As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2024
Registration No. 33-___________
(Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-21991)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-14
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
| Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____ | ☐ |
| Post-Effective Amendment No. ____ | ☐ |
Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Registrant’s Telephone Number
(617) 563-7000
245 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices)
Christina H. Lee Secretary and Chief Legal Officer 245 Summer Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 (Name and Address of Agent for Service) | With copies to: John V. O’Hanlon Dechert LLP One International Place, 40th Floor 100 Oliver Street Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933.
The Registrant has registered an indefinite amount of securities under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 24(f) under the Investment Company Act of 1940; accordingly, no fee is payable herewith because of reliance upon Section 24(f).
It is proposed that this filing will become effective on April 27, 2024, pursuant to Rule 488.
Strategic ADVISERS® Large Cap Fund
Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund
SERIES OF
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
245 summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
1-800-544-3455
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To the Shareholders of the above funds:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) of Strategic Advisers® Large Cap Fund and Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund will be held on July 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The purpose of the Meeting is to consider and act upon the following proposals, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
(1) | To approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for the transfer of all of the assets of Strategic Advisers® Large Cap Fund to Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund and the assumption by Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund of Strategic Advisers® Large Cap Fund’s liabilities, in complete liquidation of Strategic Advisers® Large Cap Fund. |
(2) | To approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for the transfer of all of the assets of Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund to Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund and the assumption by Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund of Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund’s liabilities, in complete liquidation of Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund. |
The Board of Trustees has fixed the close of business on May 13, 2024 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders of Strategic Advisers® Large Cap Fund and Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund entitled to notice of, and to vote at, such Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
| By order of the Board of Trustees, Christina H. Lee, Secretary |
May 13, 2024
Your vote is important – please vote your shares promptly.
The Meeting will be held in a virtual format only. Shareholders are invited to attend the Meeting by means of remote audio communication. You will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. To participate in the Meeting, you must register at https://viewproxy.com/fidelityfunds/broadridgevsm/. You will be required to enter your name, an email address, and the control number found on your proxy card or notice you previously received. If you have lost or misplaced your control number, call Fidelity 1-800-544-3455) to verify your identity and obtain your control number. Requests for registration must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, July 8, 2024. Once your registration is approved, you will receive an email confirming your registration with an event link and optional dial-in information to attend the Meeting. A separate email will follow containing a password to enter at the event link in order to access the Meeting. You may vote during the Meeting at www.proxyvote.com/proxy. You will need your control number to vote.
Questions from shareholders to be considered at a Meeting must be submitted no later than 8:00 a.m. ET on Monday, July 8, 2024 to Broadridge at https://viewproxy.com/fidelityfunds/broadridgevsm/.
Shareholders whose shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee must first obtain a “legal proxy” from the applicable nominee/record holder, who will then provide the shareholder with a newly-issued control number. We note that obtaining a legal proxy may take several days. Requests for registration should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, July 8, 2024. Once shareholders have obtained a new control number, they must visit https://viewproxy.com/fidelityfunds/broadridgevsm/ and submit their name and newly issued control number in order to register to participate in and vote at the Meeting.
Any shareholder who does not expect to virtually attend the Meeting is urged to vote using the touch-tone telephone or internet voting instructions that follow or by indicating voting instructions on the enclosed proxy card, dating and signing it, and returning it in the envelope provided, which needs no postage if mailed in the United States. In order to avoid unnecessary expense, we ask for your cooperation in responding promptly, no matter how large or small your holdings may be. If you wish to wait until the Meeting to vote your shares, you will need to follow the instructions available on the Meeting’s website during the Meeting in order to do so.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXECUTING PROXY CARD
The following general rules for executing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and help avoid the time and expense involved in validating your vote if you fail to execute your proxy card properly.
1. | Individual Accounts: Your name should be signed exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card. |
2. | Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in the registration. |
3. | All other accounts should show the capacity of the individual signing. This can be shown either in the form of the account registration itself or by the individual executing the proxy card. For example: |
| | | REGISTRATION | VALID SIGNATURE |
| A. | 1) | ABC Corp. | John Smith, Treasurer |
| | 2) | ABC Corp. | John Smith, Treasurer |
| | | c/o John Smith, Treasurer | |
| B. | 1) | ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan | Ann B. Collins, Trustee |
| | 2) | ABC Trust | Ann B. Collins, Trustee |
| | 3) | Ann B. Collins, Trustee | Ann B. Collins, Trustee |
| | | u/t/d 12/28/78 | |
| C. | 1) | Anthony B. Craft, Cust. | Anthony B. Craft |
| | | f/b/o Anthony B. Craft, Jr. | |
| | | UGMA | |
INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTING BY TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE OR THROUGH THE INTERNET
1. | Read the proxy statement, and have your proxy card handy. |
2. | Call the toll-free number or visit the web site indicated on your proxy card. |
3. | Enter the number found in the box on the front of your proxy card. |
4. | Follow the recorded or on-line instructions to cast your vote up until 11:59 p.m. ET on July 8, 2024. |
STRATEGIC ADVISERS® LARGE CAP FUND | STRATEGIC ADVISERS® U.S. TOTAL STOCK FUND |
STRATEGIC ADVISERS® SMALL-MID CAP FUND |
series OF
FIDELITY RUTLAND SQUARE TRUST II
245 summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
1-800-544-3455
PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS
MAY 13, 2024
This combined Proxy Statement and Prospectus (Proxy Statement) is furnished to shareholders of Strategic Advisers® Large Cap Fund (Large Cap Fund) and Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund (Small-Mid Cap Fund) (collectively, the Target Funds), each a series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II (the trust), in connection with a solicitation of proxies made by, and on behalf of, the trust’s Board of Trustees to be used at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Target Funds and at any adjournments thereof (the Meeting), to be held on July 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The Board of Trustees and Strategic Advisers LLC (Strategic Advisers) have determined that the Meeting will be held in a virtual format only. The Meeting will be accessible solely by means of remote audio communication. You will not be able to attend the meeting in person.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are first being mailed on or about May 13, 2024.
Shareholders of certain funds of the trust will also participate in the Meeting and have been mailed a separate notice and proxy statement relating to proposals to be voted upon by the trust and/or by the shareholders of those funds at the Meeting. Shareholders of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund are also asked to vote on certain other proposals that are included in a notice and proxy statement mailed separately to such shareholders.
As more fully described in the Proxy Statement:
Proposal Number | | Proposal Description | | Applicable Fund | | Page |
1 | | To approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the Agreement) relating to the proposed acquisition of Large Cap Fund by Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund (U.S. Total Stock Fund or Acquiring Fund), a newly created series of the trust. | | Large Cap Fund | | 19 |
| | | | | | |
2 | | To approve the Agreement relating to the proposed acquisition of Small-Mid Cap Fund by U.S. Total Stock Fund. | | Small-Mid Cap Fund | | 23 |
The transactions contemplated by the Agreement are each referred to as a Reorganization and, together, the Reorganizations. Approval of each Reorganization will be determined solely by approval of the shareholders of the individual fund affected. Because each Target Fund is used in Fidelity® Wealth Services (FWS) managed account program to provide exposure to U.S. equity securities in individual client accounts, substantially all managed account clients who own shares of one of the Target Funds own shares of both Target Funds. As a result, each Reorganization is conditional on the approval of shareholders of both Target Funds. In the event shareholders of one Target Fund fail to approve the Agreement, Fidelity expects to continue to manage both Target Funds separately to continue to provide U.S. equities exposure to accounts in the managed account program.
If the Agreement is approved by each Target Fund’s shareholders and the Reorganizations occur, you will become a shareholder of U.S. Total Stock Fund. Your fund will transfer all of its assets to U.S. Total Stock Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of U.S. Total Stock Fund and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of your fund’s liabilities in complete liquidation of each Target Fund. The total value of your fund holdings will not change as a result of the Reorganizations. The Reorganizations are currently scheduled to take place as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) on August 16, 2024, or such other time and date as the parties to the Agreement may agree (the Closing Date).
U.S. Total Stock Fund (together with Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund, the funds) is a diversified series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). U.S. Total Stock Fund seeks capital appreciation. U.S. Total Stock Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by normally investing at least 80% of its assets in U.S. stocks and in shares of other U.S. stock funds.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC, NOR HAS THE SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The Proxy Statement sets forth concisely the information about each Reorganization and U.S. Total Stock Fund that shareholders should know before voting on the proposed Reorganizations. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
The following documents have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated into this Proxy Statement by reference, which means they are part of this Proxy statement for legal purposes:
(i) the Statement of Additional Information dated May 13, 2024, relating to this Proxy Statement;
(ii) [the Prospectus for U.S. Total Stock Fund dated ____ __, 2024;]
(iii) [the Statement of Additional Information for U.S. Total Stock Fund dated ____ __, 2024;]
(iv) the Prospectus for Large Cap Fund dated July 29, 2023, as supplemented;
(v) the Statement of Additional Information for Large Cap Fund dated July 29, 2023, as supplemented;
(vi) the Prospectus for Small-Mid Cap Fund dated April 29, 2023, as supplemented; and
(vii) the Statement of Additional Information for Small-Mid Cap Fund dated April 29, 2023, as revised October 12, 2023.
You can obtain copies of the funds’ current Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, or annual or semiannual reports without charge by contacting the Trust at Fidelity Distributors Company LLC (FDC), 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917, by calling 1-800-544-3455, or by logging on to www.fidelity.com.
The trust is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, it must file proxy material, reports, and other information with the SEC. You can review and copy such information at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, the SEC’s Northeast Regional Office, 200 Vesey Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10281-1022, and the SEC’s Midwest Regional Office, 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1450, Chicago, IL 60604. Such information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain copies of such information, after paying a duplicating fee, by sending a request by e-mail to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Room, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090.
An investment in the funds is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You could lose money by investing in the funds.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SYNOPSIS
The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, in the Agreement, and/or in the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund, as applicable, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Shareholders should read the entire Proxy Statement and the Prospectus of U.S. Total Stock Fund carefully for more complete information.
What proposal am I being asked to vote on?
Shareholders of Large Cap Fund are being asked to vote on Proposal 1. As more fully described in Proposal 1 below, shareholders of Large Cap Fund are being asked to approve the Agreement relating to the proposed acquisition of Large Cap Fund by U.S. Total Stock Fund.
Shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund are being asked to vote on Proposal 2. As more fully described in Proposal 2 below, shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund are being asked to approve the Agreement relating to the proposed acquisition of Small-Mid Cap Fund by U.S. Total Stock Fund.
Approval of each Reorganization will be determined solely by approval of the shareholders of the individual fund affected. Because each Target Fund is used in FWS managed account program to provide exposure to U.S. equity securities in individual client accounts, substantially all managed account clients who own shares of one of the Target Funds own shares of both Target Funds. As a result, each Reorganization is conditional on the approval of shareholders of both Target Funds. In the event shareholders of one Target Fund fail to approve the Agreement, Fidelity expects to continue to manage both Target Funds separately to continue to provide U.S. equities exposure to accounts in the managed account program.
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 13, 2024 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting.
If the Agreement is approved by each Target Fund’s shareholders and the Reorganizations occur, you will become a shareholder of U.S. Total Stock Fund instead. Your fund will transfer all of its assets to U.S. Total Stock Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of U.S. Total Stock Fund and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of your fund’s liabilities in complete liquidation of each Target Fund. Each shareholder of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund will receive shares of the U.S. Total Stock Fund. Each Reorganization is currently scheduled to take place as of the close of business of the NYSE on the Closing Date.
For more information, shareholders of Large Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 1 – Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.” For more information, shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 2 – Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.”
Has the Board of Trustees approved the proposal?
Yes. Each fund’s Board of Trustees has carefully reviewed the proposal and approved the Agreement and the Reorganization. The Board of Trustees unanimously recommends that you vote in favor of your fund’s Reorganization by approving the Agreement.
What are the reasons for the proposals?
The Board of Trustees considered the following factors, among others, in determining to recommend that you vote in favor of your fund’s Reorganization by approving the Agreement:
| • | Each Reorganization would provide opportunities for improved investment outcomes by reducing redundant risk-mitigation strategies employed in managing each of the Target Funds separately to their individual benchmarks. |
| • | Each Reorganization would permit each Target Fund’s shareholders to receive exposure to all cap equity securities in a single fund with the same investment objective, reducing the need to trade across funds and potentially realize gains for customers in taxable accounts. |
| • | Each Reorganization would eliminate equity basis risk driven by a mismatch of the individual fund benchmark for each respective Target Fund versus the benchmark used in the managed account program for U.S. equity exposures. |
| • | The contractual maximum management fee proposed for the Acquiring Fund is the same as that of Large Cap Fund and lower than that of Small-Mid Cap Fund. |
| • | Based on annualized expense data for the period from December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2023, and assuming all proposals are approved and the merger had been in effect for a full year, for each Target Fund individually, the change in total expenses is expected to range from a decrease of 16 basis points (bp) to no change. As substantially all managed account clients who own shares of one Target Fund hold shares of both Target Funds in similar proportions, these shareholders are expected to benefit from a projected decrease of 1 bp in total expenses when comparing Acquiring Fund total annual operating expenses to the weighted average expense ratio of both Target Funds. The pro forma expenses and fee information presented below is based on data for the 12 months ended November 30, 2023, corresponding to the Large Cap Fund’s semi-annual reporting period. |
| • | Although substantially all shareholders hold both Target Funds, the mergers will also provide clients who hold only one fund with more manager diversification and broadened portfolio management expertise in a single fund. |
For more information, shareholders of Large Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 1 – Reasons for the Reorganization.” For more information, shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 2 – Reasons for the Reorganization.”
How will you determine the number of shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund that I will receive?
Although the number of shares you own will most likely change, the total value of your holdings will not change as a result of your fund’s Reorganization.
As provided in the Agreement each Target Fund will distribute shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund to its shareholders so that each shareholder will receive the number of full and fractional shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund equal in value to the net asset value of shares of the respective Target Fund held by such shareholder on the Closing Date.
For more information, shareholders of Large Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 1 – Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.” For more information, shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 2 – Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.”
Is a Reorganization considered a taxable event for federal income tax purposes?
No. Each fund will receive an opinion of counsel that its Reorganization will not result in any gain or loss for federal income tax purposes either to Large Cap, Small-Mid Cap, U.S. Total Stock Fund or to the shareholders of any fund, except that Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund may recognize gain or loss with respect to assets (if any) that are subject to “mark-to-market” tax accounting due to the Target Funds’ tax years closing as of the date of the Reorganization.
For more information, shareholders of Large Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 1 – Federal Income Tax Considerations.” For more information, shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund please refer to the section entitled “The Proposed Transactions – Proposal 2 – Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
How do the funds’ investment objectives, strategies, policies, and limitations compare?
The funds have the same investment objective. Each fund seeks capital appreciation. The Target Funds’ and Acquiring Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental, subject to change by the Board of Trustees.
