a Distribution and Service Plan with respect to shares of the fund (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the Rule).
The Rule provides in substance that a 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 shares of the fund and/or FMR to incur certain expenses that might be considered to constitute indirect payment by the fund of distribution expenses.
The Plan adopted for the fund or class, as applicable, is described in the prospectus.
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 will use its management fee 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.
Pursuant to the Plan, FMR pays FDC a monthly 12b-1 fee at an annual rate according to the following schedule: 0.065% of average net assets up to or equal to $20 billion; and 0.060% of average net assets in excess of $20 billion. Average net assets are determined at the close of business on each day throughout the month. FMR, FDC, or CMC may voluntarily waive 12b-1 fees from time to time. These arrangements may be discontinued at any time.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, FMR paid FDC 12b-1 fees of $12,845,319 on behalf of the fund, of which FDC paid CMC $12,845,319 on behalf of the fund.
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 or class, as applicable, and its shareholders.
In particular, the Trustees noted that the Plan does not authorize payments by shares of the fund other than those made to FMR under its management contract with the fund.
To the extent that the Plan gives FMR and FDC greater flexibility in connection with the distribution of shares, additional sales of 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.
If you have purchased shares of the fund through an investment professional, please speak with your investment professional to learn more about any payments his or her firm may receive from FMR, FDC, and/or their affiliates, as well as fees and/or commissions the investment professional charges. You should also consult disclosures made by your investment professional at the time of purchase.
TRANSFER AND SERVICE AGENT SERVICES
The fund has entered into a transfer agent agreement with Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company LLC (FIIOC), an affiliate of FMR, which is located at 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Under the terms of the agreement, FIIOC (or an agent, including an affiliate) performs transfer agency services.
For providing transfer agency services, FIIOC receives an asset-based fee, calculated and paid monthly on the basis of average daily net assets, with respect to each account in the fund.
FIIOC may collect fees charged in connection with providing certain types of services such as exchanges, closing out fund balances, checkwriting, wire transactions, and providing historical account research, as applicable.
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 Fidelity Service Company, Inc. (FSC), an affiliate of FMR (or an agent, including an affiliate). Under the terms of the agreement, FSC calculates the NAV and dividends for shares, maintains the fund's portfolio and general accounting records, and administers the fund's securities lending program, if applicable.
For providing pricing and bookkeeping services, FSC receives a monthly fee based on the fund's average daily net assets throughout the month.
FMR bears the cost of transfer agency services and pricing and bookkeeping services under the terms of its management contract with the fund.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
Trust Organization.
Government Portfolio is a fund of The North Carolina Capital Management Trust, an open-end management investment company created under an initial declaration of trust dated April 26, 1982.
The Trustees are permitted to create additional funds in the trust and to create additional classes of a fund.
The assets of the trust received for the issue or sale of shares of each fund and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, subject to the rights of creditors, are allocated to such fund, and constitute the underlying assets of such fund. The underlying assets of each fund in the trust shall be charged with the liabilities and expenses attributable to such fund. Any general expenses of the trust shall be allocated between or among any one or more of the funds.
Shareholder Liability.
The trust is an entity commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust.
The Declaration of Trust provides that the trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the trust or the Trustees relating to the trust shall include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the trust and its assets.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of a 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 a fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which a fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC 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. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share they 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 or conversion rights. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading "Shareholder Liability" above.
The trust or a 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 of the trust or the fund. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the trust, shareholders of each of its funds are entitled to receive the underlying assets of such fund available for distribution. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a fund, shareholders of that fund are entitled to receive the underlying assets of the fund available for distribution.
Custodian(s).
The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, is custodian of the assets of the fund.
The custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the fund's assets and the appointment of any subcustodian banks and clearing agencies.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, headquartered in New York, also may serve as special purpose custodian of certain assets in connection with repurchase agreement transactions.
FMR, its officers and directors, its affiliated companies, Members of the Advisory Board (if any), 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 or an affiliate. Transactions that have occurred to date include mortgages and personal and general business loans. In the judgment of the fund's adviser, the terms and conditions of those transactions were not influenced by existing or potential custodial or other fund relationships.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts, independent registered public accounting firm, audits financial statements for the fund and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
FUND HOLDINGS INFORMATION
The fund views holdings information as sensitive and limits its dissemination. The Board authorized FMR to establish and administer guidelines for the dissemination of fund holdings information, which may be amended at any time without prior notice. FMR's Executive Holdings Policy Committee (comprising executive officers of FMR) evaluates disclosure policy with the goal of serving the fund's best interests by striking an appropriate balance between providing information about the fund's portfolio and protecting the fund from potentially harmful disclosure. The Board reviews the administration and modification of these guidelines and receives reports from the fund's chief compliance officer periodically.
The fund will provide a full list of holdings as of the last day of the previous month on institutional.fidelity.com. This information will be provided monthly by no later than the fifth business day of each month. The information will be available on the web site for a period of not less than six months.