Although the funds have substantially similar principal investment strategies, there are some differences of which you should be aware. The following compares the principal investment strategies of Large Cap, Small-Mid Cap, and U.S. Total Stock Fund:
Large Cap Fund | | U.S. Total Stock Fund |
The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in securities and shares of funds with large market capitalizations. Although a universal definition of large market capitalization companies does not exist, for purposes of this fund, large market capitalization companies are generally defined as those whose market capitalization is similar to the market capitalization of companies in the Russell 1000® Index or the S&P 500® Index. A company’s market capitalization is based on its current market capitalization or its market capitalization at the time of the fund’s investment. The size of the companies in each index changes with market conditions and the composition of the index. | | The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in U.S. stocks and in shares of other U.S. stock funds. An issuer is deemed to be located in the U.S. if the principal trading market for the security is in the United States or the issuer is organized under the laws of the United States. |
The fund is not constrained by any particular investment style. The fund will normally invest in a combination of “growth” and “value” stocks. | | The fund is not constrained by any particular investment style. At any given time, the fund may tend to buy “growth” stocks or “value” stocks, or a combination of both types. Additionally, the fund is not limited to investing in securities of a specific market capitalization and may hold securities of large, medium and/or small capitalization companies. |
The fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in addition to securities of domestic issuers. | | Same principal strategy. |
Large Cap Fund | | U.S. Total Stock Fund |
The fund implements its investment strategies by investing directly in securities through one or more sub-advisers or indirectly in securities through one or more underlying funds, which in turn invest directly in securities. | | Same principal strategy. |
The Adviser may allocate the fund's assets among any number of underlying funds or sub-advisers at any time. The Adviser may adjust allocations among underlying funds or sub-advisers from time to time, including making no allocation at all to one or more sub-advisers. | | Same principal strategy. |
The Adviser pursues a disciplined, benchmark-driven approach to portfolio construction, and monitors and adjusts allocations to underlying funds and sub-advisers as necessary to favor those underlying funds and sub-advisers that the Adviser believes will provide the most favorable outlook for achieving the fund's investment objective. | | Same principal strategy. |
When determining how to allocate the fund's assets among sub-advisers and underlying funds, the Adviser uses proprietary fundamental and quantitative research, considering factors including, but not limited to, performance in different market environments, manager experience and investment style, management company infrastructure, costs, asset size, and portfolio turnover. | | Same principal strategy. |
The fund may invest in affiliated equity funds (i.e., Fidelity® funds, including mutual funds and ETFs), non-affiliated equity funds that participate in Fidelity’s FundsNetwork® and in non-affiliated ETFs. Underlying funds include both funds managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR) (an affiliated company that, together with the Adviser, is part of Fidelity Investments) or an affiliate and funds managed by investment advisers other than Fidelity. Fidelity may receive service fees that typically are at an annual rate of up to 0.40% of a non-affiliated underlying fund’s average daily net assets attributable to purchases through Fidelity’s FundsNetwork®, though such fees may be higher or lower, or may be charged as transaction and/or account fees. In addition, the fund may invest in ETFs in transactions not occurring through Fidelity’s FundsNetwork®. | | The fund may invest in affiliated equity funds (i.e., Fidelity® funds, including mutual funds and ETFs), non-affiliated equity funds that typically participate in Fidelity’s FundsNetwork® and non-affiliated ETFs. Underlying funds include both funds managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR) (an affiliated company that, together with the Adviser, is part of Fidelity Investments) or an affiliate and funds managed by investment advisers other than Fidelity. Fidelity may receive service fees that typically are at an annual rate of up to 0.40% of a non-affiliated underlying fund's average daily net assets attributable to purchases through Fidelity's FundsNetwork® though such fees may be higher or lower, or may be charged as transaction and/or account fees. In addition, the fund may invest in ETFs in transactions not occurring through Fidelity's FundsNetwork®. |
The Adviser generally classifies funds by reference to a fund’s name, policies, or classification by a third-party ranking or ratings organization at the time of investment. Investments in funds whose names, policies or classifications change after purchase continue to be considered subject to the classification at time of investment for purposes of the 80% policy. | | The Adviser generally identifies U.S. stock funds by reference to a fund’s name, policies, or investments. Whether an underlying fund is a U.S. stock fund is determined at the time of investment and evaluated periodically thereafter. |
The Adviser may actively adjust the allocation of the fund’s assets at any time. For current information on fund holdings, please call 1-800-544-3455 or visit Fidelity’s web site at www.fidelity.com. For information on the underlying funds, see the underlying funds’ prospectuses. A copy of any underlying Fidelity® fund’s prospectus is available at www.fidelity.com or institutional.fidelity.com. For a copy of any other underlying fund’s prospectus, visit the web site of the company that manages or sponsors that underlying fund. | | The Adviser may actively adjust the allocation of the fund’s assets at any time. For information on the underlying funds, see the underlying funds’ prospectuses. A copy of any underlying Fidelity® fund’s prospectus is available at www.fidelity.com or institutional.fidelity.com. For a copy of any other underlying fund’s prospectus, visit the web site of the company that manages or sponsors that underlying fund. |
Large Cap Fund | | U.S. Total Stock Fund |
Common types of investment approaches that a sub-adviser may use in selecting investments for a fund include, but are not limited to, quantitative analysis, fundamental analysis, or a combination of both approaches. Quantitative analysis refers to programmatic models that analyze such factors as growth potential, valuation, liquidity, and investment risk based on data inputs. Fundamental analysis involves a bottom-up assessment of a company’s potential for success in light of factors including its financial condition, earnings outlook, strategy, management, industry position, and economic and market conditions. | | Same principal strategy. |
It is not possible to predict the extent to which the fund’s assets will be invested by a particular sub-adviser at any given time and one or more sub-advisers may not be managing any assets for the fund at any given time. | | Same principal strategy. |
Small-Mid Cap Fund | | U.S. Total Stock Fund |
The fund normally invests primarily in common stocks. | | No corresponding strategy. |
The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in securities of small and mid cap companies and in shares of other small and mid cap funds. Although a universal definition of small to medium market capitalization companies does not exist, for purposes of this fund, small to medium market capitalization companies are generally defined as those companies with market capitalizations similar to those of companies included in the Russell 2500TM Index. A company's market capitalization is based on its current market capitalization or its market capitalization at the time of the fund's investment. The size of the companies in the index changes with market conditions and the composition of the index. | | The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in U.S. stocks and in shares of other U.S. stock funds. An issuer is deemed to be located in the U.S. if the principal trading market for the security is in the United States or the issuer is organized under the laws of the United States. |
The fund is not constrained by any particular investment style. At any given time, the fund may tend to buy "growth" stocks or "value" stocks, or a combination of both types. | | The fund is not constrained by any particular investment style. At any given time, the fund may tend to buy “growth” stocks or “value” stocks, or a combination of both types. Additionally, the fund is not limited to investing in securities of a specific market capitalization and may hold securities of large, medium and/or small capitalization companies. |
The fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in addition to securities of domestic issuers. | | Same principal strategy. |
The fund implements its investment strategies by investing directly in securities through one or more sub-advisers or indirectly in securities through one or more underlying funds, which in turn invest directly in securities. | | Same principal strategy. |
The Adviser may allocate the fund’s assets among any number of underlying funds or sub-advisers at any time. The Adviser may adjust allocations among underlying funds or sub-advisers from time to time, including making no allocation at all to one or more sub-advisers. | | Same principal strategy. |
The Adviser allocates the fund's assets among underlying funds and sub-advisers according to an allocation strategy designed to achieve portfolio characteristics similar to those of the Russell 2500TM Index. | | No corresponding strategy. |
Small-Mid Cap Fund | | U.S. Total Stock Fund |
The Adviser pursues a disciplined, benchmark-driven approach to portfolio construction, and monitors and adjusts allocations to underlying funds and sub-advisers as necessary to favor those underlying funds and sub-advisers that the Adviser believes will provide the most favorable outlook for achieving the fund’s investment objective. | | Same principal strategy. |
When determining how to allocate the fund’s assets among sub-advisers and underlying funds, the Adviser uses proprietary fundamental and quantitative research, considering factors including, but not limited to, performance in different market environments, manager experience and investment style, management company infrastructure, costs, asset size, and portfolio turnover. | | Same principal strategy. |
The fund may invest in affiliated small and mid cap funds ( i.e., Fidelity® funds, including mutual funds and ETFs), non-affiliated small and mid cap funds that participate in Fidelity's FundsNetwork ® and in non-affiliated ETFs. Underlying funds include both funds managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR) (an affiliated company that, together with the Adviser, is part of Fidelity Investments) or an affiliate and funds managed by investment advisers other than Fidelity. Fidelity may receive service fees that typically are at an annual rate of up to 0.40% of a non-affiliated underlying fund's average daily net assets attributable to purchases through Fidelity's FundsNetwork®, though such fees may be higher or lower, or may be charged as transaction and/or account fees. In addition, the fund may invest in ETFs in transactions not occurring through Fidelity's FundsNetwork®. | | The fund may invest in affiliated equity funds (i.e., Fidelity® funds, including mutual funds and ETFs), non-affiliated equity funds that typically participate in Fidelity’s FundsNetwork® and non-affiliated ETFs. Underlying funds include both funds managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (FMR) (an affiliated company that, together with the Adviser, is part of Fidelity Investments) or an affiliate and funds managed by investment advisers other than Fidelity. Fidelity may receive service fees that typically are at an annual rate of up to 0.40% of a non-affiliated underlying fund's average daily net assets attributable to purchases through Fidelity's FundsNetwork® though such fees may be higher or lower, or may be charged as transaction and/or account fees. In addition, the fund may invest in ETFs in transactions not occurring through Fidelity's FundsNetwork®. |
The Adviser generally identifies small and mid cap funds by reference to a fund's name, policies, or classification by a third-party ranking or ratings organization. Whether an underlying fund is a small or mid cap fund is determined at the time of investment. Investments in funds whose names, policies or classifications change after purchase continue to be considered investments in small or mid cap funds for purposes of the 80% policy. | | The Adviser generally identifies U.S. stock funds by reference to a fund’s name, policies, or investments. Whether an underlying fund is a U.S. stock fund is determined at the time of investment and evaluated periodically thereafter. |
The Adviser may actively adjust the allocation of the fund’s assets at any time. For current information on fund holdings, please call 1-800-544-3455 or visit Fidelity’s web site at www.fidelity.com. For information on the underlying funds, see the underlying funds’ prospectuses. A copy of any underlying Fidelity® fund’s prospectus is available at www.fidelity.com or institutional.fidelity.com. For a copy of any other underlying fund’s prospectus, visit the web site of the company that manages or sponsors that underlying fund. | | Same principal strategy. |
Common types of investment approaches that a sub-adviser may use in selecting investments for a fund include, but are not limited to, quantitative analysis, fundamental analysis, or a combination of both approaches. Quantitative analysis refers to programmatic models that analyze such factors as growth potential, valuation, liquidity, and investment risk based on data inputs. Fundamental analysis involves a bottom-up assessment of a company’s potential for success in light of factors including its financial condition, earnings outlook, strategy, management, industry position, and economic and market conditions. | | Same principal strategy. |
It is not possible to predict the extent to which the fund’s assets will be invested by a particular sub-adviser at any given time and one or more sub-advisers may not be managing any assets for the fund at any given time. | | Same principal strategy. |
For a comparison of the principal risks associated with the funds’ principal investment strategies, please refer to the section entitled “Comparison of Principal Risk Factors.”
Although the funds have substantially similar fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and limitations, there are some differences of which you should be aware.
The following summarizes the investment policy and limitation differences between Small-Mid Cap and U.S. Total Stock Fund:
Small-Mid Cap Fund | | U.S. Total Stock Fund |
Fundamental policies and limitations (subject to change only by shareholder vote) | | Fundamental policies and limitations (subject to change only by shareholder vote) |
Senior Securities. The fund may not issue senior securities, except in connection with the insurance program established by the fund pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940. | | Senior Securities. The fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
Concentration. The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry. | | Concentration. The fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry (provided that investments in other investment companies shall not be considered an investment in any particular industry for purposes of this investment limitation). |
Non-Fundamental Policies and Limitations | | Non-Fundamental Policies and Limitations |
Short Sales. The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short. | | Short Sales. The fund does not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts, options, and swaps are not deemed to constitute selling securities short. |
Except as noted above, the funds have the same fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies and limitations.
For more information about the funds’ investment objectives, strategies, policies, and limitations, please refer to the “Investment Details” section of the funds’ Prospectuses, and to the “Investment Policies and Limitations” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Following the Reorganization, the combined fund will be managed in accordance with the investment objective, strategies, policies, and limitations of U.S. Total Stock Fund.
How do the funds’ management and distribution arrangements compare?
The following summarizes the management and distribution arrangements of Large Cap, Small-Mid Cap, and U.S. Total Stock Fund:
Management of the Funds
The principal business address of Strategic Advisers, each fund’s investment adviser, is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
As the manager, Strategic Advisers has overall responsibility for directing the funds’ investments and handling their business affairs. [As of December 31, 2022, the Adviser had approximately $632.6 billion in discretionary assets under management, and approximately $3.9 trillion when combined with all of its affiliates’ assets under management.]
Each fund employs a multi-manager and a fund of funds investment structure. Strategic Advisers may allocate each fund’s assets among any number of sub-advisers or underlying funds. Strategic Advisers may adjust allocations among underlying funds or sub-advisers from time to time, including making no allocation to, or terminating the sub-advisory contract with, a sub-adviser. The table below lists the sub-advisory agreements in effect for each fund.
Sub-Adviser* | | Fund(s) | | As of Date of Assets under Management | | Assets Under Management |
AllianceBernstein L.P. | | Large Cap Fund Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $670 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
Aristotle Capital Management, LLC (Aristotle)** | | Large Cap Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $48.1 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
ArrowMark Colorado Holdings, LLC | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | February 28, 2023 | | $21.9 billion (discretionary)*** |
| | | | | | |
BlackRock Investment Management, LLC | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | December 31, 2022 | | $403 billion |
| | | | | | |
Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | February 28, 2023 | | $91.2 billion |
| | | | | | |
Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $56.2 billion |
| | | | | | |
ClariVest Asset Management LLC (ClariVest)** | | Large Cap Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $3.2 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
D.E. Shaw Investment Management, L.L.C. | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $20.0 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
Fidelity Diversifying Solutions LLC | | U.S. Total Stock Fund | | December 31, 2022 | | $86.3 million (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
FIAM LLC | | Large Cap Fund Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | December 31, 2022 | | $152.3 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
FIL Investment Advisors | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | December 31, 2022 | | $7.0 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
Geode Capital Management, LLC | | Large Cap Fund Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | December 31, 2022 | | $803.4 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
GW&K Investment Management, LLC | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | February 28, 2023 | | $48.1 billion |
| | | | | | |
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. | | Large Cap Fund Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | March 31, 2023 | | $2.591 trillion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $306.2 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
LSV Asset Management | | Large Cap Fund Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $88 billion (discretionary) |
| | | | | | |
Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | March 31, 2023 | | $436 billion**** |
| | | | | | |
Pacific Investment Management Company LLC | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | December 31, 2023 | | $1.86 trillion |
| | | | | | |
PineBridge Investments LLC | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | May 31, 2023 | | $147.3 billion |
| | | | | | |
Portolan Capital Management, LLC | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | February 28, 2023 | | $1.1 billion |
Sub-Adviser* | | Fund(s) | | As of Date of Assets under Management | | Assets Under Management |
Principal Global Investors, LLC | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | March 31, 2023 | | $517.80 billion |
| | | | | | |
River Road Asset Management, LLC | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | February 28, 2023 | | $8.1 billion |
| | | | | | |
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | March 31, 2023 | | $1.34 trillion |
| | | | | | |
Wellington Management Company LLP | | Large Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | March 31, 2023 | | $1.176 trillion |
| | | | | | |
William Blair Investment Management, LLC | | Small-Mid Cap Fund U.S. Total Stock Fund | | February 28, 2023 | | $60.1 billion |
* | Not all sub-advisers are allocated assets to manage under each sub-advisory agreement. |
** | Effective May 10, 2024, Aristotle and ClariVest will no longer serve as sub-advisers for Large Cap Fund. |
*** | Includes commercial real estate assets and commercial mortgage loans that ArrowMark or its affiliates has originated and/or currently manages. |
**** | Includes assets managed by Neuberger Berman organization entities. |
Fidelity Diversifying Solutions LLC has retained each of FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited (FMR UK), Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited (FMR H.K.), and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited (FMR Japan) to serve as sub-subadviser for U.S. Total Stock Fund.
FIAM LLC has retained each of FMR UK, FMR H.K., and FMR Japan to serve as sub-subadviser for Large Cap Fund, Small-Mid Cap Fund, and U.S. Total Stock Fund.
[As of December 31, 2022, FMR UK had approximately $14.7 billion in discretionary assets under management. As of December 31, 2022, FMR H.K. had approximately $21.4 billion in discretionary assets under management. As of December 31, 2022, FMR Japan had approximately $6.9 billion in discretionary assets under management.]
FIL Investment Advisors has retained FIL Investment Advisors (UK) Limited (FIA (UK)) to serve as sub-subadviser for Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund. [As of December 31, 2022, FIA (UK) has approximately $5.6 billion in discretionary assets under management.]
Strategic Advisers and each of the sub-advisers (with the exception of Aristotle and ClariVest) and sub-subadvisers are expected to continue serving as manager, sub-adviser or sub-subadviser of the combined fund after the Reorganizations. Strategic Advisers may allocate each fund’s assets among any number of sub-advisers or underlying funds. Strategic Advisers may adjust allocations among underlying funds or sub-advisers from time to time, including making no allocation to, or terminating the sub-advisory contract with, a sub-adviser.
Gopalakrishnan Anantanatarajan is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Large Cap Fund and the U.S. Total Stock Fund. Since joining Fidelity Investments in 2006, Mr. Anantanatarajan has worked as a senior research analyst, research analyst, research associate, senior research associate, and portfolio manager. Mr. Anantanatarajan is expected to continue to be responsible for portfolio management of the combined fund after each Reorganization.
Niall Devitt is Lead Portfolio Manager of the Large Cap Fund and the U.S. Total Stock Fund. Mr. Devitt joined Fidelity Investments in 2001 and has been a part of Strategic Advisers since 2006, where he has worked as a research associate, analyst, and portfolio manager. Mr. Devitt is expected to continue to be responsible for portfolio management of the combined fund after each Reorganization.
Barry Golden, CFA, is Lead Portfolio Manager of the Small-Mid Cap Fund and Co-Portfolio Manager of the U.S. Total Stock Fund. He also manages other funds. Since joining Fidelity Investments in 2001, Mr. Golden has worked as a research analyst, associate director of investments for Strategic Advisers' Charitable Gift Fund, portfolio manager, and as a team leader for Strategic Advisers' alternatives research investment team. Mr. Golden is expected to continue to be responsible for portfolio management of the combined fund after each Reorganization.
Mark Mahoney is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Small-Mid Cap Fund, which he has managed since 2022. Since joining Fidelity Investments in 2002, Mr. Mahoney has worked as a team leader and portfolio manager.
For information about the compensation of, any other accounts managed by, and any fund shares held by a fund’s portfolio manager(s), please refer to the “Management Contract” section of each fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Each fund has entered into a management contract with Strategic Advisers, pursuant to which Strategic Advisers furnishes investment advisory and other services.
In addition to the management fee payable to Strategic Advisers, each fund pays all of its expenses that are not assumed by Strategic Advisers or its affiliates. Each fund pays for the typesetting, printing, and mailing of its proxy materials to shareholders, legal expenses, and the fees of the custodian, auditor, and Independent Trustees. Each fund’s management contract further provides that each fund will pay for typesetting, printing, and
mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, notices, and reports to shareholders; however, under the terms of the fund’s transfer agent agreement, the transfer agent bears these costs. Strategic Advisers or an affiliate also is responsible for the payment of any fees associated with transfer agency services and pricing and bookkeeping services. Other expenses paid by each fund include interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, fees and expenses associated with the fund’s securities lending program, if applicable, each 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. Each fund is also liable for such non-recurring expenses as may arise, including costs of any litigation to which each fund may be a party, and any obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with respect to litigation.
Each fund pays a management fee to the Adviser. The management fee is calculated and paid to the Adviser every month. Each fund’s management fee is calculated by adding the annual rate of 0.25% of the fund’s average daily net assets throughout the month plus the total fees payable monthly to the fund’s sub-advisers, if any, based upon each sub-adviser’s respective allocated portion of the fund’s assets. Because the fund’s management fee rate may fluctuate, the fund’s management fee may be higher or lower in the future. However, each fund’s maximum aggregate annual management fee, as a percentage of its average daily net assets, will not exceed the following rates:
Name of Fund | Maximum Management Fee Rate |
Large Cap Fund | 0.65% |
Small-Mid Cap Fund | 1.10% |
U.S. Total Stock Fund | 0.65% |
The basis for the Board of Trustees approving the management contract, sub-advisory agreements and sub-subadvisory agreements for Large Cap Fund is available in the fund’s annual and semi-annual reports for the fiscal period ended May 31, 2023 and November 30, 2023, respectively, and will be available in the fund’s annual report for the fiscal period ending May 31, 2024.
The basis for the Board of Trustees approving the management contract, sub-advisory agreements and sub-subadvisory agreements for Small-Mid Cap Fund is available in the fund’s annual and semi-annual reports for the fiscal period ended February 28, 2023 and August 31, 2023, respectively, and will be available in the fund’s annual report for the fiscal period ending February 29, 2024.
The basis for the Board of Trustees approving the management contract, sub-advisory agreements, and sub-subadvisory agreements for U.S. Total Stock Fund will be included in the fund’s semi-annual report for the fiscal period ending November 30, 2024, when available.
If the Reorganizations are approved, the combined fund will retain U.S. Total Stock Fund’s management fee structure.
For more information about fund management, please refer to the “Fund Management” section of the funds’ Prospectuses, and to the “Control of Investment Advisers” and “Management Contract” sections of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Expense Arrangements
Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed to waive a portion of Large Cap Fund’s, Small-Mid Cap Fund’s, and U.S. Total Stock Fund’s management fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the fund’s average daily net assets through September 30, 2026 (for Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund) and through September 30, 2027 (for U.S. Total Stock Fund). Strategic Advisers may not terminate this arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.
For more information about the funds’ fees and operating expenses, please refer to the funds’ Prospectuses, which are incorporated herein by reference, and to “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” below.
If the proposed Reorganizations are not approved, the funds will maintain current expense structures.
Distribution of Fund Shares
The principal business address of FDC, each fund’s principal underwriter and distribution agent, is 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917.
Each fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) that recognizes that Strategic Advisers may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of fund shares and/or shareholder support services. A fund’s Distribution and Service Plan does not authorize payments by the fund other than those that are to be made to Strategic Advisers under the fund’s management contract.
If the Reorganizations are approved, the Distribution and Service Plan for the combined fund will remain unchanged.
For more information about fund distribution, please refer to the “Fund Distribution” section of the funds’ Prospectuses, and to the “Distribution Services” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
How do the funds’ fees and operating expenses compare, and what are the combined fund’s fees and operating expenses estimated to be following the Reorganizations?
The following tables allow you to compare the fees and expenses of each fund and to analyze the pro forma estimated fees and expenses of the combined fund.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The following tables show the fees and expenses of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund for the 12 months ended November 30, 2023, adjusted to reflect current contractual arrangements for each fund, and the pro forma estimated fees and expenses of the combined fund based on the same time period after giving effect to the Reorganizations. Annual fund operating expenses are paid by each fund. The combined pro forma expenses for U.S. Total Stock Fund shown below assume that both reorganizations occur and are identical to those presented in the fee table included in the registration statement for the fund.
As shown below, the Reorganization is expected to result in lower total operating expenses for Small-Mid Cap Fund and the same total operating expenses for Large Cap Fund shareholders.
| |
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | None |
Annual Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
| Large Cap Fund | Small-Mid Cap Fund | U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined(a) |
Management fee (fluctuates based on the fund’s allocation among underlying funds and sub-advisers)(b) | 0.43%(c) | 0.55%(c) | 0.44% |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees | None | None | None |
Other expenses | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
Acquired fund fees and expenses | 0.05% | 0.09% | 0.04% |
Total annual operating expenses | 0.49% | 0.65% | 0.49% |
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement(b) | 0.25% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Total annual operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement | 0.24% | 0.40% | 0.24% |
(a) The expenses for U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined are based on expenses estimated for the fund’s first fiscal year and are included in the registration statement for U.S. Total Stock Fund.
(b) Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed that the funds’ maximum aggregate annual management fee will not exceed 0.65%, 1.10%, and 0.65% for Large Cap, Small-Mid Cap, and U.S. Total Stock Fund, respectively, of their average daily net assets. In addition, Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the funds’ management fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of each fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement will remain in effect through September 30, 2026 (for Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund) and through September 30, 2027 (for U.S. Total Stock Fund), and neither Strategic Advisers nor any of its affiliates retain the ability to be repaid with respect to this arrangement. Strategic Advisers may not terminate this arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.
(c) Based on historical expenses, adjusted to reflect current fees.
Because substantially all the shareholders of each Target Fund hold both Target Funds, the combined weighted average expenses of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund provide an appropriate additional comparison of fees and expenses, reflecting the managed account client experience. As shown below, the Reorganization is expected to result in lower total operating expenses for shareholders who own both Target Funds when comparing the combined weighted average expense of both Target Funds to the total operating expenses of the combined U.S. Total Stock Fund. The combined pro forma expenses for U.S. Total Stock Fund shown below assume that both reorganizations occur.
| Combined Weighted Average Expense | U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined(a) |
Management fee (fluctuates based on the fund’s allocation among underlying funds and sub-advisers)(b) | 0.45%(c) | 0.44% |
Other expenses | None | 0.01% |
Acquired fund fees and expenses | 0.05% | 0.04 % |
Total annual operating expenses | 0.50% | 0.49 % |
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement(b) | 0.25% | 0.25% |
Total annual operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement | 0.25 % | 0.24 % |
(a) The expenses for U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined are based on expenses estimated for the fund’s first fiscal year and are included in the registration statement for U.S. Total Stock Fund.
(b) Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed that the U.S. Total Stock Fund’s maximum aggregate annual management fee will not exceed 0.65% of the fund’s average daily net assets. In addition, Strategic Advisers has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the U.S. Total Stock Fund’s management fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement will remain in effect through September 30, 2027, and neither Strategic Advisers nor any of its affiliates retain the ability to be repaid with respect to this arrangement. Strategic Advisers may not terminate this arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.
(c) Based on historical expenses, adjusted to reflect current fees.
The fee tables above do not include certain voluntary fee discount arrangements, which are currently in effect for the Large Cap Fund and are expected to be in place for U.S. Total Stock Fund. Such arrangements may be discontinued at any time. In addition, as disclosed in the prospectus for the Acquiring Fund and each Acquired Fund under “Principal Investment Strategies”, Strategic Advisers may actively adjust the allocation of each fund’s assets at any time, including the allocation among different sub-advisers and/or between sub-advisers and underlying funds. As a result, total annual operating expenses of each fund may vary over different periods, subject to the maximum aggregate annual management fee disclosed in the fee table above, which may not be increased without shareholder approval, and any contractual fee waiver arrangements.
Examples of Effect of Fund Expenses
The following tables illustrate the expenses on a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each fund under the current and pro forma (combined U.S. Total Stock Fund) expenses calculated at the rates stated above, assuming a 5% annual return after giving effect to the Reorganizations. The tables illustrate how much a shareholder would pay in total expenses if the shareholder sells all of his or her shares at the end of each time period indicated.
| Large Cap Fund | Small-Mid Cap Fund | Combined Weighted Average Expense | U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined(a) |
1 year | $ 25 | $ 41 | $ 26 | $ 25 |
3 years | $ 82 | $ 133 | $ 80 | $ 77 |
5 years | $ 200 | $ 288 | $ 176 | $ 171 |
10 years | $ 544 | $ 740 | $ 528 | $ 516 |
(a) | The expenses for U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined are based on expenses calculated for and included in the registration statement for U.S. Total Stock Fund. |
These examples assume that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested and that the percentage amounts listed under Annual Operating Expenses remain the same in the years shown. These examples illustrate the effect of expenses, but are not meant to suggest actual or expected expenses, which may vary. The assumed return of 5% is not a prediction of, and does not represent, actual or expected performance of any fund.
The combined fund pro forma expenses shown above assume that all of the Reorganizations occur.
Do the procedures for purchasing and redeeming shares of the funds differ?
No. The procedures for purchasing and redeeming shares of the funds are the same. If all Reorganizations are approved, the procedures for purchasing and redeeming shares of the combined fund will remain unchanged.
For information about the procedures for purchasing and redeeming the funds’ shares, please refer to the “Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares” section of the funds’ Prospectuses, and to the “Buying and Selling Information” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Do the funds’ exchange privileges differ?
No. The exchange privileges currently offered by the funds are the same. If all Reorganizations are approved, the exchange privilege offered by the combined fund will remain unchanged.
For more information about the funds’ exchange privileges, please refer to the “Exchanging Shares” section of the funds’ Prospectuses, and to the “Buying and Selling Information” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Do the funds’ dividend and distribution policies differ?
Small-Mid Cap Fund normally pays dividends and capital gain distributions in April and December and Large Cap Fund normally pays dividends and capital gain distributions in July and December. U.S. Total Stock Fund will normally pay dividends and capital gain distributions in July and December. If all Reorganizations are approved, the dividend and distribution policies of U.S. Total Stock Fund will remain unchanged.
On or before the Closing Date, Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund may declare additional dividends or other distributions in order to distribute substantially all of their investment company taxable income and net realized capital gain.
Whether or not the Reorganizations are approved, each of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund is required to recognize gain or loss on both October 31st in connection with the end of its calendar year and on the last day of its taxable year (currently May 31st for Large Cap Fund and February 28th for Small-Mid Cap Fund) on any assets subject to “mark-to-market” tax accounting held by the fund. If the Reorganizations are approved, gains or losses on such assets held on the Closing Date by Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund may be required to be recognized on the Closing Date.
For more information about the funds’ dividend and distribution policies, please refer to the “Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions” section of the funds’ Prospectuses, and to the “Distributions and Taxes” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Who bears the expenses associated with the Reorganizations?
For Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund, each respective fund will bear the cost of the Reorganization.
Any expenses associated with the Reorganization that are incurred after the completion of the merger transactions will be borne by the U.S. Total Stock Fund.
For more information, please refer to the section entitled “Voting Information – Solicitation of Proxies; Expenses.”
COMPARISON OF PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS
Many factors affect each fund’s performance. Developments that disrupt global economies and financial markets, such as pandemics and epidemics, may magnify factors that affect a fund’s performance. Each fund’s share price changes daily based on the performance of the underlying funds and securities in which it invests and on changes in market conditions and interest rates and in response to other economic, political, or financial developments. A fund’s reaction to these developments will be affected by the types of underlying funds and securities in which each fund invests, the financial condition, industry and economic sector, and geographic location of an issuer, and each fund’s level of investment in the securities of that underlying fund or issuer. If the Adviser’s or a sub-adviser’s allocation strategies do not work as intended, a fund may not achieve its objective. A portfolio manager’s evaluations and assumptions in selecting underlying funds or individual securities may be incorrect in view of actual market conditions. When your shares are sold they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you could lose money by investing in a fund. The following is a summary of the principal risks associated with an investment in the funds. Because the funds have identical investment objectives and substantially similar strategies as described above, the funds are subject to substantially similar investment risks. Because the funds have some different principal investment strategies as described above, the funds are also subject to some different investment risks, of which you should be aware.
What risks are associated with an investment in all of the funds?
Each fund is subject to the following principal risks:
Multiple Sub-Adviser Risk. Separate investment decisions and the resulting purchase and sale activities of the fund’s sub-advisers might adversely affect the fund’s performance or lead to disadvantageous tax consequences.
Investing in Other Funds. Regulatory restrictions may limit the amount that one fund can invest in another, which means that the fund’s manager may not be able to invest as much as it wants to in some other funds. The fund bears all risks of investment strategies employed by the underlying funds, including the risk that the underlying funds will not meet their investment objectives. Underlying funds that are passively managed attempt to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities and as such their performance could be lower than actively managed funds, which may shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or lessen the impact of a market decline. In addition, errors in the construction of the index tracked by an underlying passively managed fund may have an adverse impact on the performance of such underlying fund.
Stock Market Volatility. Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. Different parts of the market, including different market sectors, and different types of securities can react differently to these developments.
Foreign Exposure. Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments and can perform differently from the U.S. market.
Industry Exposure. Market conditions, interest rates, and economic, regulatory, or financial developments could significantly affect a single industry or group of related industries.
Issuer-Specific Changes. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than, and can perform differently from, the market as a whole.
“Growth” Investing. “Growth” stocks can perform differently from the market as a whole and other types of stocks and can be more volatile than other types of stocks.
“Value” Investing. “Value” stocks can perform differently from the market as a whole and other types of stocks and can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.
Investing in ETFs. ETFs may trade in the secondary market at prices below the value of their underlying portfolios and may not be liquid. ETFs that track an index are subject to tracking error and may be unable to sell poorly performing assets that are included in their index or other benchmark.
Quantitative Investing. Securities selected using quantitative analysis can perform differently from the market as a whole as a result of the factors used in the analysis, the weight placed on each factor, and changes in the factors’ historical trends.
What additional risks are associated with an investment in Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund?
Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund are subject to the following principal risks in addition to those listed above:
Mid Cap Investing. The value of securities of medium size, less well-known issuers can perform differently from the market as a whole and other types of stocks and can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.
Small Cap Investing. The value of securities of smaller, less well-known issuers can perform differently from the market as a whole and other types of stocks and can be more volatile than that of larger issuers.
For more information about the principal risks associated with an investment in the funds, please refer to the “Investment Details” section of the funds’ Prospectuses, and to the “Investment Policies and Limitations” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
How do the funds compare in terms of their performance?
The following information provides some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the funds. The information illustrates the changes in Large Cap Fund’s and Small-Mid Cap Fund’s performance of each fund’s shares from year to year and compares Large Cap Fund’s and Small-Mid Cap Fund’s performance of each fund’s shares to the performance of a securities market index over various periods of time. The index description appears in the “Additional Index Information” section of the funds’ Prospectuses. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future performance. Performance information for U.S. Total Stock Fund is not included because U.S. Total Stock Fund is a newly created fund that does not have any historical performance. If the proposed Reorganizations are approved, U.S. Total Stock Fund will assume the performance record of Large Cap Fund.
Effective November 20, 2020, Strategic Advisers® Core Fund (Predecessor Fund) and two other funds were reorganized into Large Cap Fund (2020 Reorganization). The Predecessor Fund's investment objective was identical to Large Cap Fund's and the Predecessor Fund was managed in a manner that, in all material respects, complied with the investment guidelines and restrictions of Large Cap Fund. The Predecessor Fund was designated as the accounting survivor in the 2020 Reorganization. As a result, Large Cap Fund has assumed the Predecessor Fund's historical performance and the performance information shown below includes that of the Predecessor Fund, which had a different fee structure than Large Cap Fund, for all periods prior to the 2020 Reorganization. Past performance may have been different if Large Cap Fund’s current fee structure had been in place during the period.