The fund may from time to time make full holdings available more frequently, including daily, if such disclosure is determined by FMR to be in the interest of fund shareholders. The fund may also from time to time provide or make available to third parties upon request specific fund level performance attribution information and statistics, or holdings information with respect to a specific security or company. Third parties may include fund shareholders or prospective fund shareholders, members of the press, consultants, and ratings and ranking organizations. Nonexclusive examples of performance attribution information and statistics may include (i) the allocation of the fund's portfolio holdings and other investment positions among various asset classes, sectors, industries, and countries, (ii) the characteristics of the stock and bond components of the fund's portfolio holdings and other investment positions, (iii) the attribution of fund returns by asset class, sector, industry, and country and (iv) the volatility characteristics of the fund.
FMR's Executive Holdings Policy Committee may approve a request for fund level performance attribution and statistics as long as (i) such disclosure does not enable the receiving party to recreate the complete or partial portfolio holdings of any Fidelity
®
fund prior to such fund's public disclosure of its portfolio holdings and (ii) Fidelity has made a good faith determination that the requested information is not material given the particular facts and circumstances. Fidelity may deny any request for performance attribution information and other statistical information about a fund made by any person, and may do so for any reason or for no reason.
Disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information for a Fidelity
®
fund's portfolio may only be provided pursuant to the guidelines below.
The Use of Holdings In Connection With Fund Operations.
Material non-public holdings information may be provided as part of the activities associated with managing Fidelity® funds to: entities which, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the fund, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed; other parties if legally required; or persons FMR believes will not misuse the disclosed information. These entities, parties, and persons include, but are not limited to: the fund's trustees; the fund's manager, its sub-advisers, if any, and their affiliates whose access persons are subject to a code of ethics (including portfolio managers of affiliated funds of funds); contractors who are subject to a confidentiality agreement; the fund's auditors; the fund's custodians; proxy voting service providers; financial printers; pricing service vendors; broker-dealers in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or requests for price quotations or bids on one or more securities; securities lending agents; counsel to the fund or its Independent Trustees; regulatory authorities; stock exchanges and other listing organizations; parties to litigation; and third parties in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding relating to a fund holding. Non-public holdings information may also be provided to an issuer regarding the number or percentage of its shares that are owned by the fund and in connection with redemptions in kind.
Other Uses Of Holdings Information.
In addition, the fund may provide material non-public holdings information to (i) third parties that calculate information derived from holdings for use by FMR, a sub-adviser, or their affiliates, (ii) ratings and rankings organizations, and (iii) an investment adviser, trustee, or their agents to whom holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes or in anticipation of a merger involving the fund. Each individual request is reviewed by the Executive Holdings Policy Committee which must find, in its sole discretion that, based on the specific facts and circumstances, the disclosure appears unlikely to be harmful to the fund. Entities receiving this information must have in place control mechanisms to reasonably ensure or otherwise agree that, (a) the holdings information will be kept confidential, (b) no employee shall use the information to effect trading or for their personal benefit, and (c) the nature and type of information that they, in turn, may disclose to third parties is limited. FMR relies primarily on the existence of non-disclosure agreements and/or control mechanisms when determining that disclosure is not likely to be harmful to the fund.
At this time, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are: Factset Research Systems Inc. (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day); Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (full holdings weekly (generally as of the previous Friday), generally 5 business days thereafter); MSCI Inc. and certain affiliates (full or partial fund holdings daily, on the next business day); and Bloomberg, L.P. (full holdings daily, on the next business day).
FMR, its affiliates, or the fund will not enter into any arrangements with third parties from which they derive consideration for the disclosure of material non-public holdings information. If, in the future, such an arrangement is desired, prior Board approval would be sought and any such arrangements would be disclosed in the fund's SAI.
There can be no assurance that the fund's policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of fund portfolio holdings will prevent the misuse of such information by individuals and firms that receive such information.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, and report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are included in the fund's
annual report
and are incorporated herein by reference.
Total annual operating expenses as shown in the prospectus fee table may differ from the ratios of expenses to average net assets in the financial highlights because total annual operating expenses as shown in the prospectus fee table include any acquired fund fees and expenses, whereas the ratios of expenses in the financial highlights do not, except to the extent any acquired fund fees and expenses relate to an entity, such as a wholly-owned subsidiary, with which a fund's financial statements are consolidated. Acquired funds include other investment companies (such as Central funds or other underlying funds) in which the fund has invested, if and to the extent it is permitted to do so.
Total annual operating expenses in the prospectus fee table and the financial highlights do not include any expenses associated with investments in certain structured or synthetic products that may rely on the exception from the definition of "investment company" provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
APPENDIX
Fidelity, the Fidelity Investments Logo and all other Fidelity trademarks or service marks used herein are trademarks or service marks of FMR LLC. Any third-party marks that are used herein are trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. © 2024 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.