Year-by-Year Returns
Large Cap Fund
Small-Mid Cap Fund
Average Annual Returns
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, but do not reflect the impact of state or local taxes. Actual after-tax returns may differ depending on your individual circumstances. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant if you hold your shares in a retirement account or in another tax-deferred arrangement, such as an employee benefit plan (profit sharing, 401(k), or 403(b) plan). Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other returns for the same period due to a tax benefit of realizing a capital loss upon the sale of fund shares.
Large Cap Fund
For the periods ended December 31, 2023 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Strategic Advisers® Large Cap Fund(a) | | | |
| | Return Before Taxes | 26.82% | 16.08% | 11.71% |
| | Return After Taxes on Distributions | 25.48% | 14.38% | 9.98% |
| | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 16.76% | 12.66% | 9.11% |
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 26.29% | 15.69% | 12.03% |
Small-Mid Cap Fund
For the periods ended December 31, 2023 | Past 1 year | Past 5 years | Past 10 years |
Strategic Advisers® Small-Mid Cap Fund | | | |
| | Return Before Taxes | 17.93% | 11.98% | 7.84% |
| | Return After Taxes on Distributions | 17.35% | 10.18% | 6.01% |
| | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 10.93% | 9.29% | 5.87% |
Russell 2500TM Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 17.42% | 11.67% | 8.36% |
(a) | For Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, the table reflects average annual returns of the Predecessor Fund for all period prior to the 2020 Reorganization. |
THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
PROPOSAL 1
TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION BETWEEN STRATEGIC ADVISERS® LARGE CAP FUND AND STRATEGIC ADVISERS® U.S. TOTAL STOCK FUND.
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
The terms and conditions under which the proposed transaction may be consummated are set forth in the Agreement. Significant provisions of the Agreement are summarized below in this Proposal 1; however, this summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1 to this Proxy Statement.
The Agreement contemplates (a) U.S. Total Stock Fund acquiring as of the Closing Date all of the assets of Large Cap Fund in exchange solely for shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of Large Cap Fund’s liabilities; and (b) the distribution of shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund to the shareholders of Large Cap Fund as provided for in the Agreement.
The value of Large Cap Fund’s assets to be acquired by U.S. Total Stock Fund and the amount of its liabilities to be assumed by U.S. Total Stock Fund will be determined as of the close of business of the NYSE on the Closing Date, using the valuation procedures set forth in U.S. Total Stock Fund’s then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The net asset value of a share of U.S. Total Stock Fund will be determined as of the same time using the valuation procedures set forth in its then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
As of the Closing Date, U.S. Total Stock Fund will deliver to Large Cap Fund, and Large Cap Fund will distribute to its shareholders of record, shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund so that each Large Cap Fund shareholder will receive the number of full and fractional shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund equal in value to the aggregate net asset value of shares of Large Cap Fund held by such shareholder on the Closing Date; Large Cap Fund will be liquidated as soon as practicable thereafter. Each Large Cap Fund shareholder’s account shall be credited with the respective pro rata number of full and fractional shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund due that shareholder. The net asset value per share of U.S. Total Stock Fund will be unchanged by the transaction. Thus, the Reorganization will not result in a dilution of any shareholder’s interest.
Any transfer taxes payable upon issuance of shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund in a name other than that of the registered holder of the shares on the books of Large Cap Fund as of that time shall be paid by the person to whom such shares are to be issued as a condition of such transfer. Any reporting responsibility of Large Cap Fund is and will continue to be its responsibility up to and including the Closing Date and such later date on which Large Cap Fund is liquidated.
Large Cap Fund will bear the cost of the Reorganization, including professional fees, expenses associated with the filing of registration statements, and the cost of soliciting proxies for the Meeting, which will consist principally of printing and mailing prospectuses and the Proxy Statement, together with the cost of any supplementary solicitation.
All of the current investments of Large Cap Fund are permissible investments for U.S. Total Stock Fund. Nevertheless, if shareholders approve the Reorganizations, Strategic Advisers may sell certain securities held by the funds and purchase other securities. Any transaction costs associated with portfolio adjustments to Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund due to the Reorganization that occur prior to the Closing Date will be borne by Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund, respectively. Any transaction costs associated with portfolio adjustments to Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund due to the Reorganization that occur after the Closing Date and any additional merger-related costs attributable to U.S. Total Stock Fund that occur after the Closing Date will be borne by U.S. Total Stock Fund. The funds may recognize a taxable gain or loss on the disposition of securities pursuant to these portfolio adjustments.
The consummation of the Reorganization is subject to a number of conditions set forth in the Agreement, some of which may be waived by a fund. In addition, the Agreement may be amended in any mutually agreeable manner, except that no amendment that may have a materially adverse effect on Large Cap Fund shareholders’ interests may be made subsequent to the Meeting.
Reasons for the Reorganization
In determining whether to approve the Reorganization, each fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board) considered a number of factors, including the following:
(1) the potential benefit of the Reorganization to shareholders of the funds;
(2) the compatibility of the investment objectives, strategies, and policies of the funds;
(3) the historical performance of the funds;
(4) the fees and expenses and the relative expense ratios of the funds;
(5) the costs to be incurred by each fund as a result of the Reorganization;
(6) the tax consequences of the Reorganization;
(7) the relative size of the funds;
(8) the elimination of duplicative funds; and
(9) the potential benefit of the Reorganization to Strategic Advisers and its affiliates.
Strategic Advisers proposed the Reorganization to each fund’s Board at a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2024. In proposing the Reorganization, Strategic Advisers advised the Board that it permits Large Cap Fund shareholders to receive exposure to U.S. equity securities in a single fund with the same investment objective, providing opportunities for improved investment outcomes from reducing redundant risk mitigation strategies and reducing the need to trade across funds and potentially realize gains for customers in taxable accounts. The Board also considered any potential benefits to Fidelity as a result of the merger, such as reducing the number of funds managed. U.S. Total Stock Fund is expected to have a total expense ratio that is the same as Large Cap Fund. In addition, because substantially all shareholders who own one Target Fund also own shares of both Target Funds, the Board also considered that these shareholders are expected to benefit from a projected decrease of 1 bp in total expenses when comparing the projected total annual operating expenses of U.S. Total Stock Fund to the weighted average expense ratio of both Target Funds. Each merger will qualify as a tax-free exchange for federal income tax purposes.
Each fund’s Board carefully reviewed the proposal and determined that the Reorganization is in the best interests of the shareholders of each fund and that the Reorganization will not result in a dilution of the interests of the shareholders of either fund.
Description of the Securities to be Issued
U.S. Total Stock Fund is a series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II (the trust). The Trustees of the trust are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series. Each share of U.S. Total Stock Fund represents an equal proportionate interest with each other share of the fund, and each such share of U.S. Total Stock Fund is entitled to equal voting, dividend, liquidation, and redemption rights. Each shareholder of U.S. Total Stock Fund is entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value of the fund that shareholder owns, with fractional dollar amounts entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth in the “Description of the Trust – Shareholder Liability” section of the fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The trust does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees unless less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which time the Trustees then in office will call a shareholder meeting for the election of Trustees. Under the 1940 Act, shareholders of record of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of an investment company may remove a Trustee by votes cast in person or by proxy at a meeting called for that purpose. The Trustees are required to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any Trustee when requested in writing to do so by the shareholders of record holding at least 10% of the trust’s outstanding shares.
For more information about voting rights and dividend rights, please refer to the “Description of the Trust – Voting Rights” and the “Distributions and Taxes” sections, respectively, of U.S. Total Stock Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is incorporated herein by reference. For more information about redemption rights, please refer to the “Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares” section, of U.S. Total Stock Fund’s Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Federal Income Tax Considerations
The exchange of Large Cap Fund’s assets for U.S. Total Stock Fund’s shares and the assumption of the liabilities of Large Cap Fund by U.S. Total Stock Fund is intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). With respect to the Reorganization, the participating funds will receive an opinion from Dechert LLP, counsel to Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund, substantially to the effect that:
(i) The acquisition by U.S. Total Stock Fund of substantially all of the assets of Large Cap Fund in exchange solely for U.S. Total Stock Fund shares and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of all liabilities of Large Cap Fund followed by the distribution of U.S. Total Stock Fund shares to the Large Cap Fund shareholders in exchange for their Large Cap Fund shares in complete liquidation and termination of Large Cap Fund will constitute a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code;
(ii) Large Cap Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon the transfer of substantially all of its assets to U.S. Total Stock Fund in exchange solely for U.S. Total Stock Fund shares and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of all liabilities of Large Cap Fund, except that Large Cap Fund may be required to recognize gain or loss with respect to contracts described in Section 1256(b) of the Code or stock in a passive foreign investment company, as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code;
(iii) Large Cap Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon the distribution to its shareholders of the U.S. Total Stock Fund shares received by Large Cap Fund in the Reorganization;
(iv) U.S. Total Stock Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of the assets of Large Cap Fund in exchange solely for U.S. Total Stock Fund shares and the assumption of all liabilities of Large Cap Fund;
(v) The adjusted basis to U.S. Total Stock Fund of the assets of Large Cap Fund received by U.S. Total Stock Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the adjusted basis of those assets in the hands of Large Cap Fund immediately before the exchange;
(vi) U.S. Total Stock Fund’s holding periods with respect to the assets of Large Cap Fund that U.S. Total Stock Fund acquires in the Reorganization will include the respective periods for which those assets were held by Large Cap Fund (except where investment activities of U.S. Total Stock Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating a holding period with respect to an asset);
(vii) The Large Cap Fund shareholders will recognize no gain or loss upon receiving U.S. Total Stock Fund shares in exchange solely for Large Cap Fund shares;
(viii) The aggregate basis of the U.S. Total Stock Fund shares received by a Large Cap Fund shareholder in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of the Large Cap Fund shares surrendered by the Large Cap Fund shareholder in exchange therefor; and
(ix) A Large Cap Fund shareholder’s holding period for the U.S. Total Stock Fund shares received by the shareholder in the Reorganization will include the holding period during which the Large Cap Fund shareholder held Large Cap Fund shares surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that the Large Cap Fund shareholder held such shares as a capital asset on the date of the Reorganization.
The table below shows each Target Fund’s approximate net assets, capital loss carryforwards, net realized gains/losses and net unrealized gains/losses as of December 31, 2023. Each Target Fund’s unrealized gains/losses and net realized losses (if any) will generally carryover to U.S. Total Stock Fund in the Reorganization and, based on the data shown below, U.S. Total Stock Fund could end up with larger net unrealized gains and smaller net realized losses (in each case as a percentage of assets) than Small-Mid Cap Fund currently has. As a result, Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholders could end up receiving larger capital gain distributions following the merger than they would if Small-Mid Cap Fund continued as a standalone fund. In addition, prior to the Reorganization each Target Fund may declare additional dividends or other distributions in order to distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gain, including any gains attributable to portfolio repositioning prior to the Reorganization. These tax considerations should not have a significant impact on shareholders in tax-advantaged accounts or on shareholders who already hold both Target Funds (and substantially all managed account clients who own shares of one of the Target Funds own shares of both Target Funds).
Tax Position as of December 31, 2023 ($M)
Fund Name | Fiscal Year End | Net Assets | Capital Loss Carryforwards | Net Realized Gains/ (Losses) | Net Unrealized Gains/ (Losses) |
Large Cap Fund | May 31 | $ 55,564.4 | $ 0 | $ 423.0(a) | $ 26,843.5 |
Small-Mid Cap Fund | Feb 28 | $ 9,196.8 | $ 0 | $ (49.1) | $ 1,586.6 |
(a) | Large Cap Fund had net realized gains as of December 31, 2023 but those gains, if not offset by realized losses prior to the fiscal year ending May 31, 2024, will normally be distributed in July regardless of whether the Reorganization takes place. |
Shareholders of Large Cap Fund should consult their tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of the proposed Reorganization in light of their individual circumstances. Because the foregoing discussion relates only to the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization, those shareholders also should consult their tax advisers as to state and local tax consequences, if any, of the Reorganization.
Forms of Organization
Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund are diversified series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware business trust on March 8, 2006. The trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Because the funds are series of the same Delaware business trust, governed by the same Trust Instrument, the rights of the security holders of Large Cap Fund under state law and the governing documents are expected to remain unchanged after the Reorganization.
For more information regarding shareholder rights, please refer to the “Description of the Trust” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Operations of U.S. Total Stock Fund Following the Reorganization
Strategic Advisers does not expect U.S. Total Stock Fund to revise its investment policies as a result of the Reorganization. In addition, Strategic Advisers does not anticipate significant changes to U.S. Total Stock Fund’s management or to entities that provide the fund with services. Specifically, the Trustees and officers, the investment adviser, distributor, and other entities will continue to serve U.S. Total Stock Fund in their current capacities.
Mr. Devitt, Lead Portfolio Manager of the Large Cap Fund, will be Lead Portfolio Manager on the U.S. Total Stock Fund, and Mr. Anantanatarajan, Co-Portfolio Manager of the Large Cap Fund, and Mr. Golden, Lead Portfolio Manager of the Small-Mid Cap Fund, will both be Co-Portfolio Managers on the U.S. Total Stock Fund. Mr. Devitt, Mr. Anantanatarajan and Mr. Golden are expected to continue to be responsible for portfolio management of the combined fund after the Reorganization.
Capitalization
The following table shows the capitalization of Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund as of November 30, 2023, and on a pro forma combined basis (unaudited) as of that date giving effect to all of the Reorganizations.
| Net Assets | Net Asset Value Per Share | Shares Outstanding |
Large Cap Fundc | $ 53,116,174,327 | $ 11.42 | 4,651,593,711 |
U.S. Total Stock Fundd | N/A | N/A | N/A |
U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined Fund | $ 61,400,068,574 | $ 10.00b | 6,140,006,857a |
a | To comply with Rule 3-18 of Regulation S-X, the pro-forma financial statements will be based on the most recent audited annual report of the Acquiring Fund. If these are more than 245 days old as of the effective date of the N-14 filing, interim financial statements covering a 12 month period will be used. In addition, per Regulation S-X Section 210.11 - 02 (a)(7) shares have been adjusted to reflect what will be issued post-merger. |
b | U.S. Total Stock Fund expected to launch at $10.00 net asset value per share. |
c | Large Cap Fund’s estimated one time proxy costs related to the proposals in this proxy statement is $86,861. |
d | U.S. Total Stock Fund is a new fund and has not yet commenced operations. |
The combined fund pro forma capitalization shown above assumes that all of the Reorganizations occur.
The table above assumes that the Reorganizations described in Proposals 1 and 2 occurred on November 30, 2023. The table is for information purposes only. No assurance can be given as to how many U.S. Total Stock Fund shares will be received by shareholders of Large Cap Fund on the date that the Reorganization takes place, and the foregoing should not be relied upon to reflect the number of shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund that actually will be received on or after that date.
Conclusion
The Agreement and the Reorganization were approved by the Board of Trustees of the trust at a meeting held on March 7, 2024. The Board of Trustees determined that the proposed Reorganization is in the best interests of shareholders of Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund and that the interests of existing shareholders of Large Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. In the event that the Reorganization does not occur, Large Cap Fund will continue to engage in business as a fund of a registered investment company and the Board of Trustees of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II may consider other proposals for the reorganization or liquidation of the fund.
The Board of Trustees of Large Cap Fund unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favor of the Reorganization by approving the Agreement.
THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
PROPOSAL 2
TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION BETWEEN STRATEGIC ADVISERS® SMALL-MID CAP FUND AND STRATEGIC ADVISERS® U.S. TOTAL STOCK FUND.
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
The terms and conditions under which the proposed transaction may be consummated are set forth in the Agreement. Significant provisions of the Agreement are summarized below in this Proposal 2; however, this summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1 to this Proxy Statement.
The Agreement contemplates (a) U.S. Total Stock Fund acquiring as of the Closing Date all of the assets of Small-Mid Cap Fund in exchange solely for shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of Small-Mid Cap Fund’s liabilities; and (b) the distribution of shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund to the shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund as provided for in the Agreement.
The value of Small-Mid Cap Fund’s assets to be acquired by U.S. Total Stock Fund and the amount of its liabilities to be assumed by U.S. Total Stock Fund will be determined as of the close of business of the NYSE on the Closing Date, using the valuation procedures set forth in U.S. Total Stock Fund’s then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The net asset value of a share of U.S. Total Stock Fund will be determined as of the same time using the valuation procedures set forth in its then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
As of the Closing Date, U.S. Total Stock Fund will deliver to Small-Mid Cap Fund, and Small-Mid Cap Fund will distribute to its shareholders of record, shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund so that each Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholder will receive the number of full and fractional shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund equal in value to the aggregate net asset value of shares of Small-Mid Cap Fund held by such shareholder on the Closing Date; Small-Mid Cap Fund will be liquidated as soon as practicable thereafter. Each Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholder’s account shall be credited with the respective pro rata number of full and fractional shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund due that shareholder. The net asset value per share of U.S. Total Stock Fund will be unchanged by the transaction. Thus, the Reorganization will not result in a dilution of any shareholder’s interest.
Any transfer taxes payable upon issuance of shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund in a name other than that of the registered holder of the shares on the books of Small-Mid Cap Fund as of that time shall be paid by the person to whom such shares are to be issued as a condition of such transfer. Any reporting responsibility of Small-Mid Cap Fund is and will continue to be its responsibility up to and including the Closing Date and such later date on which Small-Mid Cap Fund is liquidated.
Small-Mid Cap Fund will bear the cost of the Reorganization, including professional fees, expenses associated with the filing of registration statements, and the cost of soliciting proxies for the Meeting, which will consist principally of printing and mailing prospectuses and the Proxy Statement, together with the cost of any supplementary solicitation.
All of the current investments of Small-Mid Cap Fund are permissible investments for U.S. Total Stock Fund. Nevertheless, if shareholders approve the Reorganizations, Strategic Advisers may sell certain securities held by the funds and purchase other securities. Any transaction costs associated with portfolio adjustments to Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund due to the Reorganization that occur prior to the Closing Date will be borne by Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund, respectively. Any transaction costs associated with portfolio adjustments to Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund due to the Reorganization that occur after the Closing Date and any additional merger-related costs attributable to U.S. Total Stock Fund that occur after the Closing Date will be borne by U.S. Total Stock Fund. The funds may recognize a taxable gain or loss on the disposition of securities pursuant to these portfolio adjustments.
The consummation of the Reorganization is subject to a number of conditions set forth in the Agreement, some of which may be waived by a fund. In addition, the Agreement may be amended in any mutually agreeable manner, except that no amendment that may have a materially adverse effect on Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholders’ interests may be made subsequent to the Meeting.
Reasons for the Reorganization
In determining whether to approve the Reorganization, each fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board) considered a number of factors, including the following:
(1) | the potential benefit of the Reorganization to shareholders of the funds; |
(2) | the compatibility of the investment objectives, strategies, and policies of the funds; |
(3) | the historical performance of the funds; |
(4) | the fees and expenses and the relative expense ratios of the funds; |
(5) | the costs to be incurred by each fund as a result of the Reorganization; |
(6) | the tax consequences of the Reorganization; |
(7) | the relative size of the funds; |
(8) | the elimination of duplicative funds; and |
(9) | the potential benefit of the Reorganization to Strategic Advisers and its affiliates. |
Strategic Advisers proposed the Reorganization to each fund’s Board at a meeting of the Board held on March 7, 2024. In proposing the Reorganization, Strategic Advisers advised the Board that it permits Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholders to receive exposure to U.S. equity securities in a single fund with the same investment objective, providing opportunities for improved investment outcomes from reducing redundant risk mitigation strategies and reducing the need to trade across funds and potentially realize gains for customers in taxable accounts. The Board also considered any potential benefits to Fidelity as a result of the merger, such as reducing the number of funds managed. U.S. Total Stock Fund is expected to have a total expense ratio that is 16 bp lower than Small-Mid Cap Fund. In addition, because these shareholders who own one Target Fund also own shares of both Target Funds, the Board also considered that substantially all shareholders are expected to benefit from a projected decrease of 1 bp in total expenses when comparing the projected total annual operating expenses of U.S. Total Stock Fund to the weighted average expense ratio of both Target Funds. Each merger will qualify as a tax-free exchange for federal income tax purposes.
Each fund’s Board carefully reviewed the proposal and determined that the Reorganization is in the best interests of the shareholders of each fund and that the Reorganization will not result in a dilution of the interests of the shareholders of either fund.
Description of the Securities to be Issued
U.S. Total Stock Fund is a series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II (the trust). The Trustees of the trust are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series. Each share of U.S. Total Stock Fund represents an equal proportionate interest with each other share of the fund, and each such share of U.S. Total Stock Fund is entitled to equal voting, dividend, liquidation, and redemption rights. Each shareholder of U.S. Total Stock Fund is entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value of the fund that shareholder owns, with fractional dollar amounts entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth in the “Description of the Trust – Shareholder Liability” section of the fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The trust does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees unless less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which time the Trustees then in office will call a shareholder meeting for the election of Trustees. Under the 1940 Act, shareholders of record of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of an investment company may remove a Trustee by votes cast in person or by proxy at a meeting called for that purpose. The Trustees are required to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any Trustee when requested in writing to do so by the shareholders of record holding at least 10% of the trust’s outstanding shares.
For more information about voting rights and dividend rights, please refer to the “Description of the Trust – Voting Rights” and the “Distributions and Taxes” sections, respectively, of U.S. Total Stock Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is incorporated herein by reference. For more information about redemption rights, please refer to the “Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares” section, of U.S. Total Stock Fund’s Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Federal Income Tax Considerations
The exchange of Small-Mid Cap Fund’s assets for U.S. Total Stock Fund’s shares and the assumption of the liabilities of Small-Mid Cap Fund by U.S. Total Stock Fund is intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). With respect to the Reorganization, the participating funds will receive an opinion from Dechert LLP, counsel to Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund, substantially to the effect that:
(i) The acquisition by U.S. Total Stock Fund of substantially all of the assets of Small-Mid Cap Fund in exchange solely for U.S. Total Stock Fund shares and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of all liabilities of Small-Mid Cap Fund followed by the distribution of U.S. Total Stock Fund shares to the Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholders in exchange for their Small-Mid Cap Fund shares in complete liquidation and termination of Small-Mid Cap Fund will constitute a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code;
(ii) Small-Mid Cap Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon the transfer of substantially all of its assets to U.S. Total Stock Fund in exchange solely for U.S. Total Stock Fund shares and the assumption by U.S. Total Stock Fund of all liabilities of Small-Mid Cap Fund, except that Small-Mid Cap Fund may be required to recognize gain or loss with respect to contracts described in Section 1256(b) of the Code or stock in a passive foreign investment company, as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code;
(iii) Small-Mid Cap Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon the distribution to its shareholders of the U.S. Total Stock Fund shares received by Small-Mid Cap Fund in the Reorganization;
(iv) U.S. Total Stock Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of the assets of Small-Mid Cap Fund in exchange solely for U.S. Total Stock Fund shares and the assumption of all liabilities of Small-Mid Cap Fund;
(v) The adjusted basis to U.S. Total Stock Fund of the assets of Small-Mid Cap Fund received by U.S. Total Stock Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the adjusted basis of those assets in the hands of Small-Mid Cap Fund immediately before the exchange;
(vi) U.S. Total Stock Fund’s holding periods with respect to the assets of Small-Mid Cap Fund that U.S. Total Stock Fund acquires in the Reorganization will include the respective periods for which those assets were held by Small-Mid Cap Fund (except where investment activities of U.S. Total Stock Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating a holding period with respect to an asset);
(vii) The Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholders will recognize no gain or loss upon receiving U.S. Total Stock Fund shares in exchange solely for Small-Mid Cap Fund shares;
(viii) The aggregate basis of the U.S. Total Stock Fund shares received by a Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholder in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of the Small-Mid Cap Fund shares surrendered by the Small Mid-Cap Fund shareholder in exchange therefor; and
(ix) A Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholder’s holding period for the U.S. Total Stock Fund shares received by the shareholder in the Reorganization will include the holding period during which the Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholder held Small-Mid Cap Fund shares surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that the Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholder held such shares as a capital asset on the date of the Reorganization.
The table below shows each Target Fund’s approximate net assets, capital loss carryforwards, net realized gains/losses and net unrealized gains/losses as of December 31, 2023. Each Target Fund’s unrealized gains/losses and net realized losses (if any) will generally carryover to U.S. Total Stock Fund in the Reorganization and, based on the data shown below, U.S. Total Stock Fund could end up with larger net unrealized gains and smaller net realized losses (in each case, as a percentage of assets) than Small-Mid Cap Fund currently has. As a result, Small-Mid Cap Fund shareholders could end up receiving larger capital gain distributions following the merger than they would if Small-Mid Cap Fund continued as a standalone fund. In addition, prior to the Reorganization each Target Fund may declare additional dividends or other distributions in order to distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gain, including any gains attributable to portfolio repositioning prior to the Reorganization. These tax considerations should not have a significant impact on shareholders in tax-advantaged accounts or on shareholders who already hold both Target Funds (and substantially all managed account clients who own shares of one of the Target Funds own shares of both Target Funds).
Tax Position as of December 31, 2023 ($M)
Fund Name | Fiscal Year End | Net Assets | Capital Loss Carryforwards | Net Realized Gains/ (Losses) | Net Unrealized Gains/ (Losses) |
Large Cap Fund | May 31 | $ 55,564.4 | $ 0 | $ 423.0(a) | $ 26,843.5 |
Small-Mid Cap Fund | Feb 28 | $ 9,196.8 | $ 0 | $ (49.1) | $ 1,586.6 |
a) | Large Cap Fund had net realized gains as of December 31, 2023 but those gains, if not offset by realized losses prior to the fiscal year ending May 31, 2024, will normally be distributed in July regardless of whether the Reorganization takes place. |
Shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund should consult their tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of the proposed Reorganization in light of their individual circumstances. Because the foregoing discussion relates only to the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization, those shareholders also should consult their tax advisers as to state and local tax consequences, if any, of the Reorganization.
Forms of Organization
Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund are diversified series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware business trust on March 8, 2006. The trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Because the funds are series of the same Delaware business trust, governed by the same Trust Instrument, the rights of the security holders of Small-Mid Cap Fund under state law and the governing documents are expected to remain unchanged after the Reorganization.
For more information regarding shareholder rights, please refer to the “Description of the Trust” section of the funds’ Statements of Additional Information, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Operations of U.S. Total Stock Fund Following the Reorganization
Strategic Advisers does not expect U.S. Total Stock Fund to revise its investment policies as a result of the Reorganization. In addition, Strategic Advisers does not anticipate significant changes to U.S. Total Stock Fund’s management or to entities that provide the fund with services. Specifically, the Trustees and officers, the investment adviser, distributor, and other entities will continue to serve U.S. Total Stock Fund in their current capacities.
Mr. Devitt, Lead Portfolio Manager of the Large Cap Fund, will be Lead Portfolio Manager on the U.S. Total Stock Fund, and Mr. Anantanatarajan, Co-Portfolio Manager of the Large Cap Fund, and Mr. Golden, Lead Portfolio Manager of the Small-Mid Cap Fund, will both be Co-Portfolio Managers on the U.S. Total Stock Fund. Mr. Devitt, Mr. Anantanatarajan and Mr. Golden are expected to continue to be responsible for portfolio management of the combined fund after the Reorganization.
Capitalization
The following table shows the capitalization of Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund as of November 30, 2023, and on a pro forma combined basis (unaudited) as of that date giving effect to all of the Reorganizations.
| Net Assets | Net Asset Value Per Share | Shares Outstanding |
Small-Mid Cap Fundc | $ 8,283,894,247 | $ 13.81 | 599,769,228 |
U.S. Total Stock Fundd | N/A | N/A | N/A |
U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined Fund | $ 61,400,068,574 | $ 10.00b | 6,140,006,857a |
a | To comply with Rule 3-18 of Regulation S-X, the pro-forma financial statements will be based on the most recent audited annual report of the Acquiring Fund. If these are more than 245 days old as of the effective date of the N-14 filing, interim financial statements covering a 12 month period will be used. In addition, per Regulation S-X Section 210.11 - 02 (a)(7) shares have been adjusted to reflect what will be issued post-merger. |
b | U.S. Total Stock Fund expected to launch at $10.00 net asset value per share. |
c | Small-Mid Cap Fund’s estimated one time proxy costs related to the proposals in this proxy statement is $52,239. |
d | U.S. Total Stock Fund is a new fund and has not yet commenced operations. |
The combined fund pro forma capitalization shown above assumes that all of the Reorganizations occur.
The table above assumes that the Reorganizations described in Proposals 1 and 2 occurred on November 30, 2023. The table is for information purposes only. No assurance can be given as to how many U.S. Total Stock Fund shares will be received by shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund on the date that the Reorganization takes place, and the foregoing should not be relied upon to reflect the number of shares of U.S. Total Stock Fund that actually will be received on or after that date.
Conclusion
The Agreement and the Reorganization were approved by the Board of Trustees of the trust at a meeting held on March 7, 2024. The Board of Trustees determined that the proposed Reorganization is in the best interests of shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund and that the interests of existing shareholders of Small-Mid Cap Fund and U.S. Total Stock Fund would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. In the event that the Reorganization does not occur, Small-Mid Cap Fund will continue to engage in business as a fund of a registered investment company and the Board of Trustees of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II may consider other proposals for the reorganization or liquidation of the fund.
The Board of Trustees of Small-Mid Cap Fund unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favor of the Reorganization by approving the Agreement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
Large Cap Fund’s and Small-Mid Cap Fund’s financial highlights for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023, respectively, which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon is included in the Annual Report to Shareholders, are included in each fund’s prospectus. The financial highlights for Large Cap Fund, updated to include the corresponding semiannual data (unaudited), are included in the Semiannual Report to Shareholders for the six-month period ended November 30, 2023. Large Cap Fund’s updated financial highlights are incorporated herein by reference. The financial highlights for Small-Mid Cap Fund, updated to include the corresponding semiannual data (unaudited), are included in the Semiannual Report to Shareholders for the six-month period ended August 31, 2023. Small-Mid Cap Fund’s updated financial highlights are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Total Stock Fund is a newly created fund and does not have any historical financial highlights.
The financial highlights audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have been incorporated by reference in reliance on their reports given on their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
VOTING INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies; Expenses
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies made by, and on behalf of, the trust’s Board of Trustees to be used at each Meeting. The purpose of each Meeting is set forth in the accompanying Notice.
The solicitation is being made primarily by the mailing of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card on or about May 13, 2024. Supplementary solicitations may be made by mail, telephone, facsimile or electronic means, or by personal interview by representatives of the trust. In addition, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge) may be paid on a per-call basis to solicit shareholders by telephone on behalf of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund. Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund may also arrange to have votes recorded by telephone. Broadridge may be paid on a per-call basis for vote-by-phone solicitations on behalf of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund. The approximate anticipated cost of these services is as follows:
Fund Name | Estimated aggregate cost for Broadridge to call and solicit votes | Estimated aggregate cost for Broadridge to receive votes over the phone |
Large Cap Fund | $1,300 | $325 |
| | |
Small-Mid Cap Fund | $1,300 | $325 |
If a fund records votes by telephone or through the internet, it will use procedures designed to authenticate shareholders’ identities, to allow shareholders to authorize the voting of their shares in accordance with their instructions, and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. Proxies voted by telephone or through the internet may be revoked at any time before they are voted in the same manner that proxies voted by mail may be revoked.
For Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund, the expenses in connection with preparing this Proxy Statement and its enclosures and all solicitations will be paid by the funds.
Each of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund will reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares. The costs are allocated between the funds based on the number of shareholder accounts in each fund.
For a free copy of Large Cap Fund’s and Small-Mid Cap Fund’s annual reports for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023, respectively, and Large Cap Fund’s and Small-Mid Cap Fund’s semi-annual reports for the fiscal period ended November 31, 2023 and August 31, 2023, respectively, call 1-800-544-3455, log-on to www.fidelity.com, or write to FDC at 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917.
Record Date; Quorum; and Method of Tabulation
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 13, 2024 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting of the fund in which they hold shares. Each such shareholder will be entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value held as of that date, with fractional dollar amounts entitled to a proportional fractional vote.
If the enclosed proxy card is executed and returned, or an internet or telephonic vote is delivered, that vote may nevertheless be revoked at any time prior to its use by written notification received by the trust, by the execution of a later-dated proxy card, by the trust’s receipt of a subsequent valid telephonic or internet vote, or by attending a fund’s Meeting and voting in person.
All proxies solicited by the Board of Trustees that are properly executed and received by the Secretary prior to the Meeting, and that are not revoked, will be voted at the Meeting. Shares represented by such proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions thereon. If no specification is made on a properly executed proxy card, it will be voted FOR the matters specified on the proxy card. All shares that are voted and votes to ABSTAIN
will be counted toward establishing a quorum, as will broker non-votes. (Broker non-votes are shares for which (i) the beneficial owner has not voted and (ii) the broker holding the shares does not have discretionary authority to vote on the particular matter.)
With respect to fund shares held in Fidelity individual retirement accounts (including Traditional, Rollover, SEP, SAR-SEP, Roth and SIMPLE IRAs), the IRA Custodian will vote those shares for which it has received instructions from shareholders only in accordance with such instructions. If Fidelity IRA shareholders do not vote their shares, the IRA Custodian will vote their shares for them, in the same proportion as other Fidelity IRA shareholders have voted.
One-third of each fund’s outstanding voting securities entitled to vote constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the applicable Meeting. If a quorum is not present, or if a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve the proposal are not received, or if other matters arise requiring shareholder attention, the persons named as proxy agents may propose one or more adjournments to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares present or represented by proxy. When voting on a proposed adjournment, the persons named as proxy agents will vote FOR the proposed adjournment all shares that they are entitled to vote FOR the proposal, unless directed to vote AGAINST the proposal, in which case such shares will be voted against the proposed adjournment.
Certain shares are registered to Strategic Advisers or a Strategic Advisers affiliate. To the extent that Strategic Advisers or a Strategic Advisers affiliate has discretion to vote, these shares will be voted at the Meeting FOR each proposal. Otherwise, these shares will be voted in accordance with the plan or agreement governing the shares. Although the terms of the plans and agreements vary, generally the shares must be voted either (i) in accordance with instructions received from shareholders or (ii) in accordance with instructions received from shareholders and, for shareholders who do not vote, in the same proportion as certain other shareholders have voted.
Strategic Advisers does not generally acquire authority for, or exercise, proxy voting on a client’s behalf in connection with managing client accounts and such clients must exercise any proxy voting directly. However, certain clients enrolled in Fidelity managed account programs have elected Strategic Advisers to act as agent to receive proxy voting materials for Fidelity® Funds (including Strategic Advisers funds) and non-Fidelity funds held in their accounts. For Fidelity® Funds, such shareholders have instructed Strategic Advisers to vote proxies of a Fidelity® Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such Fidelity® Fund.
[Certain funds and accounts that are managed by Strategic Advisers or its affiliates (including funds of funds) invest in other funds and may at times have substantial investments in one or more funds. Although these funds generally intend to vote their shares of underlying funds using echo voting procedures (that is, in the same proportion as the holders of all other shares of the particular underlying fund), they reserve the right, on a case-by-case basis, to vote in another manner, which may include voting all shares as recommended by the Board.]
Share Ownership
As of [March 31, 2024], shares of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund issued and outstanding were as follows:
| Number of Shares |
Large Cap Fund | |
Small-Mid Cap Fund | |
U.S. Total Stock Fund is a newly created fund and has not yet commenced operations.
As of [March 31, 2024], the Trustees, Members of the Advisory Board (if any), and officers of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund owned, in the aggregate, less than 1% of each class’s total outstanding shares, with respect to the fund.
To the knowledge of the trust, no shareholder owned of record and/or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each fund on that date.
Required Vote
Approval of each Reorganization requires the affirmative vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the specific fund involved in that Reorganization. Under the 1940 Act, the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Meeting or represented by proxy if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities. Votes to ABSTAIN and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes cast AGAINST a proposal.
Other Business
The Board knows of no business other than the matters set forth in this Proxy Statement to be brought before each Meeting However, if any other matters properly come before each Meeting, it is the intention that proxies that do not contain specific instructions to the contrary will be voted on such matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons therein designated.
MISCELLANEOUS
Legal Matters
Certain legal matters in connection with the issuance of U.S. Total Stock Fund shares have been passed upon by Dechert LLP, counsel to the trust.
Experts
The audited financial statements of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund are incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information relating to this Proxy Statement and have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports thereon are included in the funds’ Annual Reports to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023 and February 28, 2023 for Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund, respectively. The financial statements audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have been incorporated by reference in reliance on their reports given on their authority as experts in auditing and accounting. The unaudited financial statements for Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund for the six-month period ended November 30, 2023 and August, 31, 2023, respectively, are also incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information relating to this registration statement.
The financial highlights audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have been incorporated by reference in reliance on their reports given on their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
Notice to Banks, Broker-Dealers and Voting Trustees and Their Nominees
Please advise Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, in care of Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company LLC, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, whether other persons are beneficial owners of shares for which proxies are being solicited and, if so, the number of copies of the Proxy Statement and Annual Reports you wish to receive in order to supply copies to the beneficial owners of the respective shares.
Appendix A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACQUIRING FUND
As used in this Appendix A, the term “fund” refers to the Acquiring Fund.
Valuing Shares
The fund is open for business each day the NYSE is open.
The NAV is the value of a single share. Fidelity normally calculates NAV as of the close of business of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The fund’s assets normally are valued as of this time for the purpose of computing NAV.
NAV is not calculated and the fund will not process purchase and redemption requests submitted on days when the fund is not open for business. The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by the SEC.
To the extent that the fund’s assets are traded in other markets on days when the fund is not open for business, the value of the fund’s assets may be affected on those days. In addition, trading in some of the fund’s assets may not occur on days when the fund is open for business.
Shares of underlying funds (other than ETFs) are valued at their respective NAVs. NAV is calculated using the values of the underlying funds in which the fund invests. For an explanation of the circumstances under which the underlying funds will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing, see the underlying funds’ prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information (SAIs). Other assets (including securities issued by ETFs) are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations, official closing prices, or information furnished by a pricing service. Certain short-term securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. If market quotations, official closing prices, or information furnished by a pricing service are not readily available or, in the Adviser’s opinion, are deemed unreliable for a security, then that security will be fair valued in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies. For example, if, in the Adviser’s opinion, a security’s value has been materially affected by events occurring before a fund’s pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, then that security will be fair valued in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with applicable fair value pricing policies.
Arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security or securities is halted and does not resume before a fund calculates its NAV. These arbitrage opportunities may enable short-term traders to dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Securities trading in overseas markets, if applicable, present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting portfolio security values occur after the close of the overseas markets but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of a fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of NAV by short-term traders.
Fair value pricing is based on subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value of a security may differ materially from the value that would be realized if the security were sold.
Shareholder Information
Additional Information about the Purchase and Sale of Shares
NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
As used in this prospectus, the term “shares” generally refers to the shares offered through this prospectus.
General Information
Shares can be purchased only through certain discretionary investment programs offered by the Adviser or its affiliates. If you are not currently a client of a Fidelity discretionary investment program, please call 1-800-544-3455 (9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday) for more information. Additional fees apply for discretionary investment programs. For more information on these fees, please refer to the “Buying and Selling Information” section of the SAI.
The fund may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase orders.
Excessive trading of fund shares can harm shareholders in various ways, including reducing the returns to long-term shareholders by increasing costs to the fund (such as brokerage commissions or spreads paid to dealers who sell money market instruments), disrupting portfolio management strategies, and diluting the value of the shares in cases in which fluctuations in markets are not fully priced into the fund’s NAV.
Because investments in the fund can only be made by the Adviser or an affiliate on behalf of its clients, the potential for excessive or short-term disruptive purchases and sales is reduced. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage excessive trading of fund shares and the fund accommodates frequent trading.
The fund does not place a limit on purchases or sales of fund shares by the Adviser or its affiliates. The fund reserves the right, but does not have the obligation, to reject any purchase transaction at any time. In addition, the fund reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.
Buying Shares
Eligibility
Shares are generally available only to investors residing in the United States.
Shares are available only to certain discretionary investment programs offered by the Adviser or its affiliates.
There is no minimum balance or purchase minimum for fund shares.
Price to Buy
The price to buy one share is its NAV. Shares are sold without a sales charge.
Shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form.
Provided the fund receives an order to buy shares in proper form before the close of business, the fund may place an order to buy shares of an underlying Fidelity® fund after the close of business, pursuant to a pre-determined allocation, and receive that day’s NAV.
The fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
Under applicable anti-money laundering rules and other regulations, purchase orders may be suspended, restricted, or canceled and the monies may be withheld.
Selling Shares
The price to sell one share is its NAV.
Shares will be sold at the NAV next calculated after an order is received in proper form.
Normally, redemptions will be processed by the next business day, but it may take up to seven days to pay the redemption proceeds if making immediate payment would adversely affect the fund.
Provided the fund receives an order to sell shares in proper form before the close of business, the fund may place an order to sell shares of an underlying Fidelity® fund after the close of business, pursuant to a pre-determined allocation, and receive that day’s NAV.
See “Policies Concerning the Redemption of Fund Shares” below for additional redemption information.
Redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed when the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays), when trading on the NYSE is restricted, or as permitted by the SEC.
Redemption proceeds may be paid in underlying fund shares, securities, or other property rather than in cash if the Adviser determines it is in the best interests of the fund.
Under applicable anti-money laundering rules and other regulations, redemption requests may be suspended, restricted, canceled, or processed and the proceeds may be withheld.
Policies Concerning the Redemption of Fund Shares
Shares of the fund are only available to certain discretionary investment programs offered by the Adviser or its affiliates.
If your account is held directly with a fund, the length of time that a fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds depends on the method you have elected to receive such proceeds. A fund typically expects to make payment of redemption proceeds by wire, automated clearing house (ACH) or by issuing a check by the next business day following receipt of a redemption order in proper form. Proceeds from the periodic and automatic sale of shares of a Fidelity® money market fund that are used to buy shares of another Fidelity® fund are settled simultaneously.
If your account is held through an intermediary, the length of time that a fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds depends, in part, on the terms of the agreement in place between the intermediary and a fund. For redemption proceeds that are paid either directly to you from a fund or to your intermediary for transmittal to you, a fund typically expects to make payments by wire, by ACH or by issuing a check on the next business day following receipt of a redemption order in proper form from the intermediary by a fund. Redemption orders that are processed through investment professionals that utilize the National Securities Clearing Corporation will generally settle one to three business days following receipt of a redemption order in proper form.
As noted elsewhere, payment of redemption proceeds may take longer than the time a fund typically expects and may take up to seven days from the date of receipt of the redemption order as permitted by applicable law.
Redemption Methods Available. Generally a fund expects to pay redemption proceeds in cash. To do so, a fund typically expects to satisfy redemption requests either by using available cash (or cash equivalents) or by selling portfolio securities. On a less regular basis, a fund may also satisfy redemption requests by utilizing one or more of the following sources, if permitted: borrowing from another Fidelity® fund; drawing on an available line or lines of credit from a bank or banks; or using reverse repurchase agreements. These methods may be used during both normal and stressed market conditions.
In addition to paying redemption proceeds in cash, a fund reserves the right to pay part or all of your redemption proceeds in readily marketable securities instead of cash (redemption in-kind). Redemption in-kind proceeds will typically be made by delivering the selected securities to the redeeming shareholder within seven days after the receipt of the redemption order in proper form by a fund.
When your relationship with your managed account provider is terminated, your shares may be sold at the discretion of the managed account provider at the NAV next calculated after the sell order is placed, in which case the redemption proceeds will remain in your account pending your instruction.
Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions
The fund earns interest, dividends, and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to shareholders as capital gain distributions.
The fund normally pays dividends and capital gain distributions per the tables below:
Fund Name | | Dividends Paid |
Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund | | July, December |
Fund Name | | Capital Gains Paid |
Strategic Advisers® U.S. Total Stock Fund | | July, December |
Distribution Options
Any dividends and capital gain distributions may be reinvested in additional shares or paid in cash.
Tax Consequences
As with any investment, your investment in the fund could have tax consequences for you (for non-retirement accounts).
Taxes on Distributions
Distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes.
For federal tax purposes, certain distributions, including dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income, while certain distributions, including distributions of long-term capital gains, are taxable to you generally as capital gains. A percentage of certain distributions of dividends may qualify for taxation at long-term capital gains rates (provided certain holding period requirements are met).
If the Adviser buys shares on your behalf when a fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains, you will be “buying a dividend” by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution.
Any taxable distributions you receive from the fund will normally be taxable to you when you receive them, regardless of your distribution option.
Taxes on Transactions
Your redemptions may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment in the fund generally is the difference between the cost of your shares and the price you receive when you sell them.
Distribution and Service Plan(s)
The fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) with respect to its shares that recognizes that the Adviser may use its management fee revenues, as well as its past profits or its resources from any other source, to pay FDC for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund and/or shareholder
support services. The Adviser, directly or through FDC, may pay significant amounts to intermediaries that provide those services. Currently, the Board of Trustees of the fund has authorized such payments for shares of the fund.
Affiliates of the Adviser may receive service fees or distribution fees or both with respect to underlying funds that participate in Fidelity’s FundsNetwork®.
If payments made by the Adviser to FDC or to intermediaries under the Distribution and Service Plan were considered to be paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they might increase the cost of your investment and might cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
No dealer, sales representative, or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this prospectus and in the related SAI, in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus. If given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the fund or FDC. This prospectus and the related SAI do not constitute an offer by the fund or by FDC to sell shares of the fund to, or to buy shares of the fund from, any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer.
Exhibit 1
Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the Agreement) is made as of May 13, 2024 by and between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust, on behalf of each “Acquired Fund” listed on Schedule A and Strategic Advisers U.S. Total Stock Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), each a series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II. Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II may be referred to herein as the “Trust.” The Trust is a duly organized statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place of business at 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Funds may be referred to herein collectively as the “Funds” or each individually as the “Fund.”
This Agreement is intended to be, and is adopted as, a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). For each Acquired Fund the reorganization will comprise: (a) the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for shares of beneficial interest in the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Shares”) and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities; and (b) the constructive distribution of such shares by the Acquired Fund pro rata to its shareholders in complete liquidation and termination of the Acquired Fund, all upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The foregoing transactions are referred to herein as the “Reorganization.”
In consideration of the mutual promises and subject to the terms and conditions herein, the parties covenant and agree as follows:
1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH ACQUIRED FUND. Each Acquired Fund represents and warrants to and agrees with the Acquiring Fund that:
(a) The Acquired Fund is a series of the Trust, a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has the power to own all of its properties and assets and to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. It has all necessary federal, state, and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to carry out this Agreement;
(b) The Trust is an open-end, management investment company duly registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and such registration is in full force and effect;
(c) The Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund (“Large Cap Acquired Fund”) dated July 29, 2023 and the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund (“Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund”) dated April 29, 2023, as supplemented and April 29, 2023, as revised October 12, 2023, respectively, previously furnished to the Acquiring Fund, did not and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(d) Except as disclosed in writing to the Acquiring Fund, there are no material legal, administrative, or other proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Acquired Fund, threatened against the Acquired Fund which assert liability on the part of the Acquired Fund. The Acquired Fund knows of no facts which might reasonably form the basis for the institution of such proceedings, except as otherwise disclosed to the Acquiring Fund;
(e) The Acquired Fund is not in, and the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will not result in, violation of any provision of its Trust Instrument or By-laws, or, to the knowledge of the Acquired Fund, of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking to which the Acquired Fund is a party or by which the Acquired Fund is bound or result in the acceleration of any obligation or the imposition of any penalty under any agreement, judgment or decree to which the Acquired Fund is a party or is bound;
(f) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the Statement of Operations, the Statement of Changes in Net Assets, Financial Highlights, and the Schedule of Investments (including market values) of the Large Cap Acquired Fund at May 31, 2023, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, and have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund together with such unaudited financial statements and schedule of investments (including market values) for the six month period ended November 30, 2023. Said Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Schedule of Investments fairly present the Large Cap Acquired Fund’s financial position as of such date and said Statement of Operations, Statement of Changes in Net Assets, and Financial Highlights fairly reflect the Large Cap Acquired Fund’s results of operations, changes in financial position, and financial highlights for the periods covered thereby in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied;
(g) The Large Cap Acquired Fund has no known liabilities of a material nature, contingent or otherwise, other than those shown as belonging to it on its statement of assets and liabilities as of May 31, 2023 and those incurred in the ordinary course of the Large Cap Acquired Fund’s business as an investment company since May 31, 2023;
(h) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the Statement of Operations, the Statement of Changes in Net Assets, Financial Highlights, and the Schedule of Investments (including market values) of the Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund at February 28, 2023, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, and have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund. Said Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Schedule of Investments fairly present the Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund’s financial position as of such date and said Statement of Operations, Statement of Changes in Net Assets, and Financial Highlights fairly reflect the Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund’s results of operations, changes in financial position, and financial highlights for the periods covered thereby in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied;
(i) The Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund has no known liabilities of a material nature, contingent or otherwise, other than those shown as belonging to it on its statement of assets and liabilities as of February 28, 2023 and those incurred in the ordinary course of the Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund’s business as an investment company since February 28, 2023;
(j) The registration statement (“Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) by the Trust on Form N-14 relating to the shares of the Acquiring Fund issuable hereunder and the proxy statement of the Acquired Fund included therein (“Proxy Statement”), on the effective date of the Registration Statement and insofar as they relate to the Acquired Fund (i) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (ii) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and at the time of the shareholders’ meeting referred to in Section 7 and on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 6), the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement of which the Proxy Statement is a part (the “Prospectus”), as amended or supplemented, insofar as it relates to the Acquired Fund, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(k) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquired Fund of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and state securities or blue sky laws (which term as used in this Agreement shall include the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico);
(l) The Acquired Fund has filed or will file all federal and state tax returns which, to the knowledge of the Acquired Fund’s officers, are required to be filed by the Acquired Fund and has paid or will pay all federal and state taxes shown to be due on said returns or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and, to the best of the Acquired Fund’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns;
(m) The Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund has met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as a regulated investment company for all prior taxable years and intends to meet such requirements for its current taxable year ending on the Closing Date and the Large Cap Acquired Fund has met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for the qualification and treatment as a regulated investment company for all prior taxable years and intends to meet such requirements for its current taxable year ending on May 31, 2024 and its taxable year ending on the Closing Date;
(n) All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund are, and at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable as a matter of Delaware law (except as disclosed in the Acquired Fund’s Statement of Additional Information), and have been offered for sale and in conformity with all applicable federal securities laws. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will, at the Closing Date, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the list of shareholders submitted to the Acquiring Fund in accordance with this Agreement;
(o) As of both the Valuation Time (as defined in Section 4) and the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will have the full right, power, and authority to sell, assign, transfer, and deliver its portfolio securities and any other assets of the Acquired Fund to be transferred to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to this Agreement. As of the Closing Date, subject only to the delivery of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio securities and any such other assets as contemplated by this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund will acquire the Acquired Fund’s portfolio securities and any such other assets subject to no encumbrances, liens, or security interests (except for those that may arise in the ordinary course and are disclosed to the Acquiring Fund) and without any restrictions upon the transfer thereof; and
(p) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will have been duly authorized prior to the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Acquired Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund.
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ACQUIRING FUND. The Acquiring Fund represents and warrants to and agrees with each Acquired Fund that:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is a series of the Trust, a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has the power to own all of its properties and assets and to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. It has all necessary federal, state, and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to carry out this Agreement;
(b) The Trust is an open-end, management investment company duly registered under the 1940 Act, and such registration is in full force and effect;
(c) The Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Acquiring Fund, dated [May 6, 2024], previously furnished to each Acquired Fund, did not and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(d) Except as disclosed in writing to each Acquired Fund, there are no material legal, administrative, or other proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund, threatened against the Acquiring Fund which assert liability on the part of the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts which might reasonably form the basis for the institution of such proceedings, except as otherwise disclosed to each Acquired Fund;
(e) The Acquiring Fund is not in, and the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will not result in, violation of any provision of its Trust Instrument or By-laws, or, to the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund, of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking
to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which the Acquiring Fund is bound or result in the acceleration of any obligation or the imposition of any penalty under any agreement, judgment, or decree to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or is bound;
(f) [Reserved];
(g) [Reserved];
(h) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and state securities or blue sky laws;
(i) [Reserved];
(j) The Acquiring Fund intends to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as a regulated investment company for its taxable year ending on May 31, 2025;
(k) As of the Closing Date, the shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be issued to each Acquired Fund will have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, will be legally and validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable (except as disclosed in the Acquiring Fund’s Statement of Additional Information) by the Acquiring Fund, and no shareholder of the Acquiring Fund will have any preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect thereof;
(l) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will have been duly authorized prior to the Closing Date by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Acquiring Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to approval by the shareholders of each Acquired Fund;
(m) The Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, on the effective date of the Registration Statement and insofar as they relate to the Acquiring Fund, (i) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (ii) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and at the time of the shareholders’ meeting referred to in Section 7 and on the Closing Date, the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(n) The issuance of the Acquiring Fund Shares pursuant to this Agreement will be in compliance with all applicable federal securities laws; and
(o) All of the issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund have been offered for sale and sold in conformity with the federal securities laws.
3. REORGANIZATION.
(a) Subject to the requisite approval of the shareholders of each respective Acquired Fund and to the other terms and conditions contained herein, each Acquired Fund agrees to assign, sell, convey, transfer, and deliver to the Acquiring Fund as of the Closing Date all of the assets of each respective Acquired Fund of every kind and nature existing on the Closing Date. The Acquiring Fund agrees in exchange therefor: (i) to assume all of the liabilities existing on or after the Closing Date for each respective Acquired Fund, whether or not determinable on the Closing Date, and (ii) to issue and deliver to each Acquired Fund the number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the value of the assets of each respective Acquired Fund transferred hereunder, less the value of the liabilities of each Acquired Fund, determined as provided for under Section 4.
(b) The assets of each Acquired Fund to be acquired by the Acquiring Fund shall include, without limitation, all cash, cash equivalents, securities, commodities and futures interests, receivables (including interest or dividends receivables), claims, choses in action, and other property owned by the Acquired Fund, and any deferred or prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date. Each Acquired Fund will pay or cause to be paid to the Acquiring Fund any dividend or interest payments received by it on or after the Closing Date with respect to the assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund hereunder, and the Acquiring Fund will retain any dividend or interest payments received by it after the Valuation Time with respect to the assets transferred hereunder without regard to the payment date thereof.
(c) The liabilities of each Acquired Fund to be assumed by the Acquiring Fund shall include (except as otherwise provided for herein) all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities, debts, obligations, and duties, of whatever kind or nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, whether or not determinable on the Closing Date, and whether or not specifically referred to in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Acquired Fund agrees to use its best efforts to discharge all of its known liabilities prior to the Closing Date, other than liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business.
(d) Pursuant to this Agreement, as soon after the Closing Date as is conveniently practicable, each Acquired Fund will constructively distribute pro rata to its respective shareholders of record, determined as of the Valuation Time on the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund Shares in exchange for such shareholders’ shares of beneficial interest in the Acquired Fund and the Acquired Fund will be liquidated in accordance with the Acquired Fund’s Trust Instrument. Such distribution shall be accomplished by the Funds’ transfer agent opening accounts on the Acquiring Fund’s share transfer books in the names of each respective Acquired Fund shareholders and transferring the Acquiring Fund shares thereto. Each Acquired Fund shareholder’s account shall be credited with the respective pro rata number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund shares due that shareholder. All outstanding Acquired
Fund shares, including any represented by certificates, shall simultaneously be canceled on each Acquired Fund’s share transfer records. The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing the Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with the Reorganization.
(e) Any reporting responsibility of an Acquired Fund is and shall remain its responsibility up to and including the date on which it is terminated.
(f) Any transfer taxes payable upon issuance of the Acquiring Fund shares in a name other than that of the registered holder on each Acquired Fund’s books of the Acquired Fund shares constructively exchanged for the Acquiring Fund Shares shall be paid by the person to whom such Acquiring Fund Shares are to be issued, as a condition of such transfer.
4. VALUATION.
(a) The Valuation Time shall be as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange on the Closing Date, or such other date as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto (the “Valuation Time”).
(b) As of the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund will deliver to each Acquired Fund the number of Acquiring Fund Shares having an aggregate net asset value equal to the value of the assets of each respective Acquired Fund transferred hereunder less the liabilities of each respective Acquired Fund, determined as provided in this Section 4.
(c) The net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund shares to be delivered to each Acquired Fund, the value of the assets of each Acquired Fund transferred hereunder, and the value of the liabilities of each Acquired Fund to be assumed hereunder shall in each case be determined as of the Valuation Time.
(d) The net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund shares and the value of the assets and liabilities of each Acquired Fund shall be computed in the manner set forth in the then-current Acquiring Fund Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
(e) All computations pursuant to this Section shall be made by or under the direction of Fidelity Service Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, in accordance with its regular practice as pricing agent for each Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund.
5. FEES; EXPENSES.
(a) Each Acquired Fund shall be responsible for all expenses, fees and other charges in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement incurred by such Acquired Fund.
(b) Any expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which may be attributable to the Acquiring Fund will be borne by the Acquiring Fund.
(c) The Acquiring Fund and each Acquired Fund represent that there is no person who has dealt with it who by reason of such dealings is entitled to any broker’s or finder’s or other similar fee or commission arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6. CLOSING DATE.
(a) The Reorganization, together with related acts necessary to consummate the same (the “Closing”), unless otherwise provided herein, shall occur at the principal office of the Trust, 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts, as of the Valuation Time on August 16, 2024, or at some other time, date, and place agreed to by each Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund (the “Closing Date”).
(b) In the event that on the Closing Date: (i) any of the markets for securities held by the Funds is closed to trading, or (ii) trading thereon is restricted, or (iii) trading or the reporting of trading on said market or elsewhere is disrupted, all so that accurate appraisal of the total net asset value of an Acquired Fund and the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund is impracticable, the Valuation Time and the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when such trading shall have been fully resumed and such reporting shall have been restored, or such other date as the parties may agree.
7. SHAREHOLDER MEETING AND TERMINATION OF EACH ACQUIRED FUND.
(a) Each Acquired Fund agrees to call a meeting of its shareholders after the effective date of the Registration Statement, to consider transferring its assets to the Acquiring Fund as herein provided, adopting this Agreement, and authorizing the liquidation of the Acquired Fund.
(b) Each Acquired Fund agrees that as soon as reasonably practicable after distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares, each Acquired Fund shall be terminated as a series of the Trust pursuant to its Trust Instrument, any further actions shall be taken in connection therewith as required by applicable law, and on and after the Closing Date each Acquired Fund shall not conduct any business except in connection with its liquidation and termination.
8. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND.
(a) That, as of the Valuation Time and the Closing Date, all representations and warranties of each Acquired Fund made in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects and that each Acquired Fund has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such dates;
(b) That this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein are approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each respective Acquired Fund;
(c) That, on or prior to the Closing Date, each Acquired Fund will declare one or more dividends or distributions which, together with all previous such dividends or distributions attributable to its current taxable year, shall have the effect of distributing to the shareholders of each respective Acquired Fund substantially all of the respective Acquired Fund’s investment company taxable income and all of its net realized capital gain, if any, as of the Closing Date;
(d) That the Acquiring Fund at the Closing shall have access to a statement of each Acquired Fund’s assets and liabilities, together with a list of its portfolio securities showing each such security’s adjusted tax basis and holding period by lot, with values determined as provided in Section 4 of this Agreement, all as of the Valuation Time;
(e) That each Acquired Fund’s custodian shall deliver to the Acquiring Fund a certificate identifying the assets of the Acquired Fund held by such custodian as of the Valuation Time on the Closing Date and stating that as of the Valuation Time: (i) the assets held by the custodian will be transferred to the Acquiring Fund; (ii) each Acquired Fund’s assets have been duly endorsed in proper form for transfer in such condition as to constitute good delivery thereof; and (iii) to the best of the custodian’s knowledge, all applicable taxes (including stock transfer taxes, if any) in conjunction with the delivery of the assets, that the custodian has been notified are due, have been paid or provision for payment has been made;
(f) That the Acquiring Fund at the Closing shall have access to the number of shares of each Acquired Fund outstanding as of the Valuation Time and the name and address of each holder of record of any such shares and the number of shares held of record by each such shareholder, as maintained by each Acquired Fund’s transfer agent;
(g) That each Acquired Fund calls a meeting of its respective shareholders to be held after the effective date of the Registration Statement, to consider transferring its assets to the Acquiring Fund as herein provided, adopting this Agreement, and authorizing the liquidation and termination of each respective Acquired Fund;
(h) That there has been no material adverse change in each of the Large Cap Acquired Fund’s financial position since May 31, 2023 or the Small-Mid Cap Acquired Fund’s financial position since February 28, 2023, other than changes in the market value of its portfolio securities, or changes due to net redemptions of its shares, dividends paid, or losses from operations; and
(i) That all of the issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each respective Acquired Fund shall have been offered for sale and sold in conformity with all applicable state securities laws and, to the extent that any audit of the records of each Acquired Fund or its transfer agent by the Acquiring Fund or its agents shall have revealed otherwise, each Acquired Fund shall have taken all actions that in the opinion of the Acquiring Fund are necessary to remedy any prior failure on the part of such Acquired Fund to have offered for sale and sold such shares in conformity with such laws.
9. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH ACQUIRED FUND.
(a) That the Acquiring Fund shall have executed and delivered to each Acquired Fund an Assumption of Liabilities, certified by an authorized officer of the Trust, dated as of the Closing Date pursuant to which the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund existing at the Valuation Time in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) That, as of the Valuation Time and the Closing Date, all representations and warranties of the Acquiring Fund made in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects, and the Acquiring Fund has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such dates; and
(c) That each Acquired Fund shall have received an opinion of Dechert LLP, counsel to the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, to the effect that the Acquiring Fund shares are duly authorized and upon delivery to the Acquired Fund as provided in this Agreement will be validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Acquiring Fund (except as disclosed in the Acquiring Fund’s Statement of Additional Information) and no shareholder of the Acquiring Fund has any preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect thereof.
10. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AND EACH ACQUIRED FUND.
(a) That this Agreement shall have been adopted and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each respective Acquired Fund;
(b) That all consents of other parties and all other consents, orders, and permits of federal, state, and local regulatory authorities (including those of the Commission and of state blue sky and securities authorities, and including “no action” positions of such federal or state authorities) deemed necessary by the Acquiring Fund or each Acquired Fund to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order, or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or each Acquired Fund, provided that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions;
(c) That all proceedings taken by either Fund in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents incidental thereto shall be satisfactory in form and substance to it and its counsel, Dechert LLP;
(d) That there shall not be any material litigation pending with respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) That the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop order suspending such effectiveness shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund, threatened by the Commission; and
(f) That the Acquiring Fund and each Acquired Fund shall have received an opinion of Dechert LLP satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and each Acquired Fund substantially to the effect that for federal income tax purposes:
(i) The Reorganization will constitute a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.
(ii) The Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the transfer of substantially all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund, except that the Acquired Fund may be required to recognize gain or loss with respect to contracts described in Section 1256(b) of the Code or stock in a passive foreign investment company, as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code.
(iii) The Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the distribution to its shareholders of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Fund in the Reorganization.
(iv) The Acquiring Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon receiving the properties of the Acquired Fund in exchange solely for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund.
(v) The adjusted basis to the Acquiring Fund of the properties of the Acquired Fund received by the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the adjusted basis of those properties in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately before the exchange.
(vi) The Acquiring Fund’s holding periods with respect to the properties of the Acquired Fund that the Acquiring Fund acquires in the Reorganization will include the respective periods for which those properties were held by the Acquired Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating a holding period with respect to an asset).
(vii) The Acquired Fund shareholders will recognize no gain or loss upon receiving the Acquiring Fund Shares solely in exchange for the Acquired Fund shares.
(viii) The aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by an Acquired Fund shareholder in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of the Acquired Fund shares surrendered by the Acquired Fund shareholder in exchange therefor.
(ix) An Acquired Fund shareholder’s holding period for the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Fund shareholder in the Reorganization will include the holding period during which the Acquired Fund shareholder held the Acquired Fund shares surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that the Acquired Fund shareholder held such shares as a capital asset on the date of the Reorganization.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquired Fund nor the Acquiring Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this subsection 10(f).
11. COVENANTS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AND EACH ACQUIRED FUND.
(a) The Acquiring Fund and each Acquired Fund each covenants to operate its respective business in the ordinary course between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include the payment of customary dividends and distributions;
(b) Each Acquired Fund covenants that it is not acquiring the Acquiring Fund shares for the purpose of making any distribution other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(c) Each Acquired Fund covenants that it will assist the Acquiring Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of each Acquired Fund’s shares; and
(d) Each Acquired Fund covenants that its liquidation and termination will be effected in the manner provided in its Trust Instrument in accordance with applicable law, and after the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will not conduct any business except in connection with its liquidation and termination.
12. TERMINATION; WAIVER.
The Acquiring Fund and each Acquired Fund may terminate this Agreement by mutual agreement. In addition, either the Acquiring Fund or each Acquired Fund may at its option terminate this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date because:
(i) of a material breach by the other of any representation, warranty, or agreement contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date; or
(ii) a condition herein expressed to be precedent to the obligations of the terminating party has not been met and it reasonably appears that it will not or cannot be met.
In the event of any such termination, there shall be no liability for damages on the part of each Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund, or their respective Trustees or officers.
13. SOLE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES.
(a) This Agreement supersedes all previous correspondence and oral communications between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof, constitutes the only understanding with respect to such subject matter, may not be changed except by a letter of agreement signed by each party hereto and shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented in such manner as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the respective President, any Vice President, or Treasurer of the Acquiring Fund or each Acquired Fund ; provided, however, that following the shareholders’ meeting called by each Acquired Fund pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be paid to each Acquired Fund respective shareholders under this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.
(c) Either Fund may waive any condition to its obligations hereunder, provided that such waiver does not have any material adverse effect on the interests of such Fund’s shareholders.
The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Agreement, or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith, shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
14. DECLARATIONS OF TRUST.
A copy of each Fund’s Trust Instrument is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees of each Fund as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of each Fund under this instrument are not binding upon any of such Fund’s Trustees, officers, or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of such Fund. Each Fund agrees that its obligations hereunder apply only to such Fund and not to its shareholders individually or to the Trustees of such Fund.
15. ASSIGNMENT.
This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other parties. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm, or corporation other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by an appropriate officer.
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Attachment 1
The following table shows the capitalization of Large Cap, Small-Mid Cap, and U.S. Total Stock Fund as of November 30, 2023, and on a pro forma combined basis (unaudited) as of that date giving effect to all of the Reorganizations if all are approved.
| Net Assets | Net Asset Value Per Share | Shares Outstanding |
Large Cap Fundc | $ 53,116,174,327 | $ 11.42 | 4,651,593,711 |
Small-Mid Cap Fundd | $ 8,283,894,247 | $ 13.81 | 599,769,228 |
U.S. Total Stock Funde | N/A | N/A | N/A |
U.S. Total Stock Fund Pro Forma Combined Fund | $ 61,400,068,574 | $ 10.00 b | 6,140,006,857a |
a | To comply with Rule 3-18 of Regulation S-X, the pro-forma financial statements will be based on the most recent audited annual report of the Acquiring Fund. If these are more than 245 days old as of the effective date of the N-14 filing, interim financial statements covering a 12 month period will be used. In addition, per Regulation S-X Section 210.11 - 02 (a)(7) shares have been adjusted to reflect what will be issued post-merger. |
b | U.S. Total Stock Fund expected to launch at $10.00 net asset value per share. |
c | Large Cap Fund’s estimated one time proxy costs related to the proposals in this proxy statement is $86,861. |
d | Small-Mid Cap Fund’s estimated one time proxy costs related to the proposals in this proxy statement is $52,239. |
e | U.S. Total Stock Fund is a new fund and has not yet commenced operations. |
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.
1.9912044.100 | RSM24-PXS-0524 |
Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund
Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund
Strategic Advisers U.S. Total Stock Fund
(Series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II)
FORM N-14
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
May 13, 2024
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) relates to the proposed acquisition of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund (Large Cap Fund) and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund (Small-Mid Cap Fund), series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, by Strategic Advisers U.S. Total Stock Fund (U.S. Total Stock Fund), a series of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II. This SAI contains information that may be of interest to shareholders, but which is not included in the Proxy Statement which relates to the Reorganization. As described in the Proxy Statement, U.S. Total Stock Fund will acquire all of the assets of Large Cap Fund and Small-Mid Cap Fund and assume all of Large Cap Fund’s and Small-Mid Cap Fund’s liabilities, in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest in U.S. Total Stock Fund.
This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and may be obtained, without charge, from Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917.
This SAI consists of this cover page and the following described documents, each of which is incorporated herein by reference:
| 1. | [The Prospectus of Strategic Advisers U.S. Total Stock Fund, dated __________, which was previously filed via EDGAR (Accession No. ____________)]. |
| 2. | [The Statement of Additional Information of Strategic Advisers U.S. Total Stock Fund, which was previously filed via EDGAR (Accession No. ____________)]. |
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
A table showing the fees of each Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, and the fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund on a pro forma basis after giving effect to each proposed Reorganization, is included in the “Examples of Effect of Fund Expenses” section of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
None of the Reorganizations will result in a material change any Acquired Fund’s investment portfolio due to the investment restrictions of the Acquiring Fund. In particular, each security held by each Acquired Fund is eligible to be held by the Acquiring Fund. As a result, a schedule of investments of each Acquired Fund modified to show the effects of the change is not required and is not included. Notwithstanding the foregoing, changes may be made to an Acquired Fund’s portfolio in advance of the Reorganizations and/or the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio following the Reorganizations.
There are no material differences between the accounting and valuation policies of the Acquired Funds and those of the Acquiring Fund.
PART C. | OTHER INFORMATION |
| |
Item 15. | Indemnification |
Pursuant to Del. Code Ann. title 12 § 3817, a Delaware statutory trust may provide in its governing instrument for the indemnification of its officers and trustees from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. Article X, Section 10.02 of the Trust Instrument sets forth the reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification shall be provided to any past or present Trustee or officer. It states that the Trust shall indemnify any present or past trustee or officer to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability, and all expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she is involved by virtue of his or her service as a trustee or officer and against any amount incurred in settlement thereof. Indemnification will not be provided to a person adjudged by a court or other adjudicatory body to be liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties (collectively, “disabling conduct”), or not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Trust. In the event of a settlement, no indemnification may be provided unless there has been a determination, as specified in the Trust Instrument, that the officer or trustee did not engage in disabling conduct.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Distribution Agreement, the Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the registration statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law. However, the Trust does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it harmless to the extent that the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor. In no case is the indemnity of the Trust in favor of the Distributor or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Distributor or any person against any liability to the Issuer or its security holders to which the Distributor or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Pursuant to the agreement by which Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company LLC (“FIIOC”) is appointed transfer agent, the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold FIIOC harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from:
| | (1) any claim, demand, action or suit brought by any person other than the Registrant, including by a shareholder, which names FIIOC and/or the Registrant as a party and is not based on and does not result from FIIOC’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties, and arises out of or in connection with FIIOC’s performance under the Transfer Agency Agreement; or |
| | (2) any claim, demand, action or suit (except to the extent contributed to by FIIOC’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties) which results from the negligence of the Registrant, or from FIIOC’s acting upon any instruction(s) reasonably believed by it to have been executed or communicated by any person duly authorized by the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC’s acting in reliance upon advice reasonably believed by FIIOC to have been given by counsel for the Registrant, or as a result of FIIOC’s acting in reliance upon any instrument or stock certificate reasonably believed by it to have been genuine and signed, countersigned or executed by the proper person. |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
(2) | Bylaws of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II, as amended and dated June 4, 2009, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3. |
(3) | Not applicable. |
(4) | Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II: Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund and Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II: Strategic Advisers U.S. Total Stock Fund is filed herein as Exhibit 1 to the Proxy Statement and Prospectus. |
(5) | Articles II, VII, IX, X, and XI of the Trust Instrument, dated March 8, 2006, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of the Initial Registration Statement on N-1A; and Articles IV and VI of the Bylaws of the Trust, as amended and dated June 4, 2009, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3. |
(6) | | |
| (1) | Management Contract, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (2) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (3) | Management Contract, dated June 7, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 79 & 82. |
| (4) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (5) | Management Contract, dated September 13, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 82 & 85. |
| (6) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (7) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (8) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers International Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (9) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (10) | Management Contract, dated June 3, 2020, between Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (11) | Management Contract, dated June 3, 2021, between Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 111 & 114. |
| (12) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (13) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (14) | Amended and Restated Management Contract, dated October 1, 2018, between Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund and Strategic Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (15) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Fidelity Diversifying Solutions LLC (FIAM Convertible Arbitrage), on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effect Amendment Nos. 117 & 120. |
| (16) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Fidelity Diversifying Solutions LLC (FIAM Equity Market Protective Put), on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 117& 120. |
| (17) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (or PIMCO), on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 117 & 120. |
| (18) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 10, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (19) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 1, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and PGIM, Inc, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(19). |
| (20) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 2, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(20) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (21) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 2, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and TCW Investment Management Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (22) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 2, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(22) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (23) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated April 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Acadian Asset Management LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (24) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated May 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Causeway Capital Management LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(19) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 112 & 115. |
| (25) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated February 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(25) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (26) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2019, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIL Investment Advisors, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(26) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (27) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(27) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (28) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated May 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC, and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(22) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (29) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 1, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(29) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (30) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated February 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(31) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (31) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2019, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIL Investment Advisors, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(32) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (32) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(33) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (33) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(34) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (34) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 3, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIL Investment Advisors, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(35) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (35) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(36) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 122. |
| (36) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 18, 2016, between Strategic Advisers, Inc. (currently known as Strategic Advisers LLC) and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(85) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 56 & 59. |
| (37) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated April 12, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and PGIM, Inc, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(31) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 112 & 115. |
| (38) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 3, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(31) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (39) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2019, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Arrowstreet Capital, Limited Partnership on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(40) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (40) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated May 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Causeway Capital Management LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(34) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 112 & 115. |
| (41) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated February 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(42) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (42) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2019, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIL Investment Advisors, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(43) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (43) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(44) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (44) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 4, 2019, between Strategic Advisers LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(61) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (45) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Massachusetts Financial Services Company (currently known as MFS Investment Management (MFS)), on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(39) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (46) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 23, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(47) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (47) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and William Blair Investment Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(40) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (48) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 1,2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Wellington Management Company, LLP, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(49) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (49) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated February 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(50) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (50) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2019, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIL Investment Advisors, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(50) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (51) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(51) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (52) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated May 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Alliancebernstein L.P., on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(45) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (53) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(46) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (54) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated July 31, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(54) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (55) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 2, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Clarivest Asset Management LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(47) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (56) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 7,2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and D.E. Shaw Investment Management, LLC on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(56) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (57) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 7, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(57) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (58) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and, Geode Capital Management, LLC on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(58) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (59) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(60) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (60) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 3, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and, Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(80) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (61) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 3, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and, LSV Asset Management, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(81) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (62) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(62) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (63) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 3, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and, PineBridge Investments LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(82) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (64) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated May 1, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and, Principal Global Investors, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(64) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (65) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is filed herein as Exhibit (d)(65). |
| (66) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 7,2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Wellington Management Company LLP, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(67) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (67) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Delaware Investments Fund Advisers, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(59) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (68) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 10, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(65) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (69) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and MacKay Shields LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(68) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (70) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Massachusetts Financial Services Company (currently known as MFS Investment Management (MFS)), on behalf of Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(62) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (71) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., on behalf of Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(68) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (72) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 10, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Western Asset Management Company, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(69) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (73) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated April 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(74) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (74) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., on behalf of Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(71) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (75) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and AllianceBernstein L.P., on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(60) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (76) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 2, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and ArrowMark Partners, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(61) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (77) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated October 1, 2019, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(76) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (78) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 3, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIL Investment Advisors, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(77) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (79) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Geode Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(78) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (80) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 10, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(76) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (81) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 2, 2020, between Strategic Advisers LLC and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(64) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (82) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated April 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and LSV Asset Management, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(71) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (83) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated April 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Portolan Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(84) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (84) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 7, 2022, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(83) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (85) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 2, 2020, between Strategic Advisers, LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(69) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (86) | Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated April 1, 2023, between Strategic Advisers LLC and FIAM LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(88) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (87) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 6, 2017, between Strategic Advisers, Inc. (currently known as Strategic Advisers LLC) and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., on behalf of Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(137) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 65 & 68. |
| (88) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 1, 2021, between Strategic Advisers LLC and Allspring Global Investments, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(79) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 114 & 117. |
| (89) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement and Schedule A, dated June 2, 2022, between Fidelity Diversifying Solutions LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(90) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 117 & 120. |
| (90) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement and Schedule A, dated June 2, 2022, between Fidelity Diversifying Solutions LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(91) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 117 & 120. |
| (91) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement and Schedule A, dated June 2, 2022, between Fidelity Diversifying Solutions LLC and FMR Investment Management (U.K.) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(91) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (92) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, between FIAM LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, Strategic Advisors Municipal Bond Fund, Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(87) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (93) | Schedule A to the Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, between FIAM LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, Strategic Advisors Municipal Bond Fund, Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(91) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (94) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, between FIAM LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, Strategic Advisors Municipal Bond Fund, Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(88) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (95) | Schedule A to the Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, between FIAM LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, Strategic Advisors Municipal Bond Fund, Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(93) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (96) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, between FIAM LLC and FMR Investment Management (U.K.) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, Strategic Advisors Municipal Bond Fund, Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(89) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 91 & 94. |
| (97) | Schedule A to the Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, between FIAM LLC and FMR Investment Management (U.K.) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, Strategic Advisors Municipal Bond Fund, Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, and Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(95) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (98) | Amended and Restated Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement and Schedule A, dated June 3, 2020, between FIAM LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund and Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(110) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (99) | Form of Amended and Restated Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement and Schedule A, between FIAM LLC and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund and Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(111) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (100) | Amended and Restated Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement and Schedule A, dated June 3, 2020, between FIAM LLC and FMR Investment Management (UK) Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund and Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(112) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (101) | Form of Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement and Schedule A, dated October 18, 2016, between FIL Investment Advisors and FIL Investment Advisors (U.K.) Limited, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund (formally known as Strategic Advisers International II Fund), Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, and Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(103) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 119 & 122. |
| (102) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated December 2, 2020 between PGIM, Inc. and PGIM Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(81) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 110 & 113. |
| (103) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated March 10, 2022, between BlackRock International Limited and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(101) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (104) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated March 10, 2022, between BlackRock (Singapore) Limited and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(102) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (105) | Amended and Restated Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated July 1, 2020 between Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. and Schroder Investment Management North America Limited on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(114) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (106) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated September 7,2022, between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Limited, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(106) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (107) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated September 7,2022, between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and T. Rowe Price International Ltd., on behalf of Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(108) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 118 & 121. |
| (108) | Sub-SubAdvisory Agreement, dated March 4, 2021, between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Singapore Private Ltd. on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(108) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 117 & 120. |
(7) | |
| (1) | General Distribution Agreement, dated June 2, 2022, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (2) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (3) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (4) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (5) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (6) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (7) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (8) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (9) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (10) | General Distribution Agreement, dated June 3, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (11) | General Distribution Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, between Fidelity Rutland Square II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 111 & 114. |
| (12) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (13) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (14) | Amended and Restated General Distribution Agreement, dated January 1, 2020, between Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC, on behalf of Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
(8) | | Fee Deferral Plan of the Non-Interested Person Trustees of the Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II Funds, effective as of June 6, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (f) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 109 & 112. |
(9) | |
| (1) | Custodian Agreement dated April 12, 2007 between Mellon Bank, N.A. (currently known as The Bank of New York Mellon) and Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II on behalf of Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund, and Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) of Fidelity Commonwealth Trust II’s (File No. 333-139428) Post-Effective Amendment No. 3. |
| (2) | Custodian Agreement dated April 12, 2007 between State Street Bank & Trust Company and Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II on behalf of Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund, Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund, Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund, Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund, Strategic Advisers International Fund, Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund, Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund, and Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g) of Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II’s (File No. 333-139427) Post-Effective Amendment No. 1. |
(10) | |
| (1) | Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Alternatives Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 116 & 119. |
| (2) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Core Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (3) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Fidelity Core Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (4) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Emerging Markets Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (5) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (6) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Fidelity International Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (7) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Fidelity U.S. Total Stock Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (8) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Income Opportunities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (9) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers International Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (10) | Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Large Cap Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 106 & 109. |
| (11) | Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Municipal Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 111 & 114. |
| (12) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Short Duration Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (13) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Small-Mid Cap Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
| (14) | Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Strategic Advisers Tax-Sensitive Short Duration Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 102 & 105. |
(11) | | Opinion and consent of counsel Dechert LLP, dated March 28, 2024, as to the legality of shares being registered is filed herein as Exhibit 11. |
(12) | | Opinion and Consent of counsel Dechert LLP, as to tax matters - To be filed by Post-Effective Amendment. |
(13) | | Not applicable. |
(14) | | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated March 26, 2024, is filed herein as Exhibit 14. |
(15) | | Not applicable. |
(16) | | Power of Attorney, dated March 8, 2024, is filed herein as Exhibit 16. |
(17) | | Not applicable. |
| (1) | The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of the prospectus which is a part of this Registration Statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reoffering by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form. |
| (2) | The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as part of an amendment to the Registration Statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each Post-Effective Amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them. |
| (3) | The undersigned Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement upon the closing of the Reorganization described in this Registration Statement that contains an opinion of counsel supporting the tax matters discussed in this Registration Statement. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 28th day of March 2024.
| Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II |
| By | /s/ Heather Bonner |
| | Heather Bonner, President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
(Signature) | | (Title) | (Date) |
| | | |
/s/ Heather Bonner | | President and Treasurer | |
Heather Bonner | | (Principal Executive Officer) | March 28, 2024 |
| | | |
/s/ John J. Burke III | | Chief Financial Officer | |
John J. Burke III | | (Principal Financial Officer) | March 28, 2024 |
| | | |
/s/ Mary C. Farrell | * | Trustee | March 28, 2024 |
Mary C. Farrell | | | |
| | | |
/s/ Karen Kaplan | * | Trustee | March 28, 2024 |
Karen Kaplan | | | |
| | | |
/s/ Christine Marcks | * | Trustee | March 28, 2024 |
Christine Marcks | | | |
| | | |
/s/ Charles S. Morrison | * | Trustee | March 28, 2024 |
Charles S. Morrison | | | |
| | | |
/s/ Nancy Prior | * | Trustee | March 28, 2024 |
Nancy Prior | | | |
| | | |
/s/ Harold Singleton III | * | Trustee | March 28, 2024 |
Harold Singleton III | | | |
| | | |
/s/ Heidi L. Steiger | * | Trustee | March 28, 2024 |
Heidi L. Steiger | | | |
| | | |
* | By: | /s/ Megan C. Johnson | |
| | Megan C. Johnson, pursuant to a power of attorney dated March 8, 2024, and filed herewith. |